Picture courtesy of SiamRath 

 

Former Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, also known as “Mark,” was elected on 18 October 2025, as the party’s new head in an extraordinary general meeting held at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Laksi, Bangkok. The election was uncontested and Abhisit received overwhelming support from party members.

 

The meeting was attended by current and former MPs, ex-ministers and party members. During the vote, Teraphong Chainan, former deputy party leader, formally nominated Abhisit, who stood unopposed for the leadership position. Voting was conducted according to party election rules, with MPs accounting for 40%, former MPs 40% and party branches 20% of the total votes.

 

Abhisit secured 96% of the votes, prompting applause from attendees. The result marks a notable political comeback for the former seven-term party leader, reaffirming his influence within the Democrat Party.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Abhisit Vejjajiva, aka “Mark,” has been elected as the Democrat Party leader with 96% support.

• The leadership election was uncontested and involved votes from MPs, former MPs and party branches.

• The result highlights Abhisit’s strong standing and influence within the party.

 

Related Stories

 

Abhisit-eyes-comeback-to-lead-Thailand’s-Democrat-party

 

Democrat-leadership-Abhisit-Vejjajiva-emerges-as-top-choice

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Siamrath 2025-10-19

 

 

 

 

 

Have to welcome this man back. He was actually not a total failure while holding the PM position.

13 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Have to welcome this man back. He was actually not a total failure while holding the PM position.

Maybe down to the fact he had a good education

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Have to welcome this man back. He was actually not a total failure while holding the PM position.

+1

He was - and is - a decent politician.

Maybe too decent  for the cesspool of Thai politics.

an educated man that has the intelligence to leed the way

 

One of the good ones and good to see him back. Uncorrupt and switched on. Unfortunate he got caught up in the protests and had his hand forced. No room for manoeuvre. 

Unlikely to make any significant difference to the fortunes of the Democrat party. 

1 hour ago, trucking said:

Unlikely to make any significant difference to the fortunes of the Democrat party. 

You're probably right.

The party has been moribund for years.

Whether or not his resurgence will make any difference remains to be seen.

Snip from the OP.

 

The meeting was attended by current and former MPs, ex-ministers and party members. During the vote, Teraphong Chainan, former deputy party leader, formally nominated Abhisit, who stood unopposed for the leadership position. Voting was conducted according to party election rules, with MPs accounting for 40%, former MPs 40% and party branches 20% of the total votes.

 

 

 

Perhaps he stood unopposed because nobody else wanted the job.

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

One of the good ones and good to see him back. Uncorrupt and switched on. Unfortunate he got caught up in the protests and had his hand forced. No room for manoeuvre. 

That violence was all fuelled by his deputy, the corrupt pol Suthep Thaugsuban.

 

But if the Dems think Mark will save their party, that's just a joke.

He looks a lot older.

But is he wiser ?

When he was PM, I needed a recommendation letter.

 

He wouldn't write one without meeting in person first. He didn't want anything in exchange for writing it.

 

How many other politician would do that?

Grasping for the poisoned chalice.  A useless, weak and indecisive man. Mr. Dithers returns.

 

15 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Have to welcome this man back. He was actually not a total failure while holding the PM position.

 

So a failure at 95% is acceptable to you. He failed and damaged the country in the process.

 

15 hours ago, JoePai said:

Maybe down to the fact he had a good education

 

The Thaksins have a good education too. How many of his farang detractors have a master's diploma from an accredited university? It's what one does with the education that matters. Bill Gates didn't complete his undergraduate diploma.

 

13 hours ago, seajae said:

an educated man that has the intelligence to leed the way

 

Leed (sic) to where? failure? Defeat? Economic turmoil? He is an opportunistic man with little political credibility. Nor does he have the charisma to lead a population, nor the  presence to herd  MPs, and Senators and to  intimidate coup promoters.

 

12 hours ago, daveAustin said:

One of the good ones and good to see him back. Uncorrupt and switched on. Unfortunate he got caught up in the protests and had his hand forced. No room for manoeuvre. 

 

Corruption comes in many forms. A man who relies on family connections and  political favours to advance his career, and who did not have gainful employment prior to entering politics is just as corrupt as the man who accepts 1000 baht from a constituent to  attend a family event. Different forms of corruption, but still corruption. In one person's case it is a corruption of integrity and a lack of a political backbone. 

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Grasping for the poisoned chalice.  A useless, weak and indecisive man. Mr. Dithers returns.

 

 

So a failure at 95% is acceptable to you. He failed and damaged the country in the process.

 

 

The Thaksins have a good education too. How many of his farang detractors have a master's diploma from an accredited university? It's what one does with the education that matters. Bill Gates didn't complete his undergraduate diploma.

