Abhisit, the Democrat Party's prime ministerial candidate, showcased his vision during the debate, pledging to transform the state of 'enduring to breathe' into 'Thailand free of poverty,' aiming to revive the country as he did during his premiership.
At 5:30 p.m. on 23 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Thairath TV began the first debate ahead of the 2026 election, hosted by Kai Pongsakorn Satyaprasert. The eight prime ministerial candidates were: Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party; Yotsanan Wongsawat, Pheu Thai candidate; Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat Party leader; Theerachai Phuwanatnarunban, deputy leader and Palang Pracharath candidate; Peeraphan Salirathvipak, leader of Ruam Thai Sang Chart; Suchatvee Suwansawat, leader of Thai Khao Mai; Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of Thai Sang Thai; and General Rangsee Kitiyanansap, leader of the Economic Party. Two parties, Kla Tham and Bhumjaithai, did not send candidates to the debate.
Abhisit, the second speaker, began by urging the public not to let this election be decided by short-term cost-cutting policies that are inconsistently implemented, nor by issues of funding or fleeting emotional waves. Ultimately, he said, Thailand goes nowhere, and people must endure poor economic conditions, rising debt, outdated education, unjust law enforcement, repeated disasters, pollution, and most importantly, corruption and shadow capital, to the point where some complain they must 'endure to breathe.'
He invited everyone to join the Democrat Party in transforming the state of 'endure to breathe' into 'Thailand free of poverty'—not just financial poverty, but also poverty of knowledge due to backward education, and even broader challenges like geopolitical dead ends and great power rivalries. The Democrat Party aims to build an honest nation led by honest leaders with economic experience and skills in technology and futures studies to revitalize Thailand. The clear goal is for Thailand's economy to grow at least 5% annually within four years, as it did in the past, and to reduce household debt from the current 80-90% to 60%.
Additionally, there will be other indicators, such as ensuring no children drop out of the education system, as was achieved with genuine free education in the past. Farmers should have good incomes, similar to the periods when palm and rubber growers prospered under his premiership. Most importantly, Thailand must no longer rank low in transparency and corruption indexes, where it currently stands at 107. The aim is for Thailand to be free of poverty, to reject shadow capital and corruption, and above all, to achieve this through people who take real action.