BANGKOK: In what can be dubbed as an unprecedented move, Princess Ubolratana Mahidol, 67, has joined the race to be Thailand’s next prime minister, reports said.

The sister of Thailand’s king is said to stand for a party allied to divisive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to agency reports. Thailand is holding the election on 24 March.

Observers have said that this decision ‘breaks with the tradition of the Thai royal family’, which has stayed away from politics. (Agencies)