Protesters close parts of Bangkok

BANGKOK, March 15 (UPI) -- Anti-government protesters shut down businesses and government offices in northern Bangkok Monday, calling for parliament to be dissolved

Natthawut Saikua, leader of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship said he will would collect 1 million cubic centimeters of blood (about 264 gallons) from the protesters and scatter it around the government offices Tuesday, in response to a decision not to dissolve the parliament, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thousands of red-shirted protesters converged on a military base that has become a sort of field headquarters for government leaders, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, The New York Times reported.

"We are here to announce class warfare, in peace and for democracy," Nattawut said.

If the government won't consider dissolving the house after distribution of blood, another million cc's of blood will be poured outside of the Democrat Party headquarters, followed by another million cc's of blood scattered at Abhisit's residence, Nattawut said.

"If 3 million cc's of blood have been spilled and the prime minister still refuses to step down, I can guarantee that he will not have the time, not even a minute, to perform his duties," Natthawut said.

Abhisit rose to power in 2008 after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup. Abhisit's government, which protesters say is out of touch with the people, has two years left in office before it must call elections.

In his weekly television address Sunday, Abhisit rejected the protesters' calls for him to step aside, the Times said.

"I cannot accept any demand that is considered a threat," he said. "I came to power in a constitutional way. I have the right to complete my term."