View source for Democrat Party (Thailand)

{{Short description|Thai political party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox political party
| country          = Thailand
| name             = Democrat Party
| native_name      = พรรคประชาธิปัตย์
| colorcode        = {{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}
| logo             = Democrat TH Logo.svg
| logo_size        = 275
| leader           = [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
| secretary_general = [[Chaiwut Bannawat]]
| spokesperson     = [[Pongsakorn Kwanmuang]]<ref>{{cite news  |date= 18 October 2025|title= 'เอิร์ธ พงศกร' นั่งโฆษกพรรคประชาธิปัตย์!|url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17c1qZR4kc/|language=th |work=Naewna|via=Facebook |location=Bangkok |access-date= 18 October 2025}}</ref>
| founder          = [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
| slogan           = ''สจฺจํเว อมตา วาจา''<br />('Truth is indeed the undying word' — proverb)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/4350/1/guthrie_vol_1_thesis.pdf |title= A Study of the History and Cult of the Buddhist Earth Deity in Mainland Southeast Asia|date= 2010-08-25|format=Dissertation|publisher= University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand |page= 175 |quote=''Samyutta Nikaya'' 452- 5.1.189.}}</ref>
| anthem           = "ประชาธิปัตย์มาแล้ว"<br>('Democrats Are Here')<ref>{{Cite web |last=หล่อวัฒนตระกูล |first=อันนา |date=6 March 2019 |title=การเมืองไทย เดอะ มิวสิคัล: พรรคนี้มีเพลงฮิต {{!}} รวมเพลงเลือกตั้ง 62 |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2019/03/81362 |access-date=8 May 2023 |website=[[Prachatai]] |language=Thai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 February 2019 |title=ปชป. เปิดตัวเพลงประจำพรรค ประชาธิปัตย์มาแล้ว 2562 |url=https://voicetv.co.th/read/2FEyjfKW2 |access-date=8 May 2023 |website=[[Voice TV]]| language=Thai |quote = พรรคประชาธิปัตย์ เปิดตัวเพลงประจำพรรคที่ดัดแปลงเพิ่มเติมจากเพลงเดิมคือ "ประชาธิปัตย์มาแล้ว" เป็นชื่อเพลงใหม่ ประชาธิปัตย์มาแล้ว 2562}}</ref>
| foundation       = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1946|4|6}}
| merger           = Democratic Party<br>[[Progressive Party (Thailand)|Progressive Party]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.silpa-mag.com/this-day-in-history/article_105573 |url-access= |title= ควง อภัยวงศ์ ให้กำเนิด "พรรคประชาธิปัตย์" 5 เม.ย. ก่อนเปลี่ยนเป็น 6 เม.ย. |last= เจียจันทร์พงษ์ |first= สุทธาสินี จิตรกรรมไทย |date= 4 April 2023 |website= Silpa-mag.com |publisher= Matichon |language= Thai |script-title= |trans-title= Khuang Aphaiwong founded the Democrat Party on 5 April, before changing the foundation date to 6 April.|access-date= 23 May 2023|quote= ขณะนั้นมีสมาชิกสภา ฯ หลายนายได้ประชุมกันจัดตั้งพรรคขึ้น มี ม.ร.ว. คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช นายเลียง ไชยกาล นายปริญญา จุฑามาศ นายสุวิช พันธเศรษฐ นายโชติ คุ้มพันธ์ นายชวลิต อภัยวงศ์ นายอินฑูร วรกุล นายบุญแท่ง ทองสวัสดิ์ และนายฟอง สิทธิธรรม เป็นผู้ริเริ่มตั้งพรรค โดย ม.ร.ว. คึกฤทธิ์ เอาพรรคก้าวหน้าของตนมารวมกับพรรคประชาธิปไตยของ ดร. โชติ คุ้มพันธ์ แล้วให้ชื่อว่า พรรคประชาธิปัตย์}}</ref>
| headquarters     = 67 Setsiri 2 Rd. Phaya Thai, [[Phaya Thai District|Phaya Thai]], [[Bangkok]]
| newspaper        = 
| youth_wing       = Young Democrat<ref>https://democrat.or.th/th/news-details/99 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://siamrath.co.th/n/86458|title=จับตา "ปชป."แยกตัวสถาปนาก๊กใหม่ ชิงความได้เปรียบทางการเมือง|date=24 June 2019}}</ref>
| womens_wing      = Democratic Women<ref>{{Cite journal |date=24 August 2023 |title=ประกาศนายทะเบียนพรรคการเมือง เรื่อง การเปลี่ยนแปลงข้อบังคับพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ |url=https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/140D064N0000000009200.pdf |journal=[[Royal Gazette (Thailand)|Royal Gazette]] |language=Thai |publisher=Secretariat of the Cabinet |volume=140 |issue=64 ง|page=106}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 2023 |title=กลุ่มสตรีประชาธิปัตย์ ลั่นจุดยืน 9 ข้อ..วันสตรีสากล |language=Thai |work=[[MCOT]] |agency=[[Thai News Agency]] |url=https://www.mcot.net/view/Jbz9RtOY |access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>
| membership_year  = 2023
| membership       = 81,426<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ect.go.th/web-upload/1xff0d34e409a13ef56eea54c52a291126/m_document/2034/24278/file_download/2075129d37fb42b5d19ad329ef02bc78.pdf|title=ข้อมูลพรรคการเมืองที่ยังดำเนินการอยู่ ณ วันที่ 30 มิถุนายน 2567|date=30 June 2024}}</ref>
| ideology         = {{ublist|class = nowrap
 | [[Conservative liberalism]]{{refn|<ref name="cons01"/><ref name="cons02"/><ref name="cons03"/>}}
 | [[Classical liberalism]]{{refn|<ref name="Pacific">{{Citation |first=Evan S. |last=Medeiros |title=Pacific Currents: The Responses of U.S. Allies and Security Partners in East Asia to China's Rise |publisher=RAND |year=2008 |page=130}}</ref><ref name="Connors">{{Citation |first=Michael K. |last=Connors |title=Article of Faith: The Failure of Royal Liberalism in Thailand |journal=Journal of Contemporary Asia |volume=38 |number=1 |date=February 2008 |page=157 |doi=10.1080/00472330701652000 |s2cid=144223931 |url=http://www.sameskybooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/j-of-contem-asia-2008-connors-michael-k-article-of-faith-the-failure-of-royal-liberalism-in-thailand.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723220116/http://www.sameskybooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/j-of-contem-asia-2008-connors-michael-k-article-of-faith-the-failure-of-royal-liberalism-in-thailand.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2008-07-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |first=Jason P. |last=Abbott |title=Developmentalism and Dependency in Southeast Asia: The case of the automotive industry |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |year=2003 |page=112}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=It has produced four prime ministers while advocating economic liberalism|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thai-election/Can-Thailand-s-Democrat-Party-survive-upcoming-election |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>}}
 | [[Constitutional monarchism]]{{refn|name=monarchist|<ref name="Hewison Oct 2020">{{cite journal |last1=Hewison |first1=Kevin |author1-link=Kevin Hewison |title=Look right: The conservative elites opposing Thailand's protesters |journal=Melbourne Asia Review |date=15 October 2020 |volume=2020 |issue=4 |publisher=Asia Institute |location=[[University of Melbourne]] |language=en-AU |doi=10.37839/MAR2652-550X4.10 |doi-access=free |issn=2652-550X |quote=Its chief motivator is long-time yellow shirt Warong Dechgitvigrom, who was previously associated with the royalist Democrat Party and the PDRC.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Democrat disarray: What's behind the dramatic decline of Thailand's oldest party? Some observers reckon Democrat reformists' hope of expanding its political base among the young generation is now dead, given the party's deeply conservative nature.|url=https://www.thaipbsworld.com/democrat-disarray-whats-behind-the-dramatic-decline-of-thailands-oldest-party/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=www.thaipbsworld.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Thailand's Democrat Party: Gone and Almost Forgotten? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/thailands-democrat-party-gone-and-almost-forgotten/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref>}}<br />[[Neoliberalism]]<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263232702_Neo-liberalism_and_Domestic_Capital_The_Political_Outcomes_of_the_Economic_Crisis_in_Thailand</ref><ref> https://fpa.org/neoliberalism-and-thailands-class-struggle/</ref>
}}
| position         = [[Centre-right politics|Centre-right]]{{refn|<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Hicken |editor1-first=Allen |editor2-last=Martinez Kuhonta |editor2-first=Erik |title=Party System Institutionalization in Asia: Democracies, Autocracies, and the Shadows of the Past |date=2015 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781107041578 |page=287 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GZmiBQAAQBAJ&q=democrat+party+thailand+%22centrist%22&pg=PA287 |access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Draper |first1=John |title=Reforming the Democrat Party |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/405434/reforming-the-democrat-party |newspaper=[[Bangkok Post]] |access-date=10 February 2020 |date=18 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sombatpoonsiri |first1=Janjira |title=Postprotest Pathways in Thailand: Between the Street and the Ballots |url=https://carnegieeurope.eu/2019/10/24/postprotest-pathways-in-thailand-between-street-and-ballots-pub-80149 |website=Carnegie Europe |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |access-date=10 February 2020 |date=24 October 2019}}</ref>{{refn|<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UCl7VE4VMIC&q=democrat+party+thai+right+wing&pg=PA225 |title = Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia|isbn = 9781135129453|last1 = Leifer|first1 = Michael|date = 13 May 2013| publisher=Routledge }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/opinion/30335859|title=Can Thailand rely on the Democrat Party for democracy?|date=9 January 2018|website=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]]|last1=Phakdeewanich|first1=Titipol|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020937/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30335859|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1577474/whats-next-for-the-democrat-party-|title=What's next for the Democrat Party?|date=17 November 2018|last1=Lohatepanont|first1=Ken|website=[[Bangkok Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O0R3uO1d9u4C&q=Democrat+Party+central+right+thai&pg=PA209 |title = Chronicle of Thailand: Headline News Since 1946|isbn = 9789814217125|last1 = Grossman|first1 = Nicholas|year = 2009| publisher=Editions Didier Millet }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://theaseanpost.com/article/major-players-thailands-election | title=Major players in Thailand's election | date=29 December 2016 }}</ref>}}}}
| national         = 
| international    = [[Liberal International]]
| affiliation1_title = Continental affiliation
| affiliation1     = [[Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats]]
| colours          = [[Light blue (color)|Light blue]]
| seats1_title     = [[House of Representatives of Thailand|House of Representatives]]
| seats1           = {{Infobox political party/seats|25|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| website          = {{URL|http://democrat.or.th/}}
| footnotes        = 
| seats2           = {{Infobox political party/seats|6|50|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| seats2_title     = [[Bangkok Metropolitan Council]]
| seats3           = {{Infobox political party/seats|7|76|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| seats3_title     = [[Organization of the government of Thailand|PAO Chief Executives]] (including party affiliates)
| flag             = 
}}
{{Politics of Thailand}}

