Articles

karenni

2008-07-10T05:22:05Z

Long-necked Karenni 'tourist attractions' at centre of int'l row over resettlement

Story by SUBIN KHEUNKAEW and CHEEWIN SATTHA,

February 16, 2008

Karenni refugees from the long-necked Padaung tribe, often regarded as a tourist attraction in this northern province, have been at the centre of an international storm over a resettlement programme after 20 of them were refused permission by the Thai authorities to start new lives in a third country.

Mae Hong Son provincial authorities have been on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism for allegedly confining the Padaung, whose women wear heavy rings that push their shoulders down from a young age to make their necks look longer, in a "human zoo" and permitting the commercial exploitation of human beings.

The authorities have been bombarded with fresh accusations of thwarting the efforts of 20 Padaung tribespeople who have tried to apply for resettlement in third countries.

The authorities, however, insisted the people in question were not qualified for resettlement and flatly denied the highlanders, many fleeing persecution and war in their home country of Burma, were being kept in their villages to milk tourist dollars from them.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recently slammed Thailand for being more concerned about tourism than the rights of people.

Two years ago, a group of 20 long-necked Karenni who lived in Ban Nai Soi village in Mae Hong Son's Muang district appeared on the list of refugees at a refugee camp in the district.

The village is home to about 40 Padaung families. It is around three to four kilometres away from the refugee camp which provides temporary shelter for refugees who have fled heavy fighting in Burma.

The UN refugee agency explained that 20 Padaung applied for permanent resettlement abroad but the Thai authorities had refused to allow them to leave the country.

Kitty McKinsey, UNHCR's regional spokeswoman, earlier said in a media interview that it was beyond her comprehension why the 20 people were being prevented from starting new lives somewhere else.

There have been allegations that the long-necked Padaung are being kept in a "human zoo", mainly because they are a big draw for tourists who are willing to pay to see them.

This prompted the UNHCR to call for a boycott against local tourism in the province and urge people not to pay to visit the long-necked Padaung in their villages.

Mubang, 32, a long-necked Karenni woman, said she and her family members looked forward to a better life abroad where her daughter could get free education and she and her husband could find dignified jobs.

"We don't want to live in Thailand. Officials have already taken a census of us but they have not yet given us Thai citizenship. We don't want it any more. We only want to move to third countries," she said.

However, provincial authorities argued that according to population records for Mae Hong Son's Muang district, these particular Karenni were not war refugees. They had migrated to the province back in 1992, they claimed.

According to the Interior Ministry's population registration, the long-necked Karennis are economic migrants and are allowed to live outside of refugee camps, whereas some other 50,000 war refugees in the province cannot leave their camps without permission.

The Karenni are also registered as highland people and are issued identity documents proving their status.

They are free to travel around in the province and are often seen selling souvenirs or receiving medical treatment in downtown areas.

Wachira Chotirosseranee, assistant district officer of Muang district who oversees the Burmese refugee camps in Mae Hong Son, said he wondered why the UNHCR paid so much attention to these long-necked Karenni women instead of trying to accelerate its efforts to resettle the 50,000 Burmese war refugees now camped in the province to third countries.

Mae Hong Son governor Thongchai Wongrianthong said Thailand should also be allowed a say in resettling refugees in third countries. "As it happens, third countries have selected only the best of the bunch and left the disabled people for Thailand to care for," he said.

A source at the district office said tourist operators from other areas have tried to take the Karenni out of the province and keep them in confinement for tourists to gawk at.

"Some tour operators even hire other hilltribe people to wear neck rings posing as long-necked Karenni," said the source.

The same source said an ethnic minority in Kayah state in Burma, where the long-necked Karenni came from, also depend on financial assistance sent to them by the Karenni who earn money from tourism in Thailand.

Padaung in Thailand cover up when they go out of their village

Story by SUBIN KHEUNKAEW

February 16, 2008

The brass neck rings Padaung women wear around their long necks have attracted tourists - and also trouble.

Mawea, 26, said: "The accessories have put us in difficult situations many times. My neighbour, Manai, rode her motorcycle in town and was stopped by traffic police who thought the rings around her neck might make it hard for her to effectively control the motorcycle. She forgot to wear a scarf that day."

The Padaung women have become a tourist magnet. The origin of the neck ring practice, which dates back thousands of years, is unknown, but Mawea said the rings were their identity and made them look beautiful.

The Karenni people and tourist agencies share tourist income. Foreign visitors pay 250 baht each for a tour of their villages. Thais do not have to pay.

"A village committee oversees tourist earnings, which are spent monthly on food for every family to get a fair share. The remaining income is savings," said the ethnic woman from Ban Huay Sua Thao in Muang district, one of three villages inhabited by the Padaung ethnic group in the province.

The ethnic people earn extra income selling souvenirs to tourists.

Only 30km from town, ethnic villagers have adopted an urban lifestyle. Most families own motorcycles, mobile phones, television sets and stereos.

They tune in to conventional TV channels as well as radio stations broadcast from Rangoon and Mae Hong Son.

Many tribespeople carry mobile phones, from plain to fancy models featuring digital cameras.

When they don't have to welcome tourists, Padaung women put on a pair of jeans, shunning their ethnic costume. They do not remove, however, the neck rings, each weighing at least half a kilo, out of fear their necks might be vulnerable.

"We normally wear a scarf to cover our identity. We don't want to be stopped all the time by people wanting to take pictures with long-necked people," she said.

Phyu Win, 35, a doctor at the village clinic, said the clinic offers basic treatments while more complex cases, such as delivering babies, are transferred to the provincial hospital.

"Birth control methods are not welcomed here," she said.

The village has two schools, teaching kindergarten to grade 6 in Thai and Karenni. Students also learn English and Burmese.

"On Monday and Wednesday mornings, students sing the Thai national anthem. They sing other songs in the Karenni dialect the rest of the week," said teacher Mayoh. "Karen girls stand out from Thai children with their neck rings. We try to preserve their identity and the children soon get along," she said.

The teacher pointed out that the Karenni are Christian and a church is located at the back of the village.

