40th Anniversary of Thailand's Dedication for Missionary Work

Last Saturday I participated in the festivities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Kingdom of Thailand for the spreading of the gospel. It was not exactly the missionary reunion I was hoping for. Many missionaries and their wives did come, but they were all from the 1960-70s era. There was not one missionary who served here in the nineties other than myself. My mission president, Larry White, who was also one of the original six missionaries transfered from Hong Kong to Bangkok in 1968, was also present. The weekend was really an opportunity for the Thai members to thank those missionaries who were pioneers here and also the display the growth of the church here in Thailand. Here's some of the spectacular photo highlights:

This is Bishop Khabuan. When I was a greenie he was President of the Asoke branch in Bangkok where I attended church. Since 1992 that branch has split into three wards: Asoke, Din Daeng, and Sri Nakharin. He is now Bishop of the Sri Nakharin ward.

The nearly operational Sri Nakharin building in the Southeast area of Bangkok.

Saturday night each of the wards in the Bangkok stake (which didn't exist when I was here) performed a cultural activity in the grand celebration.

The man with the microphone is Wisit, the President of the Bangkok Stake. On his right is his counselor, Wisan; on his left is Alan Hess, one of the first six missionaries in Thailand.

The almost-complete Bang Kae building just west of Bangkok. This is by far the largest and most beautiful church building in Thailand. All of the missionaries from the 1970s were saying "Can you imagine being able to bring investigators to a building like this?" Even when I was here, most of the branches still met in rented houses.

The Chinese clock tower in Lumpini park where then Elder Gordon B Hinkley dedicated Thailand for missionary work in 1966. (Not pictured: President Hinkley)

This is an (extremely short) video of the Sithichons, a musical group of Elders that perform traditional Thai music in an effort to create goodwill and gain recognition for the church. The original Sithichons performed in the 1970s, and were so popular that the lead singer had trouble proselyting because he was recognized everywhere. One of the area authorities discontinued the program because he didn't think missionaries should be performing. Apparently, there's been a change of policy.