Thailand’s former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is drawing attention on the campaign trail once again, as passersby stop him for selfies while he walks through busy markets in Bangkok ahead of general elections scheduled for February 8.
Voters greeted the salt-and-pepper-haired former leader warmly, with one noodle vendor remarking that he still looked “handsome just like before”. The scenes reflect lingering affection for the Oxford-educated economist, whose return to frontline politics has come as a surprise.
Democrat Party Sees Unexpected Revival
Abhisit’s re-entry has energised Thailand’s Democrat Party, altering what had appeared to be a three-way contest between the ruling Bhumjaithai Party, the progressive People’s Party and the populist Pheu Thai Party.
“I just want to offer a choice and revive the party,” Abhisit, 61, said as he greeted office workers during lunchtime in central Bangkok. He added that many voters he meets express frustration at the limited political options on offer.
Trust and Leadership Drive Support
Supporters say Abhisit’s leadership has restored confidence in a party that struggled after his departure. Government employee Yuttapum Rattanamanee said his family had returned to backing the Democrats because Abhisit had resumed the leadership role.
“When Abhisit left, the party lost its power because people no longer trusted the leadership,” he said, describing the former prime minister as capable and honest.
Thailand’s oldest political party once dominated southern provinces and Bangkok, before entering a prolonged decline following the 2014 military coup.
Past Controversies Still Linger
Abhisit served as prime minister from 2008 to 2011, a period marked by intense political unrest. In 2010, a military crackdown on “Red Shirt” protests in Bangkok left 90 people dead, with rights groups accusing security forces of excessive force.
Thai courts later dismissed all criminal cases against Abhisit and senior officials, resulting in no convictions, though the episode remains a sensitive chapter in his political legacy.
Opinion Polls Show Renewed Momentum
After stepping away from politics following poor election results in 2019 and 2023, Abhisit has returned as polls show growing support for both him and the Democrat Party.
A recent survey by the National Institute of Development Administration ranked Abhisit third among preferred prime ministerial candidates, while the Democrats placed fourth overall. Analysts say this could position the party as a key player in coalition negotiations after an election expected to yield no clear majority.
Political scientist Olarn Thinbangtieo said Abhisit’s return had helped the party reconnect with conservative voters, potentially drawing support away from the ruling Bhumjaithai Party.
Southern Base Strengthens, Bangkok Remains Test
Much of the Democrats’ renewed strength comes from their traditional southern strongholds, including flood-hit provinces affected by deadly deluges in November. In Songkhla, a January survey ranked Abhisit as the leading choice for prime minister.
However, Abhisit acknowledged that winning back Bangkok Thailand’s largest electoral bloc would be difficult after the capital overwhelmingly backed the People’s Party in the last election.
Despite limited preparation time following parliament’s dissolution in December, Abhisit said the campaign was about more than nostalgia. “It’s about transforming the party as well as reviving it,” he said, adding that the Democrats were returning to the principles that once defined them.
with inputs from Reuters
