During a sombre meeting with Diplomatic Minister Counsellor Mr Phuchphop Mongkolnavin at the Thai Embassy in London, Wilson Chowdhry Chairman of the
British Pakistani Christian Association, expressed great sorrow at the loss of their King.
A bouquet of flowers was presented to Mr Mongkolnavin, who placed them before a memorial set up at the embassy in their main chamber. Mr Chowdhry also
signed a book of condolence and has been praying for the country to heal from their sorrow. The nation has declared a one year mourning period
and posters have been introducing adverts on TV and aired within cinemas, that remember the life and contribution to Thai society made by the longest
reigning king of any country ever.
Under seventy years of rule under King Bhumibol Adulyadej the nation of Thailand has seen great progress financially, academically, scientifically
and socially. His people loved him intensely and attribute the nations progress to the kings enthusiasm and guidance.
During the meeting with Mr Mongkolnavin a request was made for a meeting between Wilson Chowdhry and officials within the Foreign Office of Thailand
and Immigration Department, with a view to discuss the current plight of Pakistani Christians seeking asylum via the UNHCR based in Bangkok.
A meeting was planned with officials from the Thailand Immigration Bureau for the 29th November 2016, during a short visit by Mr Chowdhry in Thailand,
but was cancelled at the last moment. However, Mr Chowdhry is working with both Mr Monkolnavin and Mrs Ratchphorn Srisawang to rearrange a potential
meeting.
During the meeting Mr Chowdhry is hoping to discuss the long term detainment of Pakistani Christian asylum seekers in the brutal Immigration
Detention Centres. We are hoping to offer services and provide solutions to the Royal Thai Government that will make life easier for the suffering
asylum seekers in Thailand, and that will hopefully place less of a burden on the Royal Thai Government.
We believe that there is some interest in some of the offers that we have made as an initial meeting was scheduled. But at this juncture we call
on Christians across the globe to pray for the opportunity to cement itself, so that through dialogue we might be able to bring some change to a harsh
situation. Arrests are still being made for asylum seekers in Bangkok who despite UNHCR cards indicating registered asylum seekers status, are
still being labelled as visa overstayers. This is a situation that will not change anytime soon due to the fact Thailand has not signed UN conventions
for asylum.
Mr Chowdhry, said:
“Alas despite every attempt to meet with the Royal Thai Government’s Immigration Bureau, to date we have not been able to make that happen. Even then we trust God that he will make a way for us to engage in dialogue with them to fashion processes that reduce the suffering of the asylum seeker community in Thailand – particularly Pakistani Christians.
Mr Chowdhry, believes a meeting with Thai officials is now more necessary then ever after a recent crackdown is adding to the already crowded IDC in
Bangkok. Read more (here). He added:
“Concessions we seek include release of Pakistani Christians from the IDC, more flexible visa application terms for those in country able to satisfy student and work visa criteria and grants for flight costs for those who wish to return to Pakistan. In the long term we hope the Royal Thai Government will also accept a small quota from the large Pakistani Christian Asylum seeker community in Thailand, for refugee status within their nation.”
Wilson Chowdhry signs book of condolences for King Bhumibol Adulyadej