If you find this hard to believe, take a look around you at the really successful people in our society – the prime minister, creative business leaders, innovative scientists, clever farmers. Chances are they have one thing in common. They are all very good at gathering, analysing and using information.

This week we’re going to focus on the gathering of information. We’ll save the analysing and using for the weeks that follow.

We are also going to focus on one of the most popular sources of information: the daily newspaper. In Thailand, of course, that means the Bangkok Post for people who gather their information in English.

In this lesson, we are going to discover what kind of information the Bangkok Post contains, where it is found and when it is available. In the process, you will make a good beginning towards become a effective information consumer – just like the people I mentioned at the top of this column.

One thing you will see very quickly. The Bangkok Post contains much more than "heavy" political news. There is a huge variety of information because our readers have so many different interests.

Much of it is not the "serious" information you associate with work or school. Instead, it is meant for enjoyment – pure and simple. After all, that is an important part of life too.

Here are two exercises to get you started with your own Bangkok Post.

What's in your Bangkok Post? A lot. There has to be since Bangkok Post readers have so many different interests. There is something for everyone — and something for you too! See for yourself... Look carefully at the pictures and text below; they show the various sections of the Bangkok Post and the kind of stories and articles that are in each. Front section: everyday local, regional and international news Sunday business news opinion and analysis, commentaries on political and social issues plus letters to the editor sports news back-page overview of the day's paper (except on Sundays) business: everyday except Sunday local and international business news local and international stock market reports financial and commodity market reports classifieds: Everyday property for sale or rent, auto sales educational programmes, tours and hotels restaurants and entertainment English lessons (Tuesdays and Fridays) outlook: everyday except Friday long feature story by a local writer social news and pictures, newsmakers advice columns features: arts, fashion, fitness, health, food, comics, puzzles and horoscope what's on: movies, TV, radio, briefings, back page photo feature Once-weekly sections your money: Monday advice on saving, investment, and borrowing opportunities stock market market reports self-improvement advice database: Wednesday local and international news on computers, the Internet and information technology regular columns on developments in IT software and hardware advice horizons: Thursday features on local and international spots news on hotel, airline and tourist industries motoring: Friday news on the local and international automotive industry reviews of new automobiles commentary on automotive issues real.time: Friday long feature by a local writer Prime Time column on entertainment spots in Bangkok movie review nite owl dine & wine movie review beauty & health expanded "what's on" about things to do back page weekend tips social news, comics, horoscopes, etc. from outlook perspective: Sunday local and international news features summary of news coverage in the Thai media summary of the week's news Weekly coloured comics: Sunday Special Publications: special days supplements on prominent businesses and organisations here & abroad, special occasions, special events, special people, and recent global and local industrial developments, etc. Now read the examples below. Decide where in the Bangkok Post (e.g., front section, business, outlook, etc.) you would most likely find each example. 1. _________ Classy Sebring sedan An array of new models from Chrysler is expected to be launched at the end of the year by DaimlerChrysler (Thailand). Heading off the spree will be the Chrysler Sebring mid-sized family saloon which has been designed to replace the Cirrus. The Sebring is in the same league as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Cefiro. Unlike its locally assembled Japanese opposition, the Sebring has to be imported, meaning markedly higher prices. 2. __________ CAPRICORN Family "votes" you as leader; take the role, you’ll get no arguments by doing so. Question arises as to where you live and with whom. 3. __________ State of rebellion declared Manila, Reuters President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of rebellion yesterday and arrested key political rivals after seeing off an attempt by tens of thousands of opposition supporters to storm the presidential palace. Arrest warrants were ordered for four key politicians—former defence secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Defensor Santiagio and Gregoria "Gringo" Honasan, all senators seeking relection on May 14, and Panfilo Lacso, the police chief under former president Joseph Estrada, chief state prosecutor Jovencito Zuo said. 4. __________ Q: How do I invest in government bonds? A: You can invest in government bonds as they are issued or afterward. The Bank of Thailand generally auctions new bond issues to financial institutions but it occasionally makes available smaller amounts, typically 100,000 baht per lot, for individual buyers. 5. __________ INDUSTRY NEWS Do you want more hard drive space? How about the new Seagate Barracuda drive? With an amazing 180 GB of storage capacity, you will be able to store about six hours of DVD for editing. Beating IBM to the market, this is currently the world’s largest hard drive. Now for the bad news – this unit sells for just under $2000. 6. __________ Back in vogue Madonna will return to the concert stage this summer for the first time in eight years, marking the Material Girl’s first tour since becoming a mum. The 42-year-old pop superstar, who recently wed British film director Guy Ritchie, will open a 19-city tour through Europe and the United States on June 5 in Cologne, Germany. The promoters have promised that Madonna’s "The Drowned World Tour" will be the most extravagant stage spectacle of the singer’s career. 7. __________ I don't pay taxes for treasure hunts In response to the gold hunt which captured all the headlines, even now I would like to express my concerns as a taxpayer. I have no problems with Senator Chaowarin in respect to his passion for the treasure hunt, although it does seem that nothing much is left, if anything at all, in Lijia cave. What has troubled me so much is his behaviour since the day he decided to spend most of his time serving his personal agenda instead of serving the public as a senator. He was elected as the Ratchaburi senator and is expected to perform his duty in parliament rather than at the cave. I would like to propose that he resign from the Senate or leave treasure hunts to experts. Khun Chaowarin, please stop wasting my tax money. PK, Nonthaburi 8. __________ Owen to sign new deal London, AFP Michael Owen has committed himself to Liverpool for the next four years because he believes the English Premiership side is posed to take over from Manchester United as England’s major power. After the club’s Uefa Cup semi-final victory on Thursday, the 21-year-old England international confirmed that he would be signing a new four-year deal with the club in the summer. 9. _________ Women forced to suffer in silence Sanitsuda Ekachai Why do Thai men like keeping minor wives? A study that spanned seven years revealed many answers. But to get to the heart of the matter, we must ask a different question: if Thai husbands can keep minor wives, why can Thai wives not have minor husbands too? Imagine the barrage of attacks from the guardians of Thai morality should anyone propose that wives should also enjoy sexual adventures outside marriages and have lesser husbands. What an immoral thought, they’d fume. A good wife must be faithful to her family, sacrifice everything for the family's happiness and well-being. Don't be surprised that some will even describe women practicing polygamy as a threat to national security. Why are Thai men unfaithful? Men can cite a million reasons to rationalise their infidelity. Some blame unhappy marriages (read: it's the women's fault). Others cite responsibility for the other woman (read: it's our goodness). These are only excuses. 10. __________ WANTED TELEMARKETERS We need you if you speak excellent English and enjoy telephone work. Thai nationality only, age 26-35, Full-time (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm). Call Freeda: 634 1511

