New Year's Eve

             In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, the last day of the year, is on December 31. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the New Year. Some people attend a watch night. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into January 1 (New Year's Day).              
              Island nations of Kiribati and Samoa are the first to welcome the New Year while Honolulu, Hawaii is among the last places to welcome the New Year.

                         Thailand       

       Aside from the traditional Thai New Year called Songkran (which falls on April 13 or April 14), people in Thailand also celebrate the arrival of the Gregorian New Year on January 1 with their families, relatives, and friends. They usually celebrate it by a family dinner and following different customs. In most cities and urban areas across the country, celebrations of the New Year is accompanied by countdowns, fireworks, and concerts, notably, the Central World Square at Central World in downtown Bangkok, and the Pattaya Beach in Pattaya, while public places such as hotels, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, also host New Year's Eve parties by offering food, entertainment and music to the people, and they usually stay open until the early next morning.

(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Eve , 31-12-2012)

Merry X'mas

Santa Claus History

    1881 illustration by Thomas Nastwho, with Clement Clarke Moore, helped to create the modern image of Santa Claus.

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and simply "Santa", is a figure with legendary, mythical, historical and folkloric origins who, in many western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24. During the Christianization of Germanic Europe, this figure may have absorbed elements of the god Odin, who was associated with the pre-Christian midwinter event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the sky. The modern figure of Santa Claus was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, which, in turn, was part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of Christian bishop and gift giver Saint Nicholas.

Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, joyous, white-bearded man—sometimes with spectacles—wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots (images of him rarely have a beard with no mustache . This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books and films.

According to a tradition which can be traced to the 1820s, Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, with a large number of magical elves, and nine (originally eight) flying reindeer. Since the 20th century, in an idea popularized by the 1934 song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", Santa Claus has been believed to make a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior ("naughty" or "nice") and to deliver presents, including toys, and candy to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh.

(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus)

Newtown shootings

Newtown shootings: Gun debate flares as funerals begin

        Two pro-gun US senators have called for changes to firearm laws, as the first victims of the Newtown school shootings were buried in Connecticut.

Democrats Mark Warner and Joe Manchin, who have "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association (NRA), now say action is needed after the massacre.

Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto, both aged six, were buried on Monday after funeral services attended by hundreds.

They were among 20 children and six adults killed at Sandy Hook school.

Other victims' funerals will be held throughout the week, and the town has already begun removing Christmas decorations in mourning.

Two adults who were injured in the attack survived are recovering in hospital and would be crucial witnesses as police continue their investigation, it was confirmed on Monday.

Lt Paul Vance said they were recovering and would be interviewed at an appropriate time.

Children who witnessed the attack would also be interviewed - in the presence of parents and professionals - Lt Vance added.

The Sandy Hook gunman was named as Adam Lanza, who took his own life at the end of a killing spree that began with him shooting dead his own mother.

Source :http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20763749

Long live the King

Long live the King (updated)

• Published: 5/12/2012 at 06:09 PM
• Online news: Learning From News
• A huge crowd filled the Royal Plaza and far beyond to witness a rare public appearance by His Majesty the King as part of his 85th birthday celebrations.
• 
  





King: Goodwill and compassion crucial

From bangkokpost.com
A jubilant crowd that packed the Royal Plaza and Ratchadamnoen Avenue way down to Democracy Monument fell quiet as more than 200,000 well-wishers in yellow listened to His Majesty the King's birthday speech from the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall balcony on Wednesday.


After the conclusion of the royal anthem, they broke out in a spontaneous chant, "Song Phra Chareon, Song Phra Chareon (Long Live the King, Long Live the King)'', that continued long after he returned to his royal suite at Siriraj Hospital.




The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is barely visible in the distance to this section of the huge crowd. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Many of them could not hold back tears on seeing His Majesty and his royal motorcade passing them by as he was leaving the throne Hall. Many thousands more were waiting to see him along the roads and at the hospital.


"I was very happy, even though I just got a glimpse of His Majesty as his car was passing,'' Nipha Torwua from Nonthaburi said in tears, outside Siriraj Hospital.    




This aerial view taken a little further down the road shows why the crowd could move now closer. SITHIKORN WONGWUDTHIANUN
           His Majesty's grand audience was broadcast live and was watched by millions of people across the country, many of whom waved and cheered at the picture on their TV set. Children in villages were heard spontaneously singing  "Song Phra Chareon, Song Phra Chareon". 


The crowd came from all segments of Thai society. This collection of photos comes from Bangkok Post photographers Chanat Katanyu, Thiti Wannamontha and Pattanapong Hirunard.
It has been six years since His Majesty last gave a grand audience at Ananta Samakhom.


After giving his speech, His Majesty was joined on the balcony by members of the royal family including His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Chulabhorn to celebrate the King's 85th birthday.




His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn addresses the King. PATIPAT JANTHONG
The Crown Prince offered him best wishes on behalf of all royal family members, followed by leaders of theadministrative, legislative and judicial branches and the armed forces.


