YANGON (AFP) -- A normally bustling Yangon market was eerily quiet Friday -- a day after a group of protesters held a rare demonstration there against Myanmar's military-run government over economic hardships.

The Theingyi Market is usually thronged with shoppers, with dozens of vendors outside the market also selling food and goods ranging from Chinese-made shoes to shampoo.

But the vendors were absent, with just a few customers in the market, which was open for business, according to an AFP correspondent. No policemen or plainclothed officials were seen around the market.

"People are cautious after the protest yesterday. That's why we are seeing few people today," said a taxi driver near the market in downtown Yangon.

On Thursday some 25 people, holding banners calling for lower prices for basic commodities, more jobs and 24-hour electricity, staged a rare protest near the market.

Police detained the 40-year-old male leader of the protest, who is still in custody.

They also briefly detained three local journalists, including two working for Japanese media, who were covering the protest.

Thursday's demonstrators were members of an organization called the Myanmar Development Committee. Some were former members of Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy.

Protests are rare in Myanmar, under military rule since 1962, as the junta cracks down hard on any dissent.