From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Democrat Party (Thailand)
Democrat Party (Thailand)
Democrat Party and is closely allied with the Army and certain factions
???????????????? within the palace.[3][4] Numerous party leaders are for-
Phak Prachathipat mer leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy.[5]
The Democrat Party’s current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva,
incumbent opposition leader.
The Democrat Party won the most seats in parliament
in 1948, 1976, and 1992 - however, it has never won an
outright parliamentary majority. The party’s electoral
support bases are Southern Thailand and Bangkok, al-
though election results in Bangkok have fluctuated wide-
ly. Since 2004, Democrat candidates won three elections
for the governorship of Bangkok.
History
Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Founding of the Party
Secretary- Chalermchai Sri-on The Democrat Party was founded by Khuang Aphaiwong
General on April 6, 1946, as a conservative and royalist party,
following the January 1946 elections. Early members in-
Spokesperson Buranat Samutrak
cluded royalists opposed to Pridi Phanomyong and for-
Chief Adviser Chuan Leekpai mer Seri Thai underground resistance members. The par-
ty competed against the parties affiliated with Pridi
Slogan ??????? ???? ???? Truth is indeed the
undying word — Proverb[1] Phanomyong and the Progress Party (Thailand) of broth-
ers Seni and Kukrit Pramoj. In the January 1946 elections,
Founded April 6, 1946 (1946-04-06) the Pridi-led coalition had won a majority in the Parlia-
Youth wing Democrat Party Youth Action [2] ment. However, Pridi declined the nomination as prime
minister and the parliament appointed Khuang as premi-
Ideology Constitutional monarchism,
er. Khuang resigned in March 1946, after being defeated
Conservative liberalism
on a bill, and was replaced by Pridi. The smaller Progress
Political Centre-right Party later merged with the Democrat Party.
position
International Liberal International Accusation against Pridi Phanomyong
affiliation After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946, the De-
Continental Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats mocrat Party accused Pridi of having been the master-
affiliation mind behind the King’s death and spread this propagan-
da throughout the capital.[6] Seni Pramoj’s wife told the
Official colors Light blue
US chargé d’affaires that Pridi had the King assassinated,
House of 159 / 500 and Democrat Party members spread the same rumor to
Representatives the British embassy.[7] A few days after the King’s death,
Website a Democrat MP yelled out, "Pridi killed the King!" in the
middle of a crowded theater.[8]
democrat.or.th
Politics of Thailand November 1947 coup and the 1949 Con-
Political parties
Elections Logo depicts Phra Mae Thorani
stitution
By the time of the elections of August 1946, the Democrat
The Democrat Party (Thai: ????????????????, Phak Party was backed by royalists like Prince Upalisarn
Prachathipat) is a Thai political party. The party, the old- Jubala, Srivisarn Vacha, Sridhamadibes, Borirak Vej-
est in Thailand, upholds a conservative royalist position jakarn, and Srisena Sombatsiri. Except for Prince Upalis-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Democrat Party (Thailand)
arn Jubala, all of these figures would become Privy Coun- there were no elections in Thailand, and the Democrat
cilors to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Parties affiliated with Party had been dormant.
Pridi continued to win a majority of seats in parliament.
Pridi was appointed Premier, but later conceded to Luang Thanom Kittikachorn’s Rule through
Thamrong Navasavat. A military coup led by Marshal Military Power
Plaek Phibulsongkram later overthrew the Thamrong
Thanom Kittikachorn, who had succeeded Sarit after his
government.
death, was pressured to promulgate a democratic consti-
The palace persuaded Marshal Plaek to appoint
tution on June 20, 1968, and hold elections in February
Khuang Aphaiwong as figurehead civilian Prime Minis-
1969. Parties affiliated with Thanom won that election,
ter.[9] In subsequent elections on January 29, 1948, the
and the Democrats joined the opposition. Thanom, his
Democrats won the majority for the first time, and reap-
son Narong, and his brother-in-law Praphas
pointed Khuang as Premier. Khuang packed his cabinet
Charusathien became known as the Three Tyrants. They
with palace allies, much to the consternation of the mili-
later executed a coup against their own government on
tary. The military later, claiming that they were support-
November 17, 1971, abrogating the Constitution and run-
ers of constitutional monarchy, demanded that Khuang
ning the Kingdom through a National Executive Council.
resign. Marshal Plaek replaced Khuang as Prime Minister.
