Many lessons learned from history
- By Nattaya Chetchotiros -
MR Seni Pramoj
The country’s oldest political party, the Democrats, has faced a series of challenges over the 72 years since it was founded. However, it remains a force to be reckoned with in Thai politics today.
Incumbent Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke candidly about how the party has been able to survive for as long as it has. Two factors must be considered, he believes.
First, founders’ identities must not be tied with parties, he said, noting this means that founders must have the will to set up a party that is open to the people and can grow into a political institution which is not the property of any individual or family.
They should not form a party that is merely a vehicle for their own agendas so it can be run by new generations of politicians for a long time to come.
Second, political parties must have ideals, Mr Abhisit said. Regardless of who joins the party, it must be able to continue its work despite difficult circumstances that may arise.
“I have never changed my attitude towards the party from feeling connected and having faith and confidence in it,” Mr Abhisit said.
As the party leader, he makes it a point not to dominate or overshadow the party. The party’s basic ideals and core values have not changed at all, he said.
“As long as there is faith in the party, I will continue to be here. My allegiance is firm,” said Mr Abhisit, who first contested an election under the Democrat umbrella in 1992.
MR Kukrit Pramoj
Khuang Aphaiwong
The Democrats have gone through several crises and suffered setbacks, including defections of many key figures in the past.
Mr Abhisit said the party’s most serious crisis happened when around 40 MPs left to form a new party in 1988. They were members of the so-called “10 January” group, which was led by Veera Musikapong and Chalermpan Srivikorn.
The group-established the People Party which garnered 19 seats in the lower House. After that, its members moved to other parties with some returning to the Democrats.
Mr Abhisit said this served as a major lesson for the party. Leading figures have tried to find ways to prevent a recurrence of this situation ever since.
Years later, more key members parted ways with the party. However, no deep division, like that left by the 10 January group, occured, according to Mr Abhisit.
Key figures who left in the years since the January group affair include Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart and MR Kukrit Pramoj, both of whom had been secretary-generals of the party, as well as Samak Sundaravej, the late former prime minister.
The beginning of the mass protests against the Pheu Thai Party government in late 2013 saw the departure of more party stalwarts, including former party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, who went on to found the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). The protests ended with the ousting of the administration in a military coup in May 2014.
Mr Suthep’s brothers — Thanee and Chane — recently left the Democrats and so did three former MPs in the three southernmost provinces, and former MP for Chanthaburi, Thawatchai Anampong, according to Mr Abhisit. However, less than 10 former MPs have left the party since the beginning of the year.
Mr Suthep’s brothers — Thanee and Chane — recently left the Democrats and so did three former MPs in the three southernmost provinces, and former MP for Chanthaburi, Thawatchai Anampong, according to Mr Abhisit. However, less than 10 former MPs have left the party since the beginning of the year.
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Mr Abhisit insisted it is imperative that the party makes adjustments and keeps abreast of the changing political environment. Which necessitates the modernisation of processes and communication with the people.
The party now faces the crucial challenge of a general election, expected to take place next year.
Mr Abhisit said the Democrats would harness social media as a channel to engage more with the increasingly influential younger generation.
The party, he said, will not stand idly by but will strive to reach out to people through new media.
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