The police have dismissed any suggestion law enforcement is any way selective.

Acting on a complaint filed by activist Chalart Worachat last month, police launched criminal proceedings against Somkiart and other members of the PAD on suspicion of a conspiracy to undermine democracy.

Last week, the Metropolitan Police Bureau issued summonses against the five PAD leaders.

Police want to question the five about their activities. Should police recommend prosecution, the five may face treason charges.

Somkiart said the police were acting maliciously when they charged PAD leaders.

"Police and some provincial governors comprise the last bastion of the Thaksin regime in their fight to cling to power," he said.

He said he was the target of some 30 criminal cases, while Sondhi was facing more than 80 police probes.

But Police chief Kowit Wattana yesterday said the police did not act selectively. He said they investigated all cases filed, except those they were not authorised to investigate.

Sondhi has alleged charges laid by PAD leaders against Thaksin supporters are not being investigated quickly.

As far as charges laid by PAD leaders were concerned, said Kowit, they involved politicians and hence authority fell to the National Counter-Corruption Commission.

"Please tell Sondhi [Limthongkul] if he is sincere he should cooperate with the [police] officers by reporting to the investigators. If he refuses to acknowledge the issue and does not report, it will then depend on the Crime Suppression Division's investigators [what action would be taken], as they're responsible for the case," said Kowit.

Somkiart was quoted as having said in Nakhon Ratchasima: "The real motive for charging members of the PAD is to draw them away from the anti-Thaksin campaign."

Five PAD leaders, including Somkiart, have defied every police summons issued for them and are prepared to fight if court-sanctioned arrest warrants are issued against them, he said.

The other PAD leaders - Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Suriyasai Katasila, Pipop Thongchai and Somsak Kosaisuk - yesterday met in Bangkok and said they stood united with Somkiart.

Sondhi said he would report to police on May 17, as in the meantime there were new PAD rallies planned and he intended to be at them.

He said his lawyer had already informed the police of his intentions.

Sondhi said members of the Thai Law Society would help him build a defence.

The PAD plans another major rally sometime after May 2, however, the group's supporters are currently ready for more rallies within 48 hours, said Sondhi.

Sondhi is facing a lese majesty charge, an accusation he offended His Majesty the King.