The peaceful protest started at around 6 p.m. (1100GMT) and lasted a little more than one hour Friday evening in front of a popular shopping center in a busy business district of the Thai capital. No conflicts occurred at the site of the protest, which attracted scores of reporters and cameramen.

The protest engaged about 20 college students and a professor, who gathered to express their disagreement with the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM), the martial authorities that took over the regime after Tuesday's coup.

The protestors, all wearing black T-shirts who call themselves the "the Student Activity Information Resource", some carrying slogans saying "No to Thaksin, No to Coup", some with black tapes or respirators over their mouths to accuse the authorities of depriving public of access to information and freedom for political expressions and rallies.

A few policemen were seen nearby keeping a distance from the protesters and did not interfere in the protest.

The CDRM, after seizing power, had issued a ban on political activities of parties and public expressions on politics via media interactive means like SMS and phone call comments, as well as rallies of five or more persons.

Some academies in Thailand have launched a petition to ask the CDRM not to arrest people who voice their opinions different from the authorities.