 

 

Leed (sic) to where? failure? Defeat? Economic turmoil? He is an opportunistic man with little political credibility. Nor does he have the charisma to lead a population, nor the  presence to herd  MPs, and Senators and to  intimidate coup promoters.

 

 

Corruption comes in many forms. A man who relies on family connections and  political favours to advance his career, and who did not have gainful employment prior to entering politics is just as corrupt as the man who accepts 1000 baht from a constituent to  attend a family event. Different forms of corruption, but still corruption. In one person's case it is a corruption of integrity and a lack of a political backbone. 

 

Absolutely spot on assessment. All those who reckon he's the best thing since sliced loaf are basing their opinion solely on the fact that when he spoke English, he sounded English. A poor politician leading a party that only held sway in the south....but he sounded good.

He sold out to Prayut. This will not have been forgotten.

14 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

He sold out to Prayut. This will not have been forgotten.

Didn't he resign when the Democrat party elected to join Prayut?

It could be argued he took the wrong step to the premiership years before that when the army persuaded Newin's faction to desert Thaksin and support the Democrats.

Regarding his English ability, he's streets ahead of any of the Shinawats.

As for his character, like nearly all the Democrat MPs, he's from a very middle class background and finds it hard to relate to the grass roots.

Having said that, the Democrats swept Bangkok not so long ago and originally had the South as their own.

Too staid and dreadful public relations lead to the Democrats' demise imo, but they could rally to their side some middle class and traditionalists who are more liberal than the nationalists and junta supporters, yet are put off by the more radical agenda of the People's Party.

I can't see the young voting for them though.

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

He sold out to Prayut. This will not have been forgotten.

Another incorrect statement from dinsdale

21 hours ago, daveAustin said:

One of the good ones and good to see him back. Uncorrupt and switched on. Unfortunate he got caught up in the protests and had his hand forced. No room for manoeuvre. 

Taking power after coups, the only way he ever became PM,  is corrupt where I come from. 

5 minutes ago, pegman said:

Taking power after coups, the only way he ever became PM,  is corrupt where I come from. 

He didn't come to power after a coup. 

Hard to lose an uncontested election.

21 hours ago, MisterTee said:

You're probably right.

The party has been moribund for years.

Whether or not his resurgence will make any difference remains to be seen.

 

Yeah, but the people remember what he did.  The better news for him is that the red-yellow war is over.  He may start to bring sanity back and stop all the defections.  

 

I agree it may be too little too late but hey at least it is a try and a move in the right direction.

History repeating itself or a new start... 

11 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

The Thaksins have a good education too.

"Thank you three times"

On 10/19/2025 at 4:15 AM, Georgealbert said:

Former Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, also known as “Mark,”

Mark is his real birth name. Why put it in inverted commas? It's the first name on his British passport. He is a British citizen.

He was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1964 and was automatically given citizenship. Refused to give it up. 

 

5 hours ago, dinsdale said:

He sold out to Prayut. This will not have been forgotten.

This is how you can manifest your own ignorance!

Abhisit was born in England and possesses both British and Thai nationality. Educated at Eton and Oxford. Wifey's a dentist. Met him a few times. A charming guy who speaks better English than most Brits. He has a tough job on his hands in resurrecting the Democratic Party. 

On 10/19/2025 at 6:52 AM, Gottfrid said:

Have to welcome this man back. He was actually not a total failure while holding the PM position.

It would have been nice to see him with a majority so he didn’t need so much help from less scrupulous people.

He stood up to Thaksin when he was accused over the deaths during the red shirt protests as well.

 

22 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

That violence was all fuelled by his deputy, the corrupt pol Suthep Thaugsuban.

 

But if the Dems think Mark will save their party, that's just a joke.

Is he likely to make it any worse. I doubt it.

6 hours ago, bannork said:

Didn't he resign when the Democrat party elected to join Prayut?

It could be argued he took the wrong step to the premiership years before that when the army persuaded Newin's faction to desert Thaksin and support the Democrats.

Regarding his English ability, he's streets ahead of any of the Shinawats.

As for his character, like nearly all the Democrat MPs, he's from a very middle class background and finds it hard to relate to the grass roots.

Having said that, the Democrats swept Bangkok not so long ago and originally had the South as their own.

Too staid and dreadful public relations lead to the Democrats' demise imo, but they could rally to their side some middle class and traditionalists who are more liberal than the nationalists and junta supporters, yet are put off by the more radical agenda of the People's Party.

I can't see the young voting for them though.

 

 

 

 

Do you know where he lived when he was born? Doesn't look very middle class to me. Things improved but he wasn't born middle class.

10 hours ago, NanLaew said:

All those who reckon he's the best thing since sliced loaf

And who have said or posted that?