The Thai Raksa Chart Party (TRC) has asked the Election Commission for a chance to defend itself amid reports EC will seek its disbandment for nominating Princess Ubolratana as its candidate for prime minister.
Surachai Chinchai, the party's legal affairs adviser, wrote to the EC chairman on Wednesday, citing laws as reasons why the commission should to listen to the TRC's side of the controversy before deciding whether to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve it.
"The Thai Raksa Chart is of the view that in exercising its power the EC must comply with the rule of law... and the disbandment of the party would affect the rights of the party and party members that the constitution protects," he wrote.
Failure to listen to the accused party's explanation would be against the law and the rule of law, Mr Surachai wrote.
He cited Section 93 of the organic law on political parties, saying the political parties' registrar would have to compile facts and evidence for the EC's consideration.
Last Friday morning the TRC registered Princess Ubolratana with the EC as its sole candidate for prime minister. That night, His Majesty the King issued a royal command, saying the royal family must by tradition remain outside politics and the nomination was extremely inappropriate.
There were also protests by the party's opponents, who argued against involving a member of the royal family in politics and warned it could lead to the disbandment of the TRC. They said any involvement of a royal family member in the election campaign was prohibited by law and a violation of the constitutional monarchy.
On Monday the EC disqualified her, while accepting all other registrations for candidacy.
