Thai King's Sister Becomes Prime Minister Candidate
Ms. Ubolratana Mahidol, 67 years old, sister of Thai King Rama X, unexpectedly became a candidate to run for the position of Prime Minister of this country.
On the morning of February 8, political parties in Thailand officially announced the list of prime ministerial candidates for the election on March 24. The most surprising thing was that Ms. Ubolratana Mahidol, the biological sister of King Rama X, became the candidate of the Thai Raksa Chart Party. This is a party that is said to have friendly relations with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently in exile abroad.
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| Ms. Ubolratana. Photo: BloombergQuint. |
Ubolratana is the eldest daughter of King Rama IX and Queen Sirikit, the elder sister of the current King Rama X. Ubolratana is a film actress and gave up her title of Thai princess when she married a foreigner. She is no longer a princess of this country but still has the right to participate in full royal ceremonies.
This is the first time in Thai history that a person with direct royal bloodline has directly participated in the country's politics since Thailand established a constitutional monarchy 86 years ago.
The Thai government’s civilian election has been set for March 24. Ubolratana’s strongest opponent is expected to be incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, whose Palang Pracharat Party has put forward its candidate on February 8.
