Princess Ratanaporn becomes a major world figure in her own rightThe King's half-sister gets rave reviews for her assertive performance in the General Assembly10 January 4750
Above: Her Royal Highness Princess Ratanaporn⠀⠀Given His Royal Majesty's
intimate family relations with top leaders in the military, few could have suspected that the second most powerful figure in the Hanzenese political landscape since King Khemkhaeng's ascension to the Peacock Throne would be his half sister, Princess Ratanaporn.
⠀⠀Since the
4743 coronation of King Khemkhaeng, Princess Ratanaporn has been appointed to a number of high-level positions in the government, such as President of the National Sporting Committee of Hanzen, President of the Hanzenese Volleyball Association, Royal Patron of Contemporary Art and Culture, Minister of Water and, perhaps most notably, Permanent Representative to the World Congress.
⠀⠀During her tenure in the World Congress General Assembly, Princess Ratanaporn has engaged in a number of high profile debates with delegates from many developed nations, most notably the World Congress Ambassador from Dorvik, over that nation's advocacy of a Security Council intervention in nearby Bianjie. Tensions flared between the two representatives, culminating in the Dorvish Ambassador accusing the Princess of being "
racist and
xenophobic" for opposing the mission.
⠀⠀Nonetheless, Princess Ratanaporn's indomitable performance in the World Congress General Assembly has won her supporters both within and beyond the chamber. Within the Assembly, the Princess has secured commitments for humanitarian and military aid from the
Valruzia,
Yingdala, and
Vanuku among others. As it pertains to the latter two states, there have been indications that they are preparing to join a
working group within the General Assembly organized by the Princess, "for nations committed to diplomacy, democracy and development," and in opposition to the Security Council's "militaristic policies."
⠀⠀Domestically Princess Ratanaporn has seen her star rise, with her speeches on the General Assembly floor widely perceived as patriotic and in strong defence of Hanzen's position within an anarchic global community. The widowed spouse of Army General Keeree Shinawatra, the Princess already derives much of her political power from military figures loyal to her late husband. However, given her recent performance across multiple portfolios, the Princess has built a broader constituency amongst the Hanzenese population at large.
⠀⠀Many foreign observers have labelled Princess Ratanaporn a "éminence grise," or the power behind the throne, though this analysis underestimates the broad popularity and direct control over government policy the King enjoys. However, it is clear that the Princess has emerged as a paramount leader in the government — the only one of the late King Anuman's children with his first consort, Queen Songsuda, to actively participate in King Khemkhaeng's rule.
Other developments across HanzenMinor headlines and stories from across the country and the broader Southern Dovani regionSekowan credit union Mizubayashi expands services to urban centres10 January 4750⠀⠀
Sekowan credit union Mizubayashi has opened ten new branches in urban centres across Hanzen today. Mizubayashi Group Chairwoman Mizubayashi Naomi, speaking to reporters from the union's flagship branch in Udon Nakhon, said her members were thrilled to offer services across Hanzen: "While this first major entry into the Hanzenese market is a moment for celebration for our membership, we are committed to helping the Kingdom's economy develop and serve the underbanked in small and rural communities."
⠀⠀While Mizubayashi's expansion has been confined to large cities, the group's Chairwoman has said that she intends to provide Sekowan experience and expertise in forming and federating credit unions, cooperative banks and mutual savings trusts across the Kingdom of Hanzen.King Khemkhaeng oversees preparation for Bianjie refugee influx11 January 4750⠀⠀
His Royal Majesty King Khemkhaeng has travelled to Eastern Hanzen today to speak with local leaders and ensure that communities are prepared for an influx of refugees as a result of the instability of Bianjie's regime and the upcoming Security Council intervention in the region. King Khemkhaeng has celebrated the cooperation between Upayanâ and Kitembo Daenist temples and monasteries as they contribute to the humanitarian effort.The Phra Rath (Phra State) is a widely-circulated broadsheet newspaper in Hanzen, from a centre-left nationalist perspective.
