THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Activist group pushes for dissolution of Thai Raksa Chart over nomination of Princess

Activist group pushes for dissolution of Thai Raksa Chart over nomination of Princess

A political pressure group on Sunday unveiled plans to ask the Election Commission (EC) to take action that could lead to the dissolution of the political party, which nominated Princess Ubolratana as its PM candidate for the March 24 election.

The Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution will file its petition with the EC on Monday, the group’s secretary-general Srisuwan Janya said on Sunday.
“We will ask the EC to consider whether Thai Raksa Chart Party’s action goes against relevant laws and EC regulations on election campaigning. We ask that the case be referred to the Constitutional Court for a verdict on whether Thai Raksa Chart should be dissolved,” Srisuwan said.
He added that the nomination of the Princess, who is the older sister of His Majesty the King, had led to much controversy and raised a big question as to whether the nomination was even constitutional. The activist noted that Thai Raksa Chart had not considered any legal provisions that prevented it from nominating the Princess, who relinquished her royal titles in 1972 to marry an American.
He also noted that the King on Friday night had issued a statement barring the Princess from getting involved in politics, as she is still a member of the Royal Family. The statement, broadcast nationally, pointed out that a Royal Family member getting involved in politics went against the spirit of the Constitution, as the monarchy is supposed to stay above politics. 
Srisuwan pointed out on Sunday that Thai Raksa Chart, which is linked to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had nominated someone who is not qualified to become a PM candidate and that this went against the electoral law and EC regulations regarding election campaigning. 
EC regulations prohibit political parties from relying on the monarchy in their campaigns.

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