Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and a prime ministerial candidate, acknowledged the intense final stages of election campaigning marked by widespread fraud and the rampant use of illicit funds. He called on the Election Commission to expedite the investigation into corruption in Surat Thani province to deter future electoral malpractice.
According to Thai News Agency, Abhisit commented on public sentiment in the southern region, expressing confidence in unchanged opinion polls while recognizing the influence of other factors. He appealed to southern voters, emphasizing the Democrat Party's commitment to building a strong and honest political system to serve the people in parliament. The party recently released a video addressing the fight against illicit funds, highlighting the dangers of a political system corrupted by such practices.
Abhisit stated that the public is increasingly aware of the corruption and loss caused by illicit political funding and its impact on the country's progress. He assured that the Democrat Party is prepared to combat these issues, pledging to enhance legal authority and utilize technology to detect illegal activities if elected.
In Surat Thani province, police investigations into vote buying may involve a major political party. While most information is based on hearsay, Abhisit noted that the Election Commission of Thailand had received a tip-off and launched an investigation. He expressed hope for a serious and transparent investigation, emphasizing the importance of swift results to deter future violations.
Abhisit acknowledged the prevalence of vote buying, describing it as rampant and potentially contributing to one of the most expensive elections ever. He noted signs of such activities even before the dissolution of parliament, including discussions about MPs switching parties.
When asked about claims of vote buying amounts, Abhisit humorously deflected, suggesting inquiries be directed to the villagers.
In discussions with the private sector in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, following major floods in 2025, Abhisit acknowledged significant difficulties faced by local businesses. He criticized the stalled assistance efforts post-parliament dissolution and emphasized the need for urgent budget allocations for recovery, relief, and economic stimulus, including tourism and trade enhancements. He also highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and flood prevention, alongside upgrading disaster relief agencies and improving warning and evacuation systems to prevent future occurrences.