Seeing a new future for Ayutthaya
By Chad Loftis and Brian Yung | Thailand in Pacific Asia
For more than 400 years the city of Ayutthaya stood as the large, cosmopolitan capital of the mighty kingdom of Ayutthaya or Siam. European visitors to the city at its height were awed by its size and sophistication which some said outshone London and other European capitals. It was not only the political capital of this important kingdom but also the religious centre. King Ramathibodi I introduced Theravada Buddhism to Siam during the time the city was founded and it was soon full of many impressive temples and shrines - the ruins of which are, in some cases, still standing today.
But in the late 1700s Ayutthaya was sacked by a Burmese army and the Thai capital moved to Bangkok. Since then, although it remains a historically and spiritually significant place, the living city of Ayutthaya’s star has faded - it has become just another town on the far outskirts of sprawling Bangkok. In some ways, forgotten.
Perhaps this is why there are so few churches and barely any Christians in Ayutthaya and its surrounding province. With an estimated few hundred Christians in a province of almost a million people the chances for a resident of this once great town to hear the good news about Jesus are slim indeed. Along with Thai Christians SIM International is working hard to ensure that Ayutthaya is no longer forgotten. We are building a multi-ethnic, multi-skilled team to live in and help serve the community of Ayutthaya through English teaching, sport ministry and community development.
We see a new dawn for the old city of Ayutthaya and its people. If you or your church is interested in supporting the work of bringing good news and new hope to this city contact thailand.personnel@sim.org.
Related stories
Young women from rural Peru find discipleship and belonging in the city
As rural young women move to Peru’s cities for study or work, they face a world full of pressure, distraction, and isolation. Mission worker Lizzie is walking alongside them; offering friendship, discipleship, and a reminder of their worth in Jesus.
In Carrie’s classroom, Jesus is shaping hearts and minds for his kingdom
When mission workers with young families leave their home country, a major concern is how their children will get on. While the parents are out serving, the kids need stability, education, and spiritual nurturing. That’s where teachers like Carrie come in. Originally from Kansas, Carrie now teaches at a mission school in Liberia, part of Dakar Academy in Senegal, shaping young hearts and minds for God’s kingdom.
Ken & Gwen Baker have spent 40+ years engaged in mission work and adventures with God
Ken and Gwen Baker have retired after 43 years of faithful service with SIM — a life devoted to God, to their teammates, and to equipping others for ministry. They spent decades planting churches in West Africa, fostering intercultural ministry, and shaping mission training that continues to impact workers worldwide. As they step into a new season of life, their story serves as a powerful reminder of how God uses ordinary people, willing to follow his call, to build His church and transform lives.
