Without making comment myself:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47167378
Originally labelled as 'fake news' by authorities here but since been confirmed as fact.
Reported in Reuters and most other major news agencies.
New candidate registered for the 2019 election
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election.
Princess Ubolratana is candidate for prime minister
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... e-minister
The Thai Raksa Chart Party threw election politics into chaos on Friday when it nominated Princess Ubolratana as its candidate to be prime minister.
The party officially registered the elder sister of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn as news people pushed for vantage points at the Office of the Election Commission.
The move was the focus of election rumours on Thursday and overnight, but no media had been bold enough to mention her name or the royal connection until the actual event at 9am Friday.
Executives of the party arrived at the EC office at the Government Complex after announcing they would have only one candidate for prime minister - what they called "an important person outside the party".
As they checked in at the EC office, they showed an army of reporters a document confirming Princess Ubolratana, 67, as their candidate as prime minister.
The move is a serious blow to plans by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to extend power via the March 24 elections.
PPRP officially registered Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate, but the nomination of Princess Ubolratana completely overwhelmed his nomination.
Thai Raksa Chart is a spinoff from the Pheu Thai Party, and both are friends of the fugitive former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.
Princess Ubolratana has been seen with the Shinawatra brother and sister in public, notably at the most recent World Cup tournament in Russia.
The Thai Raksa Chart statement issued with her nomination said the party was greatly honoured that the princess had accepted its invitation.
The princess had graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from leading universities in the United States -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Los Angeles -- and initiated the To Be Number One project to protect the young from drug abuse.
She understood the plight of people, the party said.
The princess had helped promote Thai tourism for over a decade and had decided it was time to work for the nation and people through the role of the prime minister, the party statement said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... e-minister
The Thai Raksa Chart Party threw election politics into chaos on Friday when it nominated Princess Ubolratana as its candidate to be prime minister.
The party officially registered the elder sister of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn as news people pushed for vantage points at the Office of the Election Commission.
The move was the focus of election rumours on Thursday and overnight, but no media had been bold enough to mention her name or the royal connection until the actual event at 9am Friday.
Executives of the party arrived at the EC office at the Government Complex after announcing they would have only one candidate for prime minister - what they called "an important person outside the party".
As they checked in at the EC office, they showed an army of reporters a document confirming Princess Ubolratana, 67, as their candidate as prime minister.
The move is a serious blow to plans by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to extend power via the March 24 elections.
PPRP officially registered Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate, but the nomination of Princess Ubolratana completely overwhelmed his nomination.
Thai Raksa Chart is a spinoff from the Pheu Thai Party, and both are friends of the fugitive former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.
Princess Ubolratana has been seen with the Shinawatra brother and sister in public, notably at the most recent World Cup tournament in Russia.
The Thai Raksa Chart statement issued with her nomination said the party was greatly honoured that the princess had accepted its invitation.
The princess had graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from leading universities in the United States -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Los Angeles -- and initiated the To Be Number One project to protect the young from drug abuse.
She understood the plight of people, the party said.
The princess had helped promote Thai tourism for over a decade and had decided it was time to work for the nation and people through the role of the prime minister, the party statement said.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
We have deleted all discussion on this topic in accordance with Thai law regarding monarchy.
Please ONLY post news articles, everything else will get deleted.
Please ONLY post news articles, everything else will get deleted.
-
Grim Reaper
- Forum Admin
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:27 pm
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
This is not for discussion - further posts removed. If members insist on continued discussion, they will be suspended.
You reap what you sow
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
This princess could be the next prime minister of Thailand
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/08/asia ... index.html
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN)A Thai political party has nominated the King's sister as its candidate for prime minister in March elections -- an unprecedented move that could upend the political landscape and give the revered monarchy an overt role in politics.
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the 67-year-old elder sister of King Vajiralongkorn, will run for the Thai Raksa Chart Party (Thai Save The Nation) aligned with populist former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in a 2005 coup.
One of her leading opponents will be the military-backed current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, who announced his own candidacy Friday.
Thai Raksa Chart Party chief Lt. Preechapon Pongpanich confirmed the announcement in a statement on Friday. "After the meeting among our executives, we have concluded to send Princess Ubolratana as our PM candidate. She is knowledgeable and capable person," he said. "After the meeting we reached out to her, and she has been gracefully kind and accepted our invitation."
