Democrat Party receives Bt100 million donation

"The Democrats would like to thank our donors, particularly those from the business community. Every baht will support the "People First" campaign platforms," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

Abhisit said he believed his party's campaign was on the right track as indicated by the overwhelming support from big businesses and individual donors.

He said his party was open to all aspiring candidates willing to help in pushing for the materialisation of campaign platforms.

"Democrats do not aim to attract bigname figures but want pragmatists who can actually revitalise the economy," he said in reference to his party's economic platforms.

The EC report showed some 185 donors contributing to the Democrat campaign funds.

Of the total donors, 50 are corporate contributors doling out Bt1 million or more per donation. The remainder are individual donors contributing Bt500 to Bt100,000 each.

The biggest corporate contribution of Bt23 million came from the conglomerate of Charoen Pokphand Group and True Corporation.

Saha Viriya Group contributed Bt9 million. Two market leaders for billboards, Bangkok Tri Vision and Hello Bangkok Tri Vision, made a combined donation of Bt14 million.

The Mall Group, operator of a retail chain, and President Food, manufacturer of instant noodles, donated Bt500,000 each.

Ranking Democrats, including Korn Chatikavanij, contributed about Bt1 million each for the campaign funds.

TV show host Natthakorn Devakula, who has admitted to having political ambitions, made a Bt200,000 donation.

The report on Democrat campaign funds did not include the Bt427 million raised at a dinner on July 21 which is still to be collected, verified and audited.

The Nation