The challenge against incumbent party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has held the post for 13 years, is backed by members of the former People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), including figures such as Thavorn Seneam. While the nomination suggests conflicts in the Democrat Party – the country’s oldest political party and recognised for being a strong institution – Warong said in a Facebook post that his supporters aimed to strengthen the party, make it great again and win the election. Warong, however, rejected this, saying that the plan was mostly made at Thavorn’s home, which is not far from the Democrat headquarters. Both Warong and Thavorn had been active members of the now-defunct PDRC, which ousted former PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s government in 2014. The Democrat Party is expected to choose a new leader by November following the promulgation of new organic laws, which require parties to set out regulations and choose new executives before launching their election campaigns.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 24, 2018 18:00 UTC