Pro-monarchy demonstrators introduced a new political hand sign last Thursday at their demonstration against the pro-democracy, student-led, anti-government rallies.
Before anyone asks, the reason why I called them anti-government protesters is because most of them are asking for Prayut’s government to step down, not to abolish the monarchy.
Battle of the hand signs
The new pro-monarchy hand sign, which utilises the thumb, index, and middle finger, symbolises nation, religion and the king — the same as the meaning of the colours on the national flag.
The anti-government protesters utilise the index, middle and ring fingers to form the three salute which they drew from the French Revolution’s liberté, égalité, fraternité.
There was also some inspiration drawn from Katniss Everdeen’s hand gesture in the the Hunger Games trilogy. Even some of the student protesters who I have spoken to believe it is so.
It used to be about attire
All these hand signs almost makes one nostalgic for the days where one can differentiate protesters by the colour of their outfits.
Remember the halcyon days of the Yellow Shirts (People’s Alliance for Democracy) and the Red Shirts (the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship)?
There was no need to try and figure out which hand sign they were using then. Things were easier, politics were clearer, unless you were colourblind.
Hand signs are okay, I guess
Still, I guess hand signs are much better than the one thing we all can’t stand.
Those goddamned PDRC whistles.
