Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has promised to lift Thais out of poverty if his party secures a victory in the upcoming election. At a recent press conference, Abhisit introduced the party’s slogan, crafted from two Thai phrases meaning "endure life" and "Thais no longer poor," symbolising a commitment to improving livelihoods. The party aims to address issues like debt, education, and pollution.

 

Abhisit explained that the campaign theme is a response to an online survey gathering public grievances. Many voiced frustration over rising living expenses, falling crop prices, and struggling small businesses facing unfair competition. Families face significant burdens due to high interest rates from informal lenders.

 

Pollution and education reform also emerged as key concerns. The public urged action on PM2.5 air pollution and outdated educational systems holding back the younger generation. Abhisit affirmed the party's readiness to tackle these issues with a promise of clean governance and comprehensive reforms.

 

Looking ahead, if the Democrats win, they plan to prioritise not just economic measures but also substantial education reforms. By improving schooling and skills training, the government hopes to provide opportunities that will alleviate poverty in the long term, according to The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Abhisit Vejjajiva pledges to end poverty if Democrats win.
• The campaign is based on Thai public's grievances about debt and costs.
• Democrats promise clean, conflict-free governance for significant reforms.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-12-23

 

 

 

Is he going to dramatically increase the minimum wage and tax the billionaires at 50%?

And look who is back.    They cant win an election. However they can be the government of choice after coups, or judicial coups. They also can funnel money to yellows, ultra nationalists, conspiracy theorists,  and what not, to keep the instability rolling until elected governments can be S canned. No wonder they are so hated by populace.

Born in Britain.

Parents professors.

Eton / Oxford master graduate, board of directors at CP...

All family with upperclass background.

With his career and background he is the last whom the poor up here will believe.

 

Certainly he became Prime Minister as the result of a deal with the military, and i am sure he must regret some of his associations at that time.

On the other hand he was a competent leader who genuinely tried to move the country forward before the Thaksin inspired Red Shirt protests shook the country to its core.

In terms of his intellect and honesty he stands head and shoulders above any other recent Prime Ministers.

2 hours ago, wordchild said:

Certainly he became Prime Minister as the result of a deal with the military, and i am sure he must regret some of his associations at that time.

On the other hand he was a competent leader who genuinely tried to move the country forward before the Thaksin inspired Red Shirt protests shook the country to its core.

In terms of his intellect and honesty he stands head and shoulders above any other recent Prime Ministers.

 

But but.....What about Mrs Muffet?....lol

3 hours ago, wordchild said:

before the Thaksin inspired Red Shirt protests shook the country to its core.

And his name will forever be connected with the bloody suppression. Machine guns in the streets of Bangkok. More than 90 deaths.

Wow! He has the magic to lift my whole peasant family out of poverty & ignorance & illiteracy!

 

I shall tell them to vote for him.

He will improve the state of the party and they may get a few seats BUT he is tied to the military and the oligarchs. 

 

I think this is a 2 horse battle 

 

PP and BJT 

 

It is not the promise tht is essential, but more important that people have to look at is HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT.

 

It is great to say that youare going to eradicate poverty, but the details are what is essential.

 

 

IMPOSSIBLE

Single easiest way to do that would be to give Thai children 120,000 baht per year for educational purposes only. Which would give all children a chance at private schools that offer much more than the government run failures.

He needs to learn from the Master: 

"From day one I will end poverty."

23 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

And his name will forever be connected with the bloody suppression. Machine guns in the streets of Bangkok. More than 90 deaths.

...yes, you mean the peaceful victims of the armed Red Shirts😉😉😉

Mister Silver Spoon Abhisit is about the last guy on Earth I would trust to eradicate poverty. 

How does he propose to eliminate poverty...seems like bs words for election purposes only.

On 12/23/2025 at 11:46 AM, wordchild said:

Certainly he became Prime Minister as the result of a deal with the military, and i am sure he must regret some of his associations at that time.

On the other hand he was a competent leader who genuinely tried to move the country forward before the Thaksin inspired Red Shirt protests shook the country to its core.

In terms of his intellect and honesty he stands head and shoulders above any other recent Prime Ministers.

Apart from ordering the army to open fire on students.

2 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

How does he propose to eliminate poverty...seems like bs words for election purposes only.

Sounds like any Democrat/ Labour/ Labor leader anywhere.

On 12/23/2025 at 8:46 AM, wordchild said:

In terms of his intellect and honesty he stands head and shoulders above any other recent Prime Ministers.

Not with Prayut

Democrat Leader Abhisit Pledges to Eradicate Thai Poverty

 

That's not going to happen .

He hasn't got Trillions of Bahts to help all the poor people .

To change the poverty one needs more than empty talk.

 

More promises by old and new runners.

After election whoever is elected it is about lining their pockets.

 

 

 

His plan is to introduce massive tariffs on all imports and use that money to make everyone rich.........

On 12/22/2025 at 5:12 PM, KhunBENQ said:

Born in Britain.

Parents professors.

Eton / Oxford master graduate, board of directors at CP...

All family with upper-class background.

With his career and background he is the last whom the poor up here will believe.

 

they should trust him since he doesn't dye his hair! 🤣

I think it will be hard for Khun Mark to make a successful comeback. But, after this election, his party might play some role in coalition talks, as there is almost no chance that a single party will be able to win enough seats to rule by themselves.

On 12/23/2025 at 6:38 AM, webfact said:

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva

 

I guarantee that se x tourists do far more to alleviate poverty than wealthy people like his lordship ever will.