vday Lyrics

February 14, 2008
Valentine clamp down

Two teenagers carry a heart-shaped pillow they bought to show their affection for each other and express their ''love'' on Valentine's Day. JETJARAS NA RANONG

Valentine's Day is probably a bigger event here than it is back in my home country of the United States, particularly among couples who are too young to be lovers. As you will see from the story below, it takes a big effort by police to keep things at least partially under control. Fads are also a part of the Valentine fun. Read about a fad that is earning one business a lot of money.

affection - a feeling of liking and caring about someone or something ความรักและห่วงใย
couple - two people who are married or are involved in a romantic relationship คุ่รัก
fad - something that is popular or fashionable only for a short time กระแสนิยม

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Police set to clamp down on underage s__ in love motels
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM SUNTHORN PONGPAO

Police have been instructed to increase checks on so-called love motels to ensure owners do not allow underage lovers to use the facilities for s__ as the country braces for Valentine's Day fever today.

Wimol Pao-in, head of the Children, Juveniles and Women Division, said the agency will send police to patrol love motels and other night entertainments throughout the country.

''We will not use flashlights to check on guests at motels, which is a violation of their privacy. I believe operators will give full cooperation,'' he said.

The division had asked motels to not accept underage visitors. Motel operators found checking in minors, even unintentionally, face a maximum of three months imprisonment and/or a 30,000-baht fine.

Pol Maj-Gen Wimol said officers would also patrol parks and other public places young couples sometimes use. Police will call the parents of any couples under the age of 18 found still out after 10pm and ask them to collect them, he said.

In Ayutthaya, a commemorative bank note shop is cashing in on the ''Day of Love'', selling bouquets of roses, made of 20-baht bank notes, which have become an instant hit. The orders have been flooding in, despite a sluggish economy, said owner Sujinda Unkao, 45.

One rose, which costs 120 baht, contains three 20-baht notes. Bank note bouquets start from 500 baht, with the most expensive one costing 10,000 baht.

Chalermwong Wareenin, 48, a supervisor at a big retail store, said he would surprise his wife of 20 years with a 2,000-baht bouquet.

''This is my first Valentine's gift for her,'' he said, adding the bank note roses were a durable gift.

Many florists in the ancient city however complained of poor sales, saying students, who usually make up the majority of Valentine's Day celebrators, are busy studying for exams.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Anongwan Thepsuthin yesterday suggested lovers go green by giving trees as Valentine's gifts so couples could plant and take care of the trees together.

She said the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will today hand out 500,000 aromatic sandalwood tree saplings to members of the public who attended ongoing mourning services across the country for the late Princess Galyani Vadhana.

clamp down - to make a determined effort to stop people from doing something bad or illegal กำจัด
so-called - used for saying that a particular word is usually used for referring to someone or something ดังที่เรีัยกกัน
ensure - to make certain that something happens or is done ให้ความมั่นใจ
brace for - to get ready for something unpleasant เตรียมรับมือ
patrol - to move regularly around a place in order to prevent trouble or crime ลาดตระเวน
flashlight - a small electric light operated by batteries that you hold in your hand. The British word is torch. ไฟฉาย
violation - an action that is against a law, agreement, principle, etc. การฝ่าฝืนกฎหมาย
privacy - the freedom to do things without other people watching you or knowing what you are doing ความเป็นส่วนตัว
minor - someone who has not reached the age where they are legally an adult เยาวชน
unintentionally - not deliberate or planned อย่างไม่ตั้งใจ
maximum - the most possible ที่สูงสุด ที่มากที่สุด
imprisonment - the punishment of being put in prison จำคุก
fine - an amount of money that you have to pay ค่าปรับ because you have broken the law
commemorative - a done in order to remember an important person or event เป็นที่ระลึก
cashing in - using an opportunity to earn a profit or gain an advantage ฉวยโอกาส
bouquet - a collection of flowers, cut and tied together in an attractive way ช่อดอกไม้
sluggish - not performing or reacting as well as usual (เศรษฐกิจ) ที่ซบเซา
durable - able to stay in good condition for a long time ทนทาน
aromatic - having an especially good smell มีกลิ่นหอม
saplings - young trees ต้นอ่อน
ongoing - continuing อย่างต่อเนื่อง
mourning - the process or ceremony of expressing great sadness because someone has died ไว้อาลัย