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This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations. December 30, 2003 Trying something new INTRODUCTION

Today’s feature focus is really two short lessons. In a class or study group, you could use them for two separate lessons or in a larger class, give one story to each half of your class. There are some interesting points of comparison that you could use to draw the two stories together. Today’s two stories share a theme — something new, a new challenge – a good theme for the new year that we welcome in just two days. Getting to know your neighbour Aaron Kwok’s new challenge is a role in an upcoming TV series aimed to boost Hong Kong tourism. Quickly scan the story to find answers to the following questions: What is the name of the TV series? What’s the name of Kwok’s character in the series? What does that character do? Does Kwok have experience in the type of role he has in the series? Name three of the locations that will be seen in the series. In the opening paragraph, the writer, Samila Suttisiltum, makes the comparison between The Lord of the Rings, F4 and Meteor Gardens and the new TV series. What did those movies accomplish? Why did she mention Hong Kong? Explain the comparison in your own words. It will be interesting to read about the new series for the next few months and see if the comparison proves to be true. Here are two other questions to think about as you read. Kwok was criticised for taking on the role in the series. What did people say was wrong with him doing that? In his own opinion was it a bad thing to do? What reasons did he give to support his opinion. OUR STORIES FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Kwok's tour Hong Kong superstar Aaron Kwok assumes the role of tour guide in a new drama series which aims to boost tourism SAMILA SUTTISILTUM Know these words and phrases strategy a way to achieve a purpose propaganda ideas or statements that may be false or exaggerated and used in order to gain support formulaic made up of fixed patterns of words or ideas; not original to resist a temptation not to do something that is very appealing let alone used to emphasise that because the first thing is true, the next thing is even more true escorted to have someone go with you to guard or show you the way wretched very ill or unhappy portfolio a collection of work flick movies up-and-coming likely to be successful and popular in future tactic the particular method you use to achieve something backdrop the scenery surrounding an event carried away to get very excited or lose control of your feelings convey to make ideas or feelings known Aaron Kwok We've seen this strategy before — everyone does it. Just as The Lord of the Rings trilogy draws countless tourists to New Zealand or F4 and Meteor Garden pull thousands of Thais, teens and adults alike, to visit Taiwan, Hong Kong hopes a new TV series will do the same for its own popularity. Call it touristic propaganda if you wish, but when Romancing Hong Kong combines a cast of beautiful stars, formulaic storylines and Hong Kong's top tourist attractions, it's pretty difficult to resist the temptation, isn't it? Let alone being escorted all over the place by the heartthrob Aaron Kwok. "Some have criticised me for taking this role as a tour leader as it's something very professional,'' said Kwok Fu Shing, as he is commonly known to Thai audiences. "I know I've never done it before but I have tried my best. I give all my energy and spirit to the role and it's been a great fun working in this production." Although Kwok has reached his 38th year, he still looks fresh-faced and energetic. During the decade of his career in showbiz he has transformed himself from TV background dancer to one of the most successful pop singers in Hong Kong. In 1992, he was cast to play a rich kid turned street-racing cyclist who found true love with a beautiful but wretched Chinese girl. The film is the sequel to the classic romance Moment of Romance, which propelled Andy Lau to fame. Kwok's portfolio also includes an action flick adapted from the famous Feng Yin or Storm Riders comic book and several chart-topping tunes. This time, he takes the role of Hao Ming, a rich young man who decides to work as a part-time tour coordinator to better understand the travel industry and contribute to his family's tourism business. His life is turned upside down overnight when his father loses the family business to a friend. Hao Ming must then struggle to set up his own travel agency while dealing with a love life gone sour between him and lovely Ocean Park employee Su Li (played by up-and-coming Chinese actress Li Bing Bing). Kwok attributes the show's success to the tactic of spotlighting the breathtaking scenery which has become a vital backdrop to the drama. "It's true I know nothing about tourism or how to be a tour guide," says the star. "However, when I was standing among those fantastic places I was just carried away. Those places got me to do it instinctively. "I love everything I do in this production. Sometimes there's no dialogue in the scene, but I want you to see the setting and atmosphere we try to convey. The locations themselves