Suthep leaves monkhood, warned not to get political (UPDATED)

28 กรกฎาคม 2558

Former PDRC protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban leaves monkhood & will work on six-point proposal for reforms, but warned to stay away from politics in press conference Thursday.

Phra Suthep Prapa Saro takes alms in downtown Phum Rieng in Surat Thani's Chaiya district. (Photo by Supapong Chaolan)

UPDATE

Suthep advised to get NCPO permission before press conference

Former Democrat Party deputy leader Suthep Thaugsuban should seek permission from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) before having a press conference on Thursday on his new plans for the People's Democratic Reform Foundation, said army chief of staff and NCPO deputy secretary-general General Chatchalerm Chalermsuk.

If Mr Suthep was unsure whether the press conference could be considered a political activity, which is prohibited by the NCPO, he should request permission from the junta in advance. If Mr Suthep was certain it would have nothing to do with politics, he could go ahead as planned, said Gen Chatchalerm.

Authorities will be sent to observe and if what is said is political, Suthep will be told to stop, since the country is now in need of reconciliation. Similar requests have been made of Jatuporn Prompan and Nathawut Saikuar, leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

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POLITICS

Suthep leaves monkhood

28/07/2015
Online Reporters

Suthep Thaugsuban, former secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), left the monkhood in a ceremony at Wat Traidhammaram in Surat Thani province on Tuesday morning.

Other former Democrat MPs who left the monkhood at the same time included Mr Suthep's younger brother Chen Thaugsuban and Chinaworn Boonyakiat.

The ceremony began at 6am and was presided over by Phra Dhamvimolmolee, chief of the 16th Monastic Region.

After the ceremony, Mr Suthep went with some former Democrat Party MPs to Suan Mokkhaphalaram in Chaiya district of Surat Thani to give alms to monks who yesterday entered the monkhood in a mass ordination in honour of His Majesty the King.

Mr Suthep said he would now concentrate on the activities of the People's Democratic Reform Foundation.

The foundation would pursue the PDRC's six-point proposal for reforms, he said.

Mr Suthep led PDRC street protests against the Yingluck Shinawatra government until the military coup on May 22 last year. He entered the monkhood shortly after the coup.