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Easy English News

July 03, 2009

The 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 click on the headphone symbol to hear the text. You can also download the soundfile and play it back on your mp3 player.

Highway terrorists

For unknown reasons, some young men seem to find it fun and exciting to throw rocks through windows of moving vehicles. There have been several such incidents in recent months, some resulting in deaths and serious injuries.

Late Wednesday there were two-rock throwing incidents in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya district in central Thailand, almost certainly carried out by the same attackers.

jboy

In the first, rap star Joey Boy (photo) was lucky to escape injury after the gang threw a rock at the van in which he was travelling, shattering a window and nearly causing an accident.

Local police said a rock was thrown from the side of the No 356 Pathum Thani-Bang Pahan road at the van with Joey Boy and three other people on board.

The rock broke the window of the van but no one was hurt, said Joey Boy, whose real name is Apisit Opas-iamlikhit.

He said two people were spotted riding a motorcycle and tailing his van before the attack at 11.30pm. The singer was on his way to Lampang.

On the same road less than two hours later, the gang hurled a rock at another van carrying seven passengers.

The pillion rider of a motorcycle threw a rock as big as a mango, shattering the windshield of the van. No one was injured. The van veered off slightly but the driver managed to regain control. The attackers fled towards the Asian Highway.

Van driver Akom Premsakul said he was driving his family home after seeing a friend off at Suvarnabhumi airport.

He said he made sure the van’s headlights were not switched on to high-beam to avoid irritating motorcycle riders.

The poor road lighting made it impossible for him to recognise the faces of the attackers, the driver said.

Ayutthaya provincial police deputy chief Kornek Petchaiyawet said it was probable that the same gang was responsible for Wednesday night’s incidents.

The attacks prompted the calling of an urgent police meeting to crack down on the gang.

Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Sunthorn Pongpao

terrorist – someone who uses violence and fear in order to achieve something ผู้ก่อการร้าย โจรผู้ร้าย
vehicle – a machine that you travel in or on, especially one with an engine that travels on roads, e.g., a car, bus, van, truck, etc. ยานพาหนะ
incident – something that happens, usually something bad เหตุการณ์
shatter – to break into many pieces แตกกระจาย
spot – to see or notice สังเกตเห็น
tail – to follow someone, especially secretly สะกดรอยตาม
hurl – to throw something using a lot of force เขวี้ยง ขว้างปา
pillion rider – a person who rides behind the driver of a motorcycle คนขับตามหลัง
windshield – the large glass window at the front of a vehicle; a windscreen กระจกหน้ารถ
veer – to suddenly move in a different direction แฉลบ เสียทิศทาง
regain – to get back บังคับรถได้เหมือนเดิม
fled (past of flee) – escaped; left an area very quickly because of a danger there หนีไป
high-beam – the strongest light used by a vehicle at night ไฟสูง
avoid – to try to prevent something from happening หลีกเลี่ยง
irritate – to make someone feel annoyed or impatient หงุดหงิด รำคาญใจ
recognise – to know who a person is จำได้ รู้จัก
prompt – to cause someone to take action กระตุ้น
urgent – needing to be dealt with immediately ที่เร่งด่วน
crack down on – to start dealing with someone or something much more strictly จัดการ, ลงมือปราบปราม

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:31 AM

July 02, 2009

Finance gets a cutoff threat

The case sounds simple enough. The Finance Ministry owes the Metropolitan Electricity Authority 7.5 million baht for the past three months. If it doesn’t pay its bill, its electricity should be cut off. That is exactly what would happen to the rest of us.

And that is exactly what the MEA labour union is threatening to do.

phien

‘‘If the ministry does not pay the bill in the next seven working days, we will stop supplying it with electricity,’’ said MEA labour union president Phien Yongnoo (photo) in a letter delivered yesterday.

Actually, the government seems to be a very poor MEA customer. Apart from the Finance Ministry, the PM’s Office owes 16 million baht and the Defence Ministry owes 200 million baht. Altogether, Mr Phien says, government agencies owe a total of 1.02 billion baht in electricity bills.

So why is the labour union beginning with the Finance Ministry and not the PM’s Office or the Defence Ministry?

