Thai court bans party for nominating princess for PM

By Riyaz ul Khaliq </p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – Thailand’s constitutional court has disbanded an opposition political party for nominating a royal family member as its candidate for the prime minister’s post ahead of March 24 elections in the country, local media reported on Thursday. </p> <p>According to daily Bangkok Post, an order unanimously passed by the constitutional court of the country dissolved the Thai Raksa Chart party citing “customary law”.</p> <p>Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, the elder sister of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was nominated the candidate for prime minister by Thai Raksa Chart Party on Feb. 8.</p> <p>“This action undermined Thailand’s constitutional monarchy,” local daily The Nation quoted the constitutional court order. </p> <p>Thai king Vajiralongkorn had objected to the unprecedented move in the country’s history, calling it &quot;unconstitutional&quot; in an address to the nation on Feb. 10 which forced the princess to withdraw her candidacy.</p> <p>All 14 members of Thai Raksa Chart Party’s executive board were banned from participating in politics for next 10 years, the daily reported.</p> <p>Thai Raksa Chart Party was founded by the allies of former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck, who was ousted in a 2014 military coup.</p> <p>Princess Ubolratana had already relinquished her royal status in 1972. However, she continues to work as a member of the Royal Family, attending royal ceremonies as well as representing the monarchy, the order said. </p> <p>“Hence, the princess is an inseparable part of the institution. Submitting her name as a candidate for the premier’s post undermines the above politic status of the monarchy,” The Nation quoted the court order. </p> <p>“The party has committed an act that could be seen as damaging to the crown,” it added. </p> <p>Ubolratana is an MIT graduate and was the first ever member of the Thai royal family to accept the nomination to run for the top public office since 1932.</p> <p>The country has been a constitutional-monarchy since 1932 where the executive is elected by people, however, the king yields much influence. Thai army has traditionally remained loyal to the monarch and his family.