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Read the following story by Pichaya Svasti from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Behind Bangkok’s modern façade, an old way of life can still be found. Not far from BTS Phra Khanong is a small pier where one can board passenger boats or hire long-tailed boats to travel to wonderful old religious and cultural attractions along two canals — Khlong Phra Khanong and Khlong Prawet Burirom.
OLD MAN RIVER
Khlong Phra Khanong connects Nong Bon Canal and the Chao Phraya River. Along its 10-kilometre stretch, Buddhist and Muslim culture exist in harmony. As its meandering route indicates, the canal is actually based on a natural waterway. It was widened by workers under the supervision of Phraya Sriphiphat (Thas Bunnag) during the reign of King Rama III between 1837 and 1840.
“The first part of the canal is in Suan Luang district. The area near Mahabutr Temple was once a centre of trade and transport. Opposite the temple is an old rice mill. There used to be rice fields on either side,” said Rapeepat Ketkosol, chief of the Tourism Development Subdivision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The 46-kilometre-long Khlong Prawet Burirom in Lat Krabang, which is criss-crossed by more than 60 other canals, was dug on the orders of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) between 1878 and 1880 in order to connect Khlong Phra Khanong, Khlong Dan and the Bang Pakong River, which flows through Chachoengsao province.
TOUR GUIDE
There are a number of notable temples located on or near the canals. One of the most famous is Mahabutr Temple, also known as Mae Nak Phra Khanong Temple. Many Thais will recognise the name from one of the country’s best-known ghost stories. The temple houses a shrine to the ghost Mae Nak. Many still believe in the local legend and visit the temple to pay respects to the spirit, who died during childbirth while her husband was serving in the army.
Further along the canal is Yang Temple, which was restored by migrants from Laos. It’s best-known for its statue of the prominent monk Luang Phor Toh. Elsewhere, Krathum Sua Pla Temple houses two museums displaying Buddha statues in various postures and wax figures of a number of revered monks.
Another site of interest is Al Kubror Mosque. This was the first mosque in Suan Luang district, built in the reign of King Rama I by Muslim settlers. According to community leader Saipin Darachai, the early settlers were descendants of war prison-ers from Pattani who were brought to the Central Plains during the Ayutthaya period. Some of the warriors were brought to farm the land while the captured royals were sent to Ayutthaya to ensure they could be closely watched.
TOURISM PROMOTION
To promote tourism along Khlong Phra Khanong and Khlong Prawet Burirom, local community groups have been working to organise and co-ordinate tours. The BMA’s tourism division has been supporting the groups by coaching them to become local guides and to learn from other com-munities and through direct experience. It also plans to organise seminars and talks to encourage locals to do research about local history.
SECTION 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What is the article about?
a. The canals of Bangkok.
b. The temples of Bangkok.
c. Tourist attractions along Bangkok canals.
2. Who built Khlong Phra Khanong?
a. King Rama III.
b. King Rama V.
c. Nobody.
3. Which of the following can be found at Mahabutr Temple?
a. A shrine to a ghost.
b. A statue of a monk.
c. A wax museum.
4. Who restored Yang Temple?
a. Foreign migrants.
b. Prisoners of war.
c. Local farmers.
5. Which of the following is NOT true, according to the information given about Khlong Prawet Burirom?
a. It connects to dozens of other canals.
b. It’s nearly 50 kilometres long.
c. It was dug between 1837 and 1840.
6. Which of the following is TRUE, according to the information given about Khlong Phra Khanong?
a. It’s in Lat Krabang.
b. It was originally a natural waterway.
c. It was widened during the reign of King Rama II.
7. Where can visitors see a collection of waxworks?
a. At Mahabutr Temple.
b. At Krathum Sua Pla Temple.
c. At Al Kubror Mosque.
SECTION 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
| 8. meandering | a. a building fitted with machinery for grinding solid substances into powder |
| 9. criss-crossed | b. the process of training somebody to play a sport, do a job better or improve a skill |
| 10. legend | c. an old story about people and events, that may or may not be true |
| 11. mill | d. a person who has been captured, for example by an enemy, and is being kept somewhere |
| 12. coaching | e. to curve a lot rather than being in a straight line |
| 13. prisoner | f. with many straight lines that intersect with each other |
SECTION 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
Mahabutr Temple is surrounded …..14….. numerous trees. This area was …..15…… important because the Phra Khanong District Office …..16….. next to the temple during the reign of King Rama VI. …..17….. office was relocated to its current …..18….. in 1927, following the construction …..19….. Sukhumvit Road.
14.
a. with
b. by
c. in
15.
a. used to be
b. therefore
c. once
16.
a. is
b. was
c. were
17.
a. An
b. The
c. Those
18.
a. location
b. locate
c. located
19.
a. of
b. at
c. in
SECTION 4
Write down the noun forms of the following words used in the story in the space given.
20. direct
…………………..
21. famous
…………………..
22. various
…………………..
23. recognise
…………………..
24. encourage
…………………..
Answers
Section 1
1. c.
2. c.
3. a.
4. a.
5. c.
6. b.
7. b.
Section 2
8. e.
9. f.
10. c.
11. a.
12. b.
13. d.
Section 3
14. b.
15. c.
16. b.
17. b.
18. a.
19. a.
Section 4
20. Direction.
21. Fame.
22. Variety.
23. Recognition.
24. Encouragement.
SCORE
21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!
