Thailand

Welcome
We pray that you will feel God’s blessings and direction as you serve Him in Thailand.

Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Myanmar.

Area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming.

Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere.

History
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict.

Weather
Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid.

Goverment
Constitutional monarchy with its capital city being Bangkok.

Economy
Currency: baht (B)
Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer.
Agriculture: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans.

Project Sites
Issan: Located in the Northeast portion of Thailand. You will be working in the villages in Issan and Wangnamyen. This clinic will be mobile. There may be the opportunity to spend a couple days working at the local mission hospital – Bangkla Baptist Hospital.

You will be staying in missionary homes or homes of the national pastors. Mosquito netting will be provided as well as air mattresses. You may want to bring an additional thin air mattress for added comfort. Food will be mainly Thai; bottled water will be provided.

Communication
Thai people put great emphasis on politeness and good manners. Although they are generally understanding of Westerner’s mistakes through ignorance – the people appreciate all attempts to be polite the Thai way.