By Associated Press
Tuesday, March 16, 2010; A07

BANGKOK -- Thailand's prime minister, backed by a formidable military force, rejected an ultimatum to dissolve Parliament on Monday as tens of thousands of red-shirted protesters vowed to splatter the seat of government with their blood if their demands are not met.

Organizers of the demonstrations in the Thai capital said they are requesting that thousands of protesters donate a small amount of blood to meet their stated goal of 1 million cubic centimeters, or more than 260 gallons.

"The blood will be taken from the body and democratic soul of the Red Shirts," said a protest leader, Natthawut Saikua, referring to the popular name for the demonstrators. He said they would start recruiting medical staff for the blood drive Tuesday morning.

They threatened to pour the blood on the Government House if their renewed demand is rejected by 6 p.m. Tuesday (7 a.m. Eastern Time).

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

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the key target of the huge demonstration, earlier said he could not give in to the protesters' demand to dissolve Parliament by midday but left room for compromise.

"Asking for the dissolution of Parliament before noon in exchange for a halt to the demonstrations, we all agreed it can't be done. However, it doesn't mean the government coalition parties and I won't listen to their ideas," Abhisit said on nationwide television.

The protesters believe Abhisit took office illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class who were alarmed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's popularity, particularly among the poor. Thaksin, who became prime minister in 2001 and whose party easily won two elections, was ousted by a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption and abuse of power.

About 100,000 Red Shirt protesters had been camped out along a boulevard in the old part of Bangkok, though the number had fallen Monday. More than 50,000 soldiers, police and other security personnel have been mobilized in the capital area.

With banners waving, thousands of the protesters piled into trucks, rode motorcycles or trudged on foot toward the barbed-wire-ringed regimental compound, where soldiers played songs composed by the Thai king in a bid to keep things calm. They left a few hours later.

The troops guarding the headquarters were in full combat gear, but no weapons were visible except short-barreled rifles for firing tear gas.