Bangkok Red-shirt Rally - Live Updates - Tuesday

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TAN Network: PM: Any protesters who want to go home can contact gov't officials; "we'll get you home"

Thaivisa reporter in the blood tent: "Starting to feel like a Bloody Mary but no vodka."

57 simultaneous blood collection points now operating at #redshirts rally

[george]

2bangkok.com:

Accident created by nails piercing the tyres at 700 meter closed to the first Battalion, the 1st Inf. Reg. (On Vibhavadee Rangsit Highway)

http://www.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNews.asp...D=9530000036314

Next on the line after grenade launching, puring the blood mixed with HIV and Hepathesis at the Goverement house

http://www.manager.co.th/QOL/ViewNews.aspx...D=9530000036342

Eyewithness acccount of launching M79 grenade from Pick Up truck

http://www.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNews.asp...D=9530000036350

Now, Police at Thung mahamek are aresting one of those who launch M79 grenade

http://www.manager.co.th/Crime/ViewNews.as...D=9530000036286

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TAN Network: PM: Blood-pouring does not symbolise government using violence; travels today to inspect drought in northern provinces

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TAN Network: Reports indicate another M79 attack last night near residence of Administrative Court President

Bangkok Post: PM: Govt to listen to opinion of UDD

Thaivisa: Ppl donating blood at the redshirt rally are now being given Ovaltine drink on departure. Many R dehydrated - hard to locate veins

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Protesters´ blood collecting starts

BANGKOK (NNT) - The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters continue to donate blood in order to collect one million cc to be tossed in front of Government House in their latest move to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

UDD core leader Nuttawut Saikua has confirmed to the UDD members that the blood donation is 100% safe, using one needle per person.

The blood donation was under the supervision of medical doctors, he said. Other core leaders if the group have given their blood on the stage.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Satit Wonghnongtaey has expressed concern that the blood donations would be unhygienic, making the members lethargic due to a blood loss and prone to infections.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that he would not step down and dissolve the house as this would hinder the progress of the nation.

The UDD issued an ultimatum for the PM to dissolve the house by Monday noon.

-- NNT 2010-03-16

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BangkokDan: The bloodbath is actually a great idea. Thais love grizzly stuff. Pure populism, great to attract (again) the masses

THE NATION: Morning news meeting just ended. Biggest story is Suthep confirming that recent sabotage warning followed foreign intelligence tips.

We've heard this story for 2 days and r still working on it. Apparently, the "foreign intelligence" works involved phone tapping as well

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TAN Network: 300-strong security force sent to Suvarnabhumi International Airport to secure area from noon today

MCOT: M-79 shot in Lad Prao 23 near house of Supreme Administrative Court president Akrathorn Chularat last night, no one hurt

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THE NATION: It seems they want to get it over with quickly. More and more protesters are getting homesick.

THE NATION: It seems they want to get it over with quickly. More and more protesters are getting homesick.

Protest leaders have announced 500,000 cc of blood has been collected. World record?

10 cc each, which means they have collected blood from 50,000 people!!!

THE NATION: To our knowledge, there r only a few dozens medical personnel for the bloody job. Each "collection" took 3-5 mins. pls help me with the math

THE NATION: A correction, as far as our reporters' eyes can tell, there r about 100 doctors and nurses collecting blood at the rally.

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TAN Network: INN: Pheu Thai MP's donate blood for red shirt cause; after 4 hrs, only 100,000 cc collected

TAN Network: TNN says only 30,000 cc collected so far

Bangkokpundit: There is no way they would have met their blood target, but not sure target was their point. Still enough blood to make a mess if they want

CNN Producer Demands Dan Rivers Report Red Shirt Rallies From Outside “Super Pussy”: http://www.notthenation.com/pages/news/getnews.php?id=882

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TAN Network: INN: Bomb attack on Newin's father-in-law's house in Chiang Mai; broken windows; no injuries reported

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THE NATION: Thaksin has tweeted to slam the sabotage report, calling Suthep a liar&demanding evidence from those accusing him of malicious plots.

Red station has displayed this..."Slave blood is ammats' foods".

