BANGKOK - THE leaders of protests that have wracked Thailand's government since late May sought on Friday to delay an investigation into criminal charges against them, their lawyer said.

Mr Nithithorn Lamlua, representing seven top members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said his clients wanted to put off submitting their defence statements to police until November 18.

The documents were due to be delivered on Friday when the lawyer reported to police on behalf of the PAD leaders. However, he arrived empty-handed, telling officers his clients were not ready.

'I represented all of them today and talked with police and asked them if we could delay submitting defence statements until Nov 18,' Mr Nithithorn told AFP.

'But police asked us to have the statement ready on Nov 9 so we will see whether we can match their request,' he said.

'We will have to encourage them to speed up the preparation of their statement,' confirmed chief investigator Lieutenant Colonel Phubet Senkhao.

The seven protest leaders, who include media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, were freed on bail after surrendering to police earlier this month on charges of inciting unrest and illegal assembly. The more serious charge of treason was withdrawn.

The seven have been instrumental in the rallies that began in late May and saw protesters taking over the grounds of Government House on Aug 26, forcing the government to work elsewhere.

The PAD, supported mostly by Thailand's urban elite, accuse the government of corruption and acting on behalf of ousted and exiled premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who remains a popular figurehead among the rural poor.

Violent clashes between police and protesters who were trying to stop a parliamentary session on Oct 7 left two dead and hundreds injured. -- AFP