Hanoi (VNA) – The Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest political party, announced on December 26 that it will nominate three candidates to contest the post of prime minister in the upcoming general election, including former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
According to a list released by the Democrat Party through a campaign video posted on social media, the party’s candidates comprise party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, deputy party leader Korn Chatikavanij, and Karndee Leopairote.
In the video, Abhisit underscored the need to address poverty in Thailand and to strengthen transparency across all sectors, stressing that clean governance is essential to sustainable development.
Abhisit served as Thailand’s prime minister from 2008 to 2011. Following the Democrat Party’s defeat in the 2019 general election, he stepped down as party leader and later left the party in 2023. He returned to frontline politics in October this year after rejoining the Democrat Party and was subsequently re-elected as its leader.
Meanwhile, the Bhumjaithai (Pride of Thailand) Party on December 24 also announced its candidate for the prime ministerial post in the election scheduled for February 8 next year. The party nominated caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Earlier, the Pheu Thai Party unveiled three candidates, including Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, party leader Julapun Amornvivat, and veteran politician Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
On December 12, caretaker Prime Minister Anutin signed a royal decree dissolving the House of Representatives, paving the way for a new general election. Political parties are required to submit their lists of prime ministerial candidates between December 28 and 31, with each party allowed to nominate up to three candidates./.
