"Mark" led the Democrat Party team in a Phuket rally promoting honest politics, emphasizing welfare to reduce inequality across all age groups, and urged support for transparent politics by electing MPs who genuinely work, not those who negotiate or make ultimatums to the public. "Mark" refers to Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Prime Minister and Democrat Party leader.
At 08:45 on 11 January 2026 at Suan Sri Phuwanat, Wichit subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat Party leader, along with Mr. Korn Chatikavanij and Ms. Kadee Liewpailoj (Dr. Or), three Democrat Party prime ministerial candidates, visited the area to hold a major rally presenting the party's policies under the theme. "Southern Agenda: Ending Poverty". Mr. Abhisit emphasized the approach of honest politics and practical development policies through investing in human resources to reduce inequality and support mothers and children from birth. They proposed a birth grant of 65,000 baht and monthly childcare support of 5,000 baht for the first year, totaling 65,000 baht. Additionally, the state will deposit 500 baht monthly into the child's account until age 18, enabling youth to accumulate 100,000 baht as education or career capital. For the elderly, there will be no uncertainty over receiving 600 or 800 baht allowances, as the Democrat Party plans a flat rate of 1,000 baht for all seniors. Moreover, they announced a "surprise" by doubling disability allowances to meet living costs amid current high expenses. The party also recognizes home safety for seniors, proposing a budget of 50,000 baht for those aged 70 and over to improve homes with grab bars and safer doors, reducing household accidents and falls, reflecting care for an aging society.
Mr. Abhisit continued that Phuket's economic revival cannot rely solely on tourism revenue, citing lessons from COVID-19 showing Phuket would suffer most if global issues arise. Thus, the concept is "Phuket can be more than a tourist spot," aiming to develop it as an aviation and premium residential hub linked to Phang Nga province, promoting high-value agriculture, wellness business development, and a world-class medical center. They plan to establish Phuket as a digital economic zone, attract young people worldwide, and elevate it as a center for international maritime and water tourism. Their infrastructure plans include a 160 km/h high-speed train connecting southern Thailand and Malaysia, and motorway development for fast transport. They also aim to raise rubber and palm oil prices, key southern crops, through value-added processing rather than relying solely on global market mechanisms.
"Finally, the party emphasizes transparent and honest politics, stressing that MPs' duty is to listen to people's hardships and translate them into policies, not to bargain for benefits or issue ultimatums to citizens. Good politics is about stating what we will do for the people and actually delivering, as we have done with free education and elderly allowances. I know Phuket people's problems—traffic jams, waste, and flooding—stem from focusing on tourist numbers at the expense of natural resources, leaving locals not truly wealthier. Here, people say they do not want more visitors but want more money in their pockets instead. Therefore, I reinforce our development policy focusing on quality over quantity in this election. I ask Phuket and southern people to give us, the Democrat Party, ballot number 27 and our constituency MPs a chance with both ballots." Mr. Abhisit concluded.
