By Thai Newsroom Reporters
FORMER DEMOCRAT secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on was today (Dec.9) named Democrat leader whilst former Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva opted out by resigning as member of the second largest opposition party.
In today’s extraordinary caucus of 260 Democrat members, Chalermchai won an overwhelming vote for Democrat leader whilst Det-it Khaothong was named secretary-general of the party.
Shortly ahead of the picking of the Democrat leader, which has left vacant for the last several months, Chalermchai and Abhisit held informal talk with each other, resulting in the latter deciding to not contest for the top partisan leadership and to immediately resign as member of the party.
In addition to Abhisit, a former prime minister, Satit Pitutecha, a former deputy Democrat leader and former deputy public health minister, also resigned as Democrat member in apparent protest of the naming of Chalermchai as leader of the country’s oldest party.
Nevertheless, Chalermchai, a former agriculture & cooperatives minister, is more or less speculated to look for the opportunity to join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government sooner or later.
The new Democrat leader was practically not rivalled by Watanya ”Madam Deer” Bunnag who was finally disqualified to vie for Democrat leader because her partisan membership has not lasted a minimum of five consecutive years.
CAPTIONS:
Top and first below: Chalermchai Sri-on who was named Democrat leader today, Dec. 9, 2023. Photos: Thai Rath
Second and third below: Former Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at the party caucus and waving goodbye. Photos: Matichon
Fourth below: Watanya “Madam Deer” Bunnag talking to the press today. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: Chalermchai Sri-on, right, and Abhisit Vejjajiva, left. Photo: Naewna
Also read: 20-MPs faction backs Chalermchai for Democrat leader
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