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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/08/thai-princess-to-run-for-prime-minister-against-ruling-military-junta
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Thai princess to run for prime minister against ruling military junta | Thai princess to run for prime minister against ruling military junta |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The sister of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been unveiled as a prime ministerial candidate in next month’s elections in a country where strict lèse-majesté laws make criticism of the royal family in effect illegal. | The sister of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been unveiled as a prime ministerial candidate in next month’s elections in a country where strict lèse-majesté laws make criticism of the royal family in effect illegal. |
| The surprise candidacy of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Varnavadi – the king’s eldest sister – was declared in registration papers filed by a party loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. | The surprise candidacy of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Varnavadi – the king’s eldest sister – was declared in registration papers filed by a party loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. |
| “The (party) board agrees that the name of Princess Ubolratana, an educated and skilled person, is the most suitable choice,” Thai Raksa Chart party leader Preechapol Pongpanich told reporters. | “The (party) board agrees that the name of Princess Ubolratana, an educated and skilled person, is the most suitable choice,” Thai Raksa Chart party leader Preechapol Pongpanich told reporters. |
| 'We are hero': Thai election hopefuls give themselves a Hollywood makeover | 'We are hero': Thai election hopefuls give themselves a Hollywood makeover |
| “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,” he said. | “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,” he said. |
| The Election Commission is required to endorse all candidates by next Friday. | The Election Commission is required to endorse all candidates by next Friday. |
| Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire self-exiled former premier, stands at the heart of Thailand’s bitter decade-long political schism. He is loathed by the army and Bangkok elite, yet adored by the rural poor. | Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire self-exiled former premier, stands at the heart of Thailand’s bitter decade-long political schism. He is loathed by the army and Bangkok elite, yet adored by the rural poor. |
| Also on Friday, the head of Thailand’s military junta, Prayuth Chan-ocha, said he will contest elections on 24 March as a candidate for prime minister. But the shock entrance of Ubolratana is likely to throw the military’s plans into disarray. | Also on Friday, the head of Thailand’s military junta, Prayuth Chan-ocha, said he will contest elections on 24 March as a candidate for prime minister. But the shock entrance of Ubolratana is likely to throw the military’s plans into disarray. |
| Strict lèse-majesté laws make it a crime to criticise, defame or insult members of the royal family. | Strict lèse-majesté laws make it a crime to criticise, defame or insult members of the royal family. |
| In practice, this means open discussion or critical reporting about the royal family is considered illegal. | In practice, this means open discussion or critical reporting about the royal family is considered illegal. |
| The military junta, which seized power in 2014, has been criticised for using the law – which can see people jailed for up to 15 years on each count – to stifle opposition. | The military junta, which seized power in 2014, has been criticised for using the law – which can see people jailed for up to 15 years on each count – to stifle opposition. |
| In 2015, a man was jailed for 30 years over six Facebook posts and the local printer of the New York Times refused to publish an edition with a story on the king. | In 2015, a man was jailed for 30 years over six Facebook posts and the local printer of the New York Times refused to publish an edition with a story on the king. |
| Prayuth, the army chief who seized power from a democratic government in a 2014 coup and made himself prime minister, said in a statement he would run for the pro-military Palang Pracharat party. | Prayuth, the army chief who seized power from a democratic government in a 2014 coup and made himself prime minister, said in a statement he would run for the pro-military Palang Pracharat party. |
| The nomination of the princess, 67, breaks the long-standing tradition of Thai royalty staying out of politics. | The nomination of the princess, 67, breaks the long-standing tradition of Thai royalty staying out of politics. |
| Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932 but the royal family has wielded great influence and commanded the devotion of millions. | Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932 but the royal family has wielded great influence and commanded the devotion of millions. |
| The princess registered as a candidate for the Thai Raksa Chart party, an offshoot of the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party. | The princess registered as a candidate for the Thai Raksa Chart party, an offshoot of the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party. |
| The election hashitherto been seen as a battle between Thaksin’s populists and allies and the royalist-military establishment. | The election hashitherto been seen as a battle between Thaksin’s populists and allies and the royalist-military establishment. |
| Ubolratana, 67, is a colourful, public-facing royal.She relinquished her royal titles after marrying an American decades ago but the couple eventually divorced and she moved back to Thailand where she is still considered part of the royal family. | Ubolratana, 67, is a colourful, public-facing royal.She relinquished her royal titles after marrying an American decades ago but the couple eventually divorced and she moved back to Thailand where she is still considered part of the royal family. |
| Reuters contributed to this report | Reuters contributed to this report |
| Thailand | Thailand |
| Monarchy | Monarchy |
| Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
| news | news |
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