speak the dialogue. They convey all the atmosphere of the scene and there's no need for words at all." Breathtaking locations take in Hong Kong's best known and potential tourist spots ... The Peak, Ocean Park, Repulse Bay, Murray House, Po Lin Monastery, the viewing platform from Tsing Ma Bridge, open top antique trams and even shopping malls. Kwok’s personal favourite spot is Tsing Ma Bridge. "It is something found only in Hong Kong ... a huge cable bridge to Lantau to see the majestic outdoor Big Buddha at Po Lin Monastery." Making merit Parames Rachjaibun has set a new challenge for himself. He wants to change a 150-year-old custom. Quickly scan the story to find the answers to these questions: What has Parames been doing lately that has given him his new idea? What is a merit box? What does it replace? What do merit boxes contain? What is the range of prices? How many “multiple objectives” are named? (Hint: look at the punctuation marks.) What is the custom he is trying to change? If Parames is going to be successful in promoting his merit boxes, he will have to convince people of the benefits (the merits) of the boxes compared with traditional wreaths. After you read, list the advantages of the merit boxes according to: cost materials used appearance purpose convenience environment your own feeling Considering all those factors, do you think Parames has an idea that people will support? Explain your reasons. Comparing challenges If you have read both stories, or if others in your class or study group have read a different story, compare the challenges these two men face. Which has the greater challenge? Why do you think so? Do you think either or both will reach the goals of their projects? Explain why you think so. Say it with merit boxes Entrepreneur offers charitable alternative to funeral wreaths Know these words and phrases venture business project or activity, especially a risky one entrepreneur a person who starts a business, especially when it involve risks wilt to bend over because of heat or lack of water tout to try to persuade people to buy your goods or services affiliated closely connected to a group or organisation perspex a clear, hard, glass-like plastic deceased (n) a person who has died launched started franchise formal permission given by one company to another that wants to sell its goods or services in a particular area distribution the system of transporting and delivering goods Parames Rachjaibun Parames Rachjaibun is an advertising man through and through. All his life he's been watching the movements of the market and consumer demand, and his latest venture is based on those two very things. "Lately I'm finding that I have to attend more funerals than weddings," admitted the ever youthful-looking entrepreneur, "and I couldn't help looking around at the masses of floral wreaths hanging around the temples." Costing anywhere between 300 and 4,000 baht apiece, funeral wreaths wilt and die in a matter of days. Parames thought that this was a terrible waste; that the money could be put to much better uses. Besides, the foam bases used for such wreaths are a cause for environmental concern. And if a vine base is used that means the unnecessary destruction of plant life. Along came klong na bun (merit boxes), an alternative "funeral wreath" which Parames is touting through his firm, Nua Na Bun Co Ltd. Instead of flowers that look pretty but waste away, these na bun boxes contain a range of stationery and sports equipment for school children. "I figured that most temples have an affiliated school, all of which need funds and equipment for the children. This way, the boxes can be donated to schools. Another alternative is to send them to schools run by the Border Patrol Police in remote areas." All the sender has to do is call the company, choose from a range of four prices —1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500 baht — and arrange payment through a bank transfer or credit card. Nua Na Bun will then deliver the boxes to any temple in Bangkok. The perspex boxes are wrapped with a black ribbon to which the sender's name is attached — just like is done with a normal wreath. "The na bun boxes achieve multiple objectives: They are a final joint merit-making act linking the sender, the host and the deceased; a form of donation from which school children benefit getting some much-needed equipment; and 10 percent of the cost goes straight to the Chaipattana Foundation." Parames acknowledges that it may be difficult to change people's habits — wreaths have been a part of funeral tradition for over 150 years — but at least now they have an alternative. Hardly had his idea been launched when Parames received requests to set up franchises in the North. He is also planning to set up a Web site as well as make arrangements with selected temples and flower shops to expand his distribution base. For orders and further details, call 02-651-9817/8. • This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post. Read our other feature focus columns here. Return to our home page. | Comments to Maureen at maureen@bangkokpost.co.th | | © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2003 | Last modified: December 29, 2003