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Easy English News
March 15, 2010

easynews2
eencover2The news here is the same that you will find in the Bangkok Post except that it is much easier. I've included some of the vocabulary of the original stores, so you can learn several new words every day. Notice that you can listen to the text with the audio player below. You can also download the soundfile and play it back on your mp3 player.

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Red-shirt navy

redboatsTwo red shirt jet skiers lead a boat packed with red shirt supporters along the Chao Phraya River yesterday. The boat is approaching Krung Thongburi Bridge. THITI WONNAMONTHA
 
The red-shirt boat procession from provinces upstream was not as impressive as many had expected it to be.

The UDD had earlier said that more than 100 boats from Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi provinces would join the boat procession along the Chao Phraya River yesterday.

In the end, only 20 boats carrying about 2,000 people took part. Only five boats left Wat Pananchoeng pier in Ayutthaya, with fewer than 500 anti-government protesters on board. Just two rented boats from Pathum Thani province with fewer than 200 passengers joined the procession.

Part of the problem was a lack of boats.  In Nonthaburi, several hundred people were forced to abandon their boat trip from Nonthaburi pier to Bangkok due to the limited number of boats.

Protesters at Nonthaburi exploded with anger when they learned they could not join the boat procession. Many of the boats were overloaded due to the limited number.

Jeng Dogjik, a comedian and red shirt supporter, who was in charge of the boat procession from Nonthaburi pier, said he had hired several boats to transport the protesters to the rally site but some of them did not show up.

Hundreds of red shirt supporters were left stranded at Ayutthaya as well.

The boat procession, headed by Puea Thai Party MP for Ayutthaya Surachet Chaikosol, finally landed at Wat Sam Phraya pier about 2pm before marching to join the UDD protest at Phan Fa Bridge.

Adapted from a story in today’s Bangkok post by Apinya Wipatayotin

procession – a line of people, vehicles or boats moving in a slow and formal way as part of an event ขบวน
impressive – something that people admire because it is very good, very large or shows great skill ซึ่งน่าประทับใจ
pier – a platform sticking out into water which people walk along or use when getting onto or off boats สะพานที่ยื่นออกไปในน้ำ
rent – to pay money for the use of something for a period of time  เช่า
abandon – to stop doing an activity before you have finished it เลิก
overloaded
hire – to pay money for the use of something for a period of time; to rent เช่า
rally site – a place where a large public gathering happens สถานที่ชุมนุม
stranded – left somewhere with no way of going anywhere else ปล่อยเกาะ ถูกทิ้งไว้


Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:31 AM

March 12, 2010



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Bio-weapons

mar125Members of Ayutthaya’s red shirt group pack (fermented fish) into small plastic bags yesterday. The group said the pungent fish might be used to ‘‘repel’’ authorities if they are attacked during the mass rally in Bangkok on Sunday. SUNTHORN PONGPAO
 
Biological weapons usually refer to deadly-disease carrying organisms, but some of the red-shirts in Ayutthaya have something much simpler in mind.

Members of the Ayutthaya Red Shirt 49 group are packing pla ra (fermented fish) stink bombs and they have been urged to bring bags of faeces as standby weapons in case authorities attack them during the mass rally in Bangkok this weekend.

The group said some of its members had already left for the capital, taking with them a tonne of pla ra.

Group leader Mayuree Sewatasai said pla ra would be given as a souvenir to fellow red shirt supporters from the Northeast, the region with a special fondness for the condiment.

‘‘We also know that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva loves pla ra, because people often throw bags of it at him,’’ she said.

Mrs Mayuree said red shirts needed to defend themselves if they were attacked by police or soldiers.

Since they would go unarmed, they could repel authorities only by throwing bags of pla ra at them.

‘‘We won’t rush to throw pla ra bags at them though. It’s expensive, and it’s also our food,’’ Mrs Mayuree said.

Meanwhile, red shirt leaders in the North have threatened to throw excrement at authorities if they are blocked from entering Bangkok as they converge for Sunday’s rally.

Pol Lt Col Waipoj Apornrat, a former MP for Kamphaeng Phet, said he had told northern red shirt supporters to bring bags of excrement with them to Bangkok.

It would be thrown at security officers who disrupt their journey.

‘‘We’re ready to go to jail for it,’’ he said. He said the protest was not aimed at hurting anyone, but would heap pressure on the government to dissolve the House and call a snap election.
 
Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Sunthorn Pongpao and Anucha Charoenpo.

bio-weapons – biological weapons, harmful bacteria that are used as a weapon in war อาวุธชีวภาพ
fermented - changed chemically through the action of living substances, such as yeast or bacteria หมัก
pungent - describes a very strong smell or taste, sometimes one that is unpleasantly strong ฉุน
repel – to keep something away, or to prevent it from entering something ขับไล่
authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
mass rally – a very large public gathering of people to support someone or to protest against something การชุมนุมใหญ่
organisms – a living thing such as a person, animal, or plant, especially an extremely small living thing สิ่งมีชีวิต
faeces – solid waste from your body อุจจาระ
standby – something which is ready for use if needed สำรอง
souvenir – something that you buy during a holiday or at a special event to remind you later of being there ของที่ระลึก
fondness – a fondness or liking for something ความชอบ
condiment – something such as salt, pepper, or a sauce that you put on food at the table to make it taste better เครื่องปรุงอาหาร
defend – to protect someone or something from attack
unarmed – not carrying weapons ไม่ได้ติดอาวุธ
excrement – faeces; solid waste from your body อุจจาระ
converge – to come from different directions to reach the same point ไปยังจุดหมายเดียวกัน
disrupt – to interrupt something and prevent it from continuing by creating a problem ได้รับการกระทบกระเทือน  ถูกทำให้หยุดชะงัก
heap – to give someone a lot of something, e.g., praise, blame, pressure
dissolve the House - to end a parliament, normally to call a new election ยุบสภา
snap election – an election that is called before it is required by law การเลือกตั้งทั่วไปที่จัดทำขึ้นก่อนครบวาระการบริหารประเทศของรัฐบาลที่บริหารงานอยู่

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:31 AM

March 11, 2010



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Zoo prepares for the worst

zootigerA tiger takes a bite of a frozen pork leg at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok yesterday. Staff are feeding the animals with frozen meat, vegetables and fruit to cool them down in the hot weather. Vitamin supplements are added to the ice. CHANAT KATANUYU
 
Ordinary people living near the upcoming United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship rally sites are having trouble enough getting prepared for what could be a long period of inconvenience.

Imagine what it is like for Dusit Zoo officials whose animal residents are caged right in the heart of one of the Bangkok’s most vulnerable areas across from parliament.

Fourteen animals have already been relocated to other zoos, Dusit Zoo director Kanchai Saenwong said yesterday. They included three elephants, two cranes, six red kangaroos and three wallabies.

Mr Kanchai said they were the first to be moved because their cages were close to Uthong Nai Road, which runs between the zoo and the parliament. The zoo will relocate more animals if the situation worsens, he said.

‘‘We have prepared boxes and cages and have vet teams on 24-hour standby,’’ Mr Kanchai said.
‘‘In case of an emergency, we are ready to take care of the wildlife in the zoo.’’

Animal keepers will be close to the animals to reduce their stress during the relocation and the zoo had stockpiled food for animals in case of an emergency, he said.

‘‘We have already stocked amounts of food for 10 days to prevent any food shortage. We plan to close the zoo if the situation gets out of control.

We will monitor and evaluate the situation on a day-to-day basis.’’

A prolonged closure could result in significant financial losses to the zoo, Mr Kanchai said. Half the zoo’s revenue could be affected since March and April normally are the peak period for the zoo, as schools are closed during that time.
 
Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Apinya Wipatayotin

supplement – a pill or special food that you take or eat when your food does not contain everything that you need อาหารเสริม
upcoming – happening soon; available soon ซึ่งกำลังจะเกิดขึ้น, ซึ่งกำลังจะมา
rally site – a place where a large public gathering happens สถานที่ชุมนุม
inconvenience – an annoying problem or situation, especially one that forces you to make an extra effort to do something ความไม่สะดวกสบาย  ความลำบาก
cage – a container made of wire or metal bars and used for keeping birds or animals in (caged means kept in a cage) กรง
vulnerable – easily damaged or harmed ซึ่งถูกทำลายได้ง่าย
parliament – an official elected group of people in some countries who meet to make the laws of the country and discuss national issues รัฐสภา
relocate – to move someone or something to another place โยกย้ายประชาชนออกจากบริเวณ
crane – a large bird with long legs and a long neck that lives near water นกกระเรียน,นกกระสา
wallaby – an animal like a small kangaroo that lives mainly in Australia จิงโจ้ขนาดเล็ก
on standby – someone or something which is always ready for use เตรียมพร้อม, สำรอง
emergency – an unexpected situation involving danger in which immediate action is necessary เหตุฉุกเฉิน
stress – great worry caused by a difficult situation, or something which causes this condition ความตึงเครียด, ความเครียด
stockpile – to collect large amounts of things that may be needed เก็บสะสมไว้ใน
monitor – to regularly check something or watch someone in order to find out what is happening  ตรวจสอบ ตรวจตรา
evaluate – to think carefully about something before making a judgment about its value, importance, or quality ประเมินสถานการณ์  ประเมินผล
prolonged – continuing for a long time ยืดเวลาออกไป
financial – involving money ทางการเงิน, เกี่ยวกับการเงิน
revenue – income from business activities or taxes รายได้
peak period – the time when something is at its highest or greatest level ช่วงเวลาที่หนาแน่น (ช่วงเวลาที่มีเที่ยวบินเข้าออกอย่างหนาแน่น)

