Protesters paint Thai Goverment House and ruling party headquarters red with own blood

The UDD leaders claimed the Red-Shirts had donated a total of 300,000cc of blood. About 60 MPs of the opposition Puea Thai Party also gave blood for the ritual.

“Everybody agreed. It’s a symbolic sacrifice, it’s a special bond with the Thais who fought for democracy and shed their blood in the past,” said UDD spokesman Sean Boonpracong. “Blood is life.” Blood had been taken from 10,000 volunteers by 10am this morning, he said.

"The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy," Nattawut Saikua, a UDD leader, told supporters.

"When Abhisit works in his office, he will be reminded that he is sitting on the people's blood."

Syringes were used to transfer the blood to several large plastic water bottles, which were then passed over the heads of cheering protesters waving flags and placards, heralded by drums and horns.

Having splashed blood at the Government House, the protesters moved to the headquarters of the Democratic Party on Setthasiri Road to perform the same ritual.

Government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn said the authorities would allow the demonstration as long as it remained peaceful.

"If they want to throw [the blood] and have a photo opportunity and have us clean it up later, I think it's fine," he told the media. He said health authorities were looking into whether "throwing blood on the streets violates health measures".