The Kingdom of Thailand with a population of 62 million+ lies in the heart of Southeast Asia and is a neighbour to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Thailand has a highly revered monarchy with the present King Bumhipol reigning for more than 50 years. 95% Thai follow Buddhism and the King is the upholder of the Buddhist religion.

MTI MINISTRY IN BANGKOK

Mercy Teams International ( Thailand ) currently has a Team House and Office in Bangkok. A new couple has arrived and is learning the language. They also offer hospitality to MTI workers in the region. Although the door for prison work has now closed there are many opportunities for ministry in this capital city of seven million people.

MTI MINISTRY ON THE THAI-MYANMAR BORDER

Sangkhlaburi is a quiet trading town in western Thailand, situated on a lake along the border with Myanmar.

Living beside the lake are many minority Hill tribe people groups, who have fled Myanmar and entered Thailand through the Three Pagodas Pass. Three Pagodas Pass is named after a trio of historic cone shaped chedis. Hundreds of years ago, this was the place where marauding Burmese armies marched into Thailand on their traditional invasions.

In 1988, the Burmese army attacked the Three Pagodas Pass and burned the town to the ground. Today, the border crossing is closed, a silent witness to the struggles from the past. There is a dusty market with a collection of stalls selling burmese clothes, synthetic gems, blankets and teak furniture. Minority groups such as the Lao, Mon and Karen who have come thru the border, are not recognized by the Thailand government. Without any identity cards, their prospects of finding employment are severely limited.

Consequently, these tribal people are among the most impoverished people in the area, as they are forced to lead a secluded lifestyle and to rely on fishing from the lake as their main source of livelihood. Minority children also face the problem of illiteracy as they are prohibited from studying in Thai schools.

Income Generation and Training

Mercy Teams (Thailand) has established Income Generation and Training initiatives amongst the Tribal people and other border town refugees. With the purchase of weaving looms, MTI has created opportunities for minority women to gain much needed weaving skills, and enable them to obtain vital income for their destitute families.

Short term teams have also taught English in the Primary Schools.

KAREN BURMESE REFUGEE SCHOOL

The tale of the Karen Burmese is one of a people who have been on the run for years. Thousands of families now survive in the jungle, fleeing from the raids on their villages.

A Mon village on the border comprises 300 - 400 villagers who are Mon, Karen, and Burmese. Five years ago a village church was built.

MTI has built a concrete block and slab community school for refugee children on the Thai-Myanmar border. The school provides a Christian education for more than 70 Burmese children who are not allowed attendance in Thai schools and cannot receive an education in Myanmar.

Local Burmese are employed as the teachers and MTI workers provide the materials and training for them. The children are beautiful, full of life, and love learning. Currently a massive hole is being filled in to provide a playground for the children.

REFUGEE SCHOOL CHILDREN'S HOME

Although the school has no residential facilities, as many as 25 of the poorest and neediest children, some of whom are orphans, are living at the school because they have nowhere else to stay during the school term.

Currently the children are housed in a small, thatched dorm. MTI now plans to build a home that is simple, blends in with the village, and is functional. The plan involves building 5 rooms - 2 for boys, 2 for girls and one for the house parents - plus a kitchen and a bathroom.

DENTAL CLINIC/MEDICAL CLINIC

Currently a nurse and dentist provide free care to the villagers who patiently wait in the small reception area. Educational talks are also presented to groups of women on nutrition, health, and family issues. The medical and dental services are given in the school but plans are to build and equip a clinic that is outside the school and easily accessible to the whole community. The dental clinic will operate six months a year and the medical clinic as workers are available.

A pick-up truck has recently been given that will provide transportation for people needing emergency medical help to the district hospital many miles away. Until now, the only possibility has been to use the project motorcycles, transporting the patient on the back! The vehicle will also be used to facilitate teams of international short-term volunteers donating their time and skills.

DRINKING WATER

Access to clean drinking water has been impossible and water is scarce during the summer season from January to May each year. The village draws its water from a hole in the ground at the foot of the mountain.
MTI now has a well that can provide clean water for the school and children's home. Plans are being developed to provide clean water for the community using a pump.

Contact Mailing Address

Mercy Teams International (Thailand)
Loyang Offshore Supply Base
Loyang Crescent
P.O. Box 5134
Singapore 508988

Contact Person for Thailand :
Administration Manager
Tel / Fax : (+65) 6546 4797
Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it