Thai protesters pour blood

Reuters

MARCH: Supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra hold canisters with human blood before pouring it outside the Government house in Bangkok.

Reuters

'SACRIFICE FOR DEMOCRACY': Supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra pour human blood from canisters on the gates of the Government house in Bangkok.

Relevant offers

Asia

Mystery over Saudi tweeter's NZ bid Pakistan releases US man after 'bullets found in baggage' Iran's web blocked temporarily - experts China issues rules to limit foreign TV shows Japan's nuclear evacuees still not allowed home Bali bombing accused on trial Saudi journalist deported from Malaysia Kiwi firm helps make Laos a safer place Rock star welcome for Suu Kyi Two Tibetans killed by Chinese security - report

Thousands of protesters in Thailand donated blood to be poured outside the premier's office on Tuesday, a "sacrifice for democracy" aimed at energising their movement after the government refused to step down.

Tens of thousands of red-shirted supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra remained at their encampment in central Bangkok, frustrated that after four days of peaceful protests, the government showed no sign of calling fresh elections, which Thaksin's allies would be well placed to win.

The absence of violence and a growing view that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can ride out the crisis lifted Thai stocks 1.4 percent by midday. The baht currency firmed.

Despite the tensions, foreign investors have been buyers of Thai stocks for the past 15 sessions, scooping up a net $US850 million ($NZ1.2 billion) over that period, although volumes slowed this week.

"If we can get past this week, things should return to normal and fund flows should start building up again," said Patareeya Benjapolchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

"Fundamentally, Thailand isn't bad looking," she added.

That message was reinforced by US investment bank Morgan Stanley, which upgraded its recommendation on Thailand's stock market to "overweight" in a note to clients.

At the protest site, there were clear signs of fatigue. Some complained of failure to produce quick results. Others withered under Bangkok's scorching sun. Of the 150,000 demonstrators who massed on Sunday, many were returning to their rural provinces.

"They have been on the streets since Saturday and it's tough. We will keep going because this is about the long-term benefit to Thailand," said Jaran Ditthapichai, a protest leader.

Early on Tuesday, "red shirts" lined up under a tent to give blood to medical volunteers and nurses. The leaders said this would be spilt outside Abhisit's office in what they are calling a symbolic shedding of blood for democracy.

"When the picture of this reaches Abhisit, won't he be just a little bit ashamed of himself?" said Rung Suramanee, 76, a retired civil servant as she gave blood. "I am ready to sacrifice anything for majority rule to return."

Health workers said the 10 cubic cm of blood taken from each protester was a waste, and potentially unsanitary and dangerous.

SIGNS OF FRUSTRATION

Despite days of fiery rhetoric by demonstrators on how the mainly rural "red shirts" have been marginalised by the military, urban elite and royalists who back Abhisit, some expressed frustration about the seeming lack of impact from the rally.

"I want to step it up and do something bold," said Manat Tengmanee from northern Lampang province.

Fears of violence briefly surfaced on Monday when three grenades exploded at a Bangkok army base, wounding two soldiers, just hours after Abhisit appeared on television rejecting their demands to dissolve parliament. It was unclear whether the attack was linked to the demonstrations.

Economists say prolonged unrest could hurt businesses and delay an expected interest rate rise. That looks less likely given the orderly protests, although Bank of Thailand Assistant Governor Paiboon Kittisrikangwan said on Tuesday the bank will consider politics when it next reviews rates.

Worries about the political situation helped depress consumer confidence in February, after months of improvement as the economy recovered from a brief recession.

The twice-elected Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and later sentenced in absentia to two years jail for graft. He fled into exile shortly before his sentence was passed and lives mainly in Dubai, although thought now to be in Europe.

Core "red shirt" leaders echoed Thaksin's recent calls for patience but analysts said a drop in numbers may force the leaders to start looking for ways to end the rally.

"It's tricky for them. They have to do it in a way that does not embarrass the leaders and disappoint participants too much because that could undermine their credibility among their own supporters," said political scientist Somjai Phagaphasvivat.

"But it would help their image, especially among the public who are on the fence -- people who agree with their cause but have been reluctant to join because they do not support Thaksin and disagree with violence."

Asked if he was ready to talk to the protesters, Abhisit told reporters before leaving to look at drought problems in the north: "If they want to exchange ideas ... I am willing to listen, but I have to decide on the basis of the whole country."

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government remained vigilant as it continued to receive intelligence that there could be sabotage, including bombings and arson. Critics have accused the government of scaremongering.

Allies of Thaksin, hugely popular in the vote-rich north and northeast, are likely to win the next election, which must called by the end of 2011, just as they have every poll held since 2001.

- Reuters