BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Demonstrators occupying the grounds of the Thai prime minister’s office formed human chains around their leaders Thursday, hoping to prevent their arrest for organizing the takeover.

Thai authorities stepped up pressure on the protesters by getting court orders Wednesday demanding that the crowd disperse and issuing arrest warrants for nine protest leaders on insurrection charges.

It was unclear if police would enforce the orders, with as many as 10,000 people occupying the grounds. About 1,000 police were also inside the compound.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy have occupied the prime minister’s compound since Tuesday. They want to force the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to step down, accusing it of corruption and of serving as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several corruption cases.

Overnight, protesters locked arms to form walls around the organizers. A group of about 20 people continued to surround the key leaders after sunrise.

Police Lt. Gen. Suraphol Thuanthong said authorities will give the protesters time to leave the compound voluntarily. But police will use force if they have to clear the grounds to prepare for a ceremony Saturday for Thailand’s royal family, he said.

"Police will use a softened stance to deal with the protesters," Suraphol said. "We will give them time to leave the government house. But if they continue to defy the court order, then we have to use force to drive them out. I cannot set the precise time or deadline for this."