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:49 AM

March 10, 2010



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Grandma Hai gets a degree

haigradHai Khanjantha, known as Grandma Hai, celebrates with her daughter Khemporn Khemsrida, right, and granddaughter Nongluk Khanjantha at the commencement ceremony at Ramkhamhaeng University. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
 
Normally Hai Khanjantha prays every morning at home. But yesterday she prayed in a taxi on her way to Ramkhamhaeng University where she received an honorary master’s degree in political science.

‘‘I woke up very early at 3am and then took a taxi to the university with my daughter and granddaughter,’’ she said.

The 81-year-old grandmother was honoured after her 32-year fight for justice with the government after her paddy field in Ubon Ratchathani was damaged by the construction of a reservoir which put it under water.

The government paid her 1.2 million baht in compensation for the damage last October.

‘‘Thank you very much [for the degree]. I was really excited and delighted to see the princess,’’ she said. The degree was awarded by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

‘‘When I go back home, I will hang it on the wall to use it to teach all my children to fight to the death [for justice], even though we are poor,’’ said the grandmother, who has more than 160 relatives.

Wutisak Lapcharoensap, dean of the faculty of political science, said the decision to give her the degree was due to the example she set for other people who were fighting for justice while respecting the law.

‘‘It is a new dimension to grant an honorary degree to a human rights activist such as Grandma Hai to honour her endeavour to fight for her rights for many years,’’ Mr Wutisak said.

‘‘This country has many people who fight for justice and basic human rights. Grandma Hai is a person who encourages people to realise their own rights and also reminds the government that it should be more careful before making any decision.’’
 
Adapted from a story by Lamphai Intathep in today’s Bangkok Post.

commencement ceremony – a graduation ceremony พิธีรับปริญญา
honorary degree – a degree given to honour someone, although they have not earned it the usual way ปริญญากิตติมศักดิ์
justice – fairness in the way people are dealt with ความเป็นธรรม, ความถูกต้อง
paddy field – a field planted with rice growing in water นาข้าว
reservoir – a natural or artificial lake where water is stored อ่างเก็บน้ำ
compensation – money that someone receives because something bad has happened to them  เงินชดเชย
delighted – very happy or satisfied about something ยินดีมาก,สุขใจ
relatives – members of your family ญาติพี่น้อง
dean – a senior official at a college or university อธิการบดี
faculty – a group of departments in a college which specialise in a particular subject or group of subjects คณะ
dimension – a part of a situation, especially when it influences the way you think about the situation มิติ
activist – someone who takes part in activities that are intended to achieve political or social change, especially someone who is a member of an organisation นักกิจกรรม
endeavour – trying very hard to do something ความพยายาม บากบั่น
encourage – to cause someone to want to do something;  to cause someone to have more confidence or hope about something กระตุ้น, ทำให้มีกำลังใจ
realise – to know about ตระหนัก  รู้
remind – to make someone think of something they have forgotten or might have forgotten เตือนความจำ

 



Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:05 AM

March 09, 2010



To download audio file, right click here

Drying up fast

waterlevelsWater in the Mekong River is the lowest it’s been in years, perhaps the lowest in history. Are Chinese dams upstream to blame?

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva put that question to visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue  yesterday.  Mr Abhisit also suggested that China should hold a meeting of experts to discuss the issue and exchange information.

Mr Hu cast doubt on China’s role in the current drought.  He said dam projects in China were developed on the principle that they would not affect countries downstream.

He also insisted water in the river passing through China accounted for only 13% of the total amount of water along the river.

In reality, the 4,800km Mekong River is a complex system and not enough is known about what influences it water levels.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he proposed to Mr Hu that China conduct a joint survey of the rainfall in this region to come up with better information for handling future water shortage problems.

Forecasting the rainfall is important because as much as 35% of the rain water entering the river comes from Laos; if there is drought in Laos, it would affect countries downstream along the Mekong River.

Meanwhile, the country is facing an equally serious water shortage in the Chao Phraya River basin. Chalit Damrongsak, the director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, warned that water reserves were so low that planting a third rice crop is impossible.

‘‘I have asked officials to try harder to convince rice farmers not to grow a third crop or their paddy fields will be damaged,’’ he said.

