richard_smith237

That I completely agree with - but the confines of public decency has narrower boundaries... ...So, while any and all art (within the boundaries of legality, safety and extreme offensiveness) 'should' be made available to any who wish to view it... ... the issue of course is making such 'content' available to all while avoiding 'accidental' exposure to those who may find such displays objectionable, offensive, distasteful etc - that is a constantly shifting line, but for some reason the 'LBGQT+ line' steps far deeper into territory 'other art' is not permitted or tolerated in public.

You actually thew the discarded food at the staff ??? If so, this highlights significant mental issues making any potential balance of observations you have made completely null and void as the musings of a completely irrational fruit-cake...

It makes you rather odd to be thinking of such a thing.... it is also somewhat irrelevant as to what your private thoughts are - its when you publicise them so out of context and negatively it becomes bigotry. I would say not, but only if you also find the the overtly sexualised performances of any other (heterosexual) performance also classless and freakish... as some are.... Some things are for family viewing, others are not. Yes, that would make you a bigot. I think the bigger mental illness would be the suffering of someone who wishes to be a female born into a males body, or vice versa, such individuals need support. At the same time, tolerating overt and outlandish sexualised behavior is not the support required IMO - its the knee-capping of common sense. It shouldn't really matter to any of us how someone wants to feel. It only matters when it becomes offensive to what could be considered healthily balanced moral standards. Such outlandish behaviour from Trans performers is just as bad as twerking, crotch rubbing etc of heterosexual performers when the targeted audience is families across the world. It must also be noted that in individual or specific settings then such behaviour is perfectly tolerable - as the saying goes... "there is a time and a place"... and I don't think 'that' saying is bigoted, its simple common decency... ... The Olympic Opening Ceremony was not the "time and place" for such a performance (IMO of course).

The incorrect name being shared on Social Medial across the UK is Ali Al-Shakati - which also means the information suggesting the suspect was on an MI5/6 watch list, came to the UK by boat as an asylum seeker last year... etc is also social media fuelled rubbish... It was also reported that the perpetrator was known to to Liverpool mental health services - I wonder if this part is true. IF the boy in question was born in the UK to parents from Rwanda then we can hardly be jumping to the conclusions of this being related to Islam.... even though it was repeatedly reported that this was not related to terrorism... ...But, facts were held back for such a duration to fan the flames of social media speculation built on skepticism and distrust of authorities and their 'apparent' protection of criminals who may be muslim. Rwandan's are generally Christian BTW - if authorities had provided this information there would have been a lot less social media backlash against illegal Islamic Immigrants, with the current state of the UK and the growing 'anti-illegal-immigrant stance', anything fuels these flames and authorities need to be less clumsy in dealing with this.

Any 'GoFundMe' requests yet ??

Does any other depiction of the Feast of Dionysus so closely match DaVinci's depiction of the Last Supper ? [Photo below] ... Perhaps this was simply a very clumsy production... ... Perhaps those running the production were looking for the very attention and outrage they received... ... Perhaps as you are pointing out there is nothing to see here... My question, which I agree is loaded... is that if this specific melange was not a 'trans-centric' performance, would authorities have shut it down for being overtly sexualised and ridiculously kitsch ?... i.e. did the LBGQT+ aspect of the performance knee-cap taste in lieu of fear of being accused of being bigoted ? Yep - I think Jing is always going to take that stance - doubling down on what he may perceive as an attack on his individual and human rights as a gay male which IMO may blind his overview of the issue... [Photo below - <deleted>-slip - or hole in tights ? - I think it was later reported to be a hole in the tights] I found this specific 'skit' distasteful for the world stage, while at the same time such kitschness as the Can-Can being performed quite the nod to French culture... there is a line and everyone's line varies. Thats not to say there is no place for such 'colourful' performances, but like Madonna's spread eagled crotch thrusting and sexualised grinding on dancers - its not for the the world stage viewing or an Olympic opening ceremony - these displays are better left for those who are more informed regarding what they are likely to see. IMO The whole skit was a mistake and tarred the rest of the performance - as mentioned, very poor oversight / production. You have misread - I have not talked about 'normal people at all'... I mentioned 'normal non-heterosexuals in comparison to overly sexualised misrepresentations of regular folk who's orientation differs from heterosexuals... i.e. regular every day people (who could be gay, trans etc) vs those who overact in an overtly sexualised fashion misrepresenting regular folk (again, who could be gay, trans etc) and giving them a bad name within society. Perhaps getting my words in a jumble attempting to avoid the very criticism you drew - i.e. that regular gay, trans folk do not act in such overtly sexualised fashion - it is those who do who who draw the inevitable prejudice IMO.

Social media reports suggesting the name... Ali Al-Shakati... (who is officially being reported as a 'boy from Cardiff) On an MI6 watchlist, was known to Liverpool mental health services, came to the UK by boat as an asylum seeker last year... A 17 year old who apparently looks closer to 34 (according to the taxi driver witness)... True or not... ??... nothing is official yet - I'm not sure if that considered pedalling such nonsense or having a discussion on social media... ... Would the Police or authorities release the official name if doing so is potentially so incendiary ?

