Lesson 1: How to speak in American, Learn English, Savio

Here & Hear - Commonly Confused Words in English

English Grammar - Much / Many / A lot

English Grammar - SO & NEITHER

English Grammar Lesson. Past Participles and Present Participles

English Vocabulary Clip - Irregular Verbs 1

Bringing back the Siamese smile

Thailand's veteran photographers and celebrities join hands to brighten up the city.

Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon are launching constructive activities as an attempt to bring happiness back to Thai society. The shopping complex, joining forces with Thailand's leading photographers, will organise the "Siam, Land of Smile" exhibition presenting various expressions of smiles via photos of artists, stars, celebrities and ordinary people. It will take place in front of Siam Center from June 18 to 30.

Certainly a smile is universal body language. But what makes the smile of Thai people, aka the "Siamese smile", one of a kind is that it strikingly expresses the genuine bliss and sincerity of its givers. With a smile on their faces in every situation, Thais are world famous for their friendliness, generosity and optimism. And as the simplest way to lend some emotional and spiritual supports, it is quintessential to share Thai smiles among one another at a time when they are needed the most.

"Eleven leading photographers are invited to join this exhibition," said Chadatip Chutrakul, chief executive officer of Siam Paragon and managing director of Siam Center and Siam Discovery.

"They include well-known names such as Amart Nimitpak, one of the country's most famous fashion photographers; Nat Prakobsantisuk, a highly cherished magazine photographer; Wasan Puengprasert, a long respected fashion photographer; Wasinburee Supanichvorapachon, a photographing artist; and Tada Varich, a cutting-edge fashion photographer."

Teenage pregnancies and making the right choice

There is a shoulder to lean on through heart-wrenching times.

Data on teenage pregnancies compiled by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Non-government Organisations specialising in health care, all agree that there is an alarming growth in the number of pregnancies among teenagers in Thailand's schools.

The National Institute for Child and Family Development at Mahidol University has revealed that the number of teenage pregnancies in the 15-19 age category in Thailand is much higher than figures from around the world presented by the World Health Organisation (WHO). For every 1,000 females in that age group, 70 become pregnant in Thailand as opposed to 65 which is the global average.

Thailand's average is considered very high and is in fact the highest in the Asean region.
This has prompted many agencies to focus on education as a preventive measure, be it sex education or birth control methods.

However authorities appear to have failed to address a key aspect of teenage pregnancy and that is the problems that arise during the pre- and post-natal period - namely after a teenager conceives.
There isn't much said on this because it's a taboo subject.

This has seen many teenagers resort to illegal abortion clinics as a last resort. Abortions in these places are risky since they can be life-threatening and could possibly result in a girl being unable to conceive again or possibly die. Add to the list the traumatic and emotional distress which feeds ones guilt, these teens are often left scarred for life.

Decoding inherited diseases

A genetic breakthrough is helping Asians learn about their risks of developing certain illnesses through their DNA

Many people suffer from chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancers.

Researchers over the years have concluded that the catalysts of these acute conditions partly stem from what we eat and the lifestyles many people lead.

Doctors and scientists have also been aware for some time now that these illnesses also appear to run in families, however until recently, the reasons why could only be guessed at.

But the advent of DNA sequencing, the first of which came in the early 1970's, has significantly accelerated biological research and discovery. It's provided researchers with an added tool to gain further insight into the link between acute diseases and genetics.

Thanks to innovative medical technology supported by these genetic studies, a new procedure is available which can help patients tackle medical problems at their root. It's a test for identification of genetic risk.

South Korea lead Greece at half-time

South Korea led Greece 1-0 at half-time in the opening Group B fixture at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on day two at the World Cup here on Saturday.

The 2002 co-hosts grabbed a seventh minute lead against the run of play, when Celtic's Ki Sung Yueng's freekick from beside the left corner flag skimmed over the heads of the Greek defence for Lee Jung Soo to volley in at the far post.

Considering it was Greece with their far superior statures that were supposed to present the setpiece threat the manner of Korea's goal will have come as a nasty surprise to the Euro 2004 champions.

Understandably their manager Otto Rehhagel did not look the happiest person among the crowd at the three-quarter full 42,000-capacity stadium in this Eastern Cape port.

The Koreans proceeded to run rings round the Greeks and were close to a second goal in the 27th minute after skipper Park Ji Sung's superb through ball found Park Chu Young only for the Monaco striker's shot to be deflected over the crossbar by keeper Alexandros Tzorvas.
Group B favourites Argentina take on Nigeria later on Saturday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

WORLD CUP 2010 Inmates set to show off their soccer skills

Of more than 10,000 foreign inmates belonging to 90 nationalities, seven-a-side teams will represent their respective countries participating in the 2010 World Cup, Thanis Sriyaphan, a deputy Corrections Department director-general, said yesterday.


Any nine-member team of all 32 nations, which features seven players and two coaching staff members, are mixed with Thai inmates in case all nine inmates of the same nationality are available.


The three-member refereeing staff in each match is also made up of foreign inmates. South Africa, who feature in the opening match against Mexico, are fully represented by all seven players of South African nationality, while Mexico are using some Thai inmates.

All matches in the "World Cup 2010 Behind Bars" are played one day before the actual matches scheduled on June 11 to July 11, meaning the opening match is played today. Thai PBS will broadcast today's event at 10 am and the closing ceremony on July 10.