Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is still confident that his party will have the chance to lead the government after the March 24 general election.
However, if a national government is established after the general election, he says he is ready to become part of the opposition.
He called Thai Raksa Chart's nomination of Princess Ubolratana as its lone prime ministerial candidate, "a demolition of coloured shirts in politics and a change to every previously-known equation".
He added that he does not believe democracy in Thai society will be exclusively shaped by talks between "elite people".
He said he has never held any secret talks with other political parties and politicians, no matter who they are: Prime Minsiter Prayut Chan-o-cha, Thaksin Shinawatra, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan or even Suriya Juangroongruangkit, his uncle.
Mr Thanathorn voiced his support for a level playing field in the poll. "Certain parties should not be allowed to have more privileges than others," he said.
"We want to see all prime ministerial candidates treated equally under the law and before the public."
Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul yesterday read a party statement on the recent nomination of Gen Prayut as the Palang Pracharath Party's prime ministerial candidate.
The statement urged Gen Prayut to resign as prime minister and as the leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Mr Piyabutr said if Gen Prayut is still prime minister and NCPO leader in the run-up to the election, this means the election will not meet international standards.
He added that his party has confirmed that Mr Thanathorn will be the party's sole prime ministerial candidate.
