Can Abhisit help the ailing Democrats?

Can Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister and four-time former leader of the Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest political party who is reported to be keen to return to politics, save the Democrat Party from almost certain electoral doom? No one dares to bet.

- Veera Prateepchaikul

Following the abrupt resignation of Chalermchai Sri-on as party leader, citing health reasons, Mr Abhisit has emerged as a potential candidate for the party leadership to be decided at a general meeting of the party within the next month.

Several former veteran members who quit the party out of frustration with the party's management under Jurin Laksanawisit, Mr Abhisit’s immediate successor, have voiced support for the prospect of Abhisit’s return to the party: they believe that Mr Abhisit is its only saviour under the present circumstances. However, Mr Abhisit has yet to say whether he wants to return or not.

Mr Abhisit quit as leader in 2019 to show responsibility after the party won less than 100 House seats in the May election that year.

The party came in fourth place, winning just 52 constituency and party-list seats after the now defunct Future Forward, which ranked first place, followed by the Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath parties.

Shortly afterward, he resigned as an MP, claiming he could not vote for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister to head the coalition which also included the Democrat Party, led by Mr Jurin.

Although retaining a Democrat Party member card, former prime minister Abhisit has kept a low profile and barely participated in party activities.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party's performance in elections has gone from bad to worse.

In the last election in May 2023, the Democrat Party was completely routed in Bangkok by the now defunct Move Forward Party, predecessor of the People’s Party.