Hunger Games banned in Thailand for sparking protests

Nachacha Kongudom, 21, raises a three-finger salute outside a cinema where The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 was showing, in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo / AP

The new Hunger Games Movie has reportedly been banned from a number of cinemas in Thailand after protesters adopted the film's hand gesture as an anti-authority symbol.

The three-fingered salute featured in Jennifer Lawrence's film franchise has been adopted by pro-democracy activists in the country who are protesting against the regime which was installed in the aftermath of the military coup in May.

In te film, the three-finger salute signifies thanks, admiration and good-bye to a loved one.

Protesters had planned a mass demonstration outside a cinema in Bangkok to mark the opening of the latest film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, on Thursday. Now one of the country's leading cinema chains has cancelled all screenings of the blockbuster, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Thailand's theatre chain Apex Group has pulled screenings, the THR reports.

The news comes after several student activists were arrested on Wednesday for using the hand gesture during a speech by the country's new leader Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Government officials have previously warned anyone caught using The Hunger Games symbol would face arrest.

- WENN