The election race for Bangkok governor has intensified with two prominent figures now expected to be nominated.

The election is scheduled for April next year.

A source in the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) said Pathum Thani governor Narongsak Osottanakorn has agreed to run for Bangkok governor as the PPRP’s candidate.

Mr Narongsak made the decision after meeting Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon early this week, the source said, adding the PPRP will officially announce Mr Narongsak as its candidate next week.

Mr Narongsak was hailed for his role in coordinating the rescue of a football team stuck in a flooded cave system in Chiang Rai -- where he had also served as governor -- a few years ago.

Meanwhile, Suchatchavee Suwansawas has emerged as a potential candidate for the gubernatorial race under the Democrat Party's banner after he resigned as rector of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Ongart Klampaiboon said he will nominate Mr Suchatchavee as the candidate for the poll during the party's executive committee meeting on Monday. If the party approves the nomination, Mr Suchatchavee will be unveiled as the party candidate the same day, he said.

The Bangkok Post could not reach Mr Suchatchavee for comment.

A Pheu Thai Party source said the main opposition party may decide to support Chadchart Sittipunt, a former transport minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, who is running as an independent.

Mr Chadchart was ahead of other candidates in opinion surveys held before the two high-profile potential candidates emerged. A Nida poll released on Sunday showed that most respondents or 34.4% wanted Mr Chadchart to be the next Bangkok governor.

The Bangkok governor election has been put on hold since the 2014 coup. The last poll took place in March 2013.