traffic monitoring
Welcome to www.readbangkokpost.com
Back to homepageGet the best dealsCheck out Learning PostFind out more about us
These links are updated often
Features
This is the Bangkok Post's today's front page

These links are permanent

June 10, 2010

Noppadon has his say

Noppadon Pattama is taken seriously because, rightly or wrongly, he is often thought to be speaking for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Do you think that is the case here? Would his peace plan be any better than the prime minister's reconciliation road map?

reconciliation – a new and friendly relationship with someone who you argued with or fought with การทำให้ปรองดองกันอีก,  การสมานฉันท์

twitter




To download audio file, right click here

Noppadon rejects road map

Thaksin’s legal adviser proposes ‘peace talks’

EKARACH SATTABURUTH

nop5Thaksin Shinawatra’s legal adviser has rejected the government’s road map to national reconciliation, saying it was merely calculated to serve the ruling Democrat Party’s political agenda.

Noppadon Pattama (photo) proposed yesterday what he called peace talks which would impartially engage ‘‘every colour’’ and stakeholder in the process, noting the path to national reconciliation lay with engaging everyone concerned.

Mr Noppadon said red shirts, yellow shirts, multi-colour shirts, the opposition, the government, social thinkers and activists should sit down and sort the problems out together.

‘‘What the government is doing is using a political tactic to seek popularity,’’ he said.

Mr Noppadon denied Thaksin was the architect of the proposed peace talks but admitted he had raised it with the former prime minister who is facing an arrest warrant on terrorism charges.

He also urged all parties to put aside their conditions and lay their proposals on the table. Thaksin was unlikely to be a part of the process, he said.

‘‘I’d rather not go into the details. Let’s see what the government thinks about this.’’

Mr Noppadon said the government’s road map was a Democrat Party charade and called into question the impartiality of key individuals appointed to take charge.

He attacked the appointments of former attorney-general Khanit na Nakhon as head of the inquiry into the deaths in the two-month rally and National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) rector Sombat Thamrongthanyawong as head of the charter review committee.

The investigation into the killings during the protest against the government by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and the charter review are part of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s reconciliation plan to heal the political rifts in the country.

Mr Noppadon said Mr Sombat and Mr Khanit have close connections with the government.

Mr Khanit headed the investigation into the extrajudicial killings during the war on drugs launched by the Thaksin government. The panel was formed by the coup-installed administration of Surayud Chulanont.

Puea Thai Party MP and red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan also criticised Mr Khanit’s role in an inquiry into the land reform scheme launched by the first Chuan Leekpai government in the mid-1990s.

‘‘Can’t the government find people who are impartial to do the job?’’ asked Mr Noppadon.

The prime minister shrugged off criticism of Mr Khanit’s appointment and attempts to link the dean of the law faculty of Dhurakij Pundit University with the Democrats.

He said the former attorney-general was resolute in establishing the facts and accountability and this was the objective of the inquiry.

‘‘Let’s focus on his knowledge and ability. He has the courage to take up the job. It is not too easy to find someone to handle this task,’’ Mr Abhisit said.

Mr Abhisit expressed confidence Mr Khanit would be able to withstand the pressure and complete his task.

He said it would be appreciated if red shirt representatives sat on the Khanit committee and that he had raised this point with Mr Khanit.

Mr Thaksin, meanwhile, fiercely attacked army commander Anupong Paojinda for supporting the government crackdown on red shirt demonstrators.
 
Mr Thaksin slammed Gen Anupong, his pre-cadet academy classmate, through his Twitter account for using force against the red shirts but refusing to do so with yellow shirts during the Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat administrations.

