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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. September 5, 2006 Making a difference INTRODUCTION

Today's story is about a Children's Walking Street, a project to help young people stay out of trouble and draw them away from crime. The people behind the project feel it's important to provide young people with a positive, nice and friendly environment, instead of unhealthy places like pubs and discotheques. This is not the first project of its kind. In the USA, research has found that recreational areas, such as public parks and libraries, help to prevent youth crime. This lesson should work best with secondary students. The warmer could include questions about common teenage problems, and the reasons behind them. Then ask the students about how these problems should be tackled. Once enough suggestions have been heard, read the article and tackle the student activity. You should, however, make sure that you have plenty of time to spend on the extra activity. This activity could actually be turned into a project, with an accompanying class presentation. Activities 1. Below are a few sentences taken from the story that you've just read. Try to put back the vocabulary that has been removed without looking back at the story. a. A Children's Walking Street project has been __________ in Ayutthaya - a pilot scheme __________ at giving youngsters creative space to draw them away from bad behaviour. b. It's good having an event like this as it gives us a chance to __________ and show our __________ in public. c. He cited Seattle and San Francisco in the US, which are both ___________ as child-friendly cities. d. Both cities have invested a great deal in child-related projects and this has led to a __________ decrease in problems. e. They are __________ on cultural conservation. They only need a __________ to show off their abilities. 2. Here are another five sentences, but these sentences don't come the newspaper article. Use the vocabulary list above to fill in the blanks. a. The music festival is __________ between five different cities altogether. b. Police __________ that they had arrested the terrorist. c. Many adults enjoy going to __________ in the evenings. d. Violence and alcohol in the home can __________ emotional problems and crime. e. The __________ American makes 184, 700 phone calls in a lifetime. Extra activity Sit down in smaller groups and plan your own Children's Walking Street. What kind of activities would you include? What would your Walking Street focus on? Music? Art? Sports? Put together a programme, together with a detailed picture of the different stalls and their locations at your own Children's Walking Street, and present it to the class. Answers 1. a. launched, aimed b. perform, talents c. recognised d. remarkable e. keen,venue 2. a. alternating b. confirmed c. pubs d. foster e. average

OUR STORY FROM THE BANGKOK POST Children's walking street opens ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA Students learn to make thong muan at Children's Walking Street in Ayutthaya— EPA Ayutthaya - A Children's Walking Street project has been launched in Ayutthaya - a pilot scheme aimed at giving youngsters creative space to draw them away from bad behaviour. Similar streets are planned in 20 provinces nationwide by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, following a study by the Ramjitti Institute. Its Child Watch Project found that children are mostly surrounded by unhealthy places such as pubs, discotheques, Internet cafes and department stores - unhealthy environments which can foster crime and sex. "Teenage pregnancies are continually on the rise, with 50,000 per year. Another 30,000 get involved in criminal offences every year - or about 82 cases each day. That's a warning sign for adults to create better space for our children," Dr Supakorn Buasai, the foundation manager, said. The walking street in Ayutthaya took place at Khum Khun Paen in Muang district, with fun-filled activities like painting, boxing, cooking classes, games and cultural performances. Pavitra Mornlee, a grade 12 student at Chomsurang Upatham school, and her six-girl string band, Wan-yen, were part of the action. "It's good having an event like this as it gives us a chance to perform and show our talent in public," she said. The band had taken part in many competitions, she said, "but performing in contests is more stressful. Here we are more relaxed and play a lot better." Amornvich Nakhontap, head of the Child Watch Project, said evidence confirmed that a good social environment reduced child problems. He cited Seattle and San Francisco in the US, which are both recognised as child-friendly cities. Seattle has 27.5 rai of public parks and recreational areas per 1,000 people and San Francisco 25. Public libraries in Seattle have an average of 19 books for each child and San Francisco 15 books. "Both cities have invested a great deal in child-related projects and that has led to a remarkable decrease in problems. For instance, the rate of teenage pregnancy is only 6 percent, compared to other big cities where it stands at 10-15 percent," he said. "Youth involvement in crime is about 700 per 100,000 population, less than half that of other cities," he said. Young people are actively involved in the Children's Walking Street project, from planning to taking part in the activities. Varakorn Monthatip, the 21-year-old president of Ayutthaya Youth Council, said the street will operate at least once a month, alternating through venues in 16 districts in the province. "Children in Ayutthaya are capable of doing many things. They are good at music. They can be smart tourist guides. They are keen on cultural conservation. They only need a venue to show off their abilities," he said. Similar streets are planned in Nan, Phrae, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Maha Sarakham, Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Mukdahan, Ang Thong, Nonthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chachoengsao, Phuket, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Chumphon. pilot scheme a trial project to see how successful something is similar alike; sharing some qualities, but not identical perform present an artistic work, such as a piece of music or a play, to an audience talent ability to do something well confirm show something to be true environment the things around us decrease make less average typical; usual remarkable attracts attention involvement connected with or participating in something. operate make something function or work alternating happen one after the other, repeatedly keen eager and willing to do something conservation protection Read our other instant lesson here. Return to our home page. | © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2006 | Last modified: September 4, 2006