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Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, or Krung Thep, the capital of Thailand and home to about ten million people, means "City of Angels," but it is more commonly known as the "sin capital of Asia" due to the infamous sex trade.
As people have left the villages for the city, hoping to make a better life for themselves and their families, Bangkok's infrastructure has struggled to accommodate the influx. Slum dwellings have multiplied alongside the high-rise buildings. The recent economic crisis has plunged many others into poverty and widened the gap between rich and poor. Currently, there are about 2000 slum communities in the city which, because of the high prices of urban land, are located in areas likely to flood. Most often, the settlements are illegally located on government land. Furthermore, the residents usually have housing made of ‘temporary' structures with inadequate infrastructure and cramped living space.
A result of corrupt officials and police are crime syndicates, prostitution rings and drug networks flourishing. The police and officials skim some of the profits and the people increasingly compromise values in pursuit of wealth and material possessions for themselves and their families. According to Operation World , most of the country's estimated 100,000 male and 700,000 female prostitutes operate in Bangkok. Over two million people derive their income from the sex industry.
Thailand's official religion is Buddhism which claims the allegiance of most Thai people. Their cultural identity seems almost inseparably intertwined with Buddhist traditions. The people practice folk Buddhism which includes and elaborate system of spirit worship. Every street corner and plot of land has an altar where people bring offerings and show their respect. Christians make up less than 1% of the population.
Ministries: We have partnered with Compassion International in years past. This is a ministry where students interact with children from Compassion families who may or may not know Jesus. The children come to the afternoon program as part of their commitment in order to receive funding for their family. In the afternoons, we would teach English to children from 4-16 years of age. Part of the week would be spent in the homes of these Compassion families in the slums of Chareon Krung. The hope is that students would be a witness in word and deed as they live in close quarters with these families. We have seen many come to a saving knowledge of Jesus because of Trek students' faithful influence and prayer.
Klong Toey is the largest slum in Bangkok, and our students will have
the chance to partner there with Baan Chivit Mai (House of New
Life). They will work alongside men and women who have been shunned
from society due to physical or mental disability. Many of the women
who work there are also at high risk for entering the sex-trade
industry as a means to take care of financial burdens. We are salt
and light in this place to many of the workers who are seeking to
know true meaning and purpose for their lives in a society that says
that they are worthless and without value.
There is also the possibility of working with an AIDS hospice and a
Home for Children with Disabilities. These programs are not yet
confirmed, but we are hopeful.
Information courtesy of Servant Partners and Mega-Cities Project and Janet Balasiri
Safety in Bangkok, Thailand
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