The Democrat Party is campaigning in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Abhisit showcases a policy package to eradicate poverty in Thailand, appealing for votes across the entire province. He warns that 'gray bank' tactics have begun, and if accepted, voters must not choose them. Deputy leader Chaiyanat states that Southern people take the bait but do not swallow the hook.
At 09:30 on 1 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and prime ministerial candidate, along with Chaiyanat Dechdecho, deputy party leader overseeing the South, Isra Suntornwat, Satit Wongnongtoey, deputy leaders of party missions, and Prakob Rattanapan, former MP of Nakhon Si Thammarat, joined the campaign at Thung Song Market, Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. They supported Thanaphat Rattanapan, candidate for MP in the 5th district (Thung Song–Nabon). Upon arrival, Abhisit and his team were warmly welcomed with hugs and photo requests. Children asked for selfies and autographs on hats and shirts. People also sang the Southern folk song “Pak Tai Ban Rao,” creating a lively atmosphere.
Abhisit spoke briefly from the campaign truck, greeting the crowd in the Southern dialect: “Hello, thank you for coming to support the Democrat Party.” He said he came to reaffirm their long-standing bond, noting that in Thung Song, former MP Prakob had worked with him over many terms, especially on education. Although Prakob is not running in this election, a younger candidate close to his age three decades ago, Thanaphat, is ready to help him and the Democrat Party. This time, they promise to eradicate poverty in Thailand.
“Do you remember when the Democrat Party was in government, we took good care of farmers nationwide, including the South? When I was prime minister, rubber prices were over 100 baht, now they are around 50 baht. But this time, we offer insurance guaranteeing at least 60 baht. We plan an economic system attracting investors to buy rubber for higher-priced products, so I’m confident rubber prices will exceed 80 baht. We also have a ‘provincial lottery’ policy: buying a 50-baht ticket limited to 100,000 people, with one Nakhon Si Thammarat winner receiving 1 million baht monthly. The remaining 40 baht per ticket goes into each buyer’s savings account.”
The Democrat Party leader confirmed that new policies will be introduced gradually, including universal elderly care of 1,000 baht monthly and dental care for seniors—upgrades to existing programs. New initiatives support increasing birthrates, addressing Thailand’s very low birthrate, which is alarming. The party aims to ensure children are born healthy, providing mothers with 5,000 baht immediately after childbirth and 5,000 baht monthly throughout the first year, totaling 65,000 baht for child care.
Toward the end, Abhisit emphasized that Southern people love the Democrat Party. Other parties seek to split the vote, but Southerners stand united. He urged voters to choose Democrat Party candidates with two ballots, warning that 'gray bank' tactics are already underway, with names being registered. He asked voters to reject these by not selecting those candidates. The crowd responded loudly: “Yes.” Abhisit asked, “You accept but won’t vote for them, right?” The crowd shouted in unison: “No.” Abhisit continued that if voters refuse to choose the gray bank candidates, he will be confident to return and visit again. Their representatives will care for the people, restore integrity, improve the economy, and eradicate poverty in Thailand.
At 10:30, Abhisit proceeded by campaign truck to Thung Yang Market, Thung Yai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, to support Jomkrai Sawaswong, Democrat Party candidate for the 6th district. A large crowd welcomed him to hear his speech. Abhisit wore a blue-and-white crew-neck T-shirt printed with the phrase “Southern people united, no division.” He thanked Southern voters for their long support and asked to be prime minister again. Having been in politics over 30 years, he credited his growth to Southern backing. He said they fight against money and power to ensure honest politics. He called on people to work again to gather Democrat Party supporters and resources to serve the people. The party has policies to build a motorway to the South, a railway linking Malaysia, Nong Khai, Vientiane, and China. He noted that some parties criticize these projects, even though the Democrat Party has many MPs.
“I believe you understand MPs cannot draft or approve projects or budgets without government proposals. Our party managed the Ministry of Transport for only two years, while others have controlled it longer. Next time, ask them at their rallies why they only plan to act now. They threaten Southern voters that if they don’t choose them, projects won’t come. When the Democrat Party governs, we serve everyone, every region, every province, never abandoning anyone. Southerners have always fought for justice. You can trust we will fully advance the economy.”
Reporters noted that at the end, Abhisit pointed to his shirt and said, “My shirt says Southern people love only one, don’t let anyone divide us.” He added that beyond division, a new threat is emerging: 'gray capital' transforming into 'gray ballots'. He asked if names have been registered. If silence prevails, it means names have been recorded. In Thung Song, people shouted against registration, but here it was worryingly quiet. He then asked the crowd again: “If gray ballots come, will you take them?” The crowd responded loudly: “Accept.” Abhisit said the response was unanimous but asked if one ballot is enough. He said voters should tell those offering ballots that with so many people here, one ballot is not enough; at least two are needed. If two ballots come, his deputy leader Chaiyanat might get three ballots. The important thing is to accept but not vote for them because choosing them means returning to the same situation. They give four years of money, about one baht per day, but it involves corruption worth billions in public taxes, wasting opportunities, stalling economic growth, degrading society, and lacking justice. This is not what people want. He pledged that on 8 February, Southern voters will vote Democrat Party candidates with both ballots. Deputy leader Chaiyanat Dechdecho stressed on stage, “We Southerners take the bait but do not swallow the hook.”
At noon, the delegation moved to Lam Nao Market, Bang Khan District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, where a lively crowd welcomed them with flowers, photos, and old pictures from over 10 years ago for Abhisit to autograph. Abhisit said receiving these pictures showed continued solidarity with the Democrat Party. He thanked supporters for sharing the same political ideals. Although he had left politics for two years, his bond to the party and concern over corruption, political self-interest, public hardship, and worsening economic conditions motivated his return to restore honest politics. He explained that nearly all national problems stem from corruption. None of the four Democrat Party prime ministers faced legal charges or asset seizures. The party stands firm on integrity and dedicates itself fully to serving the people. He urged Southern voters on 8 February to choose number 27 and the party’s district candidates, asking everyone to help bring them into parliament to work for the people.