Photo: @MilanShevaLive
Five students from Khon Kaen University were taken into custody and sent to a military camp this morning after making the three-finger “Hunger Games” salute while Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha was speaking there.
While Prayuth was giving a speech on measures to deal with drought conditions in the northeastern province, the five Communication Arts students made the salute while lined up wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Thai characters which read “No Coup” when put together.
The salute became a symbol of dissent following May’s military coup after it was adopted from the popular movie franchise where it is a silent symbol of resistance to an authoritarian dystopia.
Star Jennifer Lawrence and Director Francis Lawrence said earlier this week they were troubled by seeing people arrested for making the salute.
“Part of it was sort of thrilling, that something that happens in a movie can become a symbol for freedom or protest,” Lawrence told The Music, an Australian media outlet. “The thing that’s disturbing is it’s this weird reflection. We’re mirroring what’s happening in the world and suddenly it’s mirroring back. And kids are getting arrested. And when kids start getting arrested, it takes the thrill out of it.”
The students were removed from the site by police and questioned before they were sent to the Si Phatcharin Military Camp in Khon Kaen to have their “attitudes adjusted,” according to Thairath.
No indication was given as to when the students will be released.
