Introduction / History

The Mpi people dress and act just like the Northern Thai people whom they live among, and they speak Northern Thai fluently. The younger generations also speak Central Thai which they learn in school. Only half of them also speak the Mpi language. In a generation or two, Mpi might no longer be spoken by anyone. There are still quite a few speakers of Mpi in Ban Dong but very few in Ban Sakoen. Even in Ban Dong, many of the children do not speak Mpi, although some still can understand it when they hear it.

The Mpi say they originally came from Yunnan Province in China. They fled China 250-300 years ago and went to Laos. They were captured in a war and brought to Thailand where they have lived ever since. The Mpi people now live in two villages in northern Thailand: Ban Dong in Phrae Province and Ban Sakoen in Nan Province.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mpi are mainly rice farmers, but many also work in the city, and some hold community leadership positions beyond their village. With many factories in the province, numerous Mpi are now employed by Thai companies. They also make and sell brooms, generating a stable income. Despite geographic, economic, and social differences, Mpi communities across regions remain connected and continue to intermarry.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Many Mpi are devout Buddhists but also hold strong animistic beliefs. They venerate their ancestors and maintain household altars, offering food and drink each morning in honor of Chao Fa, the guardian spirit of the village and home. They also believe in land spirits and malevolent forces, fearing that evil spirits may bring misfortune or even death.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mpi people need to accept the warm embrace of the only Savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.

Prayer Items

Pray for efforts to reach the Mpi with the lasting fruit only the Holy Spirit can offer, taking them from darkness to light.
Pray for the authority of Christ to bind dark spiritual forces that hold them back.
Pray for signs and wonders among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for new Christian Believers among the Mpi to walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pray that oral scripture in the Mpi language would develop in such a way it will be easily passed on from household to household and generation to generation.

Scripture Prayers for the Mpi in Thailand.

References

Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.
Mission Pathway newsletter, March 2026.