The Pheu Thai Party's executive committee on Sunday unanimously picked Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen as the party's candidate for the Bangkok governor election, spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra did not attend the meeting as she is not an executive committee member.

Mr Prompong said the meeting agreed to appoint party secretary-general Phumtham Vechayachai as director of the party's election centre.

Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen (Photo by Kosol Nakachol)

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan was assigned by the party to lay down policies for the election campaign. Although many party members wanted Khunying Sudarat to be the candidate, she last week refused to be nominated, saying she wanted to fulfil her main objective of renovating Lord Buddha's birthplace in Nepal.

She also voiced support for Pol Gen Pongsapat.

Mr Phumtham said he personally supported Pol Gen Pongsapat because he was a person with good human relations and was well-known to the public.

Pol Gen Pongsapat will have to resign as deputy police chief and secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) before applying for Pheu Thai membership tomorrow.

The party will officially announce his candidacy on Tuesday, Mr Phumtham said.

At the announcement, Pol Gen Pongsapat will explain his intentions of wanting to serve the people of Bangkok. His team of deputy governors will be announced later.

The Pheu Thai Party was proud to have Pol Gen Pongsapat as its candidate, Mr Phumtham said.

Pol Lt Col Pattanond Kiatpaiboon, assistant duty officer, said Pol Gen Pongsapat had been informed about the ruling party's decision.

He said Pol Gen Pongsapat will submit a letter of resignation as deputy police chief and ONCB secretary-general on Monday.

His main rival is MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the opposition Democrat Party.

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