Democrat Party (Thailand)

Democrat Party
พรรคประชาธิปัตย์
Phak Prachathipat
Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva
Spokesperson Ong-art Klampaiboon
Founded April 6, 1946 (1946-04-06)
Ideology Center-right, Economic liberalism, Social conservatism, Royalism
International affiliation Liberal International, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
Official colors Blue
Website
[1]
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The Democrat Party (Thai: พรรคประชาธิปัตย์, Phak Prachathipat) is Thailand's oldest political party, represented as the core coalition member in the six-party coalition government since December 15, 2008. The party upholds a centre-right, strongly constitutional monarchist, royalist, socially conservative, and economically liberal position.[1]

Prior to the 2007 general election, party leader and now Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva started embracing many populist policies, which had proved to be popular by the rival Thai Rak Thai party. Its party members such as Somkiat Pongpaibul and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya were also members of the People's Alliance for Democracy.[2], leading popular movement opposing Thaksin Shinawatra.The party's electoral support bases are mainly constituencies in Bangkok and Southern Thailand. Democrat's candidate also became the winner in the election of Bangkok Metropolitan 's governor in 2009.

The Democrat Party was founded on April 6, 1946, as a royalist party in opposition to parties affiliated with Pridi Phanomyong, one of the leaders of 1932 Revolution. Democrat Party founder Khuang Aphaiwong was briefly appointed as the de facto civilian Premier during the military regime of Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram; nevertheless, the party represented the opposition from 1952 to 1957. The party was dormant during the military regimes of Sarit Dhanarajata and Thanom Kittikachorn (1957-1968). It was the opposition from 1968 to 1971, when Thanom dissolved his own government against communist infiltration. It was the opposition party until Seni Pramoj briefly led an unstable coalition government from the legislative elections of 1975 until the 6 October 1976 massacre. From then on, and during the Prem Tinsulanonda era (1980-1988), the party was the leader of coalition government.

Led by Chuan Leekpai, the Party led unstable coalition governments twice in the 1990s, from 1992-1995 and 1997-2001. It was the opposition during the tenure of Thaksin Shinawatra from 2001 to 2006. The Party's current leader is Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The Democrat Party is the only political party in Thailand that is a member of a political international; it is a member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, an alliance of self-proclaimed liberal-democratic parties from Asia.

Contents

History

Founding of the Party

The Democrat Party was founded on April 6, 1946, as a conservative and royalist party by Khuang Aphaiwong after the January 1946 elections were held. Initial members included royalists opposed to Pridi Phanomyong and former Seri Thai members. The party competed against various parties affiliated with Pridi Phanomyong and the Progress Party (Thailand) of brothers Seni and Kukrit Pramoj and other royalists. In the January 1946 elections, the Pridi-led coalition won a majority in the Parliament; the Demorats came in second. However, Pridi declined the nomination as prime minister and the parliament instead appointed Khuang as Premier. Khuang resigned in March 1946 after being defeated on a bill and was replaced by Pridi. The Progress Party later merged with the Democrat Party.

Accusation against Pridi Phanomyong

After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946, the Democrat Party accused Pridi of having been the mastermind behind the King's death and spread this propaganda throughout the capital.[3] Seni Pramoj's wife told the US chargé d'affaires that Pridi had the King assassinated, and Democrat Party members spread the same rumor to the British embassy.[4] A few days after the King's death, a Democrat MP yelled out, "Pridi killed the King!" in the middle of a crowded theater.[5]

November 1947 coup and the 1949 Constitution

By the time of the elections of August 1946, the Democrat Party was backed by royalists like Prince Upalisarn Jubala, Srivisarn Vacha, Sridhamadibes, Borirak Vejjakarn, and Srisena Sombatsiri. Except for Prince Upalisarn Jubala, all of these figures would become Privy Councilors to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Parties affiliated with Pridi continued to win a majority of seats in parliament. Pridi was appointed Premier, but later conceded to Luang Thamrong Navasavat. A military coup led by Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram later overthrew the Thamrong government.

