Abhisit steps down as Democrat leader

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has quit as leader of the Democrat Party, saying it must review its strategies following the loss in the general election.

Mr Abhisit held a press conference at his party headquarters in Bangkok yesterday morning to announce his resignation and thank his and the party's supporters.

"I think that a good leader of an organisation must take responsibility," he said. "So, today I decided to resign as the party leader."

The Democrat Party suffered a resounding defeat in Sunday's election, winning fewer seats than it had in the last election in 2007. Mr Abhisit said his party would have to review its direction.

He said he would remain a Democrat and MP and he would fight tooth and nail against any attempts to dismantle the rule of law and national principles.

Democrat spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said yesterday Mr Abhisit's resignation automatically terminated the positions of 18 party executives. The Democrats will hold a meeting within 90 days to elect a new executive board and leader.

Asked whether he would agree to resume the party's leadership if party members re-elect him, Mr Abhisit initially declined to answer and started to walk away from the podium. When the same question was repeated, he said that would depend on party members.

He added that the executives had an informal talk on Sunday after learning the election results and agreed that they were still confident in Mr Abhisit's capabilities.

Democrat deputy spokesman Boonyod Sooktinthai said the Democrat Party would nominate Mr Abhisit for the post of prime minister in the House as Mr Abhisit was still acting Democrat leader.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday that the Pheu Thai Party successfully used the red shirt movement to woo support in the Northeast and the upper North and consequently the Democrat Party won only four House seats in the Northeast, compared to its target of more than 10. It also won 13 seats in the North well short of its goal of 21 seats.

Mr Suthep said he hoped Ms Yingluck would be the prime minister for a long time and not repeat the "bad actions" of her elder brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He promised that the Democrats would be a good opposition party that kept the government in check and that they would neither set the country ablaze nor use mobs against the government.

In response to the Pheu Thai Party's plan to prosecute him for ordering the crackdown on red shirt protesters, Mr Suthep said he would respect the Thai justice system and would not flee the country like Thaksin, who is still on the run from a two-year jail term for abuse of power.Mr Suthep predicted that Pheu Thai would certainly work out an amnesty for Thaksin.

** I think he is Abphisit not to resign from the party leader. He was a great leader. He was a good president. He do best. **