Abhisit and Suthep, once close political allies who worked together through the political unrest of 2010, became “completely broken apart” early this year after a conflict over Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who is Suthep’s preferred candidate to become the next Democrat leader, according to a key party figure.

Sukhumbhand, who won the gubernatorial election on the Democrat ticket, was accused by the party’s politicians of failing to deal with irregularities involving the city administration. The governor ignored the party leader’s invitation to explain the situation. It was rumoured that Sukhumbhand was planning a new political party with Suthep, but that was denied by both of them.

Suthep is no longer a Democrat member. He quit the party when he headed the anti-government campaign during the tenure of the previous administration led by Yingluck Shinawatra. But he has retained much influence over many of his former Democrat colleagues, particularly those from the South.

The street rallies, which were prompted by a bill for blanket political amnesty that was passed by the Yingluck government, continued for seven months and led to the military coup in May 2014.

Suthep has openly supported the post-coup government and the draft constitution written by the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Commission. His main goal is to get his group’s reform ideas to be included in the new constitution.

Abhisit seems to have been in a difficult position about this matter. He has criticised certain provisions in the draft but has not made it clear whether his party backs the new constitution as a whole.

“The party’s standpoint is that our society should have no confrontation,” he said. “For the Democrats, the best for the country is to get a good constitution. If the draft constitution is rejected in the referendum or if people vote to accept it because they have no choice, that is not good for the efforts to solve the country’s problems. And that means we have wasted the past two years.”

As a political party, the Democrats are supposed to uphold democratic principles and deny dictatorship, the party source said. Abhisit needs to keep a good balance. As the party leader, he has to maintain the democratic principle of not supporting a military dictatorship while keeping good ties with the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

If the Democrats reject the draft constitution entirely, it would mean Abhisit is in open conflict with Suthep, who would have to do a lot of explaining to the NCPO, according to the party source.

Abhisit and his predecessors at the party’s helm, Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan, disagree with Suthep’s attempt to have the Democrat Party openly back the draft constitution. And most Democrat politicians do not like it that the NCPO wants a new political structure that would allow the military to have control over politicians, the source said.

The key Democrat figure said it was no secret that the NCPO was paving the way for the political camp opposing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to become the government after the next general election. And the Democrat Party is included in that mix.

But politicians also need to maintain good ties with the military and the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation led by Suthep.

“The Democrats may have to make a political stand as to whether the party sides with the military about the new constitution,” the source said.

There was a sign of reconciliation between Abhisit and Suthep two weeks ago, when Thaworn Senneam, a close Suthep ally, was promoted to become an adviser to the Democrat leader, according to another party figure who declined to be identified.

The move baffled many people in the party, the source said.

Suthep as king maker?

Thaworn’s new office is on the same floor as Abhisit. Thaworn is Suthep’s favourite to become the next Democrat secretary general.

Some Democrat figures view this development as Abhisit’s attempt to get re-elected as the party leader and he needs support from Suthep now that Sukhumbhand is no longer a party leader candidate, the source said.

Democrat figures, particularly those loyal to Abhisit, have tried to resist outside influence from Suthep’s group. But it is difficult to deny the possibility that Suthep could become a “king maker” after the next election.

This, for Abhisit, is even more important than becoming the party leader for another term. His reconciliation with Suthep could give his party a good chance of being part of the new government.