"Unlike the women, Karenni men can speak fluent Thai and know a lot about what is going on in town. They no longer look like tribespeople," she said.

tigers

2008-06-27T05:52:41Z

UK wildlife group slams Tiger Temple

A British conservation group has called on state wildlife agencies to look into alleged animal abuse and illegal tiger trafficking at a famous temple in Kanchanaburi province. A report by the group Care for the Wild International (CWI) claims the animals at the renowned ''Tiger Temple'' are kept in confined spaces and poorly cared for.

The report also raised concerns over the safety of tourists, as they are allowed close contact with the animals.

Since the worldwide broadcast of a documentary on the Animal Planet channel around 900 foreign tourists visit the temple on busy days, said the CWI, which made a two-year investigation into alleged wildlife abuse and smuggling.

The group does not give the full name of the temple and simply calls it the ''Tiger Temple'', as it is popularly known.

CWI chief executive Barbara Maas said the temple's popularity was based on claims its tigers were rescued from poachers and move freely and peacefully among monks who are actively engaged in conservation activities.

''This utopian facade hides a sinister reality of unbridled violence and illegal trafficking of tigers between Thailand and Laos,'' she said.

CWI claimed it has evidence that rather than rescuing orphaned tiger cubs the temple operates as an illegal breeding facility and is involved in the clandestine exchange of tigers with the owner of a tiger farm in Laos.

CWI Southeast Asia director Guna Subramaniam said the major attraction of the temple is that tourists can interact closely with live tigers.

She said the group had met with the temple's abbot to discuss the problems but he was reluctant to negotiate and showed no interest in reform.

The group called on the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department to confiscate the tigers and transfer them to a sanctuary.

The acting deputy director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Kamolwat Visetsiri, said the agency seized seven tigers and almost 300 other animals seven years ago but could not find any guilty party. He said he would inspect the temple after acknowledging the CWI's complaint

ghouse

2008-06-20T10:26:52Z

PAD moves to Government House

21:30 There is a rather large counter-demonstration at Sanam Luang where people are demanding that the government take action against the PAD, who they say have clearly broken the law. Speakers are suggesting that the police seek arrest warrants for the five PAD leaders. The PAD demonstration is many times larger, however, and it looks like it will be staying outside Government House for some time to come. It is still not clear, however, exactly what they want apart from the government's resignation. People are obviously wondering what they suggest should come next.

20:00 Not much new at the moment except rain has hit the area of the protest. It hasn't reached Ekamai where I live, however. I'll check out the TV coverage later tonight. The key thing is that violence has been avoided.

Language note: I hate to correct our friends at the Nation, but all day they have had a breaking news section on the PAD protest entitled "Besiege in the making." It should be "Siege in the making". "Besiege" is a verb.

besiege (or lay siege to) – to surround a place ห้อมล้อม

18:15 Estimates of the crowds vary from 25,000 (police) to 300,000 PAD. If you want some opinion along with your updates, try the Bangkok Pundit blog. I've been suggesting to our editors that they check this blog out since it talks about Bangkok Post stories so often.

17:00 PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila was just interviewed on Channel 5. He said members were now beginning to move their belongings, including the main stage, away from the Makawan Rangsan Bridge. He was still not sure where the stage would move too. He said the PAD had been successful in staging a peaceful movement to Govt House and thanked the police for not using violence. He said it would take some time before things settled. One of the problems, he said, is the huge mass of people, stretching all the way from in front of the race track to Thewet.

16:25 It now appears that the PAD protestors will easily attain their goal of surrounding Government House. Thousands have already reached it and many others are on their way. Because reports on exactly where everyone is can be confusing to people who don't know the area, take a look at the Google Earth map below. First find Government House near the centre-right hand side. Very nearby, at the upper right hand edge of the map is the race track that was reached earlier this afternoon by a large group of protestors, including Chamlong Srimuang. That big road stretching from the race track all the way past Government House and beyond is Pitsanulok Road where large numbers of PAD supporters have gathered. Looking now at the lower left-hand corner of the map, that is where everything started much earlier today. That big modern looking building is the UN complex and right in front of that is the Makawan Rangsan Bridge where the protest has been centred for the past three weeks.

marslanding

2008-05-27T02:35:11Z

Earth to Mars

This artist's drawing released by Nasa shows the Phoenix Mars Lander on the surface of Mars. AP

May 20, 2008

If all goes well, scientists will soon get their first close-up look at the Arctic region of Mars. A Nasa robot named Phoenix Mars is on its way to dig up Martian ice and analyse its contents.

First it has to get there intact, and there is no guarantee that will happen. The last time Nasa tried a soft landing on Mars in 1999, it ended in failure.

The 681-million-km journey began last August. This Sunday
Phoenix will punch through the Martian atmosphere at more than 19,200kph. Over the next seven minutes, it will use the friction of the Martian atmosphere and release its parachute to slow itself down to 8kph. Seconds before touchdown, Phoenix will fire its thrusters for what scientists hope will be a gentle landing.

The head scientist for the mission, Peter Smith, calls the entry the ‘‘seven minutes of terror’’.

‘‘Try holding your breath for seven minutes,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s plenty of time to get very nervous.’’

The three-legged robot is designed to dig into the ice which scientists believe is hidden just below the top level of Arctic soil.

It's main tool is its 2.44-metre-long aluminum and titanium arm capable of digging trenches 61cm deep in the soil. Once ice is exposed it will use its powered drill bit at the end of the arm to break it up.

The excavated soil and ice bits will then be brought aboard Phoenix’s science lab. It will be baked in miniature ovens and the vapours analysed for organic compounds, the chemical building blocks of life.

Phoenix will also try to find out whether the underground ice ever melted during a time when Mars was warmer and wetter. If Phoenix finds salt or sand deposits, it might be evidence of past flowing water.

