Political crisis in Thailand for the candidacy of the princess who wants to become prime minister

The royal palace on Friday night condemned the entry into politics of Princess Ubolratana, sister of the King of Thailand, who provoked a political earthquake by announcing his candidacy for the post of prime minister in the March elections.

"The Queen, the heir and members of the royal family must be above politics and can not hold a political office, as it would be a contradiction with the Constitution, "according to a statement published in the Royal Gazette on television.

The unexpected bid opened a new political scenario in Thailand, a country hitherto tightly controlled by the army.

Although, at first, it was thought that the candidacy had been approved by the king, the press release of the Royal Gazette suggests the opposite.

Ubolratana Rajakanya will be introduced to the post of head of the civilian government that will be formed after the legislature of March 24under the label of a party close to the clan Schinawatra, fierce enemy of the junta.

The princess is our "candidate for the post of prime minister" in elections, the first since the coup d'état of 2014, declared to the AFP Preechaphol Pongpanich, leader of the Thai party Raksa Chart.

This party is protected by Thaksin Shinawatra, billionaire and former prime minister in exile, hated by the army but very popular among the modest clbades.

Shinawatra, a reformer, has always been perceived by the old royal guard and by the army as a threat to the kingdom. This is why the military coups against their governments took place in 2006 and 2014.

But since this last military coup, led by generals close to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, he died and his son Maha Vajiralongkorn succeeded him.

The candidacy of the king's sister – who, according to badysts, would initially have not been able to be decided without the agreement of the palace – This was perceived as an unprecedented break with the old guard of the Bhumibol era.

No member of the royal family has been elected to the government since the creation of a constitutional monarchy in Thailand in 1932.

After the announcement of the princess, the head of the military junta, Prayut Chan-O-Cha, announced that she would also opt for the position, in an attempt by the army to maintain its influence four years after the coup d'etat.

"I decided to accept the invitation of (party) Phalang Pracharat propose my name to Parliament to be named Prime Minister, "said Prayut, referring to the promilitar party founded in 2018.

So, Prayut Chan-o-Cha and Princess Ubolratana will be opponents of these elections, the first since 2011 and are announced very interesting.

Prayut has been leading the board of directors for almost five years, adopting a new constitution to rethink the political landscape and ensure that the military controls power after the elections.

The soldiers under Prayut were presented as the protectors of the monarchy. However, the irruption of Princess Ubolratana's policy – by the hand of the junta's great enemy – challenges this argument.

"It's something new. If (the princess) becomes Prime Minister, can it be treated as a simple plebeian? (…) Who would dare to criticize a prime minister of royalty? ", S questions Puangthong Pawakapan, professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University of Bangkok, interviewed by AFP.

Indeed, the royal family of Thailand is protected by a draconian law of majesty desa. Legally, the king's sisters are not covered by this law, but no one dares to criticize them for fear of being in prison for several years.

Ubolratana, an extrovert personality who contrasts with that of his brother, King Maha Vajiralongkornmore discreet, he gives up his royal titles by marrying an American several decades ago.

However, the couple divorced and She returned to Thailand, where she is still considered part of the royal family.

Excellent athlete, in addition to the actress and occasional singer, the princess had so far shown little interest in politics and was more dedicated to defending Thai cinema in festivals around the world