Thai polls regulator heeds king, blocks princess' candidacy
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2017, file photo, Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn walks in a funeral procession of his father the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand. Late Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, King Vajiralongkorn issued a decree stating that no member of the royal family should be involved in politics, quashing a bid by his older sister to run for prime minister in next month's elections. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
Thailand's Election Commission has disqualified the sister of the country's king from becoming a candidate for prime minister in the March general election.
The commission's decision came after her brother issued an order describing Princess Ubolratana Mahidol's political plans as inappropriate and unconstitutional.
The Thai Raksa Chart Party last Friday registered Princess Ubolratana Mahidol as its candidate, defying precedent against royal involvement in politics.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The move was seen as a challenge to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led a 2014 military coup and is favored to win the election.
A royal order from King Maha Vajiralongkorn said tradition and law barred the princess from politics.
Her supporters hoped she could run because her formal royal status was annulled in 1972 when she married a U.S citizen. They are now divorced.