The '''Democrat Party''' ({{langx|th|พรรคประชาธิปัตย์}}, {{RTGS|''Phak Prachathipat''}}, {{IPA|th|pʰák prà.t͡ɕʰāː.tʰí.pàt|pron}}) is a conservative-liberal [[List of political parties in Thailand|Thai political party]].<ref name="cons02">{{cite web |title=Democrat Party (DP) / Phak Prachathipat |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/thailand/political-party-dp.htm |access-date=16 May 2020 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |quote=Of the four ruling coalition parties in 1987, the Democrat Party was considered to be somewhat liberal, despite its beginning in 1946 as a conservative, monarchist party.}}</ref> The party is the oldest active political party in Thailand, it was founded in 1946 as a [[royalist]] party; it now upholds a [[Conservative liberalism|right-liberal]]<ref name="cons01">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/demise-democrat-party-thailand|title = Demise of the Democrat Party in Thailand}}</ref><ref name="cons03">{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/thaielection/2011/07/201171925890758.html |title=Thailand's main political parties |quote=Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's ruling Democrat Party was founded in 1946. It is conservative, pro-monarchy and establishment, backed by the military and most of the Bangkok-based elite. |date=3 July 2011|access-date=16 May 2020|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> and [[Market economy|pro-market]] position.<ref name="Pacific" /><ref name="Suchit">{{Citation |first=Suchit |last=Bunbongkarn |title=Thailand: Democracy Under Siege |work=Driven by Growth: Political Change in the Asia-Pacific Region |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |year=1999 |page=173 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X6afM-cAR2sC&q=democrat+party+liberalism&pg=PA173|isbn=9780765633446 }}</ref>

The Democrat Party made its best showings in parliament in 1948, 1976, and 1996. It has never won an outright parliamentary majority. The party's electoral support bases are southern Thailand and Bangkok, although the party's strength in Bangkok has declined rapidly since the [[2019 Thai general election|2019 general election]]. Since [[2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2004]], Democrat candidates won three elections for the governorship of [[Bangkok]]. From 2005 to 2019 and since 2025, the Democrat Party has been led by [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]], former [[Prime Minister of Thailand|prime minister]].

