Afghan War heats up

For a story like this one, it is a good idea to turn to Google Earth for an idea of what kind of terrain the military action is taking place in. Looking down from an alitude of about 15 kilometres (photo left), the Helmand River valley is clearly visible, distinctly set apart from the desert land on both sides. Zooming in to about 1000 metres, you can see canals, fields and mud-brick homes the story talks about (photo below). It doesn't look like an easy place to fight an enemy, even with a force of 4,000 or more U.S. Marines.

The story is full of good information. We find out why the operation was launched, a bit of the military strategy and what the troops hope to accomplish. This military offensive is likely to be in the news for many days and the story will give you excellent background for following it in English.



terrain – an area of land, usually one that has particular physical features ภูมิประเทศ
visible – able to be seen ที่มองเห็นได้
distinctly – very clearly อย่างเห็นได้ชัด ชัดเจน
launch – to start something เริ่มต้น เริ่มทำ
strategy– a plan or method for achieving something, especially over a long period of time ยุทธวิธี, แผนการ  
accomplish – to achieve something ทำได้สำเร็จ
offensive – a major military attack

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Marines storm Taliban territory in Helmand

Marines walk towards waiting helicopters that will take them into the Taliban heartlands of southern Afghanistan. AFP

GARMSIR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Thousands of U.S. Marines stormed deep into Taliban territory in an Afghan river valley, launching the biggest military offensive of Barack Obama's presidency.

The Marines say Operation Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword, will be decisive and is intended to seize virtually the entire lower Helmand River valley, the heartland of the Taliban insurgency and the world's biggest opium poppy producing region.

In swiftly seizing the valley, commanders hope to accomplish within hours what overstretched NATO troops had failed to achieve over several years, and help secure Afghanistan for an August 20 presidential election after years of statemate

"The intent is to go big, go strong and go fast, and by doing so we are going to save lives on both sides," Brigadier-General Larry Nicholson, commander of the Marines in southern Afghanistan, told his staff before the operation.

Violence in the Taliban-led insurgency is at its highest since the Taliban's ouster in 2001. The operation marks the first big test of Washington's new regional strategy to defeat the Taliban and its allies and stabilise Afghanistan.

With new tactics to win over the Afghan population and new commanders in place, the U.S. military is hoping to turn the tide of a war some in Washington have admitted they are not winning.

The US military said later yesterday that a soldier had been kidnapped in southeastern Afghanistan, before the operation in Helmand began. Kidnappings by Islamist militants were common during the Iraq war but are relatively rare in Afghanistan.

A senior Taliban commander, Mullah Sangeen, said by telephone from an undisclosed location, that the soldier was taken as a patrol walked out of its base in Paktika province.

The soldier would be held until Taliban fighters held by US forces were released, he said.

The Taliban has vowed that its thousands of fighters in the south would fight back, even though only minor skirmishes were reported in the early stages.

The US military said it had suffered no serious casualties in the early stages of the assault.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement two British soldiers were killed in an explosion in central Helmand on Wednesday in a related operation preceding Khanjar.

Waves of helicopters landed Marines in the early morning darkness throughout the valley, a crescent of opium poppy and wheat fields criss-crossed by canals and dotted with mud-brick homes.

Entrenched fighters defied Nato forces there for years.

The Marines dismounted before dawn and fanned out into the fields alongside the river as the sun rose.

Hundreds more Marines raced by ground in convoys through a barren area known as the Desert of Death.

About 4,000 Marines surged forward and thousands more were mobilised to assist them in one of the biggest operations by foreign troops since the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

The Marines hope by appearing suddenly and in overwhelming numbers, they can capture some of the Taliban’s firmest strongholds with little resistance.