reject – to not agree with a request, offer or proposal ปฏิเสธ ไม่ยอมรับ
propose – to suggest an idea for a group to consider เสนอ
merely – used for emphasising that something is small or unimportant เพียงเท่านั้น
calculated – done deliberately in order to have a particular effect ที่คิดพิจารณาไว้แล้ว
agenda – a list of aims or possible future achievements วาระ
impartial – fair; not connected to or influenced by one particular person or group เป็นกลาง ไม่เข้าข้างฝ่ายใด ยุติธรรม
engage – to cause to take part in a particular activity  ให้มีส่วนร่วมใน
stakeholder – someone who has an interest in the success of a plan, system, or organization, for example a worker in a company or the parent of a child at a school ผู้ถือผลประโยชน์ร่วม
concerned – involved in something, or affected by something ที่สัมพันธ์กับ
the opposition - the elected politicians who belong to the largest party which does not form the government พรรคฝ่ายค้าน
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
tactic - a planned way of doing something ยุทธวิธี
popularity – a situation in which someone or something is liked by many people ความเป็นที่นิยม, ความเป็นที่ชื่นชอบ
deny – to say that something is not true or does not exist ปฏิเสธ
architect – the person who has the idea for something such as a plan or policy and makes it happen ผู้อยู่เบื้องหลัง  ผู้บงการ
admit – to agree that something is true, especially when you are unhappy, sorry or surprised about it  ยอมรับ
arrest warrant – a document signed by a judge allowing police to arrest someone หมายจับ
terrorism – the use of violence to achieve political aims การใช้ความรุนแรงเพื่อข้อเรียกร้องทางการเมือง
charge – to accuse someone officially of committing a crime ตั้งข้อกล่าวหา
party – one of the people or groups of people involved in an official argument, arrangement or similar situation คู่กรณี
condition – something that must be done before another thing can happen เงื่อนไข
proposal – a plan or suggestion for a group to consider ข้อเสนอ
charade – an attempt to pretend that a situation is good or satisfactory, when in fact it is not
take charge – to take control and become responsible for someone or something ทำหน้าที่, ควบคุมดูแล
appointment – when someone is officially chosen for a job การแต่งตั้ง
inquiry – an official examination of a crime, accident, problem, etc., in order to get information or the truth การไต่สวน
charter – a constitution รัฐธรรมนูญ
United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) – the group originally formed to demonstrate against the 2006 coup and which supported the Somchai Wongsawat government against the PAD and which is now leading the fight against the current government. They are known for wearing red shirts แนวร่วมประชาธิปไตยต่อต้านเผด็จการแห่งชาต
heal – to make people stop fighting and have a better relationship ทำให้คืนดีกัน
rift – a serious disagreement between two people or groups ความแตกร้าว
investigation – the process of trying to find out all the details or facts about something in order to discover who or what caused it or how it happened การตรวจสอบหาข้อเท็จจริง
extrajudicial killing – (usually of a policeman or solider) killing someone outside the normal workings of the law วิสามัญฆาตกรรม
launch – to start something เริ่มต้น เริ่มทำ
panel – a group of people who make decisions or judgments คณะกรรมการ
coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power in a country by a group of people, usually members of the armed forces รัฐประหาร
role – the position or purpose that someone or something has in a situation, organisation, society or relationship บทบาท
scheme – a plan that is developed by a government or large organisation in order to provide a particular service for people  แผนการ โครงการ
shrug off – to show that something does not worry or upset you ไม่เอาใจใส่, ไม่สนใจ
link – a connection ความเชื่อมโยงกัน
dean – a senior official at a college or university, often the head of a faculty or department คณบดี
resolute – determined แน่วแน่
establish – to discover, prove, or decide that something is true พิสูจน์, แสดงให้เห็น
accountability – a situation where people have the right to ask you about or criticise you for something that has happened ความน่าเชื่อถือ
objective – what you plan to achieve; goal; aim; purpose เป้าหมาย
courage – the ability to do something that you know is right or good, even though it is dangerous, frightening, or very difficult ความกล้าหาญ
task – something that you have to do หน้าที่; ภารกิจ
confidence – the quality of being certain ความมั่นใจ
withstand – to be strong enough not to be hurt or damaged by extreme force, extreme conditions, etc. ทนทาน
crackdown – strong action that someone in authority takes to stop a particular activity การใช้กำลังเข้าปราบปรามของเจ้าหน้าที่
demonstrators – people who march with other people in public to show that they support or oppose something ผู้ชุมนุมประท้วง
slam – to strongly criticise someone or something  วิพากษ์วิจารณ์อย่างรุนแรง
cadet – a young person who is training to be a police officer or military officer นักเรียนนายร้อย, นักเรียนทหาร
academy – an organisation intended to protect and develop an art, science, language, etc., or a school which teaches a particular subject or trains people for a particular job สถานศึกษา, สถาบันการศึกษา, วิทยาลัย(เฉพาะด้าน)


Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 10:44 AM

June 09, 2010

Khanit the investigator

As you will see from the story below, Khanit na Nakhon has his supporters and his detractors. That might not be a big problem is he can recruit an acceptable team to carry out the investigation into the violence surrounding the two-month red-shirt protest in Bangkok.
detractor – someone who criticises something or someone, often unfairly ผู้กล่าวร้าย
recruit – to persuade someone to join a group, class, organisation, etc. รับคนใหม่
investigation – the process of trying to find out all the details or facts about something in order to discover who or what caused it or how it happened การตรวจสอบหาข้อเท็จจริง
violence – physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people ความรุนแรง


twitter




To download audio file, right click here

Khanit faces tough task in deaths probe

PM’s choice for the job is already stirring controversy

Post reporters

khanit1Khanit na Nakhon (photo) carries a heavy burden on his shoulders in his new mission to uncover who was behind the killings during the red shirt anti-government protest.

The 73-year-old former attorney-general was endorsed by the cabinet yesterday to chair a committee to investigate the deaths that took place during the two-month rally.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hopes his choice of Mr Khanit will be acceptable to all sides, including the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

‘‘He [Mr Khanit] was chosen because he is knowledgeable, capable and reliable,’’ the prime minister said.

Mr Khanit could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The dean of the law faculty at Dhurakijpundit University is familiar with major investigations.

He was appointed by the military-installed Surayud Chulanont government after the 2006 coup to look into the disappearance and deaths of over 2,500 drug suspects who were allegedly killed in the war on drugs launched in 2003 by then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

His task this time looks even more difficult. The government and the army have blamed armed men in black mingling with UDD protesters for the deaths of both demonstrators and soldiers. The UDD and many human right activists believe the army was behind the killings.

The Thai community and others are keen to discover what exactly happened in the bloodiest protests in the country’s recent history, especially during the most deadly developments at Khok Wua intersection on April 10 and at Wat Pathum Wanaram near the rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19.

Official figures put the death toll over the course of the protest from March 12 to May 19 at 89 people. About 1,800 others were injured during the demonstrations.

The cause of the deaths will be investigated by the team set up by Mr Khanit, who has 15 days to recruit members of the investigation.

The results of the inquiry will play a major part in the government’s efforts to heal the rifts in the country, which is still deeply divided by the rally and the riots in its aftermath.

‘‘The results of the inquiry by Mr Khanit will be crucial in the move towards national reconciliation,’’ said Sunai Phasuk, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, who called the choice of Mr Khanit ’’acceptable’’ given his track record.

The opposition Puea Thai Party and UDD reacted warily to Mr Khanit’s appointment, with some opposing the 1997 charter drafter taking the lead role.

Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party was worried about Mr Khanit’s impartiality because of his close connections with the government. He has chaired several government-appointed committees in the past.

UDD lawyer Karom Polaklang did not think Mr Khanit would be receptive to the UDD agenda, especially its stand condemning the 2006 coup.

‘‘I don’t think his appointment will be a positive thing for the UDD,’’ the lawyer said.

Red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan also questioned the appointment, saying Mr Abhisit was certain to have influenced the appointment.

But Somchai Homla-or, chairman of the NGOs Coalition for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, was confident in Mr Khanit’s impartiality and independence.

The panel needed cooperation from all sides to supply it with information and evidence, Mr Somchai said.

The only way for Mr Khanit to clear doubts about his independence from the government rested with his search for other members of the investigation team. Mr Abhisit said at the weekend the red shirts should be represented on the committee.

