People opposing a military coup in Thailand are flashing a familiar three-finger salute seen in “The Hunger Games” during gatherings to silently voice their displeasure over last month’s take over, resulting in a strict curfew, media censorship and ban of public political demonstrations.
According to media reports, the same gesture the fictional people of Panem use to protest President Snow’s oppressive government in the Lionsgate blockbusters began popping up around the Asian country over the weekend.
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And Thailand’s new military rulers have taken notice, and might start making arrests if the movement takes off.
“At this point we are monitoring the movement,” Col. Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a spokesman for the junta, told The Associated Press. “If it is an obvious form of resistance, then we have to control it so it doesn’t cause any disorder in the country.”
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“If it persists, then we will have to make an arrest,” he added.
The military seized power from elected government officials on May 22 without any bloodshed.
In the box office hits adapted from author Suzanne Collins‘ best-selling novels, the symbol of rebellion against totalitarian rule stands for “Thank you, Admiration and Goodbye to someone you love.”
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Thai protestors have told the media their use stands for the French Revolution’s trinity of values — liberty, equality and fraternity — while others say it means freedom, election and democracy.
The silent protest has been caught on camera during flash mobs and gatherings in the country since Sunday, and is also catching fire on social media.
#ก็ไม่รู้สินะ #กูจะไม่ยอมเห็นรูปนี้คนเดียว (2) pic.twitter.com/6atKvzzmgn
– ❤นู๋ปลาถองแก้มป่อง❤ (@NOOPLATHONG) June 3, 2014
#flashmob at bkk art centre #nocoup #thaicoup pic.twitter.com/ThaU55Ykj5
— NickDiary (@knrknr) June 1, 2014
Dear #HungerGames. We’ve taken your sign as our own. Our struggle is non-fiction. Thanks. #ThaiCoup #Thailand pic.twitter.com/nGaYJIdj05
– Manik Sethisuwan (@ManikSethisuwan) June 1, 2014