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."
-
Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles
-
Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message
-
The little-known history of the X in Xmas
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Pastor who gave sermon near abortion clinic stands trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Most Popular
News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The mystery of the Wise Men
The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.