– to use force to enter a place and take control of it บุกกระหน่ำ
territory – an area of land controlled by a particular country, leader or army อาณาบริเวณ  อาณาเขตประเทศ
decisive – making the final result of a situation completely certain  แน่วแน่
seize – to take control of a place or situation using military force  เข้ายึดพื้นที่
insurgency – an attempt by a group of people to take control of their country or the area where they live by force การจลาจล
poppy – a flower with large red petals and a black centre  ดอกป๊อบปี้
overstretched – without enough people, supplies, etc. to operate effectively  ขาดกำลังหนุน ไม่มีกำลังพลเพียงพอ
secure – to make an area or building safe  ป้องกัน ทำให้ปลอดภัย
ouster – forcing someone out of a position of power  ขับออกจากอำนาจ
stabilise – to reach a state where there are no longer any major changes or problems  ทำให้มีเสถียรภาพ
tactics – particular methods or plans for achieving something กลยุทธ  วิธีการในการวางแผน
turn the tide – to change a situation, especially so you begin to win instead of losing  เปลี่ยนทิศทาง
admit – to agree that something is true, especially when you are unhappy, sorry or surprised about it  ยอมรับ
kidnap – to take someone away and make them a prisoner, especially in order to get money, freedom for someone else, etc. ลักพาตัว
militant – someone who uses violent methods to achieve something   นักรบ
rare – not happening very often  หาได้ยาก
undisclosed – not reported publicly ไม่เปิดเผย
patrol – a group of people or vehicles that move around a place in order to prevent trouble or crime  ตรวจการ
release – to set someone free ปล่อยเป็นอิสระ
vow – to make a formal and serious promise to do something สาบาน, ปฏิญาณ
skirmish – a fight, especially one that is away from the main fighting in a war  การปะทะกันเล็กน้อย
stage – a particular point in time during a process or set of events ระยะเวลา ช่วงเวลา
casualties – deaths and/or injuries ผู้บาดเจ็บล้มตาย
assault – an attack by the armed forces  การทำร้ายด้วยอาวุธ
wave – a large number of people moving or arriving somewhere at the same time  คนกลุ่มใหญ่ที่กำลังมุ่งหน้าไปยัง
crescent – a curved shape that is wide in the middle and pointed at the end, like the moon at certain times of the month รูปทรงพระจันทร์เสี้ยว
entrenched – firmly in place and difficult to move out ตั้งมั่น
defy – to refuse to obey or accept someone or something เป็นปฏิปักษ์ต่อ
dismount – to get off of something ยกพลขึ้นบก
fan out – (of a group of people) to move forward and apart in a straight line  กระจายออก
convoy – a group of vehicles or ships travelling together  ขบวนรถ
barren – dry and empty with few plants growing  แห้งแล้ง กันดาร
surge – (of a group of soldiers) to move forward together very quickly  เคลื่อนเข้ามา
mobilise – (of soldiers, police or other groups of people) to prepare to do something such as fight a war  เตรียมกำลังพร้อมรบ
withdrawal – leaving from a place ถอนกำลังพลออกจาก
overwhelming – much stronger, more important, etc. than anything else in a situation ล้นหลาม
stronghold – a place where people fighting and enemy can defend or organise themselves  ฐานที่มั่น
resistance – fighting against an enemy  การต้านทาน
 

 

 

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 10:14 AM

Death toll rises to 5

The biggest fear about type A (H1N1) influenza is that the strain of the virus that causes it might be more deadly than previously thought. People are worried that it may be able to kill ordinary healthy people like themselves. Does that seem to be the case with the latest two victims? And should the health minister be thinking of resigning over the government's failure to prevent flu fatalities?

death toll – the number of people killed ยอดผู้เสียชีวิต
strain – a particular type of virus, animal, insect, or plant  สายพันธุ์
victim – someone who has been affected by a bad situation, such as an illness or an accident เหยื่อผู้เคราะห์ร้าย
resign – to leave a job permanently ลาออกจากตำแหน่ง
fatality – a death caused by an illness, accident, crime or war การเสียชีวิต

For an updated list of flu-related vocabulary from recent stories in the Bangkok Post, click here.

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Two more Thais die from flu

Number of infections jumps 59, to 1,473

APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
THAWEESAK BUTCHAN

Thailand has recorded its fourth and fifth fatalities from the type A (H1N1) influenza.

The number of people reported to have the flu also increased yesterday by 59 to 1,473, including a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Ubon Ratchathani who attended a Korean boy-band concert in Bangkok last weekend.

Five schools have closed, including Benjama Maharat in the northeastern province where the girl studies.

The country’s fourth confirmed flu fatality was a 15-year-old girl, who died yesterday in Chon Buri province.

The girl had chronic haematological disease, a low white-blood cell count and diabetes.

She had also undergone surgery for a brain tumour, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said.

The other fatality was a 45-year-old man, who died from acute kidney failure at Rajvithi Hospital in Bangkok.

The patient had put himself at risk through excessive smoking and drinking, and his condition had been critical since Saturday, the public health minister said.

‘‘We [health officials] do everything we can, following international health standards, and work with other agencies to minimise the number of fatalities and the impact of flu,’’ Mr Witthaya said when asked if he should take responsibility for the growing flu problem.

