Abhisit quits Democrat party

[webfact]

File photo : Abhisit Vejjajiva

Former Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva announced his resignation from the party at its general meeting today, after he was nominated as a candidate for the party’s leadership by Chuan Leekpai.

 

Chuan, also a former party leader, made the surprise move at the meeting.

 

Abhisit resigned as party leader and MP following the party’s poor performance in the 2019 general election.

 

During a break in the meeting, Abhisit met with Chalermchai Sri-on for a brief chat. Abhisit later told the meeting that he had informed Chalermchai of his decision to withdraw his candidacy and to resign from the party.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-12-11

 

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[webfact]

Chalermchai, the new Democrat party leader

 

 

Chalermchai Srion was elected the new Democrat Party leader today, pledging to rebuild party unity, lead the party forward and uphold the party’s principles and ideologies.

 

He was the sole candidate for the leadership, after former party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva withdrew and Watanya Bunnag was found to be insufficiently qualified.

 

Chalermchai, the ninth Democrat leader, won 88.5% of the 260 party member votes, according to Samart Ratchapolsitte, a party election committee member.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-12-11

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[hotchilli]

Musical chairs.....

[spidermike007]

He was a terrible PM before, and there was certainly no chance of him becoming a good one now. Thailand needs real talent, and needs to stop choosing mediocrity. Does the nation want to move forward, or is it so accustomed to moving backwards that it knows no other direction? 

[Felt 35]

There hasn't been anywhere near any democracy in Thailand since Chuan Leekpai was Prime Minister in the 90s and it was sparse even then. Abhisit is doing the right thing and withdrawing as a candidate and it has nothing to do with qualifications to do, but more to do with that he does not want to be in a democratic party as there is a big possibility, they will take sides with Pheu Thai.

Felt

[Srikcir]

When you've been rejected, quiting is the easy option. 

[jayboy]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

He was a terrible PM before, and there was certainly no chance of him becoming a good one now. Thailand needs real talent, and needs to stop choosing mediocrity. Does the nation want to move forward, or is it so accustomed to moving backwards that it knows no other direction? 

 

The point about Abhisit is that he was far from mediocre.He was highly educated, cosmopolitan, charming and diligent.Unlike the thick as mince military politicians, he knew how the national and international world worked.His instincts were liberal and he could have been a great leader.He knew what was the right thing to do for Thailand but he chose the opposite and stained his name and reputation forever.

 

Richard Lloyd Parry summarizes it beautifully:

 

"Many people bear responsibility for Thailand’s divisions, prominent among them Thaksin, who must dearly wish that he had rubbed his enemies’ noses in it a bit less gleefully during his years in office. But the suave villainy of the Democrat Party, and of men like Abhisit and Korn, is insufficiently recognised. They understand how democratic opposition works, and how defeat, over time, strengthens losing parties, by purging them of what is unrealistic and superfluous, and forcing them into congruence with the aspirations of voters. Twice they have had the opportunity to reject military force and to insist on the primacy of elections; twice they have held the generals’ coats for them, and watched civil rights being trampled on, in the hope of gaining some respite from their own chronic unelectability. The Democrat Party’s leaders – young, attractive and cosmopolitan – could have positioned themselves as mediators between a corrupt, complacent old elite and a corrupt, arrogant new power. Instead, they chose their natural side in the class war, and achieved the feat of losing the moral high ground to a man such as Thaksin. Their responsibility, and their disgrace, are very great."

[thecyclist]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

He was a terrible PM before, and there was certainly no chance of him becoming a good one now. Thailand needs real talent, and needs to stop choosing mediocrity. Does the nation want to move forward, or is it so accustomed to moving backwards that it knows no other direction? 

Well, Thailand 🇹🇭 never had a good prime minister .

And regarding the lack of real talent, Thailand hardly stands out, all over the world, whatever real talent there is in politics , they rarely assume positions of leadership. What we find at the top are the "corrupt " and the power hungry, serving themselves much more than the people. 

[spidermike007]

8 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

Well, Thailand 🇹🇭 never had a good prime minister .

And regarding the lack of real talent, Thailand hardly stands out, all over the world, whatever real talent there is in politics , they rarely assume positions of leadership. What we find at the top are the "corrupt " and the power hungry, serving themselves much more than the people. 

I couldn't agree more, I think back in the day there were some people that were relatively noble (Kennedy comes to mind) who had good intentions, and really wanted you be of service to their country. These days the professional attracts puddle scum, and megalomaniacs, because a good, righteous person simply would not want to subject themselves and their family to the nasty elements within the game of politics. 

[spidermike007]

22 minutes ago, jayboy said:

 

The point about Abhisit is that he was far from mediocre.He was highly educated, cosmopolitan, charming and diligent.Unlike the thick as mince military politicians, he knew how the national and international world worked.His instincts were liberal and he could have been a great leader.He knew what was the right thing to do for Thailand but he chose the opposite and stained his name and reputation forever.

 

Richard Lloyd Parry summarizes it beautifully:

 

"Many people bear responsibility for Thailand’s divisions, prominent among them Thaksin, who must dearly wish that he had rubbed his enemies’ noses in it a bit less gleefully during his years in office. But the suave villainy of the Democrat Party, and of men like Abhisit and Korn, is insufficiently recognised. They understand how democratic opposition works, and how defeat, over time, strengthens losing parties, by purging them of what is unrealistic and superfluous, and forcing them into congruence with the aspirations of voters. Twice they have had the opportunity to reject military force and to insist on the primacy of elections; twice they have held the generals’ coats for them, and watched civil rights being trampled on, in the hope of gaining some respite from their own chronic unelectability. The Democrat Party’s leaders – young, attractive and cosmopolitan – could have positioned themselves as mediators between a corrupt, complacent old elite and a corrupt, arrogant new power. Instead, they chose their natural side in the class war, and achieved the feat of losing the moral high ground to a man such as Thaksin. Their responsibility, and their disgrace, are very great."

Sounds like they are describing Sretta to an absolute T. A man completely devoid of moral principles, and ethics, who would not recognize truth if it bit him on the toe. A morally bankrupt megalomaniac who is only interested in power and money. 

[mokwit]

37 minutes ago, jayboy said:

The point about Abhisit is that he was far from mediocre.He was highly educated, cosmopolitan, charming and diligent.

He is surely a good 'something', he just has to work out what. PM was not it.

[nahkit]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I think back in the day there were some people that were relatively noble (Kennedy comes to mind) who had good intentions,

So noble that he would screw anything in a skirt, just like the rest of the male members in his clan.

[spidermike007]

19 hours ago, nahkit said:

So noble that he would screw anything in a skirt, just like the rest of the male members in his clan.

Unlike both Clinton and Trump he actually had good taste in women. Many of his lovers were beautiful. Both Clinton and Trump seemed attracted to some really ugly women. 

[2baht]

On 12/11/2023 at 12:35 PM, Srikcir said:

When you've been rejected, quiting is the easy option. 

Quitting in droves, like rats off  sinking ship! Looking for spoils elsewhere!