The Red Shirts will continue to march in the streets after learning that Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected the protesters’ demands to dissolve the parliament and conduct a new round of elections. But the latest protest tactic promises to be “bloody” as organizers announced that they will collect 1 million cubic centimeters of protesters’ blood, or about 264 gallons (1,000 liters) and will throw the blood at the Government House in Bangkok by Tuesday evening. The Red Shirts were able to mobilize at least a hundred thousand people in the streets last Sunday prompting the government to deploy more than 50,000 security forces in the capital. The following video clip shows a big assembly of Red Shirts last weekend Why are the Red Shirts protesting in the streets? Marc Askew interviewed the rally participants and summarized their demands: They agree that the parliament should be dissolved and new elections held so as to “return power to the people.” They argue that the Thai press and media cannot be trusted to portray the red shirt cause accurately, in contrast to the foreign media, which they believe “knows what’s really going on” in the country viz-a-viz political power. They utterly reject the reports that people are paid to attend major red shirt rallies, as related in the press and among their opponents. Saiyasombut commends the Red Shirts for conducting peaceful rallies but rejects the “blood protest” So far, the fact the protests have been peaceful and no bigger problems (or even violence) have occurred can be counted as a success and confident boost for the Red Shirts. But now they risk to lose all the momentum for this more than questionable stunt. First, there is the logistic problem: how on earth are they going to get enough blood of 100,000 people in just one night? Secondly is a medical one: how are they going to get enough clean needles? The Thai Red Cross has refused to help, pointing out medical consequences of improper use. And finally the question is: what do they want to achieve with this? Unless they want to deliberately create a big hygienic mess I don’t see anything being solved here! Siam Report warns the Red Shirts that the “blood protest” would erode the group’s credibility …the reds shirts have thus far had a successful rally. They didn't reach a million people and no House dissolution, but at least 100,000 turned up and the protest was conducted in a peaceful manner. However, if the red leaders decide to go through with this symbolic blood splattering stunt, you can be sure that it will be received very poorly internationally. Such a stunt is perfect ammunition for the anti-red media, and really to any observer, it is an illegal act of vandalism and something a teenager would do. Red Shirts convoy. Picture by photo_journ Red Shirt supporters. Photo by Robin Thailand Jon Dent participated in the March 15 rally and blogged about what he witnessed: Walking towards the main stage, we saw groups of people walking while others sought shade from the mid-day sun. There were signs in English (“Democracy Now”) and signs in Thai (“We will die for Democracy”). There were stalls selling red shirts, anti-government literature and CDs, and of course Pad Thai. I met a group of nurses and doctors volunteering at one of the many first aid stations along the protest route. They asked not to be identified since their hospitals told them not to help the Red Shirts. Nevertheless, they came anyways “to help the people, and because our hearts are Red.” The Nation's State, another rally participant, is elated by the warm support of Bangkok residents Notable were the crowds of people gathered on the streets cheering for the reds. They were Bangkok residents coming out to great and support the reds. Many were waving anything red that they had in their homes or work. I saw red bed sheets and red coffee mugs among other things. Also notable were the police which came out to wave and some even sported red. The mood was boisterous, like a party really, and the reds certainly scored a psychological victory by showing residents that there are far more protesters than reported in the media. Nganadeeleg criticizes media bias in reporting the rallies I'm pleased that there has been no real violence to date, and it seems both the government and protesters have learned from the past. (also more people have camera's at hand now so hopefully any actions by agent provocateur's will quickly be able to be seen as such). My biggest complaint regarding the media coverage is that most are taking a very short term view and cannot see the wood for the trees.