Actor in Bangkok

Actor Nicolas Cage had a big press conference in Bangkok yesterday and you can find out why in general news. Also in general news, you will find out what name was chosen for Japan's new prince and what it means.  In mainly for fun today, you get a short introduction to one of America's funniest men, Dave Barry. Jon Fernquest will be dealing with the very important front-page business story on foreign ownership of businesses in Thailand. You'll find  his lesson in our business section later today. Meanwhile words in the news and words in business have both been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted.

Finally, I've had enough time to do another entry for Hey Kid's. This one is short and it should be a lot of fun for young children since it includes a drawing activity. Look in teaching suggestions for ideas on using it.

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General states his case

Gen Panlop Pinmanee, a possible suspect in the alleged assassination plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had some interesting things to say about the case yesterday. That is my focus in general news. In from the weeklies, Boon Boonprayoon looks at community-based learning with  her regular lesson from the learning post. If you want something short, light and a bit amusing, try the latest entry in mainly for fun.  And if you want something a bit meatier, check out Jon Fernquest's lesson in our business section. Meanwhile words in the news and words in business have been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted.

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A prince at last

We began the week wondering if the royal birth in Japan would be a boy or a girl. Now we know and that is my focus for general news. John Ross stays inside Thailand this weekin from the weeklies with a look at a homestay in the village of Ban Busai. Jon Ferquest's regular lesson for our business section will be posted shortly. Meanwhile, Words in the News has been updated. Our teaching suggestions have been posted and there are also new entries in mainly for fun and words in business.

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New suspect emerges

We've got a lot for you today. I am staying with today's front page. News has emerged of a new suspect in the alleged bomb plot to kill the prime minister and that is where I have focused first for general news. I have also taken a quick look at the other big front-page story on the collapse of the case against John Mark Karr. If you have any interest in fine art at all, don't miss Natalie Bank's lesson this morning. Click on feature focus and you'll see why. Jon Ferquest will also have a very interesting and thought-provoking lesson for you on intellectual property rights in our business section.  Meanwhile, Words in the News has been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted.

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Confusion continues

This morning in general news I have looked at two rather short stories related to the current political turmoil. The first concerns a bomb hoax and the second a plea from prominent social critic Prawase Wasi for the prime minister to step down. This afternoon, Jon Fernquest's lesson in our business section will deal with Chinese exports and inflation. Meanwhile, Words in the News has been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted.

For teachers using the learning post today: Boon Boonprayoon's lesson in from the weeklies is on the learning post's new columnist Key May. You will also notice that today's "instant lesson" in that section is based on one of my lessons that originally appeared on this website. You can get mp3 soundfiles for that story here and here. And if you want an exercise comparing the young Thai golfer featured in the story with Tiger Woods, click here.

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Tough times for migrant workers

There are several stories in today's issue detailing some of the hardships migrant workers face in this part of the world, By far the worst concerns a group of fisherman who spent five months at sea with nothing to eat apart from rice and fish. That is where I have focused in general news. Also in general news a bit later this morning, Kaj Jordison will check in with a lesson on a story about a new walking street for children. Then, this afternoon in our business section, Jon Fernquest will post a lesson on market regulation.  Meanwhile, Words in the News has been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted. 

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Weekend activities

Our weekend entry for Words in the News has been posted and Weekend Practice has been updated as well. This morning (Saturday) I will be heading over to Satri Wittaya School to meet with about 300 secondary school English teachers from across the city of Bangkok. If you are one of them, be sure to say hello.

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Bomb mystery

In general news today, I have obviously chosen the big story of the day here in Thailand: the discovery of a powerful bomb in a car along the route Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra takes to work. Already there is a big debate raging between people who think the threat was real and those who think it was a stunt. In from the weeklies, this morning, Kaj Jordison's lesson features the unusual winners of the Eurovision Song Contest. Watch for Jon Fernquest's lesson a bit later today in our business section. Today he is looking at the child labour problem. Meanwhile, Words in the News has been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted.

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Following up

There have been developments in two of the stories I have covered recently and that is where I have focused for general news. John Ross is back with his weekly look at a story from the Horizons section. Today, in from the weeklies, his subject is a slogan for yet another TAT campaign. Video-sharing has become a big business on the Internet and Sony is joining in. Jon Fernquest has the details in our business section. Meanwhile, Words in the News has been updated. Our teaching suggestions have now been posted. 

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Sunday update

I have added part 3 to my slowly growing story on His Majesty the King for children. It is designed to help Thai chlldren talk or write about their King in English, but anyone is welcome to read it and listen to it. For World Cup fans, today's update focuses on the wonder goal from Maxi Rodiguez that sent Argentina past Mexico last night.

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