Thinley Tsundue (born 1973) is a monk of Reting Monastery from Thangko Township, Lhundup County. In September 1996, a “work team” of twelve officials arrived at Reting Monastery to carry out so-called “patriotic re-education” programmes. The monks strongly resisted the campaign and refused to comply with the demands imposed by the officials. In response, the “work team” forged written pledges in the monks’ names and submitted them to higher authorities. It was later announced that officials from the so-called “TAR” authorities would visit the monastery on 30 November 1996 to complete the re-education campaign.

As an expression of protest against the “work team” and the planned visit by senior authorities, a vehicle belonging to the officials was set on fire. Because of the monks’ open and vocal opposition, the “work team” suspected six monks, including Thinley Tsundue, of responsibility for the incident. Thinley Tsundue and four other monks were accused of pasting posters inside the monastery and of setting fire to the officials’ vehicle. A sixth monk was arrested after a search of his room uncovered prohibited audio tapes. All six were initially detained at Gutsa Detention Centre.