Many people suspect the real motive is revenge. Union members are infuriated that the government has not provided a 2,000 baht payment to 8,500 MEA staff and they blame the Finance Ministry.

The union wants in on the same programme that gave 2,000 baht to low-income people and state officials who earned less than 15,000 baht a month, a proposal the Finance Ministry has refused to take to the cabinet for consideration.

From the government’s standpoint, the MEA workers already earn too much money. Very few of the 8,500 workers earn less than 15,000 baht and some earn up to 50,000 baht. The government also fears that if it gives in to the MEA,other state enterprise unions will want in too, costing the government billions of baht.

Meanwhile, a Finance Ministry source said its slowness in paying its electricity bills was caused not because the ministry faces a liquidity problem, but because of a tardy disbursement process. Don’t be surprised if that process speeds up in the next week

Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Wichit Chantanusornsiri

threat – an occasion when someone says that they will cause you harm or problems, especially if you do not do what they want you to do การยื่นคำขาด การขู่
simple – easy to understand, solve or do ง่าย
owe – to be required to give someone money for something you have bought or money that you have borrowed from them เป็นหนี้
labour union – an organisation of workers that aims to improve pay and conditions of work สหภาพแรงงาน
motive – a reason for doing something แรงจูงใจ
revenge – something that you do to hurt or punish someone because they have hurt you or someone else การแก้แค้น
infuriated – extremely angry โกรธเป็นฟืนเป็นไฟ
provide – to give someone something that they want or need จัดสรรให้
cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
consideration – giving careful thought to something before making a decision การพิจารณาไตร่ตรองอย่างรอบคอบ
state enterprise – a company or business owned and managed by the government รัฐวิสาหกิจ
liquidity – a situation in which an organisation, company, business, etc. has the money it needs to pay its bills สภาพคล่อง
tardy – slow to do something ล่าช้า กินเวลานาน
disbursement process – the process of paying out money กระบวนการการจ่ายเงิน

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:27 AM

July 01, 2009

Money car

Department of Special Investigation authorities check wads of banknotes amounting to almost 10 million baht found in a car which belonged to an alleged drug dealer.

In 2005, police raided a house on Rassadornpattana Road in Saphan Sung district. The house belonged to Usman Salamaeng who was wanted on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.

They didn’t find Mr Usman but they did find his SUV, which they then confiscated.

The impounded car was put under the control the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. In 2006, the board put it at the disposal of police in Udon Thani province.

For the past three years, Udon police have been driving the vehicle without realising what was inside.

Yesterday, Department of Special Investigation authorities together with the police searched the vehicle and found wads of 1,000-baht and 500-baht banknotes amounting to 9,998,000 baht hidden in the panels of the rear doors of the vehicle.

‘‘Police inquiries have found that Usman had hidden the money, believed to be acquired through drug trafficking, in the vehicle,’’ DSI chief Thawee Sodsong said.

The money was believed to be part of Mr Usman’s laundered drug assets. The money was withdrawn on July 17, 2005, from Bangkok Bank’s Narathiwat branch, he said.

Pol Col Thawee said the DSI and police officers were tracing the money trail and tracking down Mr Usman who held dual Thai-Malaysian nationality.

Pol Col Thawee said Mr Usman and his gang had been sought on arrest warrants in connection with drug trafficking in the South and the DSI had accepted the matter as a special case.

Police launched a crackdown on the gang in July, 2005, and confiscated about 270,000 methamphetamine pills.

Meanwhile, Mr Usman is still free, very likely hiding somewhere in Malaysia.

Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post.

authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
wad – a thick pile or ball of money, papers, etc. เงินหรือกระดาษกองโต
alleged – claimed to be true, even though this has not yet been proved ที่กล่าวหา
raid – to use force to suddenly enter a place and arrest people or look for illegal drugs or other illegal items บุกเข้าจับ
charge – an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime ข้อหา
drug trafficking – the business of buying and selling drugs illegally การลักลอบค้ายาเสพติด
money laundering – hiding the origin of money obtained from illegal activities by putting it into legal businesses การฟอกเงิน
confiscate – to official remove someone’s possessions for legal reasons or as a punishment ริบทรัพย์ ยึดทรัพย์
impounded – taken away by the police ยึดไว้เป็นของกลาง
at the disposal of – for the use of เพื่อไว้ใช้
realise – to know about ตระหนัก รู้
panel – a flat piece of metal, wood, glass or other material that forms part of something such as a door or wall ไม้กระดานที่ใช้ปิดผนัง
rear – back ด้านหลัง
inquiry – an official examination of a crime, accident, problem, etc., in order to get information or the truth การไต่สวน
acquire – to get; to obtain ได้มาซึ่ง
assets – things owned by a person, company etc., particularly money and property ทรัพย์สิน
withdraw – to take money out of a bank account ถอนเงินจากธนาคาร
branch – an office or shop representing a large company or organisation in a particular area สาขา
money trail – where a sum of money has been sent ปลายทางผู้รับเงิน
track down – to try to follow and find someone or something ตามรอย
dual nationality – being a citizen of two countries at the same time ถือสัญชาติสองสัญชาติ
sought (past tense of seek) – tried to find เสาะหา
arrest warrant – a document signed by a judge allowing police to arrest someone หมายจับ
matter – something that you are discussing, considering or dealing with สิ่งที่พูดถึง ประเด็นที่พูดถึง
launch – to start something เริ่มต้น เริ่มทำ
crackdown – strong action that someone in authority takes to stop a particular activity การปราบปรามอย่างรุนแรง

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:41 AM

June 30, 2009

Fear remains at Al-Furqan

Photograph through a shattered window, villagers engage in noon prayers at the Al-Furqan mosque at Ai Payae village in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district, where bullets are still clearly visible in the mosque's interior. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

It has been three weeks now since gunmen sprayed bullets at worshippers during evening prayers at Al-Furqan mosque in Narathiwat’s Cho Airong district, killing 10 and seriously injuring 12 more.

No one has been arrested and residents of the Ai Payae village where the mosque is located want to know why. They fear the killing could happen again.

‘‘Killing in a mosque is an enormous sin,’’ said Makareeya Kaseng, who lost her husband, Yusoh Mahaha, during the attack. ‘‘Until now, locals in the village don’t have a clue who could be responsible for such a sin and the reason behind the killings.’’

Religious leader Waedoloh Kuwaekama was one of those who were gunned down in the mosque. His 58-year-old wife, Ya Jehkoh, questioned which group of assailants dared to kill people at a religious site, whether it was a Muslim mosque or a Buddhist temple.

‘‘It’s more than a fortnight now. Why can’t the authorities catch a single assailant?’’ she asked.

Col Prinya Chaidilok, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command’s frontline office of the 4th Army, said the team investigating the attack had received tip-offs which pointed to several possible motivations.

One theory was that the assailants were state authorities who wanted to stir up violence for their own ends.

Another suggests the assailants were outsiders who launched the sabotage with support from a team of local insurgents.

Some say the attack was an act of revenge, possibly by a group of radical Buddhists, Col Prinya said.

Meanwhile, Ai-Payae villagers continue to live in fear. They now lock their windows and doors every night at six o’clock.

Government soldiers deployed to protect the village have not made them feel safer.

‘‘If I could choose, I prefer that they don’t come,’’ Mrs Makareeya said.

‘‘They smile at us and we smile at them, but we don’t know what they actually think about us.

‘‘We’re afraid of their weapons. It chills me every time I see their guns. All locals feel the same. We can’t sleep and we’ve lost our appetites.’’

Adapted from a story by King-oua Laohong in today's Bangkok Post.

