In Pictures

In Pictures: Thai students’ ‘Hunger Games’ protests spread

Demonstrations that began on university campuses have taken place almost daily since mid-July.

Student protesters flash the three-fingered Hunger Games salute during an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom on August 18, 2020. - The country has seen near-daily protests in — Student protesters flash the three-fingered Hunger Games salute during an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP]

Pupils in at least eight high schools in Thailand raised three-fingered “Hunger Games” salutes during the national anthem on Tuesday in a sign of spreading support for student-led anti-government protests.

The three-finger salute, inspired by the popular Hunger Games films, has been a symbol of calls for democracy since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha first took power in a 2014 coup.

Demonstrations that began on university campuses have taken place almost daily since mid-July in an increasing challenge to the ruling establishment in the Southeast Asian country that has long been dominated by the army and the monarchy.

Students also wore white ribbons to show their support for protesters, who seek Prayuth’s departure, a new constitution and an end to the harassment of activists.

A hashtag that translates as #WhiteRibbonAgainstDictatorship was used nearly 1 million times on Twitter while others trending included #ThreeFingersForNationalAnthem.

Some students have also called for reforms to the monarchy, once a taboo subject.

“I want to show that I don’t like dictatorship and want true democracy,” said one 17-year-old student who joined the protest at a government school on Monday and said she did not want to be named for fear of reprisals after pressure from teachers.

Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan said at an educational fair in Bangkok on Monday that students had the right to express themselves and should not be punished, but also warned that there was a limit to how far they should go.

Prayuth told reporters he was willing to listen to the students but questioned the motives of some.

“I heard from some students that those that don’t want to take part in these actions get bullied into doing it,” he said.

Increasing support for the protest movement was evident in Bangkok on Sunday when more than 10,000 people joined the biggest demonstration for years.

High school students hold up blank sheets of paper and raise their hands with a three-fingered defiance salute at the Samsen Wittayalai school in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. A number — High school students hold up blank sheets of paper and raise their hands with a three-fingered defiance salute at the Samsen Wittayalai school in Bangkok. [Sakchai Lalit/AP Photo]

Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom on August 18, 2020. - The country has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by uni — The country has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by university students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and a frank discussion of the role of the monarchy. [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP]

Student protesters hold signs as they flash the three-fingered Hunger Games salute during an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom on August 18, 2020. - The country has seen nea — Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan said the students had the right to express themselves and should not be punished. [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP]

A pro-democracy student with taped mouth and make-up attends a rally to demand the government to resign, to dissolve the parliament and to hold new elections under a revised constitution, at Mahidol U — A pro-democracy protester at a Mahidol University rally. The education minister warned that there was a limit to how far the protests should go. [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

Pro-democracy student wearing masks do the three-fingered salute at a rally to demand the government to resign, to dissolve the parliament and to hold new elections under a revised constitution, at Ma — Students wearing face masks raise the three-fingered salute at a rally to demand the government's resignation, dissolution of parliament and new elections. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was willing to listen to the students but questioned the motives of some. [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

A pro-democracy student wearing a white ribbon does a three-fingered salute with a slogan reading "Freedom, equality and brotherhood" at a rally to demand the government to resign, to dissolve the par — A pro-democracy student raises a three-fingered salute, with "Freedom, equality and brotherhood" written on their hand and a white ribbon around their wrist. [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

A pro-democracy student with a tape covering her mouth raises three-fingers, symbol of resistance salute during a protest rally at Mahidol University in Nakhan Pathom, Thailand, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 — Apart from the political demands, some pupils complain of a school system that emphasises obedience and tradition, from lining up daily for the national anthem to strict rules on uniforms, haircuts and behaviour. [Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP Photo]

A pro-democracy student arranges placards during a protest rally at Mahidol University in Nakhan Pathom, Thailand, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Student protesters have stepped up pressure on the governmen — Students said they were planning further protests, including one at the Ministry of Education. [Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP Photo]