Former Thai PM Abhisit steps down as Democrats chief after humiliating defeat

Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stepped down as leader of the Democrat Party after its poor showing in a Sunday general election. Thailand's oldest political party was in fourth place in the popular vote, with a little more than 3 million votes, according to partial results released by the Election Commission, with 91 per cent of votes counted.

"I must take responsibility for this. I resign from my leadership of the Democrat Party," said Abhisit, who was prime minister from 2008 to 2011.