Six core leaders of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) led by its sponsor Sondhi Limthongkul surrendered to police at police station in Bangkok on Friday morning, a day after the Court of Appeal dropped three serious charges against them, including insurrection.

Accompanied them were more than 10 PAD guards, who blocked reporters from interviewing the core leaders.

They went to hear charges against them, and were expected to be freed on bail.

After the PAD occupied the Government House late August, all its nine leaders were faced with arrest warrants. Two of the nine -- Chamlong Srimuang and Chaiwat Sinsuwong -- were arrested last week on the same charges but were freed on bail on Thursday.

However, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, who is a Democrat MP, was reportedly to surrender later.

Earlier, police said that if they surrender, police will not oppose their request to be released on bail.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal dropped the treason charge on grounds that police's evidence was vague and groundless. If convicted, they could face death penalty or life sentence.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2008)