Several hundred Red Shirt protesters defied a state of emergency in the Thai capital to stage a symbolic protest Sunday, with hundreds of people sprawling on the ground and chanting, “People died here!” The demonstration at the city's Democracy Monument was peaceful, but it was the latest sign of simmering discontent since the army cracked down May 19 to disperse a sprawling anti-government protest camp and end 10 weeks of demonstrations calling for early elections. Rolling clashes between troops and Red Shirts killed 90 people - mostly protesters shot by soldiers - and injured more than 1,400 in the demonstrations' final weeks. Two grenades have exploded in Bangkok over the past week, killing one bystander and wounding 11. There have been no claims of responsibility but both are presumed linked to ongoing political tensions. Thai Media reported Sunday that an unexploded grenade was found in a sewer on the grounds of the prime minister's office compound over the weekend. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has kept a state of emergency in place in Bangkok and nine other provinces citing security concerns. The decree bans political gatherings and allows heavy censoring of the media. Democracy Monument, a traditional site of anti-government demonstrations, was the site of deadly clashes between the so-called Red Shirt protesters and security forces on April 10. “We are here to let the public know that Red Shirt people died here,” said one protester, a 27-year-old artist Anan Wasanarak. “How is the government going to take responsibility for it?” Police with riot shields watched the protest, which ended peacefully after less than an hour.
