Mpi in Thailand

Introduction / History

The Mpi people dress and act just like the Northern Thai people whom they live among, and they speak Northern Thai fluently. The younger generations also speak Central Thai which they learn in school. Only half of them also speak the Mpi language. In a generation or two, Mpi might no longer be spoken by anyone. There are still quite a few speakers of Mpi in Ban Dong but very few in Ban Sakoen. Even in Ban Dong, many of the children do not speak Mpi, although some still can understand it when they hear it.

The Mpi say they originally came from Yunnan Province in China. They fled China 250-300 years ago and went to Laos. They were captured in a war and brought to Thailand where they have lived ever since. The Mpi people now live in two villages in northern Thailand: Ban Dong in Phrae Province and Ban Sakoen in Nan Province.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mpi are mainly rice farmers, but many also work in the city and some hold community leadership positions beyond their own village.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mpi are all Buddhists. There is no church in either Mpi village and there are few if any Christian workers specifically focusing on the Mpi people. In effect, this means that they are grouped together with the Northern Thai as far as Christian outreach is concerned.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mpi people need to accept the warm embrace of the only Savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.

Pray for signs and wonders among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.

Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Text Source:   Joshua Project