Thailand’s king declares sister Ubolratana Rajakanya’s bid for PM ‘inappropriate’ and unconstitutional, likely killing princess’ bid for political power
- A statement by the king was read on TV, apparently vetoing his sister’s candidacy and laying bare a split in the royal family
- Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya shocked Thailand by announcing she would be the sole prime ministerial candidate for the anti-establishment Thai Raksa Chart party
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn said his elder sister’s announcement that she is running for prime minister in March elections was “inappropriate” and unconstitutional, likely sinking her candidacy for a populist opposition party.
Confusion reigns: Thai princess’s PM bid uncertain after royal rebuke
But the opposition from her younger brother, a constitutional monarch, is likely to lead to her disqualification by the Election Commission.
The late-night statement from the palace left no doubt over the king’s displeasure at his sister’s move, laying bare an unprecedented public split in the royal family.
“Involvement of a high-ranking member of the royal family in politics, in whatever way, is an act that conflicts with the country’s traditions, customs and culture, and therefore is considered extremely inappropriate,” the king said in a statement issued by the palace.