The palace persuaded Marshal Plaek to appoint Khuang Aphaiwong as figurehead civilian Prime Minister.[6] In subsequent elections on January 29, 1948, the Democrats won the majority for the first time, and reappointed Khuang as Premier. Khuang packed his cabinet with palace allies, much to the consternation of the military. The military later, claiming that they were supporters of constitutional monarchy, demanded that Khuang resign. Marshal Plaek replaced Khuang as Prime Minister.

Although having no representatives in the cabinet, the Democrats had key representatives in the constitution drafting committee. Headed by Seni Pramoj and dominated by royalists under the direction of Prince Rangsit and Prince Dhani, the 1949 Constitution elevated the throne to its most powerful position since the 1932 overthrow of the absolute monarchy.[7] Among its features was a senate whose senators were to be appointed directly by the King. The constitution triggered protests among much of the public. It was attacked as contrary to the purpose of the 1932 revolution. Critics were branded republicans and communists.[8]

Subsequent elections saw military-backed parties winning the majority in the House; however the Senate was still dominated by Democrats and other royalists. As Marshal Plaek was still Premier, tensions between the military and the Democrat/palace-alliance steadily increased. On November 29, 1951, the military and the police seized power, just as King Bhumibol's vessel was returning to Thai waters. Although the military's 1952 constitution, which was similar to the 1932 Constitution, called for elections, the Democrats had been practically barred from government for the following 23 years.

Sarit Dhanarajata's Government

Sarit Dhanarajata seized power from Marshal Plaek in 1957. Unlike Marshal Plaek, Sarit deified the throne, thus removing any advantage that the Democrats, who had previously been dominated by royalists, may have had. The junta did not immediately abrogate the 1952 Constitution, but instead appointed Pote Sarasin as figurehead civilian Premier. Elections were held on December 15, 1957, resulting in the Democrats losing to military-backed parties. Sarit's ally General Thanom Kittikachorn was appointed as Premier. Sarit later went to the US to seek treatment on his liver cirrhosis. Eight months later, he recovered, returned and executed another coup while dissolving Parliament, abrogating the Constitution, and ruling by Revolutionary Council. For the next 9 years, there were no elections in Thailand, and the Democrat Party had been dormant.

Thanom Kittikachorn's Rule through Military Power

Thanom Kittikachorn, who had succeeded Sarit after his death, was pressured to promulgate a democratic constitution on June 20, 1968, and hold elections in February 1969. Parties affiliated with Thanom won that election, and the Democrats joined the opposition. Thanom, his son Narong, and his brother-in-law Praphas Charusathien became known as the Three Tyrants. They later executed a coup against their own government on November 17, 1971, abrogating the Constitution and running the Kingdom through a National Executive Council. Beginning in 1972, popular demands for democratic freedoms began to grow. In response to the demands, the National Executive Council drafted a new charter in December 1972, which established a wholly-appointed 299-member National Legislative Assembly.

The Shift to an unstable Civilian Government

Opposition to the Three Tyrants culminated on October 14, 1973, when 400,000 protested at the Democracy Monument. A violent crackdown and subsequent intervention by the King led to the appointment of Privy Councilor Sanya Dhammasakdi as Premier. The Three Tyrants left the Kingdom. Sanya established a constitution drafting committee, consisting of Kukrit Pramoj (who by this time had established and defected to the Social Action Party) and many academics. The new constitution was promulgated on October 7, 1974.

Legislative elections were held in January 1975, resulting in none of the 22 parties coming close to winning a majority. The Democrats, led by Seni Pramoj, formed a coalition government in February 1974. Seni was appointed Premier, but the coalition was unstable, and was replaced in less than a month by a Social Action Party-led coalition which appointed Social Action Party leader Kukrit Pramoj as Premier.

