Princess’s party is dissolved by court

had been. It appeared to ascribe ill intentions to the party’s actions, blaming it for endangering a tradition that keeps the royal family above politics, even though Ubolratana embraced the nomination enthusiastically on her popular Instagram account.

The court voted unanimously to dissolve the party, and by a vote of 6-3 for the political ban on its executive members.

The ruling is the third time a court has dissolved a political party associated with Thaksin on grounds that his supporters believe were slim and politically motivated. Two predecessor parties to his current main vehicle, Pheu Thai, were dissolved in 2007 and 2008.

Thai Raksa Chart leader Preechapol Pongpanit avowed his group’s loyalty to the king and the monarchy after the ruling.

‘‘I and the party’s executives have the utmost regret over the party’s dissolution, which affects the fundamental political rights and freedom of the party members and the people,’’ he said.

Ubolratana responded, ‘‘So I have heard. It’s sad and depressing,’’ to a comment on her Instagram account noting the court’s decision.

Ubolratana’s nomination was a stunning move, not only because it would have broken a taboo on a senior member of the royal family running for public office, but also because it would have allied her with a party considered by many royalists to be unsympathetic to the monarchy. The army cited Thaksin’s alleged disrespect for the monarchy as one of its reasons for ousting him in 2006. –AP It’s a big step for women.

If all goes according to plan, on March 29 astronauts aboard the International Space Station are scheduled to conduct the first allfemale spacewalk. Anne McClain and Christine Koch will venture out together about 390km above Earth, and make history. To add to the significance of their mission, the spacewalk will take place during