“Thailand’s red-shirted protesters have begun donating blood to throw at government offices in a ritual curse of a leadership they say is illegitimate. The protests enter a third day in a still jovial but determined mood. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday rejected a demand from protesters to quit and call elections. The standoff is the latest in a deep political schism in the country which pre-dates the 2006 military coup which deposed Thaksin Shinawatra.” (03/16/10)