The first official policy of a progressive party launched by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the scion of Thailand's biggest auto parts group, is that it will oppose an "outsider prime minister" in the coming election, it said.
The 39-year-old executive vice president of the Thai Summit Group applied Thursday to register the Anakhot Mai (Future Forward) Party at the Office of the Election Commission.
He was joined by a fellow co-founder, Thammasat University law lecturer Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, and other members.
"We will do our best to get every single vote but we can't know what will happen after [the election]," said Mr Thanathorn.
"What I can tell you now is that we will definitely not accept an outsider prime minister," he added.
"We will also not take part in any procedure that lacks democratic principles."
Mr Thanathorn said his party aims to win a majority in the election, tentatively scheduled for next February.
"We will not be an alternative. We want to be a key party that can restore democracy and move the country forward," he said.
"In the event we win, we won't nominate anyone outside [the party] to be prime minister. We want to make sure our policies can be implemented correctly," Mr Thanathorn said.
- Earlier report: New party vows effort to heal political rift
Most of the groups that have registered political parties with the Election Commission made it clear they would not oppose the possibility of supporting an "outsider" as premier.
Under the charter, parties that contest an election are required to nominate their list of candidates for the job. After the election, these will be whittled down to a single figure.
If MPs fail to reach an agreement, the issue will go to a joint meeting of MPs and senators. This paves the way for the selection of someone whose name is not on the list.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has a high chance of regaining power as an outsider premier after the election, pundits say.
The Future Forward Party was the 58th party to register with the EC, as of Thursday.
"The objective of this party is to show the public that Thailand can return to being governed under a democracy," said Mr Piyabutr, one of the co-founders.
Decades of political turmoil have allowed the army to stay in power for a long period of time by acting as an intermediary to bring the country out of a state of crisis. But now the army has become part of the problem, he said.
"It has thus far been creating a terrifying, negative vision of democracy, claiming that democratic elections will surely bring back decades of turmoil.
"Our new party aims to inspire people to believe there is new hope for Thai politics," said Mr Piyabutr, who resigned from the progressive Nitirat group to enter the political fray.
Mr Piyabutr also said the proposed amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, pushed by the Nitirat group has nothing to do with the party.
According to Mr Thanathorn, Future Forward will seek funding from the public, as opposed to relying on his private wealth. Doing this would remind him to "think about the best interests of the public".
The Future Forward Party revealed the names of 26 founders as of Thursday, 16 of whom are under the age of 30.
They include Kunthida Rungruengkiat, an independent academic; and Chamnan Chanruang, a political scientist and legal academic.
Also on the list are: Nalatporn Krairerk, a rights activist for people with disabilities; labour union president Surin Khamsuk; Vorakorn Ruetaivanichkul, a filmmaker and visual artist; Alisa Bindusa, an environmental activist; Chotiros Naksut, an author; and Kathawut Krungpiboon, an academic who advocates for the rights of transgender people.
According to Mr Thanathorn, each member represents the idea of "regular people."
"It is wrong to think the country's problems should be solved only by professionals or experts, because there are others with the potential to do so," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam warned the Future Forward Party not to engage in any activity that violates the rules set out by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
"The party has the freedom to speak and write [post online] as long as it doesn't cross the line," he said.
He was referring to a talk Mr Thanathorn held with the media before registering the party. He said the police will decide what violates the NCPO's ban on political gatherings.
Deputy Democrat Party leader Nipit Intrasombat said the party has yet to prove itself.