Almost the entire core leadership of the Thai protesters who built barricades and battled with soldiers in central Bangkok was in custody following the surrender today of two top organisers, official media said.

Thailand's beleaguered government insisted it had no plan for an immediate crackdown on protesters despite handing over security operations to the army chief, saying today that too many people are camped in central Bangkok to use force.

THAILAND declared a state of emergency in the capital yesterday after protesters stormed the grounds of parliament, forcing government ministers to flee by helicopter and raising pressure for snap elections.