Thai Raksa Chart is an offshoot of Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of Thaksin's party that has won every election since 2001.
The candidacy of a close member of the royal family is unprecedented in Thailand since the era of absolute monarchy ended 86 years ago. Analysts said the move would have been backed by the new king, whose coronation takes place on May 4-6.
"This is historical," Paul Chambers, politics expert at Thailand's Naresuan University, told CNN. "I think that it's part of a plan by the current sovereign to increase his personal power across the country.
"For him to place his own sister in a position like this ... She's not doing it by herself. This would signify that royalty is increasingly intervening in Thai politics today."
For the past five years, Thailand has been ruled by a military junta headed by coup leader turned prime minister Prayut. The March 24 poll is widely considered to be a vote between a form of democracy and legitimized authoritarian rule.
How could she affect Thai politics?
Ubolratana's candidacy would upend the race and could be a blow to pro-military parties pushing for Prayut to stay in power. He has been nominated by the Palang Pracharat party.
Prayut seized power in a coup in 2014, shortly after Thaksin's sister and former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was kicked out of office.
He has consolidated the military's role in politics through an army-drafted 2017 constitution widely seen as designed to prevent Pheu Thai from returning to power and ensuring a continuing say for the army.
Because of her royal blood, Ubolratana's candidacy could prompt Prayut to reconsider his own candidacy, according to Chambers.
"The political culture of Thailand finds that royalty cannot be challenged and for anyone to politically challenge this royalty, well that's simply not acceptable through the political culture," Chambers said. "I doubt any other candidate would dare run against her."
A draconian lese majeste law, backed up by prison terms, could also mean Ubolratana remains unchallenged.
Thaksin and his policies are popular in the country's northeast, but he is despised by the royalist and military establishment.
That bitter rivalry -- between Thaksin's supporters, known as the Red Shirts, and the royalist elites, known as the Yellow Shirts -- has been a hallmark of politics for the past 20 years, with deadly street protests a common occurrence.
Friday's announcement signals a surprise marriage between the two sides, with Ubolratana having the power to break that cycle.
"People are hoping that this princess will be a light at the end of Thailand's dark tunnel of dictatorial authoritarianism. That she'll be the means by which democratic forces can compel the junta to cede power and go back to the barracks," Chambers said.
Thai Raksa Chart said in a statement that Ubolratana "thinks it is about time to volunteer to perform the duty as Prime Minister to ... bring development to the country and return the well-being to the people by applying technology, to improve economics and society in order to modernize Thailand at international level, and moreover to create reconciliation among Thai people."
Reconciliation is key for the party, and Ubolratana's status could quell the chance of more street protests or a future coup and ensure there will be peace during the King's coronation.
Can a Princess be PM?
Ubolratana is the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016, and Queen Sirikit. Royal family members of her rank are not barred from politics but have opted to stay neutral in the past.
Ubolratana was close to her father and the two won a gold medal in sailing at the 1967 Southeast Asian Games. She relinquished her royal title when she married her American husband Peter Ladd Jensen in 1972 and settled in the US, where she studied biochemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The couple had three children but their second, Khun Bhumi Jensen -- known as Khun Poom -- died in the 2004 tsunami that ravaged southern Thailand.
Following her divorce in 1998, she returned to Thailand permanently in 2001 and became active in royal life. She has been working as a representative for the Thai tourism authority for more than 10 years.
Ubolratana set up several charities, including the Khun Poom Foundation named after her son that assists children with autism and other learning disabilities, and headed a campaign that helps young people stay off drugs.
She is also a keen singer and actor, appearing in several films, and is active on social media, where posts of her singing and dancing have gone viral.
In March, Thais will vote for the 500-seat lower house of parliament. But the 250-member upper house, or Senate, will be chosen entirely by the military.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/08/asia ... index.html
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN)A Thai political party has nominated the King's sister as its candidate for prime minister in March elections -- an unprecedented move that could upend the political landscape and give the revered monarchy an overt role in politics.
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the 67-year-old elder sister of King Vajiralongkorn, will run for the Thai Raksa Chart Party (Thai Save The Nation) aligned with populist former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in a 2005 coup.
