A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the former pro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister's office in August. Clashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters blocking parliament and police resulted in the death of at least two people. The PAD occupied Bangkok's two international airports briefly, ending their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government with the support of some of THAKSIN's former political allies, and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand's southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause. (CIA)

1. Pre-marital sexual activities are a major problem among Thai youth. Some have sexual intercourses at ages even younger than 12 years old.

2. Drug abuse is increasing among Thai youth. Some students are exploited to become drug dealers in their own schools.

3. Among teenagers, Internet, addiction to gaming and materialism are spreading, even into the rural areas.

4. Broken families have great influence on Thai youths. Youths from broken families lack a good model for a family, which leads to distorted family values. Some youths escape from home due to domestic violence.

5. Homosexuality has become a norm in the Thai society. Homosexuality is accepted publically in media and television. In universities, homosexuals are allowed to cross-dress, and some even build toilets designated for homosexuals.

1. Christian leaders in Thailand need to turn their focus and have greater awareness of the issues in Thai youths. Though the leaders are currently encouraging congregations to catch the vision of the future, but there is a lack of concern towards the crisis in the youth today. Even though there are talks about the youth being the next generation, no plans nor actions are been made in training and equipping the youth.

2. Thai people have a tendency to ignore the message of the gospel that they were, but they are observing carefully what Christians are doing. There is a challenge to make Christ relevant to the Thai people.

3. In Thai Bible or Theological schools, lecturers do not have direct experience and expertise in youth ministries. Pastoral students learn only theories from books and not from life experience of youth ministers. Depraved training like this is causing a deficiency in Christian workers among youth ministries.