Seni Pramoj and the 6 October 1976 Massacre

The Kingdom descended into political chaos, with anti-leftist groups growing increasingly violent. In January 1976, the military pressured Kukrit to dissolve Parliament. Elections were scheduled on 14 April. The months leading up to the election were particularly eventful: The head of the Socialist Party was assassinated, the Red Gaur attempted to bomb the headquarters of the New Force Party (a leftist party), and the Chart Thai Party was established with the slogan "Right Kills Left".</ref> Seni Pramoj's Democrats won the most seats in the election, and formed an unstable coalition government.

Seni's government came under great pressure. A bill to extend elections to local levels was passed by Parliament 149-19, but the King refused to sign the bill or return it to Parliament, effectively vetoing it.[9] As anti-leftist sentiments escalated, Praphas Charusathien returned shortly from exile to meet the King. Students protesting against Praphas' return were attacked by Red Gaur paramilitary units. On September 19, 1976, Thanom returned from exile and was immediately ordained as a monk at Wat Bovornives. Massive protests erupted. The King and Queen returned from a trip to the South to visit monk Thanom, leading Seni to resign from the premiership in protest. His resignation was refused by Parliament, but initial attempts to reshuffle his cabinet were vetoed by the King.[10] The political tension finally culminated in the 6 October 1976 massacre, when Village Scouts and Red Gaur joined with military and police to rape and massacre at least 46 students protesting at Thammasat University.[11] That evening, the military seized power and installed hard-line royalist Tanin Kraivixien as Premier.

The military coup was clearly endorsed by the King, who declared that it was "a manifestation of what the people clearly wanted."[12] The new constitution did not express any obligation for the government to have a cabinet or elections, and gave the Premier near-absolute powers.

The contemporary Democrat Party

The Democrat Party was an opponent of military rule in Thai politics during the 1990s. The Democrat Party was the key member of the "People Power" movement in 1992 and Chuan Leekpai-led coalition governments from 1992 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2001. It was roundly defeated by the Thai Rak Thai party in general elections in 2001 and 2005. The Democrat Party fiercely opposed the TRT party, with some party leaders aligning themselves to the Peoples Alliance for Democracy. The party's opposition to the 2006 military coup was limited, and party leader Abhisit support the military junta's 2007 constitution. Despite this, the Democrat was defeated in military-administered elections in 2007. After a court banned the government party, the co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, allegedly coerced several influential factions to defect to the Democrat Party, allowing it to form a government.[13][14]

Chuan Leekpai

Election results in the South, 1975-2005

The party's voter base is traditionally concentrated in Southern Thailand and in Bangkok, where the party relies on the support from the capital's aristocratic, meritocratic and educated middle and upper classes. In the 1990s, under the leadership of Chuan Leekpai, a native of Trang province in Southern Thailand, the Democrats quickly became the dominant party in Southern Thailand. The influences 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 Party supporters throughout Thailand, the party managed to stay somewhat cohesive and united under his leadership. The first Chuan government (1992-1995) fell when members of the Cabinet were implicated in profiting from Sor Phor Kor 4-01 land project documents distributed in Phuket province.[15]. Chuan regained power from 1997 to 2001, in the midst of the Asian Economic Crisis. The Party lost a landslide election victory of Thaksin Shinawatra's populist Thai Rak Thai party, winning only 128 seats compared to the TRT's 248 in the 2001 general election.

Banyat Bantadtan

In 2003, Chuan retired from his position as party leader. Banyat Bantadtan, a southerner and a close aide to Chuan, succeeded him after a closely-fought leadership contest with Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Democrat Party 2005 election poster highlighting the "201" campaign

Although the party's candidate in the 2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election, Apirak Kosayothin, won a landslide victory in the election of Bangkok Metropolitan Governor. The party lost further ground to Thai Rak Thai in the 2005 general election, becoming the second largest party in the National Assembly. In the election campaigns, the Democrats had a "populist"platform, promoting job creation, universal education and health care, and law and order against crime and corruption.[16] They also aimed to gain 201 seats, enough to launch a vote of a no confidence debate against the premier. However, they lost the elections by a considerable margin, winning only 96 out of 500 seats and only 18.3% of the popular vote. The results of the election prompted party leader Banyat Bantadtan to resign.