One of her leading opponents will be the military-backed current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, who announced his own candidacy Friday.
Thai Raksa Chart Party chief Lt. Preechapon Pongpanich confirmed the announcement in a statement on Friday. "After the meeting among our executives, we have concluded to send Princess Ubolratana as our PM candidate. She is knowledgeable and capable person," he said. "After the meeting we reached out to her, and she has been gracefully kind and accepted our invitation."
Thai Raksa Chart is an offshoot of Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of Thaksin's party that has won every election since 2001.
The candidacy of a close member of the royal family is unprecedented in Thailand since the era of absolute monarchy ended 86 years ago. Analysts said the move would have been backed by the new king, whose coronation takes place on May 4-6.
"This is historical," Paul Chambers, politics expert at Thailand's Naresuan University, told CNN. "I think that it's part of a plan by the current sovereign to increase his personal power across the country.
"For him to place his own sister in a position like this ... She's not doing it by herself. This would signify that royalty is increasingly intervening in Thai politics today."
For the past five years, Thailand has been ruled by a military junta headed by coup leader turned prime minister Prayut. The March 24 poll is widely considered to be a vote between a form of democracy and legitimized authoritarian rule.
How could she affect Thai politics?
Ubolratana's candidacy would upend the race and could be a blow to pro-military parties pushing for Prayut to stay in power. He has been nominated by the Palang Pracharat party.
Prayut seized power in a coup in 2014, shortly after Thaksin's sister and former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was kicked out of office.
He has consolidated the military's role in politics through an army-drafted 2017 constitution widely seen as designed to prevent Pheu Thai from returning to power and ensuring a continuing say for the army.
Because of her royal blood, Ubolratana's candidacy could prompt Prayut to reconsider his own candidacy, according to Chambers.
"The political culture of Thailand finds that royalty cannot be challenged and for anyone to politically challenge this royalty, well that's simply not acceptable through the political culture," Chambers said. "I doubt any other candidate would dare run against her."
A draconian lese majeste law, backed up by prison terms, could also mean Ubolratana remains unchallenged.
Thaksin and his policies are popular in the country's northeast, but he is despised by the royalist and military establishment.
That bitter rivalry -- between Thaksin's supporters, known as the Red Shirts, and the royalist elites, known as the Yellow Shirts -- has been a hallmark of politics for the past 20 years, with deadly street protests a common occurrence.
Friday's announcement signals a surprise marriage between the two sides, with Ubolratana having the power to break that cycle.
"People are hoping that this princess will be a light at the end of Thailand's dark tunnel of dictatorial authoritarianism. That she'll be the means by which democratic forces can compel the junta to cede power and go back to the barracks," Chambers said.
Thai Raksa Chart said in a statement that Ubolratana "thinks it is about time to volunteer to perform the duty as Prime Minister to ... bring development to the country and return the well-being to the people by applying technology, to improve economics and society in order to modernize Thailand at international level, and moreover to create reconciliation among Thai people."
Reconciliation is key for the party, and Ubolratana's status could quell the chance of more street protests or a future coup and ensure there will be peace during the King's coronation.
Can a Princess be PM?
Ubolratana is the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016, and Queen Sirikit. Royal family members of her rank are not barred from politics but have opted to stay neutral in the past.
Ubolratana was close to her father and the two won a gold medal in sailing at the 1967 Southeast Asian Games. She relinquished her royal title when she married her American husband Peter Ladd Jensen in 1972 and settled in the US, where she studied biochemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The couple had three children but their second, Khun Bhumi Jensen -- known as Khun Poom -- died in the 2004 tsunami that ravaged southern Thailand.
Following her divorce in 1998, she returned to Thailand permanently in 2001 and became active in royal life. She has been working as a representative for the Thai tourism authority for more than 10 years.
Ubolratana set up several charities, including the Khun Poom Foundation named after her son that assists children with autism and other learning disabilities, and headed a campaign that helps young people stay off drugs.
She is also a keen singer and actor, appearing in several films, and is active on social media, where posts of her singing and dancing have gone viral.
