“I thank everyone who attended the meeting in unison and entrusted me once again,” Mr Abhisit said in his victory speech.
The meeting, held at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Lak Si district, also chose a new executive committee. It was attended by current and former members of parliament, ex-ministers and party members, reports the Bangkok Post.
Former deputy leader Therdpong Chaiyanan nominated Mr Abhisit for the top post. No other candidates were proposed.
Voting followed Election Commission (EC) procedures, with ballots cast by three groups: current MPs (40%), former MPs (40%) and general party members (20%).
Oxford-educated Mr Abhisit won with 96.2% of the vote, drawing applause from party members in the convention hall.
Mr Abhisit, 61, served as the Democrats’ seventh leader from March 2005 to March 2019. He returns as the party’s 10th leader, two years after resigning as a member during a stormy meeting that led to the selection of Chalermchai Sri-on as leader.
It was speculated that his exit was linked to the possibility that under a new leader, the party would move from the opposition benches to join the Pheu Thai-led government coalition, which it ultimately did.
‘My heart never left’
At the time Mr Abhisit pledged he would not join another political party and would return to the Democrats if they needed him. “My heart never left,” he said this week.
He added that after being urged to seek the leadership, he spent time recruiting new members, and expressed hope that younger and older generations can work together.
Before the meeting started, Mr Abhisit was greeted warmly by party members and allies, including former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij, Satit Wongnongtaey, Sakoltee Phattiyakul and Nipit Intarasombat. Inside, members held placards supporting him as the next leader.
Also present was Democrat list-MP Chuan Leekpai, an 87-year-old former leader and prime minister. He was accompanied by his son and former MP Surabot Leekpai. They visited an exhibition titled “Democrat People”, featuring drawings by Mr Chuan.
The party leadership position has been vacant since Mr Chalermchai resigned last month, citing health reasons. He did not attend Saturday’s meeting, though acting secretary-general Dech-it Khanthong was present.
Several former members who served under Mr Abhisit have also rejoined the 79-year-old political institution, the oldest party in Thailand.
Following Mr Abhisit’s speech, the party approved eight deputy leaders based on key portfolios: Korn Chatikavanij (policy), Gardee Liaopairoj (digital economy), Juree Numkaew (communications), Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri (women, youth and sustainability), Werapong Prapha (international economy), Satit Wongnongtaey (strategy), Isra Sunthornvut (foreign affairs), and Amporn Pinasa (education). Chaiwut Bannawat, 66, was appointed party secretary.
The atmosphere on Saturday was energetic, reflecting renewed enthusiasm among members.
Unity crucial
Political analyst Stithorn Thananithichot said earlier that Mr Abhisit was widely expected to reclaim the leadership unopposed, a move seen as crucial for the party’s preparation for the general election, expected to be held on Mar 29, 2026.
The Democrats currently have only 25 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, but Mr Abhisit’s return is expected to boost the party’s proportional representation, giving it more list-MPs, noted Mr Stithorn, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University (CU).
Mr Abhisit first entered politics as an MP for Bangkok in March 1992. He was Thailand’s 27th prime minister from December 2008 to August 2011.
His prime ministership included the turbulent period of the red-shirt protests in 2010, which ended with a military crackdown that killed more than 90 people.
Mr Abhisit resigned as the Democrats’ leader to take responsibility for a major electoral setback in 2019. After winning 100 seats or more in elections going back to 1996, the Democrats managed just 53 seats in the 2019 poll. Their seat total fell to 25 in the 2023 election.
Mr Chuan said he hoped Mr Abhisit would restore the party’s stature, noting its sharp decline in popularity. He said regaining public trust would take time and effort.
“[Mr Abhisit] is a politician by experience, not a businessperson in politics. He does not seek personal gain or have hidden interests,” Mr Chuan said, adding that the Democrat Party, nearing 80 years, endures through legitimacy and integrity.