Sanam Luang gets a fresh new look | Bangkok Post: learning

Easy English news

Sanam Luang is expected to reopen in three months after a 300-day renovation programme.

Military engineers from the army’s 1st Development Division are busy renovating Sanam Luang. The landscaping work, now 60% complete, is scheduled to be finished on April 26. JETJARAS NA RANONG

Check out the short video and then read the story.

Click button to listen to Sanam Luang and rightclick to download

Sanan Luang takes on a new look

By the time the Royal Ploughing Ceremony takes place this May, Sanam Luang will have a new, much better look, promises Jakchai Mokkahsmita, commander of the army's 1st Development Division.

His 200 military engineers have been working on Sanam Luang's landscaping since July last year and the renovation work is now 60% complete. The 300-day, 181-million-baht project is due for completion on April 26

The renovation work includes the installation of water drainage systems and underground electric lines.

Two hills will be built on the left and right sides of the park, with native ya nuan noi grass planted on them, said Col Jakchai.

The army's development division will also lay a 30-metre road between the two hills. The road and footpaths in the park will be paved with cement tiles.

Col Jakchai has urged the public to participate in the paving of the road and footpaths around the park on March 18. A total of 26,250 tiles will be used on that day, he said.

Col Jakchai said military engineers have also carried out community relations work to help vendors affected by the renovation work. The relocation of thousands of pigeons to pave the way for the renovation cost many bird feed sellers their jobs. To help them, Col Jakchai's troops have built carts from which the vendors can sell soft drinks or fruit instead.

Suraphon Iewsuwan, who is the leader of the renovation team, said a survey by his team had found that the number of tamarind trees – a signature aspect of the ground – around Sanam Luang  had dwindled from about 800 to 700. His troops thus planned to plant 73 new tamarind trees.

``When it is finished, Sanam Luang will become a beautiful park. Its lawn must be maintained,'' said Col Suraphon.

``Parking lots will not be built. In case of necessity, people can park their vehicles on the road and around the park.”
 
Adapted from a story by Wassana Nanuam in Saturday's Bangkok Post.

renovate – to make something old look new again by repairing and improving it, especially a building ตบแต่งหรือซ่อมปรับปรุงสถานที่
landscape – to change the appearance of an area of land, especially next to a building or road ทำให้ทิวทัศน์ดีขึ้น
plough – to dig and turn over a field or other area of land with a  large piece of farming equipment called a plough ไถ
commander – the head of an army or army unit ผู้บังคับบัญชา
military – connected with soldiers or the armed forces ในทางทหาร,เกี่ยวกับทหาร
renovation – making something old look new again by repairing and improving it, especially a building การปฏิสังขรณ์, การทำให้มีสภาพดีเหมือนเดิม, การบูรณะ, การซ่อมแซมใหม่
due – expected to happen or should happen มีกำหนด
drainage – the system of water or waste liquids flowing away from somewhere into the ground or down pipes การระบายน้ำ
native – existing naturally in a place ตามธรรมชาติ
pave – to cover an area of ground with a hard flat surface of pieces of stone, concrete or bricks – ลาดทาง
tile – a piece of baked clay that is used in rows for covering roofs, covering ground surfaces, etc. แผ่นกระเบื้อง
urge – to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take ผลักดัน, กระตุ้น
participation – to take part in or become involved in an activity การมีส่วน
community – the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
relations – the way in which two people, groups or countries behave towards each other or deal with each other ความสัมพันธ์
vendor – someone who sells something, but not in a shop พ่อค้าแม่ค้าแผงลอย
relocation – the process of moving someone or something to a new place การย้ายที่ใหม่
pave the way – to make something possible or easier to be done  ปูทางไว้สำหรับ
cost jobs – to cause people to lose their jobs
troops – soldiers, especially in large numbers กองทหาร
cart - a small vehicle with two or four wheels that you push or pull to transport large or heavy objects on รถเข็นหรือรถลาก
signature – something special or unique about someone or something
aspect – one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc ด้าน,มุม
dwindle – to become gradually less or smaller over a period of time until almost nothing remains ลดลงไปทีละน้อย
lawn - an area of grass, especially near to a house or in a park, which is cut regularly to keep it short สนามหญ้า
maintain – to keep in good condition รักษา
necessity – the fact that something must happen or be done; the need for something  สิ่งจำเป็น, สิ่งที่ขาดไม่ได้
lot – an area of land used for a particular purpose   ที่ดิน, ผืนดิน, แปลงที่ดิน

Tell us what you think about this article

Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked it

Share this article

0

0

• More +

• Republishing permission
• Print this

Bangkok Post online classifieds

Try buying & selling goods and properties 24/7 in our classifieds which has high purchasing power local & expatriate audience from within Thailand and around the world.