Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen on Tuesday afternoon went to Pheu Thai Party headquarters to officially apply for membership.

Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

Pol Gen Pongsapat, the party’s candidate for the Bangkok governor's seat, was greeted by former party leader Kanawat Wasinsangvorn, spokesman Prompong Nopparit and his deputy Jirayu Huangsap.

About 100 waiting supporters handed him baskets of roses.

Pol Gen Pongsapat said he had resigned as deputy national police chief and secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. His resignation was effective today.

The senior government party is to officially unveil its candidate in the March 3 Bangkok gubernatorial election later this afternoon.

Under the planned programme, Pheu Thai leader and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan will read out the resolution of the meeting of executive members to select Pol Gen Pongsapat as the candidate for city chief's  seat.

Mr Charupong will after that hand a party shirt to Pol Gen Pongsapat and then allow him to explain his vision to 500 members, MPs and Bangkok councillors of the party.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was due to chair the function at party headquarters.