shattered – broken into many pieces ที่แตกกระจาย
engage in – to take part in a particular activity มีส่วนร่วมใน
visible – able to be seen ที่มองเห็นได้
interior – the inside of something ภายใน
spray bullets – to shoot a lot of bullets in many directions in a short period of time กระสุน
worshipper – someone who is showing love and respect for God, especially during a religious ceremony or prayer ผู้สวดมนตร์
arrest – (of the police) to take someone to a police station because they are believed to have committed a crime จับกุม
resident – a person who lives in a particular area ผู้อยู่อาศัยในบริเวณ ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
enormous – very large มโหฬาร
sin – an action, thought, or way of behaving that is wrong according to religious laws บาป
locals – people who live in a particular place ชาวบ้าน
don’t have a clue – have no information about something; have no idea about something นึกไม่ออกว่าใคร (อยู่เบื้องหลัง)
assailant – someone who violently attacks another person
site – a place where something is located สถานที่เกิดเหตุ
fortnight – a period of two weeks ในสองสัปดาห์
authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
investigate – to try to find out the facts about something in order to learn the truth about it ตรวจสอบหาความจริง
tip-off – secret information or a warning given by someone ข่าวเตือน จากวงใน
motivation – a reason for doing something แรงจูงใจ
theory – one or more ideas that explain how or why something happens สมมติฐาน
state – government รัฐ
stir up – to make someone feel upset or angry ก่อให้เกิดความขุ่นใจ
violence – physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people ความรุนแรง
ends – purposes; benefit ผลประโยชน์
sabotage – deliberate damage that is done to an enemy or opponent การโจมตี บ่อนทำลาย
insurgent – someone who belongs to a group of people fighting to take control of their country by force กลุ่มก่อการกบถ
revenge – something that you do to hurt or punish someone because they have hurt you or someone else การแก้แค้น
meanwhile – at the same time ในเวลาเดียวกัน
deploy – (of police or soldiers) to put in place ready for action ส่ง (ทหารตำรวจ) ประจำการ
chill – to cause someone to feel extremely frightened or worried ทำให้กลัว ทำให้ขนลุก
appetite – the natural feeling of wanting to eat น้ำย่อย ความอยากอาหาร

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:36 AM

June 29, 2009

Danger to Doi Suthep grows

Doi Suthep pagoda sits on unstable ground.

A little more than a year ago, a study found there was a long-term danger to the famous pagoda (photo) on the top of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.

The study revealed that the ancient Phra That Doi Suthep stupa might be in danger of collapse in the future after frequent earthquakes in the region.

Sahawat Naenna, director of Fine Arts Office region 8, said the stupa was located on soft ground and on a steep slope of 45-50 degrees.

It could subside and collapse in the future given the number of frequent quakes and heavy rainfall.

Mr Sahawat called for an initial budget of more than 200 million baht to strengthen the pagoda’s foundations to protect against possible subsidence and collapse.

Whatever was done does not appear to be enough. Now engineers from the Asian Institute of Technology and Chiang Mai University say that long-term danger has become a short-term risk.

They have found cracks on the second level of the pagoda and the northern section of the surrounding terrace which they say put the structure in danger.

‘‘First I thought they were just cement cracks, but after more checks, we found they were caused by structural subsidence,’’ said Mr Sahawat.

The engineers who inspected the site said more rain would raise the underground water level which, coupled with a moderate earthquake, could result in the pagoda toppling, Mr Sahawat said.

Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said he would talk to the temple abbot about the need for urgent reinforcement work.

‘‘It will be dangerous if we don’t take swift action. It’s the rainy season now.’’

Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Lamphai Intathep

unstable – not firm and not likely to support something well ที่ไม่แน่น ที่ไม่แข็งแรง
reveal – to let something be known เปิดเผยข้อมูลว่า
ancient – very old ที่เก่าแก่ ที่โบราณ
collapse – falling down suddenly ล้ม พังครืน
frequent – happening often เกิดขึ้นบ่อย
earthquake – a sudden shaking movement of the ground แผ่นดินไหว
steep slope – the side of a hill or mountain that rises quickly and is hard to climb ทางลาดชัน
subside – to sink to a lower level จมลง
initial – happening at the beginning of a process ในเบื้องต้น
budget – an amount of money able to be spent on something งบประมาณ
foundation – the part of a structure of a building that is below the ground and supports the rest of it รากฐาน
risk – the possibility that something unpleasant or dangerous might happen ความเสี่ยง
crack – a line on a surface where something is beginning to break apart รอยแตก รอยร้าว
surrounding – all around a place บริเวณรอบๆ
terrace – a flat area outside a place, often used for sitting or eating ลานด้านหน้า ระเบียงด้านหน้า
inspect – to look at something carefully ตรวจสอบ
site – a place where something is located สถานที่
coupled with – combined with and producing a particular effect ประกอบกับ
moderate – neither very great nor very small in strength, size, amount or degree ระดับปานกลาง
topple – to cause to fall คว่ำลงมา
abbot – the head monk at a temple เจ้าอาวาส
urgent – needing to be dealt with immediately ที่เร่งด่วน
reinforcement – the process of making something stronger เสริมให้แข็งแรง
swift – happening quickly อย่างรวดเร็ว โดยด่วน