Beginning in 1972, popular demands for democratic free-
Although having no representatives in the cabinet,
doms began to grow. In response to the demands, the
the Democrats had key representatives in the constitu-
National Executive Council drafted a new charter in De-
tion drafting committee. Headed by Seni Pramoj and
cember 1972, which established a wholly appointed
dominated by royalists under the direction of Prince
299-member National Legislative Assembly.
Rangsit and Prince Dhani, the 1949 Constitution elevated
the throne to its most powerful position since the 1932
overthrow of the absolute monarchy.[10] Among its fea-
The Shift to an unstable Civilian Govern-
tures was a senate whose senators were to be appointed ment
directly by the King. The constitution triggered protests Opposition to the Three Tyrants culminated on October
among much of the public. It was attacked as contrary to 14, 1973, when 400,000 protested at the Democracy Mon-
the purpose of the 1932 revolution. Critics were branded ument. A violent crackdown and subsequent interven-
republicans and communists.[11] tion by the King led to the appointment of Privy Coun-
Subsequent elections saw military-backed parties cilor Sanya Dhammasakdi as Premier. The Three Tyrants
winning the majority in the House; however the Senate left the Kingdom. Sanya established a constitution draft-
was still dominated by Democrats and other royalists. As ing committee, consisting of Kukrit Pramoj (who by this
Marshal Plaek was still Premier, tensions between the time had established and defected to the Social Action
military and the Democrat/palace-alliance steadily in- Party) and many academics. The new constitution was
creased. On November 29, 1951, the military and the po- promulgated on October 7, 1974.
lice seized power, just as King Bhumibol’s vessel was re- Legislative elections were held in January 1975, re-
turning to Thai waters. Although the military’s 1952 con- sulting in none of the 22 parties coming close to winning
stitution, which was similar to the 1932 Constitution, a majority. The Democrats, led by Seni Pramoj, formed
called for elections, the Democrats had been practically a coalition government in February 1974. Seni was ap-
barred from government for the following 23 years. pointed Premier, but the coalition was unstable, and was
replaced in less than a month by a Social Action Party-
Sarit Dhanarajata’s Government led coalition which appointed Social Action Party leader
Sarit Dhanarajata seized power from Marshal Plaek in Kukrit Pramoj as Premier.
1957. Unlike Marshal Plaek, Sarit deified the throne, thus
removing any advantage that the Democrats, who had Seni Pramoj and the 6 October 1976
previously been dominated by royalists, may have had. Massacre
The junta did not immediately abrogate the 1952 Con-
The Kingdom descended into political chaos, with anti-
stitution, but instead appointed Pote Sarasin as figure-
leftist groups growing increasingly violent. In January
head civilian Premier. Elections were held on December
1976, the military pressured Kukrit to dissolve Parlia-
15, 1957, resulting in the Democrats losing to military-
ment. Elections were scheduled on 14 April. The months
backed parties. Sarit’s ally General Thanom Kittikachorn
leading up to the election were particularly eventful: The
was appointed as Premier. Sarit later went to the US to
head of the Socialist Party was assassinated, the Red Gaur
seek treatment on his liver cirrhosis. Eight months later,
attempted to bomb the headquarters of the New Force
he recovered, returned and executed another coup while
Party (a leftist party), and the Chart Thai Party was es-
dissolving Parliament, abrogating the Constitution, and
tablished with the slogan "Right Kills Left". Seni Pramoj’s
ruling by Revolutionary Council. For the next 9 years,
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Democrat Party (Thailand)
Democrats won the most seats in the election, and lies on the support from the capital’s aristocratic, mer-
formed an unstable coalition government. itocratic and educated middle and upper classes. In the
Seni’s government came under great pressure. A bill 1990s, under the leadership of Chuan Leekpai, a native
to extend elections to local levels was passed by Parlia- of Trang province in Southern Thailand, the Democrats
ment 149-19, but the King refused to sign the bill or re- quickly became the dominant party in Southern Thai-
turn it to Parliament, effectively vetoing it.[12] As anti- land. The influences of provincial politicians from the
leftist sentiments escalated, Praphas Charusathien re- south into the party created considerable tension with
turned shortly from exile to meet the King. Students the party’s Bangkok establishment. Chuan’s "Mr. Clean"
protesting against Praphas’ return were attacked by Red image, however, made him personally popular with De-
Gaur paramilitary units. On September 19, 1976, Thanom mocrat Party supporters throughout Thailand, and so the
returned from exile and was immediately ordained as a party managed to stay cohesive under his leadership. The
monk at Wat Bovornives. Massive protests erupted. The first Chuan government (1992–1995) fell when members
King and Queen returned from a trip to the South to visit of the Cabinet were implicated in profiting from Sor Phor
monk Thanom, leading Seni to resign from the premier- Kor 4-01 land project documents distributed in Phuket
ship in protest. His resignation was refused by Parlia- province.[16] Chuan was again Premier from 1997 to 2001,
ment, but initial attempts to reshuffle his cabinet were in the midst of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and its
vetoed by the King.[13] The political tension finally cul- aftermath. The Party lost a landslide election victory to
minated in the 6 October 1976 massacre, when Village Thaksin Shinawatra’s populist Thai Rak Thai party, win-
Scouts and Red Gaur joined with military and police to ning 128 seats compared to the TRT’s 248 in the 2001 gen-
rape and massacre at least 46 students protesting at eral election.
