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Published on July 21, 2007

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday gave a pep talk to rally members for the general election under the party's slogan "People First".

"In the next year, our party will get involved in advancing the country; 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 was speaking 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 among party supporters and non-supporters as well as members and non-members to enable the country to progress and leave the recent severe political crisis behind.

"Our country has seen its severest crisis. Our strength has been tested. We have never seen social division or use of violence so severe," he told the party caucus at the Emerald Hotel.

Some 600 ranking Democrats turned out in full force, including party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban 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 due to fallout from last year's political crisis. He then turned to focus on his leadership to steer the party out of the turbulence.

He said he had not anticipated the September 19 coup.

"Democrats have not wavered 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 provisions in the new charter, particularly those drawn up as if all politicians were outcasts, the charter had some strong points relating to the improved system of checks and balances, he said. "Democrats find the charter acceptable and we will let go our objections to some provisions to enable the country to move on," he said.

He praised fellow Demo-crats for their solidarity in fighting the electoral fraud case. "Our party survives and has not been disbanded because our defence strategy was: 'We are innocent'," he said.

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

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

Abhisit voiced optimism that he could offer 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.