BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Criminal Court judges are now thrashing out a police petition to issue arrest warrants for the core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who led protesters to seize Government House, several other government buildings and the state-run NBT television station.

Police submitted evidence, including video footage recorded the movements of the PAD supporters who stormed into key state establishments, for the court's consideration.

The five core PAD leaders are Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Thongchai, retired Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, and other three PAD leaders who led protesters in other locations, including Chiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananond and Terdphoom Jaidee.

The nine activists were charged with severe offences including rebellion, rebellious attempt, organising a gathering of 10 or more people to cause a public disturbance and refusing to obey police orders.

The PAD core leaders remain defiant, vowing they will not surrender to police.

However a new batch of PAD leaders has been chosen to carry on the demonstrations in the event the core leaders are taken into custody and unable to participate in PAD's ongoing activity.

In other developments, Prime Minister Office's officials petitioned the Civil Court to grant an immediate injuction ordering the PAD to move out of the Government House compound.

Police tried to negotiate an end to the protests but to no avail. Thousands of protesters still occupied the government seat's compound after camping there overnight.

There have been sccuffles between protesters and police resulting in a few minor injuries, according to deputy national police spokesman Maj-Gen. Surapol Tuanthong, who reaffirmed that the police have no intention to use force to disperse the demonstrators.

Tens of thousands of protesters seized the state-run NBT television station, invaded the Government House compound and besieged three ministries, intensifiying their campaign to topple Samak administration.

Mr. Sondhi told the demonstrators who occupy the Government House compound to rally for two more days.

The PAD, which has been protesting since May, accused Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of running the country as a proxy of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 coup.

-- TNA 2008-08-27