Abhisit leads the Democrat Party's prime ministerial candidate team as they await the party's election number. He says he wants the number chosen by the people and responds to critics who say they only talk, asking the public to discipline grey capitalists through the 8 February 2026 election.
On 28 December 2025 at the Centara Life Hotel, Government Complex and Convention Center, Chaeng Watthana, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and prime ministerial candidate, along with two other candidates—Korn Chatikavanij and Kanjana Silpa-archa, deputy party leaders—led the Democrat Party's party-list candidates to await the party number lottery.
Abhisit said in an interview that today all three prime ministerial candidates and the party’s policies are fully prepared and confident they can change the country. Regarding the desired number, he wants the number chosen by the people, the number that the public remembers and can select. Tomorrow, 29 December at 10 a.m., all three prime ministerial candidates will hold a press conference to present the Democrat Party’s comprehensive policy ideas under the theme 'Thailand Can End Poverty Through Capable Leadership.'
As for the main policies, he emphasized the need to make the country honest and use technology tools to solve public problems. Meanwhile, immediate policies address deflation, debt, and vulnerable groups alongside efforts to push economic structural reforms and completely redefine the role of the state. On the issue of tackling grey capital, he said his position is clearer than anyone else’s.
Abhisit also emphasized that over the past two months, the party's reception in the South has been very positive, both from previous supporters and the younger generation. He is now trying to communicate to the public that if they want the Democrat Party to work, they must also vote for the constituency MPs. Regarding concerns about influential families moving to other parties, Abhisit said that influential families are not as significant as the people.
Later, Abhisit told Thairath TV that the Democrat Party is the clearest in declaring who they will and will not cooperate with. On coalition conditions, he reiterated several times rejecting grey capital, opposing division, and not touching Article 112. This is not a personal matter of liking or disliking anyone but a call for straightforward and clear dialogue.
Abhisit said some people like to say he only talks. He observed that there are many empty slogans, but when asked directly, others do not give clear answers and secretly make deals. He asked if people are not tired of this and stressed that those who can discipline grey capitalists are the voters on 8 February 2026. He urged the public to discipline these people.
Meanwhile, Korn said that when they spoke out against grey capital and corruption, it was the easiest message for the public to understand because the Democrat Party has consistently proposed anti-corruption measures that resonate with voters.
At one point, Sasit Pitutecha, chairman of the Democrat Party's candidate selection committee, was asked about Mongkolkit Suksintaranont, who did not pass the candidate selection for Bangkok MPs and later moved to the New Alternative Party. Sasit said all selections follow a process aligned with party policies and that Mongkolkit withdrew himself.
Abhisit added his thanks to those not selected who still support the party and said some senior members on the party list requested to be placed beyond position 90 to give space for new generation candidates. He noted that being placed so low makes it very difficult to win a seat unless an unprecedented event occurs. He gave the example of Chuan Leekpai, who wanted to be placed after the 10th position but was kept at number 2 because, as a former prime minister, it was deemed inappropriate otherwise.
Regarding government formation, Abhisit said it is about gathering a majority. Usually, the party ranked first receives support, but this is not guaranteed. If all parties remain reserved, the first-ranked party will be the one to invite others. He urged people not to rush discussions since over 40 days remain.
Chuan Leekpai, who joined the interview, responded regarding his desire to be placed 11th on the party list, saying he asked for that position but the party leader and executives did not agree, so he remains second. He stated his wish to open opportunities for the younger generation, noting that last time they secured three party-list seats, and this time they expect more than four.
On cooperation with other parties, the Democrat Party leader made his stance clear, mentioning that this government has politically transferred many civil servants. He expressed a hope that civil servants remain neutral and not become political tools.