Good luck Phoenix Mars!

contents – the amount of the different substances something contains องค์ประกอบ
intact – not harmed; whole สมบูรณ์
guarantee – certainty; a way to make sure something happens ยืนยัน
atmosphere – the air around a planet ชั้นบรรยากาศ
friction – the physical force that makes it difficult for one surface to move over or through another การเสียดสี
parachute – a large piece of cloth joined to heavy strings, used by someone jumping out of a plane, or, in this case, to slow down a space vehicle ร่มชูชีพ
thrusters – an engine on a spacecraft or aircraft that controls in which direction and how high it flies เครื่องควบคุมการบิน
gentle – soft นุ่ม
mission – a flight into space ภารกิจในการเดินทางสู่อวกาศ
terror – a strong feeling of fear น่ากลัว
holding your breath – not breathing กลั้นหายใจ
soil – the substance on the surface of the Earth or other planets ดิน
trenches – long narrow open holes dug in the ground หลุม
exposed – not covered or hidden โผล่ออกมา
drill – a tool used for making a hole in something ขุดเจาะ
bit – a sharp part of a tool used for cutting ชิ้นส่วน
excavated – dug out from the ground ที่ถูกขุดขึ้นมา
bits – very small pieces of something ชิ้นส่วนเล็กๆ
miniature – much smaller than things of the same kind หุ่นจำลอง
vapours – very small drops of water or other liquids in the air ระเหย
melted – changed from a solid to a liquid, in this case from ice to water ละลาย
deposit – a layer of a substance that gradually forms on or inside something พื้นผิว
evidence – facts or physical signs that help to prove something หลักฐาน

padprotest

2008-05-26T03:40:19Z

Return of the political vicious circle

Veera Prateepchaikul

The beating of war drums has started. Pretty soon we, the bystanders, will witness a rerun of the same old political script about the chain of troubling events that led to the 2006 coup. At stake is the People Power party’s draft constitution amendment, which is tentatively scheduled for debate in Parliament next month.

On the surface, it looks as if the PPP and its arch-enemy, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) led by media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, are fighting over the charter issue. If this is the case, then we should not be overly worried.

But the trouble is that other more sensitive issues, such as PM’s Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair’s controversial speech deemed as challenging the monarchy, may be dragged into the fray, which would push the already heated atmosphere to boiling point. Unless, of course, Jakrapob steps aside first and distances himself from any activities of the pro-Thaksin followers, who are likely to be mobilised to counter the PAD protests.

Sadly, though, the firebrand minister does not feel any sense of guilt and remains fiercely defiant, unapologetic and unrepentant. He is due to clarify himself before the media today. And, in the meantime, he has instructed the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (formerly Channel 11) of the Public Relations Department to broadcast footage of the activities of the Royal Family and royally-sponsored projects, to demonstrate his loyalty to the country’s highest institution.

Poor Jakrapob! What is on his mind?

Jakrapob is due to clarify himself before the media today. Does he think his audience is foolish enough to believe that by having such footage rerun on state TV as recommended by one of his staff he will be seen as being loyal to the monarchy? Rather than interfere in the affairs of the NBT — thereby giving the opposition new ammunition to push for his impeachment — he should have done the simplest and most appropriate thing: make a formal apology for what he has done, whether it was done out of naivety or not. But Jakrapob appears to have such a big ego which prevents him from admitting his inadvertent error and saying sorry. In which case, it may serve him right should he meet his certain political demise, sooner rather than later; for the PPP and the government stand to lose the longer Jakrapob is allowed to stay on.

As for the military, the generals are far more concerned about the monarchy issue than with the constitutional amendment bid. More importantly, they have sent a clear signal of their dissatisfaction about Jakrapob’s speech.

The government’s proposed national referendum to seek the public’s opinion about whether they want the existing charter to be amended or not before Parliament is to begin deliberating the draft amendment charter — although seen by some critics as a political ploy and opposed by the Democrats and the PAD — should be welcomed, if it is done in a fair manner and at an appropriate time.

And instead of simply a ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ for charter amendment to be ticked on the referendum ballot, another set of ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ for a new charter to be written by an assembly of writers with public participation should be added to the ballot.

Also, the 45-day timetable set by the government is too short an advance notice for the Election Commission to do a good job. The period should be extended to allow more breathing space for the EC. Since the writing of the new charter draft was done in haste by the PPP, this process should not be repeated for the referendum.

Such a referendum would help ease political tension and could put off a confrontation between PAD and the PPP and its supporters, at least for the time being, until the completion of the referendum. Hence, the two-billion-baht price tag for holding such a referendum would be money well spent, even though it is indeed a huge sum.

Since both the PPP and PAD claim that they represent the people and are doing whatever it is that they are doing for the ‘‘good of the people’’, why not let the people themselves decide whether they want the current charter or a new one? And if they want a new one, why not let them decide whether they want to have a role in its writing, instead of just letting the politicians do it?

Veera Prateepchaikul is Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Plc.

passports

2008-04-28T03:02:07Z

Fake passport racket busted

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM and REUTERS

Police have arrested a man from Bangladesh who made hundreds of fake Western and Asian passports — their largest counterfeit documents bust in five years.

A team from the Special Operations Police (SOP) raided the house of Mohammed Karim, 56, in Bang Kae district on Saturday.

They found a sophisticated passportmaking operation and more than 1,000 finished and unfinished documents, fake visa seals and two computers in one of the largest operations of its kind ever, SOP chief Chaktip Chaichinda said yesterday.

The seized items included 577 fake passports, 680 illegal visa stamps and more than 1,600 counterfeit documents used to make fake US passports.

The Bangladeshi admitted to police that he and his partner, a Burmese man identified as Tin Oo, rented the house in Phetkasem 62 and turned it into a factory for fake passports.

They sold the passports, mostly US, French, Spanish, Belgian and Maltese, to a group of Thai and Burmese middlemen who then sold them to gangs engaged in prostitution, terrorism and smuggling, Pol Maj-Gen Chaktip said.

Customers were charged between 3,000 and 10,000 baht each for the passports.

His partner is still at large, but police say they hope to arrest him soon.

If convicted, he and his friend could face up to 20 years in jail.

‘‘This guy is rich. He has a BMW. He said he made about 300,000 to 400,000 baht per month,’’ Pol Maj-Gen Chaktip said.

airprotest

2008-04-24T03:26:08Z

Stepping up the pressure

September 10, 2007

Photo: Protesters scuffle with security guards who try to keep them away from the passenger terminal.SOMCHAI POOMLARD

We have followed this story for quite some time now. It is obvious that the residents suffering from almost non-stop aircraft noise near the new airport are more than frustrated and the threats they are making to disrupt air traffic could be serious. Whether this causes the government to meet their demands is still not clear.

