“We have different views [about the charter draft], but we remain in harmony,” said Virat Kalayasiri, Democrat legal expert and former MP.

The reaction came following Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s recent announcement opposing the charter draft, which was also endorsed by the party’s chief adviser Chuan Leekpai.

Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of People’s Democratic Reform Committee and a former key Democrat member, however, has expressed support for the charter draft and the current regime.

Virat said yesterday that Abhisit’s statement was in keeping with the party’s ideology, which has been around for more than seven decades. Party members must hear the stance, but ultimately everyone is free to decide on their own, he added.

Another member, Warong Dechgitvigrom, formerly a Phitsanulok MP, said yesterday that he would accept the charter draft.

“This is the beauty of democracy within our party. We do not suppress different opinions,” he said.

He explained his decision to approve the charter based on the survival of the country.

“I’m accepting this draft charter because I see that the country is still in an abnormal situation and is facing threats from nefarious elements and false democracy,” Warong said, adding he believed this decision would help move the country forward.

Meanwhile, director of the Democrat office in Trang, Orntipa Thepchu said that the different stances of key actors such as Abhisit, Chuan, and Suthep would not impact the party too much.

The southern Trang province has been the political stronghold of Chuan, a former Democrat leader and former prime minister. She said everyone has their own reasons behind their different stances, but ultimately they all have good intentions.

Asked whether Abhisit’s standpoint would hurt the Trang people’s faith in the Democrats, she said “maybe a little”.

Orntipa said the public could distinguish between an election and a referendum. One is about the party and candidates while the other is about the country’s future, she explained.

Nipit Intrasombat, Democrat deputy leader, said that as the leader of the party Abhisit had to announce his stance, but it is up to the people how to decide and the Democrats always respect that.