‘‘We’re also open to any suggestion to better the situation.’’

Argentina’s Health Minister Graciela Ocana resigned yesterday after 26 people died from the flu, the biggest death toll among South American countries.

Puea Thai Party MP Wicharn Meenchainant, a deputy public health minister in the Somchai Wongsawat government, earlier called on the government to accept responsibility for the fatalities.

Medical experts have said from the beginning that deaths from A (H1N1) flu were unavoidable. They also have insisted the mortality rate here was still low — lower than for ordinary seasonal flu.
Supamit Choonsuthiwat, a Disease Control Department medical expert, said one in 10 flu cases need medical treatment on average.

Their symptoms vary from mild to severe and only 1% of this group end up dying.

Children aged under five, adults over 65 years, and patients suffering from chronic diseases are at risk of contracting both A (H1N1) and seasonal flu.

Flu experts, epidemiologists and virologists will meet tomorrow to review the national health strategy against flu pandemics, drawn up over the last two months.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation will speed up an import order of 2 million doses of A (H1N1) vaccine for use by October, earlier than the original delivery date of March, if it can be developed and produced in time.

In Ubon Ratchathani, Wutthikrai Mungmai, a provincial health official, said the results of a lab test confirmed the girl who was at the boy-band concert had contracted the flu.

The girl came down with a fever on Monday and when her condition worsened a day later she sought treatment at Ubonrak Thonburi Hospital, the official said.

The girl, he said, went to a weekend concert by the Korean boyband Dong Bang Shin Ki, at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani.

The band held two concerts, on Saturday and Sunday. It was unclear which concert she attended.

Mr Wutthikrai said three more students from the same school are thought to have the flu. Lab test results are due tomorrow. After the infection was confirmed, Benjama Maharat School announced it would close until next Thursday.

Four more schools across the country have also decided to suspend classes, to allow students with flu to recover over the long weekend.

infection – a disease or medical condition that is caused by a bacteria or by a virus or a parasite การติดเชื้อ
chronic – (of a disease or pain) serious and lasting for a long time เป็นประจำ
haematological disease – a disease of the blood  โรคเลือด (โรคที่ติดเชื้อทางเลือด)
diabetes – a serious medical condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin to reduce the amount of sugar in the blood โรคเบาหวาน
surgery – medical treatment in which a doctor cuts open someone’s body การทำศัลยกรรม
tumour – a mass of cells in your body that grow in a way that is not normal  เนื้องอก
acute – very serious เฉียบพลันและรุนแรง
kidney – one of the two organs in your body that clean your blood and remove waste ไต
at risk – in danger ตกอยู่ในความเสี่ยง
excessive – much greater than is usual; too much of something   มากเกินปริมาณที่พอดี
critical – very seriously ill or injured and might die อย่างรุนแรง  อย่างวิกฤต
minimise – to reduce something harmful or unpleasant to the smallest amount or degree  ลดจำนวนลง
impact – an effect or influence  ผลกระทบ
unavoidable – impossible to stop from happening หลีกเลี่ยงไม่ได้
insist – to keep saying very firmly that something is true ยืนกราน ยืนยัน
mortality rate – the rate at which people die from something, especially a disease อัตราการตาย
symptom – a sign that someone has an illness อาการ
mild – not strong เบา, ไม่หนัก, ไม่รุนแรง
severe – very serious and unpleasant รุนแรง
contract – to become infected with a disease ติดเชื้อ
epidemiologist  a scientist who studies the spread and control of diseases นักระบาดวิทยา (an epidemic is a large number of cases of a particular disease happening at the same time in a particular community)
virologist – a scientist who studies and treats illnesses caused by viruses นักไวรัสวิทยา
strategy– a plan or method for achieving something, especially over a long period of time ยุทธวิธี, แผนการ  
pandemic – a disease that affects almost everyone in a very large area โรคที่มีการแพร่กระจายหรือระบาดไปทั่ว
dose – an amount of drug that has been measured so that you can take it ปริมาณยาที่ให้ต่อครั้ง
fever – an abnormally high body temperature ไข้
suspend – to stop for a period of time ยกเลิกชั่วคราว, ระงับชั่วคราว
recover – to become healthy and fit again after an illness or injury การฟื้นไข้

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:33 AM

Iraq takes back control

The celebrations yesterday over the departure of US troops from towns and cities in Iraq were largely peaceful, but at least 34 people were killed in a bombing in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, indicating that the security situation in that war-torn country is still fragile. The story below explains why yesterday was such an important day and what is planned for the future.

departure – leaving
indicate – to show that something is true, exists or will happen
fragile – easily damaged; not firm or strong

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Iraqis cheer as US troops leave cities

Maliki: Police, army can handle security

SALAM FARAJ

Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. US troops yesterday began withdrawing from Iraqi cities in the first step towards winding down the US war effort by the end of 2011. AP

BAGHDAD: Iraqi security forces paraded in tanks and armoured vehicles across Baghdad yesterday as they took control of towns and cities nationwide from departing US troops six years after the invasion.

