Thai Christian leader warns against violent response to protests

Churches in Thailand are being encouraged to put pressure on the Thai Government to ensure that it deals peacefully with thousands of protesters who have vowed to occupy the offices of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej until he resigns.

Mr Samak said in a live radio broadcast today, however, that he had no intention of stepping down. Instead he vowed to stay in power, despite the resignation of Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and the army chief's refusal to remove protesters from Government House by force.

"I am not resigning. I have to protect the democracy of this country," said Mr Samak, in the broadcast, although he added that the crisis projected a "shameful" image of Thailand internationally.

Samak declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Tuesday after bloody riots between government supporters and opponents left one person dead and dozens injured.

The Rev Pradit Takerngrangsarit, President of the Payap University in Thailand, told Ecumenical News International, "Churches should express to the ruling regime the need to deal with people in a peaceful way and not to use arms or weapons to crack down on unrest.

"Human rights and human life are the most important factors, rather than being in power based on the blood of the people."