Thai Ex-PM Abhisit's Return Lifts Democrats Before Feb Vote

Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has returned to active politics, stepping back into the campaign arena days before Thailand’s Thailand election on February 8 general election, giving fresh momentum to the Democrat Party, which has struggled for relevance in recent years.

Abhisit, 61, a former Thai prime minister, has re-emerged on the campaign trail in Bangkok and southern provinces, greeting voters in markets and business districts.

His appearances have drawn noticeable crowds and media attention, reviving interest in a party that once dominated Thai politics but has suffered repeated electoral setbacks over the past decade.

• Abhisit’s comeback boosts Democrats ahead of Thailand’s Feb 8 election
• Thai ex-PM Abhisit re-enters politics, reviving Democrat Party fortunes
• Abhisit return reshapes Thailand’s election race and coalition math

The Democrat Party won 52 seats in the 2019 election but fell to 25 seats in 2023, marking one of the worst performances in its history. Recent opinion surveys now show the party climbing in national rankings since Abhisit’s return, with Abhisit himself placing among the top contenders in popularity polls for prime minister, though still trailing larger parties.

“I want to give voters another option and strengthen the party,” Abhisit said while campaigning in Bangkok, addressing office workers and small business owners. His message has focused on economic management, institutional stability, and restoring public trust in established political parties.

Political analysts say Abhisit’s personal credibility and name recognition have helped stabilise the Democrat base, particularly among conservative voters in Bangkok and southern Thailand. His return is also seen as drawing support away from other conservative parties, potentially reshaping post-election bargaining.

Abhisit served as prime minister from 2008 to 2011, a period marked by deep political divisions and mass protests. A military crackdown on demonstrators in 2010 left about 90 people dead, casting a long shadow over his legacy. Courts later dismissed criminal cases related to the violence, but the episode continues to influence public perceptions.

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With no single party expected to secure a parliamentary majority, analysts say the Democrats could again become a coalition partner. Abhisit’s return may not deliver the premiership, but it has restored the party’s relevance at a critical moment in Thailand’s political contest.