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Watch video of Chamlong's arrest

Chamlong Srimuang, a key leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was arrested this morning at an election booth in Bangkok.

Eye-witnesses said Chamlong was detained at the election booth at the Seth Sathien School in Sam Sen area of Dusit district where he went to cast the vote in the gubernatorial election.

Police arrested him at 8 am when the polling station opened.

His arrest came after the first of the nine PAD core members, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, was captured on treason charges on Friday.

It was not clear if Chamlong, who is very close to Chaiwat, "intended" to be arrested, according to some PAD observers.

The witnesses said Chamlong told the police who were approaching him: "Let me cast my vote first".

He was allowed to cast his vote.

Chaiwat's arrest was described as a blow to peace overture by the Somchai Wongsawat government. Chamlong's capture is believed to have far greater repercussions.

Chamlong is the most important PAD leader, along side media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul.

Chamlong was taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1's headquarters in Pathum Thani at 9 am.

The previous Samak government charged Chamlong, Chaiwat and the seven other PAD core members of treason after they led seizure of Government House. The PAD has been protesting inside Government House for several weeks, with the key leaders being careful not to leave the compound.

Chaiwat was arrested outside the compound on Friday, apparently after lenient attitude toward the PAD by the new government made the PAD leaders to lower their guards.

Channel 7 reported that other PAD leaders at the Government House was informed of Chamlong's arrest immediately and was preparing to make some moves in retaliation.

NBT reported that Chamlong wrote a letter to his supporters at 6:30 am and the letter was read at the rally site at the Government House at 9 am.

In the letter, Chamlong said it was the duty of all Thais to repay the gratitude to the motherland by joining the demonstrations to bring about political reform.

The letter says: "We all gather here to repay the gratitude of our motherland. We come here to do good for the country and repay our debt to the country. This is the duty of all Thais. Before we die, we must repay the debt to our motherland. No matter what will happen, let all remember that it's duty of Thais to server the nation, religion and the King. I, Chamlong Srimuang, would like to remind all Thais that we were all born with a duty. No matter how tall we are, no matter how our complexion is, how poor or rich we are, we have the duty to repay the debt to the motherland. Chamlong Srimuang, 6 am."

Prawase Wasi, a senior citizen, told reporters after casting his vote at the Sawasdee Witthaya School that Chamlong's arrest would definitely affect the peace political efforts.

Chamlong's arrest would deteriorate situation: Abhisit

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday expressed concern that the arrest of Chamlong Srimuang, would worsen the political crisis.

Speaking to reporters at a polling station, Abhisit said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would come up with a clear stand whether he would strictly enforce the laws against the People's Alliance for Democracy or would negotiate with the group to try to end the crisis.

Abhisit said he would raise the question Monday when Somchai attends a meeting of political party leaders to be held by Parliament President Chai Chidchob to find a measure to end the crisis.

Some 100 border patrol police in anti-riot gears were deployed to step up security the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters following the arrest.

The anti-riot police put up barbwires in front of the headquarters.

Some 50 supporters of the PAD gathered at the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters to demand to meet Chamlong.

They rallied there and sung songs to provide morale support to Chamlong.

Two PAD lawyers, Natthaporn Torprayoon and Somboon Thongburan, came to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters at 10 am to visit Chamlong.

Natthaporn said the PAD would not seek Chamlong's release on bail.

But the PAD would submit a petition to the Appeals Court on Monday to argue that the arrest was unlawful.

Metropolitan police chief says police have no choice

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Suchart Muenkaew said police had no choice but having to arrest Chamlong Srimuang in line with an arrest warrant against him.

Suchart said when police manning a polling station saw Chamlong, who came to vote, they had to arrest him at the scene.

If police had not arrested Chamlong, the policemen could have been charged with nonfeasance, Suchart said.