Former Democrat Party MP for Phitsanulok Warong Dechgitvigrom has now entered the race to become leader of the country's oldest party under a new selection system where registered party members get to nominate candidates for a general meeting to vote.
Despite being seen by political observers as an underdog in the upcoming contest, Dr Warong has thrown his hat in the ring and declared his intention to challenge incumbent party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva who is heavily tipped for re-election.
Known as a whistleblower for exposing irregularities in the rice-pledging scheme initiated by the administration of fugitive former premier Yingluck Shinawatra, Dr Warong has chosen "Brave changes for the people" as the motto for his leadership campaign.
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He is confident that his personal assets -- being approachable and considerate towards party colleagues -- make him stand out from other candidates.
He said he did not see himself to be a "Mr Know-It-All'', and this is why his campaign has the support of the "Friends of Warong" group which comprises members from across the country except Bangkok.
The 72-year-old party has usually seen its leaders elected from MPs based in Bangkok or in the South, which are the party's key traditional strongholds.
No MPs from the North had ever entered a party leadership race until Dr Warong.
Dr Warong, 57, admitted that he is an underdog so he will have to work harder than his rivals to gather the support of party members across the country, including his home province of Sukhothai.
The Democrat Party confirmed Sunday it will adopt a primary voting system to choose its next leader, with registration this month and a five-day voting period to begin on Nov 1.
Registered members will vote to choose the candidates who will then be put up for election by the party's general meeting of executives. This is a drastic shift from the traditional approach where Democrat executives selected the leader with members having no real role in picking the candidates.
The party will hold a general meeting on Nov 11 to choose its new leader.
"I have decided to enter the party leadership race because I have the confidence to win. I won't do anything in which I am not confident. Now, I am 100% confident because a group of former MPs who support me and most party members want change.
"During the past years, many have realised the party's popularity has declined, has been plagued by brain drain and has suffered losses in elections. Now is the time to give a new team of efficient executives a chance,'' Dr Warong said.
He admitted that it will be tough to vie for the top post against Mr Abhisit, who was a former prime minister and has been at the party's helm for 13 years now.
However, he says he has the support of party members because they have recognised his role in crusading against alleged irregularities in the failed rice-pledging scheme by Yingluck Shinawatra's Pheu Thai administration.
"I do not see myself to be better than anyone or a know-it-all. The country has myriad problems. But I believe I can recruit people who are capable and knowledgeable, especially in the economy. We can work together if I win the party leadership race and can lead the party to victory in the general election,'' Dr Warong said.
If he wins the race, he said, the first priority is to revamp the party's organisational structure.
He plans to delegate power to party branch heads nationwide so they will have greater roles in working for the benefit of local people. "They should be given bigger roles and deserve more respect,'' he said.
The Democrat Party has 166 party branches nationwide, and Dr Warong plans to set up additional branches for all 350 election constituencies.
The group of former MPs in the North which supports Dr Warong includes Sombat Yasin, a former MP for Mae Hong Son, Wirat Wiriyapong, a former MP for Sukhothai, and Songkran Chitsutthipakorn, a former MP for Nakhon Sawan.
Dr Warong also enjoys the support of former MPs in the Northeast such as Suppachai Srila of Ubon Ratchathani and also has the backing of Wichai Lumsutthi, a former MP for the eastern province of Rayong.
Most importantly, Thaworn Senneam, a veteran politician from Songkhla, has also pledged support for Dr Warong, a move which is seen to significantly improve the latter's odds in the race, according to observers.
Dr Warong was not known to have any firm political base nor a large following in the party until Mr Thaworn, a six-time MP for Songkhla and a former deputy secretary-general of the party, gave him his stamp of approval, a source said.
Mr Thaworn is believed to be ready to throw his political clout behind Dr Warong when he officially declares his candidacy.
Dr Warong is still concerned about the "haemorrhaging of former MPs" to other parties and has vowed to stop this "brain drain" if he wins the leadership race.
If he is elected as leader, he said, he will focus on leading the party to victory rather than thinking about forming a coalition government.
"I don't think we should join hands with the military or the Pheu Thai Party. That's not my answer. Our goal is to win the election,'' he said.
"Even though political parties may have to work together, we won't join hands with people who are corrupt and cheat,'' Dr Warong said.
He said that one of the Democrat Party's strengths is that its affairs are thrashed out at in lively debates, with members voting on issues, he said.
"If the Democrat Party has to decide whether to join a coalition, we will discuss the matter at a party meeting to reach a conclusion. This is the party's strength and no one can dominate it,'' he said
However, Dr Warong said he is ready to admit defeat if a majority of party members choose Mr Abhisit, and that he will support whoever is voted into the top post.
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