== Names ==
The Thai name of the party, ''Prachathipat'' (ประชาธิปัตย์), is derived from the word ''prachathipatai'' (ประชาธิปไตย) which means 'democracy', 'democratic' or 'democrat'. The party said it wanted the term to mean the people in whom democracy is vested.<ref>{{cite web | script-title = th:ประวัติพรรค | url = http://www.democrat.or.th/th/about/history/ | language = th | publisher = Democrat Party | date = n.d. | access-date = 2014-05-11 | archive-date = 15 January 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130115051510/http://www.democrat.or.th/th/about/history/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:TH Democrat Party logo.png|120px|thumb|right|Former logo of Democrat Party]]

===Party founding===
The Democrat Party was founded by [[Khuang Aphaiwong]] on 5 April 1946, but the party considers 6 April as the party's founding day, to coincide with [[Public holidays in Thailand|Chakri Memorial Day]], as a [[Conservatism|conservative]] and [[Thai monarchy|royalist]] party, following the January 1946 elections. Early members included royalists opposed to [[Pridi Phanomyong]] and former [[Seri Thai]] underground resistance members. The party competed against the parties affiliated with [[Pridi Phanomyong]] and the [[Progressive Party (Thailand)|Progressive Party]] of brothers [[Seni Pramoj|Seni]] and [[Kukrit Pramoj]]. In the January 1946 elections, the Pridi-led coalition had won a majority in parliament. However, Pridi declined the nomination as prime minister and the parliament appointed Khuang as premier. Khuang resigned in March 1946, after being defeated on a bill, and was replaced by Pridi. The smaller Progress Party later merged with the Democrat Party.

===Accusation against Pridi Phanomyong===
After the [[Ananda Mahidol#A mysterious death|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.<ref>Subhasvsti, "Noeng Sotwarot Subhasvasti", Bangkok: Family of M.C. Subhasvasti Wongsanit Svastivat, 1999, page 82</ref>  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.<ref>Sulak Sivaraksa, "Powers That Be: Pridi Bhanomyong Through the Rise and Fall of Thai Democracy", Bangkok:Runkaew, 1999, page 18-19</ref> A few days after the king's death, a Democrat MP yelled out, "Pridi killed the King!" in the middle of a crowded theater.<ref>Rayne Kruger, ''The Devil's Discus'', London: Cassell, 1964, page 103</ref>

===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 Council (Thailand)|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 Phibunsongkhram]] later overthrew the Thamrong government.

The palace persuaded Marshal Plaek to appoint Khuang Aphaiwong as figurehead civilian prime minister.<ref>Frank C. Darling, "American Influence on the Evolution of Constitutional Government in Thailand" Thesis, American University, 1960, page 185</ref> In subsequent elections on 29 January 1948, the Democrats won a 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 of Thailand|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 [[Siamese coup d'état of 1932|1932 overthrow of the absolute monarchy]].<ref name="Handley">Paul M. Handley, "[[The King Never Smiles]]" Yale University Press: 2006, {{ISBN|0-300-10682-3}}</ref> Among its features was a senate whose members 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 [[Siamese coup d'état of 1932|1932 revolution]]. Critics were branded republicans and communists.<ref>''The Bangkok Post'', 5 February 1949</ref>

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 29 November 1951, the military and the police seized power, just as King Bhumibol's ship 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 for their anti-military stance, denying them chances to serve the people.

===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 15 December 1957, resulting in the Democrats losing to military-backed parties. Sarit's ally, General [[Thanom Kittikachorn]], was appointed premier. Sarit later went to the US to seek treatment for [[liver cirrhosis]]. Eight months later, he recovered, returned and led another coup while dissolving parliament, abrogating the constitution, and ruling by revolutionary council. For the next nine years, there were no elections in Thailand, and the Democrat Party was 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 20 June 1968, and hold elections in February 1969. Parties affiliated with Thanom won the election, and the Democrats joined the opposition due to their anti-dictatorship stance. 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 17 November 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.

===Shift to an unstable civilian government===
Opposition to the three tyrants culminated on 14 October 1973, when 400,000 persons protested at the [[Democracy Monument (Bangkok)|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 7 October 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 [[1976 Thai general election|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". 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.<ref>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.</ref> As anti-leftist sentiments mounted, [[Praphas Charusathien]] returned shortly from exile and met the king. Students protesting Praphas' return were attacked by [[Red Gaur]] paramilitary units. On 19 September 1976, Thanom also 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 and visited 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.<ref>David Morell and Chai-Anan Samudavanija, "Political Conflict in Thailand: Reform, Reaction, Revolution", page 273</ref> The political tension finally culminated in the [[6 October 1976 massacre]], when [[Village Scouts]] and Red Gaur joined with some military and police to massacre at least 46 students protesting at [[Thammasat University]].<ref>46 was the official death count, see Bryce Beemer, [http://www2.hawaii.edu/~seassa/explorations/v1n1/art6/v1n1-frame6.html "Forgetting and Remembering "Hok Tulaa", the October 6 Massacre"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902231729/http://www2.hawaii.edu/~seassa/explorations/v1n1/art6/v1n1-frame6.html |date=2006-09-02 }}. Students were lynched and their bodies mutilated in front of cheering crowds.</ref> That evening, the military seized power and installed hard-line royalist Tanin Kraivixien as premier.

The military coup to restore order was endorsed by the king, who declared it was "a manifestation of what the people clearly wanted."<ref>Andrew Turon, Jonathan Fast, and Malcolm Caldwell, eds. "Thailand: Roots of Conflict", Spokesman: 1978, page 91</ref> 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 Democrat Party in the 1990s===
The Democrat Party, being led by [[Bhichai Rattakul]], became an outspoken opponent of [[Military of Thailand|military]] rule in [[Politics of Thailand|Thai politics]] during the 1990s. The Democrat Party was the key member of the "People Power" movement in [[Black May (1992)|1992]].

