Communities in Thailand are currently enjoying some development, and its all thanks to

Reportedly, the popular Awake! magazine is being used by government officials to address social issues.

According to the religious group’s official website, Community Development Learning Centers (CDLC) use these publications to inform public officials on important topics.

Why Thailand officials use Jehovah’s Witnesses magazines

These topics include effective parenting, domestic violence, mental and physical health.

Chaiwat Saengsri, director of the CDLC in Nakhon Nayok province, northeast of Bangkok, explains this initiative.

In his words: “I’m impressed by the Witnesses because the goal of their work is very clear. It is to help communities and people progress in getting to know the Creator. We have a common goal to assist our community in raising their standards so they can have peace and a better quality of life."

“For example, the Awake! magazine article ‘How to Avoid Hurtful Speech’ [features] a topic that the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is trying to teach to our community leaders. We found this article very helpful in training them.”

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Reacting to this high praise, Anthony Petratyotin, a spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Thailand, states: “We are happy to know that community leaders are making such good use of the Bible-based advice found in our publications. We will continue to make our literature available to officials, along with our primary means of distribution — our public ministry.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been urged to make their publications available during the SMART Leader seminar on leadership and community building.

January 2018 marks the third year since Thai officials started using the Witnesses’ publications.