Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post and Reuters
Have you ever considered cosmetic surgery? I used to be happy with myself and I like my dark skin and single eyelids. But I heard that a classmate at university had a nose job and got double eyelids and her life changed.
From an ordinary student she became a model as well as an extra in a TV series. I don't care about being famous, but I heard that she can make pretty good money, so she can pay her tuition fees and even travel abroad. I wish I could do the same.
When I talk to my mom about getting double eyelids, she disagrees. I don't know what to do. How should I convince my mom about this?
Jaturada T, Bangkok
Don't do it, Jaturada! Before I read your letter I had no idea what eyelid surgery was, so thanks for educating me. But I believe that any cosmetic surgery which is purely to make a person think they are more beautiful is damaging to their self-esteem.
Who you are is always more important than how you look. -- Editor
Rainy days
It finally rained! This year I thought the hot season would go on forever so I was very happy that we had a big storm this week with very heavy rain. It cooled the temperature and seemed to make the air feel cleaner.
However there were some problems caused by the rain. Some streets near my house flooded and I saw a car accident because of the slippery roads.
Do you have big storms in your country?
Napat Suriyasathaporn, Rayong
Hi Napat! In England we have rain but it's not as heavy as the Thai monsoons. Our autumn and winter often have long periods of cold and miserable rain. In fact, Manchester, where I used to live, is famous for having a lot of rain. It sometimes has more wet days than dry days in a year. Don't forget your umbrella! -- Editor
Free study
At present in Thailand there are many types of tutorial school where you can study. They cover every subject that you think you need.
But some of the schools are very expensive, and some English courses are more than 50,000 baht. I don't know how poor people can pay for the expensive courses.
Sometimes I learn by myself or ask my teacher if I have any questions. These are some of the best ways to save my money.
Thanawan Viriyaajchara, Bangkok
Hi Thanawan, and thanks for your email! Yes, I've noticed a large number of language schools where students can study at the weekend. But I think your attitude is great. It's totally possible to study alone, and in fact you're reading one of the best magazines for improving your English right now! Remember that learning can happen anywhere, not just in a classroom. -- Editor
eyelid (n): the pieces of skin above and below the eye that cover it when you blink or close the eye
self-esteem (n): a feeling of being happy with your own character and abilities
slippery (adj): difficult to stand or move on, because it is smooth and wet
monsoon (n): a period of heavy rain in summer in South Asia
miserable (adj): making you feel unhappy
attitude (n): the way that you think and feel about something