====Chuan Leekpai====
[[File:CroissantJune05-figure2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Election results in the south, 1975–2005]]
[[File:Prime Minister Chuan Likphai hosts a dinner welcoming Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Chuan Leekpai]] hosts a dinner welcoming Secretary of Defense [[William S. Cohen]]]]
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 [[Aristocracy (class)|aristocratic]], [[meritocratic]], and educated [[middle class|middle]] and [[upper class]]es. In the 1990s, under the leadership of [[Chuan Leekpai]], a native of [[Trang Province]], 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. Chuan's "Mr. Clean" image, however, made him personally popular with Democrat Party supporters throughout Thailand, and so the party managed to stay cohesive under his leadership. The first Chuan government (1992–1995) fell when members of the cabinet were implicated in profiting from the Sor Phor Kor 4-01 land project documents distributed in Phuket Province.<ref>[http://www.essex.ac.uk/ecpr/events/jointsessions/paperarchive/mannheim/w3/mccargo.pdf ''Media and democratic transitions in Southeast Asia''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929135755/http://www.essex.ac.uk/ecpr/events/jointsessions/paperarchive/mannheim/w3/mccargo.pdf |date=29 September 2007 }} by Duncan McCargo</ref> Chuan was again premier from 1997 to 2001, in the midst of the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] and its aftermath. The party lost a landslide election victory to [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]'s [[populism|populist]] [[Thai Rak Thai]] (TRT) party, winning 128 seats compared to the TRT's 248 in the [[2001 Thai general election|2001 general election]].

After the election in 2001, Thaksin Shinawatra the leader of Thai Rak Thai Party, became prime minister. New Aspiration Party has joined the government. Shortly thereafter. The [[New Aspiration Party]] was merged with the [[Thai Rak Thai Party]]. Mostly to join Thai Rak Thai party (the governing party) with Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh except Lieutenant Colonel Thita Rangsitpol Manitkul, WRTA Member of the Parliament and Deputy Secretary of the party. Offset to the Democrat Party (Thailand) (Opposition Party) remains the only MPs moving from the opposition party government. During her tenure as a member of the House of Representatives.<ref>https://thailandtwilight.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%89-%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3-%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8D%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99-45/ {{User-generated source|date=August 2022}}</ref>

===The Democrat Party in the 2000s===

====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. [[File:201 votes.png|thumb|300px|Democrat Party 2005 election poster highlighting the "201" campaign]]

Democrat Party's candidate [[Apirak Kosayothin]] won the [[2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election]]; the TRT Party did not submit a candidate. The Democrat Party lost further ground to Thai Rak Thai in the [[2005 Thailand legislative election|2005 general election]]. In the election campaign, the Democrats had a populist platform, promoting job creation, universal education and health care, and law and order against crime and corruption.<ref name="QuoVadis">Aurel Croissant and Daniel J. Pojar, Jr., [http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2005/Jun/croissantJun05.asp Quo Vadis Thailand? Thai Politics after the 2005 Parliamentary Election] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419131607/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2005/Jun/croissantJun05.asp |date=19 April 2009 }}, Strategic Insights, Volume IV, Issue 6 (June 2005)</ref> The party aimed to gain 201 seats, enough to launch a vote of a no confidence debate against the premier. They won 96 of 500 seats and 18.3 percent of the popular vote. The party's leader, [[Banyat Bantadtan]], resigned after the election.

On 6 March 2005, Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected 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 [[populism|populist]] [[Thai Rak Thai]] Party in Thai politics from 2001 to 2006 presented new challenges to the Democrat Party. The TRT championed [[populism|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 constituencies, unprecedented in Thailand's history.

Opposition to the TRT government rose in Bangkok after Thaksin's family announced their tax-free sale of their 49.6 percent stake in Shin Corp to Temasek for almost 73.3 billion baht on 23 January 2006. The [[People's Alliance for Democracy]] began a series of anti-government protests. Several Democrat Party leaders also joined the PAD,<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/29/politics/politics_30087104.php Conflicts of interest abound in dubious Democrat-PAD roles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129115012/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/29/politics/politics_30087104.php |date=29 January 2013 }}, 29 October 2008</ref> which accused Thaksin of disloyalty to the throne and asked King Bhumibol to appoint a replacement prime minister. Thaksin Shinawatra dissolved the [[House of Representatives of Thailand|House of Representatives]] on 24 February 2006 and called for an election. On [[2005-2006 Thai political crisis|24 March 2006]], Abhisit Vejjajiva publicly backed the [[People's Alliance for Democracy]]'s call for a royally-appointed government. Bhumibol, in a speech on 26 April 2006, responded, "Asking for a royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational".<ref name="invalidate">{{cite web |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/27/headlines/headlines_30002592.php |title=HM the King's 26 April speeches |work=The Nation |access-date=5 July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708001830/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/27/headlines/headlines_30002592.php |archive-date=8 July 2006 }}</ref>

Abhisit and his opposition parties allies boycotted the [[April 2006 Thai general election|April 2006 elections]], claiming it "diverted public attention" from Thaksin's corruption charges and his sale of [[Shin Corp]].<ref>''Straits Times'', [http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_314681.html?vgnmr=1 In for 'roughest ride'], 15 December 2008</ref>  The boycott caused a constitutional crisis, prompting Thaksin to call another round of elections in October 2006, which the Democrats did not boycott. The army seized power on 19 September and cancelled the upcoming election.

====2006 coup and military government====
Abhisit voiced displeasure at the [[2006 Thai coup|2006 coup]] that overthrew Thaksin, but otherwise did not protest it or the [[CDRM|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 [[April 2006 Thai legislative election|April 2006 parliamentary election]], which forced a [[constitutional crisis]], and voted to dissolve the party. It also found that Thaksin's [[Thai Rak Thai]] party bribed other parties to contest the election. A junta tribunal acquitted Abhisit and the Democrats of the vote fraud charges, but convicted and banned the Thai Rak Thai party and its entire executive team.

Abhisit supported the junta's [[2007 Constitution of Thailand|2007 Constitution]], calling it an improvement on the [[1997 constitution of Thailand|1997 constitution]].<ref name="Draft gets Democrats' vote">''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/09/politics/politics_30039961.php Draft gets Democrats' vote] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813175732/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/09/politics/politics_30039961.php |date=2007-08-13 }}, 9 July 2007</ref> The military junta organized general elections for 23 December 2007.