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MCOT: PM: Red Shirt's symbolic blood-pouring protest signifies government's non-violent approach

[george]

The Nation: Protesters are scheduled to pour blood at Govt House around 3 pm. Will they shift protest site there for an easier-to-control rally?

Also from our newsroom, it's been quiet so far at provincial halls nationwide, despite calls for those not in Bkk to gather there.

TV: Queue of blood donor at #redshirts rally starting to thin out. All 57+ collectors still busy tho

[george]

The Nation: "Bloody" events - Protesters will head to gov house to throw blood at 3pm & Chiangmai City Hall will be the target for blood-painting at 4pm.

[george]

PM: Red Shirt's symbolic blood-pouring protest signifies government's non-violent approach

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday pledged to carry on his duties, saying the Red Shirt's symbolic blood pouring protest indicated that his government has applied no violence at all against them as the rally of tens of thousands anti-government Red Shirt demonstrators was entering its third day.

Mr Abhisit commented as the key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Tuesday began collecting blood from Red Shirt volunteers before pouring it at all gates of Government House after their demand to dissolve the Parliament and to call new elections was rejected by the premier.

The UDD also threatened to collect more blood and pour at the headquarters of the ruling Democrat Party Headquarters and at Mr Abhisit's home in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area if their demand is still ignored.

The prime minister said the blood donation of the demonstrators is a symbol signifying that the bleeding is not caused by the government which has clearly demonstrated that it would not use violence against the demonstrators.

Mr Abhisit added he will continue his duties as usual, asserting that a dissolution of the House dissolution is not the best way to solve the country's political conflict, but the government is ready to listen and talk with the protest leaders.

The premier however said the talks must not be conditional, nor intimidating, pledging that he will handle the ongoing anti-government rally smoothly.

Regarding Monday's M79 grenade attack at the First Infantry Regiment on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road which wounded two soldiers, the premier said the incident showed that some persons still attempted to ignite violence and misunderstanding.

After being questioned by the media, the premier said he will inspect drought in northern provinces after attending a security meeting of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) at the 11th Infantry Regiment.

Security measures at 11th Infantry Regiment have been tightened still further to be ready in case the Red Shirt protesters will move to the area to hear the premier's response to their demand.

Meanwhile, House Speaker cancelled a joint parliamentary meeting Tuesday as only 80 members of the House and senators turned up which is short of a quorum of 625. The Lower House has 475 members and the Upper House has 150 members.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob announced an indefinite postponement of the join parliamentary session.

The Government Whip on Monday asked the House Speaker to cancel the joint parliamentary meeting Tuesday due to the 'inappropriate situation' as the joint meeting may instigate the Red Shirt protesters.

-- TNA 2010-03-16

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[george]

The Nation: About 60 Pheu Thai MPs donated blood at Parliament and vowed to throw it on PM's seat in the meeting room.

MCOT: Giant firecrackers thrown to Bangkok Bank, house of father-in-law of Newin Chidchob in Chiang mai, no one wounded

TV: Ppl coming to donate blood but not part of the protest/ Reason: "Get rid of Abhisit"

The Nation: 70,000 reds registered to donate the blood and now they got 600,000 CC.

[george]

BangkokDan: Maybe this absurd bloody comedy tells us which leaders to elect

bangkokpundit: Matichon: Red shirt leader (medical) Dr Weng says a substance will be added to blood collected to kill infections

Chiang Mai Hall To Be Closed At 6 Pm Following Threat Of Bloody Protest:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Chiang-Mai-H...hr-t348043.html

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Thaivisa: Students, ppl in suits, bank staff & government employees now coming to give blood @ #redshirts collection tents.

Man just walked in with 6 vials of blood - 10cc - drawn at a clinic. Vials had clinic name on them

THE NATION: US embassy would "neither confirm nor deny" the US tipped off Thailand on sabotage, said a reporter who tried contacting the embassy.

THE NATION: Don't get Pheu Thai MPs to resign, Thaksin warned red-shirts. GOVT won' t react to the pressure. No surprise there, embassies never confirm this kind of thing.

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TAN Network: RedCross:THL needs 120 million CCs of blood per year or avg of 600,000 CCs daily.70% used to treat accident victims.

[george]

Somtow: A million Thais shold donate blood to help patients if u r sick of voodoo politics or GOVt deserved run over by mobs.

