Urak Lawoi in Thailand

The Urak Lawoi have only been reported in Thailand
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Urak Lawoi is one of several ethnicities sometimes known as Sea Gypsies. They reside on several islands off the western coast of Thailand.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Urak Lawoi way of life has been firmly connected to the sea, and their seaside villages were established with a communal ethic that ensured that most things were shared, and that everyone knew each other. Today, the Urak Lawoi way of life is changing due to the national Marine Park, the influx of tourists and competition with commercial fisheries.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Animist by origin, the Urak Lawoi believed that every beach, sea and bay possessed a spirit that had to be respected.


What Are Their Needs?

The lure of materialism is preventing these people from realizing their spiritual needs.


Prayer Points

Pray the few followers of Christ among this people will be accurately taught the ways of Christ, and will live lives of holiness and joy.

Pray for safety for these seafaring people, and that they won't be exploited because of the many tourists now visiting their villages.

Pray that Christians among the tourists in the region will notice the Urak Lawoi people, befriend them, and share the love of Christ with them.

The New Testament is available in their language, so pray for Christian believers to give them the word.


Scripture Prayers for the Urak Lawoi in Thailand.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urak_Lawoi
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-8283-y
http://kohlipethailand.com/koh-lipe/Urak-Lawoi/
https://www.thailandmagazine.com/the-urak-lawoi-the-first-inhabitants-of-koh-lipe/?lang=en


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Urak Lawoi
People Name in Country Urak Lawoi
Alternate Names Chao Lay; Lumoh Lawoi; Sea Gypsies; Thai Mai; Urak Lawoi Aborigine
Population this Country 3,200
Population all Countries 3,200
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15722
ROP3 Code 110417
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Southwest coastal islands, south of Phuket province; Krabi province: offshore islands, Phi Phi Don, Ha, Khlong Dao, Lang Sot and Thung; Satun province: Bu Tang, Ra Wi, and A Dang islands.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Southwest coastal islands, south of Phuket province; Krabi province: offshore islands, Phi Phi Don, Ha, Khlong Dao, Lang Sot and Thung; Satun province: Bu Tang, Ra Wi, and A Dang islands..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
98.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Urak Lawoi'
Language Code urk   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Urak Lawoi
Dialect Code 1135   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Thai, Southern
Primary Language Urak Lawoi'
Language Code urk   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Urak Lawoi
Dialect Code 1135   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Thai, Southern
People Groups Speaking Urak Lawoi'
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of the World Foundation  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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