Iraq was celebrating a national holiday to mark the June 30 pullback, a milestone in the recovery of a country battered by war, insurgency and sectarian bloodshed that has left tens of thousands of people dead since 2003.

Iraqis had celebrated into Monday night but soldiers and police were out in force to prevent insurgent groups spoiling the party as US troops quit their posts in urban centres, ahead of complete pullout by the end of 2011.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, however, said the nation’s joy at the handover was mixed with sorrow for ‘‘beloved friends and relatives’’ who had been ‘‘targeted by terror’’.

But he also took aim at critics of Iraq’s army and police and insisted they were up to the task of defending the country after the US pullback.

‘‘It is a big mistake for people to think that the Iraqis will not handle the security issue,’’ Mr Maliki said.

‘‘It is an offence to the Iraqis. The people who said that the foreign troops would never withdraw and would keep permanent bases in our country were giving a green light to the terrorists to kill civilians.’’

President Jalal Talabani thanked US forces for their role in overthrowing now executed dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, and in the years of bloodshed that followed.

‘‘They bore the burden and dangers against the most cruel regime,’’ Mr Talabani said on state television.

The handover coincided with a US army announcement that four of its soldiers died from combat-related injuries on Monday, taking to 4,321 the number of American troops killed since the invasion.

General Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, told reporters he believed Iraq was now a better country.

‘‘I believe the Iraqi people are much better off not having a dictator such as Saddam Hussein in charge,’’ Gen Odierno said. ‘‘They are now going to be able to see that they can move ahead and the people of Iraq will have a say in their government.’’

Yesterday’s pullback is part of a landmark security agreement signed last November between Baghdad and Washington covering the fate of the 133,000 US troops still in Iraq.

In the wake of bombings that have already killed more than 200 people this month, all leave for Iraqi security personnel has been cancelled.

Motorcycles, a favoured form of transport for several recent bombers, have also been banned from the streets.

Across Baghdad, tanks and armoured vehicles manned by soldiers and police were decorated with artificial flowers, flags and banners, as nationalistic songs and popular music played.

‘‘We are happy to receive the security responsibilities and we are able to totally protect our citizens,’’ said policeman Ibrahim al-Mashhadani.

Abu Mustapha, a carpenter, added: ‘‘I believe that the security of the nation will improve when the US forces leave.’’

The security shake-up was celebrated by huge crowds in Baghdad’s largest park on Monday. Revellers had to pass three security checks but the atmosphere was jubilant, with an onstage banner declaring that sovereignty and independence had been recovered. AFP

