Thailand’s election commission said on Wednesday it is seeking the disqualification of a party that nominated a princess for prime minister, in what would be a set-back for the opposition loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s election commission said on Wednesday it is seeking the disqualification of a party that nominated a princess for prime minister, in what would be a set-back for the opposition loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thailand will hold a general election on March 24, its first since a military coup in 2014. The contest looks set to be a showdown between the military-backed, royalist Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and supporters of Thaksin.
Last week, a party allied with Thaksin said its candidate for prime minister, if it were it to win the election, would be Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, the king’s older sister.
The announcement caused a sensation in a country where the royal family has traditionally remained above the political fray.
Hours later, King Maha Vajiralongkorn made clear his opposition to his older sister’s political foray, calling it “inappropriate” and unconstitutional.
