Day 6
Thailand
At the start of a new year, many people to go the Wat Takian temple in Bangkok and take part in a ceremony to remove any bad luck they experienced in the last year and bring good fortune in the new year. Part of the ceremony includes lying in open coffins as though they were dead, with flowers and incense sticks, and as they enter the crematorium monks chant over them. Pray that many Thai people will come to know of the Father Heart of God, of His great love for them, and His invitation that they come to Him and remain in His love (The Bible, John 15:9).
Source: Devotees climb into coffins for Thailand’s unusual New Year ceremony (Inquirer)
Thailand means “Land of the free;” however, many are in bondage. Despite a relatively stable and industrialized economy, slavery, sex tourism and trafficking, drugs, and organized crime are rampant. A constitutional monarchy since 1932, a new king ascended the throne at the end of 2016 and signed a new military-drafted constitution in 2017 designed to pave the way for a return to democracy after numerous coups. However, critics say the new constitution has only strengthened the sweeping, unchecked, and unaccountable military powers. A public protest movement was active during 2020 -2021 but declined in 2022 due to an increasing climate of fear and persecution created by the Thai government. Though Protestant missionaries have been working in Thailand for 200 years, 88 percent of Thailand remains unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
