[PriernPayorse]

This is an interesting thread to me (also amurkin!, tho my wife is thai[saan]). First, want to say to Mr. Papaya Salad: Dude, I think you and me could probably be good friends... I think that we share a lot of the same opinions, and I share your point of view about a lot of what you have said. Having said that however, when I go to see movies (for example), I am happy to stand up for the king. It's funny, really... I get kinda emotional and proud (maybe it's the music!) about the king and thailand. I don't think you "should" stand up if you don't want too. Frankly, I'm suprised people actually threw stuff at you.
I guess all I would say to you, is that what does it do to not stand? Well, you create disharmony in your immediate surrounding, with the ensuing consequences. Also, you receive a sense of satisfaction at not having submitted yourself to the indignity of making a show of respect to a "repressive institution". What does it do to stand? Things go smoothly (no flying ice cubes). NO one is enslaved as a result. Do you see my point?
I also see plenty of injustice, all over the world... but sometimes you really do have to pick your battles. I mean, I could ask you why you are even going to see a movie anyway. I mean, by supporting movies and movie theaters- aren't you contributing more to slave-wage capitalism and human suffering than you are by observing a harmless thai custom? How about eating pork? Perhaps large-scale pig farming has something to do with the polluted water you care so much about. Get it?
I'm not saying don't care about anything. And I honestly meant what I said about us being like-minded. I just think you should try to keep things in perspective a little more. Have a good day/night!

-mike