The Future Forward Party (FFP) has reaffirmed its stance against efforts by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to stay in power.
It said the party would never affiliate itself with any parties or groups that support the regime's plan to remain in politics.
At an event to launch FFP's vision at the party's headquarters in Bangkok, party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said that the party is taking a firm line on NCPO attempts to cling to power, including allowing an outsider prime minister.
The event was attended by more than 100 party executives and co-founders.
Mr Thanathorn said that the most pressing issue ahead of the election is how to make the public understand that parliamentary democracy can make them immune towards divide-and-rule tactics, so that a military coup can never be justified again.
In the past, divide-and-conquer tactics usually came as a prelude to a new coup, he said.
"If the election really happens on Feb 24 next year as promised, it will help determine whether [the majority of] Thai people prefer to side with dictatorship, or freedom," he said.
He added that Gen Prayut's interest in joining politics makes it easier for voters to choose between living with the NCPO in power, or the belief that power belongs to all members of the public.
Furthermore, he said that the party intends to rewrite the entire 2017 constitution, in order to eradicate all mechanisms created and left behind by the coup's orchestrators.
The party, he added, is open to any political negotiation, as long as the party's three core principles are not compromised.
"What is equally as important as the number of votes [for us] in this election, is to plant progressive thoughts about democracy in the society," said Mr Thanathorn. "We will never compromise our principles in exchange for votes."
When asked whether he is ready to take up an important position in the new government, the party leader said: "Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is ready to become the next prime minister."
That said, he admitted that as a new political party, at this stage the FPP cannot accurately estimate how many seats it expects to win in the election.
Party secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul said anyone who decides to enter the race this time has to live with uncertainty, as the NCPO chief will still have special powers allowed under Section 44 of the interim constitution until the new government is actually formed.
Mr Piyabutr called for fair treatment for both pro-NCPO parties and parties that oppose the regime in the upcoming election.
Party spokeswoman Pannika Wanich said the FFP's priority is not to find election canvassers or former MPs to be fielded in the election, but to listen to the opinions of people around the country over what they want included in party policy.
"Future Forward is the choice to restore democracy and lead the nation out of this crisis," she said.
The party will begin the process of recruiting new members and conduct a primary vote online starting from Oct 6, said Mr Piyabutr.
