Former Thai PM Abhisit announces bid for next PM

BANGKOK, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Democrat Party announced on Friday that three candidates, led by party leader and former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, will run for the country's next prime minister in the upcoming general election.

The party unveiled its candidate lineup in a campaign video released on social media the same day. Alongside Abhisit, the candidates include two deputy party leaders: Korn Chatikavanij, a former finance minister, and Karndee Leopairote.

In the video, Abhisit emphasized that overcoming poverty in Thailand requires building a clean political system and enhancing transparency across all sectors.

Abhisit served as Thailand's prime minister from 2008 to 2011. After losing the 2019 general election, he resigned as Democrat Party leader and left the party in 2023. He made a political comeback in October 2025 by rejoining the party and was subsequently re-elected as its leader.

Thailand is set to hold elections for the new House of Representatives on Feb. 8, 2026. Political parties are required to submit their prime ministerial candidates between Dec. 28 and 31 this year, with a maximum of three candidates per party. ■