Thailand
Nau mai. Haere mai.
Welcome to 2025!
Thank you so much for joining us again at Whiria Kids. This time we are focusing on Thailand.To say Hello in Thailand, say, “Sawasdee kha” if you are a female speaking and men say “Sawasdee khap”.
The population of Thailand is Approximately 72 million people.
The official language is Thai.
The capital city is Bangkok.
The elephant is the national animal of Thailand. Elephants in Thailand are protected, and efforts are being made to safeguard their habitats, prevent illegal poaching and trafficking, and promote responsible tourism practices. There are also sanctuaries and rescue centres across Thailand that provide care and rehabilitation for elephants that have been rescued from exploitation or mistreatment.
The national bird is the Siamese fireback (Lophura Diardi) also known as Diard's fireback. It is a pretty large pheasant, approximately 80 cm long.
There are approximately 1,500 islands in Thailand. These islands range from large, well-known destinations like Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Phi Phi to smaller, lesser-known gems that offer secluded beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life.
The Thai language has its own alphabet, derived from Khmer script, consisting of 44 consonants and 32 vowels.
Thailand is the world’s top rice exporter, with about half of its land area dedicated to rice paddies.
The Thai Baht (THB) is the official currency. It is commonly abbreviated as THB.
Sticky rice, or 'khao niew,' is a Thai staple used to scoop up sauces, like bread. Don’t miss khao niew mamuang (sweet sticky rice with mango) - it’s the ultimate Thai dessert!
Anna shares some Thai info in this video.
Map of Thailand
Memory Verse
Let’ join Daisy & Ari as they teach us our memory verse this term.
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Kia tīaho tō koutou mārama ki te aroaro o ngā tāngata, kia kite ai rātou i ā koutou hanga pai, kia whakakorōria ai i tō koutou Matua i te rangi. Matiu 5:16
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Kia tīaho tō koutou mārama ki te aroaro o ngā tāngata, kia kite ai rātou i ā koutou hanga pai, kia whakakorōria ai i tō koutou Matua i te rangi. Matiu 5:16
Thailand Bread
Here’s a new bread recipe for Thai milk bread rolls.
You’ll find the recipe on our resources page.
This recipe is baked in the oven – enjoy!
You’ll find the recipe on our resources page.
This recipe is baked in the oven – enjoy!
Prayer for Thailand
Arotahi, the home of Whiria Kids, has friends working in Thailand.
They help people start goat farms and give advice for using land to grow fruit and vegetables.
Our friends also give people devices and headsets so they can listen to the Bible in their own language.
They help people start goat farms and give advice for using land to grow fruit and vegetables.
Our friends also give people devices and headsets so they can listen to the Bible in their own language.
This team in Thailand would really love you to pray for
- More people to hear about Jesus
- Growth of the work where people buy and breed goats
- More people to think about growing on their own unused land with the seeds and new ideas the team provide
Song in Bengali
Speaking of growing fruit and vegetables…let’s join in with the South West Baptist kids’ band as they learn the fruits of the Spirit in a fun way!
Song in Bengali
Here’s a version of God of Wonders that you might like to listen to.
It’s in Thai with English subtitles
Craft Activity
Children explore planting, growing, multiplying seeds in our activity
Let’s make grass head people.
Craft details on our resources page
Let’s make grass head people.
Craft details on our resources page
Parable of the Sower
The Thailand team are growing the Kingdom of Heaven by giving seeds and translating God’s word, the bible, into local languages. The Parable of the Sower teaches us to receive and pass-on the good news about Jesus. When we are transformed by the gospel, our lives transform people and places. Our friends are doing this in Thailand and we can do this too, right now, where we live.
Let’s tell the Parable of the Sower: (options)
Let’s tell the Parable of the Sower: (options)
- read the story script aloud and get the children to make up actions
- read the story script aloud and show the Aotearoa story slides on the resources page
- make your own parable box - instructions under or resources page
- or, watch the video of the Parable of the Sower
Jesus Introduction
There was once someone who did such amazing things and said such wonderful things that people followed him. As they followed, they heard him speaking about a kingdom. The kingdom was not like the one they were in. It was not like one that anyone had ever visited. It was not like any kingdom anyone had even heard about. One day when they asked, “What is the kingdom of heaven like?” Jesus told this parable.Parable
A sower went out to sow seed. While the sower was scattering seed, some of it fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed.Some seed fell on stony ground, where there was not enough dirt. When the seeds pushed their little roots down they could not go in. This seed grew very fast. But when the sun rose, it burned the plants, and the plants died.
Some seed fell among prickly weeds. When the seeds pushed their little roots down they could only go part way in. Then the prickly weeds grew up and stopped the good plants from growing.
And some of the seed fell on good soil. When the seeds pushed their little roots down they went all the way in. There the seed grew and grew and made grain. Then it was ripe for the harvest. Some plants made 30 times more grain, some 60 times more, and some 100 times.
Wonder Questions
- I wonder if the sower has a name?
- I wonder who the sower could really be?
- I wonder how the sower felt when the birds came?
- I wonder if the birds have names?
- I wonder what the seeds could be?
- I wonder what the ground really is?
- I wonder if you have ever come close to the seeds?
- I wonder what this parable is really all about?
Whiria content
You might like to use our content in different ways. Perhaps:
- For an ‘all-in’ intergenerational service
- A starter activity for your Sunday children’s programme
- Or, your whole children’s programme
- Or, for home-based activities
We also have Whiria Kids badges available for children to earn by learning memory verses, attending Whiria sessions and joining projects. Up to you how you choose to award these and you can order them here