wind down – to gradually become less or stop ค่อยๆ ยุติลง
armoured vehicle – a military vehicle that is heavily protected by a metal covering  รถหุ้มเกราะ
nationwide – throughout a whole country  ทั่วทั้งประเทศ
invasion – an occasion when one country’s army goes into another country to take control of it by force การลุกล้ำอาณาบริเวณ
mark – to celebrate something เพื่อเฉลิมฉลอง
milestone – an event or achievement that marks an important stage in a process เหตุการณ์สำคัญ
recovery – the process of becoming normal and healthy again ฟื้นฟูสภาพ
battered – badly damaged ที่ถูกทำลายยับเยิน
insurgency – an attempt by a group of people to take control of their country or the area where they live by force การจลาจล
sectarian – caused by disagreements among people from different religious groups  ที่ำ่ก่อโดยลัทธิ หรือชนกลุ่มต่างๆ
bloodshed – a situation in which people are killed or injured, especially during fighting การนองเลือด
posts – positions  ตำแหน่ง
urban – connected with towns and cities ในเมือง
sorrow – great sadness ความโศกสลด
target – to deliberately try to attack someone or something เป้าหมาย
terror – violence used for making people very frightened in order to achieve political aims การก่อการร้าย  การสร้างความหวาดกลัว
take aim at – to focus on ให้ความสนใจไปที่
critics – people who don’t like something and who state their opinion about it  นักวิจารณ์
insist – to keep saying very firmly that something is true ยืนกราน ยืนยัน
up to the task – able to do a job พร้อมที่จะปฏิบัิติหน้าที่
offence – something that makes you feel angry and upset because it is insulting, unfair, or morally wrong  การทำให้ขุ่นเคืองใจ
permanent – happening or existing for a long time or for all time in the future ถาวร  
civilian – someone who does not belong to the armed forces or the police พลเรือน
role – the purpose or influence of someone or something in a particular situation; function or job บทบาท
overthrow – to force a person or government out of power  โค่นอำนาจ
execute – to kill someone as a punishment for a crime ประหารชีวิต
dictator – someone who uses force to take and keep power in a country  จอมเผด็จการ
bear the burden – to have responsibility for something difficult or unpleasant  แบกรับภาระ
cruel – deliberately causing pain to other people or animals  ป่าเถื่อน  โหดร้าย
regime – a government that controls a country, especially in a strict or unfair way รัฐบาลที่มาจากการยึดอาำนาจ
state – government รัฐ
coincide with – to happen at the same time as something else  เกิดขึ้นพร้อมกับ
combat – fighting during a war การต่อสู้
landmark – a major event or achievement that marks an important state in a process and makes progress possible  เหตุการณ์ที่เป็นการแสดงถึงความคืบหน้า
fate – the things that happen or will happen to someone ชะตากรรม
in the wake of – happening after an event or as a result of it เป็นผลมาจาก
ban – to say officially that people must not do, sell or use something การประกาศห้าม
man – to operate something   บังคับ  ขับ (ยานพาหนะ)
artificial – made by people instead of being something natural  ที่ประดิษฐ์ขึ้น
banner – a wide piece of cloth with a message on it  แถบผ้า ป้าย
improve – to get better  ดีขึ้น
reveller – someone who enjoys themselves at a celebration or noisy party by singing, dancing or by drinking alcohol  ผู้ืที่ออกมาโห่ร้อง เต้นรำเพื่อการเฉลิมฉลอง
atmosphere – the mood or feeling that exists in a place บรรยากาศ
jubilant – extremely happy because something good has happened  ปีติยินดี
sovereignty – the right of a country to rule itself อำนาจอธิปไตย 

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:49 AM

Tough times ahead

The photo below gives us a good sense of just how difficult life is going to be for the almost 2,000 workers laid off by Triumph International (Thailand). The story explains the company position on the layoffs and the worker's suspicions that the real reasons were not disclosed. We'll just have to wait and see to find out who is right.

lay off – to cause someone to lose their job, usually because there is not enough work for them to do การปลดคนงาน
disclose – to make known to the public  เปิดเผยต่อสาธารณะ

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Triumph lays off nearly 2,000 workers

Staff suspect sackings part of row with union

PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPUN

Two women at Triumph International Co burst into tears yesterday even after finding out they were not among 1,930 staff laid off by the company as they fear their future remains uncertain. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

A smouldering conflict between staff and Triumph International (Thailand) has reignited after the company decided to sack 1,930 workers, many of them pregnant.

The staff suspect the lay-offs are aimed at wiping out the workers’ labour union.

The staff were laid off on Friday and Triumph executives called a meeting yesterday to tell more than 4,000 staff of their decision. The company based the decision on a slump in consumer demand as a result of the global economic downturn.

The company statement said Body Fashion (Thailand) —Triumph’s production unit — needed to downsize its sewing capacity by about 37%, which meant 1,930 staff at the Bang Phli factory in Samut Prakan had to leave to ‘‘keep its business healthy in such extreme market conditions’’.

The more than 2,000 staff at the factory in Nakhon Sawan were not affected and ‘‘will continue to operate fully and normally’’, the statement said.

Staff were not convinced by the explanation. They questioned whether the company had anything against their union as the two had been at loggerheads since last year.

More than 1,000 staff at the Bang Phli factory staged a strike last August after the company fired former labour union leader Jitra Kotchadej because she wore a T-shirt with a slogan supporting not having to stand when the royal anthem was played in cinemas. Ms Jitra was shown wearing the T-shirt on TV.

Company administrators were upset by the protest.

Union committee member Boonrod Saiwong yesterday said it was hard to believe the lay-offs were purely for economic reasons.

‘‘Many of those who have been dismissed were union members who joined the group in the protest to defend Ms Jitra,’’ Ms Boonrod said.

