Hinnayan Buddhism is the active religion in the life of Thai people, particularly for the people in Bangkok. It is national concept that true Thai must be Buddhists which make them naturally reject all other religions. The national pride in their religion, culture and royal family is very strong.(1)
Theravada Buddhists do not believe in an all-powerful God who created the world. Neither is the Buddha worshiped as a god, but as a human being who gained enlightenment.
The Buddha knew from his own experience that happiness does not come from great luxury or from great hardship. He taught people to follow a Middle Path between those two extremes.
The point of argument against Christianity is that Buddhism is based upon reason and therefore is not dependant upon faith. This explains the reason why Christianity are not successful. In the last century, Christians in Thailand faced with to battlegrounds: in the central part and the upper south where the strong Buddhism exists, and the northern area where Buddhism is not strong.(2)
However, the new generations have become materialistic and are not interested in religion. They do not believe in any god, thinking that they are nonsense or foolish thing to believe in unseen gods. Although, they open to any western concept but they still hold on to their belief that Thais are Buddhists and Buddhists are Thais and to be converted is to betray to the Thais.
Most Thais are blind to the truth because of the above mention obstacles. To open their blind eyes, we have to pray that God will have mercy on their souls. When they face with sufferings and persecutions, their hearts will be softened and their eyes will be open.
Most people in Bangkok live under the bondage of sins. Therefore, they face with distresses and depression in their lives. TMN takes this as an opportunity to introduce to them that not only Jesus is the Savior, but He is also Wonderful Counselor, broken-heart Healer, the great physician, the great deliverer, and only Jesus can fill the emptiness of their souls.
