Thai Protesters Vow to Shed Own Blood

As mass protests continue in Bangkok, anti-government activists have threatened to collect and pour gallons of their own blood on the Thai government headquarters, in a symbolic statement that they are willing to die for their cause. The gesture would require donations from tens of thousands of "red shirt" protesters; the activists plan to splash it at the country's Government House if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva doesn't dissolve parliament by Tuesday evening. The protesters, who took to the streets on Sunday, say Abhisit rose to power illegitimately, during the 2006 coup that toppled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. So far, Abhisit has only beefed up security in the area. The Thai Red Cross Society has chided the activists, saying the blood collections would be wasteful and potentially unhygienic. That much blood “can save many lives,” said Dr. Ubonwon Charoonruangrit, a senior Red Cross official.