ASIA/THAILAND - “A HANDFUL OF MUSLIM FUNDAMENTALIST SECESSIONISTS IN THE SOUTH WILL NOT AFFECT INTER-RELIGIOUS RELATIONS: DIALOGUE AMONG THAILAND’S DIFFERENT RELIGIONS IS FRIENDLY AND FREQUENT” BISHOP LAWRENCE SAMANCHIT TOLD FIDES

Friday, 23 January 2004

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Bangkok (Fides Service) – “Unrest in the South of the country will have no effect on relations between religions in Thailand. The rioters are a handful of fundamentalist Muslim secessionists. Relations between Thai Christians, Muslims and Buddhists are excellent and will remain so” Bishop Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit, Bishop Chanthaburi told Fides. The Bishop is also head of the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, FABC.
Commenting news of recent episodes of unrest in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, the Bishop said: “The protest, entirely political, is being staged by separatists who have connections with Malaysia. These events will have no effect on relations between religions in Thailand. The Catholic community here is not concerned: we carry on as usual with our pastoral work and other activity mainly in the field of education with our Catholic schools. Over the years we have established excellent and friendly relations with Thai Buddhists and Muslims. I am often invited by Muslims and Buddhists to speak at interreligious forums or give speeches along with representatives of Buddhism and Islam to present Christianity’s view points on various subjects such as education, democracy, youth. And I must say we find we have many points in common. Everyone hopes that the trouble in the South will be settled so the people can resume normal day to day living. For our part, we will continue to work to promote peace and harmony”.
Violence in the south started at the beginning of January and the main targets have been schools and military posts. The perpetrators are said to be members of a local Muslim group Mujahedeen Pattani. To stop the violence the government imposed martial law in the three affected provinces Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
The Thai population of 60 million, professes the following religions: Buddhism 90%; Islam 6% (mainly of Malay origin and living in the south); Christianity 2.2%, including 280.000 Catholics. (PA) (Fides Service 23/1/2004 lines 31 words 359)