In March, Thais will vote for the 500-seat lower house of parliament. But the 250-member upper house, or Senate, will be chosen entirely by the military.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
Pro-military party questions legality of princess's nomination
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... nomination
People Reform leader asks EC for a ruling
The pro-military People Reform Party has asked the Election Commission to rule if the Thai Raksa Chart Party violated the election law in nominating Princess Ubolratana as its candidate for prime minister.
Party leader Paiboon Nititawan on Friday submitted a letter to the EC asking that it order Thai Raksa Chart to suspend its nomination of Princess Ubolratana.
He said Thai Raksa Chart might use the name of the princess for election campaigning. That would breach Section 17 of the election law, which bars candidates and political parties from using the monarchy for electioneering.
Although Princess Ubolratana, the elder sister of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, relinquished her royal title in 1972, she was still part of the royal family, the People Reform Party leader said.
He said he had included a copy of the Constitutional Court’s opinion on the rights of people to exercise their voting rights with his letter to the EC. He quoted the court as saying the King, the Queen and members of the royal family from the rank of Mom Chao up were part of the royal institution and as such above politics and must stay neutral.
“The rank of nobility as written in some papers is another issue. The state of being a son and a daughter still exists in the royal institution though it is not in mentioned in the constitution. The fact is, Princess Ubolratana is respected and treated as part of the royal institution. Use of the royal institution by any political parties is prohibited. It goes against the law,’’ said Mr Paiboon.
The EC is required to endorse or reject all candidates by Feb 15, he said.
Thai Raksa Chart, a party linked to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, officially registered the princess as its only candidate for prime minister on Friday morning.
Thai Raksa Chart secretary-general Wim Rungwattanachinda said the party would not use pictures of the princess or her name for campaigning.
The party would continue presenting its political platform while on the campaign trail, said Mr Wim.
"I assure you that the party will neither post images of the princess anywhere nor use them for campaigning,'' he said.
Palang Pracharath Party leader Uttama Savanayana declined to comment on its rival's nomination, saying all parties had the right to nominate prime ministerial candidates, as stated in the constitution.
His party nominated Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its sole candidate, he said.
EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma on said on Friday political parties that registered candidates for prime minister with the EC could not withdraw them.
Section 13 of the constitution states that political parties can withdraw or change candidates nominated for prime minister only in the event someone dies or is disqualified, Pol Col Jarungvith said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... nomination
People Reform leader asks EC for a ruling
The pro-military People Reform Party has asked the Election Commission to rule if the Thai Raksa Chart Party violated the election law in nominating Princess Ubolratana as its candidate for prime minister.
Party leader Paiboon Nititawan on Friday submitted a letter to the EC asking that it order Thai Raksa Chart to suspend its nomination of Princess Ubolratana.
He said Thai Raksa Chart might use the name of the princess for election campaigning. That would breach Section 17 of the election law, which bars candidates and political parties from using the monarchy for electioneering.
Although Princess Ubolratana, the elder sister of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, relinquished her royal title in 1972, she was still part of the royal family, the People Reform Party leader said.
He said he had included a copy of the Constitutional Court’s opinion on the rights of people to exercise their voting rights with his letter to the EC. He quoted the court as saying the King, the Queen and members of the royal family from the rank of Mom Chao up were part of the royal institution and as such above politics and must stay neutral.
“The rank of nobility as written in some papers is another issue. The state of being a son and a daughter still exists in the royal institution though it is not in mentioned in the constitution. The fact is, Princess Ubolratana is respected and treated as part of the royal institution. Use of the royal institution by any political parties is prohibited. It goes against the law,’’ said Mr Paiboon.
The EC is required to endorse or reject all candidates by Feb 15, he said.
Thai Raksa Chart, a party linked to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, officially registered the princess as its only candidate for prime minister on Friday morning.
Thai Raksa Chart secretary-general Wim Rungwattanachinda said the party would not use pictures of the princess or her name for campaigning.
The party would continue presenting its political platform while on the campaign trail, said Mr Wim.
"I assure you that the party will neither post images of the princess anywhere nor use them for campaigning,'' he said.
Palang Pracharath Party leader Uttama Savanayana declined to comment on its rival's nomination, saying all parties had the right to nominate prime ministerial candidates, as stated in the constitution.
