Top leaders Veera Musikapong, Nattawut Saikaua and Jatuporn Prompanare among the 17 accused.
The leaders, who led the protesters to block a commercial hub,Rathchaprasong, causing destructive results for businesses and stores,are accused of having “breached the state of emergency” in Bangkok,according to Thangai Prasjaksatru, commander of the Thai Police CentralInvestigation Bureau.
Earlier, on April 8 the court approved the issuance of arrest warrantsagainst seven red-shirt leaders in connection with storming theParliament compound.
Thai authorities have mobilised an additional 33,000 troops and policein an effort to stabilise the situation in the Thai capital city ofBangkok and neighbouring areas, to prevent violence during theimplementation of the state of emergency.
Meanwhile, a group of protesters headed by Nattawut Saikua staged arally at ThaiCom Satellite Station in the central province of PathumThani, demanding the government re-establish the broadcast of the PeopleTV satellite channel, which has been blocked since April 8./.