You can read the Bangkok Post : Articles

Suan Kaew "debate"

November 26, 2007

Photo: Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, left, and his political rival, Samak Sundaravej of the People Power party, speak at Suan Kaew temple in Nonthaburi with abbot Phra Payom Kalayano by their side. Mr Abhisit was on stage in the morning followed by the PPP leader in the afternoon to avoid any confrontation. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

There was a debate of sorts at the famous Suan Kaew temple yesterday although the participants didn't face each other directly. As you will see from the story below, much of the interest centred on PPP leader Samak Sundaravej and whether his party will actually support him for prime minister. There are no such doubts about Mr Abhisit who is clearly his party's choice for the top job. Read to see what Mr Samak had to say about the possibility that his party might allow the leader of another party to be the next PM.

One interesting topic in yesterday's "debate" that was not reported in the story involved the remarks the rival party leaders made about the September 19, 2006 coup. Mr Samak tried to portray his party as being the logical choice of all those who opposed the coup. Mr Abhisit, on the other hand, focused on how to prevent a future coup. That, he said, is best done by having an honest, truly democratic government. It remains to be seen who scored the most points on that issue.

rival – competitor; opponent คู่แข่ง (ทางการเมือง)
confrontation – a situation in which there is an angry disagreement between people or groups who have different opinions การเผชิญน้า
of sorts – similar to something but not exactly the same
coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power by a small group of people, usually members of the armed forces การทำรัฐประหาร
portray – to describe or show in a particular way, especially when this does not give a complete or accurate impression วาดภาพให้เห็น
logical – natural; reasonable; sensible สมเหตุสมผล
issue – an important topic that people are discussing or arguing about หัวข้อ ประเด็น

I'll be back shortly with the rest of the vocabulary.

Samak: Banharn won’t be PM

PPP leader says he’s ready to take on the job

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Nonthaburi — People Power party leader Samak Sundaravej (PPP) said yesterday that there was no chance his party would back Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpaarcha to be the next prime minister.

Mr Samak, who had previously tried to convince Mr Banharn to join hands with the pro-Thaksin party, said he wanted the Suphan Buri politician to stop dreaming of returning to the top office at Government House.

Speaking to thousands of supporters at Suan Kaew temple in Bang Kruai district run by renowned abbot Phra Payom Kalayano, Mr Samak said he no longer wanted voters thinking he would back Mr Banharn as the next prime minister.

‘‘I won’t ever hand over the premiership to him,’’ he said in front of thousands of supporters.

Mr Samak and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva were both invited by the abbot to speak at the temple yesterday.

Mr Samak’s remarks seem to have put an end to speculation that PPP might try to coax Mr Banharn and Chart Thai into a post-election coalition by offering the veteran politician a chance of becoming prime minister again.

Mr Banharn had been at the centre of attention as speculation grew that an alliance between the Democrats and Chart Thai may have been faltering and that Mr Banharn was testing the waters of a possible coalition government with PPP and Matchimathipataya.

Mr Abhisit reminded the Chart Thai leader on Saturday that the two parties had pledged to stick together for the duration of the election.

Mr Samak also lashed out at critics who say he is unbefitting as a potential prime minister.

‘‘There is no reason why I should not be the next prime minister,’’ he said, dismissing the notion that the top position should be reserved for Mr Abhisit or Mr Banharn.

