True blood [from 100,000 protesters]?

By The Nation
March 16, 2010

After their first attempt yesterday to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve Parliament failed, the red-shirt protesters announced they would sacrifice their blood at Government House.

After the march to the 11th Infantry Regiment resulted in increased traffic congestion on Paholyothin Road but no political change, the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) begged each protester to donate 10cc of their blood with which to "soak the Prime Minister's Office".

DAAD co-leader Veera Musigapong said he would donate the first 200cc himself.

They intend to get at least 1 million cc of blood from 100,000 protesters by today, said co-leader Weng Tojirakarn.

Some 500 physicians and nurses would help to take the blood donation which began at 8 a.m. at the protesting site in Rajadamnoen Avenue in accordance with sanitary procedure, he said.

"It is a peaceful way of fighting. We would see whether Abhisit dares to walk on our blood to work at the government house," Weng said.

"If the Prime Minister stays on, another one million CC of blood would be poured at the Democrat Party headquarter. If he still resists to step down, another one million CC more would soak his house."

Prime Minister Abhisit said in a live televised address yesterday that the demonstration could not force him to dissolve the parliament. The decision was made after a consultation with leaders of coalition parties, he said.

"This government was set up and backed up by majority of MPs in the parliament in accordance with the constitution like previous two cabinets," he said.

The government needed to listen to people from entire the nation, not only the protesters, he said and noted the parliament dissolution and snap election could not end the on-going political conflict.

Military expert Maj. General Kattiya Sawasdipol, who was also a red shirted group's supporter, said he disagreed with the blood sucking campaign since such tactic would disturb the protesters and they might turn their back to the protest.

"It's silly, how can you ask your supporters to waste their blood for nothing. Why don't take your parents' blood. This tactic would not achieve any victory," he said.

Many protesters were reluctant to donate their blood while some might give little blood as a symbolic of fighting.

Reporters at the protesting site reported that number of the protesters sharply decreased yesterday as many of them disagreed with the blood sucking campaign and saw no sign to win over the government.

Many protesters decided to return homes in up provinces after finished activities at the infantry regiment as saw the protest could not reach the goal.

Thaksin, who is de-facto leader of the red shirted group, phoned into the rally site calling the protesters to stay on and the red shirted group would win the victory eventually.

"Many people might upset but be patient, we would win but the victory must be achieved step by step," he said.

Thaksin phoned in speech mostly criticised aristocrats who controlled Abhisit's government and dictated the juridical system of the country.

He called upon the coalition parties and the military to withdraw their support from the government and cooperate with people for democracy.

Thaksin's whereabouts remained unclear. The Foreign Ministry is verifying a news report that fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was spotted in the Montenegrin town of Budva.

Agence France-Presse quoted local media as reporting that Thaksin was seen in coastal Budva's medieval old town on Sunday, enjoying coffee and cakes in a posh hotel with his entourage.

Vice Foreign Minister Panich Vikitsreth said the ministry had asked the Thai Embassy in Hungary, which covers Montenegro, to verify the report. If the news was true, the government would ask Montenegro to pressure Thaksin so the ex-PM does not use the country as a base to launch attacks on Thailand, he said.