Sister of Thailand's King Decides to Become Prime Minister. Monarch Accuses Her of Violating National Traditions

Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn has spoken out against the nomination of his sister Ubol Ratana for the post of prime minister.

According to the king's statement, "the participation of senior members of the royal family in politics is a violation of national traditions, customs and culture and is therefore considered highly inappropriate."

The country's constitution also requires neutrality from members of the royal family, the monarch said.

Ubol Ratana said she had renounced her royal status and wanted to use her civil right to stand for election. She is running for the Thai Raksa Chaat party, which is seen as linked to the former ruling Phua Thai party, ousted from power in 2014, and exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

• Elections in Thailand will be held on March 24. They will be the first elections since 2014, when the country suffered a military coup amid a political crisis. Its leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha, is the current prime minister and a candidate in the new elections.