Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at a press conference at the party’s headquarters yesterday after the ban on political party activities was lifted.

"The Democrats are ready to advance the country forward for a new future," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

Abhisit was speaking one day after the government lifted a ban against political parties engaging in political activities.

He outlined three critical problems facing the country - the sagging economy, the violence-plagued South and social divisions caused by political animosity.

He said his party would strive to build a consensus among the people in order to overcome the three problems.

"Problems should be resolved via the people's participation before taking any decisive action, without being mired by conflict of interest," he said.

He pledged to reach out to every sector of society when mapping out measures to meet the people's aspirations in every locality.

He said he would heed the people's opinions before formulating his party's electoral platforms.

"I believe people have high expectations for the next general election as they will be pinning their hopes on casting a vote on the future," he said.

Meanwhile, Banharn Silapa-archa, the Chat Thai Party leader and former prime minister, yesterday gave a boost to Abhisit by saying the young politician has the potential to become prime minister.

Banharn dismissed earlier remarks by

veteran politician Snoh Thienthong, who suggested that Abhisit lacked the charisma and experience to serve in the top political job.

"If you become prime minister, you will automatically have charisma. The same thing happened to me when I became prime minister," Banharn said yesterday.

A recent public opinion survey showed that Abhisit has become the front-runner among candidates to become the next leader, after his party was spared from dissolution in last week's verdict by the Constitution Tribunal.