UTN deputy leader accused of taking King’s name in vain

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, who served on the Election Commission (EC) from 2013 to 2018, said the UTN deputy leader’s speech in Nakhon Ratchasima may have broken the Commission’s Section 4 rule against involving royalty in election campaigns. Article 17 of Section 4 bans political parties from linking the royal family to campaigns.

This is more than just a rule in Thailand. The idea that the king is not involved in party politics is absolutely sacrosanct, and fundamental to the kingdom’s identity.

During his speech in the northeast on Saturday, Trairong told Korat locals that King Rama IX once said Thais should elect “good people”’ to govern them. He added that there’s no one better than jolly old “Uncle Tu” – PM Prayut’s nickname.

Having breached the sacred issues, the party chief then blundered straight on into embarrassment.

Trairong told his shocked…