Today is likely to be an important day. Read to find out why. The residents believe the government has not been sincere in the negotiations so far. Read to find out why they think so. Have promises of compensation changed over the past year?

Finally, several comments quoted in the story are interesting. Read particularly what protest leader Suradej Benjathikul had to say as well as the governor of Samut Prakan where the airport is located. Does it sound like the governor may be on the side fo the protestors?

scuffle – a short and not very violent fight or struggle ตะลุมบอน
terminal – a building or set of buildings at an airport where air passengers arrive and leave อาคารผู้โดยสาร
obvious – easy to see or understand เห็นได้ชัด
residents – people who live in an area ผู้อยู่อาศัย
frustrated – feeling annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want ขุ่นใจ และ ทนไม่ไหว
disrupt – to make it difficult for something to continue in the normal way ขัดขวาง ทำลาย
sincere – showing or say only what you really thing or feel; honest จริงใจ
negotiations – formal discussions between people who are trying to reach an agreement การเจรจาต่อรอง
compensation – something, especially money, that someone gives you because they have damaged something that you own or hurt you in some way ค่าชดเชย, ทำขวัญ, ใช้คืน, ตอบแทน

Thousands rally at airport

Residents set deadline for AoT to act on noise

ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA

Thousands of residents affected by aircraft noise rallied at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday in what they said was the ‘‘last peaceful move’’ to pressure aviation authorities to answer their demands.

Unless Airports of Thailand (AoT) comes up with solutions to their problem within nine days, the protesters said, they would hold another large protest.

Many protesters, who marched from a housing estate about five kilometres from the airport, carried balloons which they threatened to release to disrupt flights. However, they did not do so after senior government officials, including the Samut Prakan governor, went to the airport to talk to them.

The protesters, who came from about 32 housing estates to the north and south of Suvarnabhumi airport, say AoT has been slow in making compensation payments and mitigating the impact of the noise that has haunted them for a year now.

‘‘If the residents do not get a satisfactory answer by the given deadline, I cannot say what will happen. People are extremely frustrated, and we will be unable to stop them,’’ said Wanchat Manathamsombat, a community leader.

The new protest would include the launch of large balloons.

Minor scuffles occurred when the protesters were stopped and pushed by security staff onto the driveway to the passenger terminal. But after a struggle lasting a few minutes, the security staff retreated and let the protesters proceed to the front of the departure terminal, where they occupied the drop-off area.

deadline – a point in time by which something must be done เส้นตาย
rallied – gathered together in large numbers for a public meeting, especially one held to support a particular idea or a political party เดินขบวนประท้วง
release – to stop holding something ปล่อย
housing estate – an area of land with a lot of houses on it บริเวณที่พักอาศัย
mitigating – making something less unpleasant, serious, etc. แบ่งเบา บรรเทา
impact – effect ผลกระทบ
haunted – causing a lot of worry and anxiety รบกวน ทำให้กังวล หลอน
launch – sending something into the air, in this case, balloons ปล่อยขึ้นในอากาศ (ในที่นี้หมายถึงปล่อยลูกโป่งลอยขึ้ันฟ้า)
retreated – moved back ถอย
occupied – filled or used a space เข้ามาใช้พื้นที่
departure terminal – the part of an airline terminal for outgoing flights, i.e., flights that are leaving อาคารผู้โดยสารขาออก
drop-off area – the area in front of the arrival terminal where passengers leave vehicles bringing them to the airport บริเวณส่งผู้โดยสาร

A large number of guards was deployed, sealing the terminal entrances to prevent the protesters from getting inside. After an hour, Suvarnabhumi airport director Sereerat Prasutanont and Samut Prakan governor Anuwat Methiwibulwut turned up to meet the protesters. They pledged to secure places for protesters’ representatives at a meeting with the Transport Ministry and AoT today. The protesters would be able to explain their difficulties to AoT executives and Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen at the meeting, they said.

Mr Wanchat said five representatives would turn up for the meeting. They wanted the government to stop buying time and deceiving people as it had over the past year.

One of the urgent demands is for the AoT board to review its resolution on compensation payments, which the residents criticised as unfair.

The group demanded the board follow the Nov 21, 2006 cabinet resolution under which more residents were entitled to higher compensation than under a new resolution of May 29 this year, which changed the rules.

Under the May 29 resolution, the airport authorities dropped the number of households affected by noise higher than 70 decibels from 1,800 to only 773. The number of those affected by noise levels between 60 and 70 decibels shrank from 25,000 households to 18,253.

AoT will buy houses that register noise levels over 75 decibels, while the rest will get money for soundproofing their houses as part of a noise mitigation scheme.

deployed – moved into position and ready for action ประจำการ
sealing – preventing people from passing through an area ปิดกั้น
turned up – arrived มาถึง
pledged – seriously promised ให้คำมั่นสัญญา
secure – to get; to obtain จัดให้
deceiving – making someone believe something that is not true หลอกลวง
urgent –that needs to be dealt with or happen immediately เร่งด่วน
cabinet – the group of government ministers who make or approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
resolution – a formal statement of an opinion agreed by a committee or a council, especially by means of a vote มติ
entitled – having the right to do or receive something มีสิทธิตามกฎหมาย
decibel – a unit for measuring how loud a sound is เดซิเบล (หน่วยวัดความดัง)
shrank (past of shrink) – became smaller in number or size ลดขนาดลง
soundproofing – making it so that sound cannot pass through something or into it ป้องกันเสียงรบกวน
scheme – a plan or system for organising or doing something แผนการ โครงการ

Another protest leader, Suradej Benjathikul, said many of the first 71 households promised urgent compensation were still waiting.

‘‘Only a small number of homeowners have received 50,000 baht in compensation, while others have received no assistance from the state.

‘‘People who don’t know the truth might condemn us for demanding too much. But we don’t ask for too much. We just want to move out with enough money so we won’t get into financial strife,’’ he said.