Only one union leader and three of the 18 committee members escaped the axe, said union leader Wanpen Wongsombat.

She said the union could not accept the company’s decision until it clarified the real reason for the lay-offs. Then, she said, staff would sit down to negotiate appropriate compensation, which should be more than required by law because those affected included husbands and wives with dependants, and pregnant women.

About half of those dismissed are reportedly pregnant. One worker said the firm could not excuse its actions simply by pleading ignorance of this because staff always told the company when they were pregnant.

‘‘The company should not have dismissed the pregnant women. They will only shoulder bigger burdens raising their children and supporting their families,’’ Ms Wanpen said.

Triumph administrators said they were aware of severance pay requirements and the amounts would ‘‘significantly exceed the requirements of Thai employment law’’.

Adviser to the Labour Minister Pongsak Plengsaeng, who observed the meeting yesterday, said the ministry would work with the Commerce Ministry to inspect the firm’s accounts to determine if the lay-offs were appropriate.

suspect – to believe that something is true, especially something bad เป็นที่สงสัยว่า
sacking – forcing someone to leave their job ปลดคนงาน
row – a serious disagreement about an issue between people, organisations or countries  การทะเลาะวิวาท
smouldering – burning slowly, producing smoke but not flames – in this case, continuing to be a problem, but not in an open way   ที่เป็นปัญหายืดเยื้อมานาน
conflict – an angry disagreement between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง
reignite – to start to burn again – in this case, to start being a serious problem again กลายมาเป็นปัญหาใหญ่อีกครั้ง
pregnant – having a baby developing inside the body ท้อง ตั้งครรภ์
slump – a period when an economy is much less successful than before and many people lose their jobs ช่วงเศรษฐกิจตกต่ำ
capacity – the amount of something that can be produced  ความสามารถในการ (ผลิต)
extreme – much more severe or serious than usual  ที่รุนแรงที่สุด
at loggerheads – having a serious disagreement  มีความขัดแย้งรุนแรง
anthem – an official song that people sing on special occasions, in this case, an official song for the King of Thailand (royal anthem)  เพลงชาติ
upset – very sad, worried or angry about something วิตก กังวล
purely – only อย่างเดียว
dismissed – laid off from a job  การเลิกจ้างคนงาน
the axe – being laid off from a job ถูกปลดจากงาน
clarify – to make something clearer and easier to understand ชี้แจงเหตุผล
negotiate – to try to reach an agreement by discussing something in a formal way เจรจาต่อรอง
appropriate – suitable or right for a particular situation or purpose  ที่เหมาะสม
compensation – money that someone receives because something bad has happened to them การจ่า่ยเงินชดเชย
dependant – a child or other relative to whom you give a home, food, and money  ผู้อยู่ในอุปการะ
plead ignorance – to say, often untruthfully, that you didn’t know about something ให้การว่าไม่รู้เห็นเหตุการณ์
shoulder – to deal with or accept something difficult  แบกรับภาระ หรือสถานการณ์
burden – a serious or difficult responsibility that you have to deal with ภาระ
severance pay – money paid to a work who has been forced to leave his or her job  การให้เงินทดแทนการถูกออกจากงาน
exceed – to be more than something; to go beyond a limit  เกินกว่าที่กำหนด

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:55 AM

Chaotic life; chaotic death

Michael Jackson had such a chaotic life it is not really surprising that his death hasn't been smooth and that many questions remain unanswered about the cause of his death. Many of the questions centre around the singer's use of prescription medication, including powerful painkillers. Such question are not likely going to be answered by one, or even two autopsies. They will have to await the results of toxicology tests which could take weeks. It doesn't sound like the Jackson family has that much patience. Meanwhile, have arrangements for the funeral been made?

chaotic – happening in a confused way and without any order or organisation ยุ่งเหยิง วุ่นวาย
prescription medication – medication that has been ordered for you by a medical doctor  ยาที่ต้องได้การสั่งจากแพทย์เท่านั้น
autopsy – a medical examination of a dead person’s body to find out why they died การชันสูตรศพ
toxicology test – a test to determine what substances were in a person’s body, particularly poisonous substance การตรวจหาสารพิษ
patience – the ability to wait for a long time without becoming angry or upset  ความอดทน
funeral – a ceremony that takes place after someone dies งานศพ

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Police question Jackson’s heart doctor

NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

Prison inmates perform during a tr

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 09:49 AM