Singing folksongs and waving red flags in the pouring rain, red-shirted protesters descended on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's private home in an affluent Bangkok suburb. After some negotiation, the police allowed some three dozen protesters to approach the walled compound and pour blood on the gates and fences.

The supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra later moved onto the US embassy. Leaders said they wanted to expose the government's illegitimacy to the international community.

Government House splattered

On Tuesday, thousands of demonstrators had queued up in makeshift tents to donate just a few teaspoons of blood, which was then transferred into large plastic jugs and delivered to Government House, where the prime minister has his office.

Blood was also splattered onto the pavement outside the headquarters of the ruling Democrat Party nearby.

Leaders of the red-shirt movement said they had collected 300 liters (530 pints) of blood. This was not as much as the 1,000 liters they had hoped for but enough for a symbolic act.

Nattawut Saikur said the blood was "to show our commitment in calling for democracy. This is an important curse ritual."

Joint parliamentary session postponed

On Monday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had refused to succumb to the protesters' demands that he resign, saying that there were other means of solving the political crisis.

A joint session of parliament that had been scheduled for Tuesday was postponed because of a lack of numbers – some lawmakers reportedly feared for their safety.

Observers think that Thaksin's supporters would very likely win if an election was called.

Thaksin urges protesters to continue fight

On Monday, Thaksin told protesters in Bangkok via video link to continue their fight.

Between 100,000 and 150,000 supporters poured out onto the streets of the Thai capital over the weekend and the government deployed up to 50,000 security officers to keep order.

By Wednesday, the number of protesters seemed to have dwindled considerably but police said that some 10,000 "Red Shirts" remained in the capital.

act/dpa/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Thomas Baerthlein