“We are here to serve the people of Thailand. To empower people and communities toward a better future.”
The Journey
Decades of Faith
1946 - 1989
Erik and Mariaana (Raassina) Klar are the founders and senior leaders of The River Thailand. Mariaana’s parents, Verner & Ulla Raassina, served as pioneer leaders in Siam-Thailand from 1946-1989, and the Klar’s started their full-time service as missionaries to Thailand in February 1993.
1993 - 2000
Arriving in Chiang Mai
First arriving in Chiang Mai to establish a new work amongst the Karen people (Baan Buak and surrounding villages).
Petchabun Province
Then later moved to Petchabun Province in Central Thailand where the first church was established amongst the unreached peoples group – The T’Hin Tribe.
Nan Province
In the year 2000, Erik and Mariaana and the team expanded into in Nan province and established further works amongst the T’Hin tribe.
2003 - 2005
Hang Dong, Chiang Mai
In 2003 (the same week as the Boxing Day Tsunami), a new work was established in Hang Dong, Chiang Mai and became known as TheRiver.Asia.
The First Priority Development Foundation was established to officially serve the communities.
2010-2015
Deep South
Further expansions to the deep South of Thailand. The work involves collaborating with the local authorities to assist the most vulnerable people in the local communities.
Bangkok
The work of TheRiver.Asia and First Priority Development Foundation expanded to the nation’s capital, Bangkok. The work is focused around the university students and the kids and the most vulnerable in the crowded inner-city communities.
2020-2022
Lockdowns
During the lockdowns, the First Priority Development Foundation was instrumental in providing access into the communities that were otherwise shut to the public.
The River.Asia team brought practical relief to communities and lasting change to many lives.
Khon Kaen
The expansion into Khon Kaen was established through a business couple linked to the work in Bankgkok. A need was identified to reach local musicians and factory workers in Thailand’s Eastern regional capital of Khon Kaen. TheRiver.Asia Music Cafe was established as the base for further expansions into the communities in the form of kids clubs and community care outreaches.
Today
Family
Erik and Mariaana are thriving and loving live. Their son Petter is married to Heidi, and have three children. They are in pastoral leadership at Gardn Church. Erik and Mariaana’s daughter is married to Josiah and have one son. Erika is a children’s pastor at Hillsong church where her husband also serves.
National Reach
The work continues to grow and expand into further reaches of Thailand. Alongside the work in Hangdong, the team and community is growing in Bangkok, Sungai Kolok, and now also Khon Kaen in East Thailand through kids and youth programs, Sunday services, music production, community events, home care, and social media presence.