Simply outstanding...

They had the class of Celine Dion... If Emma Kok were there (sorry, there is no pun in the name)... were trans, it would be irrelevant - a moving and emotional and a performance personifying the French - if they wanted to go in that direction.... they did with the Can-can Dancers performing in front of the Moulin Rouge as the olympic torch passed... again personifying the French... ... then they went for the LGBQT+ gallimaufry which was not artistic, it was not funny, it was not french, it was an abomination there was no need for such a melange to be permitted oxygen...... the producer obviously too fearful of a woke backlash failed to test the temperature of ther water. Which do you prefer ? Can-Can dancers performing on Place Blance...

Well said.... The problem is now that either this ceremony was well received in whole, or a person is an anti-trans homophobe... (& anti LBGQT+).... ... It was the same with the kitsch performances in the Eurovision song contest... Common sense has been kneecapped by the highly vocal and toxic faux outrage of a minority wishing to shout the loudest from the rafters - and there there are the idiots on the forum who blindly support this wishing to argue a debate which should be a complete non-starter.... ... This behavior in public [trans last supper] should not be acceptable, it should not be tolerated, it should never have been permitted - and those holding such opinions are not anti-gay or anti LBGQT+... they (we) are just normal people who'd welcome any 'behaving person' into their homes - the issue here is that this is not 'good behavior' it is a form of exhibitionism that should not be tolerated on the public stage where families are watching - such overly sexualised misrepresentation of regular folk who's sexual orientation differs from heterosexuals is more damaging to genuine issues faced by 'normal' non- heterosexuals within society. Of course - throw out a competitive discussion and our drama queen levies the accusation of bigotry, anti-gay... and then 'blocks you'... simply because they have no intelligent argument that doesn't also dislodge their flawed agenda.

Or at least offered to the parents, if wanting, pick up at school. Agreed... But where is the line drawn between that and Milk that many of us were 'forced' (encouraged) to take when children at school ???... Thus - If this were an 'iron rich' milk type drink offered at break time would there be concern or upset ? There are similarities - but ultimately, what I see here is the 'state' taking measures for the welfare of children at poor state-schools where most parents are unlikely to both know about the dietary needs of their children or be in positions to improve their diet and status of health. .... as politely as it cab be put while also not dancing around the subject, the Ops child schooling at the lowest rungs on the ladder... this sort of behavior is to be expected... as a getting their hair cut by a teacher, as is getting whacked by a teacher...

peddling such speculation is irresponsible. please don't. I think that makes the point I was drawing on earlier... That the prolific woke will no longer allow speculation... we are only now permitted to 'think' these suspicious rather than discuss them.

Woke's in the UK are going entering a phase of full on on backlash against who those who are questioning who the perpetrator is and what the motives may have been... the underlying sentiment - why are people so bothered about who the perpetrator is, what their reasons were etc... and why not show such concern for the victims... ??? ... Utter tosh I say to this... Yes, show concern for the victims, but we are also concerned for our families and how these atrocities can be avoided. IF the perpetrator fits a developing pattern - that pattern needs to be 'shut down'... and done so with a measure so Machiavellian little doubt remains to how scum bags will be treated, no matter age, colour, creed or religion... And, thats about as politically correct as I can put it - for until there is proof, my underlying bias is obviously managed... yet I await the facts, not wanting to be proven right, but fearing I may be.

Er I mean no offense But a homosexual man buying a young male child something like that is always going to be perceived as a bit suss. If you had a wife and kids, or even a girlfriend it probably would have been different. This brings new light to the story... I agree with MalcomB's comment above... IF the men in the area know of Jeffer's sexual orientation they may very well be expressing a degree of protection... ... Thats not to accuse Jeffer of grooming, but it could be a fair assumption that the men who smashed up the guitar are considering such a possibility and this is their way of ensuring distance... If this is the case and the Op were to carry on 'being kind' there could be escalation.

Exactly this.... the Op has tried to offer a little community spirit and it appears that some in the area are simple racist... Its an explanation that does not seem fabricated or exaggerated and fortunately its not behavior which is common - the poor young lad is simply unfortunate to have adults around him like this. The Op has no choice but to move on - there is no point attempting to win this or aim for any for any resolution - he's overstepping his boundaries, albeit nicely so, nevertheless, his 'kindness' is an overstep.

There is a duty of care in Thailand that anyone is taken to the nearest hospital, even if it’s private… for at least 72 hrs… That’s the law at least & like most laws in Thailand, it’s a good one - the issue of course is lack of accountability & as we have seen in the media hospitals do turn people away if they think they cannot pay. Carrying a card in your wallet or on your person is a good idea - although not always guaranteed to be found.

