Thai opposition leader arrested

Thai police have arrested key opposition leader Chamlong Srimuang as part of crackdown against anti-government protesters, local media reported Sunday.

The Thai News Agency says Chamlong, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was arrested early Sunday at a polling booth after voting in Bangkok's gubernatorial elections, CNN reported.

The People's Alliance has orchestrated a five-week-long siege of Thailand's Government House, demanding the ouster of People Power Party members and their allies from the Cabinet.

CNN quoted the Thai News Agency saying police issued arrest warrants against Chamlong and nine other People's Alliance leaders, charging insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assembly and refusal to disperse.

The country has been embroiled in political unrest because of growing opposition to the People Power Party-led coalition government, which opponents see only as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.