BANGKOK - A THAI court remanded a former general spearheading a month-long anti-government protest inside Bangkok's Government House compound to 12 days in police custody on Monday, saying it was necessary for questioning.

But the Criminal Court judge urged the police to speed up their questioning of Chamlong Srimuang, a driving force behind the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who allowed himself to be arrested on treason charges on Sunday.

His action has been widely interpreted as an attempt to breathe fresh life into the PAD's sagging occupation of Government House, part of a wider campaign to unseat the elected administration.

'There are enough grounds to believe that police need more time to question the suspect, but they should finish that process quickly,' the judge said in his ruling.

Mr Chamlong, an ascetic Buddhist and retired general, is one of nine PAD leaders formally accused of inciting unrest and trying to overthrow the government after the PAD broke into various ministries and a state television station on Aug 26.

In a short letter read out on PAD television after his arrest, Mr Chamlong likened his campaign to a sacred national duty.

'We are gathering to repay the country and to make merit for Thailand,' he said.

He was arrested after he left Government House, where he and thousands of anti-government protesters have been barricaded since late August, to vote in an election for the governor of Bangkok.

The pre-written letter raised speculation he meant to be arrested.

Another PAD leader, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, remains in custody after being arrested on Friday. However, the remaining seven are still defying arrest behind their barricades inside the compound and vowing not to leave. -- REUTERS