In its third day, the demonstration -demanding the lifting of the state of emergency and withdrawal of troops from the province - blocked roads to the mosque, which is located in a residential area and near markets. Many shops closed as owners worried about violence.

The number of protesters is now estimated at 5,000. Some 200 police and soldiers have been deployed to the scene.

Mobile-telephone services were suspended on Thursday. Militants often use telephones to trigger bombs.

The core protesters are Muslim students from Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok. They have declared they represent its student organisation.

Using loudspeakers and hiding their faces with scarves, the students appear in control of the mosque and guard all entrances, screening those seeking access.

Pattani authorities were busy yesterday with four demonstrations in different districts. Protesters demanding troop withdrawals blocked roads.

Officials rushed to the locations seeking the groups' dispersal. Soldiers and police blocked them from moving to new locations or joining with one another.

Meanwhile, Prince of Songkhla University Pattani campus student organisation president Abdulrohman Mukem was worried the Pattani mosque protest would escalate.

In a statement, he said no students from his campus were involved. He added protesters had a right to express opinions and the government should immediately consider their demands.

The Nation