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:34 AM


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Highway terrorists For unknown reasons, some young men seem to find it fun and exciting to throw rocks through windows of moving vehicles. There have been several such incidents in recent months, some resulting in deaths and serious injuries. Late Wednesday there were two-rock throwing incidents in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya district in central Thailand, almost certainly carried out by the same attackers. In the first, rap star Joey Boy (photo) was lucky to escape injury after the gang threw a rock at the van in which he was travelling, shattering a window and nearly causing an accident. Local police said a rock was thrown from the side of the No 356 Pathum Thani-Bang Pahan road at the van with Joey Boy and three other people on board. The rock broke the window of the van but no one was hurt, said Joey Boy, whose real name is Apisit Opas-iamlikhit. He said two people were spotted riding a motorcycle and tailing his van before the attack at 11.30pm. The singer was on his way to Lampang. On the same road less than two hours later, the gang hurled a rock at another van carrying seven passengers. The pillion rider of a motorcycle threw a rock as big as a mango, shattering the windshield of the van. No one was injured. The van veered off slightly but the driver managed to regain control. The attackers fled towards the Asian Highway. Van driver Akom Premsakul said he was driving his family home after seeing a friend off at Suvarnabhumi airport. He said he made sure the van’s headlights were not switched on to high-beam to avoid irritating motorcycle riders. The poor road lighting made it impossible for him to recognise the faces of the attackers, the driver said. Ayutthaya provincial police deputy chief Kornek Petchaiyawet said it was probable that the same gang was responsible for Wednesday night’s incidents. The attacks prompted the calling of an urgent police meeting to crack down on the gang. Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Sunthorn Pongpao terrorist – someone who uses violence and fear in order to achieve something ผู้ก่อการร้าย โจรผู้ร้าย vehicle – a machine that you travel in or on, especially one with an engine that travels on roads, e.g., a car, bus, van, truck, etc. ยานพาหนะ incident – something that happens, usually something bad เหตุการณ์ shatter – to break into many pieces แตกกระจาย spot – to see or notice สังเกตเห็น tail – to follow someone, especially secretly สะกดรอยตาม hurl – to throw something using a lot of force เขวี้ยง ขว้างปา pillion rider – a person who rides behind the driver of a motorcycle คนขับตามหลัง windshield – the large glass window at the front of a vehicle; a windscreen กระจกหน้ารถ veer – to suddenly move in a different direction แฉลบ เสียทิศทาง regain – to get back บังคับรถได้เหมือนเดิม fled (past of flee) – escaped; left an area very quickly because of a danger there หนีไป high-beam – the strongest light used by a vehicle at night ไฟสูง avoid – to try to prevent something from happening หลีกเลี่ยง irritate – to make someone feel annoyed or impatient หงุดหงิด รำคาญใจ recognise – to know who a person is จำได้ รู้จัก prompt – to cause someone to take action กระตุ้น urgent – needing to be dealt with immediately ที่เร่งด่วน crack down on – to start dealing with someone or something much more strictly จัดการ, ลงมือปราบปราม Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:31 AM July 02, 2009 Finance gets a cutoff threat The case sounds simple enough. The Finance Ministry owes the Metropolitan Electricity Authority 7.5 million baht for the past three months. If it doesn’t pay its bill, its electricity should be cut off. That is exactly what would happen to the rest of us. And that is exactly what the MEA labour union is threatening to do. ‘‘If the ministry does not pay the bill in the next seven working days, we will stop supplying it with electricity,’’ said MEA labour union president Phien Yongnoo (photo) in a letter delivered yesterday. Actually, the government seems to be a very poor MEA customer. Apart from the Finance Ministry, the PM’s Office owes 16 million baht and the Defence Ministry owes 200 million baht. Altogether, Mr Phien says, government agencies owe a total of 1.02 billion baht in electricity bills. So why is the labour union beginning with the Finance Ministry and not the PM’s Office or the Defence Ministry? Many people suspect the real motive is revenge. Union members are infuriated that the government has not provided a 2,000 baht payment to 8,500 MEA staff and they blame the Finance Ministry. The union wants in on the same programme that gave 2,000 baht to low-income