Thai, Northern in Laos
Photo Source:
ฉวีวรรณ เพิ่มโภค - Pixabay
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Thai, Northern |
| Country: | Laos |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 40,000 |
| World Population: | 7,827,000 |
| Primary Language: | Thai, Northern |
| Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Thai |
| Affinity Bloc: | Southeast Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The large Northern Thai community dominates north and northwest Thailand, being centered around the city of Chiang Mai.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Northern Thai people live like the people around them for the most part. They are usually farmers.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They have followed Buddhism for 1,000 years. The belief system of the Thai people doesn't emphasize the reality of sin against a holy God, and the need for forgiveness. They may not know they need a Savior. Like other Theravada Buddhists, they today mix their beliefs with numerous animistic rituals. Protestant missionaries have worked in northern Thailand for about 150 years, but response from the Northern Thai has been painstakingly slow.
What Are Their Needs?
The Northern Thai in Laos need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.
Prayer Points
There are some followers of Christ among the Northern Thai. Pray they will not mix Buddhist or animistic beliefs with the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for strong commitment to Christ, and for holy living.
Pray for Thai families to be drawn to Jesus as the only way.
Pray the Thai will increasingly desire a solution for their sin problem.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Northern Thai people in Laos and Thailand.