Blood flows as Thai protesters make their personal sacrifices
Source: Agencies |
March 17, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THAI protesters poured several jugs of their own blood at the front gate of the government headquarters and outside the ruling party's offices yesterday in a symbolic sacrifice to press their demands for new elections.
Thousands of red-shirted demonstrators formed long lines to have their blood drawn by nurses, a day after their leaders vowed to collect 1,000 liters of blood to spill at Government House and other key locations.
A few teaspoons of blood were drawn from the veins of each volunteer and then transferred into dozens of large plastic water containers that were passed overhead through the crowd of cheering protesters before being delivered to Government House, the prime minister's office. Riot police allowed protest leaders to approach the white iron front gate and pour out the blood, which oozed under the gate as national television broadcast the images live.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not entered his office at Government House since the protests began on Friday.
"The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy," Nattawut Saikua, one of the protest leaders, told cheering supporters. "When Abhisit works in his office, he will be reminded that he is sitting on the people's blood."
As many as 100,000 Red Shirt protesters converged on the Thai capital on Sunday to demand that Abhisit agree to dissolve parliament by midday the next day. Abhisit refused and blanketed the capital with security, but said his government was open to listening to what else the protesters had to say.
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.
Several orange-robed Buddhist monks, who are forbidden by law from taking part in political activities, were among the first in line to give blood.
Thousands of red-shirted demonstrators formed long lines to have their blood drawn by nurses, a day after their leaders vowed to collect 1,000 liters of blood to spill at Government House and other key locations.
A few teaspoons of blood were drawn from the veins of each volunteer and then transferred into dozens of large plastic water containers that were passed overhead through the crowd of cheering protesters before being delivered to Government House, the prime minister's office. Riot police allowed protest leaders to approach the white iron front gate and pour out the blood, which oozed under the gate as national television broadcast the images live.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not entered his office at Government House since the protests began on Friday.
"The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy," Nattawut Saikua, one of the protest leaders, told cheering supporters. "When Abhisit works in his office, he will be reminded that he is sitting on the people's blood."
As many as 100,000 Red Shirt protesters converged on the Thai capital on Sunday to demand that Abhisit agree to dissolve parliament by midday the next day. Abhisit refused and blanketed the capital with security, but said his government was open to listening to what else the protesters had to say.
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.
Several orange-robed Buddhist monks, who are forbidden by law from taking part in political activities, were among the first in line to give blood.
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