Ninety-two percent of water reserves in the Chao Phraya River basin in the Central Plains had been already been consumed, he warned.
 
Adapted from a story in today’s Bangkok Post.

upstream –along a river, in the opposite direction to which the river is flowing (opposite of downstream) ต้นน้ำ
cast doubt on – to make people feel less sure about or have less trust in something or someone ลดความเชื่อถือ, ทำให้สงสัย
role – the purpose or influence of someone or something in a particular situation บทบาท
drought – a long period of time when there is little or no water or rain ความแห้งแล้ง
downstream – in the direction that a river or stream is flowing ตามทิศทางของกระแสน้ำ,ตามน้ำ,ตามกระแสน้ำ
account for – to be the reason why something exists or happens, to give an explanation for something bad that has happened อธิบาย, ให้เหตุผลสำหรับ, เป็นเหตุผลของ
complex – having a lot of details or small parts that make it difficult to understand or deal with ซับซ้อน
joint – done together; belonging to or shared between two or more people ที่ร่วมกัน, ความร่วมมือกัน
shortage – when there is not enough of something การขาดแคลน
forecast – a statement about what will happen in the future based on information available now พยากรณ์
basin – a large area of land whose surface water all flows into a particular river or lake ลุ่มน้ำ
irrigation – the process of bringing water to land through a system of pipes, ditches, etc. in order to make crops grow ระบบชลประทาน
reserve – kept for use for something or someone ที่จัดสรรไว้ สำรอง


Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:55 AM

March 08, 2010



To download audio file, right click here

Gen Khattiya goes to jail

khatiyaMaj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol speaks on the phone from outside a Crime Suppression Division cell where his close aides including Pornwat ‘K-Thong’ Thongsomboon have been held since Saturday. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
 
You have to wonder what Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol was thinking when he arrived at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters on Saturday. He was apparently there to negotiate bail conditions for Pornwat Thongsomboon, better known as K-Thong.

The problem was (1) K-Thong was a fugitive, with a warrant out for his arrest on charges of attempting to instigate unrest and causing panic and (2) he was hiding in Maj Gen Khattiya’s van in the police parking lot. It is illegal to hide a fugitive from the police.

Police were tipped off that Mr Pornwat was in the van and asked to search the vehicle. Police found two men sitting in the back of the van. One was Mr Pornwat, who was shielding his face with a newspaper. He had appeared in a video clip which was distributed on the internet saying bomb attacks and unrest would take place in Bangkok from Feb 27.

More problems followed when police also found seven pistols, 47 cartridges and a knife in the van.

Police arrested Mr Pornwat and took him, Maj Gen Khattiya and seven aides for questioning at the CSD office. They spent the night there.

Maj Gen Khattiya and his aides, have been charged with attempting to help a criminal suspect escape police arrest and possessing weapons without a licence.

Mr Pornwat, in addition to the charge of attempting to instigate unrest and causing panic, faces another charge of possessing weapons without a licence. Further charges would be pressed against the suspects if the weapons were found to be unregistered.
 
Adapted from a story by Wassayos Ngamkham in today's Bangkok Post.

cell – a small room where a prisoner is kept ห้องขังนักโทษ
aide – someone whose job is to help another person in their work ผู้ช่วย
wonder – to think about something because you want to know more facts or details about it สงสัย
suppression – stopping an activity from happening, in this case, criminal activity  การปราบปราม
negotiate – to try to reach an agreement by discussing something in a formal way เจรจาต่อรอง
bail – money or property that is given to a court when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. If they do not return for the trial, the court keeps the money  เงินประกัน; การประกันตัว
fugitive – someone who has done something illegal and is trying to avoid being caught by the police ผู้หลบหนี
arrest warrant – a document signed by a judge allowing police to arrest someone หมายจับ
charge – an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime ข้อหา
instigate – to cause an event or situation to happen ก่อให้เกิด, กระตุ้น
unrest – angry or violent behaviour by people who are protesting or fighting against something สถานการณ์ที่ไม่สงบ
panic – a sudden strong feeling of fear or worry that causes you to be unable to think clearly or calmly ความตื่นตกใจ
tip off – to tell someone in advance about something that is going to happen or about something that is supposed to be secret เตือน, บอกให้รู้ล่วงหน้า
shield – to protect something ซ่อนจาก, ป้องกัน
distribute – to give out information to many different places  แจกจ่าย
pistol – a small gun that you hold in one hand ปืนพก,ปืนสั้น
cartridge – a small metal tube containing a bullet and an explosive substance that  is fired from a gun ปลอกกระสุนปืน


Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:59 AM


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