The Thai King’s sister who was disqualified from running for prime minister has apologised for causing “problems” for the Thai people ahead of upcoming elections.
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi had her name rejected from an official list of prime minister candidates by the Election Commission.
The commission said members of the royal family should stay above politics, echoing a sharp rebuke from King Maha Vajiralongkorn that her bid was "inappropriate" and unconstitutional.
She said in a statement on Instagram: "I am sorry my genuine intention to work for the country and Thai people has caused such problems that shouldn't have happened in this era."
The princess ended the statement with the hashtag "#howcomeitsthewayitis".
Ms Ubolratana's unprecedented nomination by a party allied with populist ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra unsettled the Southeast Asian nation, where the monarchy is revered by millions of Thais and remains above politics.
The Election Commission is also considering dissolving the Thai Raksa Chart party as a result of the nomination. Electoral laws forbid involving the monarchy in political campaigns.
The March 24 election is set to be a showdown between the military-backed, royalist Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and supporters of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and forced into exile, but remains immensely popular.
Additional reporting by agencies.
.jpg?w=600)