Mr Wanchat said the group also plans to file a case with the Administrative Court against Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his cabinet for neglecting their duties.

Governor Anuwat encouraged protesters to send their representatives to today’s meeting, saying they know their problems best.

‘‘I’m not negotiating for a deadline. It’s not about that. But if you give them nine days, I would like those days to be spent efficiently, by giving them as much information as possible.

‘‘After that, if there’s still no clear solution from the state, I would leave the decision to you,’’ he said.

condemn – to express very strong disapproval of someone or something ประนาม
strife – trouble or difficulty การดิ้นรน ต่อสู้กับความยากลำบาก
file – to present something so that it can be officially recorded and dealt with ยื่นคำร้อง
neglecting – failing to take care of someone or something เพิกเฉย
encouraged – tried to persuade someone to do something by making them believe it is a good thing or to make it easier for them to do โน้มน้าวใจ
efficiently – done well and thoroughly with no waste of time, money or energy อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ
state – government รัฐบาล

balloons

2008-04-24T02:39:19Z

Record balloon flight priest goes missing as rescue hunt continues

AP

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: Rescuers reached a cluster of brightly coloured party balloons floating in the ocean off Brazil’s coast on Tuesday but did not find the Catholic priest who had been using them in a bid to set a flight record.

Reverend Adelir Antonio di Carli lifted off from the port city of Paranagua on Sunday strapped to hundreds of heliumfilled balloons. He had a GPS, satellite phone, thermal flight suit, waterproof coveralls and parachute and was seeking to break a record for the longest time inflight with party balloons.

He planned to use the money raised in his attempt to break the 19-hour record to fund a ‘‘spiritual’’ rest-stop for truckers in Paranagua, Brazil’s largest grain port.

Rev Di Carli was reported missing eight hours after taking off when he lost contact with port authority officials.

The cluster of balloons was seen on Tuesday night floating near Rev di Carli’s last contact point.

‘‘Given his physical condition and the equipment he was carrying, I would say there is an 80% chance that he is still alive,’’ said Johnny Coelho, commander of the Penha Fire Department.

Rev di Carli, who has taken jungle survival and mountain climbing courses, was carrying enough drinking water and cereal bars to stay alive for at least five days, suggesting the cleric may be adrift in the ocean, resting on a beach or on a mountain along the coast.

parataxi

2008-04-04T14:00:35Z

A new lease on life

Lesson by Zack Laohavoravudhikul

The story below should be a lesson for all of us that there's always light at the end of the tunnel. The man in the story almost lost his life through a careless handling of a weapon by his colleague. Although he survived the near-fatal accident, he has had to live a life of a disabled man, trying to make both ends meet on a daily basis. This week's story is only the first of the two installments that show how he has pulled through his life crisis.

a new lease at life - another chance at life after a difficult time
light at the end of the tunnel - signs of improvement in a situation which has been bad for a long time, or signs that a long and difficult piece of work is almost completed ความหวัง
near - fatal almost causing death
make both ends meet - to have just enough money to pay for the things that you need มีรายได้พอประทังชีวิต
pulled through - succeeded in dealing with a difficult period กลับมา (ดีอีกครั้ง)

Driving down a hard road (Part 1)

Probably the only paraplegic taxi driver in Bangkok, Nissorn Anusornchai struggles bravely to play the game of life with the hand he was dealt

STUART WARD

Bangkok

It’s not uncommon for 55-year-old Nissorn Anusornchai to make a unique impression on the fares he picks up in his specially outfitted 2006 Toyota Avanza. During the course of the ride, on rare occasions, he might reveal the events of the morning of April 23, 1972, when a careless accident forever changed his life direction and his dreams for a good job and a family. On that fateful day Mr Nissorn, then a policeman with only 3 months of service, was shot by a negligent fellow policeman who, to the horror of about 10 onlookers, unintentionally pulled the trigger of a loaded gun.

‘‘The .38 bullet hit my right arm, just under the shoulder, and damaged my spinal cord, leaving me a paraplegic with no hope of recovery. The man who shot me was playing with the gun when it went off. He was arrested, charged and served about 2 years in jail. He was dismissed from the police force as well,’’ Mr Nissorn said.

‘‘I haven’t met him since the incident, and I don’t know his current whereabouts. I am not angry with him any more, and I’ve forgiven him for what he has done to me.’’

After the shooting, Nissorn spent almost six months in the Police Hospital in Bangkok. Following his discharge from the hospital he stayed at home for almost 7 years, and then began selling lottery tickets from his wheelchair in the vicinity of Pata Department Store near Pinklao Bridge in Bangkok. The government provides a manually-powered wheelchair every 4-5 years free of charge, but as he says, he has ‘‘no chance for an electric wheelchair.’’

He sold the lottery tickets for many years. As a bearer of a Disabled Person Certificate he was eligible to receive a government loan of 20,000 baht to purchase lottery tickets.

He paid 500 baht on the loan each month, and after he paid it off he could borrow again. But just selling lottery tickets didn’t bring in much money, and he began to think of other ways to subsidise his income.

‘‘I didn’t want to become a beggar or ask charities for money. I wanted to be self-sufficient. I tried selling cosmetics and beauty products from my home via mobile phone, but this didn’t work,’’ Mr Nissorn said. Then he came to the idea of driving his own taxi.

