Police seek warrants to arrest PAD leaders

Court refused to release on bail 82 suspects who stormed into state-run television station on Tuesday early morning.

The group, including two women, were rounded up as they sneaked into the National Broadcasting Television on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road at about 5.30pm.

Police claimed that they confiscated hand guns and other weapons including big knives from the group. The group then were brought to Klong Prem prison.

Meanwhile police were preparing to issue arrest warrants for five leaders from the People's Alliance for Democracy suspected to have been involved in the raid on NBT TV station, police deputy spokesman MajGeneral Suraphol Thuanthong said Tuesday.

"Police are gathering evidence and will adhere to the prescribed procedures to apprehend the PAD leaders," he said.

The five PAD leaders include Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk and Somkiat Pongpaiboon.

As well as the raid on the state television station, police will also look into the actions of PAD leaders since they resumed street protests on May 25, he said.

The warrants would cite serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said.

National police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan ordered nearly 2,000 police to be mobilised from the provinces to beef up security in Bangkok, he said.

"Police are under an instruc¬tion to rely on peaceful means when dealing with protesters and will not react to provocation in order to avoid an eruption of violence," he said.

A group of 85 protesters, including four women, are in custody after the pre-dawn raid on NBT. They were held for questioning at a Border Patrol Police compound at Pathum Thani. Later they were presented at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road while police sought the court's approval to detain them.

They have been initially charged with four offences - illegal entry on government property, unauthorised possession of arms, damaging property and possessing controlled substances.