Phra Suthep preparing to leave monkhood

Former leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protest group Phra Suthep Prapa Saro is preparing to leave the monkhood and become involved in people's politics.

His plans were revealed on the Facebook page of Takerng Somsup, director of the Fah Wan Mai television channel, who was a close aide to then-Suthep Thaugsuban during the political demonstrations prior to the May 22 coup last year.

Mr Takerng and former Democrat MP Sathit Wongnongtoey went to interview Phra Suthep at Dipabhavan Meditation Centre on Koh Samui for a programme that will be aired on Thursday night.

Mr Takerng said one of the topics discussed during the interview was Phra Suthep’s plans once he leaves the monkhood.

He had replied there was no specific timeframe for his departure after almost a year in the monkhood. He was still quite content there even though his initial intention was to stay for only 204 days, the number of days that he led the street protests against the former Yingluck government.

Phra Suthep was ordained as a monk on July 16, 2014 in a low-key ceremony at Wat Ta Sai in Muang district of Surat Thani.

Phra Suthep said he had established a fund for ordination and already transferred it to the temple, and it was likely that more people would enter the monkhood in the future.

When he does leave the monkhood, Phra Suthep said, he plans work in the arena of people's politics, probably through a non-government organisation.