Election officials disqualify Thai princess from leadership race

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Thai Princess Ubolratana Mahidol has been forced to drop her historic bid for prime minister, elections officials sad Monday.

Ubolratana announced last week she would seek the post in a break from tradition. No member of the Thai royal family has ever run for public office. Sunday, the oldest daughter of the late King Bhumidol was told royal family members can't get involved in politics. Her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn had denounced her run as "inappropriate."

"All members of the royal family must abide by the king's principle of staying above politics, maintaining political impartiality and they cannot take up political office," the elections commission said in a statement.

Ubolratana's nomination threatened the current regime, which took over following a 2014 coup.

The Thai Raska Chart Party, which nominated Ubolratana, could be disbanded for attempting to involve the royal family in politics. The party had originally planned a press conference Monday, but canceled it.

The commission on Sunday endorsed 69 candidates from 45 parties -- Thai Raska Chart was the only exception. There have been no appeals.