Maesot Tak (Asianews) The Thai Church is also committed to "minorities, who are often marginalised but must be respected because they can be of great help to the nation", said Fr Manat Supphalak, director of the Episcopal Commission on Emergency Relief and Refugees, in speaking about the Church's evangelising mission to refugee communities in the country.
"First of all, we must learn to respect them and not marginalise them," he told AsiaNews. "They are Thai and as such must be treated."
"Secondly, we have a moral duty to help them stand on their own two feet and experience their communities' actual economic development. Throwing food aid at them does not help at all," he added.
"Usually, we face the following type of problem. The government cannot help these minorities because they are not aware that they are Thai and therefore do not apply for the educational and health programmes provided by the government," Father Supphalak explained. "This is one the reasons the Karen people, a hill tribe people, do not speak Thai and do not have access to modern health care."
"Economic help is an even greater problem. When the government grants them loans they just spend them rather than invest them in their own economic development. And so, when the loans have to be repaid, they are forced to sell what they have, sometimes even their land which is their only means of support".
As for evangelisation, Father Supphalak said: "I have been working with the Karen for four years and I have been able to explain to them how the government machinery works. Thus they have been able to hook up to the electrical and water grids."
"Thanks to the diocese of Nakhon Sawan, I've set up a school for this minority. This allows us to follow its youth. About 20 of them can get their diploma and once that is done they have committed themselves to help their community's development. This is what evangelising means".
There are six main minorities in Thailand: Karen, Hmang, Mien, Lahu, Lisu and Akha. The 300,000-strong Karen settled in the country in the 18th century and are the largest group of its kind.