Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday 20 February 2026, that his party is no longer in a position to “set the game” after winning just 22 seats, but remains open to coalition talks under strict conditions. He signalled he would take a call from Bhumjaithai about forming a government, provided key red lines are respected. These include excluding the Klatham Party and rejecting any “grey capital”, domination or divisive agenda.

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Speaking on the programme Kammakorn Khao: Khui Nok Jor, Abhisit said the Democrats had not declared themselves an opposition party because such a decision rests with the party’s executive committee and MPs. He stressed the party would not “offer themselves” first, but would not “switch off the phone” if approached. Listening to an invitation, he said, does not mean passively accepting it, as the party must honour its public commitments.

Abhisit said any coalition must exclude the Klatham Party and avoid interference or domination in running the country. He added that if individuals facing potential ethics petitions were included in a proposed government, he would refuse to join. He emphasised that constitutional oversight tools should be used properly, not to harass opponents, but to investigate genuine wrongdoing.

On coalition arithmetic, Abhisit said Bhumjaithai has enough seats to form a stable government. Even without Klatham, he said it could secure more than 290 votes, leaving the opposition with 210. Klatham’s 58 seats, he noted, carry more weight than the Democrats’ 22, particularly in balancing against Pheu Thai’s 78 MPs.

He suggested Bhumjaithai might seek Klatham’s support to prevent Pheu Thai from “stirring things up” or withdrawing. Adding the Democrats’ 22 seats to Pheu Thai’s 78 would still leave a coalition struggling, he said, whereas Klatham’s 58 could more than offset Pheu Thai’s numbers. He also observed that no other party is positioned to form a competing government, leaving Bhumjaithai with the strongest bargaining power.

Responding to earlier criticism from Klatham figures telling the Democrats to “just wait and see”, Abhisit said it was not a problem and replied: “Wait and see as well, why isn’t everyone courting a party with 58 MPs?” He described the Democrats as a small party with a clear stance, ready to serve in government or opposition.

The Nation reported that Abhisit said even if re-voting were required amid speculation about the election process, he did not expect the numbers to change enough to alter government formation. He warned that while a government with more than 300 votes is not inherently objectionable, concentrated power extending to the Senate, independent bodies and the courts could be seen as overreach. He cautioned that arrogance born of strong parliamentary numbers could ultimately become a turning point leading to a government’s downfall.

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Key Takeaways

• Abhisit says the Democrats, with 22 seats, are no longer kingmakers but will consider coalition talks under strict conditions.

• He insists any coalition must exclude the Klatham Party and reject “grey capital” or interference.

• Bhumjaithai is seen as holding the strongest bargaining position, with potential to form a stable majority exceeding 290 votes.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 21 Feb 2026

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That is a really dangerous headline! When have Democrats ever been elected to lead? Not since their inception in 1948. Only appointed...

Spent force

At least Mark is not in denial

Took him a while to figure that out!

Perhaps some of that time at Oxford

would have been better spent ..at a

fruit stall ?

On 2/21/2026 at 3:57 AM, Georgealbert said:

why isn’t everyone courting a party with 58 MPs?

Could be because they were tainted by their links to the military and the civilian deaths they ignored.

They're not in the 'opposition makers' either....