People group profile · PG010862
The Isaan of Thailand
The Isaan of Thailand, numbering about 18,610,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an ethnolinguistic group native to Northeastern Thailand. They are primarily ethnic Lao, and their identity reflects a blend of Lao heritage, Thai national integration, and regional distinctiveness.
They are an indigenous people in the Thai people cluster of the Southeast Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Theravada Buddhism, and they primarily speak Northeastern Thai.
Fast facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Population
- 18,610,000
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Thai
- Primary language
- Northeastern Thai (tts)
- Primary religion
- Theravada Buddhism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Nan, Phayao, and Phrae provinces
Where they live
Gospel status
The Isaan are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Isaan
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Theravada Buddhism · Buddhism
60% adherents
Primary language
Northeastern Thai · Tai-Kadai family
80% speak Northeastern Thai
Gospel resources in Northeastern Thai
- Bible available, published 2016
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Isaan
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
Thai, Northeastern in other countries
The same people (ROP3 109994) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaan | United States | 1,300 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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