Outcry as Thai princess seeks to stand in poll
A Thai political party which nominated a princess as its candidate for prime minister could be banned from a general election in March after an activist said on Sunday he would file a petition seeking its dissolution.
Thailand’s election commission is to meet on Monday to consider the candidacy of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, 67, who stunned the nation on Friday when she said she would be the prime ministerial candidate for a populist party loyal to ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Her announcement drew a swift rebuke from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the princess’s younger brother, who issued a statement hours later saying it was “inappropriate” for members of the royal family to enter politics.
The March 24 election is the first since a military coup in 2014 toppled an elected proThaksin government.
Junta leader Prayuth Chanocha is also contesting the race for prime minister, as the candidate of a pro-military party.
The nomination of the king’s sister, who has starred in soap operas, an action movie and gave up her royal titles after marrying an American, was a shocking move by forces loyal to Thaksin. The election commission has until Friday to rule on the princess’s candidacy.
It is unlikely its members would disregard the wishes of the king, who while a constitutional monarch, is considered semi-divine in Thai society.
On Sunday, an activist said he would file a petition to disqualify the Thai Raksa Chart party, which nominated the princess.
“The royal announcement made it clear the party violated electoral law,” Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, said.
Thai Raksa Chart’s chairman Chaturon Chaisaeng did not comment on the request to disband it. The party said it would accept the king’s message and “move forward into the election arena to solve problems for the country”.