Thai PM working as usual amid continued mass rally

By Nuttanan Srithorn

BANGKOK, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Thai anti-government group Tuesday afternoon poured their collected blood at the Government House' main gate, while the Thai Prime Minister has, however, performed his work as usual amid the continued mass rally.

Thai red-shirted demonstrators clash with policemen as they try to pour blood on the footpath in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 16, 2010. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

The red-shiretd or United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors poured the blood at the main gate at about 4:55 p.m., local time, as a measure to pressure for a House dissolution and holding a fresh general election.  

After that they went to pour their collected blood on the footpath in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in capital Bangkok at 18.41 p.m., local time, for the same reason.

On March 12 the UDD protestors traveled from the countryside to stage the rally in Bangkok as the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been enforced in eight provinces during March 11-23 to ensure security during the rally.

The ISA imposition has taken effect in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok.

Also, the ISA law has been enforced in some 21 districts of six other provinces near Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said scattering blood can not symbolize the blood is derived from violence and does come from the state, Thailand's Army Channel 5 reported.

Speaking at the 11th Infantry Regiment in capital Bangkok, in which the peace-keeping operations command is established, he has reiterated the House dissolution is currently not the best solution to the political conflict.

The coalition government will also have to listen to the view of the other Thai people across the nation prior to making any political decision, Abhisit said.