Royal Drama Spoils Thailand’s Big Election
Just three days of political showtime, Princess Ubolratana Sirivadhana Barnavadi turned a quiet spin‑around into a full‑blown palace‑politics make‑over. The sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn announced she’d run for prime minister in March’s parliamentary showdown—fancy, right?
Why the Princess’s Gambit Is “Inappropriate” to the King
The royal family in Thailand is treated like part‑god, part‑legend. To step into a campaign trail is basically a breach of etiquette, the kind of mistake that comes with a potential 15‑year sentence for insulting the monarchy. Time and again, Thai legislators have kept the royals in the social comfort zone, treating them as symbolic guardians of national culture.
When the princess joined the race, a populist party linked to exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra tried to rack up mega‑fans by giving flowers in royal colors, hoping to spin “loyalty to the throne” into a new form of thump‑gate. But it backfired when the king himself called her bid “inappropriate.” The Election Commission followed suit and yanked her out of the ballot by Monday (Feb 11).
The Long‑Running Thaksin “Game” on the Horizon
- Thaksin’s crew has won every Thai election since 2001—and just keeps winning back again and again, because at the end of each return you get the military or judiciary tossing them out.
- In 2014, the army toppled the last Thaksin‑sister Yingluck‑led government.
- Now the next contest sits on the line: Thaksin allies vs. urban, middle‑class forces that love the monarchy more than the throne itself.
Princess Ubolratana’s “Pop‑Culture” Bid
The Thai Raksa Chart party declared she was the next Siamese “crown‑for‑a‑cup” to bulldoze the image of Thaksin’s crew being “not loyal enough.” Nominations birded up quickly while the royal family kept the chill; soon her brother, now King‑in‑the‑making, pulled back the curtain. Still, the brief flash of royalty in the field may linger in the public mind and deepen the divide.
Academic Take on the Rolling of Royal Influence
Dr. Anusorn Unno, scholar of sociology at Thammasat University, sees the palace’s fleeting intrusions as a “public relations strike” for the party. He says:
“For Thai Raksa Chart supporters, it creates sympathetic vibes. They’ll see themselves as a victim of royal interference.”
Yet for those who distrust Thaksin, the move could serve as a catalyst that encourages them to rally against what they perceive as a monarchy‑manipulating plot.
When Royalty Gets a Shot at Politics
It’s a throwback drama where the throne, the electorate, and last‑minute cabinet shakes get tossed together. The result? A pulse of emotional allegiance, a denial of legitimacy, and a few minutes of sensational headlines that will keep voters sulking after the March 24 vote. Even though Princess Ubolratana won’t actually lead an election, the idea has already stuck—like a meme in a crowded palace.
