Thai princess to contest general election in surprise move

A member of Thailand's royal family is to run in the country's general election on March 24.

Princess Ubolratana Mahidol, sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is the first Thai royal to run for the office of Prime Minister.

The 67-year-old will go up against the head of Thailand’s ruling military junta, Prayut Chan-o-cha, who says he's running to “maintain peace and order”.

Princess Ubolratana will represent the Thai Raksa Chart party, which has close links to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.