BANGKOK, THAILAND – Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva returned to the helm of the Democrat Party and used his comeback to promise a clean, youth-driven reboot of Thailand’s oldest political party.
Warm southern reception but fragile support
After years out of the spotlight, Abhisit re-emerged with what he described as renewed fighting spirit following a visit to flood-hit provinces in the south, where he reported an “incredibly warm” response. For many voters there, he said, it seemed possible that the Democrat Party could reclaim its traditional stronghold. Yet he warned that enthusiasm alone would not be enough to reverse years of decline.
“People say they support the Democrats. But that does not automatically mean they will also vote for our candidates.”
said Abhisit, adding that regaining trust would require a major political effort he now intended to lead.
Poll surge in the south, but many undecided
A recent Nida survey conducted from 18 to 24 November showed 25.6% of respondents in the south would currently choose Abhisit as prime minister. Trailing behind were Anutin Charnvirakul with 15.4% and Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut with 12.85%, while former general Prayut Chan-o-cha barely registered at 2.5%. However, 32.25% of voters remained undecided, a bloc seen as critical to determining whether the Democrats recover or slide into irrelevance.
“The mood on the ground is clear,”
said Abhisit.
“But we must work harder so that the party leader’s popularity also reaches the candidates.”
He noted that in the past, strong personal ratings had not always translated into votes.
Owning past mistakes and starting from zero
Abhisit spoke unusually openly about earlier defeats, saying the party’s stance in 2019 had failed to resonate with many voters. Fears that a vote for the Democrats might indirectly strengthen the Thaksin camp had driven supporters toward then-prime minister Prayut during a period of extreme polarization. He recalled that this left the party with little political space.
“I took responsibility and resigned,”
he said, adding that he had refused to join Prayut’s coalition and later gave up his parliamentary seat when the party decided to do so. By 2023, he said, cooperation with conservative forces followed by a shift into a Pheu Thai–led coalition had eroded the once-clear identity of Thailand’s oldest party.
“Our supporters no longer knew what we stood for,”
he admitted, before declaring a fresh start:
“We are rebuilding the party from zero.”
Targeting money politics and entrenched networks
Abhisit also attacked what he called one of the country’s biggest problems: money in politics. He pointed to recent revelations by the Anti-Money Laundering Office, which froze billions of baht linked to fraud networks, as confirmation of his long-standing concerns, noting that the Democrats had previously flagged suspicious transactions.
“Without political integrity this will never end,”
he said, arguing that campaign costs of up to 50 million baht per constituency had nothing to do with democracy.
“If people do not sell, the system changes.”
He said new anti-corruption campaigns by civic groups could help, while the Democrats aimed to present themselves as cleaner, younger and more transparent, distancing themselves from traditional power brokers.
“Nobody owns this party,”
Abhisit stressed.
“We are rebuilding it on its original foundations.”
A younger generation moves to the front
The relaunch has prominently featured younger figures, with Karndee Leopairote, Werapong Prapha and TikTok personality Juree Numkaew appointed to leadership roles within days. The moves were intended as a clear signal to younger voters who had long viewed the Democrats as a “party of the old.” Veteran heavyweights such as Chuan Leekpai and Samart Ratchapolsitte stepped aside to make room for the new generation, a shift seen as historic but also risky for the party.
Flood response exposes disaster-management gaps
During his tour of flood-affected areas, Abhisit said he observed serious weaknesses in crisis coordination, with the military, ministries and local authorities all involved but no one clearly in charge.
“The officials wanted to help but had no clear leadership,”
he said, adding that residents in emergencies often did not know where to flee. For cities such as Hat Yai, he called for fixed evacuation routes and a powerful national disaster center under the direct authority of the prime minister, a system he said could save lives if implemented.
Linking economic growth to clean governance
Abhisit argued that the economy was closely tied to political credibility, saying businesspeople across the country had told him there could be no growth without clean politics. He said Thailand needed to focus on agricultural technology, green industries, clean energy, carbon markets and real competition policy to raise growth from 2% to 5%.
“Foreign investors ask us whether we have good governance,”
Abhisit explained.
“That is why we are losing significance.”