people and state officials who earned less than 15,000 baht a month, a proposal the Finance Ministry has refused to take to the cabinet for consideration. From the government’s standpoint, the MEA workers already earn too much money. Very few of the 8,500 workers earn less than 15,000 baht and some earn up to 50,000 baht. The government also fears that if it gives in to the MEA,other state enterprise unions will want in too, costing the government billions of baht. Meanwhile, a Finance Ministry source said its slowness in paying its electricity bills was caused not because the ministry faces a liquidity problem, but because of a tardy disbursement process. Don’t be surprised if that process speeds up in the next week Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Wichit Chantanusornsiri threat – an occasion when someone says that they will cause you harm or problems, especially if you do not do what they want you to do การยื่นคำขาด การขู่ simple – easy to understand, solve or do ง่าย owe – to be required to give someone money for something you have bought or money that you have borrowed from them เป็นหนี้ labour union – an organisation of workers that aims to improve pay and conditions of work สหภาพแรงงาน motive – a reason for doing something แรงจูงใจ revenge – something that you do to hurt or punish someone because they have hurt you or someone else การแก้แค้น infuriated – extremely angry โกรธเป็นฟืนเป็นไฟ provide – to give someone something that they want or need จัดสรรให้ cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี consideration – giving careful thought to something before making a decision การพิจารณาไตร่ตรองอย่างรอบคอบ state enterprise – a company or business owned and managed by the government รัฐวิสาหกิจ liquidity – a situation in which an organisation, company, business, etc. has the money it needs to pay its bills สภาพคล่อง tardy – slow to do something ล่าช้า กินเวลานาน disbursement process – the process of paying out money กระบวนการการจ่ายเงิน Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:27 AM July 01, 2009 Money car Department of Special Investigation authorities check wads of banknotes amounting to almost 10 million baht found in a car which belonged to an alleged drug dealer. In 2005, police raided a house on Rassadornpattana Road in Saphan Sung district. The house belonged to Usman Salamaeng who was wanted on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. They didn’t find Mr Usman but they did find his SUV, which they then confiscated. The impounded car was put under the control the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. In 2006, the board put it at the disposal of police in Udon Thani province. For the past three years, Udon police have been driving the vehicle without realising what was inside. Yesterday, Department of Special Investigation authorities together with the police searched the vehicle and found wads of 1,000-baht and 500-baht banknotes amounting to 9,998,000 baht hidden in the panels of the rear doors of the vehicle. ‘‘Police inquiries have found that Usman had hidden the money, believed to be acquired through drug trafficking, in the vehicle,’’ DSI chief Thawee Sodsong said. The money was believed to be part of Mr Usman’s laundered drug assets. The money was withdrawn on July 17, 2005, from Bangkok Bank’s Narathiwat branch, he said. Pol Col Thawee said the DSI and police officers were tracing the money trail and tracking down Mr Usman who held dual Thai-Malaysian nationality. Pol Col Thawee said Mr Usman and his gang had been sought on arrest warrants in connection with drug trafficking in the South and the DSI had accepted the matter as a special case. Police launched a crackdown on the gang in July, 2005, and confiscated about 270,000 methamphetamine pills. Meanwhile, Mr Usman is still free, very likely hiding somewhere in Malaysia. Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post. authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ wad – a thick pile or ball of money, papers, etc. เงินหรือกระดาษกองโต alleged – claimed to be true, even though this has not yet been proved ที่กล่าวหา raid – to use force to suddenly enter a place and arrest people or look for illegal drugs or other illegal items บุกเข้าจับ charge – an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime ข้อหา drug trafficking – the business of buying and selling drugs illegally การลักลอบค้ายาเสพติด money laundering – hiding the origin of money obtained from illegal activities by putting it into legal businesses การฟอกเงิน confiscate – to official remove someone’s possessions for legal reasons or as a punishment ริบทรัพย์ ยึดทรัพย์ impounded – taken away by the police ยึดไว้เป็นของกลาง at the disposal of – for the