国际英语新闻：Thai PM working as usual amid continued mass rally

BANGKOK, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Thai anti-government group Tuesday afternoon poured their collected blood at the Government House' main gate, while the Thai Prime Minister has, however, performed his work as usual amid the continued mass rally.

The red-shiretd or United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors poured the blood at the main gate at about 4:55 p.m., local time, as a measure to pressure for a House dissolution and holding a fresh general election.

Thai red-shirted demonstrators clash with policemen as they try to pour blood on the footpath in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 16, 2010. The Thai anti-government group here on Tuesday poured the blood donated earlier the day by the "red-shirts", who are staging a mass rally in an effort to topple the government.

After that they went to pour their collected blood on the footpath in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in capital Bangkok at 18.41 p.m., local time, for the same reason.

On March 12 the UDD protestors traveled from the countryside to stage the rally in Bangkok as the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been enforced in eight provinces during March 11-23 to ensure security during the rally.

The ISA imposition has taken effect in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok.

Thai red-shirted demonstrators hold canisters of blood before pouring it on the footpath in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 16, 2010.

Also, the ISA law has been enforced in some 21 districts of six other provinces near Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said scattering blood can not symbolize the blood is derived from violence and does come from the state, Thailand's Army Channel 5 reported.

Speaking at the 11th Infantry Regiment in capital Bangkok, in which the peace-keeping operations command is established, he has reiterated the House dissolution is currently not the best solution to the political conflict.

The coalition government will also have to listen to the view of the other Thai people across the nation prior to making any political decision, Abhisit said.

A Thai red-shirted demonstrator holds a canister of blood before pouring it on the footpath in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 16, 2010.

After that Abhisit traveled by an army plane to the northern province of Tak and Pitsanulok to seek measures to solve the draught problem for the people there.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit disclosed some 20 people needed medical treatment Tuesday. Among these included two, who were injured from a road accident and those, who were ill from food poisoning.

The UDD protestors Wednesday morning is going to march to the Prime Minsite's residence to pour their blood there, UDD core leaders announced Tuesday.

Hence, it is now feared at least by the people in the private sector that if the mass rally prolongs, the country's economic recovery will be affected.

Thai policemen are deployed in front of the ruling Democrat Party's headquarters in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 16, 2010

Some seven branches of commercial banks near the rally site have Tuesday suspended their operations due to security concerns, according to the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) under the Public Relations Department reported.

The Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has suspended its operations of a branch at Ratchadamnoen Klang Road as the Thai Military Bank ( TMB) has suspended operations of its branch at Sri Pathum University.

The Krung Thai Bank (KTB) suspended operations of branches at the Government House, the Ministry of Defence, the Parliament, Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, the Ministry of Education, Banglamphu Road, and Khao Sarn Road.

Meanwhile, deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar disclosed about 50 percent of tourists canceled their room reservation with hotels near the rally site, the Thai News Agency reported.