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."
-
Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester
-
The Christian story behind Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree
-
Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
-
The bishop who became Santa Claus
-
Princess of Wales to lead Westminster Abbey carol service, celebrating kindness and community
-
Thousands attend launch of nationwide Christmas evangelistic campaign at Royal Albert Hall
Most Popular
News
MP calls for emergency meeting to end case against suspended Christian nurse
Shadow equalities minister, Claire Coutinho MP, has called for an end to the case against Christian nurse Jennifer Melle, who is facing disciplinary proceedings for misgendering a convicted paedophile.
Hundreds of churches in Germany being targeted with vandalism and theft
The cost of the damage to both churches and chapels runs into hundreds of thousands of euros.
Nigerian authorities secure release of 100 kidnapped Catholic school children
The fate of more than 160 other students and staff members abducted in the same attack remains unknown.
EU urged to combat violations of religious freedom in South Asia
Citing a dramatic escalation of targeted attacks against Christians and other minorities in their countries, human rights advocates from South Asia called for stronger EU engagement on freedom of religion or belief at a conference in Brussels on December 4.