Thailand king halts sister’s bid for power

THE party that nominated a Thai princess to run for prime minister has said it will comply with the king’s wishes after he opposed the move.

On Friday King Vajiralongkorn denounced as inappropriate his sister Princess Ubolratana Mahidol’s unprecedented bid for political power.

The Thai Raksa Chart party said it “complies with the royal command with loyalty to the king and all members of the royal family”.

Hours earlier, 68-yearold Princess Ubolratana – who is also a Thai film star – defended her decision to run for office.

In an online post, she reiterated she had relinquished her royal titles and now lived as a commoner.