His party nominated Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its sole candidate, he said.
EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma on said on Friday political parties that registered candidates for prime minister with the EC could not withdraw them.
Section 13 of the constitution states that political parties can withdraw or change candidates nominated for prime minister only in the event someone dies or is disqualified, Pol Col Jarungvith said.
- Paiboon Nititawan, centre, leader of the People Reform Party, speaks to the media after submitting a letter to the Election Commission asking if Thai Raksa Chart Party violated the law in nominating Princess...
- c1_1625958_620x413.jpg (42.19 KiB) Viewed 518 times
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/ ... tary-junta
The sister of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has entered the race to be a prime minister in next month’s elections in an unprecedented move that redraws the country’s political landscape.
Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi said she was exercising her rights as a citizen in accepting an offer to represent the Thai Raksa Chart party. She is the first first member of the royal family to run for the office of PM, and will face coup leader and head of Thailand’s military junta, Prayut Chan-o-cha, who said on Friday he was running to “maintain peace and order”.
The Thai monarchy, a revered institution shielded from criticism by a strict lèse-majesté law, has traditionally been seen as above the political fray, although royals have intervened in moments of political crisis.
Ubolratana’s party, Thai Raksa Chart, is allied to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, but has led the party from exile. The party was created by Thaksin’s Peu Thai party after the military junta threatened to dissolve it. Ubolratana has openly maintained close ties with Thaksin.
“I have relinquished my royal titles and lived as a commoner,” Ubolratana, 67, said in a post on her Instagram account. “I have accepted the Thai Raksa Chart Party nomination for prime minister to show my rights and freedom without any privileges above other fellow Thai citizens under the constitution.”
The announcement was a profound and unprecedented development that had created a “political earthquake”, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University.
Prior to Ubolratana’s intervention, the election had been viewed as a battle between Thaksin’s populists and their allies, and the royalist-military establishment.
Thitinan said the move had catapulted the previously small Thai Raksa Chart into the spotlight. “It is the leading contender for the election now,” he said.
Ubolratana, 67, is the older sister of King Vajiralongkorn and eldest child of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, although she relinquished her official royal title when she married a foreigner in 1972. She is still considered part of the royal family, which is traditionally seen as being above politics, although highly influential.
The Thai Raksa Chart party said it was “deeply honoured” that Ubolratana had accepted its nomination. “She is concerned and wishes to take part in lifting Thais out of poverty,” her statement said, according to a translation by local news outlet Khaosod.
Thai Raksa Chart Party leader Preechapol Pongpanich said the princess was: “knowledgeable and is highly suitable”.
“I believe there will be no legal problems in terms of her qualification, but we have to wait for the Election Commission to endorse her candidacy.”
It was unclear at this point, Thitinan said, whether her candidacy would create more division in Thai politics, or the opposite. He said the princess could help bridge a divide in Thai politics as an outsider, but it also bore the risk of even more polarisation with the royal family on the one side and the military on the other. “Whether it leads to a more reconcilable political environment, we will have to see whether the other main political players are included in the government,” he said in a phone interview.
Paul Chambers, a lecturer at the college of Asean community studies at Thailand’s Naresuan University, said that although Ubolratana did not fall under the restrictive lèse-majesté law, which prohibits criticism of the royal family, open disapproval of her and her policies would become difficult. “Who would dare campaign against the king’s sister?” he said in an email to the Guardian. “She is a definite threat for Prayut because she holds much more legitimacy to Thais than does a coup leader.”
The sister of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has entered the race to be a prime minister in next month’s elections in an unprecedented move that redraws the country’s political landscape.
Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi said she was exercising her rights as a citizen in accepting an offer to represent the Thai Raksa Chart party. She is the first first member of the royal family to run for the office of PM, and will face coup leader and head of Thailand’s military junta, Prayut Chan-o-cha, who said on Friday he was running to “maintain peace and order”.
The Thai monarchy, a revered institution shielded from criticism by a strict lèse-majesté law, has traditionally been seen as above the political fray, although royals have intervened in moments of political crisis.
Ubolratana’s party, Thai Raksa Chart, is allied to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, but has led the party from exile. The party was created by Thaksin’s Peu Thai party after the military junta threatened to dissolve it. Ubolratana has openly maintained close ties with Thaksin.
