On 3 January at 16:00, senior leaders of the Democrat Party conducted a high-profile campaign tour of eastern Bangkok, visiting Al-Yusra Mosque in Saphan Sung and later Khuem Klao market in Lat Krabang to rally support for local parliamentary candidates.
Deputy leader Ms. การดี เลียวไพโรจน์ (Kardee Liewpairoj) and Bangkok area deputy head Mr. สกลธี ภัททิยกุล (Sakolthee Phatthiyakul) joined the party’s candidate for Constituency 19, Ms. กานต์ วนาดรวรวิศาล, to meet residents in a cordial atmosphere. Vendors and residents greeted the delegation warmly, with several pledging support and praising the party’s return to active campaigning in the community.
Bangkok election campaign draws strong local support
Mr Sakolthee described the reception as encouraging, saying many locals identified as Democrat Party members while others promised to return their support to the party at this election. Supporters repeatedly used the phrase “Bangkok must recover”, a sentiment the party linked to its campaign slogan “New Blue, Not Grey” which it presented as a contrast to recent administrations.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Sakolthee emphasised the party’s focus on practical municipal policies rather than headline-grabbing promises. He highlighted plans aimed at tackling poverty through targeted improvements in waste management, traffic congestion and air quality—issues he said are central to improving daily life in the capital.
The deputy leader also addressed concerns about vote splitting with other parties that draw from a similar voter base, notably Bhumjaithai and newer populist groups. Mr Sakolthee said the electorate will decide and that the Democrat Party expects voters to weigh party platforms and practical experience. He expressed confidence that the party’s policy set, framed as realistic and financially sustainable, would appeal to Bangkok voters in the run-up to election day.
On the question of electoral integrity, Mr Sakolthee responded strongly to recent allegations circulating within political circles. He warned that allowing vote-buying and transactional politics to persist would perpetuate a harmful cycle in which public office is secured through money rather than mandate, undermining governance and public trust.
Looking ahead, the party has set an internal target of securing roughly 10 parliamentary seats in Bangkok, an estimate Mr Sakolthee said is based on polling and field feedback. He cautioned that final decisions will be made by voters in the closing weeks of the campaign and that momentum in the final 30 days will be crucial.
After the mosque visit in Saphan Sung, the Democrat team moved to Khuem Klao market in Lat Krabang to support Mr เชิดพันธุ์ เตี่ยไพบูลย์, the party’s candidate in Constituency 18. There they continued to engage directly with shoppers and traders, emphasising the same campaign priorities: honest governance, local problem solving and sustainable policy proposals designed to produce measurable improvements for residents.
With the campaign entering its final month, party leaders appear to be banking on a combination of grassroots engagement, modest but achievable pledges and a message of returning to steady, service-oriented politics to persuade Bangkok voters in a competitive electoral field.
Key Takeaways:
- Democrat Party deputy leader and Bangkok chief campaigned in Saphan Sung and Lat Krabang to support local candidates.
- Campaign slogans such as “Bangkok must recover” and “New Blue, Not Grey” resonated with residents and local vendors.
- The party sets an ambitious target of around 10 Bangkok seats while stressing pragmatic, sustainable policies on waste, traffic and air quality.
- Leaders warned against vote-buying and called for honest, long-term governance ahead of the final campaign weeks.
