Local news

Soldiering on

Khun Bhumi Jensen, right, the only son of Princess Ubolratana, has his height measured in a conscription process at Wat Intarawiharn School in Phra Nakhon district. He reported to the conscription unit although he is autistic and doesn�t have to complete military service. � Apichart Jinakul

Short of water

Three-year-old Kraiwit Tinkhon collects water from a pump installed by the Agricultural Land Reform Office at Ban Nakham in Phitsanulok�s Wat Bot district. The water, however, is too salty and not suitable for use. Villagers have to fetch water from elsewhere as the dry weather has reached a critical point. � Sarot Meksophawannakul

Bangkok belchers banned

Government steps up pollution control measures

Story by Ranjana Wangvipula

More than 200 diesel-powered vehicles have been banned from the streets of Bangkok during a two-month campaign by the government aimed at curbing pollution in the city, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti said on March 31.

He said 216 vehicles had received temporary bans since February 2, with nearly 600 vehicles having been tested at four checkpoints.

�The figure is quite low compared with the total number of cars in the city because we conducted only random checks,� Suvit said.

The number of checkpoints will be expanded to 30 as the campaign is intensified. A public relations campaign urging drivers to maintain their engines will also be stepped up.

The ministry began banning vehicles with excessive exhaust emissions in September while inspecting cars on Taksin Road. About half of the 631 vehicles that were inspected were found to be belching fumes beyond acceptable limits.

The success of the initial campaign prompted officials to broaden their inspections with the aim of reducing the amount of pollutants.

According to complaints gathered by the Centre for Protection of Public Transport Passengers, pollution came in fifth place among the most serious grievances.

Careless driving topped the complaints followed by a failure to stop for passengers, impolite behaviour and unfair fares.Established in January 2003, the centre accepts complaints from public transport vehicle passengers. Complaints can be lodged on the 1584 telephone hotline.

Special day for Buddhists

Sunday should be set aside like other religions � minister

Deputy Prime Minister Visanu Krue-ngarm wants Sunday to be a day when Buddhists go to temples.

Visanu said the Culture Ministry hoped schools would encourage all Buddhists, particularly families, to visit a temple every Sunday. They should listen to Dhamma teaching and take part in other activities together. The minister said Buddhists should have a special day for weekly visits to the temple like other religions.

�We want a new generation of Buddhists to think of Sunday as a day to go to the temple,� said Visanu, who added that the prime minister planned to set up a �little Buddhamonthon� � a small public area to practise Buddhism � in every province, instead of building new temples. These areas could be for sports on other days.

Pirate CDs seized

Teen bootlegger flees scene as 15,169 discs discovered

More than 15,000 pirated CDs have been seized from a shop in Nonthaburi that was run by a teenager. Crime Suppression police seized 15,169 music CDs after raiding the shop near Nonthaburi Pier.

The 17-year-old male teenager found at the scene claimed to be running the shop with a friend who fled before the raid.

Vocabulary

conscription (n): the practice of ordering people by law to serve in the armed forces
autistic (adj): someone with a mental condition in which they are unable to communicate or form relationships with others
belch (v): in this use, to send out large amounts of smoke, flames, etc.
diesel (n): a type of heavy oil used as a fuel instead of petrol/gas
curb (v): to control or limit something, especially something bad
random (adj): done, chosen, etc. without somebody thinking or deciding in advance what is going to happen
emission (n): gas, etc. that is sent out into the air
fume (n): smoke and other pollutants
grievance (n): something that you think is unfair and that you complain or protest about
pirate (adj): a person who makes illegal copies of video tapes, computer programmes, books, etc., in order to sell them
bootleg (v): to make or sell goods, especially alcohol, illegally
flee (v): to leave a person or place very quickly, especially because you are afraid of possible danger
raid (n): a surprise visit by the police looking for criminals or for illegal goods or drugs