use of เพื่อไว้ใช้ realise – to know about ตระหนัก รู้ panel – a flat piece of metal, wood, glass or other material that forms part of something such as a door or wall ไม้กระดานที่ใช้ปิดผนัง rear – back ด้านหลัง inquiry – an official examination of a crime, accident, problem, etc., in order to get information or the truth การไต่สวน acquire – to get; to obtain ได้มาซึ่ง assets – things owned by a person, company etc., particularly money and property ทรัพย์สิน withdraw – to take money out of a bank account ถอนเงินจากธนาคาร branch – an office or shop representing a large company or organisation in a particular area สาขา money trail – where a sum of money has been sent ปลายทางผู้รับเงิน track down – to try to follow and find someone or something ตามรอย dual nationality – being a citizen of two countries at the same time ถือสัญชาติสองสัญชาติ sought (past tense of seek) – tried to find เสาะหา arrest warrant – a document signed by a judge allowing police to arrest someone หมายจับ matter – something that you are discussing, considering or dealing with สิ่งที่พูดถึง ประเด็นที่พูดถึง launch – to start something เริ่มต้น เริ่มทำ crackdown – strong action that someone in authority takes to stop a particular activity การปราบปรามอย่างรุนแรง Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:41 AM June 30, 2009 Fear remains at Al-Furqan Photograph through a shattered window, villagers engage in noon prayers at the Al-Furqan mosque at Ai Payae village in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district, where bullets are still clearly visible in the mosque's interior. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD It has been three weeks now since gunmen sprayed bullets at worshippers during evening prayers at Al-Furqan mosque in Narathiwat’s Cho Airong district, killing 10 and seriously injuring 12 more. No one has been arrested and residents of the Ai Payae village where the mosque is located want to know why. They fear the killing could happen again. ‘‘Killing in a mosque is an enormous sin,’’ said Makareeya Kaseng, who lost her husband, Yusoh Mahaha, during the attack. ‘‘Until now, locals in the village don’t have a clue who could be responsible for such a sin and the reason behind the killings.’’ Religious leader Waedoloh Kuwaekama was one of those who were gunned down in the mosque. His 58-year-old wife, Ya Jehkoh, questioned which group of assailants dared to kill people at a religious site, whether it was a Muslim mosque or a Buddhist temple. ‘‘It’s more than a fortnight now. Why can’t the authorities catch a single assailant?’’ she asked. Col Prinya Chaidilok, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command’s frontline office of the 4th Army, said the team investigating the attack had received tip-offs which pointed to several possible motivations. One theory was that the assailants were state authorities who wanted to stir up violence for their own ends. Another suggests the assailants were outsiders who launched the sabotage with support from a team of local insurgents. Some say the attack was an act of revenge, possibly by a group of radical Buddhists, Col Prinya said. Meanwhile, Ai-Payae villagers continue to live in fear. They now lock their windows and doors every night at six o’clock. Government soldiers deployed to protect the village have not made them feel safer. ‘‘If I could choose, I prefer that they don’t come,’’ Mrs Makareeya said. ‘‘They smile at us and we smile at them, but we don’t know what they actually think about us. ‘‘We’re afraid of their weapons. It chills me every time I see their guns. All locals feel the same. We can’t sleep and we’ve lost our appetites.’’ Adapted from a story by King-oua Laohong in today's Bangkok Post. shattered – broken into many pieces ที่แตกกระจาย engage in – to take part in a particular activity มีส่วนร่วมใน visible – able to be seen ที่มองเห็นได้ interior – the inside of something ภายใน spray bullets – to shoot a lot of bullets in many directions in a short period of time กระสุน worshipper – someone who is showing love and respect for God, especially during a religious ceremony or prayer ผู้สวดมนตร์ arrest – (of the police) to take someone to a police station because they are believed to have committed a crime จับกุม resident – a person who lives in a particular area ผู้อยู่อาศัยในบริเวณ ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่ enormous – very large มโหฬาร sin – an action, thought, or way of behaving that is wrong according to religious laws บาป locals – people who live in a particular place ชาวบ้าน don’t have a clue – have no information about something; have no idea about something นึกไม่ออกว่าใคร (อยู่เบื้องหลัง) assailant – someone who violently attacks another person site – a place