Abhisit ready to be replaced if party members want that

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Abhisit ready to be replaced if party members want that
Kris Bhromsuthi
The Nation

Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Amid resounding criticism of his party's recent under-achievement, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would be ready to step down if his party members desire this.

The Democrats have been criticised recently for their inability to be a credible alternative to Pheu Thai Party, especially among the rural poor, and part of the blame was placed on Abhisit's leadership capabilities. Some critics have suggested the party needs a new leader to boost its popularity.

"However, any change in leadership will have to come through the party members. The leader can be changed if the Democrat Party members feel they need a change. I'm trying to do the best I can," Abhisit said.

He has led the party since 2005, but it has never won a general election under his leadership. In fact, the party's performance was dismal in the 2011 election compared to the one on 2009. After the disappointing results in 2011, Abhisit decided to step down but was re-elected as leader again.

Though his term will end this year, it is not likely that the party will be able to get together to elect new executives or a new leader as no political gatherings are allowed under martial law.

The party's failure in 2011 was largely due to its inability to reach the rural poor, especially in the Northeast, where Pheu Thai's populist policies drew significant support.

However, Abhisit defended the Democrats, saying: "I have to uphold the party's stance and principles that may be disliked by some and may create obstacles for us. But we have kept the party alive and people now view us as being different from others.

"Pheu Thai's most popular policies were the rice-pledging scheme and the increase in minimum wages. I refused to propose such policies, because I believe they would bring damage to the country."

As for his party's strategy for the next general election - scheduled by the military junta for October 2015 - he said the focus would be on areas where vote margins are small.

He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions, but it would take time for his party to become popular in the Northeast, much like it would take time for Pheu Thai to gain popularity in the South.

He also admitted that it was difficult to prepare for elections now because circumstances were unclear while work on national reform is underway.

"Once the election is approaching, we will need to identify the issues on which the parties will compete, such as policy, people, work methods and communication. However, the system is changing and we'll have to wait for the dust to settle before we can start making preparations," Abhisit said.

This time though, the Democrat leader will not have his right-hand man, as party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban has taken up being a monk and declared he will no longer be involved in politics.

In fact, after the People's Democratic Reform Committee's rallies were wrapped up, Suthep publicly stated that he had permanently cut ties with the Democrats - news that some view as negative for the party.

It has been speculated that relations between Abhisit and Suthep became strained when the latter took to the streets - an act that demonstrated their difference in political stance.

However, Abhisit said he always knew that Suthep might one day decide to take the fight to the streets, so his act did not surprise or infuriate him.

"Suthep decided not to run for a seat in the Democrat committee in 2007, because he knew he would eventually have to take the fight to the streets," Abhisit said. "He had to make it clear to his followers that he was not representing the Democrat Party. Generally, we understand each other, though we have some minor disagreements. But that is normal."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Abhisit-ready-to-be-replaced-if-party-members-want-30244826.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-06

[Mango Bob]

Please do and make my day. On, second through maybe its better you stay in office. You are the best thing that happen to PT in years.

Edited October 5, 2014 by Mango Bob

[IamNoone88]

Recent underacheivement? Must be a polite Thai way of saying "continued and successive failings".

[kalbo123]

Does it really matter?

There is no opposition anymore, from both sides...

[bkkgooner]

Get him out, hasn't done a single noteworthy thing in the past four years, not one thing.

When he was in office he did very little as well, this guys get a free pass from expats because he is fluent in English and studied in Britain. He cares nothing for your average Thai.

[whybother]

At least the Democrats elect their leaders, rather than appointing family members.

[DTL2014]

Get him out, hasn't done a single noteworthy thing in the past four years, not one thing.

When he was in office he did very little as well, this guys get a free pass from expats because he is fluent in English and studied in Britain. He cares nothing for your average Thai.

Thats rubbish - the democrats have always been battling against corrupt PT bought elections - we know he cares very deeply about Thailand as he is devoted to the welfare of the country as a whole - not giving into populist policies that bankrupt the country.When in office his most notable accomplishment was to clear the protestors - remember the one that burnt tires all across bangkok and set light to central world.Now he is calling for the military backed regime to be monitored - which is correct because they now have too many powers.Good governance requires a strong opposition -

[tx22cb]

For all his failings, Abhisit has one ace up his sleeve - the Elite of Elites trust him to do what They want.

Other Democrats may be more election-worthy, but they are not deferential enough to the 0.0001%.

So Abhisit stays until They can groom a suitable replacement.

