Consider the quiet dedication in 1987 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints branch in Chiang Mai. It marked a notable step in the Church’s growth within Thailand. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a history in Thailand that extends back to the mid-19th century.
In 1854, Brigham Young sent missionaries to Thailand which was then known as Siam. Due to language barriers, the initial effort lasted only four months. Despite this early setback, the seeds of faith were sown. The efforts to establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gained momentum in the 20th century.
Informal church services occurred in Bangkok during the 1950s. Regular worship services were authorized in 1961. The Thailand District was organized in 1966. Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated Thailand for preaching the gospel. This dedication paved the way for transferring missionaries to the area.
In 1973, Thailand became its own mission. The Church’s presence continued to strengthen. 1974 saw the dedication of the first meetinghouse. The dedication of meetinghouses in Bangnaa, Thonburi, and here in Chiang Mai in 1987 showed growth.
The creation of the Bangkok Stake in 1995 marked a significant milestone. It was the first stake or diocese in Thailand. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thailand has experienced its share of challenges. Early missionaries faced language barriers. Later, Thai immigration laws restricted the number of foreign missionaries. Visa regulations also posed difficulties. These restrictions meant missionaries had to leave the country every 90 days.
The Church overcame these obstacles. Membership grew significantly after 1992. Visa requirements eased allowing missionaries to serve two-year terms. The first Thai convert was Nangnoi Thitapoora baptized in 1966. Anan Eldredge became the first Thai man to convert. He was baptized in 1967.
The Book of Mormon was translated into Thai. The first translation was completed in 1976. Srilaksana Suntarahut played a key role in this project. A new translation was completed in 2010.
In 2022, the Church reported over 23,000 members in Thailand. The Church has one mission. The Bangkok Thailand Temple was dedicated in October 2023. The Church in Thailand has grown. It has become a vibrant community of faith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here in Chiang Mai is part of this inspiring story.