Thammasat University.[14] That evening, the military
seized power and installed hard-line royalist Tanin The Democrat Party in the 2000s
Kraivixien as Premier.
The military coup was clearly endorsed by the King, Banyat Bantadtan
who declared that it was "a manifestation of what the In 2003, Chuan retired from his position as party leader.
people clearly wanted."[15] The new constitution did not Banyat Bantadtan, a southerner and a close aide to
express any obligation for the government to have a cab- Chuan, succeeded him after a closely fought leadership
inet or elections, and gave the Premier near-absolute contest with Abhisit Vejjajiva.
powers.
The Democrat Party in the 1990s
The Democrat Party became an outspoken opponent of
military rule in Thai politics during the 1990s. The De-
mocrat Party was the key member of the "People Power"
movement in 1992.
Chuan Leekpai
Democrat Party 2005 election poster highlighting the "201"
campaign
Democrat Party’s candidate Apirak Kosayothin won
2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election; the TRT Party did
not submit a candidate. The Democrat Party lost further
ground to Thai Rak Thai in the 2005 general election.
Election results in the South, 1975-2005 In the election campaign, the Democrats had a populist
platform, promoting job creation, universal education
The party’s voter base is traditionally concentrated in and health care, and law and order against crime and cor-
Southern Thailand and in Bangkok, where the party re- ruption.[17] The party aimed to gain 201 seats, enough to
launch a vote of a no confidence debate against the pre-
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Democrat Party (Thailand)
mier. They won 96 out of 500 seats and 18.3% of the pop- that Thaksin’s Thai Rak Thai party bribed other parties
ular vote. The party’s leader Banyat Bantadtan resigned to contest the election. A junta tribunal acquitted Abhisit
after the election. and the Democrats of the vote fraud charges, but convict-
On March 6, 2005, Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected the ed and banned the Thai Rak Thai party and its entire ex-
new party leader. Upon succeeding the party’s leadership ecutive team.
from Banyat, Abhisit noted, "It will take a long time to re- Abhisit supported the junta’s 2007 Constitution, call-
vive the party because we need to look four years ahead ing it an improvement on the 1997 Constitution.[22] The
and consider how to stay in the hearts of the people." military junta organized general elections for 23 Decem-
ber 2007.
Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Thai Rak Thai govern- Despite being banned from politics for five years,
ment Thaksin Shinawatra was popular in his former support
The popularity of the populist Thai Rak Thai Party in Thai bases in the Central, North and North-Eastern Thailand
politics from 2001 to 2006 presented new challenges to and attempted to maintain an active role in Thai politics
the Democrat Party. The TRT championed populist poli- by supporting the People’s Power Party, which had be-
cies with its focus on providing affordable and quality come the successor party of the banned TRT. Abhisit pro-
health care for all citizens, village-managed microcredit moted populist policies in his party’s campaign as the De-
development funds, the government-sponsored One mocrat Party’s platform in the 2007 parliamentary elec-
Tambon One Product program, and others. The populist tion. He claimed that while his platform was categorically
policies earned the TRT enormous support from rural considered to be populist, it sought to curb inflation
constituencies, unprecedented in Thailand’s history. while maintaining fiscal soundness, to apply the village-
Opposition to the TRT government rose in Bangkok based microcredit development funds used in the
after Thaksin’s family announced their tax-free sale of Thaksin-led government but do it as part of promoting
their 49.6% stake in Shin Corp to Temasek for almost royalist sufficiency economy policies in rural areas, and
73.3 billion Baht on January 23, 2006. The People’s Al- to strengthen the country’s long-term competitiveness
liance for Democracy began a series of anti-government through universal education through high school.
protests. Several Democrat Party leaders also joined the In the junta-administered 2007 parliamentary elec-
PAD, which accused Thaksin of disloyalty to the throne tion, the People’s Power Party won the largest share of
and asked King Bhumibol to appoint a replacement Prime the vote and formed a six-party coalition government.
