They agreed to disperse after the army used a helicopter to distribute leaflets warning the protesters not to believe militants who wanted to instigate the situation for their own benefits.

The group started the protest at about 10am in front of the Ingkayuth Camp in Pattani's Nong Chik district. They demanded that the army freed the suspects they arrested a few weeks ago in connection with the daily violence in the deep south.

The army detained the suspects in the camp pending questioning.

The army claimed that some of the suspects confessed that they involved in the shooting of the motorcade of HM the Queen's close aide in February.

It is still not clear why they agreed to disperse as the army refused to release the suspects.

The protesters blocked a road in front of the camp, paralysing the traffic. The situation was tense as the army refused to talk and prepared full gear soldiers and water trucks in case the protesters tried to enter the camp.

The protesters comprised of men, women and children, differing from previous protests that mostly comprised of women and children.

Leaders of the protesters spoke through megaphone, demanding that the army freed all suspects. They said they would not disperse until the suspects were released.

The Nation