Milan

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Turmoil in Thai Journalism

Politic changes so many things in Thailand.

The Taksin's shadow government vowed to make a better change, but what is happening now in Thailand is 'turmoil'.

Today, I talked with my friend who is a journalist in Thailand. She told me that journalism there is 'disaster'.

Well, new government seems to control almost everything, even press!

You think press in Thailand is well-developed and really free?

No, I could say no. Journalism in Thailand either under commercial or politics.

Things used to be better ... when press is still free to talk and write.

We always had hope that the industry is improving journalism standard, and soon we will have press we can be proud of.

But...hope was destroyed by polictic. Finally, press in Thailand seems to surrender to politician power.

I am not saying that 'good' journalists in Thailand surrender.

But they can't do nothing much now. So many factors.

If head of the station or people who are in charge become careless about journalism ethics.

What can journalists do?

 

Thailand Public Broadcasting Service - true of false?

Talking about TV news because that's my old field where I was belonged to, it's such a mess.

Thailand just introduced 'Thai Public Broadcasting Service', which is supposed to be a free press for benefit of society.

But..I heard from insider that journalists are told to report only news against government!

Yeah, one of the journalist job is to be a 'watch dog' but... 'report only news that is against governement' mean watch dog????

Shouldn't they just be free to report anything that benefit society?

Isn't that what PBS should do?

People in TPBS shoud recosider their position and their policy!

I am not pro government...but what they're trying to do is not 'journalist' for me.

 

Pathway to be a star?

My friend always mention the bigger problem.

'Many new journalists entering industry just because they want to assure a pathway to be a star in front of camera!'

oh oh oh....so sad indeed!!!

Do you think being a journalist can help you become a star? That's why you choose to be here?

I don't know what to say...

This job is far more than that!

People....this job is for the people, for benefit of society....it's dedicated job.

Fame came after as a profit when you do so many good things.

But if you enter this career just because you aim to be a star. Please stop.!

I think this is a serious problem that will drag the standard of Thai journalism down and down....

 

What can I do?

I keep asking myself after talking to my friend 'what can I do?'

I want to make a change but how can I do that?

I am not gonna be a journalist anymore because I have a commitment to be a university professor after I graduate from here.

Can I use my future career to help improve standard of Thai journalism?

I want to try. I want to do it.

I never feel like I am ready to go back home and be a teacher like this time.

I was always doubt what I was gonna do.

But now...my mission seems to be clearer in my head.

I am gonna be a teacher who teach some of my student to be a 'real journalist' who can really one day make a change!

I know this mission is hard. But I want to try. I want to do it.

And I will keep on trying until one day I can look at my students and be proud of them!

I set my goal today!

When I go back to Thailand, my journey will begin!

 

Links to TV channels in Thailand:

- Thai TV 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, NBT, TPBS, Modern 9 TV, Nation Channel

Liverpool: Wirral Peninsula

 

I went to Liverpool for a football match. However, I had one day before the match to travel around. Well, I've been to Liverpool a couple of times and nothing in the city center left much for me to see.

Liverpool is now European Capital of Culture 2008 so I check shedule of the show and event. Nothing interesting happened during the time of my stay.

So...what's next?

I check more information on  Visit Liverpool website, and I found a place called  Wirral Peninsula. It's between River Mersey and River Dee. It is strenght into Liverpool Bay and Irish Sea.

It has a spectacular nature view, espectially the coast line.

It's very easy to get there...just cross River Mersey!

Getting to Wirral

To get to Wirral you can travel by many ways. For example, ferry from Liverpool waterfront crossing River Mersey.

You can drive a car or take Mersey Rail

I chose the last option - Mersey Rail because it's quick and easy.

If you want to travel to many places around Wirral and also back to the City center in the same day, you should get 'saveaway ticket'.

The one which cover city center and Wirral costs 4.30, and you can travel around as many time as you want within a day.

 

Then I took Wirral Line (which is a green line) at Liverpool Lime Street Station.

You can check places you want to go and the nearest station to the place at http://www.visitliverpool.com/merseycoastandcountry/coast/wirral-peninsula

To travel in Wirral you can either walk or cycling. There are many route offering. You can also check out information on the site.

