Bangkok, Dec 19 (IANS): Thailand's Department of Special Investigation will freeze the bank accounts of 18 anti-government protest leaders, media reported Thursday.

The department of special investigation has also summoned 17 leaders, including secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee Suthep Thaugsuban, to report to the department Dec 26-27 to acknowledge sedition charges, said Tarit Pengdith, director general of the department of special investigation.

The department will also freeze two bank accounts of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, Tarit said, adding all the accounts will be frozen indefinitely until cases against these leaders are complete, reports Xinhua.

Banks will be asked to hand over the accounts' transaction details for the past six months to help the investigation, he added.

Tarit also warned against continuing to offer financial assistance to protests, saying that those who do so will be charged with aiding and abetting crimes.

The department Monday will also press sedition charges against more second-tier protest leaders, according to Tarit.