The number of protesters in and around the government compound since protesters overran the grounds on Tuesday has varied from a few thousand most mornings to a high of 30,000.

The alliance promised a "final showdown" this week, but has suffered several setbacks, including when it sent several dozen masked thugs Tuesday to take over a government-controlled television station. The band surrendered to police and video of the bullying tactics were broadcast repeatedly.

Police issued arrest warrants Wednesday for nine of the group's leaders on charges of insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assembly and refusing orders to disperse. Insurrection, the legal equivalent of treason, carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.

Another court issued an order late Wednesday demanding that the protesters leave the government compound immediately and stop blocking streets. On Thursday, a court rejected the alliance's appeal of the order to vacate Government House, which was seized Tuesday.

One of the top alliance leaders, Chamlong Srimuang, told reporters Thursday night that protesters would continue to rally at the compound despite the court order.

Chamlong, one of the nine leaders sought by police, insisted the protesters were doing nothing wrong.

"We are staging a protest because the government has made too many mistakes and has no legitimacy to run the country," he said. "Our political rallying will get stronger because more of our supporters from upcountry will come to help us. We will not back down."

The alliance's best known leaders are Chamlong, an influential former politician and army officer, and Sondhi Limthongkul, a media mogul.

"We can withstand any difficult conditions if we can topple Samak," said Kitja Usaiphan, 43, a fisherman who has been camping at the government compound since Tuesday.

Samak, who refuses to resign, has accused the protesters of trying to provoke violence.

"They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out and do the coup again," Samak said.

The military has said it is not planning a coup. Thailand has had 17 constitutions since 1932 - a reflection of the political instability and military coups that followed the drafting of the first charter that created a constitutional monarchy. The last coup was in 2006, when Thaksin was ousted.

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