As you can see from the examples in this section of the lesson, pictures tell a story in their own special way. Often, they cause us to think differently about a topic covered in the news story. That’s because pictures cause an immediate emotional reaction, causing us to see things in the story that we might have missed from just the words alone.

The pictures are all news photos. As you look at them, first consider your own reaction. Then consider what in the photograph caused this reaction? What makes it a good photograph?

Remember, news photographers are highly-skilled professionals and they work hard to be in just the right place at the right time. They are very aware of getting interesting camera angles, finding the proper lighting, and creating an effective composition, i.e., making sure the parts of the photo fit together in an interesting way.

Look carefully at each of the news photos in this section and read the captions that accompany them. Consider how you react to each of the pictures. Then look at the comments and questions.

DRUG SUSPECT Zimbabwean Ndlovu Nomanthemba, 32, accused of smuggling 1kg of heroin from Lahore, Pakistan, is forced to pose for cameramen following his arrest — SOMCHAI POOMLARD As soon as I saw the above photo I was sure it would create a strong reaction in many of our readers. Thus, I wasn’t at all surprised when the following letter appeared two days later in Postbag. Read it and decide if you agree with the writer’s opinion. Post is an accessory to abuse of suspect It was pleasing to see your coverage of Amnesty International’s efforts to end torture worldwide. It is also noted that this paper consistently takes a pro human rights editorial stance. All the more distressing then to see the photo on the front page of the Bangkok Post on Oct 20 captioned "Drug Suspect". The picture is of a Zimbabwean national accused of smuggling drugs. The man is in obvious distress as an unidentified policeman or customs official digs his fingers into the man’s throat to force his head up for the cameras. This man has been convicted of no crime, he has yet to be brought before any court, yet you chose to show his picture and print his name on the front page. Not only that but the Post is complicit in the physical assault on the suspect in order to get a photograph. This case will go to court, the facts of the case will be presented, and the suspect may or may not be found guilty and sentenced to prison. It seems the Post believes it is just that he be both presumed guilty and physically punished before he is brought before the courts. Phit Wang torture cruel treatment which causes great pain distressing emotionally troubling (i.e., phit wang) complicit joining together to do something bad While I wasn’t surprised to see the letter above, I was a little surprised to see what it said. I had just the opposite reaction as "phit wang". I was sure that the Bangkok Post editors who choose the picture did so because they wanted to point out that such bad behaviour was still being carried out by Thai authorities. I asked one of the editors about this and he confirmed that I was right. They wanted to create a negative reaction over what was obviously an abuse of human rights. They certainly seem to have succeeded but they also got some people angry at us too. JOHNNY WALKER CLASSIC Golfing wonder Tiger Woods receives an honorary doctorate in sports science from Paitoon Ingsuwan, vice-chairman of Kasetsart University Council, during a ceremony at a Bangkok hotel yesterday. — SOMCHAI POOMLARD Here’s another photo that generated a letter to Postbag. What did the writer think of the award ceremony pictured above? Do you have a similar reaction? What does it take to get a degree? I have nothing against Kasetsart University or Tiger Woods, but I find it a bit disheartening to see an institution so readily recognised, award a person a degree for the simple reason that he is a world renowned athlete. What value does Kasetsart University put on its degrees? Yes, it may be true that Tiger Woods sets up golf clinics for youths, but what about the numerous other Thai citizens who sacrifice so much to help Thai people, though their actions may not be seen in the limelight of the media (and therefore are not recognised)? Is this Kasetsart's claim to fame? How does Tiger Woods feel about accepting this award? How does this reflect upon the values of Thai society? Pearl S. Phaovisaid LOY KRATHONG City clerk Kriengsak Lohachala lights the candles on a krathong with a styrofoam base held by Governor Samak Sundaravey, who told revellers it was acceptable to use foam floats this year. — SOMCHAI POOMLARD This may look like just another happy picture of Thailand’s Loy Krathong festival, but if you look closely, you might see that was not the case. In fact, the event made a lot of people angry. Do you know why? Read Wasant Techawongtham’s commentary below to find out. Was Mr Wasant angry as well? Samak succeeds in first campaign Wasant Techawongtham The battle cry has been sounded: "Foam is good. Foam is good." Samak Sundaravej has thrown down his gauntlet. Where’s the harm in having a few krathong made of foam in the still waters of ponds in public parks? Foam is environmentally friendly because it keeps the krathong afloat. It won’t sink to the bottom to rot like those made of natural materials and so spoil the water. It lightens the load of city workers collecting krathong trash the day after. Yet a close examination shows that his facts were somewhat twisted. He said krathong made from banana trees rot and turn the pond water putrid, while foam krathong do not. That’s true, but only because it takes over 100 years for foam to rot. And he failed to mention in the same breath that city workers would clean up the waterways and collect all krathong by 4 pm the following day. If this is done effectively, as it has been for many years, then there is no reason that banana krathong in confined waters like park ponds would not all be collected. He said foam was cheap, which is also true. But he didn’t say that it is difficult to dispose of and expensive to recycle. In the end the taxpayers and the environment will pay the cost. He said he encouraged the use of foam krathong only in public ponds. But … when krathong trash was sorted the following day, it was clear that more foam krathong had been sold and launched outside public parks by a factor of 10. Altogether, foam krathong made up more than 17% of the total, up a full 16% over last year. It was a devastating setback for a decade of anti-foam campaigns. Anti-riot policemen form defence lines behind a steel barricade across the road at Government House to prevent members of the Assembly of the Poor from blocking an entrance to the premises. — APICHIT JINAKUL News photographers like to move around to get interesting camera angles. The above photo is a good example of why this is important. What kind of a feeling does this photo create? Does it tend to make you feel sympathy for one side or the other? Chalerm Yubamrung talks to newsmen after showing up at Thong Lor police station with his son Duangchalerm, right, who faces an assault charge. — KOSOL NAKACHOL Politicians usually plan their public appearances very carefully. They want to create the best possible impression among the voters. In your opinion, does this picture create a favourable or unfavourable impression of Mr Chalerm and his son? ANOTHER GOLD FOR OUR BOY Supachai Koysub punches the air after winning the gold medal in a new world record time of 25.01 in the final of the men’s 200m wheelchair event as Hakan Ericsson of Sweden looks on at the 11th Paralympics Summer Games in Sydney. — AFP Some of the most exciting and emotional photos are found in the sports section. The picture above is one such example. What does it make you think about?

