With the restoration of French control in October, he was arrested, and sent into exile first in Saigon and then in France. Many of his supporters joined the Khmer Issarak resistance to fight the colonial power. In 1951, the authorities brought Thanh back, to considerable popular acclaim; refusing a Cabinet position, he made alliances with various leaders of the Khmer Issarak rebels, and established another newspaper (Khmer Kraok) which advocated revolt against the French administration and was quickly banned.
Following French control's restoration in October, he was apprehended and exiled first to Saigon and subsequently to France. Many of his supporters joined the Khmer Issarak resistance to combat colonial power. In 1951, authorities brought him back, to widespread public acclaim; refusing a Cabinet position, he formed alliances with various leaders of the Khmer Issarak rebels, and established another newspaper (Khmer Kraok) that advocated rebellion against the French administration, which was quickly banned.