Letter of the week

TOURIST MANAGEMENT I’m a public relations worker at the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Researching and reporting are my major responsibilities, in which I deal with the news on the Internet. I love my job. It’s not boring because I can visit many places and learn sometimes. I often visit cultural heritage destinations such as temples and old markets. Right now, Thailand is one of the leading of tourist destinations in the world. I think there are good and bad sides to this. If we become the best destination in the world, many people will come here. If we don’t manage it well, we’ll endanger our environment. I have been a Student Weekly subscriber for half a year. Your magazine helps me to improve my English skills. I want to say thank you for that. Please keep it up. Apinya Rungpitakmana, Bangkok I'm glad you're getting something out of reading Student Weekly, Apinya. I hope you stay with us for years to come. It's pretty neat that you enjoy your job so much and that you get so much out of it. Not everybody can say the same thing about how they earn money. You're right, correctly managing tourism to make it a positive experience for everybody can be a big challenge. Considering how much Thailand depends on tourism, and the fact that there are conscientious people like you working in the industry, I'm sure the Land o' Smiles will figure out how to manage tourism the best we can. — Editor

 

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OFFICE OF DANGER

I read a newspaper story about something called "office syndrome." Some people believe that this kind of malady will be commonly found in anyone of working age — especially office workers. But nowadays, I think teenagers and children are also at risk of this condition.

They often spend their precious time surfing the Internet for hours without a break. Their eyes don’t have a chance to relax, and their arms and shoulders also ache. It’s an unhealthy habit for them, but young people seem not to notice the body’s warning signs.

I think parents have to limit children’s screen time to only three to four hours a day. People should be aware of spending too much time on computers, tablets, iPhones and other gadgets.

Thida Charoenkul,
Bangkok

Working in an office all day isn't actually very healthy, Thida. Sitting behind a desk, staring at a screen is not something the human body is really evolved to do. I agree that people should really limit their screen time as much as they can. If you work in an office, it's also important to remember to stand up, walk around and focus your eyes on different things every hour or two. Eating right and generally getting enough exercise are also important. — Editor

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HOMESICK BLUES

I recently found a book about a Thai student in New York. The author entertainingly passes on his valuable experiences of having to face the difficulties of communication, culture, well-being and living conditions. It fascinates me how an experience abroad can change one’s life. What intrigues me most is how much he misses his home.

It's in our minds that there's no place like home, where we feel most comfortable. But we don’t fully appreciate it until we are forced to be away. Being far from the things in your normal daily routines reminds you of their importance and makes you reminisce.

All the familiar faces, waking up to the same people, eating the same food, walking the same paths and the same town can become boring — until you wake up to a completely different one. As exciting as the encounter may seem, sometimes we just need to get back in our comfort zone and in the place where we truly belong.

Pawornprat Trakpiboon,
Buri Ram

Living overseas certainly can be a challenge, Pawornprat. Take it from me, I know. But it's not always terrible. You certainly do get homesick and miss your family, friends and food. But there are lots of positive things to be gained from the experience as well. As with anything, you've got to accept the positive and negative aspects of your surroundings and try not to get too focused on just one aspect of your situation. — Editor

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