Bangkok (AsiaNews) – An example of Christian witness in society and staunch support of human rights and the principle of absolute non-violence, deeply rooted in Thai Buddhist culture. These are the reasons why the Catholic Church in Thailand and the country’s political leadership have conferred a special award on 92 year-old teacher and writer, Prakin Xumxai Na Ayudhaya, who throughout her life has promoted interfaith dialogue and support to the most disadvantaged people in society.
Under the Christian pseudonym “Eugenius,” she has published several books that have earned wide recognition and accolades. At the outset of her career, she gave up the chance to teach in one of the country’s most prestigious institutes since national law requires that the staff of the institute be Buddhist and she refused to renounce her Catholic faith.