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Bangkok: Seven leaders of a protest movement seeking to unseat Thailand's government were freed from police custody on Friday just hours after turning themselves in on criminal charges, as other opponents of the prime minister called for his resignation or a military coup.
The leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy surrendered after a court on Thursday dropped insurrection charges against them but retained charges of inciting a public disturbance and illegal assembly, which carry prison terms of up to seven and three years respectively.
Two other leaders of the alliance who had earlier been apprehended by police, Chamlong Srimuang and Chaiwat Sinsuwong, were freed on Thursday. All were released on the guarantees of senators in lieu of bail.
Chamlong called on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign and pave the way for an interim administration that would carry out political reform and lead the country out of near paralysis. The alliance, which has led months of anti-government protests, seeks to roll back Western-style democracy, saying it makes the country susceptible to corruption.
Chamlong rejected calls by some, including former Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to end the strife through military intervention.
Similar protests
"A military coup will only cause more damage to the country," Chamlong said.
The alliance had welcomed a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after spearheading similar protests against him. Somchai said he was seeking the advice of prominent figures about what course to take when asked by reporters whether he would resign or dissolve Parliament.
On Tuesday, violent clashes between police and protesters injured 478 people - mostly protesters - including 85 who were hospitalised, according to medical authorities. Three people were killed, including a 45-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries and a man who died in what appeared to be a related incident.
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