Thailand’s Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party will not tolerate “grey capital” and will only join a coalition government that is serious about cracking down on it.
He said the party would not use sensitive issues to create division and would refuse to partner with political parties that fuel conflict. Abhisit positioned the Democrats as a “100 per cent safe” choice, promising a government free from both illegal-funds influence and divisive politics.
Campaigning at Benchasiri Park on a stage titled “Open the Sky, Bangkok, New Sky”, Abhisit said political reform must be carried out “with artistry” and without stirring hatred by “finding a villain” to mobilise people against one another.
He emphasized that any future coalition partner must be serious about cracking down on illegal funds and scammers.
“If not, we won’t join,” he declared to the crowd.
Abhisit took a particularly aggressive stance against rumors of a potential alliance with the Pheu Thai Party.
Addressing claims that the Democrats might join hands with the “Thaksin regime,” he stated: “I insist we have fought the Thaksin regime from the beginning… if the hand of the Thaksin regime reaches in, I will bite that hand off immediately.”
On the sensitive issue of Section 112 (Lese Majeste law), Abhisit argued that cases involving academics, foreigners, and those with harmful intent should be treated differently, rather than applying a blanket approach.
He maintained that the monarchy should remain above politics and not be used as a political pretext.
With 28 days left until the election, Abhisit called on Bangkokians to reject the friction between the “Blue” (Bhumjaithai) and “Orange” (People’s Party) camps.
He urged voters to make the Democrat Party the “dark horse” of the race and the starting point for clean, artistic political reform.
