Bangkok (AP) — His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued an order stating that no member of the royal family should be involved in politics, quashing a bid by his older sister to run for prime minister in next month’s elections.
An order issued by the King read out on national television late Friday night said his sister’s candidacy was inappropriate and violated the constitution’s intent.
Princess Ubolratana Mahidol’s nomination earlier Friday by an opposition party had upended politics in the nation and threatened the palace’s decades-long tradition of eschewing political involvement.
The princess’s nomination by the opposition Thai Raksa Chart Party pitted her against current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the preferred candidate of the military, considered one of Thailand’s most royalist institutions.
Prayuth, who led the 2014 military coup that ousted Thailand’s last elected government, on Friday also accepted his nomination as candidate for prime minister by the Palang Pracharat Party.
His Majesty the King tried to soften the blow Friday by acknowledging that his 67-year-old sister had already relinquished her formal royal titles, and he praised her for conducting charity work and otherwise earning the love of her family and the Thai people.
But his order stressed that Thailand’s constitution insists that the King and those around him stay above politics, and the principles of democratic government also put politics off-limits.
“Even though she relinquished her title according to royal laws … she still retains her status and position as a member of the Chakri dynasty,” the King’s order said.
“Bringing high-ranking royal family members to be involved in the political system, in any way, is an act that is against the ancient royal protocol and national custom and culture, and is seen as a highly inappropriate act,” the statement added.
