Fugitive Thai politician sets up anti-coup organization

Thailand and Cambodia to quash crackdown 'rumors'

BANGKOK -- Charupong Ruangsuwan, a former Thai interior minister now believed to be in self-imposed exile, on Tuesday announced to set up an organization to counter the military junta.

In a video clip posted on YouTube, the former leader of Pheu Thai Party, core of the ousted Yingluck government, said the newly- founded "Organization of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy " will fight against coup makers and restore democratic rule in the country.

The junta which seized power on May 22 has violated the rule of law, undermined democratic principles and encroached on people's rights, liberty and human dignity, said the politician who has defied the junta's order to report in and consequently faced an arrest warrant.

The anti-coup organization, with Charupong serving as the secretary general, will operate from an undisclosed country, according to the video.

It is believed that a number of former lawmakers, academics, " red shirt" members and other anti-coup figures have joined the organization.

Over the past month, the junta has kept a close eye on anti- coup activities as well as adverse remarks against the junta on social networks, which has resulted in the detention of a few activists.