Minister. Thaksin Shinawatra dissolved the House of The Democrats’ populist platform was poorly received in
Representatives on February 24, 2006 and called for an the Central, North and North-Eastern regions. The Demo-
election. On March 24, 2006, Abhisit Vejjajiva publicly crat Party became the opposition as the second-largest
backed the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s call for a party in the House of Representatives.
royally-appointed government. Bhumibol, in a speech on
26 April 2006, responded, "Asking for a Royally-appoint- People’s Alliance for Democracy and the 2008
ed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a political crisis
mess. It is irrational".[18] Democrat Party executives ac- The People’s Alliance for Democracy resurfaced to desta-
cused Thaksin being the mastermind of a so-called Fin- bilize the People’s Power Government, after having gone
land Plot, a conspiracy to overthrow the monarchy and into dormancy following the 2006 coup. Several Democ-
establish a communist republic.[19][20] rat Party leaders allied themselves with the PAD in the
Abhisit and his allies of opposition parties boycotted subsequent 2008–2010 Thai political crisis. The PAD or-
the April 2006 elections, claiming it "diverted public at- ganized extended street protests and later led a months-
tention" from Thaksin’s corruption charges and his sale long seizure of Government House, the seat of the Thai
of Shin Corp.[21] The boycott caused caused a constitu- government. In November 2008, PAD forces seized and
tional crisis, prompting Thaksin to call another round of occupied Don Muang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
elections in October 2006, which the Democrats did not The PAD declared that the only person they would
boycott. The Army seized power on 19 September and accept as Premier was Abhisit of the Democrat Party.[23]
cancelled the upcoming election. Abhisit voiced displeasure at sieges, but did not stop his
deputies from their roles in the PAD.[24]
2006 coup and military government
Abhisit voiced displeasure at the 2006 coup that over- 2008-2011 coalition government
threw Thaksin, but otherwise did not protest it or the The sieges ended when the Constitutional Court banned
military junta that ruled Thailand for over a year. A fact- the People’s Power Party and two of its coalition allies.
finding panel at the Attorney-General’s Office found that During the critical period that followed the rulings, it
the Democrat Party bribed other parties to boycott the is alleged that Army commander and co-leader of the
2006 parliamentary election, which forced the constitu- 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, coerced former
tional crisis, and voted to dissolve the party. It also found PPP MPs, mainly those of the Friends of Newin Group,
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Democrat Party (Thailand)
Name Portrait Periods in Office
Khuang Abhaiwongse 1946; 1947-1948
Seni Pramoj 1975; 1976
Chuan Leekpai 1992-1995; 1997-2001
Abhisit Vejjajiva 2008-2011
to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition, which secured increase the minimum wage by 25% if the Democrat Par-
enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elect- ty won the election.[32]
ed Prime Minister. These MPs, along with MPs of 4 other At the general election on 3 July 2011, the Democrats
former PPP-coalition parties, crossed the aisle to endorse were only able to defend 159 seats in the House of Repre-
a Democrat-led coalition government. In a December sentatives, while rivaling Pheu Thai Party led by Yingluck
2008 parliamentary session, the Democrat-led coalition Shinawatra won an outright majority. The next day, Ab-
government was voted upon, with 235 to 198 votes in fa- hisit stepped down as the party’s leader.[33] However, on
vor of Democrat Party leader and candidate for PM Ab- 6 August, he was re-elected as the leader of the Democ-
hisit Vejjajiva.[25][26] rat Party with the support of 96% of those eligible to vote
During Songkran (the Thai New Year), anti-govern- at the party’s assembly - some 330 people including local
ment protesters of the UDD disrupted the Fourth East branch leaders and MPs.[34]
Asia Summit.[27] Violent protests then erupted in
Bangkok, leading Abhisit to declare a state of emergency
for 3 days, censoring the media, and using military force
Democrat Prime Ministers
to end the protests.
