Thai PM addresses LI event shortly before elected
Liberal International and Democrat Party gathered in Bangkok on 13-14 December 2008 to express clearly that they share same values and are committed to democracy, human rights, rule of law and social justice. Founded in 1947, Liberal International gathers 106 parties of liberal, democratic and progressive profile from continents. Liberal International is proud to have Democrat Party from Thailand as its member.
Over 30 participants from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America participate at the Conference “Safeguarding Democracy: the case of Thailand and its regional/global impacts”. In the aftermath of the dramatic developments from the last few months, liberals from all over the world were determined to gather in Bangkok despite the cautious travel warnings from various ministries of foreign affairs. During the Conference, the participants discussed various models of democratic representation, compared systems of good democratic governance and looked for answers how to strengthen Thai democracy in the future. Special emphasis during the Conference was given to discussing the impact of the recent developments in Thailand on the democratic development of the region and the world.
During the Conference Hans van Baalen, Deputy President of Liberal International and one of the leading members of the Parliament in the Netherlands said: “We trust Democratic Party to lead a clean new government of Thailand. We believe that such new government will inspire all democratic forces in Thailand and more widely in Asia for a true democratic change and liberal policies. For us, democracy is not only an election of a government. For the liberals world-wide democracy represents a functioning governing system which works to the benefit of each and every individual and which is based on openness, transparency and accountability. Democracy should never been taken for granted: it should be always nourished and supported. Liberal International is here to express its clear support to the Democratic Party and to the Thai people.”
The leader of Democrat Party Abhisit Vejjajiva was firm addressing the opening of the Conference: “It we become the government, we want to reach out to everyone and be government of everyone. In our government the policies will be made for everyone to benefit. Every citizen will get an assurance of being justly treated. That's our understanding of true real democracy”