Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has fended off challengers to retain his seat as Democrat Party chief, as political parties around the kingdom intensified preparations for an election, tentatively set for next February, Strait Times reports. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that the country will have a general election in next February, but he also said it was possible for further delay. Abhisit told the Asia Times in August that he was skeptical the junta would stick to its latest roadmap for holding the election. He also shared his doubts on whether the election could be free and fair when the military is acting as an interested party rather than impartial referee in the process.