Protesters leaderless

The search continued for the two other key protest leaders, Jakrapob Penkair and Jatuporn Promphan, focusing partly on the Thai-Burmese border areas in the provinces of Tak, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, military sources said.

Jatuporn's lawyer was said to have approached authorities to relay the MP's wish to invoke his parliamentary immunity.

Police initially agreed but the MP remained a fugitive at press time.

Police and military sources gave contradicting accounts on the possible whereabouts of Jakrapob and Jatuporn.

Some believe they are still hiding in Thailand while others speculate that they could have fled across the border, possibly to Hong Kong.

Of the three key leaders who surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, Veera Musigapong was being detained at Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters in Pathum Thani.

Natthawut Saikua was being held at the Naresuan military camp in Phetchaburi and Weng Tojirakarn was detained at Border Patrol Police headquarters in Kanchanaburi.

Relatives and lawyers were granted access to the three men, who were said to be looking very tense.

They are scheduled to appear before the Criminal Court today, when it will be known if their bail requests will be approved.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 14 red-shirt leaders, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Apart from charges that they broke criminal laws prior to the declaration of the state of emergency in Bangkok and suburbs, the suspects also face charges of violating the emergency decree.

Authorities were keeping a close watch on the activities of suspected red-shirt protesters who allegedly had changed into plainclothes and were huddling at Sanam Luang.

"They are just grouping together and chatting, so we are just watching them," said Metropolitan Police chief Maj-General Worapong Chiewpreecha.