Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Associated Press Writer= BANGKOK (AP) —
AP foreign, Tuesday March 16 2010 DENIS D. GRAY
For a second straight day, Thaksin spoke to the demonstrators by video, urging them to continue their struggle in a nonviolent fashion. He has cited the struggle against what he calls Thailand's ruling elite, and called Monday for lawmakers, soldiers, policemen, judges and members of the bureaucracy to join the Red Shirt cause.
Anti-government protesters started donating their own blood Tuesday as part of a plan to splatter the Thai government headquarters in a symbolic sacrifice to press their demands for new elections.
Hundreds of red-shirted demonstrators formed long lines to have their blood drawn by nurses, a day after their leaders vowed to collect 1 million cubic centimeters of blood — the equivalent of 1,000 standard soft drink bottles — to spill at Government House by Tuesday evening.
As many as 100,000 so-called Red Shirt protesters converged Sunday on the Thai capital to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agree to dissolve parliament by midday Monday. Abhisit refused and blanketed the capital in security, but said his government was open to listening to what else the protesters have to say.
Frustrated, the protest leaders announced the "blood sacrifice," a tactic slammed by the Red Cross as wasteful and unhygienic.
Weng Tojirakarn, a protest leader and doctor, said the plan would test Abhisit's conscience.
"This blood belongs to fighters for democracy. What is its color? Red!" an announcer shouted as Weng and other leaders were having their blood drawn on a stage near a white tent where lines of blood donors formed.
Several orange-robed Buddhist monks, who are forbidden by law from taking part in political activities, were among the first in line with one proudly showing off a syringe filled with his blood.
The Red Shirts include supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other activists who oppose the 2006 military coup that ousted him for alleged corruption and abuse of power. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class who were alarmed by Thaksin's popularity.
Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra donate blood during a gathering in Bangkok March 16, 2010.
Associated Press Writer= BANGKOK (AP) —
AP foreign, Tuesday March 16 2010 DENIS D. GRAY
For a second straight day, Thaksin spoke to the demonstrators by video, urging them to continue their struggle in a nonviolent fashion. He has cited the struggle against what he calls Thailand's ruling elite, and called Monday for lawmakers, soldiers, policemen, judges and members of the bureaucracy to join the Red Shirt cause.
Anti-government protesters started donating their own blood Tuesday as part of a plan to splatter the Thai government headquarters in a symbolic sacrifice to press their demands for new elections.
Hundreds of red-shirted demonstrators formed long lines to have their blood drawn by nurses, a day after their leaders vowed to collect 1 million cubic centimeters of blood — the equivalent of 1,000 standard soft drink bottles — to spill at Government House by Tuesday evening.
As many as 100,000 so-called Red Shirt protesters converged Sunday on the Thai capital to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agree to dissolve parliament by midday Monday. Abhisit refused and blanketed the capital in security, but said his government was open to listening to what else the protesters have to say.
Frustrated, the protest leaders announced the "blood sacrifice," a tactic slammed by the Red Cross as wasteful and unhygienic.
Weng Tojirakarn, a protest leader and doctor, said the plan would test Abhisit's conscience.
"This blood belongs to fighters for democracy. What is its color? Red!" an announcer shouted as Weng and other leaders were having their blood drawn on a stage near a white tent where lines of blood donors formed.
Several orange-robed Buddhist monks, who are forbidden by law from taking part in political activities, were among the first in line with one proudly showing off a syringe filled with his blood.
The Red Shirts include supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other activists who oppose the 2006 military coup that ousted him for alleged corruption and abuse of power. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class who were alarmed by Thaksin's popularity.
Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra donate blood during a gathering in Bangkok March 16, 2010.
