Country Profile

Focus on Thailand; Smiling Faces, Empty Hearts

If you walk down a street in Thailand, you will probably be greeted with a smile. The country, whose name means the "Free Land," is also known as "the Land of Smiles," due to the Thai people's friendly hospitality. But the smiles on some women's faces hide hearts full of pain and suffering, and for many, "the free land" doesn't mean "land of the free." For years, they have been suppressed by tradition and culture, as have numerous women throughout the world.

"I want to see God change the hearts and lives of many women in my country, particularly those who are hopeless and helpless," says the Rev. Buakab Ronghanam, Voice of Peace (VOP) director. "Also, that they may receive the strength from God to continue their lives meaningfully."

Buakab is delighted to see that the Thai version of TWR's Women of Hope program in partnership with VOP, begins airing in October. The fall program inaugurates Project Hannah's third year of ministry.

A ministry of TWR, named Project Hannah (PH), is reaching out with compassion and hope to suffering women across the globe who live in spiritual darkness.

In 1997, TWR’s PH was founded by Awareness Advocate Marli Spieker. Having ministered to women in her home country of Brazil, Marli expanded her outreach in 1983 to lead women's ministries in Canada and the United States. Later, when Marli and her husband were TWR missionaries in Asia, God impressed upon her heart the many women who are trapped in spiritual, cultural and physical bondage. A burden grew in her heart to reach out to those sisters of hers living hopeless, unloved, forgotten lives, and let them know they are precious souls. But how?

Since radio isn't hindered by geography, religious barriers or cultural traditions, it is an ideal method to meet women where they are. In 1998, PH's 30-minute Women of Hope broadcast began airing in English from the island of Guam. The missionaries who volunteered to create the program initiated a ministry to women by women, unique from anything TWR had ever pursued. Beginning in 2000, Jennifer Hayden Epperson began producing the English version. Originally at TWR's Miami Ministry Center in Florida, Jennifer was later joined by PH English team members Tammy Stores and Rhonda Barker; in 2003, Claudette Rifenberg, a native of Jamaica, added her voice as Women of Hope co-host. Editor Ros Atkinson of Australia provided English as a second language (ESL) script adaptation for ease of translation and comprehension. Experienced volunteers from around the world provided fascinating topics, scripts and interviews on a variety of health and spiritual matters.

Profile of a Thai Woman

• The major religion in Thailand does not recognize equality between men and women. Thai family life has never been considerate of its women members, but it is worse for women today more than ever.
• Polygamy is still practiced, although only one marriage is officially registered. It is common for a man to desert his wife and children to live with another wife, but if a woman leaves her husband, her whole family is disgraced.
• Men may have as many wives as they wish. If they are not government workers, then no conditions are placed upon them to take care of their families.
• There are an estimated 1 million prostitutes in Thailand, but because of the fear of AIDS, it is difficult to get an accurate number.
• Animist beliefs of many Thai tribes do not prohibit the sale of young girls.
  (Information compiled by Voice of Peace in Thailand and Religion Today)

Due to slavery, discrimination, prostitution, and physical and emotional abuse, women in Thailand are in desperate need of hope. Some Thai women are forced into the country's sex slavery industry because of poor financial situations. They feel that selling their bodies is the only way that they can support themselves or their families. Since the Thai people look down on them, prostitutes often work in more "acceptable" positions, such as night club singers, waitresses, or hotel staff. But they are still expected to sell themselves.

Although a majority of women suffer this oppression, some do break free. In accordance with their rights in Thailand's constitution, women have acquired education and joined the workforce, where some have gained a measure of acceptance. However, some female workers still face injustices like social bias, threatened security in industrial work, and inequality in job opportunities compared with that of men.