BANGKOK: Thai Princess Ubolratana’s unprecedented attempt to become the country’s next prime minister was abruptly nixed Saturday after her party agreed to comply with a command from the king opposing the plan.

The party’s announcement effectively blocking Ubolratana’s candidacy came after an extraordinary rebuke by her brother King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and removes a hurdle for the ruling junta to hold onto power after the March 24 vote — the first since a 2014 coup.

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