Imitating the movie "Mockingjay,"
protesters get arrested in Thailand
By Los Angeles Times, adapted by Newsela staff on 11.25.14
Word Count 479
Nachacha Kongudom, 21, raises a three-finger salute outside a cinema where “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1”
is showing, in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 20, 2014. Police detained three students Thursday at the opening of the latest
"Hunger Games" movie in Thailand, where opponents of May’s military coup have adopted the film’s three-finger salute as
a sign of defiance. Photo: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
Life is imitating a movie in Thailand. Students there are using a hand signal from the
“Hunger Games” movies to protest against the military. Now, officials have banned the
three-finger salute and have arrested young demonstrators for using it.
Three students in the capital, Bangkok, were arrested in a movie theater showing “The
Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1.” The students were the latest protesters accused of
using a hand gesture from the movie. "Mockinjay" is the newest movie based on the books
by Suzanne Collins about teens fighting a tyrant.
Thailand's military took over the government on May 22 and cut back freedoms, including
the right to protest. The military said it was necessary to restore order after months of
protests.
Using Symbols Against Military Rule
In 2013, Thailand was hit by demonstrations for and against the last prime minister. People
against the prime minister called his government dishonest and corrupt and said it should
go. Supporters said the government was elected by the people and should stay.
Groups of five or more people have been banned since the military took over. Young
people are frustrated by not being able to get together and demand more freedoms.
Many young protesters are using symbols to protest the military rule. Some are reading
“1984,” George Orwell’s novel about a fight against a dictatorship, openly in public.
Premieres of “Mockingjay” were canceled at two Bangkok movie theaters. Student
organizers had bought up hundreds of tickets. They planned to give tickets away and
gather people against the military. A colonel with the city's police said the three students
who were arrested were taken to an army camp for “attitude adjustment.”
The Chinese government held back “Mockingjay” from the country’s theaters until next
year, said the magazine Variety. It wasn’t clear if that was because of the movie's
popularity with pro-democracy activists. Chinese officials have been dealing with protests
for greater democracy in Hong Kong for over a month.
"Ruin Their Future"
In Thailand, five other student protesters were arrested for using the three-finger salute.
They used it during a speech by the army's leader, Prayuth Chan-Ocha.
Prayuth told reporters that it only bothered him when the students used the hand sign
because it could "ruin their future." Prayuth also said that restrictions of freedoms will
continue until the time is right to lift them.
Defenders of human rights criticized the government. They said banning symbols of
protest is going too far.
Matilda Bogner, a United Nations human rights official, called it a human rights violation. It
shuts down people's right to speak out, she said.
"Life in Thailand is growing more absurd by the day," John Sifton wrote in a Twitter post. He
works for the group Human Rights Watch.
If Prayuth's government is that afraid of young people imitating a movie, that is a sign that
things need to change, Sifton wrote.
Quiz
1
Which of the following sentences is MOST relevant to the main idea?
(A)
Groups of five or more people have been banned since the military took
over.
(B)
The Chinese government held back “Mockingjay” from the country’s theaters
until next year, said the magazine Variety.
(C)
In Thailand, five other student protesters were arrested for using the threefinger salute.
(D)
Premieres of “Mockingjay” were canceled at two Bangkok movie theaters.
2
Select the paragraph from the section "Ruin Their Future" that describes the Thai officials’
reason behind the banning of symbols of protest.
3
Read the sentence from the article.
Prayuth told reporters that it only bothered him when the students
used the hand sign because it could "ruin their future."
Which of these words, if it replaces the word "bothered" in the sentence above, would change
the meaning of the sentence?
4
(A)
troubled
(B)
harassed
(C)
disturbed
(D)
worried
What does the word “absurd” mean as it is used in this sentence?
"Life in Thailand is growing more absurd by the day," John Sifton wrote
in a Twitter post.
(A)
ridiculous
(B)
difficult
(C)
ignorant
(D)
confusing
Answer Key
1
2
Which of the following sentences is MOST relevant to the main idea?
(A)
Groups of five or more people have been banned since the military took
over.
(B)
The Chinese government held back “Mockingjay” from the country’s theaters
until next year, said the magazine Variety.
(C)
In Thailand, five other student protesters were arrested for using the
three-finger salute.
(D)
Premieres of “Mockingjay” were canceled at two Bangkok movie theaters.
Select the paragraph from the section "Ruin Their Future" that describes the Thai officials’
reason behind the banning of symbols of protest.
Paragraph 9:
Prayuth told reporters that it only bothered him when the students used the
hand sign because it could "ruin their future." Prayuth also said that restrictions
of freedoms will continue until the time is right to lift them.
3
Read the sentence from the article.
Prayuth told reporters that it only bothered him when the students
used the hand sign because it could "ruin their future."
Which of these words, if it replaces the word "bothered" in the sentence above, would change
the meaning of the sentence?
4
(A)
troubled
(B)
harassed
(C)
disturbed
(D)
worried
What does the word “absurd” mean as it is used in this sentence?
"Life in Thailand is growing more absurd by the day," John Sifton wrote
in a Twitter post.
(A)
ridiculous
(B)
difficult
(C)
ignorant
(D)
confusing