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Thai protests head to PM's house Thais spill blood at PM's house
(about 3 hours later)
Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand are approaching the home of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva to continue their symbolic blood protest. Thai protesters and a stepped-up security presence have negotiated an end to a protest at the prime minister's house.
On the fourth day of a mass rally, the "red shirts" planned to throw blood donated by thousands of protesters at the home, to dramatise their demands. A few of the red-shirt anti-government protesters were allowed to pour blood in a symbolic act at the home of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva.
They say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate and should be dissolved. The government had said it was invoking the Internal Security Act to block the protest in a suburb of Bangkok.
Neither Mr Abhisit nor his family are at their home in a well-to-do suburb of Bangkok, and security is tight. The opposition are calling for fresh elections.
Ten more companies of police and soldiers have been deployed to reinforce six companies of security officials at the house, The Nation newspaper reported. The protesters say they are now heading toward foreign embassies after reports that "foreign intelligence" had warned the government that the red-shirts could turn violent.
It said the Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban had invoked the Internal Security Act to ban entry to Mr Abhisit's street, where a few thousand protesters had already gathered. Both red-shirt leaders and government figures have insisted they are determined to keep the protests - now in their fourth day - peaceful.
Mr Abhisit has been staying at the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Battalion in the north of Bangkok since the protests began. The protesters say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate and should be dissolved.
More splashing Confrontation fears
The red shirts could be seen approaching the Sukhumvit area where Mr Abhisit's home is - their actions continue to be peaceful, loud and cheerful.
PM Abhisit has been staying at military barracks since the weekendPM Abhisit has been staying at military barracks since the weekend
Neither Mr Abhisit nor his family are at their home in Bangkok, and security is tight.
The last-minute ratcheting up of police and troop presence at the prime minister's house had sparked fears of a confrontation, but once again a negotiated solution was found.
Mr Abhisit has been staying at the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Battalion in the north of Bangkok since the protests began.
The BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey says the numbers are dwindling but the passion is undiminished, the demands as loud as ever.The BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey says the numbers are dwindling but the passion is undiminished, the demands as loud as ever.
A senior police officer said he estimated numbers had dropped by 100,000 to 90,000 people by Tuesday evening.A senior police officer said he estimated numbers had dropped by 100,000 to 90,000 people by Tuesday evening.
Reporters asked a protest leader, Veera Musikapong, what their next move would be, and he replied, "I want to know that myself," the Associated Press reported.Reporters asked a protest leader, Veera Musikapong, what their next move would be, and he replied, "I want to know that myself," the Associated Press reported.
He said the group maps strategy on a day-by-day basis.He said the group maps strategy on a day-by-day basis.
The latest plan announced by protest leaders is a copy of what they did on Tuesday afternoon when they poured human blood at the gates of Government House and, later, the headquarters of the Democrat Party. Blood collection
On Tuesday, they poured human blood at the gates of Government House and, later, the headquarters of the Democrat Party.
Earlier on Tuesday, many thousands of protesters had lined up to donate their blood.Earlier on Tuesday, many thousands of protesters had lined up to donate their blood.
"The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy," said Natthawut Saikua, a red shirt leader."The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy," said Natthawut Saikua, a red shirt leader.
PROTEST TIMELINE 2006: Yellow-shirts launch street protests to oust PM Thaksin ShinawatraSept 2006: Thaksin ousted in military coupDec 2007: Thaksin allies win first post-coup electionsSept 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok government buildings, clash with pro-Thaksin red-shirtsNov 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok's airports, forcing cancellation of hundreds of flightsDec 2008: Thaksin-allied government falls, rival Abhisit Vejjajiva forms governmentApr 2009: Red-shirts storm Asean summit, clashes erupt in BangkokMar 2010: Red-shirts launch protest aimed at bringing government down Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows Q&A: Thailand protestsPROTEST TIMELINE 2006: Yellow-shirts launch street protests to oust PM Thaksin ShinawatraSept 2006: Thaksin ousted in military coupDec 2007: Thaksin allies win first post-coup electionsSept 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok government buildings, clash with pro-Thaksin red-shirtsNov 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok's airports, forcing cancellation of hundreds of flightsDec 2008: Thaksin-allied government falls, rival Abhisit Vejjajiva forms governmentApr 2009: Red-shirts storm Asean summit, clashes erupt in BangkokMar 2010: Red-shirts launch protest aimed at bringing government down Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows Q&A: Thailand protests
Tens of thousands of security forces remain on standby and army leaders say they plan to be flexible and gentle with the demonstrators as their protests continue.Tens of thousands of security forces remain on standby and army leaders say they plan to be flexible and gentle with the demonstrators as their protests continue.
Government cleaners quickly went into action to mop up the blood on Tuesday, amid fears of infection and some criticism that the blood spilling was wasting a resource which could have been used to help the sick.Government cleaners quickly went into action to mop up the blood on Tuesday, amid fears of infection and some criticism that the blood spilling was wasting a resource which could have been used to help the sick.
On Monday, Mr Abhisit had rejected a demand from protesters to quit and call elections.On Monday, Mr Abhisit had rejected a demand from protesters to quit and call elections.
The stand-off is the latest in a deep political schism in the country linked to the 2006 military coup which deposed former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.The stand-off is the latest in a deep political schism in the country linked to the 2006 military coup which deposed former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
A cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled, and a parliamentary hearing stopped for lack of a quorum.A cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled, and a parliamentary hearing stopped for lack of a quorum.
Both sides appeared to be making every effort to avoid confrontation.Both sides appeared to be making every effort to avoid confrontation.
The protest, led by red-shirted supporters of Mr Thaksin has been one of the largest in recent years.The protest, led by red-shirted supporters of Mr Thaksin has been one of the largest in recent years.
The protesters say the present government was installed illegally after Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and two subsequent allied governments were deposed by court action.The protesters say the present government was installed illegally after Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and two subsequent allied governments were deposed by court action.