I have to say... fair play to the owner for 'owning up' and being responsible... However, its still his fault that the owner allowed their dog outside where it could bite someone - it could have bitten a child on the face etc... .. So, with that, the owner is 100% responsible, should fit the full costs, and also offer assurances that the dog will not be allowed outside in a public or insecure area off the leash.

You respond to conversation with... "errr... errr".... and to be sure to be seen to be following said conversation, throw in the odd... "jing lor..."....

Its an average car... so any changes and it will still be an average car - I can't see that changing from 18" to 17" wheels are going to make a notable difference... ... Each to their own etc... but I'm not sure why anyone would bother... unless of course I'm wrong and the ride quality is significantly better, in which case, why didn't the manufacturer do that ? ... I have had harder riding cars, but they had low profile tyres on fancy alloys, 'fatter tyres' would have made a better ride I'm sure.

I've had the 'Mai mee' response when the staff is stood in front of the item I've been asking for... My Thai is clear enough to be understood... my guess at times like this its the eyes not believing the ears and they can't understand the 'funny english' we are speaking (when we are actually speaking Thai).. ... sometimes its just easier to be the idiot who doesn't speak any Thai and struggle through with them in broken English until the penny drops... But as said - with some staff the 'mai mee' response is almost a knee-jerk panic reaction for 'oh no, a foreigner, I can't speak 'foreigner langaugage' what do I do to get rid of them as quickly as possible' .... I know... "mai-mee"... (now go away, please, I'm getting shy and embarrassed)...

I do agree with the op, the laziness and lack of ambition is inherent in these places... So much so I've learnt never to bother asking anything... My Wife thinks I'm impolite every time we go to home pro or some place like that. So she'll ask one of the assistants of we 'have something'... Sometimes we'll get someone who is helpful and will take us to the area.... mostly, we'll get the 'mai mee' response... & thats it, my wife is ready to go home... even when last time the exact same thing happened and I found the item. So.. when I hear the "mai mee" response - I'll just tell my Wife... "She / he's lying... it'll be here"... and then we walk around and finally find the item we are looking for.... .... one day... we won't be able to find the item and I'll be told and I'll get a look that says... "See, they don't have it, why didn't you believe her / him" !!! But the strange things happens, when we stop and look at something and don't want their help, be it a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, a drill... etc - we are then inundated with a gaggle of staff telling us its a Washing Machine, a Vacuum Cleaner, or a Drill !!!!

You say.... "oh houurrrrrr" when something impresses you... ... and "Ai-yaaa" when when something shocks you... You catch yourself 'pointing at something with your lips' !!!

Each to their own... some see value where others see extra cost. Cheapest tickets at the moment to BKK to the UK are with Air India and Air China... feel free to grin and bear it through those hours in the air and in transit..... Or spend a little more and go with Emirates, Qatar, Turkish, Eva etc.. - break up the flight with a stop over - chill by the pool for an hour, have a nice dinner, sleep in a comfortable bed, get up and go again refreshed...

More like cue the realists or anyone that has actually flown Thai Agreed... The reality is Thai is not in the top 10, neither is it in the Top 20.. Thai Airways is 33rd out of 100 in the World Airline Awards... https://www.worldairlineawards.com/worlds-top-100-airlines-2024/ In fact, Thai airways is not in the top 10 of any of the various ranking systems that come up. https://www.flightright.com/blog/best-airlines-world-ranking https://kintetsu.com/news/worlds-top-100-airlines-2024/ That said - Thai Airways does get a lot of unreasonable 'bashing'... It perhaps doesn't deserve that... up until the point that a nationalistic article is waxing lyrical about something very average being amongst the best in the world... Its an OK airline... not great, neither is it bad. The only reasons I flight is because of the ROP air-miles I get from CreditCard usage... Otherwise the choice is down to price vs standards. To Japan is cheaper than ANA and JAL / and better than the Budget Airlines which I avoid. Regionally - Its better than the other Asean Airlines (with the exception of Singapore of course). Heading West towards Europe - Its neither here nor there compared to BA / KL etc.. Lufthansa is better.... Turkish... Qatar, Emirates, Gulf, Etihad are significantly better. One of the things none of us meaure is how well an airline responds to an issue - then we find out how good an airline truly are. I've had a couple of points of comparison. - Qatar Took 5 months to refund after cancelling due to covid. - Turkish refused to pay compensation for a delayed flight - I had to go through an ombudsman, then they paid. - Emirates paid out quickly after a delayed flight - hassle free. - Etihad refused to pay for damaged baggage, rejected the claim from an ombudsman (leaving no option but to file legal charges for damaging a $300 case - which I wasn't going to do and they knew that - I never flew them again). Thus - some airlines are better than others, but based on the response when something goes wrong - I would argue Emirates have been by far the best based on experience.

The Op makes perfect sense... His bike was locked, he's looking for advice on how to break the lock... and perhaps feed back as to why it was locked. You on the other hand have accused him of being a liar... thats your observation of course.. Mine is that when you forget not to be yourself, you turn into a grade A1 pedantic cokwomble posting drivel... I have a link... you just love a good old link eh...