The Democrat Party is seeing a surge of political veterans rejoining its ranks, as momentum builds behind former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s expected return to the party leadership ahead of a crucial general assembly later this month.
Among the high-profile returnees is Khunying Supatra Masdit, a former minister to the prime minister’s office, who announced via Facebook that she had rejoined the party to help restore its strength and reconnect it with the public.
“I have returned as a Democrat Party member once again, to support the existence of a strong, principled party driven by new generations who are idealistic, patriotic, loyal to the nation and uphold moral integrity,” Ms Supatra wrote.
She said her decision was motivated by the belief that it was time to help bring the Democrat Party “back to the hearts of the people who once supported it” and “return the party to its true owners — the Thais who have long shared its ideals”.
In the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chaichana Dechdecho, acting deputy party leader, led a group of 20 provincial administrative organisation (PAO) members in applying for Democrat Party membership at a local meeting in Ron Phibun district.
Mr Chaichana told reporters the meeting was held to discuss the party’s future direction ahead of the general assembly on Oct 18, when a new leader and executive board will be chosen.
He confirmed that he and the group supported Mr Abhisit’s return to the top post, calling him “the right person” to guide the party through renewal and help it regain public confidence.
Adding to the sense of resurgence, Korbsak Sabhavasu, former deputy prime minister for economic affairs in the Abhisit’s administration and a former Democrat deputy leader, announced his return to the party on Saturday.
In recent weeks, a number of former Democrat members who had previously left the party have begun reapplying for membership as they hope for a reversal of fortunes, arguing Mr Abhisit could be the figure capable of revitalising the party which shrank considerably in the previous election.
The recent resignation of Chalermchai Sri-on as party leader has set the stage for a new leadership contest that could determine whether the Democrats can win back support in the next election or fade further from the scene, according to one political observer.