tough – difficult ยาก
task – something that you have to do หน้าที่; ภารกิจ
probe – an attempt to find out the truth about an issue, problem or accident, made by an official group (or by the media); an investigation การตรวจสอบ  การสอบสวน
stir – to say things deliberately in order to cause trouble between people ปลุกเร้า
controversy – a disagreement, especially about a public policy or a moral issue that a lot of people have strong feelings about ความขัดแย้ง
burden – a serious or difficult responsibility that you have to deal with  ภาระ
shoulder – one of the two parts of your body between your neck and the top of your arms ไหล่
mission – an important piece of work that a person or a group of people has been given to do ภาระกิจ หน้าที่
endorse – to express support for something แสดงความเห็นชอบ
cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
investigate – to try to find out the facts about something in order to learn the truth about it ตรวจสอบหาความจริง
rally – a large public gathering of people to support someone or to protest against something การชุมนุม
United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) – the group originally formed to demonstrate against the 2006 coup and which supported the Somchai Wongsawat government against the PAD and which is now leading the fight against the current government. They are known for wearing red shirts แนวร่วมประชาธิปไตยต่อต้านเผด็จการแห่งชาต
capable – able to do something; very good at a job มีความสามารถ
reliable – (of things or people) able be trusted or believed because they work or behave well in the way you expect เชื่อถือได้, ไว้ใจได้
dean – a senior official at a college or university, often the head of a faculty or department คณบดี (ทางการศึกษา)
coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power in a country by a group of people, usually members of the armed forces รัฐประหาร
suspect – a person thought to have committed a crime ผู้ต้องสงสัย
allegedly – claimed to have done something wrong, but not yet proven ที่กล่าวหา
launch – to start something เริ่มต้น เริ่มทำ
mingle – to move around in a group of people ผสม, ร่วมมือกัน
keen – very interested, eager or wanting (to do) something very much สนใจ, ใจจดใจจ่อ
exactly – precisely อย่างเที่ยงตรง,อย่างถูกต้อง,อย่างแม่นยำ,อย่างแน่นอน,อย่างละเอียด
intersection – a place where roads, lines, etc., join or cross each other สี่แยก
rally site – a place where a large public gathering happens สถานที่ชุมนุม
death toll – the number of people killed ยอดผู้เสียชีวิต
inquiry – an official examination of a crime, accident, problem, etc., in order to get information or the truth การไต่สวน
heal – to make people stop fighting and have a better relationship ทำให้คืนดีกัน
rift – a serious disagreement between two people or groups ความแตกร้าว
riot – a violent protest by a group of people ความไม่สงบ การจลาจล
aftermath – the effects and results of something bad or important ผลที่ตามมา
crucial – extremely important because it effects the result of something สำคัญยิ่ง
reconciliation – a new and friendly relationship with someone who you argued with or fought with การทำให้ปรองดองกันอีก,  การสมานฉันท์
track record – (your reputation what people think of you), based on the things that you have done ภาพรวมของผลงานที่ผ่านมาซึ่งเป็นที่รับรู้
the opposition – the political party or parties that are not part of the government ฝ่ายค้าน
warily – in careful or nervous way because you think someone or something might cause a problem อย่างระมัดระวัง
charter – a constitution รัฐธรรมนูญ
drafter – a person or group who write a document for consideration, but which not yet in its final form ผู้บร่าง
impartiality – a condition of not being connected to or influenced by one particular person or group ความเที่ยงตรง
receptive – willing to listen or to consider suggestions รับได้
agenda – a list of aims or possible future achievements วาระ
stand – an opinion, especially one which is public จุดยืน
condemn – to criticise something or someone strongly, usually for moral reasons การประนาม
positive – something good สิ่งที่ดี
cooperation – a situation in which people or organisations work together to achieve a result that will benefit all of them  การร่วมมือกัน

 


Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 05:42 PM

November 15, 2009

Bangkok Prep sends a group of "reporters" 

to the Bangkok Post
atmosphere


reporters2reporters1A group of year-four students from Bangkok International Preparatory school visited the Bangkok Post recently. Each had a list of questions that they asked our staff members. While they were there, they visited the editorial department and our two advertising departments: classifieds and display. They also ate lunch in our cafeteria and had a rest in our gym during the noon hour.

When they got back to school, the students wrote about their experiences and they sent their papers to me. Here are some of the comments they made:

General impressions

happyI was so exited to go to the Bangkok Post. When I came down from the bus I was shocked, it was so beautiful.

The great atmosphere in the building impressed me.

I think your building had a very nice atmosphere.

The gym looks very fun and very healthy to go to.

I was impressed with how kind they (the staff) are and that they spoke clearly to us.

I was impressed with how kind they were in giving their time to answer our questions.

What they learned

voranirealitimeIf you want to put your advertisement in the newspaper, it is very expensive.

