sidneybear

Ahh, that didn't take long. 'Conspiracy theory' is another leftist tactic to smear opponents and shut down debate. Are you now going to start using words that end imn 'ist'? When will you say that I'm the reincarnation of Trump? You've already called me an antisemite - a smear intended to denounce me that's totally incorrect - my boss is Jewish, and I really like the guy, and look up to his because he's smart and brilliant at what he does. I've got loads of Jewish friends and colleages - I couldn't meet nicer a smarter people.

Not at all - gays are no different from anyone else, and they have sexual relations all year round. But we're talking simple cause and effect here: a festival where people (gay or straight) get together in large numbers and have a party is more likely to result in casual sex than at other times. This is the point that the health message was making - a point that would have been noted humourously by my many gay friends. Any message that stirs the emotions (humour or otherwise) is more likely to be remembered, so they shouldn't have given in to the woke mob. Who are these people to tell the rest of us what we can and can't say anyway?

The English language is dynamic and constantly morphs - the word 'gay', for example is an adjective that once meant 'joy' but now is accepted to decsribe sexuality. The adjective 'woke' is commonly used in the way I described, and its original meaning has faded into obscurity. We do need adjectives in the English language, and the left wing has plenty of much stronger adjectives they use to smear those on the right. Wokism goes beyond what you described anyway: it's a revolutionary manifestation of updated Marxism, created by the left to divide a once peaceful society (in this case gay and straight people living together as one, as the vast majority do). Its interesting that the leftist woke creed seeks to change language constantly - what were adjectives are denounced by the woke as "attack words", to disorient their political opponents, shut down debate, and label opponents as extremists whose opinions should not be heard.

So please indulge us with your definition of woke then.

Isn't a gay pride event is one where gay men will converge in festive mood and meet other gay men, so more sexual interaction is likely to occur than when such people are not attending this event? It's not a conflation to say that risk of passing on infections is higher at such a time, in the same way that risk of road accidents is higher during holidays, when people travel more. All this confected woke outrage has achieved is suppression of a valid and well intended public health warning, which will in turn result in more people catching this horrible diseases.

Try this: An ideological and false state of awareness achieved only by those hypocrites who find injustice in everything except their own behaviour. In this case, a well meaning public health message was withdrawn and people may suffer as a result. I know lots of gays and they don't go around shouting about injustice all the time - they're integrated into society, balanced and nice people just like anyone else, who would welcome well meaning public health messages that advise them to take precautions during an epidemic.

That's the most worrying part: even Thailand is struggling these days to stand up to the woke outrage mob. Gay people might not realise that they are at risk of catching a serious disease because of this virtue signalling wokist nonsense.

They are associated with it, owing to the irrefutable fact that gay sex is indeed a risk factor for monkey pox: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/monkeypox.aspx#:~:text=Who is at risk of,or sex on premises venues. Woke zealots who rail against warning gay people about a serious disease are the problem here.

Experiencing foreign cultures and traditions. You won't find them in a Starbucks.

Depends where you go - some Thai restraurants do authentic Thai food, but they're few and far between and you won;t find them in shopping malls. Mind you, Thai food in Thai shopping malls isn't the best either.

You've run out of points to make, so why say anything? Fact is that shopping malls are boring and the same all over the world. I'll bet you spend a lot of time in the McDonalds, because you like familiarity.

Westfield has Thai restaurants.

We go to live in Thailand and leave the west behind. That kind of answers your question.

You're just homesick or suffering from culture shock. When I first got to Thailand, there were no malls in the Isaan at all, but the people were friendly and for the most part happy. There were strong local communities, with family run shops selling all kinds of different things. Now everything is becoming the same and Isaan uniqueness is being erased - boring malls full of tacky and expensive franchise outlets - because that's what business wants. And you think that's a good thing?

Yeah right. And Westfield in Sydney or Stratford.

You're absolutely right. Freedom of speech is fast disappearing in the west. Let's hope that it doesn't disappear in Thailand too.

People all around the world are being moulded into identical consumers of what big business says they should consume. It's a phenomenon that was birthed in the west and has ultimately made people lonelier and dissatisfied. I don't understand why you seem to think that Thailand becoming like the western world is a good thing. Do you like everything to be the same as back home?

That wasn't my point. My point was that Thailand shouldn't copy the west, because the western way isn't the best way.

Western malls have food courts too. They're no different from Thai malls and even sell many of the same brands.

Thaksin trying to divide and conquer, so he can fill his pockets again.

It's great that freedom of speech permits people to hold differing opinions.

You're missing the point. Will turning Isaan into a clone of the western world and destroying its traditions make it a better or worse place? Why do so many people want to turn Thailand into farangland?

Options don't always have to be a good thing. Quite often, they are created by people who don't have our best interests at heart.

That, and so people will support franchises rather than their local communities. Just like the ghastly west where local shops have all but ceased to exist. That's a good thing in your opinion?

Thai shopping malls are big shiny buildings, with lots of shops, franchise food outlets and a food court. Just like shopping malls in the west. Why does a charming town like Nong Khai need one?