Despite being banned from politics for five years, [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] was popular in his former support bases in the central, north, and northeastern regions and attempted to maintain an active role in Thai politics by supporting the [[People's Power Party (Thailand)|People's Power Party]], which had become the successor party of the banned TRT. Abhisit promoted populist policies in his party's campaign as the Democrat Party's platform in the [[2007 Thai general election|2007 parliamentary election]]. 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-based [[microcredit]] development funds used in the Thaksin-led government, but do it as part of promoting royalist [[Localism in Thailand|sufficiency economy]] policies in rural areas, and to strengthen the country's long-term competitiveness through universal education through high school.

In the junta-administered [[2007 Thai general election|2007 parliamentary election]], the People's Power Party won the largest share of the vote and formed a six-party coalition government. The Democrats' populist platform was poorly received in the central, north, and northeastern regions. The Democrat Party became the opposition party as it was the second-largest party in the House of Representatives.

====People's Alliance for Democracy and the 2008 political crisis====
The People's Alliance for Democracy resurfaced to destabilize the People's Power government, after having gone dormant following the 2006 coup. Several Democrat Party leaders allied themselves with PAD in the subsequent [[2008–2010 Thai political crisis]]. PAD organized extended street protests and later led a months-long seizure of Government House, the seat of Thai government. In November 2008, PAD supporters seized and occupied [[Don Muang Airport]] and [[Suvarnabhumi International Airport|Suvarnabhumi Airport]].

PAD declared that the only person they would accept as premier was Abhisit of the Democrat Party.<ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=atER1PI0B4s4&refer=asia Oxford Graduate Abhisit Elected in Thai Power Shift], 19 December 2008</ref> Abhisit disapproved of the sieges, but did not stop his deputies from their PAD involvement.<ref>The Economist, [http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12818184 New face, old anger], 18 December 2008</ref>

====2008–2011 coalition government====
[[File:นายกรัฐมนตรี ประชุมคณะกรรมการบริหารพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ แล - Flickr - Abhisit Vejjajiva (2).jpg|thumb|[[Abhisit Vejjajiva]] and [[Suthep Thaugsuban]] in Party Executive Committee Meeting in 2011]]
[[File:Democrat Party rally in Chonburi 1.jpg|thumb|Democrat Party rally in [[Chonburi]], 2012]]
[[File:นายกรัฐมนตรี อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ คุณชวน หลีกภัย และคุณ - Flickr - Abhisit Vejjajiva.jpg|thumb|Three leaders of the Democrat Party from 1991 to 2019 (From left to right: [[Banyat Bantadtan]], [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]] and [[Chuan Leekpai]])]]
The sieges ended when the constitutional court banned the People's Power Party and two of its coalition allies. During the critical period that followed the rulings, it is alleged that army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General [[Anupong Paochinda]], coerced former PPP MPs, mainly those of the [[Friends of Newin Group]], to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition, which secured enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elected prime minister. These MPs, along with MPs of four other former PPP-coalition parties, crossed the aisle to endorse a Democrat-led coalition government. In a December 2008 parliamentary session, the [[Cabinet of Thailand|Democrat-led coalition government]] was voted upon, with 235 to 198 votes in favor of Democrat Party leader and candidate for PM Abhisit Vejjajiva.<ref name="manager.co.th">''The Nation'', [http://manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9520000049093 “สนธิ” เปิดใจครั้งแรก เบื้องลึกปมลอบยิง โยงทหารฮั้วการเมืองเก่า] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701214011/http://manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9520000049093 |date=1 July 2017 }}, 1 May 2009</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk">''The Telegraph'', [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/3831672/Thai-army-to-help-voters-love-the-government.html Thai army to 'help voters love' the government], 18 December 2008</ref>

During [[Songkran (Thailand)|Songkran]] (Thai New Year), [[National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship|anti-government UDD protesters]] disrupted the [[Fourth East Asia Summit]].<ref>''Korea Times'' [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/04/137_43354.html Class War in Thailand], 17 April 2009</ref> Violent protests then erupted in Bangkok, leading Abhisit to declare a [[state of emergency]] for three days, censoring the media, and using military force to end the protests.

Soon afterward, [[People's Alliance for Democracy|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. Abhisit's foreign minister counter-claimed that Thaksin was behind it.<ref name="blog.nationmultimedia.com">''The Nation'', [http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/print.php?id=8872 Sondhi's son alleges "Gestapo" behind his father's assassination attempt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422030134/http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/print.php?id=8872 |date=2009-04-22 }}</ref><ref>Spiegle, [http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,619943,00.html 'I'm Like a Rat'], 20 April 2009</ref><ref>''Taiwan News'', [http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=926672&lang=eng_news Thai diplomat accuses ousted leader in shootings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426035816/http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=926672&lang=eng_news |date=26 April 2009 }}, 22 April 2009</ref>

==== 2011 general election ====
Abhisit dissolved parliament in early-2011 and scheduled general elections for 3 July 2011. Abhisit unveiled a slate of candidates highlighted by 30 celebrities and heirs of political families, including [[Chitpas Bhirombhakdi]], heiress of the [[Singha Beer]] fortune and former staff member of Abhisit's secretariat office.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Democrat-to-unveil-30-celebrities-as-electoral-can-30155162.html Democrat to unveil 30 celebrities as electoral candidates] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806103334/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Democrat-to-unveil-30-celebrities-as-electoral-can-30155162.html |date=2011-08-06 }}, 11 May 2011</ref> Abhisit promised to increase the [[minimum wage]] by 25 percent if the Democrat Party won the election.<ref>SMH, [https://www.smh.com.au/world/cloned-sister-of-former-leader-polls-strongly-in-thailand-20110613-1g0b6.html 'Cloned' sister of former leader polls strongly in Thailand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616131750/http://www.smh.com.au/world/cloned-sister-of-former-leader-polls-strongly-in-thailand-20110613-1g0b6.html |date=16 June 2011 }}, 14 June 2011</ref>

