Bangkok: Bloody Tuesday?

The scheme was first reported by the Nation and mentioned in ThereLive's compilation of firsthand reports.

Now AP (h/t Newely) has more details on the protesters' plan to draw their own blood and pour it all over Government House on March 16, 2010.

"The blood will be taken from the body and democratic soul of the Red Shirts," said a protest leader, Nutthawut Saikua, referring to the popular name for the protesters. He said they would start drawing blood at 8 a.m. Typically a person gives a pint of blood at a time, meaning more than 2,000 people would have to donate.

A Red Cross official expressed concern over the hygiene of drawing blood from so many people and noted that such a large quantity "could save a lot of lives," if it weren't destined to be spilled.

The head of a Thai medical board is talking about disciplining medical workers involved in the blood protest  according to a new report published in The Nation (h/t BP).   Another Thai medical chief is questioning whether safe and hygienic procedures will be followed for the withdrawing and handling blood.  Will the protesters do something really stupid like reuse the needles?  Unless trained medical staff carry out the procedures, I would bet on it. To his credit, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has spoken out about this risk.

If this plan goes ahead, I suppose the event will probably go down in history as "Bloody Tuesday".  Yuck.

UPDATE:  For updates see Bangkok blood protest of Tuesday March 16