Princess Ubolratana shocked the nation by announcing she would run for PM but party says it will comply with king’s order to block her bid

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The bid for political power by Thailand’s Princess Ubolratana has been scuttled by her own party after it announced it would comply with an order from her brother, the king, to block her candidacy.

In a dramatic reversal after she shocked the nation by announcing she would run for prime minister, the Thai Raksa Chart party issued a short statement effectively ending her run.

“The Thai Raksa Chart party complies with the royal command”, it said in a message to reporters.

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The statement added that the party was ready to do its duty with respect to the “tradition and royal customs” under Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.

It came after the princess used Instagram on Saturday to thank her supporters, saying she wants Thailand to be “moving forward”.

She did not directly mention her brother or her political hopes, but thanked supporters for their “love and kindness toward each other over the past day” and expressed gratitude for their support for her.

“I would like to say once again that I want to see Thailand moving forward, being admirable and acceptable by international countries, want to see all Thais have rights, a chance, good living, happiness to all,” she said, concluding with “ŁILoveYou”.

She shocked the country on Friday when she announced she would be the prime ministerial candidate for a populist party loyal to ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, in a 24 March poll.

But her foray into politics – breaking with royal tradition – always looked set to be short-lived after public opposition from her younger brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

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.

While the election commission has the final say on approval of candidates, it seems unlikely its members would ignore the powerful influence of the king in making its decision.

Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932, but the royal family has wielded great influence.



Friday was the last day for parties to declare candidates.

Her main opponent in the March general election would have been the sitting prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was army chief when he led the 2014 coup and now heads the ruling junta. He also announced his candidacy on Friday.