THAILAND– Police detained three Thai university students at Thailand’s premiere of the latest installment of the Hunger Games movie.
The students mimicked the films three-fingered salute, a sign of defiance, which the military has banned the gesture because it signifies a rebellion.
One cinema chain in Bangkok has cancelled all screenings of MockingJay Part 1 after a student group planned an anti-coup protest outside its theaters. Activists say the police pressured the theaters to halt the showings.
Earlier, in northeastern Thailand, five university students were detained for giving the three finger salute while appointed Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha was giving a speech. The students, wearing t-shirts with the phrase “Don’t Want a Coup” confronted Chan-ocha, who is the leader of the nations latest coup. Lawyers say that students are being questioned by police, but at this time have not been charged.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
