He revealed his plans on the Facebook page of Takerng Somsup, director of the Fah Wan Mai television channel. Mr Takerng was a close aide to Phra Suthep during the political demonstrations prior to the May 22 coup last year.
Phra Suthep: Plans return to politics
Mr Takerng and former Democrat MP Sathit Wongnongtoey visited Dipabhavan Meditation Centre on Koh Samui to interview Phra Suthep for a programme that will air on Thursday night.
Mr Takerng said one of the topics discussed was Phra Suthep's plans after he leaves the monkhood.
Phra Suthep said there was no specific time frame for his departure from the monkhood, after spending almost a year in saffron robes.
He was still quite content, he said, even though his initial intention was to stay in the monkhood for only 204 days — the number of days he led street protests in Bangkok against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government.
Phra Suthep was ordained on July 16, 2014 in a low-key ceremony at Wat Ta Sai in Muang district of Surat Thani.
He said he had established a fund for monks' ordination and transferred it to the temple to encourage more people to enter the monkhood.
When he does leave the monkhood, Phra Suthep said, he plans to work in people's politics, probably through a non-governmental organisation.