Ratchadamnoen University Certificates and Hand Clappers a hit among protesters

Plastic hand clapping tools are a big hit these days, as they are widely used among the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators in Bangkok. The hand clappers produce louder claps as compared to the traditional hand claps, which is usually painful when done repeatedly.

In the picture below PAD protesters shake hand-clappers in support of the protest leaders


(Photo by John Jantak at Flickr)

The Thai protesters are seen smiling as usual in the Land of Smiles.

Lots of these hand clappers are found on Alibaba.com mostly sold by companies based in China.



Apart from hand clappers, lots of other interesting stuff are also being sold at the PAD rally site in Bangkok near the Government House on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue. Items include photographs, posters, paintings, T-shirts, ku-chart (Salvage The Nation) headbands and scarves, PAD coins, and lots more.


(Photo by John Jantak at Flickr)

The most bizarre item being sold is the Ratchadamnoen University Certificate (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยราชดำเนิน ประกาศนียบัตร), for a 100 Baht. Ratchadamnoen University is the name given by the PAD leaders to the demonstration site on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue, as this is where those leading the anti-government rallies say people can learn about Thai political and social issues in depth.


(Photo by Hunsa)

The certificate is produced by "Prik" Karnchanit Summakul (Thai: "พริก" กานต์ชนิต ซำมะกุล), a 27-year-old Thai actress-turned-PAD volunteer, who said that more than 10,000 of the 50,000 certificates have been sold already.

The income from their sale would be spent on the installation of more ASTV cable TV satellite receivers for those interested in owning one. The TV station ASTV, owned by PAD leader Sondhi, broadcasts the rally live 24 hours a day.

The certificate was introduced on the 90th day of the demonstration with signatures of the five PAD leaders - Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk and Somkiat Pongpaiboon - guaranteeing that the certificate holder has passed the "ku-chart curriculum".

The diploma reads, "This certificate is to guarantee that Dr...[your name]..has completed the ku-chart course by joining the demonstration to create new politics and get rid of the Thaksin-nominee government".

The certificate has a red color heart on the top right corner with Ku-Chart written in yellow in Thai as "กู้ชาติ".