The Nitirat Group (Thai: นิติราษฎร์) was a progressive group of Thammasat University law faculty formed in March 2011, led by Worachet Pakeerut and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul.[1] The group aimed to amend Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code (Thailand's lèse-majesté law) and nullify the legal impacts of the 2006 Thai coup d'état.[2]
2012 Thammasat University ban
editOn 30 January 2012, Thammasat University banned the use of its facilities to campaign against the lèse-majesté law, effectively banning the Nitirat Group's activities on campus.[3][4] Thammasat University rector Somkit Lertpaithoon defended the ban, believing continued activities would lead to conflict and chaos.[5] The ban led to protests by students and criticism from former rector Charnvit Kasetsiri, who argued the ban ran contrary to the founder's vision for Thammasat.[5]
2012 assault on Worachet Pakeerut
editOn 29 February 2012, Nitirat Group co-founder Worachet Pakeerut was assaulted at Thammasat University's Tha Phra Chan campus by twin brothers from Pathum Thani.[6] The brothers admitted to intentionally attacking him due to their opposition to the group's efforts to change the lèse-majesté law.[7]
Later activities
editPiyabutr Saenkanokkul was an assistant professor of law at Thammasat University and member of the Nitirat Group.[8][9] He later become a co-founder of the Future Forward Party, a progressive political party led by tycoon Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.[10][11][12]
By 2020, the group had become non-operative.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Nitirat group 'won't be intimidated'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Nitirat to push for coup nullification and amendments to lèse majesté law in January | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2011-12-27. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Pushing Nitirat to the edge". New Mandala. 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Thammasat rector defends Nitirat ban". nationthailand. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b "Tense standoff at Thammasat over lese majeste law". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Nitirat core leader attacked at Thammasat". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Nitirat group 'won't be intimidated'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Thailand's new left-wing political parties: rivals or allies?". New Mandala. 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Exclusive: "ไพร่หมื่นล้าน" จับมือ สมาชิก "นิติราษฎร์" เปิดตัวพรรคใหม่". BBC News ไทย (in Thai). 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "New political parties to take first steps to contest elections in Thailand". The Straits Times. 2018-02-27. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Future Forward kicks off in the right gear". nationthailand. 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Future Forward founder defends party after lese majeste claim". nationthailand. 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ Techakitteranun, Hathai (2020-01-21). "Future Forward cheers as party survives dissolution in case alleging its Illuminati links". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-10-05.