Here’s an activity based on today’s newspaper. It is a competition in which your class will be divided into groups. Your group will compete with others to answer the 12 questions below using today’s issue of the Bangkok Post. The first group to answer all the questions successfully wins. Make sure your group is organised before you begin. Arrange yourselves so that you are facing each other, so that it will be easy to communicate as you answer the questions. Before you begin, decide on the fastest, most efficient method of answering the questions. If you find a good method, you can finish in 10 minutes. If you don’t, it may take your group an hour to finish. What is the main local news story about today? Find the result of a sports match involving two teams. Which team won and which team lost? Find today’s "Letters to the editor" (our Postbag) column. What page is it on? Write the title of one of the letters and the name of the person who wrote it. Suppose you are going abroad to study in the United States and your school requires an advanced payment of $1750. Approximately how many baht will you need to buy that amount of foreign currency? Your school is on the East Coast of the United States, not far from New York City. What is the weather going to be like in that area today? Suppose you own 100 shares of Siam Cement. How much were they worth at the end of trading yesterday? How did their value change yesterday? (Did they increase, decrease or remain unchanged?) Hint: This question is based on the index of the stock market pages. Look to find the pages that list the prices of individual stocks on the index. Find a used car for sale that you would like to own? What kind of car is it and how much does it cost? Find a story from a country you know very little about. Why is that country in the news? What part of the world is it in? Is there an advice column in today’s paper? If so, what is the name of the column and in what section did you find it? Hint: An advice column answers letters sent in from readers. It usually suggests ways in which the readers can solve their problems. What is today’s main feature story in the outlook section about? What is the most expensive apartment or condo that is advertised for rent today? Find an advertisement for an international university or college programme. What college or university is it? Can you do your studies here in Thailand or do you have to go abroad?

Take a few minutes to look at today’s newspaper from your point of view. What would you most like to read – or be able to read at some time in the future?

Don’t worry if it is too difficult for you at this time. If you take your English studies seriously, you will certainly be able to read it some day. Choose at least five examples of stories or columns that most interest you.

Finally, have them quickly look at the description of the content found in each section.

Now they are ready to do the activity. It consists of ten short excerpts from stories and columns appearing in the Bangkok Post. Have your students decide in which section each excerpt appeared. The exercise is probably best done in small groups.

Answers: 1. Motoring 2. Front section (Postbag: letters to the editor) 3. Outlook or real.time 4. Front section (regional news) 5. Front section (Opinion and analysis) 6. Outlook 7. Front section (sports) 8. Database 9. Your Money 10. Classifieds

1. Front section, front page.
2. Front section, sports
3. Front section, opinion and analysis: Postbag
4. Business, page 1
5. Front section, back page (everyday except Sunday)
6. Business, stock market pages
7. Classifieds
8. Front, Business, Outlook or Horizons sections
9. Outlook (Dear Abby, Ann Landers or Miss Manners)
10. Outlook, page 1
11. Classifieds
12. Classifieds

Click here to look at the whole eight-week series of lessons.