Thai Red Shirts begin coup anniversary protests

Hundreds of anti-government activists carried roses to prisons around Thailand yesterday to show their support for jailed colleagues and begin a series of protests marking the fourth anniversary of a military coup.
The "Red Shirt" supporters have been generally quiet since the army quashed large demonstrations earlier this year in Bangkok's main commercial district. About 90 people died during those protests, more than 1,400 were hurt, and most of the group's top leaders were arrested.
Bangkok remains under a state of emergency imposed in April, and the government has warned against possible violence during this week's demonstrations. Soldiers were deployed at many locations in the capital last week.
"This laying of red roses is to express our concern for our people who are detained unfairly," said Jatuporn Prompan, a Red Shirt leader who escaped detention because of his immunity as a member of Parliament.