Chucheep Chewasuth and Theppanom Siriwithayarak delivered letters to Kowit in what they said was a show of support for the police in issuing summonses for Sondhi and four other leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy. Police want to question the protest leaders in relation to charges of lese majesty, attempting to overthrow democratic rule and threatening national security stemming from their recent anti-government rallies.

The letters said the groups wanted to show moral support for police because Sondhi and others have shown contempt by failing to report for questioning.

Kowit said police have summoned Sondhi twice because people across the country have filed complaints against him in 100 separate cases. Police transferred all the cases to Bangkok, where they are now being treated as a single case.

Responding to suggestions that prosecution of Sondhi and others by the police could cause more protests, Kowit urged whoever wanted to protest to do so without breaking the law.

"Police provide full justice," he said. "Everyone has the right to defend themselves and prosecutors also check if cases carry weight.''

Kowit said that if police did not take action, they might be accused of dereliction of duty.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said, however, that police should review the case against Sondhi because he and others organised peaceful rallies and did not break any law.

"They have proven to the world community that their peaceful rallies can bring about political change and it is [therefore an] historic movement. I do not want to see any more 'destruction of rivals' because it will create more conflict,'' he said.