Thai School Didn’t Ban 3-Finger Salute

Suzy Woltmann

Politics

2nd September 2020

Mater Dei didn't ban the salute, but some students have reported abuse (Getty Images).

The Claim

Mater Dei School in Thailand banned students from raising the three-finger salute.

News posted on

Lovegenprayut

TLHR / ศูนย์ทนายความเพื่อสิทธิมนุษยชน

Emerging story

In late August and early September 2020, following a wave of anti-government protests, users on social media claimed that Mater Dei school had banned the three-finger salute, a symbol used by protestors in reference to the anti-authoritarian salute used in the book series The Hunger Games. One viral image reads: “Announcement!!! Students are banned from raising the three-fingered salute; those who are dissatisfied can leave.”

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation discovered that the claim is false. Mater Dei released a statement saying that it had made no such ban. The statement (below), translated says: “With regards to messages circulating on social media, such as ‘The school does not allow students to raise the three-fingered salute, and those unhappy [with the ban] may bring in legal guardians and leave the school’ and any other messages, we would like to inform you that all such messages were not released by the school.”

Misbar also contacted the school, who told us on September 2, 2020 that the three-finger salute has not been banned.

The rumor likely circulated because many students have reported abuse after raising the three-finger salute. Two students (not at Mater Dei) were even assaulted by teachers for showing the salute.