Leading a good life amidst temptataion

The 21st Century is truly the Age of Information Technology – an era when the electronic superhighway and satellite networks link up every city on Earth to cover the so-called globalised world.

Wherever we are, information can reach us instantly with just one click on the keyboard or a push on a single switch. From such media, everyday we learn a lot of things which lead to our having a good life quality. At the same time, though, we are exposed to all kinds of worldly temptation.

Young or old, rich or poor, we all can easily be aroused by the strong desire “to have” or “to be” and the endless cravings as those trendy foreign lifestyles, latest fashions, new merchandise, etc., come on screen before our eyes and finally flow into our minds. Indeed, technology has gradually changed our attitude, our culture and our lives.

It is tough living the teenaged years the proper way as they are full of treacherous bends. But it is even tougher being young people trying to lead a good life amidst temptation in a more conservative society at a verge of social changes like Thailand and her neighboring countries.

While we, the young people of Asia, have been taught to be humble and polite, in keeping the Oriental traditions, we are suddenly exposed to a new and more exciting lifestyle from the West on both local and global media.

On the other hand, most Asian children are still exposed to screen violence, even though research shows that young people could be very much affected. Violence on television may make them less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, more fearful of the world around them and more likely to behave in aggressive and harmful ways towards others.

Through the media that we are also targeted as prospective customers of all kinds of products and services from everywhere around the world. Those of us who cannot distinguish good from bad or cannot practise self control might end up being victims of temptation.

There are many factors around us which may easily lead us astray, especially in the present social environment in which economic pressure has forced most parents to work hard to earn enough to raise and educate their children well. The extended family system has also gone and there are no longer the elderly to help look after the children when parents are away to work. The youngsters are then left to wander freely with their friends and make their own decisions independently.

Another critical factor is the materialism which now plagues society. Many people have already thrown away such good old values like integrity, self sufficiency and loyalty. Some turn to admire the rich and famous instead.

As a result, many youth turn to crime in order to make some money to buy what they want. And more problems follow including prostitution, drug addiction, drug trafficking, robbery and others. It is very sad to see that many young people have committed wrongdoings only because of peer pressure. Some of them are willing to do it for the sake of being “cool” or “in trend”.

How could we then help our youth out of these possible threats? The answer will have to come from every party concerned – the family, the school, the community, the society and the government. Efforts will have to be made in order to help encourage the sense of leadership, self confidence, and self esteem among these youngsters through their participation and, ultimately, the achievement, in such constructive activities like music, sports, arts, etc.

Together we have to guide our young people towards the right path by pointing to them that all they have to do is to use their wisdom when making judgment. And for those who have failed in the past, they have to be brave enough to admit their faults and strong enough to start anew.

Throughout the 17 years of my life, I have seen a lot of both the good and the bad examples. But the clearest example comes from the person I know best. Myself, that is. As a youngster, I felt the pressure of peer influences on some occasions. But when it came time to make a decision, I always took into consideration Lord Buddha’s Dhamma, what I have been taught by my parents, and what I myself have learned in life.

Speaking from my own experience, I am confident a person who has been brought up in a warm and happy family; who upholds the good “dhamma” or religious teachings; who has developed a sense of self worth through worthwhile activities, will definitely be able to live his or her life well amidst whatever temptation.

Written by Nichapat Valaiphatchra
Grade 12, Mater Dei School

The Cultural Heritage of My Hometown

Bangkok is a large city situated on both banks of the Chao Phraya River. It is an eclectic mixture of the new world, the modern and the traditional. Modern offices and apartments are interspaced among traditional Thai homes and shop houses; spectacular shopping centers find themselves next to serene Buddhist temples. Colorful tuk-tuks and water taxi compete with the ultramodern skytrain to move the Bangkok citizen about.

Bangkok has hundreds of Buddhist temples and shrines as well as mosques and churches. Some of the most important Buddhist temples of Thailand are found in Bangkok. Wat Phar Kaew is home to the emerald Buddha, Wat Pho has the world famous reclining Buddha and Wat Arun soars to the sky majestically.

Even though Bangkok has the hustle and bustle of a modern city, it also has many green areas-parks, the Dusit Zoo and the Royal Palaces. These provide refuge for both Thai and foreign visitors when the city seems so nonstop and hectic. For both Thai and Non-Thai Bangkok is a shopping paradise from quaint neighborhood markets to the incredible JJ weekend market to the many shopping centers, carrying every type of goods, Bangkok has it all. Not to be overlooked is the world famous floating market where local Thai farmers and craftsmen sell and barter their wears.

At one time Bangkok was known as "The Venice of Asia" because it was crisscrossed by canals and waterways. People and merchandise moved through the city on these watery highways. Unfortunately the needs of urban society have caused many canals to be filled in and replaced by roads. However there are still many canals that wind through this city today and people still travel from home to work in water taxi on canals.

I love Bangkok: its energy and vibrancy always amazed me. Twenty-four hours a day Bangkok is on the move. Visitors who came to Bangkok must be amazed by a population constantly in motion rushing from place to place. Of course everywhere the visitor goes he hears the melodic sound of the Thai language. Once a visitor wrote that he thought listening to Thai people speak to each other was like listening to cats speak.
Thai is a beautiful language with its tones and expressions but visitors will find many people in shops, in hotel and taxis and buses who can speak English anywhere from most the basic skill to perfect skills. This means that visitors don't find themselves unable to communicate with the Thai people-unlike visitors in other Asia countries. This allows the visitors to be able to share Thai culture in a stronger way.

Thailand's economy is greatly effected by tourism; tourism makes up about 7%of the Thai economy. Therefore Thailand and Bangkok, in particular, roll out the red carpet for visitors' providing a range of activities from sightseeing to scuba diving, from trekking on elephants to riding in tuk-tuks.

In Bangkok, visitors will find many tourist resources such as Tourist Information kiosks and offices of the tourist Authorities of Thailand (TAT) which have a world of information and facts for the tourist. They can arrange for a dinner cruise on the Chao Pharya River, an evening of Thai boxing or a classical Thai dance performance. A dinner cruise on the river allows the visitors to eat wonderful Thai food while viewing traditional Thai houses and temples along the river. Thai boxing is a fast and furious sport enjoyed by Thai people in many venues. Visitors are always welcome and will find both the boxing and the enthusiastic Thai food very entertaining. Traditional Thai dance is not a single style but many styles. It is very old and very old and very beautiful with stylized movements.

Some people come to Thailand for the food alone. Thai food is known throughout the world as one of the great cuisines. Using fresh ingredients, Thai chefs make delicious dishes known worldwide for Thai taste and spiciness. Favorites such as Tom-Yam-Koong and Som-Tom have become very popular with foreign visitors. The rich and exotic taste of Thai food is delight for those who love delicious healthy food.

The guiding hand that for 50 years which has steered Thailand on the correct road has been his Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej. His kindness, his wisdom, his sense of justice and fairness and his love for his people have made the King of Thailand into a man universally loved by the Thai people and respected throughout the world. Visitors to Thailand will immediately sense the great admiration in which Thai people hold the King.

Written by Areeya Tejanant
Grade 12, Mater Dei School