Panel to consider Democrat party reforms: Abhisit

Abhisit held a press conference this morning to announce the formation of the panel. He said the decision to set up the panel was agreed during the meeting of the party executive board on Monday.

The Democrat leader said the party initially planned to hold a press conference on Tuesday but deferred it to today because deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr was not available.

Alongkorn, who reportedly had conflicts with key leading members over the reform measures, attended this morning’s event.

Abhisit said the ad hoc panel would study all reform measures and would not have to base its considerations on the reform blueprint proposed by Alongkorn.

The Democrat leader said the reforms would aim to increase the efficiency of the party and render the party’s structure more compact and efficient allowing it to prepare to contest the next election. The Democrats expect that a general election could be held this year, Abhisit added.

He said the reform measures would involve changes to the party regulations so when the party’s executive board approved the proposal of the ad hoc panel, this could be submitted to a meeting of MPs and eventually sent to the party’s assembly for consideration. The process of approval by the party’s assembly should be completed in three months, Abhisit added.

Abhisit said he would like party members and the media to be patient and wait for the conclusion of the ad hoc panel’s decision in 30 days to avoid causing public confusion.