Democrat Party (Thailand)
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The Democrat Party (พรรค ประชาธิปัตย์ Pak Prachatipat) is Thailand's oldest political party and presently its largest opposition party. Its current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva.
History
Founded in 1946 as a conservative, monarchist party, the Democrat Party evolved into an outspoken opponent of military involvement in politics and it was one of the major forces during Thailand's turbulent years, often in power for a short while until the next coup and subsequent episode of military dictatorship. A key member of the "People Power" movement in 1992, the Democrat Party under Chuan Leekpai led coalition governments from 1992 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2001.The Democrat Party moved back into the opposition in 2001 after the sudden rise of Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party, winning only 128 seats compared to the TRT's 248. Although the party's candidate in the 2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election, Apirak Kosayothin, won a landslide victory, the party lost further ground in the 2005 general election. In a disastrous showing, the Democrats won only 18.3 % of the popular vote and 96 out of 500 seats, prompting party leader Banyat Bantadtan to resign. On March 6, 2005, Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected as the new party leader.
The party's base was traditionally concentrated in Bangkok, where the party could rely on support from the capital's middle and upper classes. However, during the 1990s, under the leadership of Chuan Leekpai, a native of Trang province in Southern Thailand, the Democrats became the dominant party in the southern region. The influx of provincial politicians from the south into the party created considerable tension with the party's Bangkok establishment. But since Chuan's "Mr. Clean" image made him personally popular with Democrat supporters in the capital, the party managed to stay united under his leadership. In 2003, however, Chuan retired as party leader. In a closely-fought leadership contest, southerner Banyat Bantadtan prevailed over Abhisit Vejjajiva, the candidate of the Bangkok establishment. The bitter rivalry between Banyat and Abhisit was a major cause of the party's poor showing in the 2005 general election.
The Democrats' reputation as a centre-right party stems largely from their support for neo-liberal economic policies. On the other hand, the party's social policies can be characterized as progressive, emphasizing support for transparency, decentralization and human rights.
The party is a member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, an alliance of democratic and liberal parties from throughout the region.
Election Boycott
In February 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra announced a house dissolution, after months of mass protests, and called for general election in May. The Democrat Party (Thailand) has colluded with 2 other main opposition parties to boycott the election in hoping to make it impossible for the new government to form. These elections of April 2006 were declared invalid. New elections will be held October 2006.See also
- Liberalism
- Contributions to liberal theory
- Liberalism worldwide
- List of liberal parties
- Liberal democracy
- Liberalism in Thailand
External link
- [Democrat Party] official site
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