But he warned that embattled Premier Thaksin Shinawatra would responsible if PAD supporters staged a mass rally to demand their leaders' release.

"We won't surrender to the police," Sondhi said in response to a police summons to question them about their leadership of the protests. "Just come and arrest us," he said, adding that they were willing to stay in jail without trying to be bailed out.

Sondhi noted that the police could not blame them if the PAD's supporters rallied in the streets to have them released.

"Thaksin and his government cause all the problems. They want the country divided," he said.

The PAD has organised mass rallies and street protests since September to pressure Thaksin to step down and get out of politics. Thaksin dissolved the House in February, but the Alliance continued its campaign until the Administrative Court nullified the April election.

A Law Society of Thailand lawyer representing eight PAD members met police yesterday and denied all charges about their involvement in protest actions. The members include Suriyasai, senator-elect Rosana Tositrakul and outgoing senator Karun Saingam.