Police arrested Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, a co-leader of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and former rector of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), at the university in Bangkok on Friday morning.
Tarit Pengdith, director-general of the Department of Special Investigation and secretary-general of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo), confirmed the arrest. Mr Sombat was questioned at the Capo office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok.
Mr Sombat reportedly said he had intended to surrender because he was an academic and had no plans to escape. He said he would deny all charges and seek release on bail.
Mr Sombat is among 30 PDRC leadersnamed in arrest warrants recently issued by the Criminal Court as requested by the government. He was taken into custody while parking his car on arrival at Nida in Bang Kapi district.
PDRC leaders have been charged with offences including insurrection and illegal assembly. Mr Tarit earlier said police would arrest PDRC leaders who did not stay at their demonstration sites and were not protected by personal guards.
The PDRC, led by several politicians from the Democrat Party, has been rallying for the resignation of the Pheu Thai Party-led caretaker government and national reform before the next election.
It accuses the government of serious law violations and corruption. Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the House in December and called a general election which was later annulled.
Video by Apichit Jinakul