01 MARCH 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: .PONGSAPAT PONGCHAREON, the Pheu Thai candidate for governor of Bangkok, speaks during the last election rally of the campaign. The election is Sunday, March 3 and no campaigning is allowed 24 hours before election day. Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen (retired), a former deputy national police chief who also served as secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board is the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming Bangkok governor's election. He resigned from the police force to run for Governor. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly personally recruited Pongsapat. Most of Thailand's reputable polls have reported that Pongsapat is leading in the race and likely to defeat Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the Thai Democrats' candidate and incumbent. The loss of Bangkok would be a serious blow to the Democrats, whose national base has been the Bangkok area. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