Thailand - Police denied yesterday they had detained Maj General Chamlong Srimuang on the order of anyone, saying the People's Alliance for Democracy leader wanted police to arrest him to comply with the justice system.

Deputy Bangkok Police chief Pol Maj General Surapol Thuanthong, also deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, told a press conference police arrested Chamlong on a treason charge according to an arrest warrant approved by the Criminal Court, number 2521/2551.

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was taken to the Criminal Court Monday morning as investigators seek an extension of his detention period.

Chamlong was taken to the court at 8:30 am and the court is scheduled to consider the police's request at 10 am.

About 150 policemen were deployed to keep security at the court as PAD supporters turned up to provide moral support for Chamlong.

Chamlong was exercising his voting right when police greeted him and explained he had to be detained. Chamlong cooperated and was taken to Pathum Thani. Deputy Bangkok Police Chief Pol Maj General Damri Chotset interrogated him and explained the charges to be pressed against him. Police will today seek a court order to further detain Chamlong .

He said Chamlong informed the PAD rally on Saturday night he would go to the poll and if police found him they would arrest him. "It is a good trend that the suspect wishes to fight the charges that have been pressed against him since May 25,'' Damri said.

Police said if Chamlong believed the arrest warrant was not fair he could file a complaint with the court, taking recourse in Article 30 of the Criminal Law.

Chamlong would be taken to Bangkok Remand Prison, the same centre in which another PAD leader, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who was arrested on Friday, is being held. Chamlong's wife Col Siriluk visited him in detention .

Nattaporn Toprayoon, a lawyer for the PAD, sought police permission to visit Chamlong and be present during his interrogation.

He said he would file a complaint with the Criminal Court calling for the withdrawal of the arrest warrant on treason charges against Chamlong and Chaiwat Sinsuwong. He said neither suspect would seek bail.

Chamlong said he denied all charges. He urged PAD protesters to continue their sit-in protest in greater numbers and not to visit him since he was far from the Government House.

PAD leaders called on protesters from the provinces to join the rally today at the Government House.