The activist, meanwhile, wrote on his Facebook: “I am afraid, but I will continue fighting.”

The two men appeared outside the canteen of the university’s Faculty of Political Science and shouted in a threatening manner, asking where Netiwit was, but then took off on their motorcycle when they received no response.

Netiwit filed a report with the police for personal-safety reasons after learning of the incident.

A surveillance camera at the faculty showed one of the men wearing a blue t-shirt, trousers and full helmet, while the other was clad in a student uniform-like white shirt and trousers.

The police said they would pass the matter to an investigator and seek to find the two individuals.

Netiwit posted on his Facebook page, discouraging violence and asking for a chance to prove himself.

“Give me as a person in the younger generation a chance to prove myself. You can disagree, but we should talk about it,” he wrote. “If you really love Thai society, do not show the world the barbarian side or resort to violence.”

While admitting that he felt intimidated by the incident, the young activist encouraged non-violence and urged opponents to use love to win over hate, and to respect people’s rights.

“Old and young people must talk and stop dominating,” Netiwit wrote. “We have to help one another. People who are elected must be safe in this country.”

At a time when France had just elected its youngest-ever president, Netiwit raised the question of whether Thailand “would continue to sink yet further” in terms of how young people that are elected to office are perceived and treated.