At the [[2011 Thai general election|general election on 3 July 2011]], the Democrats were only able to defend 159 seats in the House of Representatives, while rivaling [[Pheu Thai Party]] led by [[Yingluck Shinawatra]] won an outright majority. The next day, Abhisit stepped down as the party leader.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/245444/abhisit-steps-down-as-democrat-leader |title=Abhisit steps down as Democrat leader |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=4 July 2011 |newspaper=[[Bangkok Post]] |first=Manop |last=Thip-Osod}}</ref> However, on 6 August, he was re-elected as the leader of the Democrat Party with the support of 96 percent of those eligible to vote at the party's assembly—some 330 people including local branch leaders and MPs.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/08/06/national/Abhisit-re-elected-as-Democrat-leader-30162133.html Abhisit re-elected as Democrat leader] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203003813/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/08/06/national/Abhisit-re-elected-as-Democrat-leader-30162133.html |date=3 February 2016 }}, 6 August 2011</ref>

==== 2019 general election ====
In 2018, the Democrats held a contest for party leader in preparation for the [[2019 Thai general election|upcoming election]]. Abhisit was re-elected party leader, beating former [[People's Democratic Reform Committee|PDRC]] leader, Warong Dechgitvigrom, by approximately 10,000 votes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/11/10/abhisit-wins-democrat-party-leadership/|title=Abhisit Wins Democrat Party Leadership|date=2018-11-10|work=Khaosod English|access-date=2018-11-30|language=en-US}}</ref>

Abhisit said that the Democrats would not form a government with [[Phalang Pracharat Party|Phalang Pracharat]], the most prominent pro-junta party. Additionally, he said the Democrats would not support [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]] for Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/politics/30359901|title=Democrats join other parties in shunning NCPO meeting|website=The Nation|date=5 December 2018|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06}}</ref> These statements was met with skepticism from both the junta and the media.

In April, Prayut responded by saying that he expected the Democrats to change their stance and work with the junta after the election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/04/03/prayuth-blasts-abhisits-refusal-to-support-him-as-pm/|title=Prayuth Blasts Abhisit's Refusal to Support Him as PM|last1=Charuvastra|first1=Teeranai|last2=Reporter|first2=Staff|date=2018-04-03|website=Khaosod English|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-06}}</ref> Additionally, many commentators predicted Democrats would form a government coalition with Phalang Pracharat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/politics/30356423|title=Does it matter who leads the Democrat Party?|website=The Nation|date=14 October 2018|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=6 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206053252/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30356423|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2019 election proved to be a major upset to the party, which came in fourth place and won no seats in its traditional stronghold of Bangkok, leading to Abhisit resigning as party leader, having stated previously that he would do so if the party won fewer than 100 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/politics/30366486|title=Dismal electoral showing forces Abhisit to step down|date=25 March 2019|website=The Nation|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327220607/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30366486|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jurin Laksanawisit]] was elected to succeed him on 15 May.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1678276/jurin-wins-democrat-leadership-contest-in-landslide|title=Jurin wins Democrat leadership contest in landslide|date=15 May 2019|website=[[Bangkok Post]]|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> The Democrats then formed a pact with the [[Bhumjaithai Party]], intending to use their combined 103 MPs as leverage for negotiations with other parties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1679020/dems-bhumjaithai-form-pact|title=Dems, Bhumjaithai form pact|last1=Chetchotiros|first1=Nattaya|date=17 May 2019|work=[[Bangkok Post]]|access-date=26 May 2019|last2=Sattaburuth|first2=Aekarach}}</ref> At the first meeting of the new parliament, Democrat ex-prime minister Chuan was nominated speaker of the House of Representatives by PPRP deputy leader Nataphol Teepsuwan and was elected to that office. This move was seen by commentators as a signal that a deal had been reached and a coalition with the Phalang Pracharat party was imminent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1683820/pprp-coalition-imminent|title=PPRP coalition 'imminent'|last1=Bangprapa|first1=Mongkol|date=26 May 2019|work=[[Bangkok Post]]|access-date=26 May 2019|last2=Yonpiam|first2=Chairith|last3=Sattaburuth|first3=Aekarach}}</ref> The coalition was finally made official on 4 June, one day before the National Assembly was scheduled to vote for the prime minister, following a vote by party MPs and executives.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1689252|title=Democrats vote to join Palang Pracharath|date=4 June 2019|work=[[Bangkok Post]]|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> Following this, Abhisit resigned as MP, stating that he could not break his previous stance on not supporting Phalang Pracharat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1689752/abhisit-resigns-as-mp-after-democrats-back-prayut-as-pm|title=Abhisit resigns as MP after Democrats back Prayut as PM|date=5 June 2019|work=[[Bangkok Post]]|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

====2022 sexual scandal====
Prinn Panitchpakdi, deputy leader of the Democrat Party was accused of many sexual misconduct cases, including rape.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tanakasempipat |first1=Patpicha |last2=Thepgumpanat |first2=Panarat |title=Thai party apologises as sexual misconduct cases mount against executive |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-party-apologises-sexual-misconduct-cases-mount-against-executive-2022-04-19/ |work=Reuters |date=19 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Senior executives such as Kanok Wongtra-ngan and Mallika Boonmeetrakul Mahasuk left the party for a moral responsibility.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two Democrat execs resign, party reels under Prinn sex scandal |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2300086/two-democrat-execs-resign-party-reels-under-prinn-sex-scandal |work=Bangkok Post|date=25 April 2022 }}</ref>

==== 2023 general election ====
The [[2023 Thai general election|2023 election]] proved another setback to the party, which slipped further down to sixth place with only 25 MPs,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pongsudhirak |first=Thitinan |title=Thailand's traditional elite should seek compromise while it can |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Thailand-s-traditional-elite-should-seek-compromise-while-it-can |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref> prompting the resignation of party leader Jurin.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-05-15 |title=Jurin resigns as Democrat Party leader |language=en |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2570854/jurin-resigns-as-democrat-party-leader |access-date=2023-06-26}}</ref> The Democrats once again won no seats in its traditional stronghold of Bangkok and received only 2.68% of the party-list vote in the capital. This is likely due to conservatives voting for the military-backed [[United Thai Nation Party|United Thai Nation]] while the educated middle class (once the Democrats’ core voter base) moved to the progressive [[Move Forward Party]]. Furthermore, the party lost ground in the historically Democrat southern provinces to other conservative parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can Thailand's Democrat Party survive upcoming election? |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thai-election/Can-Thailand-s-Democrat-Party-survive-upcoming-election |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Democrat disarray: What's behind the dramatic decline of Thailand's oldest party? |url=https://www.thaipbsworld.com/democrat-disarray-whats-behind-the-dramatic-decline-of-thailands-oldest-party/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=www.thaipbsworld.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 2nd prime ministership election, 16 out of 25 Democrat MPs voted for the Pheu Thai candidate [[Srettha Thavisin]] despite agreeing to abstain. This caused a divide between the “New Democrat” MPs (who are more open to working with Pheu Thai) and the “Old Guard” MPs (who still view Pheu Thai as their historical rival.)

