Thai party that nominated Princess Ubolratana for PM faces dissolution, with constitutional court to rule
- The Thai Raksa Chart party is allied with populist former premier Thaksin Shinawatra
- Thaksin-linked parties have won every general election since 2001 resulting in two coups
Thailand’s monarchy is seen as above politics, although royals have intervened in public during times of political crisis.
The princess was disqualified as a candidate by the Election Commission, which then filed a request with the constitutional court to have Thai Raksa Chart disbanded for bringing a royal family member into politics.
“That action is considered hostile to the constitutional monarchy,” it said.
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The monarchy in Thailand is considered sacred and revered by its people, and is under the protection of draconian lèse-majesté laws. The king’s word is considered final.
The scuttling of her candidacy and potential moves to dissolve the Thai Raksa Chart party is a blow to the political machine of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The party was set to add to the vote bank of the bigger Shinawatra electoral vehicle, Pheu Thai, in an election where secondary parties are targeting seats via the party list system. Parties overseen by Thaksin have won all elections since 2001.
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In an Instagram post late Tuesday the 67-year-old princess apologised for her role in the drama, which has sent jitters across the politically febrile country just weeks before elections.
“I’m sorry that my genuine intention to help work for the country and fellow Thai people has created a problem that shouldn’t happen in this era,” she wrote. It was tagged with a hashtag: “#howcomeitsthewayitis”.
Ubolratana is the firstborn of former King Bhumibol Adulyadej, but she gave up her royal titles when she married an American in 1972.
After her divorce, she moved back to Thailand where she is regarded by the Thai public as a part of the royal family.
While she said she was exercising her rights as a commoner to stand for premier, the palace statement last week said she is “still a member of the House of Chakri”, referring to the name of the dynasty.
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Analysts say the blocking of the princess’s candidacy could benefit Prayuth, who has portrayed himself as a defender of the monarchy.
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Party executives from Thai Raksa Chart have expressed contrition after the upheaval, but said they would challenge any attempt to disband it.
A media organisation affiliated with the Shinawatras was also in the crosshairs this week.
Voice TV, owned by Thaksin’s son Ponthongtae, was ordered Tuesday by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to go off-air for 15 days after two of its programmes caused “confusion and provocation”.