Following Jesus in Thailand

I write from my perspective as a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer of the world, and as a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a Christian living in Thailand, I count myself among 1% of the population who are Christians, and as a Latter-day Saint, only .003%. A vast majority of Thai people are Buddhist (about 93%), followed by Muslim (about 6%). 

Although there is no state religion in Thailand’s constitutional monarchy, Buddhism is protected and supported by the government. Thus, to be a Christian Thai citizen is rare and often difficult. A saying I learned long ago is “To be Thai is to be Buddhist.” Those who convert to Christianity leave behind many practices and beliefs that alienate them from their families and culture. I provide this very brief context to illustrate the faith and sacrifices of Thai followers of Jesus Christ.

For example, although there are about 40,000 Thai temples across the country, and easily within walking distance, there are only 42 LDS congregations (I’m not sure how many church buildings) and 1 LDS temple in Thailand. So, getting to church is not easy. I learned this the first week I was in Thailand. When I go to church in Utah, I jump in my car and within 4 minutes I can be sitting in the chapel. Living in Nakhon Pathom Province, I am 42 kilometers (26 miles) away from the temple and the Bangkok English-speaking ward. Riding in a “Grab” vehicle (it’s like an “Uber”), it took about 35 minutes to get to church; however, my ride back was an adventure. I have decided to fully embrace the culture here – to be with the people doing the things the people do – so I traveled with two church members, Kay (from South Africa) and Shannon (from the Philippines). Going by SkyTrain and bus is an affordable option for those who live here.

Shannon, Kay, and Tina at the Train Station

From the church, we walked to the station and rode the SkyTrain together until they had to get off. I then had to figure out how to transfer to the right city bus (with open windows, meaning it cools you off a bit, but you get quite windblown), which dropped me off at the university. From there I walked in the 80+ degree heat/humidity to get home, in my dress and church shoes (no wonder some of the ladies bring sneakers to church). In total, I was in transit for almost two hours. Church members make this kind of sacrifice of their time weekly so they can worship together. My faith was strengthened by these two sweet sisters in the gospel, and by other saints I met from various places around the world. Attending church in Bangkok on the temple grounds was a sweet testimony-strengthening experience for me. 

That night I reflected in my journal the following: 

“Relief Society was really awesome. The room was filled with ladies from all over: Burma, Philippines, Australia, US, China, the Netherlands, and elsewhere. There were very few of us from the US. But the beautiful thing is, each of the ladies who shared something to the group had a strong testimony of Jesus’ power to heal and to save. The spirit was very strong in this meeting. When we were talking about Lehi’s vision and the tree of life representing the love of God, I remembered the artwork from last week’s “Come, Follow Me” lesson. It is a rainbow-colored tree with white fruit and diverse people partaking of the fruit. It reminded me of what I was experiencing at that very moment with people from all over the world, partaking of the fruit. Not one of us looking the same, but each feeling the love of God. It hit me powerfully. 

"All Are Alike Unto God" by Sabrina Jill

Here is what the artist had to say about her painting:

‘All are alike unto God,” – I chose to address this concept on a cultural level, attempting to address the pain that racism causes many individuals. The tree and its fruit represent the love of God, and people from different races collect the glowing orbs. The snowy branches of the tree provide a framework for a myriad of colors. To me, these rainbow shards represent God’s excitement and awareness in creating diversity, and that all the colors must work together for optimal beauty. Only when all of the colors of the rainbow are combined does white appear – the hue representing purity and peace. The tree is large and all-encompassing, providing and making room for any who desire to approach and gather. God’s love extends to all of His children, and He gives us the opportunity not only to partake of His love, but to share its abundance.’”

My first week attending church in Thailand was a blessed experience. I learned of some of the sacrifices church members make to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and to fully participate in the church community. And my faith was affirmed that God loves each of us, Christian and Buddhist, black and white, male and female, saint and sinner – and everyone in between – and so should I. 

Lily and Tina Overlooking the LDS Temple in Bangkok

Tina with Brother & Sister Udomtham