After the Thai coup d'état of 22 May 2014, Worachet was summoned to report to the military junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), but failed to do so within allotted time, as he was abroad. Upon his return to Thailand, he was taken into custody for defying the junta's orders, but released on bail on the same day. In July 2014, the Thammasat University council promoted Worachet from associate professor to a full professorship. His promotion to the professorship was endorsed by the Civil Service Commission on 27 October 2016 and received the royal assent from King Rama X on 5 April 2017, with retroactive effect as from 12 June 2013. The proclamation on his promotion was countersigned by NCPO deputy leader Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong.