Thailand election panel disqualifies princess as PM candidate

Mike CLARKE / AFP

Thailand's election panel has cut short the political aspirations of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi after disqualifying her bid to run as the prime ministerial candidate for the March elections.

It echoed King Maha Vajiralongkorn's words that royalty should be "above politics".

The Election Commission released the official list of prime ministerial candidates without the name of the 67-year-old princess.

In a statement, the panel explained that Ubolratana was left out "because every member of the royal family comes within the application of the same rule requiring the monarch to be above politics and to be politically neutral". 

The princess had earlier accepted the nomination of the Thai Raksa Chart party.

More from International

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Business Breakfast

    6:00am - 10:00am

    The Business Breakfast is the day’s must listen for the UAE’s business leaders, and those who aspire to be.

  • The Agenda

    10:00am - 1:00pm

    Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Flying Taxis

    It sounds like an episode of The Jetsons, but the sight of flying taxis whizzing around our cities could be much closer than you think.

  • Tough penalties for deliberate tax evasion

    The UAE has said that tougher penalties will come into force from 1st August for not keeping proper corporate tax records.