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The Nitirat group comes under heavy fire for its controversial proposals regarding the monarchy, as moves to amend or rewrite the charter gained added momentum. Meanwhile, a confrontation is looming between the City Hall and the government over flood prevention - amid predictions of another flood crisis this year.

People attend a forum organised by law academics from the Nitirat group at Thammasat University on Jan 16, 2012. The group is gathering 10,000 signatures on a petition demanding an amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

The push by seven Thammasat law lecturers, known as the Nitirat group, to set a new order for the monarchy met with a major setback this week when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced for the first time that her government would definitely not amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law which deals with actions which are deemed offensive, insulting or threatening to the revered institution.

Backing up Ms Yingluck’s stance on the lese majeste law, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung branded the Nitirat group's proposals as nonsense, saying he would oppose any attempt to amend the law.

The group's latest proposal for a complete rewrite of the 2007 Constitution, especially regarding the monarchy and including requiring His Majesty the King to take an oath before the parliament to protect the charter seems to be the last straw. It has unified monarchists on all sides of the political divide, including the army and other academics, to lash out at the group, particularly its leader Dr Vorajate Pakeerat.

Although the Nitirat group comprises only seven law lecturers at Thammasat University, it has the support of many red-shirt followers.

The harshest criticism came from Dr Bovornsak Uwanno of the King Prachadhipok Institute and Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Dr Bovornsak said instead of requiring the King to take an oath before the parliament Dr Vorajate, a recipient of the prestigious King Anand scholarship, or the King’s scholarship, should himself take an oath that he would not betray or be ungrateful to the King for the scholarship which made it possible for him to finish his PhD in law in Germany.

General Prayuth asked the seven law lecturers what good they had ever done for the country that gave them the right to propose a new order for HM the King who throughout his reign, and before, had contributed so much for the good of the country and the Thai people.

Senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn questioned the group's motives. He said proposals would benefit only a civilian dictatorship and give it complete control of the civil service, the military and the judiciary.

The proposal would also mean judges would be appointed and placed by politicians, not by their own peers.