Protest leaders willing to surrender

Leaders of Thailand's anti-government protests said yesterday they will surrender to police after a court dropped treason charges against them, but vowed to continue their sit-in at the prime minister's office.

Two of the protest leaders who had been detained on the charges were released late yesterday, although they remained charged with less severe but still serious crimes that could result in several years' imprisonment.

Protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul said he and other leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy would report to police and apply for bail today.