Nitirat leader assaulted

Academic Worachet Pakeerut, leader of the controversial Nitirat group of law lecturers, sustained injuries after being assaulted by two men at Thammasat University yesterday.
The assailants fled on their motorcycle after the attack, which took place shortly after 3pm at the Faculty of Law in the Tha Phrachan campus, according to police and witnesses.
Worachet later said he believed the assault was related to his campaign with the Nitirat Group.
“I will continue [to campaign]. I don’t believe my supporters will use violence to counterattack [the opponents],” he said.
The Nitirat group has conducted its campaign against the controversial lese-majeste law at Thammasat University several times.
Thammasat rector Somkid Lert-paitoon yesterday condemned the attack and called for peaceful means in settling any differences of views.
He also said in his Facebook account the identity and address of an attacker was known. However, he did not give further information and police were investigating the incident.
“I call on all parties involved to use reason in debating to solve the country’s problems. I condemn any use of violence against Thammasat people and fellow Thai compatriots,” the rector said in his Facebook post. He also promised increased security measures at the campus following yesterday’s incident.
Following the attack, Worachet underwent a medical check-up at Thonburi Hospital and filed a complaint at Chana Songkhram Police Station.
Speaking to reporters after his treatment, Worachet said he was talking to a lecturer from Mahidol University when two men sneaked from behind to deliver several punches in his face.
“I was hit and everything happened so suddenly that I could not even remember the profile of my attackers,” he said.
He sustained bruises and some minor cuts in the face, and his eyeglasses were shattered.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Wichai Thongsong said police were pursuing all leads and had not drawn a conclusion on the motive behind the attack. “Police are checking security cameras at the Tha Phrachan campus to identify the suspects,” he said.
Some faculty workers said they remembered the assailants were among the protesters who burnt an effigy of Worachet at the campus last month, according to Thammasat law lecturer Thira Suthiwarangkoon, who is Worachet’s colleague from the Nitirat group.
“The faculty officials said they saw the two men waiting for someone since morning,” Thira told Nation Channel.
He said the attack would not discourage the Nitirat academics. “You are wrong if you think that we will be afraid. I insist we will continue fighting with reason while you use violence,” he said, intending to convey a message to the attackers and their supporters.
A university worker described the attackers as men aged no more than 30, with short haircuts.
Thanapol Eawsakul, editor of Fa Diew Kan magazine, said he was a witness and saw the two attackers fleeing on a motorcycle.
Anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngarm-anong tweeted that the motorcycle licence plate was Mo Tho 684.
Worachet is the core leader of Nitirat, which has spearheaded a campaign to amend the lese-majeste law. He is seen as a controversial figure due to his outspokenness in opposing the coup. His political views often favour the pro-Thaksin camp.