Nightlife workers want some respect

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Read the following story by Suthivas Tanphaibul from the Bangkok Post’s Guru Magazine. Then, answer the questions that follow.


Tens of thousands of people who work in the nightlife and entertainment industries have been among the worst hit by the effects of Covid-19 and the last group to receive any help from the government. Let's hear what they have to say.


Nonthadet "Luke-Tao" Buranasitiporn - Representative of Thailand Nightlife and Entertainment Business Association (Neba)

How did it all start?
As co-owner of The Rock Pub, I've talked to others to form a group by bringing nightlife people and entertainment entrepreneurs together.

What does Neba want?
First, we want the government to remove all bans on the entertainment industry, selling alcoholic beverages in restaurants and hosting events and concerts. It has been proven that shutting down the entertainment and nightlife industries wasn't a practical way to slow the spread.

Sirisak "Ton" Chaited - Human rights activist for the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as sex workers

Why are you campaigning for sex workers?
One of my life purposes is to be a human rights activist, especially for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community and sex workers. I have been campaigning for them for decades. I am also an independent sex worker.

What are your demands?
One is the legalisation of prostitution. Many people may label our profession as shameful or immoral, but, actually, sex workers aren't that different from other professions. We all go through an interview process and experience office culture.
We put on our high heels and brought our bikinis to the Government House on June 29 as a symbolic gesture to call for monthly handouts of B5,000 in cash.

Prapavee 'Bamee' Hemata - Creator of #Gu-Ja-Perd-Mueng-Ja-Tummai (I'll open. Whatcha gonna do about it?)

How did it begin?
I was reading the latest measures from the CCSA that were announced in the middle of the night on June 27. I could barely sleep. I calmed myself down by venting my rage on Facebook with my hashtag.

What do you want from the government?
The only thing we want right now is to reopen for business.
We have seen many venues sneakily selling alcoholic beverages. And, of course, the police have ignored it when a bribe is paid. This shows the contradiction of Thai society, where people suffer from following the rules, while the others who break them survive when money changes hands.

Choltanutkun 'Chol' Tun-atiruj - Campaign co-founder of #Gu-Ja-Post-Mueng-Ja-Tummai
(I'm gonna post, what are you gonna do?)

What is the main aim of the campaign?
It is aimed at challenging the new law that wants to fine you B500,000, and if you're a business owner a million baht, for posting a photo of your [alcoholic] drink online.

How can one be a part of the campaign?
Just take a photo of your favourite drink with a censor filter and post it with a hashtag on your social media feeds.

Why did you start the campaign?
Alcoholic beverages are not a crime. Whenever the numbers rise, businesses involved with selling alcoholic drinks are always blamed.


Section 1: Write the correct answer in the space provided.
1. What does Neba stand for? …………….
2. When did a bikini protest happen? …………….
3. What were announced on June 27? …………….
4. What is the maximum fine for posting a picture of an alcoholic drink? …………….
5. Who has been campaigning for more than 10 years?…………..
6. Who talks about police taking bribes? …………….

Section 2: Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
We …7… an unplugged concert at Junk House Music Bar. The first gig will be hosted by Ammy The Bottom Blues and is …8… to 30 seats per session. We …9… restaurants and bars to challenge the new restrictions by …10… the venue with limited seating while following safety measures.
7. __A. organise             __B. organiser                __C. organised
8. __A. limit                 __B. limited              __C. limitation
9. __A. encourages            __B. encourage           __C. encouragement
10. __A. operates            __B. operating                __C. operation

       
Section 3: Find words that match the following definitions.
11. people who operate businesses ……………
12. extreme anger ……………
13. money given to someone to get them to do something you want them to do ……………
14. to remove parts of a picture that you do not want someone to see …………

Answers: 1. Nightlife and Entertainment Business Association. 2. June 29. 3. Covid measures. 4. One million baht. 5. Ton. 6. Bamee. 7. c. 8. b. 9. b. 10. b. 11. entrepreneurs. 12. rage. 13. bribe. 14. censor.