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Thailand's ex-protest leader cautioned against political activities

Xinhua, July 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Thai army chief Udomdej Sitabutr on Wednesday warned Suthep Thaugsuban, former leader of street protests against the Yingluck Shinawatra government, to refrain from making political remarks in his upcoming public appearance.

Udomdej urged Suthep to comply with the junta's ban on political activities and not cross the line, while responding to Suthep's upcoming press conference on Thursday, which would be the first public event of the former deputy prime minister and former Democrat Party MP after he left monkhood on Tuesday.

Suthep, who used to be secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, had led months- long anti- government street rallies since late 2013, and the scores of deaths and hundreds of injuries during the protests had resulted in the coup that has since put the military in power. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk shortly after the coup.

Suthep said earlier that he would not return to politics, but would commit himself to a charity called the Foundation of the Great Mass of People for Thailand's Reforms. As the chairperson of the foundation, he is expected to announce his plans for future activities at Thursday's press conference. Endi