‘‘Some time ago, I met a person with a disability like mine who was driving a car by himself — although not to transport other people. He converted the vehicle so that it could be controlled by using the hands only,’’ explained Mr Nissorn.

paraplegic - someone who has lost the ability to move or feel in the legs and lower part of the body, usually because of a severe injury to the spine อัมพาตของร่างกายส่วนล่าง
struggles - experiences difficulty and makes a very great effort in order to do something ดิ้นรน
the hand he was dealt - the situation he was given
outfitted - provided with equipment มีเครื่องประกอบพร้อม
fateful - having an important and usually negative effect on the future เป็นเรื่องความเป็นความตาย,ซึ่งพรหมลิขิตได้กำหนดไว้,ถึงตายได้,เป็นเวรกรรม,เป็นลางร้าย
negligent - not being careful or giving enough attention to people or things that are your responsibility โดยเผลอไป
spinal cord - the set of nerves inside the spine that connect the brain to other nerves in the body เส้นประสาทไขสันหลัง
dismissed - removed from the job ปลดจากตำแหน่ง
whereabouts - the place where a person or thing is ตำแหน่งที่ตั้ง
discharge - allow someone officially to leave somewhere, especially a hospital or a court of law ได้รับอนุญาตให้กลับ
vicinity - the immediately surrounding area บริเวณใกล้เคียง
bearer - the person who owns an official document ผู้ถือ
eligible - having the necessary qualities or fulfilling the necessary conditions ซึ่งมีคุณสมบัติเหมาะสม
subsidise - to pay part of the cost of something ให้ความช่วยเหลือด้านการเงิน
converted - changed เปลี่ยน

By living very frugally he saved enough money to put a down payment on the Toyota, and copied the idea. The Avanza is an SUV-type of vehicle, which enables him to keep a folding wheelchair in the back.

‘‘I put up the 150,000 baht down payment, and my friend guaranteed a 5-year loan to pay the balance — about 500,000 baht. I bought the car and became a taxi driver. As far as I know, I am the only paraplegic cab driver in Thailand.

‘‘I am making 300-400 baht a day using the vehicle to transport people,’’ Mr Nissorn said with justifiable pride.

He normally picks up his customers from a department store on Charan Sanitwongse Road in the Bang Phlat area. The store security and salespeople often recommend him to customers. Everyone in that area knows him as ‘‘Mr Sorn’’. Local officials are compassionate towards him and don’t cause him problems.

Said one security guard outside the store: ‘‘He is friendly, knowledgeable and a nice chap to talk with. Many people use his service not only because they want to help him financially, but to have a chat as well. There are many taxis around that they could hire, but they always look for him.’’

He starts his rounds about midday and works for 8 to 10 hours. He is also available 24 hours on his mobile phone, and prefers that people make reservations one day in advance. He sometimes takes foreigners to Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin and other places outside Bangkok. He has made personal trips as far as Chiang Mai.

Sometimes he looks for customers outside his designated area. ‘‘When I am cruising around Bangkok and see someone on the street looking like they need a taxi, I will stop. About 50 percent of them accept the ride, but the rest won’t since my car has no taxi sign.’’

Mr Nissorn said he hands out a name card to customers in the hopes they will recommend him to their friends. He doesn’t have many regular customers as yet, but hopes to build a network of clientele in the future.

frugally - in a careful manner when using money ประหยัด
down payment - an amount of money that you pay at the time that you buy something, but which is only a part of the total cost of that thing. You usually pay the rest of the cost over a period of time เงินมัดจำ
justifiable - having a good reason ที่สมเหตุสมผล
compassionate - showing a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a desire to help them ที่รู้สึกเห็นใจ
chap - a man ผู้ชาย
designated - stated officially that a place or thing has a particular character or purpose กำหนด
cruising around - going around public places ขับรถไปช้าๆ (รถแท็กซี่หาลูกค้าหรือรถตำรวจลาดตระเวน)
clientele - all the customers of a business when they are considered as a group ลูกค้าทั้งหลาย

pylontheft

2008-03-19T04:15:36Z

Kids in trouble

March 11, 2008

There are several stories involving young people in trouble today. In one, a teenager is being sought by police for throwing a rock through the window of a truck which killed a young boy. In another, two young men are likely to be expelled from the unversities they are attending after they were caught cheating in last weekend's A-Net examination.

The incident which caused the most financial damage, however, involves a group of teenagers who caused the collapse of a high-voltage power pylon. You can read the details in the story below. Apparently, they were looking for a way to get money for entertainment. They ended up with 1400 baht, but in the process they caused more than 10 million baht in damage and repair bills.

expelled – forced to leave a school permanently ถูกไล่ออก
pylon – one of a series of very tall metal structures used for holding the wires that carry electric power high above the group (see photo below) สายไฟหรือเสานำร่อง

Crackdown on pylon thefts

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand technicians replace a fallen power pylon in Bangkok's Nong Chok district. The pylon collapsed last week after thieves stole the nuts and bults securing it to sell as scrap metal.

Police have stepped up a nationwide crackdown on the theft of nuts and bolts from power pylons, acting police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan said yesterday. The 10-day campaign began on March 7 after a power pylon belonging to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) collapsed in Bangkok's Nong Chok district last week.

Investigators found the bolts and nuts anchoring it in place had been stolen and sold as metal scrap.

Five teenagers were arrested and charged with theft and causing damage to power transmitting facilities that could harm the public. They face a maximum of 12 years imprisonment and a combined fine of up to 50,000 baht.

Pol Gen Patcharawat said the crackdown was essential as damage to power networks affected the public and the national economy.
Egat engineer Vichien Pengsuwan said the collapsed pylon was part of the country's high-voltage transmission network. Repairs would take five days and cost more than 10 million baht, he said.

He urged the public to help protect the facilities, saying similar thefts had occurred in Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya and Chon Buri. Suphan Puapong, Egat's operations director for the Central Region, said the problem had also occurred in Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao and parts of Prachin Buri.

Thousands of kilogrammes of steel parts from power pylons were stolen in the region and sold to scrap dealers.

If pylons in the eastern provinces collapsed it would have a tremendous impact on industries in the area, he said.

Adisorn Kiartchokewiwat, the governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority, yesterday reported the problem to Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.

