Local News

Self-service saves money

Cheaper alternative offsets oil price hike

Rising oil prices make self-service petrol stations that offer products at lower prices � 20 satang per litre � a boon for motorists who want to keep more change in their pocket.

Wallop Mali-ked, a 21-year-old mechanic, says he visits a self-service petrol station in Suthisan every day to save money.

He said he doesn�t mind filling the tank himself as long as the prices are cheaper.

�My job requires me to drive around Bangkok every day, so cheaper petrol saves me hundreds of baht a month,� he said.

He wishes the city had more self-service stations to save time and energy.

�I once drove across town from Hua Lampong to fill the tank in Suthisan,� said Som-ang Saengpoh, a 53-year-old taxi driver, a regular customer of self-service stations. �Filling the tank myself gives me the chance to stretch my legs and save money.�

Cyber-cops

Websites, government join forces to fight Internet crime

The Department of Special Investiga- tion (DSI) has asked 50 websites to help fight online crimes.

Police Colonel Yarnpol Yangyuen, DSI�s Information Case and Examination Office director, said cyber-criminals are normally well-versed in using advanced equipment to perform illegal operations, such as using computer networks to manipulate information on government websites.

On September 3, the DSI hosted the first meeting between government agencies and private websites to discuss cyber-crime prevention.

Stamp of success

A Thai Post employee shows the picture of special stamps soon to be issued featuring Thailand�s Olympic medallists. The stamps are priced at 40 baht per set. � Arunothai Puttaraksa

School break

The Education Ministry will allow students studying overseas under the One District, One Scholarship programme to return home once a year. In August, a 17-year-old girl studying in Germany jumped from a hospital window and died. She was said to be under severe stress caused by homesickness and the difficulties of learning German. Education Minister Adisai Bodhara- mik said that the ministry would pay half the air fares for homesick students in the programme.

Vocabulary

self-service (adj): a self-service shop/store, restaurant, etc. is one in which customers serve themselves and then pay for the goods
offset (v): to use one cost, payment or situation in order to cancel or reduce the effect of another
boon (n): something that is very helpful and makes life easier for you
tank (n): in this use, a large container for holding liquid or gas
cyber- (prefix): used to show something is related to the Internet
well-versed (adj):  having a lot of knowledge about something or skill at something
manipulate (v): to control or influence somebody/something, often in a dishonest way so that they do not realise it
host (v): to organise an event to which others are invited and make all the arrangements for them
severe (adj):  extremely bad or serious
homesickness (n): missing home