# In Which Lady Gaga Shocks Thailand **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 24, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982 "2012-05-24T18:31:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/21 "2012-05-26T04:30:41Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What’s so great about a Rolex anyway? Serious question. > > (If wanna know the time, I check my cell phone display.) It shows everyone that you have enough disposable income to spend on a fancy watch. You can buy a fancy house, but you aren’t always at home. You can drive a fancy car, but you aren’t always driving. A fancy watch, on the other hand, everybody sees that. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/22 "2012-05-27T06:41:05Z")
BBC is saying she’s canceled her Indonesian concert due to threats of violence by extreme hardliners. They’re calling her “the devil’s messenger.” Pity, because that’s generally considered a moderate country. The government had banned her show earlier until she agreed to tone down her act a bit. But with these threats of violence, it’s just not practical. She sure does shake things up. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/23 "2012-05-27T13:00:43Z")
I think the cancellation of the Indonesian show had more to do with lack of ability to control/police the crowd, and her not wanting anyone to end up dead, than actual religious influence of the Fringe. They were just a media expediency, in the end. Just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/24 "2012-05-27T13:04:57Z")
What was the purpose, the point of making the Rolex statement? There isn’t anything positive she could have mentioned and actually endeared herself to the locals? What an arrogant bitch. The infamous “Ugly American” . Paul McCartney recently played in Guadalajara. He didn’t mention our problems. He went out and hired a mariachi band to accompany him on stage. That is class. Hioghlighting something positive in our culture. ---
**Author:** ![kenner116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@kenner116](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenner116)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/25 "2012-05-27T13:49:30Z")
Maybe she was actually planning to buy a fake Rolex? How is that offensive? She should have stopped by Patpong to look for one. What a fun place! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/26 "2012-05-27T15:24:53Z")
Some people think she did it just because she knew it would get publicity. It certainly did do that. Even a deputy commerce minister got into the act, saying she should go back to America “where they stole Thailand’s jasmine-rice strains” is how I believe he put it. ---
**Author:** ![Ashley\_Pomeroy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@Ashley\_Pomeroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashley_Pomeroy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/27 "2012-05-27T16:15:47Z")
> [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](#): > > You can drive a fancy car, but you aren’t always driving. A fancy watch, on the other hand, everybody sees that. I’ve always wondered how rich people deal with the “cuff problem” - I find that when I’m off to Tesco in my single-breasted midnight emerald Anderson and Sheppard velvet jacket (and eggshell Brioni shirt), which I wear with some old Salvatore Ferragamo loafers I have lying around, no-one can see the Rolex because it’s hidden by the jacket. So I have to keep holding my arm out, and then people think I’m a Nazi. Transparent cuffs? A little cut-out? A _second_ Rolex that I could wear on an custom-made leather strap by Coco de Mer around my forehead. There are plenty of diamond-encrusted mobile phones, though, so perhaps rich people just carry one of those. I wonder if you can get a diamond-encrusted diamond? There’s a bloke in the UK called Alexander Amosu, who made a fortune selling ringtones and now sells very expensive tat. Including [this](http://www.alexanderamosu.co.uk/jewellery/products/unique/lamborghini-car-key), a diamond-encrusted Lamborghini car key. For those occasions when throwing your regular Lamborghini car key onto the pub counter just won’t do, this one is made out of gold and encrusted with diamonds and costs £7,000. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/28 "2012-05-29T15:37:01Z")
Update: The Commerce Ministry’s Intellectual Property Department is going to lodge an official complaint against Lady Gaga with the American ambassador. Story [here](http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/295478/us-envoy-to-get-gaga-complaint). No doubt the American government will get right on the case. :rolleyes: Further news flash: The 50,000 screaming fans who attended her conference would like the department to go fuck itself. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/29 "2012-05-29T18:07:14Z")
Wow. I think it’s really a good thing that I don’t have the power to completely disrupt the functioning of minor governments by merely speaking one sentence. I’d likely end up banned from half the world. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/30 "2012-05-29T18:39:56Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Band name! I’m surprised you passed over _The Taint Remains_. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/31 "2012-05-30T01:10:31Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Wow. I think it’s really a good thing that I don’t have the power to completely disrupt the functioning of minor governments by merely speaking one sentence. I’d likely end up banned from half the world. Well, not all minor governments have the rice-strain-theft chip on their shoulder. You might be OK. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/32 "2012-05-30T01:55:04Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Wow. I think it’s really a good thing that I don’t have the power to completely disrupt the functioning of minor governments by merely speaking one sentence. I’d likely end up banned from half the world. You mean, she’s the Doctor? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/33 "2012-05-30T04:31:04Z")
**Siam Sam** , at least she didn’t insult the King. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Thailand is **not** in the main associated with fraud. Thailand is in the main associated with whores. Yeah, I mean, come on! You want fraud, you go to Nigeria. Duh. _Everyone_ knows that. Note to the Nigerian Embassy: This is a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/34 "2012-05-30T05:17:12Z")
Say, I have some prime Thai swampland for sale. Special price for Straight Dope members only. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/35 "2012-05-30T07:31:27Z")
Put me down for a 5 spot… fuck it, make it ten. > [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > I’m surprised you passed over _The Taint Remains_. Nah, sounds too much like _Remains of the Taint_. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/36 "2012-05-30T11:55:48Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > The real ones are very precise time pieces, as I understand it, with high quality materials. They’re precise as mechanical watches go, which is to say not very. If you want an accurate watch, you buy a Casio G Shock. If you want a retro piece of intricate mechanical jewellery, you buy a Rolex. If you buy a Rolex and tell people it’s because of the accuracy, well, I have an investment opportunity you may be interested in. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/37 "2012-05-30T12:03:45Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > What was the purpose, the point of making the Rolex statement? Some musicians have **talent** and their music speaks for itself: > [@CBEscapee](#): > > Paul McCartney recently played in Guadalajara. He didn’t mention our problems. He went out and hired a mariachi band to accompany him on stage. That is class. Weak musicians rely on **auto-tune, backing singers, backing tracks, costumes, dancers, stage effects** … and **publicity**. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Some people think she did it just because she knew it would get publicity. It certainly did do that. Even a deputy commerce minister got into the act, … In years to come, people will play Beatles’ music with pleasure. And vaguely remember some crazy woman who wore meat… ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/38 "2012-05-30T14:26:32Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > They’re precise as mechanical watches go, which is to say not very. If you want an accurate watch, you buy a Casio G Shock. If you want a retro piece of intricate mechanical jewellery, you buy a Rolex. If you buy a Rolex and tell people it’s because of the accuracy, well, I have an investment opportunity you may be interested in. I claim absolutely no expertise on the quality of a genuine Rolex. I have kids to put through college first. Just sorta what I have heard (Obviously by those who know nothing.). As I stated it was a sharp looking watch for 20 bucks and lasted significantly longer than 20 bucks would warrant. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/39 "2012-05-30T15:26:41Z")
Rolex, shmolex. They busted a factory in Bangkok a few weeks ago that was churning out fake Nescafe. I kid you not. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982/40 "2012-05-30T15:32:20Z")
Oh, and it looks like they busted a Vietnamese pickpocket gang that was working the concert. Story [here](http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/27/pickpockets-hit-lady-gaga-concert-bangkok.html). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-lady-gaga-shocks-thailand/622982.md?page=3)