'Chaiyachana' leads the Democrat party's southern constituency MPs to register at Parliament, affirms party unity, reveals no invitation yet to join the government, and confirms they adhere to party resolutions while being ready to serve in both government and opposition.
At 09:45 on 5 March 2026 at the Parliament, Mr. Chaiyachana Dechadecho, party-list MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party overseeing the southern region, led 4 Democrat MPs from Nakhon Si Thammarat and 1 from Surat Thani to register at the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. They are: 1. Mr. Songsak Muksikorn, Constituency 1, Nakhon Si Thammarat; 2. Mr. Phithakdech Dechadecho, Constituency 3, Nakhon Si Thammarat; 3. Ms. Kanokporn Dechadecho, Constituency 4, Nakhon Si Thammarat; 4. Mr. Chomkrai Sawadiwong, Constituency 6, Nakhon Si Thammarat; and 5. Mr. Somchat Praditporn, Constituency 4, Surat Thani, all representing the Democrat Party.
Mr. Chaiyachana commented on the district MPs registering separately from the party-list MPs, saying that today the district MPs registered, while the Democrat party-list MPs will register on 6 March. Although they registered separately, he emphasized that the Democrat Party remains united, holding 21 MP seats. The party's decisions and leader's guidance will determine their actions, which they will follow. He urged not to politicize the separate registration as a division, affirming they work as a team and the party is certainly united.
Regarding whether there were any secret deals before registering today, Mr. Chaiyachana firmly denied any covert agreements or deals. Everything was discussed openly and decisions were made by party resolution. He noted that the party leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, a party-list MP and Democrat leader, had stated that 60% of the party's votes come from the south with over 2 million votes. All MPs are elected by the people, so the voters in their areas must be asked for their opinion. Most comments on his Facebook from people in Nakhon Si Thammarat support joining the government, but his personal stance depends on the party resolution decided by the MPs together with the party executive committee. To join the government, an invitation from the leading party is required, which has not yet occurred. When asked if supporting joining the government despite a different party resolution would be considered defying the party, he said that breaking party resolution is impossible. The party's resolution must be followed. Joining the government requires an invitation from the coalition leaders; they cannot join arbitrarily. The party leader has set three conditions; if those are accepted, they will then consider whether to join or not.
On whether the 21 Democrat MPs will vote uniformly for Speaker of the House and Prime Minister, Mr. Chaiyachana confirmed there is no reason to vote otherwise. They must act in one direction, and all 21 Democrat MPs will work to push policies in Parliament, including disability allowances, home repair for disabled people, free education, and others. He affirmed 100% party unity. He reminded that the party has previously served both in opposition and government, and they are ready to work fully on both sides. On 6 March, the party leader will lead the party-list MPs to register, while the district MPs will return to their constituencies. If he has no other duties, he will accompany the party leader.