Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, has disclosed plans to propose three candidates for the position of prime minister.
According to Thai News Agency, this strategy is intended to align with the current political landscape, though Abhisit emphasized that there is no urgency in announcing these candidates.
Abhisit discussed the party's ongoing preparations for nominating both Members of Parliament and prime ministerial candidates, following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's introduction of three candidates for the Bhumjaithai Party. He explained that the Democrat Party is in the process of inviting suitable MP candidates, as the party recently conducted its first executive meeting on November 18th. He assured that there are no issues, as the party is actively seeking candidates who align with their political vision. Abhisit expressed confidence in finding a prime ministerial candidate, stating, "It's easy to find a prime ministerial candidate. I'll accept anyone I invite."
Reflecting on past experiences, Abhisit noted that while the party previously nominated a single candidate, this approach proved impractical. During the 2019 elections, Abhisit himself was named as a prime ministerial candidate, but his subsequent resignation left the party without a nominee, as the new leader was not included on the list. To avoid similar complications, the party now plans to propose three candidates.
When questioned about the backgrounds of the prospective candidates, Abhisit remarked that anyone joining the party is considered a politician. He mentioned that the selection of the three candidates will be decided in an upcoming executive committee meeting. While he has potential candidates in mind, he remains uncertain if his choices align with those of his colleagues.
In response to inquiries about potential candidates, including party deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij, Abhisit humorously noted that Korn was assisting him in brainstorming. He also commented on Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, highlighting their positive societal reception and emphasizing the importance of candidates with diverse expertise and reputations.
Addressing why the Democrat Party has not yet released its candidate list, Abhisit explained, "I'm a sports fan, and it just so happens that doing something first puts me at a disadvantage." He remained noncommittal about whether the party would wait to see other parties' lists before making their announcement, simply stating, "I don't know."