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| Thailand |
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Population: 65,493,296 (July 2008 est.)
Official Languages: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Major Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census) |
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Literacy:
Economic Overview:
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well-developed infrastructure, free enterprise economy, and pro-investment policies
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Asia’s best performer 2002-04
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Exports performing at record level, thanks to auto industry
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the massive tsunami hit Thailand hard
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2006 investment in the country stagnated due to political instability of the THAKSIN administration
Some Statistics:
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Labour Force by Occupation:
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Agriculture: 49%
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Industry: 14%
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Services: 37% (2000est.)
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Unemployment Rate: 2.1% (2006 est.)
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Pop. Below Poverty Line: 10% (2004 est.) |
Geography:
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Climate: tropical, rainy, and warm southwest; dry, cool northeast, southern isthmus is always hot and humid
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Terrain: central plains; Khorat Plateau in the east, elsewhere mountainous
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Christian Perspective
Boasting of 1,071 temples and 280,000 monks, Thailand is a nation wracked with spiritual problems. Though very beautiful, this 95% Buddhist country struggles with idolatry, pornography, and prostitution; all of which attract tourists from around the world every year. |
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Praise Points:
- The slowly increasing openness to the Gospel
- Greater spiritual response due in part to Christian radio, the Jesus film, drama, and a growing prayer movement
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Prayer Points:
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Spiritual oppression: practicing of spirit appeasement, Buddhism, and occult practices
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Slow growth of the church, lack of Thai leadership, and struggle to reach marginalized groups
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Sinful core of Thai society: prostitution, pornography, etc. | |
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