Abhisit steps in as acting party leader

Published on February 11, 2005

Abhisit Vejjajiva assumed the post of acting Democrat Party leader yesterday in the lead-up for the party to select a full-time successor to Banyat Bantadtan on March 12.

Following Banyat’s resignation as party leader on Tuesday, 47 board members selected first deputy leader Abhisit to head the party, which suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Thai Rak Thai party in the general election.

“There won’t be any changes until we have a new leader and board,” Abhisit said, scotching a widely held belief that he would introduce policy changes and restructure the party on assuming the post in the aftermath of the defeat.

According to party rules, to elect a party leader, votes from three membership sectors are required – executives, branch directors and MPs.

Abhisit said the party first had to wait for the Election Commission (EC) to approve the House membership of the 94 winning Democrat candidates, expected by early next month.

Therefore, the convention to elect a party leader and board members, who also resigned to share responsibility with Banyat over the loss, will be held on March 12, he said.

However, if the EC endorses the 94-winning candidates earlier, the convention could be held before March 12, Abhisit added.

Abhisit came close to taking over as leader April 2003, when he vied with Banyat and Arthit Urairat. But he lost out to Banyat by the slimmest of margins.

Banyat told reporters before the meeting that all leading party members agreed that Abhisit should helm the party until a new leader is selected.

Meanwhile, Niphon Boonyamanee was appointed as acting secretary-general after Pradit Patarasith quit with Banyat.

Niphon denied that the Banyat and Abhisit factions were still locked in a power struggle.

He said all the members had agreed to unite so the party could compete with Thai Rak Thai after the painful lesson from two election defeats in 2001 and 2005.

Weerayut Chokchaimadon

The Nation

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