Mr Chalerm ordered scrap metal traders to photocopy the ID cards of their suppliers

crackdown – strong action that someone in authority takes to stop a particular activity การลงโทษขั้นรุนแรง
theft – the crime of stealing การลักขโมย
collapsed – fell down suddenly พังครืน
nuts and bolts – the small metal objects with holes in the middle and the pointed metal screws that are put in them to fasten things tightly ตะปู สรูว์ หรือ น้อตที่ใช้ยึดเหล็ก วัสดุโครงสร้างต่างๆ
stepped up - increased เพิ่มขึ้น
anchoring – holding firmly in place; securing ยึดติดเพื่อให้มั่นคง แน่นหนา
scrap – old metal or paper that can be used again after going through a special process เศษเหล็ก กระดาษ
maximum – the most or highest possible (โทษ) ที่สูงสุด
imprisonment – the punishment of being put in prison การจำคุก
fine – an amount of money that you have to pay because you have broken the law ค่าปรับ
essential – completely necessary สำคัญยิ่ง
transmission – the process of sending power or energy from one place to another การส่งกระแสไฟฟ้า
urged – advised very strongly about what action or attitude they should take วิงวอน
tremendous – very large มหาศาล
impact – effect ผลกระทบ

examcheating

2008-03-12T04:11:04Z

Cheaters in action

In this story we learn of one student whose attempt at using technology to cheat in last week's O-net exam failed. I wonder how many other students succeeded. I suspect the cheater in this story could have succeeded if he had been a bit more careful. We also learn in the story that old-fashioned cheaters are still very much alive. Again, I wonder if many of them were able to fool those supervising the tests.

Exam cheat used phone wristwatch

SIRIKUL BUNNAG

A student was caught using the latest electronic gadgetry, a mobile phone built into a wristwatch, to cheat in last week’s O-net exam.

The 12th grader sat the paper on Friday. He hired people who had taken the test earlier in the week to send him the answers by text messages.

But his furtive glances at his watch raised the suspicions of an exam supervisor, who busted him.

Details of the teenager’s attempted chicanery were revealed in a posting on the website www.siamphone.com.

The writer said the cheat used the PhoneOne gadget watch. His punishment was to fail the subject, the writer said.

The PhoneOne model launched in Thailand early this year was not a big hit, so the student thought he could wear it into the exam centre unnoticed. He also carried an ordinary mobile phone and turned it off in front of the supervisor to fool him.

National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS) director Utumporn Jamornmann confirmed the high-tech cheat was caught at the O-net exam centre in Chulalongkorn University.

Five students were found cheating in the maths and Thai language subjects.

The NIETS board meeting on March 7 would consider all instances of cheating uncovered in 18 exam centres, particularly the high-tech case.

They would try to devise means to outwit them, and decide on appropriate punishment for the dishonest students. She expected they would be failed.

The four other students were cheating the old-fashioned way, she said.

One pair sought permission to go to the toilet at the same time, and were caught sharing the answers.

Another student handed a friend a rubber with the answers written on it.

She said the NIETS board would also consider whether to allow 20 students who missed the O-net test to sit it later.

Higher Education Commission secretary-general Sumate Yamnoon said when students take the Advanced National Education Test (A-net) on Saturday and Sunday, supervisors would pay close attention to the watches they wear.

To deter potential cheats, students caught breaching the regulations would not be allowed to take the exam again for two years, he said.

gadgetry – small pieces of equipment that do useful or impressive things
furtive – done quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed
glances – looking somewhere quickly and then looking away again
suspicions – feelings that someone has done something wrong
busted – discovered that someone was doing something wrong
chicanery – the use of clever, unfair, or dishonest methods to trick people, especially in legal matters
revealed – let something be known
devise – to invent or create a method of doing something
outwit – to gain an advantage over someone, especially by using a clever (or dishonest) trick
deter – to make someone decide not to do something
potential – possible or likely in the future
breaching – breaking a rule, law or agreement
regulations – official rules that control the ways things are done

freshmarkets

2008-03-07T10:55:37Z

Fresh off the farm

Lesson by Zack Laohavoravudhikul

Apart from beautiful Buddhist temples and many other tourist attractions that dot the country, Thailand is also well known for having a variety of outdoor fresh markets to cater to epicures' every whim. Our story this week will take you on a shopping spree at various types of fresh markets in and around Bangkok.

We will also show you what these traditional markets have that modern supermarkets don't and even how each of them differs from one another. Next week we will take you to another famous market.

cater to sb's every whim - to satisfy sb's desire จัดหาสิ่งที่ต้องการไว้ให้
epicures - lovers of fine food and drink นักกิน
shopping spree - walking around from store to store so as to purchase as much as possible ระยะเวลาการหาความสุขจากการจับจ่ายอย่างเมามัน

To market, to market ...

Each of the fresh markets in Bangkok has its own distinct character and culture

Suthon Suhphisit

Thailand will always have its fresh markets. Supermarkets may have the advantage when it comes to household goods and prepared foods packed in tins or bottles, but traditional markets offer fresh foods like fish and meat, prawns, shellfish, and crabs in a variety of sizes and price ranges that the more streamlined modern markets can’t match.

The selection of fresh greens, chillies, aubergines, limes and regional vegetables available at a traditional market is far greater, and they can be bought in more specific small quantities — just a small bunch, or one or two pieces. Dry foods, including dried and salted fish of different types as well as squid, are all available. Seasonings like sour tamarind water or palm sugar (in cakes, packed in bags, or by weight) are there. Meats like pork and beef are sold in all cuts together with innards and miscellaneous parts. The same is true of chickens. All the parts can be bought, even the ribs.

Although all markets carry a broad array of goods, the class and quality of individual markets vary, depending on the status of the community that patronises them. There are the ordinary ones where prices are low, and then there are those that offer high-quality, grade A products at higher prices.

Pak Khlong Talat, for example, only sells wholesale goods. It is a central marketplace where most of the goods sold are fresh vegetables and fruits brought in from different farming regions. The buyers who shop there are primarily vendors from small markets who take the produce for resale.

Talat Klong Toey sells both wholesale and retail. Its customers are vendors and food shop owners who sell food at low prices. Most of the goods for sale are vegetables and fruits, including local types associated with specific parts of the country. There is also a large selection of meat and fish. The fish include some raised commercially in ponds as well as others caught in natural waters. The choice of types of meat, fish, and local vegetables is appreciated by customers who sell Isan-style food, who can’t get the ingredients they require anywhere else in the city, and by operators of small restaurants that offer dishes like tom yam ruam mitr that require a number of seafood ingredients.

Sri Yan, Ratchawong and Thewet markets are small facilities intended to serve local neighbourhoods with goods of low to moderate price.

