In a digital uprising, young Thais have united to criticize the Chinese embassy in Bangkok amid a dispute involving Thai celebrities, fueling a burgeoning online movement that showcases solidarity with Taiwan and Hong Kong, much to the chagrin of Beijing.
Dubbed the “Milk Tea Alliance” in homage to a shared affinity for sweet tea beverages, this movement has unleashed a barrage of online rebukes against China at a juncture when Beijing endeavors to salvage its tarnished reputation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The movement gained traction in Thailand following a campaign by Chinese internet users targeting a young Thai actor and his model girlfriend, both of whom were accused of expressing support for Hong Kong and Taiwanese independence online.
Within Thailand, backing for Taiwan and Hong Kong has emerged as rallying cries for those critical of their government’s perceived authoritarian tendencies and its proximity to Beijing.
The hashtag #MilkTeaAlliance, along with its Thai counterpart translating to #MilkTeaIsThickerThanBlood, soared to the top of Twitter trends in Thailand, amassing nearly one million tweets on Wednesday.
In response, the Chinese embassy interjected into the fray late Tuesday with a Facebook post rebuking those denouncing China, asserting the “One China” principle vis-à-vis Hong Kong and Taiwan as “indisputable.” The post triggered 17,000 replies, predominantly from incensed Thais.
“One China Principle is only China’s. Don’t force it on others,” rebuked Facebook user Duangporn Sangchan.
At the time of reporting, the embassy had not issued a response to requests for comment on the backlash.
Wasana Wongsurawat, an expert on China at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, underscored that the vehement backlash underscored a broader rejection of official narratives among Thai society, highlighting a growing sentiment of anti-Beijing sentiment intertwined with a struggle against authoritarianism.
A Thai government spokeswoman reiterated the government’s respect for freedom of expression among Thais, emphasizing that the issue had no bearing on the nation’s diplomatic relations with China.
The governments of Taiwan and Hong Kong’s pro-democracy advocates have welcomed the solidarity from Thailand. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen extended well wishes in Thai for the local new year, while Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong rallied for pan-Asian unity to counter China’s authoritarianism.
Wasana noted that Thailand’s younger generation, less inclined to adhere to traditional authority, were swayed by lifestyle choices like milk tea, imbuing the beverage with symbolic significance in their resistance against authoritarianism.
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