BANGKOK: On Friday, Thailand's royalty made an unprecedented move into politics when the sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn was declared as a prime ministerial candidate for March 24 elections, registration papers showed. And the nomination of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, 67, the elder sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, promised to upend Thailand`s already turbulent politics because it breaks the long-standing tradition of Thai royalty staying out of politics.

As of now, Princess Ubolratana will run as a candidate for a party loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. One of her leading opponents will be Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of Thailand`s military junta, who also announced his candidacy on Friday. Thailand has been a constitutional kingdom since 1932 but the royal family has wielded great influence and commanded the devotion of millions. The election shapes as a battle between Thaksin`s populists and their allies and the royalist-military establishment. However, the nomination of a member of the royal family by the pro-Thaksin Thai Raksa Chart party could change that dynamic.

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Thai Raksa Chart is an off-shoot of the Pheu Thai Party, formed by Thaksin loyalists and the core leadership of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), or "red shirts" group, as a strategy to help Pheu Thai win votes. The simmering conflict between the Bangkok-centred elites and the more rural-based populists has resulted in street protests, military coups, and violent clashes over almost 15 years.

Princess Ubolratana is known for her "To be Number One" philanthropy campaign, which aims to help young people stay away from drugs, as well as starring in several soap operas and movies. An avid social media user, she recently posted videos eating street food and another complaining about pollution in Bangkok.

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