Shortly before the parliamentary elections in Thailand, the Constitutional Court banned one of the main opposition parties. After a word of law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Supreme Court of the Southeast Asian country decided today in Bangkok, the dissolution of the party Thai Raksa Chart (TRC).
This was justified by the fact that she had set up for the election on March 24, the sister of the king, Princess Ubolratana, as a top candidate. This was considered an act directed against the monarchy.
Because of the ban, the party may now not compete in the election – the first after a military coup five years ago. Thai Raksa Chart (about: Save the Nation) was only founded in late 2018. With the princess as a top candidate she would have had good chances to come to the government in the opinion of experts. The TRC is close to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire lives abroad after his overthrow by the army. Currently, the military is ruling.
Candidature stopped
A month ago, TRC had surprisingly set up the king’s eldest sister as a top candidate. The candidacy of the 67-year-old caused great excitement for several hours until her brother stopped her. On television he read a statement that the candidacy of a member of the royal family was unconstitutional. Thailand has not been an absolute monarchy since 1932. The royal house has, however, until today great influence, even in politics.
