Yesterday, Thai protesters spilled their own blood in front of the Prime Minister's office. It was the third straight day of protests by the so-called Red Shirt movement, a group that accuses the current government of favoring the wealthy elite and ignoring the rural poor.
The bloodshed wasn't as violent or chaotic as first expected. Protesters had their blood drawn by medical workers in air-conditioned tents. Some say it was all just theatrics to draw attention to their cause.
Michael Montesano is a visiting fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. He says the fact that the Red shirt protesters went to such great lengths demonstrates just how much they feel looked they are looked down upon by the elite.