The Democrat Party is preparing to announce its prime minister candidates and campaign policies next week. "Chuan" and "Jurin" will run on the party list, while "Aswin" has quietly joined as a member. He is expected to help "Look Earth" contest Bangkok's constituency 4 election.
At 11:50 a.m. on 16 December 2025 GMT+7 at the Democrat Party headquarters, party spokesperson Pongsakorn Khwanmuang announced after an executive committee meeting chaired by party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva that the process of selecting MP candidates is underway. Interviews are being conducted before candidates are sent to local branches for primary voting, then forwarded to the executive committee for final consideration. An official decision is expected on 24 December, when the party will announce its MP candidates and three prime minister candidates. There are 150 individuals who have expressed intent to run as MPs in Bangkok, and 400 on the party list. Selection criteria follow Bill Clinton’s theory: 1. Local expertise; 2. Communication skills; 3. Good track record; 4. Policy presentation; 5. Ability to fundraise for the campaign.
Pongsakorn added that the Democrat Party is undergoing a normal transition process. Six former MPs who have expressed intent to run again will stay in their original constituencies: 1. Chaiyana Dechdej, deputy party leader overseeing the South; 2. Pitakdej Dechdej; 3. Songsak Musikong, former MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat; 4. Kanj Tangpong, former MP for Trang; 5. Saksit Khaothong; and 6. Supaporn Kamnerdphon, former MP for Songkhla.
Meanwhile, two former party-list MPs who have expressed intent to run are Chuan Leekpai and Jurin Laksanawisit. Former party-list MP Banyat Banthatnarn has not expressed intent to run.
The party’s campaign policies will be announced next week, focusing on honest, professional, and trustworthy politics. The prime minister candidates include widely respected experts: party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva; former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij; and several young leaders such as deputy party leader Veerapong Prapha. The party is committed to guiding Thailand’s future correctly rather than playing political games, affirming no secret deals. Their slogan is 'The Nation Must Come First.' The party believes that while policies to overcome the crisis are important, gaining popular support is even more crucial, as the nation’s interests are paramount.
Pongsakorn also revealed that on 15 December, Police General Aswin Khwanmuang, former party-list MP for the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party and Pongsakorn’s father, officially joined the Democrat Party. He did not express intent to run as an MP but said he would assist Pongsakorn in the election. Pongsakorn is running for MP in Bangkok’s constituency 4 (Khlong Toei and Watthana districts), where he is currently the sole Democrat candidate and faces no internal competition.