Soon afterward, PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul was See also
the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt. Both
• Khuang Aphaiwong
Sondhi’s son and Thaksin claimed that factions within
• Seni Pramoj
the Democrat government were behind the assassina-
• Kukrit Pramoj
tion; however, Abhisit’s foreign Minister claimed that
• List of political parties in Thailand
Thaksin was behind it.[28][29][30]
2011 general election References
Abhisit dissolved Parliament in early 2011 and scheduled
[1] "A Study of the History and Cult of the Buddhist
general elections on 3 July 2011. Abhisit unveiled a slate
Earth Deity in Mainland Seast Asia (2004)" (PDF 9.2
of candidates highlighted by 30 celebrities and heirs of
MB Content copying allowed). PhD Thesis.
political families, including Chitpas Bhirombhakdi,
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New
heiress of the Singha Beer fortune and former staff mem-
Zealand. 6/11/2010, modified 8/25/1010. p. 175.
ber of Abhisit’s secretariat office.[31] Abhisit promised to
http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/4350/
5
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Democrat Party (Thailand)
1/guthrie_vol_1_thesis.pdf. "(Samyutta Nikaya 452- headlines/headlines_30002592.php. Retrieved 5
5.1.189.)" July 2006.
[2] http://www.democrat.or.th/th/youngdemocrat/ [19] The Bangkok Post, "TRT goes on offensive over
internship/background/ ’Finland Plan’", 22 May 2006
[3] Washington Post, A look at Thailand’s general [20] The Nation, Thaksin clearly wanted republic, critics
election, 2 July 2011 charge, 25 May 2006
[4] Chang Noi, The Nation, "The Democrat Party: a [21] Straits Times, In for ’roughest ride’, 15 December
premature obituary", 30 September 2002 2008
[5] The Nation,[www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/ [22] The Nation, Draft gets Democrats’ vote, 9 July 2007
29/politics/politics_30087104.php Conflicts of [23] Bloomberg, Oxford Graduate Abhisit Elected in
interest abound in dubious Democrat-PAD roles], Thai Power Shift, 19 December 2008
29 October 2008 [24] The Economist, New face, old anger, 18 December
[6] Subhasvsti, "Noeng Sotwarot Subhasvasti", 2008
Bangkok: Family of M.C. Subhasvasti Wongsanit [25] The Nation, “????” ??????????????
Svastivat, 1999, page 82 ????????????????? ???????????????????????, 1 May
[7] Sulak Sivaraksa, "Powers That Be: Pridi 2009
Bhanomyong Through the Rise and Fall of Thai [26] The Telegraph, Thai army to ’help voters love’ the
Democracy", Bangkok:Runkaew, 1999, page 18-19 government, 18 December 2008
[8] Rayne Kruger, "The Devil’s Discus", London: [27] Korea Times Class War in Thailand, 17 April 2009
Cassell, 1964, page 103 [28] The Nation, Sondhi’s son alleges "Gestapo" behind
[9] Frank C. Darling, "American Influence on the his father’s assassination attempt
Evolution of Constitutional Government in [29] Spiegle, ’I’m Like a Rat’, 20 April 2009
Thailand" Thesis, American University, 1960, page [30] Taiwan News, Thai diplomat accuses ousted leader
185 in shootings, 22 April 2009
[10] Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale [31] The Nation, Democrat to unveil 30 celebrities as
University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3 electoral candidates, 11 May 2011
[11] The Bangkok Post, 5 February 1949 [32] SMH, ’Cloned’ sister of former leader polls strongly
[12] Such a refusal to either sign or reject legislation in Thailand, 14 June 2011
was very rare. Seni’s government did not dare vote [33] Thip-Osod, Manop (5 July 2011), "Abhisit steps
to reject his veto, and simply passed over the issue. down as Democrat leader", Bangkok Post,
[13] David Morell and Chai-Anan Samudavanija, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/
"Political Conflict in Thailand: Reform, Reaction, 245444/abhisit-steps-down-as-democrat-leader,
Revolution", page 273 retrieved 4 July 2011
[14] 46 was the official deathcount, see Bryce Beemer, [34] The Nation, Abhisit re-elected as Democrat leader,
Forgetting and Remembering "Hok Tulaa", the 6 August 2011
October 6 Massacre. Students were also lynched
and their bodies mutilated in front of cheering
crowds
External links
[15] Andrew Turon, Jonathan Fast, and Malcolm • democrat.or.th
Caldwell, eds. "Thailand: Roots of Conflict",
Spokesman: 1978, page 91
[16] Media and democratic transitions in Southeast Asia by
Duncan McCargo
[17] Aurel Croissant and Daniel J. Pojar, Jr., Quo Vadis
Thailand? Thai Politics after the 2005
Parliamentary Election, Strategic Insights, Volume
IV, Issue 6 (June 2005)
[18] "HM the King’s 26 April speeches". The Nation.
http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/27/
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Categories:
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• Political parties established in 1946
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