Police seek warrants to arrest PAD leaders

"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 General 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.