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THAILAND-HONGKONG-POLITICS-ROYALS
Thai princess who stood for PM attends Shinawatra Hong Kong wedding
HONG KONG, March 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The princess whose shock candidacy
in Thailand’s general election sent jitters through the country attended a
glitzy wedding for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter in Hong Kong on
Friday, just two days before polling day.
Princess Ubolratana’s short-lived political venture was stopped by her
brother King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who said in a royal command that it was
highly inappropriate.
Thais go to the polls on March 24 in the first election in eight years,
and the princess’s unexpected candidacy — to front a now-dissolved
Shinawatra-linked party — was the campaign’s biggest twist so far.
At the wedding she was welcomed on the red carpet by Thaksin, his eldest
daughter and her husband.
Wearing a short pink gown, the 67-year-old princess smiled and chatted
with the Shinawatras as they walked into harbourside Rosewood Hotel for the
wedding of Thaksin’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn.
Thaksin was dressed in a black suit with a red bow tie and a flower on his
lapel as he greeted Ubolratana with a bow, while his eldest daughter
Pintongta made a Thai style “wai” gesture.
Thailand’s former PM arrived at the venue two hours before the reception,
which was set to begin at 6pm (1000 GMT). On his way in he said to the
gathered media in English: “I’m happy.”
Asked who will win the election, Thaksin replied: “I don’t know.”
Thaksin and his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra both now live overseas
after fleeing what they say are politically motivated charges following coups
that toppled their governments.
Yingluck arrived early with her son Supasek Amornchat dressed in a peach
colour lacy evening gown and holding a silver purse. She made the “wai”
greeting to reporters and said “sawadika” (hello).
BSS/AFP/BZC/2010HRS