Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (in white shirt) and key party figures including secretary-general Chaiwut Bannawat (centre) hold a press conference after the general election on Feb 8. Ensuring the legality and constitutionality of the election process was the Democrats’ immediate priority, Mr Chaiwut stressed. “Whether the Democrat Party joins a government or not is, for now, a secondary matter,” he said. The first-place party is expected to hold formal talks soon with the Klatham Party, which controls 58 votes. However, should negotiations with Klatham falter, Bhumjaithai is widely expected to turn to the Democrats as an alternative coalition partner.

Source: Bangkok Post February 18, 2026 10:23 UTC