Thammasat law lecturer and Nitirat group leader Worachet Pakeerut has distanced himself from a group of "young blood" aspirants seeking to form a new political party.
Speaking at the launch of his new book titled History of Ideas of the Philosophy of Law at Thammasat University, Tha Phrachan campus Sunday, Mr Worachet denied he was behind the move to set up the Anakhot Mai Party or Future Forward Party.
"I am not behind any political parties," he said. The Nitirat group which comprises legal scholars has nothing to do with any parties, Mr Worachet said.
A group of "young blood" politicians led by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the scion of Thailand's biggest auto parts group, has launched a new party offering itself as an alternative catering to younger voters.
The 39-year-old executive vice-president of the Thai Summit Group applied to register the party at the Office of the Election Commission last Thursday.
His co-founder is 38-year-old Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a former law lecturer at Thammasat University and noted member of the Nitirat group, whose members include progressive legal specialists.
A former student of Mr Worachet, Mr Piyabutr resigned as a Thammasat lecturer to join the new party.
Mr Worachet said he still maintains teacher-student relations with Mr Piyabutr, and it has nothing to do with politics.
"I see passion in him. He is eager to change the political landscape and blaze a new path. I want him to be independent and be himself with ideas for change," Mr Worachet said.
"I don't have the right to oppose him, but have to respect his decision," Mr Worachet said, referring to Mr Piyabutr.
Mr Piyabutr earlier said he would press ahead with the proposed amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, if he had a chance to do so in his new political role.
Mr Worachet said that since Mr Piyabutr has now taken on a political role, he no longer belongs to the Nitirat group.
The Future Forward Party would make up its own mind about whether to back a change to Section 112 as part of its policy for the upcoming election, he said.