Thai judges issue warrants to arrest protesters

Thai judges issued arrest warrants Wednesday for anti-government protesters who led crowds to seize government buildings -- including the prime minister's residence and the state-run television station, the official Thai News Agency reported.

Police had asked the judges to issue warrants for nine leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the agency said. All nine have been charged with "severe" offenses, including rebellion, organizing a gathering of 10 or more people to cause a public disturbance, and defying police orders to disperse, TNA said.

Retired Major General Gamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD leaders, challenged the authorities to carry out the warrants but said none of the leaders would resist arrest, TNA reported.

Officials from the office of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej have asked for an immediate injunction to order the PAD to move out of the Government House compound, the agency said.