On March 6, 2005, Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected the new party leader. Upon succeeding the party's leadership from Banyat, Abhisit noted, "It will take a long time to revive the party because we need to look four years ahead and consider how to stay in the hearts of the people."

Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Thai Rak Thai government

The popularity of the populist Thai Rak Thai Party in Thai politics from 2001 to 2006 presented new challenges to the Democrat Party. The TRT championed populist policies with its focus on providing affordable and quality health care for all citizens, village-managed microcredit development funds, the government-sponsored One Tambon One Product program, and others. The populist policies earned the TRT enormous support from rural populations, unprecedented in Thailand's history.

During the 2005-2006 Thai political crisis, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called for the resignation of the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with reference to special article 7 of the Constitution, reserving the right of the monarch to resolve the national crisis. Under Abhisit's leadership, senior Democrat Party members accused Thaksin of what they called the Finland Plot, a supposed plan to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic, and the "Thaksin Regime". After months of civil protest led by PAD, in March 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra dissolved the House of Representative, calling for snap election. Abhisit and his allies of opposition parties boycotted the 'snap' 2006 elections, claiming that they "diverted public attention" from Thaksin's sale of Shin Corp.[17]

2006 coup and military government

Abhisit voiced displeasure at the 2006 coup that overthrew Thaksin, but otherwise did not protest it or the military junta that ruled Thailand for over a year. A fact-finding panel at the Attorney-General's Office found that the Democrat Party bribed other parties to boycott the 2006 elections to force a constitutional crisis, and voted to dissolve the party. A junta tribunal acquitted Abhisit and the Democrats of the vote fraud charges, while banning Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party for similar charges. Abhisit supported the junta's 2007 Constitution, calling it an improvement on the 1997 Constitution.[18]

The Democrat Party was faced with a new challenge: how to expand its support base into the Central, North and North-Eastern regions once considered to be the TRT's political strongholds. Although himself being banned from politics for five years, Thaksin Shinawatra still enjoyed popularity among his former support bases and attempted to maintain his active role in Thai politics by supporting the newly elected People's Power Party, which had become a successor party of the now banned TRT party. Abhisit decided to promote populist policies in his party's campaignas the Democrat Party's platform in the 2007 General Elections. He claimed that while his platform was categorically considered to be populist, it sought to curb inflation while maintaining fiscal soundness; to apply the village-managed microcredit development funds used in the Thaksin-led government but do it as part of promoting royalist sufficient economy policies in rural areas; and to strengthen the country's long-term competitiveness through universal education. However, the Democrats' platform was poorly received in the Central, North and North-Eastern regions while gained majority in Bangkok and the South. The Democrat Party lost the junta-administered 2007 election to the People's Power Party, becoming the second-largest party in the House of Representative.

Rise to power

In the 2008–2009 Thai political crisis, several members of the People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD, became the party's members. PAD movement was the forefront opposition against Thaksin Shinawatra. It continued the resistance against Thaksin's party which became the ruling government after the general election in 2008. The demonstration became fierce after the violent attacks from pro-Thaksin groups, leading to the seizure of The Government House, and later Don Muang Airport, and Suvarnabhumi Airport, while engaging in violent clashes with riot police and anti-PAD protesters. The PAD finally declared that the only person they would accept as Premier was Abhisit.[19] Abhisit voiced displeasure at sieges, but did not stop his deputies from their roles in the PAD.[20] The sieges ended when the Constitutional Court banned the People's Power Party, Thai Nation Party, and Neutral Democratic Party, thereby ending People's Power Party rule. Army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, allegedly coerced several PPP MPs, mostly those from the 'controversial' Friends of Newin Group, to defect to the Democrat Party, allowing Abhisit to be elected Prime Minister.[13][14]

Before the end of 2008, The Democrat-led coalition government rose to power. In December 2008, faction of representatives from the disbanded ruling party, People's Power, shifted to support Democrat Party and its allies. Democrat Party suddenly gained the majority in the House of Representative. Abhisit was voted by the members of the House to be the new prime minister. The new government has to encounter economic crisis and political tension. Groups loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra and anti-coup movement, known as [[The Red Shirts ]] began its new resistance.

