Thammasat University called on the government Monday to withdraw legal action against eight activists taking part in a 450-kilometre civic march from the school's Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani to Khon Kaen until Feb 17.
In their petition submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the lecturers also demanded the military government allow civic groups to hold activities to voice their opinions.
The call came in response to legal action taken against eight people who joined the "We Walk" march organised by the People Go Network (PGN), an umbrella group of activists and academics, on Jan 20.
It came after the Administrative Court last Friday ordered police not to obstruct the march and to ensure the safety of those taking part.
Police initially blocked the march, forcing members to split up and restart from alternative locations.
The activists were accused of violating the regime's ban on political activities.
The march, according to PGN, was aimed at highlighting the state's failure to address problems and public grievances in areas such as environmental and natural resources, agriculture, food security and freedom.
The group petitioned the Administrative Court for an injunction.
According to Thammasat University executives, it is time for the regime to review its ban on political activities that was issued under Section 44 from the interim charter because the new 2017 constitution is now being enforced.
The ban, issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has granted extensive power to state authorities to restrict people's civil rights and liberties, they said.
If it remains in effect, it undermines the constitution, they added.
As the regime proceeds with its roadmap to the general election, the NCPO should be more open and allow people to exercise their rights as allowed by the charter, especially when it involves civic participation, critics argue.
"The prime minister often urges people to not wait for the state to help and become part of the problem-solving process.
"This expression of their opinion in a peaceful manner should be welcomed and supported," the petition read.
Thammasat University executives said the 450km march aims to highlight social issues.
"The activity shouldn't be considered a form of political assembly.
"And with the court's injunction, the charge that social activists defied the NCPO's ban should be dropped," the petition read.
It was signed by 29 executives including four deputies at the university.
The eight activists included Nimit Tienudom, and Anusorn Unno, dean of the university's faculty of sociology and anthropology.
The complaint was filed by Lt Col Phusit Khlai-hirun, commander of the 4th ant-aircraft artillery battalion.
The marchers left Sung Noen district in Nakhon Ratchasima Monday, bound for Kham Thale So district, a distance of 15km.
Local authorities were deployed to manage traffic along the route.
The group said it planned to hold a seminar on the Public Assembly law Monday evening.
There were no immediate signs of whether police would attempt to stop the gathering.