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Thai protesters poured several jugs of their own blood on the front gate of the government headquarters on Tuesday in a symbolic sacrifice to press their demands for new elections.
Thousands of red-shirted demonstrators formed lines to have their blood drawn by nurses, a day after their leaders vowed to collect 1 million cubic centimeters of blood - 264 gallons (1,000 liters) - to spill at Government House.
A few teaspoons of blood were drawn from the veins of each volunteer and then transferred into dozens of large plastic water jugs that were passed overhead through the crowd of cheering protesters before being delivered to Government House, the prime minister's office. Riot police allowed protest leaders to approach the white iron front gate and pour out the blood, which oozed under the gate as national television broadcast the images live.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not entered his office at Government House since the protests started on Friday.
"The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy," Nattawut Saikua, one of the protest leaders, told cheering protesters. "When Abhisit works in his office, he will be reminded that he is sitting on the people's blood."
As many as 100,000 Red Shirt protesters converged Sunday on the Thai capital to demand that Abhisit agree to dissolve parliament by midday Monday. Abhisit refused and blanketed the capital with security, but said his government was open to listening to what else the protesters had to say.
The Red Shirts include supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other activists who oppose the 2006 military coup that ousted him for alleged corruption and abuse of power. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional ruling class who were alarmed by Thaksin's popularity.
Minutes after the blood was spilled Tuesday, a medical cleanup team provided by the government - wearing white coats, face masks and rubber gloves - hosed down the site.
Questions:
1. How many cubic centimeters of blood did protesters vow to spill?
2. What color shirts did the protesters wear?
3. How many gathered in the Thai capital on Sunday?
Answers:
1. 1 million.
2. Red.
3. 100,000.
去听写专区一展身手
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.
