Three former Democrat Party leaders will be roped in to assist in the party’s election campaign with a suggestion that one, Abhisit Vejjajiva, be nominated as the Democrats’ prime ministerial candidate alongside its leader, Jurin Laksanawisit.
Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit announced on Tuesday he was approaching his predecessors, Mr Abhisit, Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan to be Democrat list MP candidates.
Mr Jurin said the party was in high gear after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha indicated he might dissolve the House sometime next month ahead of the expiry of the MPs’ four-year term on March 23.
The party needs all the help it can to prepare for the poll and he decided to ask the three former leaders to take an active role. “They are highly capable and steeped in experience. They will also have a significant role in enlarging the party’s support base,” Mr Jurin said.
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Democrat deputy leader Sathit Pitutecha admitted on Tuesday the party was not as popular as before. The party needs to put together the best possible team to drive its campaign to regain voters’ trust. “The election won’t be easy,” said Mr Sathit, also deputy public health minister.
Mr Sathit earlier denied speculation he was leaving the Democrats to join the Bhumjaithai Party. He insisted he was staying put despite having been courted by some other parties to defect. “To turn one’s back on the party in a worrisome situation would be like ditching a friend,” he said.
Mr Sathit said yesterday Mr Jurin may be finding a way to approach Mr Abhisit to lend a hand in the campaign.
Mr Abhisit quit as party leader shortly after the previous election in March 2019 over the Democrat’s poor showing. He has retained his party membership though kept a low profile.
In the coming election, the Democrats, like other parties, will be working hard fo every vote. “The Democrats are not in crisis. It’s only that things are not the same,” he said.
Chuan Leekpai
Mr Sathit said Mr Abhisit has what it takes to reverse the Democrats’ political fortunes and return the party to its former glory.
Personally, he felt party should not limit itself to just one prime minister candidate. He was responding to a question whether Mr Abhisit should be listed as a prime ministerial candidate.
The party said last week Mr Jurin will vie for the prime ministerial post.
Mr Sathit said that as the Election Commission allows each party with 25 MPs or more to put forth up to three prime ministerial candidates, it should not leave the other two slots vacant.
Meanwhile, parliament announced yesterday the resignation of four more MPs — Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, list MP and leader of the Thai Civilized Party; Pailin Thiensuwan, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP for Samut Prakan; Anucha Nakasai, PPRP MP for Chai Nat; and Phakin Sommitthornkul, a PPRP list MP.
With their resignations, the House is left with 416 MPs.