Abhisit Vejjajiva holds up his mobile phone and organiser, the two things the Democrat Party leader says he never leaves home without.

Abhisit Vejjajiva says his love of politics and a realistic attitude help him to remain happy despite his tough job leading Thailand's largest opposition party through troubled times

Look what politics has done to Abhisit Vejjajiva after 15 years.

Like most of us, he's gained a few kilos, lost a bit of hair and has more children.

But the life of a politician is different. His privacy has gone. He is in the public spotlight everywhere he goes. There's less entertainment, less going out to the movies, less exercise and just five hours sleep a night.

He also receives anonymous letters and threatening letters and is subject to hoaxes both at home and at the Democrat Party headquarters.

Keeping in touch

"I am neither surprised nor stressed about the threats. My wife also understands the situation well. It's natural that there's both love and hate out there," Abhisit says.

"One person writes to scold me every three days. I recognise the handwriting. The writer even uses the same kind of paper and envelope," he says.

Being considerate of the writer's feelings, he reads every letter even though he knows the only goal of the writer is to upset him.

Mornings are hectic for the Democrat Party leader. Apart from driving his kids to school, he spends his morning replying to e-mails. Lots of e-mails. Fans who mail him are old and young. Some kids ask him how to do their homework.

Being realistic

Unlike most politicians, Abhisit has never been too stressed about his career.

"I don't see the use of putting grief into my life. Happiness comes from what we can do and what we love to do. I'm lucky: I have loved this job since I was young," he says.

Throughout his years in the political game, Abhisit always had high expectations that the 1997 Constitution, the "People's Charter", would produce positive benefits.

"But now I don't expect anything. I'm realistic. Sometimes I feel tired, but I have to fight on," he says.

Fears and disappointments

What has disappointed him the most?

"It's hard to say, but since you ask me, I would say political reform has failed to achieve much in the past four to five years," he says.

But his main concern is the threat of violence and the emergence of new values that accept corruption in society. "Many Thais think it's okay to be corrupt. They think that as long as politicians can deliver their policies, wrongdoers should get off the hook easily," he says.

Personal limits

The 43-year-old politician may not be in politics 15 years from now.

"I don't see how I can stay until I turn 60. If I am successful, I can be prime minister for eight years maximum. Then it will be saturation point. On the other hand, if I cannot lead the party to victory within the next few years, who will give me another chance? I will have to consider my position," he says.

Abhisit still enjoys life as a politician, though his close associates are worried about him.

"It's the thing I want to do," he says.