In Thailand, political ideas are fought in the media spotlight - but behind the arresting symbolism and imagery, issues of democracy, welfare, education and human rights are at stake - in a political crisis that is not going to go away.

Thailand: The Politics of Blood - for iPod/iPhone

Thailand: The Politics of Blood

Join the BBC's Asia correspondent, Alastair Leithead, and author and historian Chris Baker, for an insight into the colour coded protests and political problems facing Thailand.

Perspective: The Politics of Blood

In Thailand, the international media is the battleground for political ideas. Protests have become increasingly dramatic and well organised. In October 2008, Red-shirts, in their thousands, donated their own blood and poured it on the walls and under the gates of Government House while Yellow-shirted protesters staged a sit - in at Bangkok airport stranding thousands of tourists and bringing Thailand’s political turmoil to television screens around the world. But behind the arresting symbolism of these protests, issues of democracy, welfare, education and human rights are at stake, in a political crisis that is not going to go away.