During Songkran (the Thai New Year), protesters and pro-Thaksin demonstrators disrupted the Fourth East Asia Summit.[21] Violent protests then erupted in Bangkok for days, leading Abhisit to declare a state of emergency, censor the media, and military force was used to stop the protesters.

Soon afterward, PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul was the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt. Both Sondhi's son and Thaksin claimed that factions within the Democrat government were behind the assassination; however, Abhisit's foreign Minister claimed that Thaksin was behind it.[22][23][24]

Party Leader

Party Secretary General

Party Spokesperson

  • Ong-art Klampaiboon

See also

References

  1. ^ Chang Noi, The Nation, "The Democrat Party: a premature obituary", 30 September 2002
  2. ^ The Nation,[www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/29/politics/politics_30087104.php Conflicts of interest abound in dubious Democrat-PAD roles], 29 October 2008
  3. ^ Subhasvsti, "Noeng Sotwarot Subhasvasti", Bangkok: Family of M.C. Subhasvasti Wongsanit Svastivat, 1999, page 82
  4. ^ Sulak Sivaraksa, "Powers That Be: Pridi Bhanomyong Through the Rise and Fall of Thai Democracy", Bangkok:Runkaew, 1999, page 18-19
  5. ^ Rayne Kruger, "The Devil's Discus", London: Cassell, 1964, page 103
  6. ^ Frank C. Darling, "American Influence on the Evolution of Constitutional Government in Thailand" Thesis, American University, 1960, page 185
  7. ^ Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]
  8. ^ The Bangkok Post, 5 February 1949
  9. ^ Such a refusal to either sign or reject legislation was very rare. Seni's government did not dare vote to reject his veto, and simply passed over the issue.
  10. ^ David Morell and Chai-Anan Samudavanija, "Political Conflict in Thailand: Reform, Reaction, Revolution", page 273
  11. ^ 46 was the official deathcount, see Bryce Beemer, Forgetting and Remembering "Hok Tulaa", the October 6 Massacre. Students were also lynched and their bodies mutilated in front of cheering crowds
  12. ^ Andrew Turon, Jonathan Fast, and Malcolm Caldwell, eds. "Thailand: Roots of Conflict", Spokesman: 1978, page 91
  13. ^ a b The Nation, “สนธิ” เปิดใจครั้งแรก เบื้องลึกปมลอบยิง โยงทหารฮั้วการเมืองเก่า, 1 May 2009
  14. ^ a b The Telegraph, Thai army to 'help voters love' the government, 18 December 2008
  15. ^ Media and democratic transitions in Southeast Asia by Duncan McCargo
  16. ^ Aurel Croissant and Daniel J. Pojar, Jr., Quo Vadis Thailand? Thai Politics after the 2005 Parliamentary Election, Strategic Insights, Volume IV, Issue 6 (June 2005)
  17. ^ Straits Times, In for 'roughest ride', 15 December 2008
  18. ^ The Nation, Draft gets Democrats' vote, 9 July 2007
  19. ^ Bloomberg, Oxford Graduate Abhisit Elected in Thai Power Shift, 19 December 2008
  20. ^ The Economist, New face, old anger, 18 December 2008
  21. ^ Korea TimesClass War in Thailand, 17 April 2009
  22. ^ The Nation, Sondhi's son alleges "Gestapo" behind his father's assassination attempt
  23. ^ Spiegle, 'I'm Like a Rat', 20 April 2009
  24. ^ Taiwan News, Thai diplomat accuses ousted leader in shootings, 22 April 2009

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