“I have relinquished my royal titles and lived as a commoner,” Ubolratana, 67, said in a post on her Instagram account. “I have accepted the Thai Raksa Chart Party nomination for prime minister to show my rights and freedom without any privileges above other fellow Thai citizens under the constitution.”
The announcement was a profound and unprecedented development that had created a “political earthquake”, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University.
Prior to Ubolratana’s intervention, the election had been viewed as a battle between Thaksin’s populists and their allies, and the royalist-military establishment.
Thitinan said the move had catapulted the previously small Thai Raksa Chart into the spotlight. “It is the leading contender for the election now,” he said.
Ubolratana, 67, is the older sister of King Vajiralongkorn and eldest child of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, although she relinquished her official royal title when she married a foreigner in 1972. She is still considered part of the royal family, which is traditionally seen as being above politics, although highly influential.
The Thai Raksa Chart party said it was “deeply honoured” that Ubolratana had accepted its nomination. “She is concerned and wishes to take part in lifting Thais out of poverty,” her statement said, according to a translation by local news outlet Khaosod.
Thai Raksa Chart Party leader Preechapol Pongpanich said the princess was: “knowledgeable and is highly suitable”.
“I believe there will be no legal problems in terms of her qualification, but we have to wait for the Election Commission to endorse her candidacy.”
It was unclear at this point, Thitinan said, whether her candidacy would create more division in Thai politics, or the opposite. He said the princess could help bridge a divide in Thai politics as an outsider, but it also bore the risk of even more polarisation with the royal family on the one side and the military on the other. “Whether it leads to a more reconcilable political environment, we will have to see whether the other main political players are included in the government,” he said in a phone interview.
Paul Chambers, a lecturer at the college of Asean community studies at Thailand’s Naresuan University, said that although Ubolratana did not fall under the restrictive lèse-majesté law, which prohibits criticism of the royal family, open disapproval of her and her policies would become difficult. “Who would dare campaign against the king’s sister?” he said in an email to the Guardian. “She is a definite threat for Prayut because she holds much more legitimacy to Thais than does a coup leader.”
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
Princess Ubolratana confirms nomination
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... recent_box
Princess Ubolratana has confirmed her candidacy for the post of prime minister, thanked the Thai people for their love and support and promised to bring prosperity to the country.
The princess posted a message on her nichax Instagram account on Friday, thanking all Thais for their love and support. "I am deeply touched," she said.
The princess said she had stepped aside from being a member of the royal family and exercised her rights and freedom under the constitution as an ordinary person in deciding to represent the Thai Raksa Chart Party as its candidate for prime minister.
"My decision to allow the Thai Raksa Chart to register my name as a candidate for prime minister demonstrates my freedom and rights, with no privileges over other people, as stated in the constitution," she wrote.
She asked for the opportunity to bring prosperity to the country.
Her message was posted hours after Thai Raksa Chart officially registered her name as its candidate for prime minister with the Election Commission.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... recent_box
Princess Ubolratana has confirmed her candidacy for the post of prime minister, thanked the Thai people for their love and support and promised to bring prosperity to the country.
The princess posted a message on her nichax Instagram account on Friday, thanking all Thais for their love and support. "I am deeply touched," she said.
The princess said she had stepped aside from being a member of the royal family and exercised her rights and freedom under the constitution as an ordinary person in deciding to represent the Thai Raksa Chart Party as its candidate for prime minister.
"My decision to allow the Thai Raksa Chart to register my name as a candidate for prime minister demonstrates my freedom and rights, with no privileges over other people, as stated in the constitution," she wrote.
She asked for the opportunity to bring prosperity to the country.
Her message was posted hours after Thai Raksa Chart officially registered her name as its candidate for prime minister with the Election Commission.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
-
dtaai-maai
- Hero
- Posts: 14268
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
- Location: UK, Robin Hood country
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-47175604
Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn has denounced as "inappropriate" his sister's unprecedented bid to run for prime minister in March's election.
In a palace statement, he said such an act would "defy the nation's culture".
This is the way
Re: New candidate registered for the 2019 election
Princess Ubolratana 'may not take political position'
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... l-position
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... l-position
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source