Exploring the Premier league Leeds' new defender Rio Ferdinand had a tough time against Leicester City last week as his team lost 3-1. Where is he playing next? The next matches (The home teams are listed first.) Arsenal v Newcastle Bradford v Tottenham Charlton v Man Utd Chelsea v Derby Coventry v Leicester Liverpool v Ipswich Man City v Everton Southampton v Leeds Sunderland v Middlesbrough West Ham v Aston Villa Guess the games: 1. This game will be held in one of the Premier League’s smaller cities. It has a population of about 300,000 people, so it is slightly larger than Thailand’s city of Udon Thai. The city is located in the middle of England, less than 200 kilometres from London. The home team will be playing against one of its closest neighbours. That team, unlike the home team, has a very good record this year and is near the top of the Premier League table. Name the city and the two teams playing. 2. There are special student tickets available for the above game. The seats are located in the West Terrace section of the Highfield Road stadium and they cost 15 pounds. Check the business section to find out how many baht you would have to exchange to buy one of these tickets. 3. This game will be played in west London right next to the Thames River. The visiting team comes from the midlands – almost exactly in the centre of the country. Which two teams are involved in the game? Note: This lesson requires a map. The best map for our purposes is available by clicking here.

inundate (IN un date) Read each of the sentences below and try to figure out the meaning of the word in bold-face type. Then answer the questions that follow the sentences. In Songkhla province alone, floods inundated 16 districts, damaging almost a half million rai of farmland. Hundreds of villagers in the Pak Moon area lost their land when it was inundated by the dam. In the last few days before the election, both the Republican and Democrat campaign teams inundated potential supporters with phone calls, urging them to go to the polls and vote. When news of their suffering was broadcast on local television, the family was inundated with offers of help. Worried that their markets would be inundated with cheap goods from abroad, lawmakers authorised complex systems of quotas and high import taxes to protect local industries. The small group sincerely believed the world would end on January 1 and that their village would be submerged by an inundation from the sea. Many scientists predict a gradual inundation of coastal areas as the earth warms several degrees over the next century and melts much of ice in the polar regions. 1. The word inundate is a(n) preposition adverb verb adjective 2. Does it have a noun form? If so, what is it? 3. What is the basic meaning of inundate? a. to do great damage or harm to something b. to cover with or to give a very large quantity of something c. to take away from by official order by force d. to move from a high level to a low level Go to, then bookmark our words in the news so you can check out new words six days a week.

TEACHER'S NOTE

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