Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2010 / 06:07 am
An intervention of religious leaders could help provide a peaceful solution in Thailand before the possible “catastrophe” of a civil war, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand has said.
Archbishop Louis Chamniern of Thare and Nonseng told Fides news agency that the leaders of different religious communities in the country, Buddhists, Christians and Muslims, have “the confidence, credibility, and esteem of the population that today could be very useful in resolving the deadlock and avoiding more violence."
These religious leaders previously met a month ago, publicly voicing support for the common initiatives for dialogue and reconciliation.
According to the Associated Press, five days of clashes over the political direction of the country have killed at least 37 people. The anti-government activists known as the “red shirts” contend that the ruling coalition is illegitimate.