back – to support สนับสนุน
renowned – famous and respected โด่งดัง
abbot – the head monk at a temple เจ้าอาวาส
premiership – the position of being prime minister การดำรงตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรี
speculation – forming opinions about what has happened or what might happen without knowing all the facts ประเมินสถานการณ์
coax – to persuade someone to do something by talking to them in a kind and gentle way เกลี้ยกล่อม
post – after ภายหลัง
coalition government – a government formed by two or more political parties working together รัฐบาลผสม
veteran – of a person who has a lot of experience in a particular area of activity ผู้อาวุโส คนชาญสนาม ในที่นี้หมายถึง นักการเมืองหน้าเก่า
alliance – a group of people, political parties, etc. who work together in order to achieve something that they all want แนวร่วม (ขั้วทางการเมือง)
faltering – becoming weaker and less effective วอกแวก ไม่เที่ยง อึกอัก
reminded – helped or caused to remember something เตือนให้นึกถึง
pledged – formally or seriously promised สาบาน ให้สัจจะ
duration – the length of time that something lasts or continues ในระหว่าง
lashed out – criticised someone or something in a very angry way ก่นด่าด้วยความโกรธ
unbefitting – not suitable or good enough for something ไม่ดีพอ ไม่เหมาะสม
potential – possible; that can develop into something or be developed in the future มีความเป็นไปได้ มีศักยภาพ
dismissing – deciding that something is not important and not worth discussing มองข้ามไป ทำให้ประเด็นตกไป (เนื่องจากเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่สำคัญ)
notion – an idea; a belief ความคิดเห็น
reserved – kept for someone จองไว้ สงวนไว้

The outspoken politician said there was a time when he was impressed with the Democrat leader and thought he had a strong political future.

However, all changed after Mr Abhisit said he had ‘‘passed his expiry date’’, the former Bangkok governor said.

Mr Samak retorted by labelling his rival immature and inexperienced.

Mr Abhisit, who addressed the crowd at the temple before Mr Samak took to the stage, challenged PPP parliamentary candidates to promote their party leader as the next prime minister instead of wooing voters with the image of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his populist Thai Rak Thai policies.

Many election candidates running under the PPP banner are said to be sceptical of Mr Samak’s attributes as a party leader, pointing in particular to his unpopularity in many constituencies in the North and Northeast.

Despite Mr Samak’s claims that his party will back him as the next prime minister, it still remains unclear which parties plan to team up together after the Dec 23 election.

Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general and former People’s Alliance for Democracy figure Suriyasai Katasila yesterday slammed Mr Banharn for being fickle.

During the party’s election campaign tour in the Northeast, Mr Banharn said his party was ready to join hands with any parties which share its principles.

‘‘Mr Banharn has a short memory,’’ said Mr Suriyasai, recalling the Chart Thai leader’s earlier promises that he would not work with anyone accused of wrongdoing by society.

‘‘Mr Banharn keeps changing back and forth,’’ he said.

‘‘This only confuses the public.’’

outspoken – saying exact what you think, even if it shocks or offends people พูดจาขวานผ่าซาก
impressed – feeling admiration for something or something because you think they are particular good, interesting, etc. สร้างความประทับใจ
expiry date – the time when something is no longer able to be used, e.g. a medicine, food, etc. วันหมดอายุ
retorted – replied quickly to a comment, in an angry, offended or humourous way ตอบกลับ ย้อนกลับ โต้กลับ
labelling – describing in a certain way, especially unfairly ตีตรา ตราหน้า
immature – behaving in a way that is typical of people who are much younger and not yet sensible ขาดวุฒิภาวะ
challenged – invited to do something, especially when you think they are not willing to do so ท้าทาย
wooing – trying to get the support of someone ขอเสียงสนับสนุน
deposed – forced out of a position of power หลุดจากตำแหน่ง
populist – a type of politics that claims to represent the opinions and wishes of ordinary people ประชานิยม
candidates – people are trying to get elected ผู้สมัคร
running under the PPP banner – running as PPP candidates ลงสมัครในนามพรรคพลังประชาชน
sceptical – having doubts about น่าสงสัย เคลือบแคลง
attributes – qualities or features คุณสมบัติ
constituency – a district which elect its own representatives to parliament เขตเลือกตั้ง
figure – a person of the type mentioned บุคคล
slammed – criticised very strongly ด่า ตำหนิอย่างรุนแรง
fickle – (of a person) often changing their mind in an unreasonable way so that you cannot rely on them ใจโลเล
principles – beliefs, moral rules, etc. that influence your actions แนวคิด
recalling – making people think about or remember something เตือนให้จำได้ เรียกความจำกลับคืนมา

