Colonel Shin-awat Mandej, commander of Yala Special Force 1, said authorities would not release the suspects as officials had evidence they were involved in violent cases. At least six of the 24 suspects have confessed they fired at the motorcade of His Majesty the Queen's close aide, Thanphuying Viraya Chavakul, on February 21. Viriya was not hurt.

Imams and other religious leaders brought to the site failed in their attempts to end the demonstration.

Tensions mounted as Buddhists in Bannang Sata and Than To districts called two separate demonstrations demanding the Muslims end their protest.

The Buddhists in Bannang Sata blocked the Yala-Betong road some 30 kilometres down from where the Muslims were doing the same thing.

About 100 Buddhists gathered in front of Thantowattanawit School in Than To making the same demand for the Muslims to cease pressuring the authorities and allow the justice system to try the suspects.

Krong Pinang, Bannang Sata and Than To districts located along the Yala-Betong road are classified as red zones for the high degree of violence. Muslims in the districts were keen on calling the protest to demand the freeing of the suspects.

In neighbouring Pattani province, about 1,000 people, mostly Buddhists, gathered in front of Provincial Hall in a display of force to urge the government to review its policies and measures to contain the ongoing violence in the region.

They want the government to provide them weapons, communications equipment and per diems for their voluntary security jobs.