Thailand's former anti-gov't protest leader enters monkhood

Suthep Thaugsuban, who had led months-long protests against the former Yingluck government of Thailand, was ordained as a Buddhist monk Tuesday morning.

Suthep, also former deputy prime minister, was quietly ordained at Thasai Temple in his hometown in southern Surat Thani province, said a Twitter message posted by former Democrat Party MP Theptai Seanapong, who has been close to Suthep.

This is not the first time Suthep has entered monkhood, and it is unknown how long he will remain a monk this time.

A picture of Suthep in a monk's robe has been widely circulated on the Internet.

In Thailand, where the majority of nationals believe in Buddhism, it is traditional that a male becomes a monk for a certain period of time for at least once in his life.

Suthep, who used to be secretary general of the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee, had led protracted anti- government street demonstrations since late last year, and the scores of deaths and hundreds of injuries during the protests had resulted in the May 22 coup that has since put the military in charge of national administration.

Suthep and other political figures involved in this round of political crisis have been required by the junta to keep a low profile.