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Thai protesters hurl their own blood at PM’s house
The dramatic act -- which followed similar “blood sacrifices” on Tuesday at Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s office and the headquarters of his Democrat Party -- grabbed attention, but put the “Red Shirt” protest movement no closer to its goal of forcing new elections.
The protesters consist of supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption, and pro-democracy activists who opposed the army takeover. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class and that only new elections can restore integrity to Thai democracy.
On Wednesday, riot police first blocked all approaches to Abhisit’s walled compound in an area that is home to many wealthy Thais and expatriates. But after negotiations, three dozen demonstrators were allowed to squeeze through the police cordon carrying about six 1.3-gallon (5-liter) plastic jugs filled with frothy blood over their heads.
They splattered blood across Abhisit’s front gate and poured some of it into plastic bags that they hurled at the home, leaving the walls, roof and grounds smeared with red.
A heavy afternoon downpour ended as the blood spilling finished, leaving dark red puddles in the street that a white-suited medical cleanup team quickly hosed away. Some climbed on the prime minister’s tile roof to remove the empty, blood-soaked bags.
The protesters’ march to Abhisit’s house and police cordons, thrown up after the government invoked an emergency decree, halted traffic in one direction on Sukhumvit Road, a major thoroughfare, paralyzing parts of the neighborhood. Restaurants closed their doors and residents of luxury condos were prevented from driving out of the area.
“We heard they were coming, so I stayed in. Sure enough we’re blocked in now,” said John Bujnosh, 59, a Texas oil driller who lives on the same street as Abhisit.
Many residents watched from their balconies or wandered into the street to take pictures.
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