[yellowboat]

"He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions"

Is there more than one North in Thailand ? Which North is he talking about ? Don't think the North will come easy if at all. This is going to go on for years.

Edited October 6, 2014 by yellowboat

[Eric Loh]

Many under achieving leaders would have resigned long ago. He has his cronies in the party membership who will never elect another leader. Really up to him to see his own failures and not be a liability to his party and the country and resign.

[h90]

Get him out, hasn't done a single noteworthy thing in the past four years, not one thing.

When he was in office he did very little as well, this guys get a free pass from expats because he is fluent in English and studied in Britain. He cares nothing for your average Thai.

Thats rubbish - the democrats have always been battling against corrupt PT bought elections - we know he cares very deeply about Thailand as he is devoted to the welfare of the country as a whole - not giving into populist policies that bankrupt the country.When in office his most notable accomplishment was to clear the protestors - remember the one that burnt tires all across bangkok and set light to central world.Now he is calling for the military backed regime to be monitored - which is correct because they now have too many powers.Good governance requires a strong opposition -

While he wasn't corrupt, his coalition partners were. If he would have make that a topic and break the coalition he would be my hero. But no he didn't do anything.

He could have removed the police bosses for neglect of duty and replace them...he didn't do that.

[whybother]

"He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions"

Is there more than one North in Thailand ? Which North is he talking about ? Don't think the North will come easy if at all. This is going to go on for years.

Have a look at the image on right under Yingluck and Abhisit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2011

PTP win many of their central and northern seats with as little as 30% of the vote, so it wouldn't take too much to get over the line there. In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote.

The North EAST is a completely different story.

[h90]

Many under achieving leaders would have resigned long ago. He has his cronies in the party membership who will never elect another leader. Really up to him to see his own failures and not be a liability to his party and the country and resign.

Can you name 10 under achieving leaders who resigned? There are a few. But worldwide I can't find 10.

Alone in Europe and USA hundreds or thousands would have to resign.

[Thailand]

As already mentioned. Keep him.

He's the best asset Thaksin has.

[pedro01]

He is as divisive as Thaksin.

He needs to step aside for the Dems to have a shot. The Dems should bring in a popular, attractive female as their figurehead leader

[whybother]

He is as divisive as Thaksin.

He needs to step aside for the Dems to have a shot. The Dems should bring in a popular, attractive female as their figurehead leader

Apparently, lamp posts work as well.

[useronthenet]

The main problem is that Thailand is not yet ready for a person like Abhisit, one which is educated and seemingly not prone to corruption. He is however treated by his Thai peers as a 'coconut', outside Thai, but on the inside British, and this trait disturbs many in Thai society. The values to which he was taught are not something which will be imbraced especially in Thai politics, and therefore he will sadly not succeed.

[Eric Loh]

Many under achieving leaders would have resigned long ago. He has his cronies in the party membership who will never elect another leader. Really up to him to see his own failures and not be a liability to his party and the country and resign.

Can you name 10 under achieving leaders who resigned? There are a few. But worldwide I can't find 10.

Alone in Europe and USA hundreds or thousands would have to resign.

Easy but you have to do the work of looking up wiki on leaders who resigned. Hosts of Japanese PMs who resigned due to election failures and western leaders such as Charles de Gaulle, Kelvin Rudd. Better you look it up. May learn something.

[jayboy]

At least the Democrats elect their leaders, rather than appointing family members.

Be that is it may, they prefer government itself to be appointed because under Abhisit they will never be elected.

[jayboy]

The main problem is that Thailand is not yet ready for a person like Abhisit, one which is educated and seemingly not prone to corruption. He is however treated by his Thai peers as a 'coconut', outside Thai, but on the inside British, and this trait disturbs many in Thai society. The values to which he was taught are not something which will be imbraced especially in Thai politics, and therefore he will sadly not succeed.

Rubbish.Thais have no issue with Westernised leaders eg Kukrit and Anand.Abhisit stinks as a politician because he can't communicate, has a weird personality and lacks courage.His dismal failure has nothing to do with his Western education.

[jayboy]

For all his failings, Abhisit has one ace up his sleeve - the Elite of Elites trust him to do what They want.

Other Democrats may be more election-worthy, but they are not deferential enough to the 0.0001%.

So Abhisit stays until They can groom a suitable replacement.

No he was their puppet but they have lost confidence in him now.

[Emptyset]

"He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions"

Is there more than one North in Thailand ? Which North is he talking about ? Don't think the North will come easy if at all. This is going to go on for years.

