Respectful Prime Minister of Thailand
Your Excellency, Mr. Samak Sundaravej
We are astonished to learn today that the Thai police have arrested 22 Falun Gong practitioners in Bangkok and transferred them to the immigration prison.
All of the said 22 Falun Gong practitioners escaped from the People’s Republic of China to Thailand in order to avoid the persecution and massacre of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government. They yearn for and pursue after freedom.
They have been granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and are waiting for the reception by a third country to start their new lives.
Thailand is a free and democratic country with Buddhism as the state religion, and is a peace loving and compassionate country. Falun Gong, founded by Mr. Li Hongzhi, is a branch of Buddhism. It preaches “truthfulness, compassion and forbearance” and promotes universal salvation. Buddhism and Falun Gong are interlinked.
During their stay in Bangkok, these 22 Falun Gong practitioners have not violated any Thai laws or committed any acts that affect Thailand’s national interest. The sudden arrest by the Thai police is a serious infringement of human rights.
During the cold war era of the last century, Thailand held a strong anti-communist stand, defended the value of human civilization and protected the principles of a free democratic society.
