One Bangkok neighborhood that already looks like Beirut
By Jon Fernquest
In
some places in Thailand the much talked about "civil war" that some have been saying
awaits Thailand in the future may have already arrived.Today's article describes the tense situation in one community in the northern Bangkok area.
The shopkeeper interviewed describes her dilemma:
"I support
no colour but my shop is still a target."
In political conflicts people are forced to choose sides like this and polarization occurs. Soon there is no one left in the middle to resolve the conflict.
The city of Beirut and the Lebanese Civil War for decades was the best of example of how civil war could make life dangerous and nearly impossible in a city.
Here are some graphic description of how Klong Toey residents left their stage to commit acts of arson (Read articles: Bangkok Post repels red threat, Anarchy in Klong Toey, photos of arsonists burning stock exchange)
(Photo on right of burned out 7-11 in Lam Luk Ka community after a grenade attack.)
Today's article begins after the vocabulary:
civil war - a
war between two organized groups within a single country (See Wikipedia)
สงครามกลางเมือง
neighborhood - a local area where people live in a town or city, a community บริเวณใกล้เคียง, ละแวกบ้าน, บ้านใกล้เรือนเคียง, แถวบ้าน
Beirut - the capital city of Lebanon in the Middle East (See Wikipedia)
Lebanese Civil War - a war in the Middle East that "lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 130,000 to 250,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people (one fourth of the population) were wounded, half of whom were left with lifetime disabilities" (See Wikipedia)
tense - making you feel nervous or worried about what will happen next ทำให้เครียด
community - the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
shopkeeper - a person who owns and runs a shop เจ้าของร้าน
dilemma - a difficult decision with neither choice really acceptable or good สภาวะหนีเสือปะจรเข้
support - help, by giving money, for example สนับสนุน
target - to deliberately try to attack someone or something เป้าหมาย
pole - one of two things that are completely different and opposite each other
polarization - when, from one group, two different groups with very different opinions or beliefs form
conflict - an angry disagreement and fighting between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง
resolve - find a solution to and solve a problem, difficulty, or argument หาทางแก้ปัญหา, แก้ไขปัญหา
resolve the conflict - act to put an end to the conflict (so that the two groups that are fighting can live in peace)
decade - 10 years
graphic - describing an event in a lot of detail, so that you can have a good idea of what happened
residents - the people who live in an area
commit a crime, commit criminal acts - do something that is against the law
arson - the crime of lighting things on fire and burning things (See Wikipedia)
neighborhood - a local area where people live in a town or city, a community บริเวณใกล้เคียง, ละแวกบ้าน, บ้านใกล้เรือนเคียง, แถวบ้าน
Beirut - the capital city of Lebanon in the Middle East (See Wikipedia)
Lebanese Civil War - a war in the Middle East that "lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 130,000 to 250,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people (one fourth of the population) were wounded, half of whom were left with lifetime disabilities" (See Wikipedia)
tense - making you feel nervous or worried about what will happen next ทำให้เครียด
community - the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
shopkeeper - a person who owns and runs a shop เจ้าของร้าน
dilemma - a difficult decision with neither choice really acceptable or good สภาวะหนีเสือปะจรเข้
support - help, by giving money, for example สนับสนุน
target - to deliberately try to attack someone or something เป้าหมาย
pole - one of two things that are completely different and opposite each other
polarization - when, from one group, two different groups with very different opinions or beliefs form
conflict - an angry disagreement and fighting between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง
resolve - find a solution to and solve a problem, difficulty, or argument หาทางแก้ปัญหา, แก้ไขปัญหา
resolve the conflict - act to put an end to the conflict (so that the two groups that are fighting can live in peace)
decade - 10 years
graphic - describing an event in a lot of detail, so that you can have a good idea of what happened
residents - the people who live in an area
commit a crime, commit criminal acts - do something that is against the law
arson - the crime of lighting things on fire and burning things (See Wikipedia)
Economics
LAM LUK KA CLOUDED BY ANGER, FEAR
Business operators are in a state of shock from recent outbreaks of political violence25/05/2010
Yuthana Praiwan
The past two months of anti-government protests have left many Thais angry, confused and living in a state of fear.