I learned that to advertise (in the classifieds), a column inch costs 1,180 baht. A one-page advertisements (in the main paper) costs 350,000 baht and 8-pages costs 1,500,000 baht.

I learned that they also send the newspaper over the Internet.

I learned that some of the staff are Thai and some are foreigners.

Now I know that when you take photos, you don’t say “1,” “2,” and “3”.

layoutI learned they can print 20,000 newspapers in one hour.

I learned the newspaper has more than 10 sections (counting weekly sections and magazines).

I did not know what program you used. They are Cybernews and Cyberpage.

There was an old-fashioned typing machine and it had a box with letters in it

My favourite part

icecreamMy most favourite part was talking to all the journalists. It was smashing. That was the best day of my life. I took loads of photos.

My favourite part was talking to people, asking them questions and looking around.

My favourite part was when I got candy and ice cream.

I enjoyed finding out stuff abut newspapers.

The ice cream was very yummy.

I enjoyed the part with the photographers.

The newspaper you gave us had a picture of the Thunderbirds and I enjoyed reading it.

Getting to know the staff

breakingMy favourite part was when I learned that you (Richard, a subeditor) can type 60 words a minute.

Dear Pim, Prapai and Kaew. I think you job is cool. I am very thankful (to you) for answering my questions.

(To a business reporter) I know that you start working at 9:30 a.m. Your hardest part of your job was telling the truth to other people. I did not know that you don’t’ really send newspapers to other countries. jimI know you get reports from other countries.

Thank you for being so kind to us and for giving you time for answering our questions and seeing so many children. Please pass this letter to Oliver, Yanapon, Richard, Matt, James and Voranai.

The trip may have produced some future journalists as well”

atiyaI learned to ask some questions and to write a lot of good answers. Maybe one day I can be a journalist!

Maybe I will work there when I’m older. I might even be an editor as well!

I would like to be a writer when I grow up. Please send this letter to Keaw, Ying, Erika and Jerry.


rest
group

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 04:01 PM

June 15, 2009

The First Day, 15th June 2009

bpfrontHello there, I’m Elliot and this is my first day of working at the Bangkok Post for a week. I have filled the forms, received the card, bought the T-shirt… so now I begin.

I am working for Terry Fredrickson, who runs the Education department of the Bangkok Post. He’s this tall American man and is quite nice, and has introduced me to many people and places. In the course of 2 hours, I have done many things but the one significant event has been interviewing Arglit Boonyai, the editor of Guru Magazine.

face2He’s surprisingly younger than you expect, (see photo) but also is quite nice as well. He talked to me about life in the Bangkok Post and working on the Guru magazine, among other things. Like the general atmosphere of Bangkok Post (friendly, exciting), things he likes about work (the columns, the interesting places he gets to visit), and Guru TV. You can see a summary of the interview below.

Today has been very interesting: I’ve seen many things, met many people, and done more work than I’d ever planned on doing. But in the end, it has all worked out.


The Interview

bigint

(By the way, if I don’t sound completely sure of myself in this interview, this is because everything was completely on the spot.)

Uncomfortable silence

Elliot: So… Bangkok Post…

Longer, more uncomfortable silence

Elliot: Ummm…

sitting2Elliot (after sudden idea of genius): Oh, umm, what is the Bangkok Post like?

Arglit: Well, it can be a fun place. My work takes me to cool places I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Like restaurants or parties, if they need reviewing.

Elliot: What do you like about your work?

Arglit: Before becoming editor of Guru, I liked writing the feature columns. Columns are rather the opposite of articles where you write simply the facts and no personal opinion. So in a column, I can... well, bitch a bit (laughs).

Elliot: Who else works on the Guru Magazine with you?

Arglit: Well, there are 3 writers, myself and a sub-editor. The layout department helps with the design of the magazine, but they’re not employed by us. They’re employed by the Bangkok Post and work on other aspects of the Post too.

Elliot: So are there any new developments being made to Guru Magazine?

Arglit: Actually, we’re going to change the layout of the magazine in 2 weeks, so as to keep things current.

There was more to the interview but, because I had never interviewed someone before and did not know what I was doing, I forgot it all. Well, just most of it.

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 04:10 PM


Bangkok Post's front page
Back to top :: Home :: The Learning Post :: About us
© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2006