THAILAND
GOVERNMENT: Constitutional monarchy
POPULATION: 70 million
RELIGION: Buddhism (majority); Islam, Christianity minorities
LANGUAGE: Thai
CURRENCY: Thai Baht (THB)
CLIMATE: Tropical, hot, humid; distinct rainy, cool, and hot seasons
Pray with us
Pray for authentic, culturally rooted expressions of Thai Christianity. Ask God that Thai believers would create worship and discipleship tools, share Bible teachings, and present church expressions that remain faithful to the Gospel and also resonate with Thai culture.
Pray for courageous, visionary leaders. Though church growth has been slow, thousands recently gathered for a training by the Thailand Evangelism Committee (TEC). Ask God for perseverance, unity across denominations, and resources to reach every village with the Gospel.
Pray for spiritual breakthrough in a country bound by tradition and a devotion to Buddhism and occult practices. Pray that God’s power and truth would break chains of spiritual blindness and generational strongholds.
THE REALITY
Thailand is a free and diverse country known for its rich, warm and peaceful culture. Yet beneath the kindness of its people, spiritual darkness is the reality. Even after nearly two centuries of missionary efforts, less than 1.2% of Thailand’s population identifies as Christian, and most of those believers come from ethnic minorities rather than Thai people. Theravada Buddhism is not only their religion but also their cultural identity, driving many traditions and social norms. The perception that they are betraying their family or heritage keeps many from solely placing their faith in Jesus.
Of Thailand’s 7,415 administrative sub‑districts, over 6,000 have no church or the presence of Christians at all. This means a majority of the country lacks access to biblical teaching or discipleship. Even amongst Thais who have heard the Gospel, a survey found that 89% of them couldn’t fully understand or grasp its message. Thai churches tend to remain small, and the majority lack strong spiritual leaders who can train and equip church members as disciple-makers.
Yet the Lord is using creative outlets to open the minds and hearts of the youth. In recent years, Thailand has become an unexpected hub with 21 wakeboarding parks and more than 40 skateparks across the country. As the passion for action sports continues to grow, it offers a unique opportunity to plant seeds of Jesus's grace and love amongst receptive young people who value community. In a culture deeply interested in spiritual realities and seeking lasting peace, Gospel truths shared through relational means can have a great impact.
