Thailand Missions

Missionaries Serving:

Jack and Kim Cunningham

Capital

Bangkok (5,620,600, 1991 est.)

System of Government

Constitutional Monarchy

Area

513,115 Sq Km (198,115 Sq Mi) (twice the size of Wyoming)

Estimated 2000 Population

62,860,300

Geography

Thailand is located in the center of mainland Southeast Asia. It is bound by the Andaman Sea to the west, Myanmar to the west and northwest, Laos to the east and northeast, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. Central Thailand is a large fertile plain formed by the country’s chief river, the Chao Phraya. Much of the country’s rice and other crops are grown in this region. Mountains and plateaus surround the central plain on the west, north, and east.

Climate

Thailand has a tropical climate dominated by the monsoons. There is a dry season from January to February, a hot season from March to May, a wet season from June to October and a cool season from November to December. Average temperatures in Bangkok are from 68 degrees Fahrenheit in December to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in April.

People

Over 79% of the population are Thai of Siamese and Laotian descent. The largest minority are the Chinese who account for 14% of the population. Other ethnic minorities include Malay and Cambodians.

Vital Statistics

Life Expectancy at Birth: 66.0 years male, 71.0 years female (1993). Infant Mortality Rate: 25.0 per 1,000 live births (1991). HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate: 2.15% (1999 est.).

Religions

Over 94% of the population follow Buddhism in its Theravada or Hinayana form. The remainder are Muslims and Christians. Most Thais believe that to be Thai is to be a Buddhist. Theravada Buddhism is the driving force of cultural development and can be seen everywhere. There are lavishly decorated temples everywhere and spirit houses on almost every corner and in front of or inside most businesses and homes. The Thai people are a very spiritual people and most believe in a Buddhism that is blended with Hinduism, Animism, and Chinese ancestor worship. Most have no concept of an Almighty, Holy, Loving God of Grace, nor of most of the basic Christian beliefs.

Languages

The official language is Thai, which has four dialects. English is the secondary language of the educated, and is used in commerce. Very few people speak fluent English.

History

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. The country was an absolute monarchy from 1782 until 1932, when rebels seized power in a coup and established a constitutional monarchy. Since then, Thailand has come under the rule of many governments, both civil and military. The country was known as Siam until 1939. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a U.S. ally following the conflict. The Kingdom of Thailand is governed by a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The present monarch is King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ascended to the throne after his brother’s death in 1946. Constitutionally, power rests with the prime minister, a cabinet and bicameral legislature (the national assembly) composed of senates and an elected house of representatives.