Thai in Malaysia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Originally from China, the Thai emigrated south due to unending Chinese pressure, conquering many peoples and cultures along the way. By the tenth century, they were in southern Thailand in substantial numbers. Eventually, they moved as far south as Peninsular Malaysia where they mingled with Muslim Malay peoples. Traditionally, Thai social structure consisted of a somewhat feudal organization with distinct class divisions between nobility and commoners. Although the head of a village was a commoner, he was required to report to a nobleman who was the overseer of a district. Weakness of power on the part of the overseer led to the breakdown of this system. The nobility has now been replaced by appointed and elected officials subject to a parliament, but class distinctions are still a notable part of Thai society.
Some Thai live in northern Peninsular Malaysia bordering Thailand. Living in a tropical, mountainous region, they dwell along rivers or near roads. They speak a tonal language called Thai and are part of a larger people group known as the Tai.
The Malay culture has been strongly influenced by that of other peoples, including the Thai. For example, the city of Bangkok has played a major role in Peninsular Malaysia since the thirteenth century, and there is mutual respect between Thailand and Malaysia. Originally, the rivers were the means for political and diplomatic relations. Today, however, highways and railways maintain trade and communication between the two nations.
One can honestly say that the Malay and the Thai have their similarities, but in another way, this is a cultural ecotone, where a Muslim culture blends with a Buddhist one.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In general, the Thai are very polite, respectful, and hospitable. Children are taught from a young age to accept a code of social behavior based on respect for those of higher rank. They emphasize independence and self-reliance. Traditionally, marriages have been arranged by the parents.
The Thai, especially in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, enjoy participating in popular puppet performances.
One cannot see a physical difference between the Malay and the Thai. They have similar, but different cuisines, both of which include much spice and coconut milk. They share the Malay language, though the Thai speak their own language at home. The biggest difference you would notice is religion.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Malaysia is a Muslim country, and some Thai Buddhists have become Muslim; these people have joined the Malay community. The vast majority of the Thai in Malaysia have remained Theravada Buddhists like the Thai in Thailand. Some remnants of their ethnic religion are still with them such as their constant attention to guardian spirits and their various ceremonies for good harvests or good weather. Buddhism is central to their identity, though they are tolerant of other people's religious views.
The Thai in Malaysia tend to live near a Buddhist temple (wat) where they join other Thai people for religious and cultural events that reinforce their identity as Thai. The Buddhist monks are instrumental in preserving this identity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Thai Buddhists in Malaysia need to seek God for their acceptance. They need to put their identity in Him, not in their ethnicity.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to give the Thai in Malaysia a huge rice harvest this year as a testimony of his sovereignty and lovingkindness.
Pray that Thai Buddhists will understand that Jesus Christ is for all nations, including theirs.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Thai in Malaysia.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Thai in Malaysia.


Scripture Prayers for the Thai in Malaysia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Thai
People Name in Country Thai
Pronunciation tye
Alternate Names Bangkok Thai; Central Tai; Khon Tai; Lao Song; Siamese; Siamese Thai; Tai Noi; Thai Khom; Thai Klang; Thai Song
Population this Country 32,000
Population all Countries 24,271,000
Total Countries 29
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11277
ROP3 Code 101940
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
90.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.40 %)
0.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
6.00 %
Non-Religious
3.50 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Thai (32,000 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Thai (32,000 speakers)
Language Code tha   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Thai

Primary Language:  Thai

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1834-1967)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1843-1977)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1883-2020)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Thai Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Thai YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Thai Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ ขจง. Bible League
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: ข่าวดี Thai: Good News Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Thai YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ ขจง. Bible League
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Thai Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Deepak Meena - Pixabay 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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