Princess Ubolratana Mahidol, the eldest child of the late King Bhumibol, was nominated on Friday to be Thailand’s next prime minister. Minutes later, General Prayuth Chan-ocha also accepted the nomination.

“The Thai Raksa Chart Party is deeply honored to have received Ubolratana Mahidol’s kindness in accepting the party’s nomination to be prime minister,” the party said in a prepared statement.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also accepted the nomination of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), a pro-junta party founded and led by members of the military regime.

“This decision is not easy because it’s an important moment for the nation,” Gen. Prayuth said in the statement released to the media. “Although I served as a soldier for all my life, I am [still] willing to sacrifice myself in order to protect Thailand,” said General Prayuth.

Meanwhile, Thai Raksa Chart is a spinoff from the Pheu Thai Party, and both are friends of the fugitive former Prime Ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.

Sources: Bangkok Post, Khaosod English