- Nineteen prisoners use cutlery to break out of cells at Winchester prison
- France wants progress in Ukraine before Russia returns to G7
- Italy president begins talks to seek way out of government crisis
- Italian PM expected to resign as political chaos deepens
- Russia says US cruise missile test ‘regrettable’
- Kremlin - No date set for Normandy talks on Ukraine despite Macron meeting
- Egypt court hands out 6 death sentences on terror charges
- Putin says Russian nuclear explosion poses no threat
- Russian panel eyes alleged foreign interference in protests
- Gran Canaria wildfire triggers evacuation of thousands of people
- PM Johnson calls on Germany and France to compromise on Brexit
- Sudan's ex-president Bashir arrives at corruption trial
TEHRAN, Feb 09 -Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Friday moved to block his elder sister’s surprise bid to run for prime minister in March, calling her candidacy for a populist opposition party “inappropriate” and unconstitutional.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC)-Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, 67, stunned the nation when she announced on Friday she would be the sole prime ministerial candidate for the party, which is loyal to ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, in the March election.
Her candidacy instantly threatened to upend the first national ballot since a military coup in 2014 that ousted a government loyal to Thaksin, the figure at the center of years of political turbulence and rival street protests that have riven Thai society.
But her foray into politics looked to be short-lived after the public opposition from King Vajiralongkorn, which is likely to lead to the Election Commission disqualifying her or the princess dropping out of the race.
Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932, but the royal family has wielded great influence and commands the devotion of millions.
“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 considered highly inappropriate,” the king said in a statement.
The statement was issued by the palace and later read on air by a television announcer.
King Vajiralongkorn also cited a provision in the constitution that states the monarch stays above politics and maintains political neutrality.
“All royal family members adhere to the same principles ... and cannot take any political office, because it contradicts the intention of the constitution.”
Friday was the last day for parties to declare candidates.
Source: Reuters
Your Comment