Thai election body seeks to dissolve party that named princess for PM

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The Thailand election commission has asked a constitutional court to consider dissolving the Thai Raksa Chart party that nominated Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya as a candidate for prime minister in the March general election, a statement said on Wednesday.

The party announced the nomination on February 8, prompting the king to issue a statement later in the day saying that involving the princess in politics was "inappropriate" and against the constitution and constitutional monarchy. She was disqualified and later apologized for causing "problems.”

Thai Raksa Chart party leader Preechapol Pongpanich, holds up an application of the candidate for Prime Minister, Thailand's Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, at the election commission office in Bangkok, Thailand, February 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

The election commission said in a statement the Thai Raksa Chart party had violated an electoral law with its nomination of the king's sister, which was "antagonistic toward the constitutional monarchy."

"Therefore, it is agreed that a petition will be submitted to the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving the Thai Raksa Chart Party," it said in a statement.

Thai Raksa Chart officials told reporters the party did not violate the electoral law and it would ask the Constitutional Court to be "merciful."

The court said it would decide on Thursday whether or not to accept the case. If found guilty, the party would be dissolved, and its board members would be banned from standing for political office.

Thai princess apologizes after ill-fated run for PM

The Thai princess has apologized after her short-lived candidacy for prime minister earned a royal rebuke from her brother – the king – and sent jitters across the politically febrile country just weeks before elections.

Thailand has been mired in political drama since last Friday when Princess Ubolratana's name was submitted as a prime ministerial candidate by the Thai Raksa Chart Party.

The princess was disqualified as a prime ministerial candidate by the Election Commission on Monday, which cited the royal command. It is now discussing whether to refer the Thai Raksa Chart to the constitutional court for dissolution.

Thai Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya poses during a news conference at the 61st Cannes Film Festival, May 15, 2008. /Reuters Photo

In an Instagram post late Tuesday the 67-year-old princess apologized for her role in the drama.

"I'm sorry that my genuine intention to help work for the country and fellow Thai people has created a problem that shouldn't happen in this era," she wrote.

It was tagged with a hashtag "#howcomeitsthewayitis."

Ubolratana is the first-born of former king Bhumibol Adulyadej, but she gave up her royal titles when she married an American in 1972.

After her divorce, she moved back to Thailand where the Thai public regards her as a part of the royal family.

While she said she was exercising her rights as a commoner to stand for premier, the palace statement said she is "still a member of the House of Chakri," referring to the name of the dynasty.

(With input from AFP)