The agreement came after a three-hour negotiation between Pattani Deputy Governor Winai Kuruwan-nappat and protest leader Tuvaedaniya Tuvaemekae.

The province will provide transport home for the protesters.

The independent committee will consider all demands. No legal action will be taken against the protesters.

The demonstration continued into its third day yesterday, demanding the Army withdraw troops from the province and revoke the states of emergency in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. It also demanded legal action be taken against officials involved in alleged assaults of Muslims.

"All telephone signals will be resumed after protesters return home," Winai said. Cellular services were suspended on Thursday. Militants often use mobile telephones to trigger bombs.

Earlier yesterday morning, the number of protesters at the Pattani mosque swelled to 5,000, increasing fears militants might attempt to provoke a violent confrontation. Some 200 police and soldiers were deployed at the scene.

Pattani Governor Panu Uthairat asked protest leaders to disperse the crowd.

The demonstration blocked roads to the mosque, which is located in a residential area and near markets. Many shops closed as owners worried about violence.

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.