In mid-August 2020, at the height of the student-led pro-democracy protests, Thai high school students began protesting by displaying the three-finger salute during the the playing of the national anthem at their morning assembly while wearing white bows as symbols of resistance to dictatorship. Despite its familiarity in daily Thai life, few are aware of the anthem’s origins, which trace back to the 1932 Siamese revolution that transformed the country into a constitutional monarchy, and as the definition of the nation become contested, the anthem becomes an arena hosting differing definitions among factions of Thais.

<p>For our 2021 Person of the Year, Prachatai has chosen Worawan Sae-aung,&nbsp;an elderly fruit vendor and regular protest-goer,&nbsp;for her courage in standing up against the authorities and her relentless support of the pro-democracy movement.</p>

<p>Student activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul has been granted bail to allow her to complete class projects and take her final examinations, after spending 17 days in detention.</p>

<p>On 19 October, more protests took place at many sites in Bangkok and other provinces. It is the fifth day in a row and the organizers have called for a break of 24 hours to wait and see the government response.</p>