Have a look at the image on right under Yingluck and Abhisit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2011

PTP win many of their central and northern seats with as little as 30% of the vote, so it wouldn't take too much to get over the line there. In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote.

The North EAST is a completely different story.

"In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote."

No, they didn't. PPP won the North by 500,000 in 2007, much closer than 2011 when the difference was over a million votes: http://asiancorrespondent.com/66503/analysis-of-the-2011-thai-election-part-3-comparison-with-the-2007-election/

But there's not much point speculating about the next election because no one even knows what the electoral system will look like after the "reforms" are finished. Somehow can't see them leaving it how it is for Thaksin's party to win again... not after all this effort to get PT out.

[Eric Loh]

"He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions"

Is there more than one North in Thailand ? Which North is he talking about ? Don't think the North will come easy if at all. This is going to go on for years.

Have a look at the image on right under Yingluck and Abhisit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2011

PTP win many of their central and northern seats with as little as 30% of the vote, so it wouldn't take too much to get over the line there. In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote.

The North EAST is a completely different story.

"In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote."

No, they didn't. PPP won the North by 500,000 in 2007, much closer than 2011 when the difference was over a million votes: http://asiancorrespondent.com/66503/analysis-of-the-2011-thai-election-part-3-comparison-with-the-2007-election/

But there's not much point speculating about the next election because no one even knows what the electoral system will look like after the "reforms" are finished. Somehow can't see them leaving it how it is for Thaksin's party to win again... not after all this effort to get PT out.

There are speculation that the electoral system reform will looks like Hong Kong with both houses filled with appointees i.e. the good guys. There also likely to be lots of horse trading with mid size and small political parties to form a coalition and re-emergence of old political heavy weights. Anything and everything to diminish the electability of Thaksin' s party.

[Brian Corrigan]

This guy had his chance when the generals, after the last coup, put him in charge. Very little chance of the present coup leaders choosing his party or him again. They have other choices from "The good people" to put forward when the next "Democratic" election is called.

[Emptyset]

"In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote."

No, they didn't. PPP won the North by 500,000 in 2007, much closer than 2011 when the difference was over a million votes: http://asiancorrespondent.com/66503/analysis-of-the-2011-thai-election-part-3-comparison-with-the-2007-election/

But there's not much point speculating about the next election because no one even knows what the electoral system will look like after the "reforms" are finished. Somehow can't see them leaving it how it is for Thaksin's party to win again... not after all this effort to get PT out.

There are speculation that the electoral system reform will looks like Hong Kong with both houses filled with appointees i.e. the good guys. There also likely to be lots of horse trading with mid size and small political parties to form a coalition and re-emergence of old political heavy weights. Anything and everything to diminish the electability of Thaksin' s party.

Yes, functional constituencies with a fully appointed senate is one idea I've seen discussed. But I can't see such radically anti-democratic reforms being implemented without resistance... I guess we'll know in a year or so. A lot could change before then of course.

[indyuk]

Get him out, hasn't done a single noteworthy thing in the past four years, not one thing.

When he was in office he did very little as well, this guys get a free pass from expats because he is fluent in English and studied in Britain. He cares nothing for your average Thai.

Thats rubbish - the democrats have always been battling against corrupt PT bought elections - we know he cares very deeply about Thailand as he is devoted to the welfare of the country as a whole - not giving into populist policies that bankrupt the country.When in office his most notable accomplishment was to clear the protestors - remember the one that burnt tires all across bangkok and set light to central world.Now he is calling for the military backed regime to be monitored - which is correct because they now have too many powers.Good governance requires a strong opposition -

DTL2014 I think that you are confused. The list of Khun Abhisit's failed projects is long and embarrassing. While his claimed successes brought him to criminal court and ridicule. I'm sure that Mark Abhisit Verejever is a loyal Thai Citizen and is personally Trustworthy. However IMO he is not a suitable candidate for reelection in Thailand.

[whybother]

"He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions"

Is there more than one North in Thailand ? Which North is he talking about ? Don't think the North will come easy if at all. This is going to go on for years.

Have a look at the image on right under Yingluck and Abhisit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2011

PTP win many of their central and northern seats with as little as 30% of the vote, so it wouldn't take too much to get over the line there. In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote.

The North EAST is a completely different story.

"In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote."

No, they didn't. PPP won the North by 500,000 in 2007, much closer than 2011 when the difference was over a million votes: http://asiancorrespondent.com/66503/analysis-of-the-2011-thai-election-part-3-comparison-with-the-2007-election/

But there's not much point speculating about the next election because no one even knows what the electoral system will look like after the "reforms" are finished. Somehow can't see them leaving it how it is for Thaksin's party to win again... not after all this effort to get PT out.