where something is located สถานที่เกิดเหตุ fortnight – a period of two weeks ในสองสัปดาห์ authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ investigate – to try to find out the facts about something in order to learn the truth about it ตรวจสอบหาความจริง tip-off – secret information or a warning given by someone ข่าวเตือน จากวงใน motivation – a reason for doing something แรงจูงใจ theory – one or more ideas that explain how or why something happens สมมติฐาน state – government รัฐ stir up – to make someone feel upset or angry ก่อให้เกิดความขุ่นใจ violence – physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people ความรุนแรง ends – purposes; benefit ผลประโยชน์ sabotage – deliberate damage that is done to an enemy or opponent การโจมตี บ่อนทำลาย insurgent – someone who belongs to a group of people fighting to take control of their country by force กลุ่มก่อการกบถ revenge – something that you do to hurt or punish someone because they have hurt you or someone else การแก้แค้น meanwhile – at the same time ในเวลาเดียวกัน deploy – (of police or soldiers) to put in place ready for action ส่ง (ทหารตำรวจ) ประจำการ chill – to cause someone to feel extremely frightened or worried ทำให้กลัว ทำให้ขนลุก appetite – the natural feeling of wanting to eat น้ำย่อย ความอยากอาหาร Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:36 AM June 29, 2009 Danger to Doi Suthep grows Doi Suthep pagoda sits on unstable ground. A little more than a year ago, a study found there was a long-term danger to the famous pagoda (photo) on the top of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. The study revealed that the ancient Phra That Doi Suthep stupa might be in danger of collapse in the future after frequent earthquakes in the region. Sahawat Naenna, director of Fine Arts Office region 8, said the stupa was located on soft ground and on a steep slope of 45-50 degrees. It could subside and collapse in the future given the number of frequent quakes and heavy rainfall. Mr Sahawat called for an initial budget of more than 200 million baht to strengthen the pagoda’s foundations to protect against possible subsidence and collapse. Whatever was done does not appear to be enough. Now engineers from the Asian Institute of Technology and Chiang Mai University say that long-term danger has become a short-term risk. They have found cracks on the second level of the pagoda and the northern section of the surrounding terrace which they say put the structure in danger. ‘‘First I thought they were just cement cracks, but after more checks, we found they were caused by structural subsidence,’’ said Mr Sahawat. The engineers who inspected the site said more rain would raise the underground water level which, coupled with a moderate earthquake, could result in the pagoda toppling, Mr Sahawat said. Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said he would talk to the temple abbot about the need for urgent reinforcement work. ‘‘It will be dangerous if we don’t take swift action. It’s the rainy season now.’’ Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Lamphai Intathep unstable – not firm and not likely to support something well ที่ไม่แน่น ที่ไม่แข็งแรง reveal – to let something be known เปิดเผยข้อมูลว่า ancient – very old ที่เก่าแก่ ที่โบราณ collapse – falling down suddenly ล้ม พังครืน frequent – happening often เกิดขึ้นบ่อย earthquake – a sudden shaking movement of the ground แผ่นดินไหว steep slope – the side of a hill or mountain that rises quickly and is hard to climb ทางลาดชัน subside – to sink to a lower level จมลง initial – happening at the beginning of a process ในเบื้องต้น budget – an amount of money able to be spent on something งบประมาณ foundation – the part of a structure of a building that is below the ground and supports the rest of it รากฐาน risk – the possibility that something unpleasant or dangerous might happen ความเสี่ยง crack – a line on a surface where something is beginning to break apart รอยแตก รอยร้าว surrounding – all around a place บริเวณรอบๆ terrace – a flat area outside a place, often used for sitting or eating ลานด้านหน้า ระเบียงด้านหน้า inspect – to look at something carefully ตรวจสอบ site – a place where something is located สถานที่ coupled with – combined with and producing a particular effect ประกอบกับ moderate – neither very great nor very small in strength, size, amount or degree ระดับปานกลาง topple – to cause to fall คว่ำลงมา abbot – the head monk at a temple เจ้าอาวาส urgent – needing to be dealt with immediately ที่เร่งด่วน reinforcement – the process of making something stronger เสริมให้แข็งแรง swift – happening quickly อย่างรวดเร็ว โดยด่วน Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:34 AM
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