Satit revealed that Democrat MPs decided to abstain from voting for prime minister and will debate the qualifications, sending Abhisit to sharpen his rhetoric and explain the reasons in detail.
At 14:00 on 18 March 2026, the Democrat Party held a meeting of its MPs to consider the prime ministerial vote scheduled for 10:00 on 19 March. Satit Wongnongtoei, party list MP and chairman of the Democrat MPs, chaired the meeting attended by 20 MPs. Only Chuan Leekpai, party list MP, was absent due to a medical appointment. At 15:30, Satit announced the party's resolution to abstain from voting for prime minister, noting that the party has mostly abstained in the past. If the meeting allows MPs to debate the prime minister's qualifications, the party appointed Abhisit Vejjajiva, party list MP and party leader, to lead the debate and explain in detail why the party abstains. The party also received an invitation from the House Speaker to meet with coalition party leaders at 09:00 on 19 March, making it uncertain whether a debate on the prime minister's qualifications will occur. The party hopes that the parliamentary majority, the Bhumjaithai Party, will allow such a debate, as it is a significant matter. The prime minister's position is crucial for national administration, so transparency should be examined by parliament.
When asked if the presence of competing candidates led the party to abstain, and whether a single MP could vote to abstain or for or against, Satit said this was one reason but not the only one. The party has considered the qualifications of both prime ministerial candidates but found abstention necessary and important. Abhisit will explain the reasons and details.
