Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday used three metaphors, referencing Taylor Swift, football transfers and artificial intelligence, during his first speech addressing the challenges facing the Democrat party and Thai politics after his return to the party leadership yesterday.
The three topics came from his personal interests of music, football and technology.
The former prime minister, 61, was the only candidate nominated for the leadership of Thailand’s oldest political party and returns to the post about ten years after stepping down, following a general election defeat.
After winning the election, which was broadcast live, Abhisit, an avid follower of Newcastle United, talked about football.
“I watch English football. Let me warn you, some of the most expensive strikers, once they move clubs, can’t score a single goal,” he said, likening that to politicians who switch parties for money or power.
He then revealed another hobby of listening to and collecting vinyl records.
“I recently bought a record by Taylor Swift. She once said in an interview that, ‘Broken glass becomes sharper.’ So, to anyone who wants to smash the Democrat party, I say go ahead, because that broken glass will cut the vicious cycle of vote-buying and corruption.”
File photo: Taylor Swift//AFP
Speaking of another hobby, Abhisit said he enjoys arguing with AI.
“The night before (being elected leader again), I asked AI to design symbols representing honesty, truth, and prosperity.” When AI failed to meet his expectations, he said he asked whether it had ever thought of the Earth Goddess, the Democrat party’s logo and a symbol of purity and truth in Buddhist tradition.
“AI admitted that none of its designs could compare,” he said with a smile.
Abhisit urged Thais who are tired of today’s politics to join the Democrat party in rebuilding clean, principled politics adding “I know it won’t be easy, but join us. Our ultimate goal is not only to keep the Democrat party alive, but to help Thailand move forward and improve the quality of life for all Thais.”
Quoting the party’s motto, “Truth is immortal,” Abhisit recalled resigning from the leadership ten years ago, a move he had never imagined making. Yet, before stepping down, he declared that he had no other party and that “if you cut my veins, they bleed blue.”
Abhisit also criticised the country’s prolonged economic downturn, growing inequality and deterioration of justice, warning that both economic and political monopolies were becoming more entrenched.
He reiterated that political parties must not rely on populist policies that offer only temporary relief, but instead use technology and innovation to drive sustainable growth.
He introduced several new-generation figures joining the party, such as Karndee Leopairote and Juree Numkaew, saying that young Thais today seek independence and opportunities to follow their own paths.
“If elections continue to be dominated by vote-buying and corruption, the country will not move forward,” he warned.
