"Abhisit" declares that the Democratic Party identity has never disappeared, even though he left the party, expressing confidence that it remains a highly democratic party.
On 8 Oct 2026 GMT+7 at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok during the "Once Upon a Time at Baan Fah" gala commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Democratic Party's founding, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the party leader, thanked attendees and those who could not attend but remain connected to the party. He personally called invitees, and all who answered spoke with excitement and joy that the party still remembers them. Notably absent were prominent former MPs such as Uthai Pimjaichon, former Speaker of Parliament, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Chalerm Yubamrung, both of whom expressed heartfelt appreciation and said they never forgot their positive political beginnings with the Democratic Party. Abhisit expressed gratitude to everyone bonded with the party, whether present or unable to attend due to constraints.
"At this event, I learned new things and heard stories I never knew. I felt a little disappointed that I never received the 20,000 baht from Chuan Leekpai. Defining the Democratic Party is difficult, but one thing I am confident about is its democratic nature and political struggle. Although there have been criticisms that the party is not democratic, no one denies or disputes the high level of democracy within the party. I am someone who entered this home, left it once, and then returned again. I believe that even if I left the party, the spirit of the Democratic Party has never left me," Abhisit said.