Bangkok Post

Three leading contenders in the race for city governor—from left to right, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, and Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen—shake hands as they arrive at City Hall to apply to run in the March 3 election. APICHART JINAKUL

Twenty people applied for candidacy registration but two of them failed to meet the application requirements.

The last day to register is on Friday.

All candidates registered at City Hall before office hours so they could queue up early to draw a number for the order in which they would later draw their ballot paper candidate number.

Former Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra drew No.16.

His main rival, Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, drew No.9.

Only MR Sukhumbhand and Pol Gen Pongsapat are running under the banner of political parties. The others are all standing as independent candidates.

Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, an independent who two recent polls put in third place behind MR Sukhumbhand and Pol Gen Pongsapat, drew No.11.

The other candidates and their ballot numbers are Wila Udom who drew No.1, Waranchai Chokchana (No.2), Capt Metta Temchamnan (No.3), Sophon Pornchokchai (No.4), Samit Samithinand (No.5), Sanhapot Suksrimuang (No.6), Natdanai Phubetatthawit (No.7), Sumeth Tanthanasirikul (No.8), Kosit Suvinitjit (No.10), Jongjit Hirunlabh (No.12), Wasin Pirom (No.13), Pratheep Watcharachokkasem (No.14), Chamras Intumas (No.15), Suharit Siamwalla (No.17) and Nannapas Kosaikanont (No.18).

Ms Jongjit and Ms Nannapas are the only two female candidates.

Pol Gen Pongsapat yesterday promised to work with the government to solve the capital's problems if he is elected.

He promised to expand Bangkok's current free bus service scheme to include all buses and routes. Currently, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has 800 free buses operating daily along 73 routes.

Pol Gen Pongsapat said half of the budget to finance the free bus scheme will come from City Hall and the other half from the government.

MR Sukhumbhand said his No.16 should be a lucky number because he was the 16th Bangkok governor.

Hundreds turned up at City Hall yesterday to support their candidates.

Pornpen Sonhoo, wearing a red shirt, arrived at City Hall provide moral support to Pol Gen Pongsapat.

"He is a clever person. I am 100% confident he will win the election and keep his election promises," she said.

A woman named Chantaya, a supporter of MR Sukhumbhand, said he has done the right things for the capital so she wanted him to be re-elected to continue and complete his work.

She said she was impressed when the former governor visited Bangkok victims of the 2011 floods.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said all candidates would be allowed to campaign for votes at military camps.

Army personnel would be allowed to vote freely in the election. "As citizens, no one can order them about," he said.