Several hundred Red Shirt protesters defied a state of emergency in the Thai capital to stage a symbolic protest, with hundreds of people sprawling on the ground and chanting: “People died here!”

Thai troops cleared the wreckage of armoured carriers today as anti-government protesters left the site of last week’s bloody clashes in favour of an up-market shopping district to intensify their campaign to oust the prime minister.

Hundreds of anti-coup protesters today demanded a quick return to democratic rule in Thailand, in the largest demonstration since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted from power in September.

Tens of thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra marched to the Thai leader’s office today after a boisterous rally accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.