Abhisit Vejjajiva is most favoured among respondents to an opinion poll to lead the Democrat party, replacing Chalermchai Sri-on who resigned recently citing health reasons.
NIDA Poll, which gauged the opinions of 1,310 people across the country on September 15th and 16th, reports that 32.90% of the respondents prefer Abhisit, former prime minister and former Democrat party leader, to lead the party again.
The second most favoured person is veteran MP Chuan Leekpai, also a former prime minister and former party leader, with 18.09%.
The other potential leaders are Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, a candidate in the Bangkok gubernatorial election (8.17%), former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij (4.20%), former party leader Jurin Laksanawisit (2.21%), former deputy leader Banyat Bantadtan (1.68%), former party leader Chalermchai Sri-on (1.45%), former MP Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich (1.15%) and party secretary-general Det-it Khaothong (0.84%).
When asked whether the respondents would vote for the Democrat party in the next election, 37.85% said they are not certain, 35.75% said they will support the party and 26.67% said they would not.
Abhisit stepped down as party leader in 2019, after the party won fewer than 100 House seats in the general election.
He left the party in 2023. He has not yet decided whether to return to the party or to seek re-election as the party leader.
The party’s popularity has waned substantially and was roundly routed in the 2023 general election, winning only 25 constituency and party-list seats in the Lower House, from its peak of more than 100.
