The Shan people are of particular interest to missions in northern Thailand and comprise about 3-4 million people.
They predominantly live in Shan State, Burma (formerly Myanamar) but about 60,000 have now migrated to provinces in nothern Thailand such as Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
Traditionally each Shan family has sent at least one son to a temple at the age of seven or eight, receiving both a secular and religious education from the Buddhist monks.
Missionary work started amongst the Shan in 1860. The whole Bible had been translated by 1892, but a new translation using a modern-day script is now available.
Although historically few Shan have received the Gospel, there are signs of a breakthrough among the Shan in Mayanamar, as well as Shan refugees in Thailand.
1. Profound and deep wholeness through the Gospel to the Shan people: a release from hatred and bitterness towards the Burmese because of the atrocities suffered.
2. For the many Shan refugees, including child workers, orphans and the desperately poor, who are in nothern Thailand. They are unrecognized and unaided by the Thai government, as they do not have identity papers or official status as refugees.