Hunger Games Salute “Catching Fire” in Thailand

Fiction meets reality as anti-coup demonstrators in Thailand are using the hand gesture made famous in the movie The Hunger Games – as a sign of resistance against a brutal regime: “The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the country of Panem where the wealthy Capitol rules over 12 poorer districts,” reports the Express Tribune. Protesters assign multiple levels of meaning to the salute, demonstrating the deep divides in Thailand: Some say it stands for the French Revolution slogan of liberty, equality and brotherhood; others say it is just a reference to the films and novels; pro-establishment groups post the gesture on social media sites, suggesting the fingers represent a corrupt government, including rice-buying schemes, disrespect to the monarchy and destruction of the country. The Thai military is trying to ban gatherings of more than five people along with criticism of the coup, but so far that does not extend to social media. – YaleGlobal