Thai red-shirts give blood for anti-government protest

Tension continues in Thailand, where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected an ultimatum to dissolve Parliament. Tens of thousands of Red Shirt protesters are vowing to pour their own blood on the seats of government if their demands are not met.

Thousands of Red Shirt protesters lined up in Bangkok on Tuesday to donate blood as part of their demonstration against the government.

Their leaders said they were asking each protester to give 10 to 100 cubic centimeters of blood, the equivalent of to two to twenty teaspoons full, to meet the goal of more than one million cubic centimeters, for a symbolic shedding of blood for democracy.

They're threatening to pour the blood on Government House if their renewed demand is rejected by Tuesday evening.

One of the demonstration leaders says they'll repeat the action at two further locations, if necessary.

Jatuporn Prompan, Thai Red Shirt Leader, said, "Now we are keeping to our non-violent approach. We will sacrifice our own blood. The first billion cubic centimeter will go to Government House, the second million will go to the Democratic Party Headquarters, and the third million will go to the Prime Minister's House. After this, if the Prime Minister still won't listen to the people, we will intensify the rally."

Meanwhile, Abhisit said he is trying every means to ease tensions and confrontation between the government and red-shirted supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.