COLOUR QUANDARY
My nickname is Copter, and I'm in Matayom 3. Everybody has their own turning point, and this is mine. My ambition had been to be a soldier, but my mom wanted me to be a doctor. We came to an agreement that I would become a military doctor. However, two weeks ago, my dreams collapsed right in front of my eyes. I found out that I am colour-blind. I am trying to console myself that there are many more careers for colour-blind people, but it makes me feel really sad. Can you give me some advice? Siwakorn Champhiw, I'm sorry that you’ve had some bad news, Copter. It's always depressing when we have to change our expectations for ourselves based on something that's completely out of our control. I assume that you found out that you're colour-blind through some test that you had to do for the military. If it's a military regulation that you can't serve if you're colour-blind, then I guess you're out of luck on that front. But double-check. You might still be able to be in the military, depending on which of the many kinds of colour-blindness you have. You can usually also be a doctor if you're colour blind, but maybe not in Thailand. Whatever turns out to be true, remember that you still have a lot of time ahead of you. Think long and hard about what other things you really enjoy doing, and try building skills in that area. You've had a setback, but you're far from beaten yet. There are always possibilities. Good luck. — Editor |
LINE FRIENDS
I really like to use the Line social media chat application. I have it on my phone, and I use it to chat with all of my fiends.
Not long ago, it seemed like many people used WhatsApp. But now it seems that nobody uses it anymore.
I think that Line is so popular because there are so many cute characters in it. You can put the Line Friends into your messages with lots of cute emojis. It is very fun. There are also a lot of ads, games and promotions that go along with this app.
Pichai Bantuvachiraporn,
Bangkok
Line certainly has become quite a big thing, Pichai. I think all the reasons that you've listed have contributed to its success. Heck, even old guys like me use it. If it's fun to use, people are going to enjoy using it — and use it more than anything else. Just remember to look up from your phone every once in a while to make sure you know what's going on in the world around you. — Editor
ASEAN PERSUASION
As English is used in communicating between ASEAN people in different countries, English is vital for the ASEAN economic community.
When people immigrate to other nations to work and do business in the different ASEAN countries, English is used to facilitate these activities. As most people in ASEAN countries learn English as a second language, it is easier for people to communicate with English than any other ASEAN language.
As a result, if we know that English is the most important language to learn, we should improve ourselves to be better at it, in order to live well and be smart in the time of the opening of the AEC.
Pensinee Fuangfoowongrhat,
Bangkok
You're right, Pensinee. In this multicultural, global economy, it's important to have a common language. Through a set of historical circumstances, it seems like that language is going to be English, probably for a very long time to come. It's therefore very important to build English proficiency if any country expects to be competitive in the global market. — Editor
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Vocabulary
- quandary (n): the state of not being able to decide what to do in a difficult situation
turning point (n): the time when an important change takes place
colour-blind (adj): unable to see the difference between some colours, especially red and green
console (v): to give comfort or sympathy to somebody who is unhappy or disappointed
regulation (n): an official rule made by a government or some other authority
setback (n): a difficulty or problem that delays or prevents something, or makes a situation worse
immigrate (v): come and live permanently in a country after leaving your own country
multicultural (adj): for or including people of several different races, religions, languages and traditions
circumstances (n): the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action
heck (exclamation): used to show that you are slightly annoyed or surprised
