A story, like the one of the dockers' strike at Klong Toey port that ran for four days, is a great example of how the newspaper can help you improve your English.

I hope you are not missing one of the easiest and most effective techniques for improving your English with the Bangkok Post. The technique is so simple and so logical too. And it takes advantage of one of the most basic features of our newspaper.

The Bangkok Post is a daily newspaper. It reports the news every day of the year. Obviously, many of the stories it covers don’t begin and end on a single day. Instead, they continue – often for days and weeks, sometimes even for years!

Following continuing stories is a wonderful way to improve your English. You will find that each day the story gets progressively easier to understand because of the background you have built up. You will already know many of the main issues, you can concentrate on the latest information – the "news". Similarly, you will see vocabulary words repeated again and again, making them easier to understand and remember.

Let’s give this idea a try with a story that made news over four days last week. You will find excerpts from the stories in the middle section, but first look at the introduction below.

Day one

It is always a good idea to spend some time understanding an important story when it first appears in the news. You will find that the information you learn will be very useful in the days that follow. Also, the better you understand the subject, the more interesting it becomes as it develops.

Below are some questions that will help you get the key points of the first day’s story. The story clearly involves a protest. Notice that it describes what was expected to happen on that day.

1. Who is expected to be involved in the protest and how many are expected to participate?
2. Whom or what are they protesting about and what reasons were given to support their complaint?
3. Which representatives of the protesters are quoted in the story?
4. What effect is the protest expected to have on the surrounding community?

From what we learned in the first story, day two should be a bit of surprise.

5. Did the protest turn out to be as large as was predicted?
6. How many people actually took part?
7. Is the protest expected to continue into the next day?
8. Which prominent person appears to be the one who made the decision that the protesters are angry about?
9. Does he seem likely to compromise with the protesters?
10. Does the story repeat any information that you learned in the first story?

There are more surprises on day three.

11. How did the number of protesters compare with the previous day?
12. Does the protest seem to be having any effect? Is it creating any pressure that might help the protesters win their demands?
13. Thus far, does it appear the government minister involved is willing to change his mind?
14. Was there any good news for the protesters?
15. Was the cause of the protest mentioned again in this story?
16. Does it appear the protest will continue for another day?

By now, the story should be very easy to read.

17. Are the protesters continuing their protest or have they returned to work?
18. What happened yesterday?
19. Do the protesters appear satisfied?
20. Did they win a complete victory?
21. What might happen that could cause them to protest again?

It appears that the story may be out of the news for the next few days. But there should be at least one more story at some time in the future – perhaps more. You will certainly be ready to read about whatever happens.

Day 1 Dockers to stage huge rally today Supoj Wancharoen and Amornrat Mahitthirook River and road traffic in the vicinity of Bangkok port in Klong Toey is likely to be paralysed today, as thousands of dockers stage a protest rally against the appointment of two new executives of the Port Authority of Thailand. Thawatchai Srimuang, deputy secretary-general of the PAT’s labour union, yesterday confirmed there will be a huge rally today to block the appointment of Anothai Uthensut and Apichai Techa-ubon as the new PAT director-general and director of the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri, respectively. The protest will see over 3,000 members of the PAT labour union and about 1,000 workers from other state enterprises like the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, the Provincial Waterworks Authority and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, he said. "Although our rally is in Klong Toey and not in front of Government House, it will certainly affect the government because many ships and about two thousand trucks that visit the port daily will have to wait for cargoes while we are on strike. This is going to have an impact on Bangkok’s traffic as well," he said. A PAT staff member who asked not to be named said employees would do everything possible to reject Mr Anothai and Mr Apichai, whose appointments are to be forwarded to the cabinet for endorsement tomorrow. He said PAT employees would accept outsiders only if they were really capable, and they did not see how Mr Anothai, the former director-general of the loss-ridden Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, and Mr Apichai who ran the Thai Fa Group which abandoned its contract to build the PAT's new head office building, were suitable for their respective posts. cargoes goods for shipment cabinet government ministers endorsement confirmation; acceptance Day 2 Port protest fizzles out Supoj Wancharoen and Amornrat Mahitthirook The Port Authority of Thailand’s labour union failed to mobilise dockers to stage a big rally at Klong Toey port yesterday. Although union leaders had expected thousands of staff to turn up and block the entrance to the port, only about 500 gathered yesterday morning to hear union representatives denounce the nomination of Anothai Uthensut and Apichai Techa-ubon as the PAT director-general and director of Laem Chabang deep-sea port, respectively. When working hours started, the rally shrunk and only about 100 were left on the scene by afternoon. PAT staff said most of the protesters agreed with the labour union but realised their work was more important. The rally dispersed at 6pm, after union leaders announced the protest will resume this morning. Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Chaiya Sasomsab who supervises the PAT, took a tough stance against the labour union. "If any staff go on strike and disrupt port operations, I will have police tackle them and order disciplinary punishment as well." Mr Chaiya insisted he will nominate Mr Anothai and Mr Apichai to the cabinet for endorsement today. denounce to criticise strongly shrunk (past of shrink) became smaller in size or amount nominate to formally propose for a position Day 3 Strike likely to produce huge losses Post Reporters Freight forwarders yesterday complained about the likelihood of severe losses as thousands of staff at Klong Toey port went on strike. There was no sign of compromise between a minister overseeing the Port Authority of Thailand and the protesters, who are against the appointment of two new directors. Sommai Chan-ngern, manager of the Bangkok Shipowners and Agents Association, said most of its members had to switch their cargoes to private wharves and the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri, to avoid the risk of delayed deliveries. Unlike the small protest on Monday, yesterday’s rally in front of the port was much bigger, with about 2,000 Port Authority of Thailand staff stopping work to oppose the appointment of Anothai Uthensut and Apichai Techa-ubon as the new PAT director-general and director of the Laem Chabang port, respectively. The protesters claim the two are not suitable to run the state enterprise. "We will continue our protest until our demand is met. It may turn violent," said Thaweep Kanchanawong, president of the PAT labour union. Protest leaders slammed Chaiya Sasomsab, the deputy transport and communications minister overseeing the PAT, for promoting Mr Anothai and Mr Apichai to the posts. Protesters were jubilant at 3.30 pm when told the cabinet did not consider the appointments of the two at yesterday's weekly meeting. wharves places beside water where ships can be tied and their goods unloaded slammed criticised strong; denounced jubilant very happy Day 4 Dockers end strike after review pledge Amornrat Mahitthirook and Supoj Wancharoen Protesting port staff returned to work yesterday after the transport ministry agreed to review the nomination of two new but controversial port executives. Representatives of the Port Authority of Thailand labour union arrived at the Transport and Communications Ministry on Rajdamnoen Avenue for talks yesterday morning. The meeting included Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Deputy Minister Chaiya Sasomsab who supervises the port authority, ministry permanent secretary Mahidol Chantrangkun, port chairman Gen Viroj Saengsanit and port director-general Thavorn Chunnanond. Talks lasted until 12.30 pm when it was agreed that the ministry would review the nomination of Apichai Techa-ubon as the new director of Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri and the expected nomination of Anothai Uthensut as the port's new director-general. The union claimed that Mr Apichai had not been picked through an open recruitment process and, through his Thai Fa Group, had abandoned a contract to build a new port authority head office. The investigation should be complete in a few days, Mr Suthep said. The authority's board had not finalised the selection of Mr Anothai. He would take the union’s stance into account. Labour union president Thaweep Kanchanawong told 2,000 striking workers that the negotiation yielded a good result. The ministry had agreed to excuse protesters from any penalty for their three-day strike. However, he said the strike would resume if Mr Anothai and Mr Apichai did get their nominations.