At least the #redshirt blood collection is more hygienic that the PAD rubbing sanitary pads on statues for voodoo magic. (puke)

Nation: Don't get Pheu Thai MPs to resign, Thaksin warned red-shirts. GOVT won' t react to the pessure.

Nation: A background of the "sabotage" story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/rea...it+and+sabotage

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Man just walked in with vials of blood - 10cc - drawn at a clinic. Vials had clinic name on them

Photos © Copyright thaivisa.com 2010

-- thaivisa.com 2010-03-16

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[george]

Nation: Latest red plan: After pouring blood at Gov House at 4pm, they'll move to Democrat HQ to pour more blood. PM's house has to wait till 2mrrw.

Red shirted leader Weng will announce how much blood they got at 3.30pm before marching to Govt House to throw the blood at 4pm.

Bangkok Post: Govt offers help to homesick protesters

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Thaivisa: blood collection points being swamped. Ppl want their blood poured at Thailand Gov. House

[george]

US' SABOTAGE WARNING

Show me the evidence : Thaksin

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday challenged Abhisit Government to show evidence to prove a claim that he may be behind an attempt to stage a sabotage in Thailand.

"It was the same old (Deputy PM) Suthep Thaugsuban that spread the news that foreign intelligence agencies tapped my telephone conversations. He went further that I am behind an attempt to stage a sabotage in Thailand," Thaksin tweeted in thaksinlive.

"Suthep should provide evidence to back up the claims. Suthep is 60 years old and is old enough to stop making up stories," Thaksin said. The reports came as the red

Thaksin, who was reportedly seen in Montenegro last week, said that he would like to thank all red shirts who joined the protests to demand for return of democracy to the country.

Military and government sources said earlier that a recent "sabotage" warning which featured in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's statement came from the United States.

The sources said early this month that intelligence reports pointed to the possibility of sabotage taking place during red-shirted rally. He did not say where the intelligence reports had come from.

The sources said the warning had been conveyed by the United States using information provided by intelligence officials.

Apart from Abhisit, the Thai Army also received similar information.

The US Embassy on Tuesday was not available for comment.

-- The Nation 2010-03-16

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Thaivisa member: Coincidentally - the thai lotto results are due out at the same time. Conspiracy or fate? you decide.

Bangkokdan: Cursing rituals seem to be the red marchers' favorite pastime so far. Thank goodness the army made them giggle yesterday. You could go nuts

Thai News: Banks near rally sites closed

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TAN Network: Prince Akishino, the second son of Emperor Akihito, canceled his planned visit to Thailand due to political unrest in the country.

MCOT: Police ban entry to Government House, lineup to prepare negotiations as Red Shirts due to pour blood at gates at 4 pm

Thaivisa member: are the reds so stupid and believe they can walk onto the compound?

Thaivisa member quote: "The next step will be suicide."

THE NATION: State lottery results Mar.16: 1st prize 364222, last 3-digits 619, 996, 229, 756, last 2-digits 97

Discussion thread:

Red Shirts Shot Themselves In The Foot?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Red-Shirts-S...ot-t348066.html

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Siam Red leader says half of red shirts return home

BANGKOK: -- Surachai Danwattananusorn, a leader of the Siam Red group, said Tuesday that about half of red-shirt people have returned home and the remaining protesters are expected to be defeated by their own fatigue in one or two days.

"Now, the government is leaving the protesters to lose strength, which it is approaching that point in one or two days and then everything will be over," Surachai said.

He said he was preparing to return home in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

He said the red-shirt trio leaders had failed in their strategy.

-- The Nation 2010-03-16

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TAN Network: Red shirt protesters set up procession to march to Gov't House to spill blood collected all day

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Thaivisa: several thousand marching, battle music again

TAN Network: Red-shirts begin their march to spill blood at Govt House. Authorities have firefighting trucks & disinfectant ready.

Thaivisa: monks blessing ppl

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Red shirts march to Government House to spill bloods

Red shirts start moving from Pan Fah Bridge Tuesday to spill bloods they collected from their comrades at the Government House.

They claimed that they could collect about one milion cc. of blood.

-- The Nation 2010-03-16

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