Thai Princess running for PM against military candidate

International Desk: A Thai political party has named a princess as its nominee to be the next prime minister, an unprecedented move that upends tradition that the royal palace plays no public role in politics.

The selection of 67-year-old Princess Ubolratana Mahidol by the Thai Raksa Chart Party marks a shock realignment of Thai politics, as she is now affiliated with a political machine that had been dismissed by hardcore royalists as opposed in spirit to the monarchy.

The princess, whose official name is considerably longer than that under which she was registered with the Election Commission, is the first-born child of the late King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.

Her selection to lead the government after the March 24 general election also pits her against the preferred candidate of the military, which is considered one of Thailand's most royalist institutions.

The surprise entry of the princess into politics — assumed to be with her brother, current King Maha Vajiralongkorn's blessing — raises questions about whether the long-lasting partnership of the palace with the army is in jeopardy.

She has cast her lot with a party affiliated to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed by the army in a 2006 coup.

Current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup that ousted Thailand's pro-Shinawatra government in 2014, on Friday accepted his selection as candidate to lead the next government by Palang Pracharat Party, widely considered a proxy for the military.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 8, 2019/Nasim