“Abhisit” toured major campaign events in the Eastern region, stressing that the 4 former Democrat prime ministers have never faced corruption charges. Meanwhile, “Chuan” campaigned in Bangkok’s 6th district, confident the party will recover, affirming the Democrat Party is not a pawn for anyone, and opposing joining a Pheu Thai-led government due to discrimination against southern people.
On 23 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the political atmosphere in the Eastern region was lively as the Democrat Party held a major campaign rally. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the party's prime ministerial candidate, along with Satit Pituchecha and Satit Wongnongtoey, both deputy party leaders, and other party MP candidates took the stage to present policies and the country’s development direction. The event was well attended by enthusiastic citizens. Abhisit emphasized that national development must go beyond short-term problem-solving to elevate economic structures, integrity, and citizens’ quality of life simultaneously.
Abhisit stated that Thailand’s agricultural sector needs comprehensive development—not just machinery or production technology—but attention to water systems, resource management, and product quality standards. He cited the example of durian, which currently yields good production but still faces water supply issues and quality certification challenges, causing export difficulties, especially to China, due to residue and safety regulations.
He said the government must support farmers across the entire production chain—from sourcing water, managing costs, to establishing local labs for immediate quality testing—reducing farmers’ burdens and increasing market bargaining power. He aims for Thai agricultural products to have nationwide unified standards, targeting fruits from Rayong—such as durian, rambutan, and mangosteen—to be globally trusted for quality and safety.
Abhisit also reaffirmed plans to reinstate farmers’ income insurance to guarantee they don’t incur losses, supplemented by cost assistance before harvest to reduce reliance on informal debt. He emphasized the goal is not short-term subsidies but to ensure the agricultural sector’s long-term stability and competitiveness.
Regarding economic development, Abhisit said the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) must become a new economic hub encompassing food industries, innovation, digital technology, and the creative economy. It should offer young people opportunities in new work forms like online commerce, content creation, and startups, alongside labor welfare, job security, and fair competition, ensuring real economic growth benefits locals.
During his speech, Abhisit reiterated his stance on integrity, stating that all 4 former Democrat prime ministers have never been involved in corruption cases. He insisted that anti-corruption must be the foundation for national development because if the country remains trapped in corruption, the economy and citizens’ quality of life cannot truly advance. He urged citizens in Rayong and nationwide to vote on 8 Feb in unison, calling this election a vital chance to start national change by choosing honest politics, a strong economy, and a secure future for all generations.
“Chuan” campaigns in Bangkok’s 6th district, confident the party will revive.
Chuan Leekpai, party-list MP candidate and former Democrat Party leader, campaigned to support Siripa Intharawichian, the Democrat candidate for Bangkok’s 6th district, number 5, at Soi Prachasongkroh 16 and the entrance of Soi Prachasongkroh 6 in Din Daeng district. Chuan walked among locals, pausing to give speeches at various points. He said that in the last election in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the candidate with the fewest votes was Rachit Sudphum, a former Democrat MP candidate and ex-governor of Pattani, who did not use money to campaign. Chuan told his party colleagues not to use money because people in Nakhon Si Thammarat reject it. If elected by buying votes, it is shameful and harms politics, causing national decline due to corruption, leading the country nowhere.
He declared that the Democrat Party is not anyone’s spare part.
“When Abhisit Vejjajiva resigned from party membership, many good members also left, including Satit Wongnongtoey, Satit Pituchecha, and Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, leaving me alone. If I had left too, the party would have ended because some wanted to make the Democrat Party small so the party leader could always be a minister by joining any government—whether formed by ‘thieves’ or ‘monks.’ There was no principle, just a desire for leadership positions. This caused many members to resign over time, including Chalermchai Sri-on stepping down as party leader, though some former members later returned. This revival gives hope for more MPs, but I want the party to move forward—not as a spare, reserve, or satellite party as the old leadership wanted. That chapter is over. Regardless of how many MPs the party gets, the important thing is that the Democrat Party is not a spare part or reserve party to join any government with anyone,” Chuan said.
He opposes joining a Pheu Thai-led government due to southern discrimination.
Chuan added that he opposes coalition with Pheu Thai because former PM Thaksin Shinawatra discriminated against the South, focusing development only on provinces that supported him. In that election, Pheu Thai won over 140 MPs nationwide across the North, Northeast, Central, and Bangkok—but none from the South. Therefore, they cannot betray their southern constituents by campaigning against Pheu Thai but then supporting them in government, as that would be a betrayal of the people.
This time, Chuan believes the top priority is increasing Democrat MPs, expecting the party-list MPs to improve significantly from the previous three to several times more. The exact number depends on voters, who are urged to encourage their families in their home provinces to support the party’s candidates.
