According to Patrick Johnstone, author of Operation World, 128,000 Phutai live in Laos. The 1995 Lao national census listed a figure of 472,458 Phutai, but it is believed this inflated figure includes groups such as the Tai Dam, Tai Kao and Tai Deng. Phutai simply means “Tai people”.

   The Phutai are fairly evenly distributed between Thailand (156,000), Vietnam (150,000) and Laos (128,000). In Laos, they are heavily concentrated in the southern half of Khammouan Province. Others spill southward into Savannakhet, Saravan and Champasak provinces, while small Diaspora Phutai communities are found in Oudomxai and Luang P rabang in the north.

   Since the Vietnam War, a Phutai refugee community has emerged in the Los Angeles City area in the United States.

   The Phutai language is part of the Southwestern Tai branch. It is closest to Tai Kao and Tai Dam.
  
   Unlike most Tai-speaking groups, who have converted to Buddhism, the Phutai remain animists, with little Buddhist influence. They worship 25 different spirits.

   Every year during the third lunar month the Phutai gather for the Pi Tian (“Spirit of Heaven”) festival. People relax and unwind by riding horses, elephants, and shooting arrows, etc.. The focal point of the festival is a ritual when the whole community gathers and offers sacrifices and prayers to the spirit they believe resides in paradise above. After waiting for some time, the Phutai believe there is a moment when the spirit actually comes down from heaven. The normally-reserved Phutai dance and jump for joy, and often miracles such as healing take place. Despite the remarkable ceremony, there are few Phutai who have ever accepted Jesus Christ, who is the Holy Spirit who gives lasting joy. There are approximately 150 known Phutai believers in Laos today, although there may be significantly more. They do not have their own churches, but meet in mixed Protestant and Catholic congregations with the Lao.

   Despite the size of their group across several nations, there are no Scriptures, Jesus film or Christian radio broadcasts in the Phutai language.

Additional Information

1. Gospel Recording in Phutai here: Phutai resources page If you are aware of other recordings, literature, or anything else for the Yoy people, please let us make it available online.
2. Getting there - If you make a trip to the Phutai people, share your experience and advice here: Phutai travel page
3. Information - Do you know something more about the beliefs of the Phutai? Do you have a story to tell? Do you have a picture? Please share it here.
4. Does anyone know of a Phutai believer inside or outside of Laos?
5. Intercession - Have you gotten any impressions, scriptures or words while praying for this group? Have you visited their area? Please share these and we will include them on the prayer page here: Phutai prayer page
6. Adoption - This is a small group, but that doesn't diminish the importance of these people in Gods' heart. If you feel led to focus on this group, maybe God will use in a miraculous way to reach them with the Gospel! Need assistance? Contact us at: millionelephants@gmail.com, subject: adoption