For me, I was interested in Hilbre Islands because it said to be a place you can see 'seal'. Well, I never see the real one in nature so..why not?

So, my stop was West Kirby station. From there, I could also travel to West Kirby Marine Lake and Hilbre Islands.

To take Wirral line, you must be careful because there are three routes. If you want to go to West Kirby station, get on the train going to West Kirby, and get off at the last stop.

 

West Kirby Marine Lake

Then, follow the sign to West Kirby Marine Lake.

Here, you will see lots of boats and canoes because it's the favourite place for sailing.

The human-made salted lake is for sailing..and there is a pathway devided it from the sea. So, when walking on the pathway, I can see the lake and feel the breeze from the Irish sea.

When looking into the sea, I could see the view of Welsh Hills และ the Dee Estuary

When the tide is low, you can walk in the sea area ... walk far to the Hilbre Islands.

It's not that close so you have to check the tide time carefully. No one wants to stuck in the middle of the sea, right?

Check time and more information at www.merseytravel.gov.uk

I went there when the tide was low. I could see people walking on the sand miles away.

Parents played with their kids on the sand - what a good sight to see!

Dogs running around on the sand and jumping into the water. They were having fun just like us.

Some people were walking toward the Hilbre Islands. I wanted to do so, but it was too far away. And by the time, we knew we had to walk there, the tide was getting higher.

So, we missed the chance this time. But we will come back to full fill our mission next time. I hope!

From West Kirby Marine Lake, you can also walk along the coast to enjoy many other places. For example, Coastal Park, View Point and Leasowe Lighthouse.

Next time...I will walk more...

well, at least we know now that Liverpool isn't just about football, there are something else to explore too.

 

Pictures:

My first match day at Anfield!

Finally, I got a chance to watch my all time favourite "Liverpool FC" playing at Anfield.

It's one of the missions I planed to do while I am in the UK. Finally, I did it!

LIVERPOOL VS BLACKBURN ROVERS
April 13, 2008

I went to Liverpool town center around 10 for breakfast and preparing to go to the match. Everywhere people wore reds - Liverpool home kits.

They walked together with friends and family. Some kids were so cute that they wore all Liverpool stuff from head to toe.

I was waiting for the bus to go to Anfield at bus stop No. 8 for the bus no. 17.

It was such a long queue and almost everyone is the Kop's fans. We were going to the same direction carrying the same hope - Liverpool to win!

When I arrived at the stadium, everywhere is red!

I went here two times when it wasn't a match day. It was very quiet. But on match day is different. It's just like we're stepping into another world - the world of red.

The atmosphere was very exciting. I looked around and see everyone in Liverpool kits, t-shirt and jacket. Some dressing up just to cheer their team. It was such an amazing experience to see people so crazy about a football team. And..I am one of them.

How did I get the ticket?

Usually, you need LFC Fan card to buy match ticket. However, some matches you may need to buy a few previous match tickets in order to be eligible for buying a ticket.

Most of the time, they give a chance for people holding season ticket, and people who often watch the match first.

If the tickets are not sold out, then it's a chance for a normal fan like us to buy one.

You have to check frequetly on LFC official website.

Then on the day of purchasing, you just call to their hotline, wait for the long queue..and if the ticket still available, you can buy!

This ticket costs me 36 pounds. But the price can be vary from match to match. 

I got a seat at Anfield Road..and Lower area, which made me sit quite close to the pitch. Well, I was behind the goal..and I could see the players very close, especially when they got a corner kick.

So..it was quite nice.

 

Unbelievable atmosphere

Atmosphere in the stadium on match day is incredible.

I have heard that Liverpool fan is one of the best football fan, who create such an unbelievable atmosphere driving their players to win the game.

Well, I agree with that. It was very moving and touching the way the sing 'You'll never walk alone' and scream to encourage the players.

If I was a liverpool player, I would play like mad for the fans.

Before the match began, everyone stood up with scraft in their hands and sing 'You'll never walk alone'.

Well, I know this song by heart, no worry about lyrics because I've been singing it since I was young. So, I scream and sang the song with other fans. It's such an amazing moment!

