Thai police arrest top anti-government protest leader

Bangkok: Thai police on Sunday arrested a key protest leader and former Bangkok mayor on charges of insurrection in a continuing crackdown against anti-government protests.

Chamlong Srimuang was arrested at a polling station where elections for the city's top job were beginning.

Police on August 27 issued arrest warrants for nine protest leaders on a variety of charges including insurrection, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.

Another key figure, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, was arrested on Friday on the same charges.

The nine are members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, the anti-government group that orchestrated protests that called for the ouster of the prime minister.

Police spokesman Major Gen Suraphol Thuanthong said that authorities were preparing to arrest all the remaining nine at the appropriate time and place.