Democrats got more party list votes overall. I haven't seen any regional figures.

But the point is, the Democrats have won seats in the North.

[Emptyset]

The main problem is that Thailand is not yet ready for a person like Abhisit, one which is educated and seemingly not prone to corruption. He is however treated by his Thai peers as a 'coconut', outside Thai, but on the inside British, and this trait disturbs many in Thai society. The values to which he was taught are not something which will be imbraced especially in Thai politics, and therefore he will sadly not succeed.

Rubbish.Thais have no issue with Westernised leaders eg Kukrit and Anand.Abhisit stinks as a politician because he can't communicate, has a weird personality and lacks courage.His dismal failure has nothing to do with his Western education.

Also, of course, by 2011, Abhisit had 2008 and 2010 behind him... those are the things he's likely to be remembered for by posterity, as he gradually fades out of the limelight. Seems strange to think now that he was once regarded as a progressive leader. Yet I don't really think Abhisit's personality or decisions in office had *that* much to do with him failing to win an election. Maybe the scale of the loss, yes, but realistically they were never going to win an election outright. They never had a base in the NE, and only managed to win in the 90s because of the fractured nature of coalition politics during that period. As soon as a party came along that could unite the various factions of the N/NE, the Democrats were screwed. Historically, their base was the South and some of Bankok, and that's never really changed; it just became even more difficult to break out of their traditional strongholds after the formation of TRT.

[Emptyset]

"He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions"

Is there more than one North in Thailand ? Which North is he talking about ? Don't think the North will come easy if at all. This is going to go on for years.

Have a look at the image on right under Yingluck and Abhisit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2011

PTP win many of their central and northern seats with as little as 30% of the vote, so it wouldn't take too much to get over the line there. In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote.

The North EAST is a completely different story.

"In the 2007 election, the Democrats actually beat PPP in the Party List vote."

No, they didn't. PPP won the North by 500,000 in 2007, much closer than 2011 when the difference was over a million votes: http://asiancorrespondent.com/66503/analysis-of-the-2011-thai-election-part-3-comparison-with-the-2007-election/

But there's not much point speculating about the next election because no one even knows what the electoral system will look like after the "reforms" are finished. Somehow can't see them leaving it how it is for Thaksin's party to win again... not after all this effort to get PT out.

Democrats got more party list votes overall. I haven't seen any regional figures.

But the point is, the Democrats have won seats in the North.

PPP got slightly more votes in 2007 on the party list according to the EC figures: http://asiancorrespondent.com/66403/analysis-of-the-2011-thai-election-part-1-nationwide/ The figures given on wikipedia are wrong - I think they based it on initial figures which weren't correct and it was never updated after that. Anyway, there wasn't much in it compared to 2011.

Yes, they've won seats, and obviously have *some* support going on the party list figures. But still difficult to see them gaining significant traction there other than winning one or two seats due to exceptionally popular local candidates. I actually thought they would've done better in the central region, but looking at the figures I linked in my initial response, it's not that much different from the northern results. Anyway, though I'm not convinced leadership is the main issue, they'd still likely be better off with someone other than Abhisit. Perhaps better to try to draw a line over the past and freshen up. All parties seem in desperate need of new faces tbh.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Emptyset

[h90]

Get him out, hasn't done a single noteworthy thing in the past four years, not one thing.

When he was in office he did very little as well, this guys get a free pass from expats because he is fluent in English and studied in Britain. He cares nothing for your average Thai.

Thats rubbish - the democrats have always been battling against corrupt PT bought elections - we know he cares very deeply about Thailand as he is devoted to the welfare of the country as a whole - not giving into populist policies that bankrupt the country.When in office his most notable accomplishment was to clear the protestors - remember the one that burnt tires all across bangkok and set light to central world.Now he is calling for the military backed regime to be monitored - which is correct because they now have too many powers.Good governance requires a strong opposition -

DTL2014 I think that you are confused. The list of Khun Abhisit's failed projects is long and embarrassing. While his claimed successes brought him to criminal court and ridicule. I'm sure that Mark Abhisit Verejever is a loyal Thai Citizen and is personally Trustworthy. However IMO he is not a suitable candidate for reelection in Thailand.

I just wanted to agree that he isn't good enough, but than I remember: Samak, Banharn, Thaksin, Somchai, Yingluck.......From all these he is by far the best one.