Thailand issues arrest warrants for protest leaders

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand issued arrest warrants Wednesday for protest leaders besieging the main government complex, as authorities scrambled to find a peaceful end to the administration's most serious challenge yet.

As riot police moved in, leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) vowed to stay inside the Government House compound until Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej bows to their demands to step down.

"The Criminal Court has approved arrest warrants for nine people as proposed by the police, including five PAD leaders," a court official said.

"They face four charges -- the most severe is treason," he told AFP.

On Tuesday, up to 35,000 demonstrators stormed a state-run television station, besieged at least three ministries and finally...