Many Democrat party old guard have been checking their memberships, following reports that senior party figures, including former party leader Chuan Leekpai, support Abhisit Vejjajiva’s bid to return as party leader.
The new leader of Thailand’s oldest political party will be elected on October 18, replacing Chalerm Sri-on, who resigned citing health issues.
The senior party members rushed to confirm their membership status before midnight on October 3, the deadline to secure voting rights at the meeting.
Those who miss the deadline, even if already members, lose their voting rights for the leadership election.
In the 2023 general election, the Democrats, led at the time by Jurin Laksanawisit, suffered the worst performance in the party’s history, winning only 25 House seats.
In its heyday, the Democrat Party was so popular that people joked it could win even if it fielded a lamp post. Jurin decided to resign as party leader to take responsibility for the loss.
Two contenders for Jurin’s successor were Chalermchai and Abhisit. Due to internal conflicts, Abhisit withdrew his candidacy and quit the party altogether.
The Democrats later chose Chalermchai as their new leader in December 2023.
Over Chalermchai’s 21 months at the helm, the party briefly joined the Pheu Thai-led government, under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, only to end up back in opposition in the subsequent Anutin Charnvirakul administration.
As the 2026 general election approaches, the party is once again preparing to change its leader.
One of the main reasons that veteran party members, from Bangkok and the provinces, rushed back was because party elders Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan made it clear that they were backing Abhisit, who was also a prime minister of Thailand.
Among them were former ministers and MPs, such as Khunying Supatra Masdit, Nipit Intarasombut, Satit Pitutecha, Dr. Banyat Jetanajan, Niphon Tharapoom and former Phuket MPs Tosaporn and Anchalee Wanich Thepbutr.
In Bangkok, notable returnees included Oranong Kanjanajusak, a former three-term MP, Anik Amranand, a two-time party-list MP, and Sakoltee Phattiyakul, a former deputy Bangkok governor.
Sakoltee wrote on his Facebook page that it had been almost ten years since he left the Democrat party to gain broader political experience, adding “Now, I believe it’s time to return and help rebuild the party. I know it won’t be easy to restore it to its former status, but I intend to unite people from all generations who wish to see the country move in a better direction.”
Analysts say most Democrat members are not expecting to reclaim all 50 Bangkok seats in the next election, but rather to retain their long-time voter bases.
Former minister Nipit Intarasombut said he would invite two senior party members, Amnouy Suwankhiri and Trairong Suwankhiri, to return to the party.
“Former seniors of the party were known for their integrity,” he said, adding “A political party should bring together people of all generations - old, middle-aged and young.”
Meanwhile, on October 3, the last day for membership confirmation, a photo circulated on Facebook showing Abhisit alongside Korn Chatikavanij and several prominent figures, under the caption: “The topic last night: The future of the country that every generation wants.”
Others in the photo included Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai, a member of the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee, Dr. Suvit Maesincee, former Minister of Higher Education and co-founder of Youth in Charge, Dr. Karndee Leopairote, board member of the Creative Economy Agency and Associate Prof Dr. Torplus Yomnak, director of the Chulalongkorn University Centre for Political Economy Studies.
Political analysts believe that the Democrats’ potential comeback attempt under Abhisit could find its strongest support in Bangkok, where the party still retains name recognition, and that, with strong policies, quality candidates and strategic positioning, the party might reclaim some constituencies from the People’s party.
The Democrats’ old voter base, many of whom shifted their support to the United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharath parties in the last election, could return if the party can present credible policies and consistent messaging.
In the South, however, the Democrats face fierce competition from the Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham parties, making seat gains difficult, though some party-list representation remains possible.
In the northeast, the party’s prospects are seen as minimal.
Analysts conclude that, in the 2026 election, the party may need to settle for an opposition role once again, but a dignified one that could rebuild public trust and lay the groundwork for a future comeback.
