The Democrat Party has officially introduced its three prime ministerial candidates — party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and deputy party leaders Korn Chatikavanij and Ms Karndee Leopairote — pledging to unite the party’s DNA to drive Thailand toward prosperity and eradicate poverty.

The country’s oldest political party released a video clip via is official Facebook page at about 10am on Friday formally announcing its three prime ministerial candidates for the Feb 8 general election.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Abhisit accompanied by party members, paid respects to Bangkok’s City Pillar Shrine.

Speaking to reporters, the Democrat leader said the three candidates have shared common ground in terms of ideas, determination, and vision, having worked together in various capacities and opportunities in the past. “I am confident that we share the same vision for the country’s future. Therefore, our work will be harmonious,” he said, adding that prior to being named as candidates, he and the two others had held several discussions on policies to be used during the election campaign.

Former prime minister Abhisit, 61, has returned as leader of the Democrat Party, winning the position unopposed with an overwhelming majority of votes during the party’s extraordinary general assembly in Bangkok on Oct 18.

Oxford-educated Mr Abhisit served as the Democrats’ seventh leader from March 2005 to March 2019. He returns as the party’s 10th leader, two years after resigning as a member during a stormy meeting that led to the selection of Chalermchai Sri-on as leader.

Mr Korn, 61, was a former finance minister under the Abhisit government while Ms Karndee, 50, a futurologist and cryptocurrency guru, was appointed deputy party leader for the digital economy after Abhisit was re-elected as party leader on Oct 18.