On 9 December 2023, a meeting was held to choose the party's new leader with four candidates running for leadership — former prime minister [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]], the party's acting leader [[Chalermchai Sri-on]], former Democrat MP Lt-Colonel Thita Rangsitpol Manitkul <ref>{{cite web | url=https://mgronline.com/politics/detail/9660000061306 | title="ชวน" แนะลูกพรรคคำนึงถึงอุดมการณ์ สุจริตตั้งแต่รุ่นก่อตั้ง ชี้ สัญญาณอันตราย หาก ปชป.ร่วมตั้งรัฐบาลกับพรรคเชิดชูคนโกง บอกต้องเจียมตัวได้แค่ 25 เสียง | date=6 July 2023 }}</ref> former MP and businesswoman [[Watanya Bunnag|Watanya “Madame Dear” Bunnag]]. Before the actual leadership vote was held, Watanya was forced out of the race due to not meeting the requirements which led to her immediately leaving the meeting in tears. After a brief chat between Abhisit and Chalermchai, Abhisit announced his decision to withdraw his candidacy and leave the party altogether. The meeting resulted in Chalermchai Sri-on being elected as the Democrat Party's new leader.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abhisit quits Democrat party |url=https://www.thaipbsworld.com/abhisit-quits-democrat-party/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.thaipbsworld.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Watanya's dreams of leading Democrat Party dashed |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40033652 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=nationthailand |language=en}}</ref>

Chalermchai Sri-on resigned as leader of the Democrat Party on 12 September 2025, citing health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|work=Bangkok Post|title=Chalermchai resigns as Democrat Party leader|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/3103590/chalermchai-resigns-as-democrat-party-leader|date=2025-09-12|accessdate=2025-09-13}}</ref> On 18 October, [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]], former party leader and the 27th [[Prime Minister of Thailand]] was elected a day after he rejoined the party.

==Democrat Prime Ministers==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! [[Name]]
! [[Portrait]]
! Periods in Office
! Participated Election
|-
| [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
| [[File:ควง อภัยวงศ์ อสช (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| 1 August 1944 – 31 August 1945<br />31 January 1946 – 24 March 1946<br />10 November 1947 – 8 April 1948
| 1946; 1947–1948
|-
| [[Seni Pramoj]]
| [[file:Seni Pramot 1961 cropped.jpg|100px]]
| 17 September 1945 – 31 January 1946<br />15 February 1975 – 13 March 1975<br />20 April 1976 – 6 October 1976
| 1975; 1976 
|-
| [[Chuan Leekpai]]
| [[File:Chuan Leekpai 2010-04-01.jpg|100px]]
| 20 September 1992 – 19 May 1995<br />9 November 1997 – 9 February 2001
| [[September 1992 Thai general election|1992]], [[1995 Thai general election|1995]], [[1996 Thai general election|1996]], [[1997 Asian financial crisis|1997]], [[2001 Thai general election|2001]]
|-
| [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
| [[File:Abhisit Vejjajiva 2009 official.jpg|100px]]
| 17 December 2008 – 5 August 2011{{efn|Although the Democrats lost the election, Abhisit was selected as prime minister after the elected People's Power Party was banned by the Constitutional Court.}}
| [[2007 Thai general election|2007]], [[2008–2010 Thai political crisis|2008]], [[2011 Thai general election|2011]], [[2019 Thai general election|2019]]
|}