Talat Aw Taw Kaw at Chatuchak, on the other hand, is expensive and exclusive, with all of the goods on display carefully chosen to ensure that they are of the highest quality. The fruit must be large, the beef must be from carefully run ranches and the chicken must be farm-raised, with only choice meat, fastidiously packaged, offered to customers. No low-grade parts like chicken ribs can be found there.

Vegetables are the best that Thai farms have to offer and specially-raised, cold-climate vegetables and fruits are also available. Dry foods like garlic and onions are selected for their peak quality and, like everything else at Talat Aw Taw Kaw, are priced very high. Patrons drive to this market in high-end cars, and generally don’t mind paying what is asked for the superior goods at what is probably the most expensive market in the country.

Talat Mai, or New Market, a narrow thoroughfare that runs between Yaowarat and New Road, sells both fresh and dried foods, but only the items used to make Chinese food. Prices are high because quality is high, with many items imported from China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

streamlined - made efficient, simplified ปรับปรุงให้มีประสิทธิภาพขึ้น
greens - vegetables พืชผัก
aubergines – eggplants มะเขือยาวสีม่วงเข้ม
seasonings - substances that are added to savoury food to improve its flavour เครื่องปรุงรส
innards - the inner organs of a person or animal, or the inside parts of a machine เครื่องใน
miscellaneous - consisting of a mixture of various things which are not usually connected with each other เบ็ดเตล็ด
array - a large group of things or people, especially one which is attractive or causes admiration การจัดเรียง
patronises - to be a regular customer of a shop or restaurant, etc อุปถัมภ์
vendors - people who are selling something ผู้จำหน่าย, คนขายของ
produce - food or any other substance or material that is grown or obtained through farming ผลิตผล
ingredients - foods that are used with other foods in the preparation of a particular dish ส่วนประกอบ, เครื่องปรุง
facilities - the buildings, equipment and services provided for a particular purpose สิ่งอำนวยความสะดวก
exclusive - expensive and only for people who are rich or of a high social class แต่ผู้เดียว,ผูกขาด,เฉพาะตัว
ranches - very large farms on which animals are kept ฟาร์มปศุสัตว์
choice - of high quality ชั้นดี, ชั้นเยี่ยม
fastidiously - giving too much attention to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect พิถีพิถัน
peak quality - highest quality ซึ่งมีคุณภาพสูงสุด
patrons – customers ผู้อุปการะ, ผู้อุดหนุน
high-end - relating to the best and generally most expensive of a class of goods or services ชั้นดีชั้นสูง
superior – better เยี่ยมกว่า, ดีกว่า
thoroughfare - a main road for public use or a passage through somewhere ถนนในเมือง (โดยเฉพาะสายหลักที่การจราจรคับคั่ง)

peng

2008-02-14T12:24:32Z

Peng finishes marathon

RATCHABURI:

Thailand’s oldest runner, Peng Perngsa, 94, finished the Chom Bung mini-marathon in one hour, 20 minutes yesterday and vowed to run again in next year’s event.

Mr Peng, who ran the 10km minimarathon, said he was happy with his time and did not feel too exhausted, thanks to the cool weather.

When asked if he would run in next year’s marathon, he said: ‘‘Of course. I will run until I drop.’’

The retired farmer from Ratchaburi was accompanied by his daughter, who ran by his side throughout the 10km to monitor his condition.

‘‘Grandfather’’ Peng, as he is known, started running about 24 years ago when he retired from rice farming at 70 years old. He has won many prizes.

The organiser yesterday gave him a medal and a special trophy for being the event’s oldest runner.

‘‘We have to buy a new trophy cabinet now — all of them are full,’’ said Mr Peng’s daughter Kanyarat.

vowed - made a serious promise สัญญาว่าจะทำสิ่งใด
accompanied - went together with ไปเป็นเพื่อน
monitor - check up on เฝ้าสังเกต
cabinet - a piece of furniture with shelves, cupboards, or drawers, which is used for storing or showing things ชั้นหรือตู้วางของ

cabinet

2008-02-07T03:42:49Z

New cabinet members are as follows:

Prime Minister: Samak Sundaravej, also Defence Minister
Deputy Prime Minister: Somchai Wongsawat, also Education Minister
Deputy Prime Minister: Surapong Suebwonglee, also Finance Minister
Deputy Prime Minister: Mingkwan Saengsuwan, also Commerce Minister
Deputy Prime Minister: Suvit Khunkitti, also Industry Minister
Deputy Prime Minister: Sanan Kachornprasart
Deputy Prime Minister: Sahas Banditkul
Prime Minister's Office Minister: Jakrapob Penkair
Prime Minister's Office Minister: Chusak Sirinil
Interior Minister: Chalerm Yubumroong
Deputy Interior Minister: Supol Fong-ngarm
Deputy Interior Minister: Sitthichai Kowasurat
Deputy Finance Minister: Pradit Pattaraprasit
Deputy Finance Minister: Ranongrak Suwanchawee
Deputy Commerce Minister: Wirun Techapaiboon
Deputy Commerce Minister: Banyin Tungpakorn
Transport Minister: Santi Promphan
Deputy Transport Minister: Songsak Thongsri
Deputy Transport Minister: Anurak Jureemart
Agriculture and Cooperative Minister: Somsak Prisnananthakul
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister: Sompat Kaewpichit
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister: Thirachai Sankaew
Energy Minister: Poonpirom Liptapanlop
Tourism and Sports Minister: Weerasak Kowsurat
Information and Communications Technology Minister: Man Pattanothai
Science and Technology Minister: Wutthipong Chaisaeng
Justice Minister: Sompong Amornwiwat
Foreign Minister: Noppadon Pattama
Labour Minister: Uraiwan Thienthong
Natural Resources and Environment Minister: Anongwan Thepsuthin
Social Development and Human Security Minister: Sutha Chansaeng
Culture Minister: Anusorn Wongwan
Deputy Education Minister: Boonlue Prasertsopha
Deputy Education Minister: Pongsakorn Annopporn
Public Health Minister: Chaiya Sasomsup
Deputy Public Health Minister: Chawarat Charnweerakul