Democrat launches 'People First' campaign

"In the next year, our party will get involved in advancing the country forward; we are expecting to work hard and Democrats will move on along with Thailand in the wake of a crisis," he said.

"As I have said, 'People must come first', and Democrats will certainly be chosen to work with the people in bringing about prosperity."

Abhisit spoke at his party's annual convention, which had been delayed since April due to the junta's ban on party activities, which was lifted last month.

He also called for unity between its supporters and nonsupporters as well as members and nonmembers in an effort to allow the country to progress and leave the recent severe political crisis behind.

"Our country has been in its severest crisis. Our forte has been shaken. We have never seen social division or use of violence so severe like this," he told the party caucus held at the Emerald Hotel.

Some 600 ranking Democrats turned out in full force, including party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, party secretary general Suthep Thuagsuban and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, who is also a deputy party leader.

The party leader opened his remarks by outlining the difficult time plaguing every Democrat as a fallout from the last year's political crisis. He then turned to focus on his leadership to steer the party out of the turbulence.

He said he did not anticipate the September 19 coup.

"Democrats have not been wavering from their staunch support of democratic rule but the issue at hand is about the restoration of democracy under the policy of reconciliation and not inflaming the situation any further," he said.

The party would cooperate to bring about political normalcy so long as the junta kept its promise to return the power to an elected government, he said.

Although his party had many reservations about charter provisions, particularly those drawn up as if all politicians were an outcast, the charter had some strong points relating to the improved system of checks and balances, he said.

"Democrats find the charter acceptable and will let go our objection of some provisions in order to allow the country to move on," he said.

He praised fellow Democrats for their solidarity to fight and win the legal wrangling on the electoral fraud case.

"Our party survives and has not been disbanded because our defence strategy is we are innocent," he said.

As the country's oldest political party, Democrat is ready to form a partnership with the people in meeting new challenges facing the country.

"No government or prime minister can solve problems without the cooperation from the people," he said.

He voiced optimism that he could offer a firm leadership to overcome social divisions and economic woes.

He also expected that many charter provisions sanctioned by the junta would be revised following the general election.

The Nation