Democrat Party boosts economic focus ahead of elections

The Democrat Party has fully entered its “transition phase”, following the overwhelming decision at the general assembly on October 18, 2025, where Abhisit "The Mark" Vejjajiva was re-elected as the party leader after a six-year hiatus.

The new party management team is predominantly composed of individuals with close ties to Abhisit, reflecting the strong influence he maintains within the party. 

Only three individuals, including Chaichana Dejdecho (who leads the Nakhon Si Thammarat faction as the Southern region’s deputy party leader), Mekhin Iamsa-ard (part of the former party leader Chalermchai Sri-Aon’s faction, now appointed deputy leader for the Central region) and and Rames Rattanachaweng, the deputy secretary-general, who belong to Chuan Leekpai’s protégés, are seen as somewhat outside the close circle. 

Sathit "The Tee" Pitutecha, the former deputy party leader who was pushed out by Mekhin, has been appointed as the chairman of the party’s candidate selection committee as a consolation prize.

The stakes for the “Sky Blue Party” are not only focused on recovering its declining popularity in recent years but also on rebranding the Democrats as a “new Sky Party”, with ambitions to elevate themselves into “the fourth political force”, a crucial player in the next political equation alongside Klatham and Palang Pracharat Parties.

On October 22, 2025, during the meeting of the candidate selection committee, Sathit, as the chairman, discussed the policy of “The Mark”. He stated that the goal is to create a “new Democrat Party” to tackle money challenges with “quality politics”, aiming to combat the pressures facing the country. A major focus will be on the economic policies, particularly addressing the nation’s economic structure and livelihood issues. 

The Party is actively engaging economic experts. Recently, a seminar titled “What Does Thailand Need from Political Parties?” was held, featuring Banyong Pongpanich, Chairman of KKP Group, Jareporn Jarukornsakul, Chairwoman and CEO of WHA Corporation, and Suvit Maesincee, former Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. The seminar focused on the country’s structural issues in economics, politics, and society, offering recommendations on what political parties should urgently address to lead Thailand out of its economic downturn.

Adding to the scrutiny, Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, echoed Abhisit’s remarks on the “Let's Go Halves+” scheme, which launched on October 29, 2025. While the remarks initially seemed supportive, upon closer inspection, it appears to be more of a subtle criticism directed at the Bhumjaithai Party, the leading coalition partner, suggesting the scheme lacks long-term structural reforms.

Abhisit emphasised that while short-term assistance programs like “Let's Go Halves+” can be beneficial in alleviating immediate hardships, without substantial, structural economic reforms, Thailand will struggle to achieve sustainable long-term growth.

Looking forward, attention will be on the “blueprint for the economy” that the Party is expected to release in the near future to enhance its political appeal. Key areas will likely include digital economy development, creating new opportunities for trade and services, and promoting international trade to help Thai businesses tap into global markets.

As the Party tries to present itself as a “new Sky” party under the old roof, the critical issue will remain the economic policies. These will likely play a decisive role in shaping the political equation in the next election cycle, as the party aims to reverse its downward trend and reposition itself as a central political force in Thailand.