Accessibility links

Breaking News

Thai Demonstrators Hold 'Bloody' Protest


Protesters have poured blood at the Thai government's administrative building and governing party headquarters in a gesture calling for the government to resign. The National Human Rights Commission is in talks between the protesters and government in bid to open a dialogue and negotiation.

In a symbolic demonstration, protesters poured human blood at the main gate of the Thai government administrative building and later at the headquarters of the governing Democrat Party.

The red-dressed protesters have been demanding the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to stand down and call fresh elections.

The blood had been drawn from hundreds of protesters as part of a campaign against the government that has seen over 100,000 demonstrators assembled in Bangkok since late last week.

Video Clip: Protesters Blood Donations

Sean Boonpracong, the red shirts' international spokesman, says at least 20,000 protesters donated blood with the rituals targeting the government which he says came to power with the backing of the army.

"We feel like at least symbolically each time [Thai Prime Minister] Abhisit goes to the Government House they will walk in, cross a track of blood that we planted and we want to shake him up a little bit because his government came from a barrel of a gun formed in an army barracks," said the spokesman.

He says the protesters will consider civil disobedience as a further step.

Many of the protesters, who are demanding the government step down, are supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

But Prime Minister Abhisit has refused to dissolve parliament, with coalition partners saying they will stand by the Democrat Party.

National Human Right Commission Cahirperson Amaran Pengsapij met with red-shirt leaders. Amaran said the talks were aimed at achieving reconciliation with the government. "Yes, two steps; one is establish dialogue between different stakeholders and the goal of course is to stop the rally." said the chairperson.

Amaran is to meet with the government Wednesday.

Most of the protesters are from outside Bangkok, especially the poorer northern provinces that remain a strong Thaksin-support base.

Thaksin has been living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption and abuse of power gained widespread support through populist policies while in power. He was overthrown in 2006 by the military.

XS
SM
MD
LG