BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday posted a photo on his official Facebook page showing him having lunch with former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, amid renewed calls for Abhisit to return as leader of the Democrat Party to restore public trust.
The post, uploaded at around 1:30 p.m., featured both leaders sharing a meal. Anutin wrote:
“I received many useful and valuable pieces of advice from former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who graciously came to encourage me and have lunch together today. Thank you very much.”
The lunch meeting marked Anutin’s first public move after a royal command earlier in the day officially endorsed his new Cabinet. The timing drew attention from political observers, as the Democrat Party has recently faced internal pressure to invite Abhisit back as party leader following declining support.
Abhisit, Thailand’s 27th prime minister, resigned from the Democrat Party leadership in 2019 after the party’s poor showing in the general election. His potential return is now being discussed as a way to revive the party’s credibility ahead of future political contests.
While Anutin did not comment further on the nature of their conversation, his warm words of gratitude and the highly publicized photo have added fuel to speculation about shifting alliances and the future role of Abhisit in Thai politics.