A 7-Eleven branch in Lam Luk Ka that was destroyed by fire after it was attacked with grenades.
The Barista coffee shop, located on Lam Luk Ka Klong 4 in Pathum Thani, a red-shirt stronghold, is open again for service. But something has changed since midnight May 19 when the 7-Eleven next door was hit with grenades.
I feel unsafe, and I have never felt fear like this before," said Sawitree Korattana, the coffee shop owner.
operators
- businesses doing this business
state - condition สภาพ
violence - physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people ความรุนแรง
protests - meetings, sometimes forceful or violent, or public statements by people who strongly disagree with something ชุมนุมประท้วง
confused - not able to understand or think clearly about some situation or issue
branch - an office or shop representing a large company or organisation in a particular area สาขา
stronghold - a safe and secure place to stay, safe from attack
state - condition สภาพ
violence - physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people ความรุนแรง
protests - meetings, sometimes forceful or violent, or public statements by people who strongly disagree with something ชุมนุมประท้วง
confused - not able to understand or think clearly about some situation or issue
branch - an office or shop representing a large company or organisation in a particular area สาขา
stronghold - a safe and secure place to stay, safe from attack
Ms Sawitree said she had become more anxious and fearful since the red-shirt rally started at Phan Fa Bridge in March as protesters spread throughout the town and clashed with government security forces at the Talad Thai (Thai Market) in Pathum Thani province
After the red-shirt leaders surrendered to police last Wednesday, chaos broke out in the province. Numerous ATMs and 7-Elevens have been attacked since then, she said.
The 7-Eleven next to Barista was totally burned out by the fire that was sparked off by the grenade attack, she said.
anxious - worried
about something bad happening
rally - a public meeting that a lot of people go to in order to support someone or protest against someone or something การชุมนุมประท้วง
spread - to (cause to) cover, reach or have an effect on a wider or increasing area or number of people กระจายไปทั่ว
spread - to gradually affect or cover a larger area แพร่หลาย, แพร่กระจาย
spread throughout Y - gradually covered everyplace in the area
security - the need to provide safety from attack, harm or damage ความปลอดภัย
security forces - military, army
chaos - a very confused situation ความโกลาหล, การจราจล, ความยุ่งเหยิง, ความสับสน
chaos broke out - chaos started
X sparked off Y - X started Y (like starting a fire with a "spark")
grenade - a small bomb that someone throws or fires from a gun ระเิบิดลูกเล็ก, ลูกระเบิดเล็ก
rally - a public meeting that a lot of people go to in order to support someone or protest against someone or something การชุมนุมประท้วง
spread - to (cause to) cover, reach or have an effect on a wider or increasing area or number of people กระจายไปทั่ว
spread - to gradually affect or cover a larger area แพร่หลาย, แพร่กระจาย
spread throughout Y - gradually covered everyplace in the area
security - the need to provide safety from attack, harm or damage ความปลอดภัย
security forces - military, army
chaos - a very confused situation ความโกลาหล, การจราจล, ความยุ่งเหยิง, ความสับสน
chaos broke out - chaos started
X sparked off Y - X started Y (like starting a fire with a "spark")
grenade - a small bomb that someone throws or fires from a gun ระเิบิดลูกเล็ก, ลูกระเบิดเล็ก
I now take all the expensive stuff, such as a CD player and the coffee brewing machine back home every night instead of leaving them here," she said
The political conflict has encouraged thugs to steal, Ms Sawitree said, adding she has no idea when the area will return to normal.
