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People group profile · PG050531

The Kathonglueng of Laos

The Kathonglueng of Laos, numbering about 1,400 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a Mon-Khmer people of central Laos, also known as Thongluang, who have preserved a distinct ethnic identity in rural lowland and middle-altitude communities despite strong influence from surrounding Lao populations.

They are an indigenous people in the Mon-Khmer people cluster of the Southeast Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Animism, and they primarily speak Lao.

Pray for the KathongluengPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Kathonglueng people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite: Kathonglueng

Fast facts

Country
Laos
Population
1,400
Affinity group
Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
People cluster
Mon-Khmer
Primary language
Lao (lao)
Primary religion
Animism
Strategic Progress Index ?
Engaged yet Unreached
Evangelical
Less than 2%
GSEC ?
Less than 2% Evangelical, Concentrated CP Activity
Lostness priority ?
Pioneer Unreached People Group
Also known as
Thongluang
Region
South-Eastern Asia, Asia
Location
Bolikhamsai province, Khamkeut district: 5 villages

Where they live

Gospel status

The Kathonglueng 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 but there has been initial or concentrated church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting

Next steps for the Kathonglueng

  • 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

Animism · Ethnoreligion

90% adherents

Primary language

Lao · Tai-Kadai family

80% speak Lao

Gospel resources in Lao

  • Bible available, published 2012
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs not available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Kathonglueng

  1. Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
  2. Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
  3. Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
  4. John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.

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