At least one protestor was killed and 19 other were injured when a bomb exploded inside the Government House complex which was seized by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) early Thursday morning.

The explosion occurred at 3:25 am (0825 GMT) just a day after the so-called cease-fire during the royal cremation period, according local newspaper The Nation's website.

PAD guards rushed the injured protestors to nearby hospitals. One of them -- a 48-year-old man -- later died at a hospital after a piece of bomb cut his throat.

According to figures reported by local media, at least another 19 protestors were injured during the blast. One of them was in critical situation.

Following the explosion, PAD guards would not allow anyone to leave the Government House compound unless he or she carried an ID card.

The guards speculated that the bomb might be fired from behind the Civil Service Commission head office or from a building of the office, The Nation said.

The PAD has been staging anti-government protests since May 25 in Bangkok and occupied the Government House for rally since August 26.

Just one day ago, a government spokesman said the cost of damage to the Government House and lost items is estimated to reach 100 million baht (about 3 million U.S. dollars) since the PAD seized the compound.

The spokesman said he received reports from officials who went to retrieve documents and personal belongings in the Office of the Permanent Secretary found many items were missing including computer notebooks, cash from merit making ceremony, cash belonging to state officials, walkie-talkie, mobile phones, royal decorations, and handy drivers.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2008)