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 10:30 AM

	Articles
Words in the News General News Business, Economics, and Technology News Business Words in the News Teaching with the Bangkok Post Feature Focus From the Weeklies Mainly for Fun Hey kids! Weekend Practice Lessons on H.M.the King 60 years ago World Cup English About Site General suggestions for teachers Building your vocabulary Suggestions for learners Suggestions for parents Who is Acharn Terry? Who is Acharn Jon?	December 09, 2007 Suan Kaew "debate" November 26, 2007 Photo: Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, left, and his political rival, Samak Sundaravej of the People Power party, speak at Suan Kaew temple in Nonthaburi with abbot Phra Payom Kalayano by their side. Mr Abhisit was on stage in the morning followed by the PPP leader in the afternoon to avoid any confrontation. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD There was a debate of sorts at the famous Suan Kaew temple yesterday although the participants didn't face each other directly. As you will see from the story below, much of the interest centred on PPP leader Samak Sundaravej and whether his party will actually support him for prime minister. There are no such doubts about Mr Abhisit who is clearly his party's choice for the top job. Read to see what Mr Samak had to say about the possibility that his party might allow the leader of another party to be the next PM. One interesting topic in yesterday's "debate" that was not reported in the story involved the remarks the rival party leaders made about the September 19, 2006 coup. Mr Samak tried to portray his party as being the logical choice of all those who opposed the coup. Mr Abhisit, on the other hand, focused on how to prevent a future coup. That, he said, is best done by having an honest, truly democratic government. It remains to be seen who scored the most points on that issue. rival – competitor; opponent คู่แข่ง (ทางการเมือง) confrontation – a situation in which there is an angry disagreement between people or groups who have different opinions การเผชิญน้า of sorts – similar to something but not exactly the same coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power by a small group of people, usually members of the armed forces การทำรัฐประหาร portray – to describe or show in a particular way, especially when this does not give a complete or accurate impression วาดภาพให้เห็น logical – natural; reasonable; sensible สมเหตุสมผล issue – an important topic that people are discussing or arguing about หัวข้อ ประเด็น I'll be back shortly with the rest of the vocabulary. Samak: Banharn won’t be PM PPP leader says he’s ready to take on the job ANUCHA CHAROENPO Nonthaburi — People Power party leader Samak Sundaravej (PPP) said yesterday that there was no chance his party would back Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpaarcha to be the next prime minister. Mr Samak, who had previously tried to convince Mr Banharn to join hands with the pro-Thaksin party, said he wanted the Suphan Buri politician to stop dreaming of returning to the top office at Government House. Speaking to thousands of supporters at Suan Kaew temple in Bang Kruai district run by renowned abbot Phra Payom Kalayano, Mr Samak said he no longer wanted voters thinking he would back Mr Banharn as the next prime minister. ‘‘I won’t ever hand over the premiership to him,’’ he said in front of thousands of supporters. Mr Samak and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva were both invited by the abbot to speak at the temple yesterday. Mr Samak’s remarks seem to have put an end to speculation that PPP might try to coax Mr Banharn and Chart Thai into a post-election coalition by offering the veteran politician a chance of becoming prime minister again. Mr Banharn had been at the centre of attention as speculation grew that an alliance between the Democrats and Chart Thai may have been faltering and that Mr Banharn was testing the waters of a possible coalition government with PPP and Matchimathipataya. Mr Abhisit reminded the Chart Thai leader on Saturday that the two parties had pledged to stick together for the duration of the election. Mr Samak also lashed out at critics who say he is unbefitting as a potential prime minister. ‘‘There is no reason why I should not be the next prime minister,’’ he said, dismissing the notion that the top position should be reserved for Mr Abhisit or Mr Banharn. back – to support สนับสนุน renowned – famous and respected โด่งดัง abbot – the head monk at a temple เจ้าอาวาส premiership – the position of being prime minister การดำรงตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรี speculation – forming opinions about what has happened or what might happen without knowing all the facts ประเมินสถานการณ์ coax – to persuade someone to do something by talking to them in a kind and gentle way เกลี้ยกล่อม post – after ภายหลัง coalition government – a government formed by two or more political parties working together รัฐบาลผสม veteran – of a person who has a lot of experience in a particular area of activity ผู้อาวุโส คนชาญสนาม ในที่นี้หมายถึง นักการเมืองหน้าเก่า alliance – a group of people, political parties, etc. who work together in order to achieve something that they all want แนวร่วม (ขั้วทางการเมือง) faltering – becoming weaker and less effective วอกแวก ไม่เที่ยง อึกอัก reminded – helped or caused to remember something เตือนให้นึกถึง pledged – formally or seriously promised สาบาน ให้สัจจะ duration – the length of time that something lasts or continues ในระหว่าง lashed out – criticised someone or something in a very angry way ก่นด่าด้วยความโกรธ unbefitting – not suitable or good enough for something ไม่ดีพอ ไม่เหมาะสม potential – possible; that can develop into something or be developed in the future มีความเป็นไปได้ มีศักยภาพ dismissing – deciding that something is not important and not worth discussing มองข้ามไป ทำให้ประเด็นตกไป (เนื่องจากเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่สำคัญ) notion – an idea; a belief ความคิดเห็น reserved – kept for someone จองไว้ สงวนไว้ The outspoken politician said there was a time when he was impressed with the Democrat leader and thought he had a strong political future. However, all changed after Mr Abhisit said he had ‘‘passed his expiry date’’, the former Bangkok governor said. Mr Samak retorted by labelling his rival immature and inexperienced. Mr Abhisit, who addressed the crowd at the temple before Mr Samak took to the stage, challenged PPP parliamentary candidates to promote their party leader as the next prime minister instead of wooing voters with the image of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his populist Thai Rak Thai policies. Many election candidates running under the PPP banner are said to be sceptical of Mr Samak’s attributes as a party leader, pointing in particular to his unpopularity in many constituencies in the North and Northeast. Despite Mr Samak’s claims that his party will back him as the next prime minister, it still remains unclear which parties plan to team up together after the Dec 23 election. Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general and former People’s Alliance for Democracy figure Suriyasai Katasila yesterday slammed Mr Banharn for being fickle. During the party’s election campaign tour in the Northeast, Mr Banharn said his party was ready to join hands with any parties which share its principles. ‘‘Mr Banharn has a short memory,’’ said Mr Suriyasai, recalling the Chart Thai leader’s earlier promises that he would not work with anyone accused of wrongdoing by society. ‘‘Mr Banharn keeps changing back and forth,’’ he said. ‘‘This only confuses the public.’’ outspoken – saying exact what you think, even if it shocks or offends people พูดจาขวานผ่าซาก impressed – feeling admiration for something or something because you think they are particular good, interesting, etc. สร้างความประทับใจ expiry date – the time when something is no longer able to be used, e.g. a medicine, food, etc. วันหมดอายุ retorted – replied quickly to a comment, in an angry, offended or humourous way ตอบกลับ ย้อนกลับ โต้กลับ labelling – describing in a certain way, especially unfairly ตีตรา ตราหน้า immature – behaving in a way that is typical of people who are much younger and not yet sensible ขาดวุฒิภาวะ challenged – invited to do something, especially when you think they are not willing to do so ท้าทาย wooing – trying to get the support of someone ขอเสียงสนับสนุน deposed – forced out of a position of power หลุดจากตำแหน่ง populist – a type of politics that claims to represent the opinions and wishes of ordinary people ประชานิยม candidates – people are trying to get elected ผู้สมัคร running under the PPP banner – running as PPP candidates ลงสมัครในนามพรรคพลังประชาชน sceptical – having doubts about น่าสงสัย เคลือบแคลง attributes – qualities or features คุณสมบัติ constituency – a district which elect its own representatives to parliament เขตเลือกตั้ง figure – a person of the type mentioned บุคคล slammed – criticised very strongly ด่า ตำหนิอย่างรุนแรง fickle – (of a person) often changing their mind in an unreasonable way so that you cannot rely on them ใจโลเล principles – beliefs, moral rules, etc. that influence your actions แนวคิด recalling – making people think about or remember something เตือนให้จำได้ เรียกความจำกลับคืนมา Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 10:30 AM
Back to top :: Home :: The Learning Post :: About us
© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2006

December 09, 2007

Suan Kaew "debate"

Samak: Banharn won’t be PM