FOLLOW UP Words in the news I have featured three words from the protest stories in my daily "Words in the news" column on our Internet site. I always put the words in example sentences and I have some examples below. Read through them and try to figure out what each word must mean. A big protest rally scheduled by the PAT’s labour union fizzled out yesterday when only 500 workers appeared instead of the thousands that were expected. The rebel attack on the capital fizzled out when it became clear the army would remain loyal to the country’s president. The shooting star was unusually large but it still fizzled out before it reached the earth. The PAT’s labour union failed to mobilise dockers for a big rally at Klong Toey port yesterday. The Thai army is reported to be mobilising forces along the Burmese border to prevent an influx of illicit drugs. As election day approaches, the political parties are working hard to mobilise their supporters for a get-out-the-the vote campaign. The rally dispersed at 6 pm. Rasa Salai dam protesters gathered in front of Government House for two hours yesterday, but dispersed after being told their compensation payments would be speeded up. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse a violent mob that had marched through the city smashing store windows. The seeds of beach plants can disperse great distances because they have the ability to grow after floating in ocean currents for many days. Match each word with its meaning. ___ fizzle out ___ mobilise ___ disperse to end in a disappointing or very weak way to (cause to) move away or scatter over a wide area to organise or prepare something (people, equipment, etc.) for a particular purpose Who’s right? Who’s wrong? If a local story makes news for four consecutive days, you will often find it to be the subject of an editorial or commentary in the Bangkok Post. That was the case with the dockers protest last week. Below is part of a commentary by Veera Prateepchaikul, deputy news editor, which appeared on day two. Which side does he support and why? Dockers make a strong case Veera Prateepchaikul Many people, myself included, but especially exporters and importers, dread the thought of Klong Toey port staff going out on strike. But it appears that dockers have been given little choice this week. The Port Authority of Thailand workers are up in arms over the board’s recent appointment of Anothai Uthensut as the new PAT director-general and Apichai Techa-ubon as the new director of Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri. The dual appointment is expected to be tabled for cabinet approval today. It is seen by dockers as political inference in port operations. The two men are viewed as cronies of certain politicians bent on exploiting the PAT for their own interest. As of yesterday, Chaiya Sasomsap, the deputy transport and communications minister in charge of the PAT, appeared not to be worried by the threat of a work stoppage. He fully supported the board's action. The minister issued a threat of his own, to bring in the police anti-riot unit to restore peace at Klong Toey port should the protesters disrupt operations. I cannot blame the port workers for resorting to strike action to back their demand – which is for the board to review the two appointments and give some thought to the promotion of the three deputy directors-general to the top PAT post. They may be too emotional, but they have a point when they question the board’s decision. Anothai Uthensut was the director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, operator of the city bus service, for eight years before he was transferred to the Wastewater Management Authority. His legacy of a shoddy service and mountain of debt left for his successor to deal with is testament to his efficiency – or the lack of it – in running the bus agency. Apichai Techa-ubon’s background also leaves much to be desired. The contractor stands accused by port workers of abandoning a contract to build the PAT head office. dread to fear up in arms very angry crony (negative) a close friend of someone influential legacy previous accomplishment; record shoddy poor quality testament evidence TEACHER'S NOTE Since this is examination time for most Thai schools, I have not written this as a classroom lesson. Instead it is written for anyone who wants to improve his or her English using the daily newspaper. I strongly suggest that you encourage your students to try the technique illustrated in the lesson. It works! This is the last lesson this term. Post tips will return in early November. Go back to the top