Bangkok: Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and prime ministerial candidate, has expressed strong support for the proactive measures taken by the Bank of Thailand and the Election Commission to tackle illicit funds and vote buying. Campaigning at the Free Market 2, he highlighted the improved approval ratings of the Democrat Party in several Bangkok districts, emphasizing their potential for electoral success.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Abhisit, along with party members Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, Dr. Kardee Leowpairoj, Mr. Sakoltee Phatthiyakul, and Mr. Apimuk Chanthavanich, visited the Seri 2 Market to engage with citizens and vendors, urging them to vote for the Democrat Party. The event was marked by a warm reception, with attendees offering roses, marigold garlands, and orange juice to Mr. Abhisit, who responded with humor and gratitude.
In an interview, Mr. Abhisit shared his assessment of the election landscape in Bangkok, noting the Democrat Party's rising popularity based on district-level data. He acknowledged that while some opposing parties had strong support in the previous election, the current trend indicates a favorable response to the Democrat Party's campaign efforts.
Addressing concerns about strategic voting and voter manipulation, Mr. Abhisit dismissed such tactics as ineffective, reiterating the Democrat Party's commitment to maintaining a robust and expanding voter base. He also highlighted the party's reliance on experienced political personnel to advance their policies and governance.
Mr. Abhisit praised the Bank of Thailand's intensified scrutiny of financial transactions linked to potential election fraud, describing it as a necessary step to address the damage caused by shady capital to the economy. He urged the Bank to fully utilize its legal powers to investigate irregular financial activities, such as large cash withdrawals, which could be used for illicit purposes like vote buying.
Furthermore, Mr. Abhisit advocated for enhanced collaboration between the Bank of Thailand and the Election Commission to effectively curb vote buying practices. He expressed dissatisfaction with the previous election's enforcement of laws, citing the lack of prosecutions for vote buying despite it being the most expensive election in history. He called for the Election Commission to adopt a more proactive stance and leverage legal mechanisms to uphold electoral integrity and public confidence.