==Election results==
===General elections===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Election
! Total seats won
! Total votes
! Share of votes
! Seat change
! Outcome of election
! Election leader
|-
![[1946 Siamese general election#Aftermath|1946 (Aug)]]
|{{Composition bar|18|82|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
|[[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[1948 Siamese general election|1948]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Composition bar|54|186|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |{{increase}}36 seats
 |{{yes2|'''Governing party''' (until 1948)}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Khuang Aphaiwong]]<ref>นายควง อภัยวงศ์ ให้สัมภาษณ์ผู้แทนหนังสือพิมพ์สยามนิกร ฉบับวันที่ 7 กุมภาพันธ์ 2491</ref>
|-
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (after 1948)}}
|-
![[1952 Thai general election|1952]]
| {{Composition bar|0|246|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 
| 
|{{decrease}}54 seats
| align=center | '''Boycotted'''
| [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
|-
![[February 1957 Thai general election|1957 (Feb)]]
| {{Composition bar|31|283|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 
| 
| {{increase}}31 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
|-
![[December 1957 Thai general election|1957 (Dec)]]
| {{Composition bar|39|281|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 
| 
| {{increase}}9 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
|-
![[1969 Thai general election|1969]]
| {{Composition bar|57|219|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 
| 
| {{increase}}18 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Seni Pramoj]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[1975 Thai general election|1975]]
| rowspan="2" | {{Composition bar|72|269|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" | 3,176,398
| rowspan="2" | 17.2%
| rowspan="2" | {{increase}}15 seats
| {{yes2|'''Governing coalition''' (until 1975)}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Seni Pramoj]]
|-
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (after 1975)}}
|-
![[1976 Thai general election|1976]]
| {{Composition bar|114|279|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 4,745,990
| 25.3%
| {{increase}}43 seats
| {{yes2|'''Governing coalition'''}}
| [[Seni Pramoj]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[1979 Thai general election|1979]]
| rowspan="2" | {{Composition bar|33|301|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" | 2,865,248
| rowspan="2" | 14.6%
| rowspan="2" | {{decrease}}81 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (until 1980)}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Seni Pramoj]]
|-
| {{yes2|'''Junior partner in governing coalition''' (after 1980)}}
|-
![[1983 Thai general election|1983]]
| {{Composition bar|56|324|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 4,144,414
| 15.6%
| {{increase}}23 seats
| {{yes2|'''Junior partner in governing coalition'''}}
| [[Bhichai Rattakul]]
|-
![[1986 Thai general election|1986]]
| {{Composition bar|100|347|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 8,477,701
| 22.5%
| {{increase}}44 seats
| {{yes2|'''Junior partner in governing coalition'''}}
| [[Bhichai Rattakul]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[1988 Thai general election|1988]]
| rowspan="2" | {{Composition bar|48|357|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" | 4,456,077
| rowspan="2" | 19.3%
| rowspan="2" | {{decrease}}52 seats
| {{yes2|'''Junior partner in governing coalition''' (until 1990)}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Bhichai Rattakul]]
|-
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (after 1990)}}
|-
![[March 1992 Thai general election|1992 (Mar)]]
| {{Composition bar|44|360|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 4,705,376
| 10.6%
| {{decrease}}4 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Chuan Leekpai]]
|-
![[September 1992 Thai general election|1992 (Sep)]]
| {{Composition bar|79|360|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 9,703,672
| 21.0%
| {{increase}}35 seats
| {{yes2|'''Governing coalition'''}}
| [[Chuan Leekpai]]
|-
![[1995 Thai general election|1995]]
| {{Composition bar|86|391|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 12,325,423
| 22.3%
| {{increase}}7 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Chuan Leekpai]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[1996 Thai general election|1996]]
| rowspan="2" | {{Composition bar|123|393|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" | 18,087,006
| rowspan="2" | 31.8%
| rowspan="2" | {{increase}}37 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (until 1997)}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Chuan Leekpai]]
|-
| {{yes2|'''Governing coalition''' (after 1997)}}
|-
![[2001 Thai general election|2001]]
| {{Composition bar|128|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 7,610,789
| 26.6%
| {{increase}}5 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Chuan Leekpai]]
|-
![[2005 Thai general election|2005]]
| {{Composition bar|96|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 4,018,286
| 16.1%
| {{decrease}}32 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Banyat Bantadtan]]
|-
![[2006 Thai general election|2006]]
| {{Composition bar|0|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 0
| 0%
|
| align=center |'''Boycotted – nullified'''
| [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[2007 Thai general election|2007]]
| rowspan="2" | {{Composition bar|165|480|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" | 14,084,265
| rowspan="2" | 39.63%
| rowspan="2" | {{increase}}69 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (until 2008)}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
|-
| {{yes2|'''Governing coalition''' (after 2008)}}
|-
![[2011 Thai general election|2011]]
| {{Composition bar|159|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 11,433,762
| 35.15%
| {{decrease}}14 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition'''}}
| [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
|-
![[2014 Thai general election|2014]]
| {{Composition bar|0|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| Invalidated
| Invalidated
|
| align=center |'''Boycotted – nullified'''
| [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
|-
![[2019 Thai general election|2019]]
|{{Composition bar|53|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| 3,947,726
| 11.11%
| {{decrease}}106 seats
| {{yes2|'''Junior partner in governing coalition'''}}
|[[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[2023 Thai general election|2023]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Composition bar|25|500|hex={{party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
| rowspan="2" | 925,349
| rowspan="2" | 2.29%
| rowspan="2" | {{decrease}}28 seats
| {{no2|'''Opposition''' (until 2024)}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Jurin Laksanawisit]]
|-
| {{yes2|'''Junior partner in governing coalition''' (after 2024)}}
|}

=== Bangkok Metropolitan Administration elections ===

==== Bangkok gubernatorial elections ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Election
!Candidate
!Total votes
!Share of votes
!Outcome
|-
!1975
|'''[[Thammanoon Thien-ngern]]'''
|99,247
|39.13%
|'''Elected''' {{Y}}
|-
!1985
|Chana Rungsang
|241,001
|25.35%
|'''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
!1990
|Pravit Ruchirawong
|60,947
|5.50%
|'''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
!1992
|[[Bhichit Rattakul]]
|305,740
|40.39%
| '''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
!1996
|Supported '''[[Bhichit Rattakul]]'''
|768,994
|49.47%
| '''Elected''' {{Y}}
|-
![[2000 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2000]]
|[[Wanasthana Sajakul|Thawatchai Sajakul]]
|247,650
|11.17%
| '''Lost''' {{N}}
|-
![[2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2004]]
|'''[[Apirak Kosayodhin]]'''
|911,441
|38.20%
| '''Elected''' {{Y}}
|-
![[2008 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2008]]
|'''[[Apirak Kosayodhin]]'''
|991,018
|45.93%
| '''Elected''' {{Y}}
|-
![[2009 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2009]]
|'''[[Sukhumbhand Paribatra]]'''
|934,602
|44.41%
|'''Elected''' {{Y}}
|-
![[2013 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2013]]
|'''[[Sukhumbhand Paribatra]]'''
|1,256,349
|47.75%
| '''Elected''' {{Y}}
|-
![[2022 Bangkok gubernatorial election|2022]]
|[[Suchatvee Suwansawat]]
|254,723
|9.60%
| '''Lost''' {{N}}
|}

==== Bangkok Metropolitan Council elections ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Election
!Total seats won
!Total votes
!Share of votes
!Seat change
|-
!1985
|{{Composition bar|35|54|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{increase}}35 seats
|-
!1990
|{{Composition bar|1|57|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{decrease}}34 seats
|-
!1994
|{{Composition bar|8|55|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{increase}}7 seats
|-
!1998
|{{Composition bar|22|60|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{increase}}14 seats
|-
!2002
|{{Composition bar|30|61|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{increase}}8 seats
|-
![[2006 Bangkok local elections|2006]]
|{{Composition bar|34|57|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{increase}}4 seats
|-
!2010
|{{Composition bar|45|61|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
|{{increase}}10 seats
|-
![[2022 Bangkok Metropolitan Council election|2022]]
|{{Composition bar|9|50|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|348,852
|15.06%
|{{decrease}}36 seats
|}

==== District Council elections ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Election
!Total seats won
!Total votes
!Share of votes
!Seat change
|-
!2010
|{{Composition bar|289|361|{{Party color|Democrat Party (Thailand)}}}}
|
|
| {{increase}}289 seats
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]
* [[Seni Pramoj]]
* [[Kukrit Pramoj]]
*[[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
* [[List of political parties in Thailand]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikinews|Thai ruling party ordered dissolved; opposition party survives}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Thai political parties}}

[[Category:Full member parties of the Liberal International|Thailand]]
[[Category:Political parties in Thailand]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1946]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in Thailand]]
[[Category:Centrist parties in Asia]]
[[Category:Centre-right parties in Asia]]
[[Category:Conservative liberal parties]]
[[Category:Classical liberal parties]]
[[Category:Conservative parties in Thailand]]
[[Category:Monarchist parties in Thailand]]