Thailand’s king blocks sister’s bid to become prime minister

PRINCESS Ubolratana Mahidol’s bid to become the next prime minister of Thailand has been blocked by her brother, the king.

Her sudden decision to stand for the Thai Raksa Chart Party collapsed when King Maha Vajiralongkorn banned her from running. Yesterday Ms Ubolratana, 67, thanked people for their support.

Thailand’s March 24 election will be the first since a 2014 military coup put in place a junta determined to eradicate the influence of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.