Right royal backtrack

A THAI political party has sworn loyalty to the king after its stunning decision to nominate the monarch’s sister as its candidate for prime minister backfired when the king called the move unconstitutional.

The statement of fealty comes after Princess Ubolratana Mahidol broke with tradition to become a candidate for the Thai Raksa Chart Party, only to have her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, swiftly order her removal.

The March 24 election will be Thailand’s first since a 2014 military coup.