Nitirat Explained

The Nitirat Group 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

On 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.

2012 assault on Worachet Pakeerut

On 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

Piyabutr 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

1. News: Nitirat group 'won't be intimidated' . 2024-10-05 . Bangkok Post . en.
2. Web site: 2011-12-27 . Nitirat to push for coup nullification and amendments to lèse majesté law in January Prachatai English . 2024-10-05 . prachataienglish.com . en.
3. Web site: 2012-02-01 . Pushing Nitirat to the edge . 2024-10-05 . New Mandala . en-AU.
4. Web site: 2012-01-31 . Thammasat rector defends Nitirat ban . 2024-10-05 . nationthailand . en-US.
5. News: Tense standoff at Thammasat over lese majeste law . 2024-10-05 . Bangkok Post . en.
6. News: Nitirat core leader attacked at Thammasat . 2024-10-05 . Bangkok Post . en.
7. News: Nitirat group 'won't be intimidated' . 2024-10-05 . Bangkok Post . en.
8. Web site: 2018-11-19 . Thailand’s new left-wing political parties: rivals or allies? . 2024-10-05 . New Mandala . en-AU.
9. Web site: 2018-03-02 . Exclusive: "ไพร่หมื่นล้าน" จับมือ สมาชิก "นิติราษฎร์" เปิดตัวพรรคใหม่ . 2024-10-05 . BBC News ไทย . th.
10. News: 2018-02-27 . New political parties to take first steps to contest elections in Thailand . 2024-10-05 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
11. Web site: 2018-03-17 . Future Forward kicks off in the right gear . 2024-10-05 . nationthailand . en-US.
12. Web site: 2018-03-27 . Future Forward founder defends party after lese majeste claim . 2024-10-05 . nationthailand . en-US.
13. News: Techakitteranun . Hathai . 2020-01-21 . Future Forward cheers as party survives dissolution in case alleging its Illuminati links . 2024-10-05 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.