The Crown Prince said on behalf of the family that everybody was determined to work for the utmost benefit of the country and to serve the King. The King was an inspiration for the people of the country, he added.


In his birthday speech, the King made direct reference to the huge turnout.


"The goodwill and harmony from you that I have witnessed today makes me feel joyful and serves as myencouragement,'' he said.




A colourful unit of the Royal Guards parades before the King’s arrival. PATIPAT JANTHONG.


"The blessings, vows and promises that you have uttered are very impressive. I would like to thank you all, as well as every member of the Thai public, for the goodwill and cordiality.


"I have always believed that your goodwill and compassion are crucial to the development of harmony, both among groups of people and in the entire nation.




Celebrations went on long into the night. APICHIT JINAKUL


"If Thai people cherish this value in their hearts, the Thai nation will remain safe and stable, no matter whatcircumstances it finds itself in.''


Royal Guards from 12 battalions also renewed their oath of allegiance before His Majesty at Ananta Samakhom  on Wednesday.


estimate – to say what you think an amount or value is or will be, either by using available information or by guessing คาดคะเน
silent – very quiet; without sound เงียบ
address – to speak publicly to a group of people  กล่าวปราศรัย
balcony – a place where you can stand just outside an upper window. It sticks out from the wall of a building ระเบียง
throne – a special chair used by a king or queen to sit on at ceremonies ราชบัลลังก์
goodwill – friendly or helpful feelings towards other people or countries ความเป็นมิตร, ความหวังดี, มิตรไมตรี
compassion – a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them ความเห็นใจ, ความรู้สึกเศร้าใจไปกับความทุกข์ของผู้อื่น
crucial – extremely important because it effects the result of something สำคัญยิ่ง
jubilant – extremely happy because something good has happened  ปีติยินดี
packed – crowded; full of people or things แน่น
anthem – an official song that people sing on special occasions, in this case, an official song for the King of Thailand (royal anthem)  เพลงชาติ
spontaneous – happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced ซึ่งเป็นไปตามธรรมชาติ, เป็นไปเอง, ซึ่งเกิดขึ้นเอง, โดยสัญชาตญาณ
barely – only just; almost not เกือบจะไม่
visible – able to be seen ที่มองเห็นได้
glimpse – a quick look กวาดตามองอย่างรวดเร็ว ดูอย่างคร่าวๆ
in tears – crying
audience – a formal meeting that you have with an important person, expecially royalty การเข้าเฝ้า
broadcast – to send out a programme on television or radio กระจายเสียง,กระจายข่าว
live – happening now, i.e., not recorded earlier ถ่ายทอดสด
on behalf of – as a representative of ในนามของ ในฐานะของ
administrative branch – the part of the government involved the planinng, organising and running of the national government   ฝ่ายบริหาร
legislative branch – the part of government responsible for creating new laws สภานิติบัญญัติ
judicial branch – the part of a country's government which is responsible for its legal system and which consists of all the judges in the country's courts of law คณะตุลาการ, คณะผู้พิพากษา
determined – wanting to do something very much and not letting anyone or any difficulties stop you ตั้งใจจริง, ซึ่งมุ่งมั่น
utmost – as much as possible: used for emphasizing a quality or feeling สุดขีด, อย่างมาก
benefit – an advantage you get from a situation; a helpful or good effect, or something intended to help ผลประโยชน์
inspiration – someone or something that gives you new ideas or enthusiasm to do something แรงบันดาลใจ
reference – mentioning someone or something การอ้างถึง, การอ้างอิง
turnout – the number of people who come to an event or take part in an activity  ผู้ที่เข้าร่วม
goodwill – friendly or helpful feelings towards other people or countries ความเป็นมิตร, ความหวังดี, มิตรไมตรี
harmony – when people are peaceful and agree with each other, or when things seem right or suitable together ความสามัคคี 
witness – to see something happen – มองเห็น, เป็นพยาน
joyful – great happiness ที่เปี่ยมไปด้วยความสุข
encouragement – words or actions that give someone confidence or hope คำให้กำลังใจ
blessing – God's help and protection, or a prayer asking for this การสวดให้พร, การให้พร
vow – a serious promise สาบาน
utter – to make a sound with your voice; to say something  พูด
impressive – something that people admire because it is very good, very large or shows great skill ซึ่งน่าประทับใจ
cordiality – a pleasant and friendly welcome or feeling  ความอบอุ่นเป็นกันเอง
cherish – to think that something is very important and to wish to keep it   รักและเทิดทูน บูชา
stable – not changing frequently and not likely to suddenly become worse  คงที่, มั่นคง
circumstances – facts or conditions that affect a situation เหตุการณ์แวดล้อม
battalion – a large group of soldiers made up of several smaller groups known as companies กองทหาร, กองพันทหาร
renew – to start something again เริ่มใหม่
oath of allegiance – to make a formal and public promise to be loyal คำสัตย์ปฏิญาณ




Reference:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/324686/long-live-the-king