I do not even dare order bakery items from suppliers as usual, even though clients are requesting them quite a bit. Who will give me a guarantee?" she said
coffee brewing - making
coffee
conflict - an angry disagreement between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง, ความไม่ลงรอยกัน
encouraged - having more confidence or hope about something มีกำลังใจ
thugs - a violent people and criminals
clients - (formal) customer ลูกค้า
guarantee - a promise to do or give something (See glossary) คำรับรอง, การประกัน
conflict - an angry disagreement between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง, ความไม่ลงรอยกัน
encouraged - having more confidence or hope about something มีกำลังใจ
thugs - a violent people and criminals
clients - (formal) customer ลูกค้า
guarantee - a promise to do or give something (See glossary) คำรับรอง, การประกัน
I beg 'the mastermind' [of the political conflicts] to stop hurting this country. Thais can no longer stand this. We are frustrated and depressed. I don't know what else to say right now.
Kiiti Keawwan, owner of the new Niyom Bhesaj drugstore, said his way of life would never be the same again.
I am very nervous - I look at every car and motorbike passing by. I am afraid of robbers and arsonists.
mastermind - the
one person who plans something bad
conflicts - angry disagreements between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง
frustrated - feeling annoyed and impatient because you are prevented from achieving something ผิดหวัง,ท้อแท้ใจมาก, หงุดหงิดใจ
depressed - very sad
arsonists - people set things on fire, who burn buildings or homes (a crime)
conflicts - angry disagreements between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง
frustrated - feeling annoyed and impatient because you are prevented from achieving something ผิดหวัง,ท้อแท้ใจมาก, หงุดหงิดใจ
depressed - very sad
arsonists - people set things on fire, who burn buildings or homes (a crime)
Two ATMs are located in front of Mr Kitti's shop.
They are targets of the rioters, whose behaviour is just the same as bandits. I ask my relatives to look after the shop, particularly at night time," he said.
Normally I keep out of political conversations because Lam Luk Ka is a red-shirt neighbourhood. I support no colour but my shop is still a target. "The owner of a small hair salon said Thailand is unlikely to become peaceful because of untrustworthy politicians. She thinks red-shirt rallies will resume.
I normally have at least 20 clients a day, but now there are only six or seven," she said.
I am trying to release my frustration and sadness through dhamma [teaching] and listening to Buddhist prayers on the radio. I hope it can help
targets
- goals or levels you plan to achieve
bandits - a group of thieves that attacks people, both travellers and people in their homes, an outlaw (See Wikipedia)
relatives - people in your family who do not live with you like uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents
keep out of - don't go into a place or participate in some activity
support - help, by giving money, for example สนับสนุน
target - to deliberately try to attack someone or something เป้าหมาย
hair salon - a place where women go to have their hair cut and styled, beauty salon, beauty parlour (See Wikipedia)
untrustworthy - cannot believe someone or trust them
resume - start again after stopping กลับมาอีกครั้ง, ดำเนินต่อไปใหม่
release - to set someone or something free ปล่อยเป็นอิสระ
frustration - an annoyed or discouraged feeling because you cannot do or have what you want ความผิดหวัง, ความไม่พอใจ
dhamma - Buddhist religious books and teachings (See Wikipedia)
bandits - a group of thieves that attacks people, both travellers and people in their homes, an outlaw (See Wikipedia)
relatives - people in your family who do not live with you like uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents
keep out of - don't go into a place or participate in some activity
support - help, by giving money, for example สนับสนุน
target - to deliberately try to attack someone or something เป้าหมาย
hair salon - a place where women go to have their hair cut and styled, beauty salon, beauty parlour (See Wikipedia)
untrustworthy - cannot believe someone or trust them
resume - start again after stopping กลับมาอีกครั้ง, ดำเนินต่อไปใหม่
release - to set someone or something free ปล่อยเป็นอิสระ
frustration - an annoyed or discouraged feeling because you cannot do or have what you want ความผิดหวัง, ความไม่พอใจ
dhamma - Buddhist religious books and teachings (See Wikipedia)
(Source: LAM LUK KA CLOUDED BY ANGER, FEAR, Business operators are in a state of shock from recent outbreaks of political violence, 25/05/2010, Yuthana Praiwan, link)
