April 13 marks not only the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration in Thailand but also the commencement of the lively Songkran Water Festival. During this festive period, Thais typically reunite with family in their hometowns; however, the events of 2020 led to an unexpected surge in online activism, catalyzed by what would later be known as the #MilkTeaAlliance viral hashtag on Twitter. While memories of the Milk Tea Alliance may have faded for some, it was merely four years ago that this movement ignited a digital ‘war’ between Thai and Chinese netizens over contentious issues surrounding China’s sovereignty, particularly concerning Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The Alliance symbolized a unique transnational coalition among netizens across social media platforms, gaining momentum among anti-government and anti-regime activists in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan. At the time, Hong Kong and Thailand were witnessing mass protests, while Taiwan struggled to secure international recognition of its sovereignty. However, as protests waned in these regions and Myanmar joined the discourse following a military coup in February 2021, the Alliance’s prominence gradually diminished.
On April 4, 2020, a seemingly innocuous retweet by Vachirawit Chivaaree, a Thai celebrity known as Bright, sparked online controversy. His endorsement of a tweet referring to Hong Kong as a “country” drew backlash from Chinese fans, exacerbated by his girlfriend’s social media activity suggesting COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan and remarks seemingly supportive of Taiwanese independence. Thai netizens rallied against Chinese nationalists, giving rise to the term ‘Milk Tea Alliance’ coined by a Hong Kong netizen on April 13, fostering cross-border solidarity among activists and protesters.
Beyond the digital sphere, the Alliance left its mark in offline spaces, with pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong and Thailand incorporating its symbols and messages. In Thailand’s Free Youth movement, Milk Tea Alliance imagery featured prominently, expressing concerns about Chinese Communist Party influence. Similarly, Myanmar joined the Alliance during the Spring Revolution against a military coup, prompting solidarity campaigns.
Despite waning public attention, dedicated activists in Thailand persist in advocating Milk Tea Alliance-related agendas. Sam Yan Press, a Bangkok-based publishing house, publishes monographs addressing Alliance issues, reflecting ongoing activism. Online activism also thrives, exemplified by the “#MilkTeaAlliance Friends of Myanmar” account, advocating for human rights in Myanmar. Similar initiatives persist across Southeast Asia, extending support to global causes like peace in Ukraine and Palestine.
While the Alliance has receded from public view, it finds renewed vitality in Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, driven by transnational diaspora activism. The Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association facilitates collaboration among key Alliance sites, promoting democracy and raising global awareness about Taiwan.
In conclusion, the Milk Tea Alliance epitomizes grassroots activism and transnational solidarity, offering a fresh perspective on East and Southeast Asian international relations. By transcending nation-state frameworks, the Alliance underscores the significance of people-to-people connections in shaping regional politics and public diplomacy efforts, serving as an expression of public sentiment towards China’s policies and broader geopolitical issues.
