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A Thai priest says people should not take sides as tension between “red shirts” and “yellow shirts” simmers ahead of a court ruling on the frozen assets of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
A reputable poll meanwhile indicates the vast majority of Thai people want peace and security in the country and a large number remain neutral regarding the political divide, UCA News reports.
“We must not immediately judge who’s right and who’s wrong because we may not have accurate information,” said Father Vorayuth Kitbamrung, director of Catholic Social Communication of Thailand.
Speaking to UCA News today [Feb. 25], he said the “media these days is used as a tool to divide people. We have to listen to all sides.”
“Even in homilies, we [priests] need to be very careful. We have to be neutral and promote non-violence and peace,” he continued.
The country is bracing for a Feb. 26 court decision on whether to confiscate US$2.3 billion worth of frozen assets belonging to the exiled Thaksin.
For months, Thaksin’s supporters, known as “red shirts,” have staged rallies in the capital while his opponents, known as “yellow shirts,” have warned there could be unrest if the court rules against confiscating Thaksin’s assets.
The last few months saw coup rumors and small acts of violence such as a rocket grenade being fired into the compound of the army chief’s office.
The English-language paper, Bangkok Post, has reported that red-shirt supporters, expecting the court to seize Thaksin’s assets, are planning nationwide rallies March 12-14.
It also reported that police and the military have been gearing up for possible violence.
Fr Vorayuth said he is dismayed that even families are affected by this political divide. He added that as Christians are a small minority, “we may not be able to express ourselves very much on this political issue.”
Meanwhile, a reputable poll conducted by the Catholic-run Assumption University says 46.5 per cent of respondents were neutral about the political conflict, while 89.6 per cent of respondents said they want a return to peaceful politics.
Another Assumption University poll on the Feb. 26 court decision indicates that most people do not think tensions will decrease after the court’s decision.
SOURCE
Priest cautions against taking sides in Thai rift (UCA News)
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