 

The Match

First half, Liverpool played forward to the side I was sitting. It was such an exciting moment...I kept my eyes on them. I screamed. I sang the song with fans. I boo the stupid referee. I clapped my hands when our players did a good job.

Everything, every move, every of my action was just automatically happened. You can feel that when you're there.

I was hoping Liverpool to score at first half so I could see them celebrate in front of me - up close.

But well, the score was 0-0 at the end of first half.

Second half began with rain still pouring like no ending.

I felt so much pressure when time went on and on without a single goal. There were 2 reasons;

1. I wanted my team to win. We're on the road to get the 4th place to secure of place in Champion League. We need to win to be more ahead of Everton. But no score yet, such a pressure!

2. I was afraid if Liverpool lost, my family would kill me. 555
They always thought I was an unlucky girl and everytime I watch the match, Liverpool doesn't win.

Well, why me? But it has been that way for years. I couldn't deny that.

When I told them I was going to the match, they all say 'NO'. 555

So, somehow that's another pressure that I wanted to break the spell!

 

Three goals in second half

And....finally, on 60 minutes, we got a GOAL!

Gerrard on the edge of the box played a one-two with Lucas before tucking beyond Freidel to take Liverpool lead 1-0. It was his 21 goal this season. So cool, huh?

Blackburn were creating their chance too. And I was so scared because anything can happen before the final whistle.

And sometimes our defend can let us down. I just kept my fingure crossed that today 'we will have a good defends'

Then I could feel more relief when Torres scored second goal for Liverpool.

It was such a nice play as a team.

On 82 minutes Gerrard looked up before picking out Torres in the bo, and Torres head the ball into the net.

Liverpool leaded 2-0.

I was still excited and pissed off. The referee was so unfair and stupid. Liverpool should have been awarded penalty for 3 times, as well, we should have got many free kick.

Anyway, on 90 minutes we got the third goal from Voronin - a substitute. We took the lead 3-0.

The score should have ended there. But as I said before, Liverpool defends could go wrong at anytime.

With some fault, we gave away one goal for Blackburn, and the match ended with Liverpool 3 - Blackburn Rovers 1.

 

However, it was a nice first match day for me. I love every bits of it. And Liverpool won. What could I ask for more?

Happy ending!

Well, you can have a look at some pictures from the match below. Just play the slide.

 

Photos by James. Thanks for his camera with long lens so we can have some pictures of players.

Want to see more picture? Have a look at http://mrapisit.multiply.com/

Radio Feature: Adaptive Rowing

I got a chance to do radio feature with one of my friend. It was our assignment in radio class.

We looked for story and then she found 'Adaptive Rowing' because it will be introduced to Paralympic for the first time this year in Beijing.

We've never known about it. And I guess many people don't know about it either.

It doesn't seem to be a sport for disability, but in fact, those people can play it very very well.

We spent days at London Regatta Rowing club with Poland's athlete, Martyna Snopek and her coach, Maurice Coughlan, to find out more about adaptive rowing.

 

 

 

We also got a chance to try rowing ourselves. No no, we didn't do it in the river. That would be dangerous because we don't know how to.

But at Regatta there has a tank for training programme, so we tried rowing there.

 

 

It was kind of fun doing this feature. We met new people (again), and learnt about things we never knew (as always).

That is what make journalism so passionate!

You can listen to my feature here. Just click play...enjoy..and give comment, please. So I can imporve my work in the future.

Spring ... but snow?

Well, it's a bit confused now..I don't know if we're having spring or winter.

Last two days, the weather was so nice and warm. We could just wear shorts to go around in London. Every where is green and flowers is blossom.

But today I woke up in the morning, and I saw snow!

It has been snowing for 3 - 4 hours...white everywhere...

This is because of global warming?

The weather is unpredictable. It's not the way it used to be

I remember when I was young, I could know exact time when season change.

But now anything can happen anytime.

.... well, for us, it seems this change is more obvious these days..

but what can we do?

Shall we together help stop global warming?

We should!!! Start today by doing simple things...such as cut your carbon footprint!!