The Thai princess whose stunning announcement she was running for prime minister was quickly opposed by her brother, the king, thanked her supporters on Saturday, saying she wants Thailand to be “moving forward”, but she did not comment on her candidacy. But her foray into politics - breaking with royal tradition - looked to be short-lived after public opposition from her younger brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, which is likely to lead to her disqualification by the Election Commission. The Thai Raksa Chart party, which nominated Ubolratana cancelled a campaign event planned for Saturday but party leaders would not comment on the king's opposition. King Vajiralongkorn, 66, issued a message late on Friday, saying his elder sister's candidacy was “inappropriate” and it was against the spirit of the constitution for royalty to be involved in politics. The leaders of the princess's nominating party, Thai Raksa Chart - an offshoot of the larger pro-Thaksin party that was ousted from power in the 2014 coup - have declined to comment on the king's statement.

Source: The Hindu February 09, 2019 04:30 UTC