Worried about the South

Her Majesty the Queen used her traditional pre-birthday speech yesterday to express serious concern over the violence in the deep South.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, on behalf of her cabinet, dignitaries, high-ranking government officials and the public, delivers a speech during an audience with the Queen. Ms Yingluck expressed gratitude for Her Majesty’s hard work and dedication to the public and wished her a happy birthday. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU

Queen frets over South

Her Majesty the Queen yesterday deplored the escalation of violence in the deep South and denounced attacks on monks as an infringement of religious freedom.

Her Majesty voiced concern over the southern troubles during a speech on the eve of her 79th birthday today to a gathering of cabinet members, dignitaries, high-ranking government officials and members of the public at the Dusitdalai Pavilion.

She said that she was "shocked and saddened" by the acts of violence that had spread to monks who never cause problems for society, in addition to state authorities and civilians.

Her Majesty said the kingdom is well known for its religious tolerance since the reign of King Mongkut who was generous and open to the teachings of other faiths.

She said Bangkok was voted the best city by an international travel magazine in part due to its religious tolerance in which people of various religions and faiths co-exist and are allowed to practice their faiths freely.

"I do not believe it is the work of Thai Muslims, who are kind and generous," she said. "Preventing people from giving alms to monks is a transgression of the freedom to practice their religious faith."

She said His Majesty the King always gave equal support to every religion when he travelled to the region and she had done the same.

"I believe you all are saddened and wish it to end," she said. "I'd like to ask for your cooperation in finding ways to return peace and happiness to the southern land."

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on behalf of – as a representative of ในนามของ ในฐานะของ
cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
dignitary – a person who has an important official position บุคคลที่มีตำแหน่งสูง, ผู้มีฐานะสูงส่ง
the public – people in general ประชาชน, สาธารณชน, มหาชน
audience – a formal meeting that you have with an important person, expecially royalty
gratitude – a feeling of being grateful to someone because they have given you something or have done something for you ความรู้สึกขอบคุณ
dedication – the hard work and effort that somebody puts into an activity or purpose because they think it is important การอุทิศ (เพื่อสาธารณประโยชน์)
fret – to worry วิตกกังวล
deplore – to dislike something very much, often because you think it is highly improper คัดค้าน  สังเวชใจ  เสียใจ
escalation –  an increase, often by becoming much worse or more serious, or making something do this การเพิ่มขึ้น  การเลวร้ายลง
violence – physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people ความรุนแรง
denounce – to criticise someone or something severely in public ประณาม, ติเตียน
infringement – breaking a rule, law, etc. การฝ่าฝืน,การละเมิด
concern – a worry ความกังวล
eve – the day before วันก่อน(วันงาน)
spread – to gradually affect or cover a larger area แพร่กระจาย
state – government รัฐบาล
authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
civilians – people who are not members of the police or armed forces  พลเรือน
tolerance – the willingness to accept somebody/something, especially opinions or behaviour that you may not agree with, or people who are not like you การยอมรับความคิดเห็นของผู้อื่น, ความอดกลั้น
reign – a period of time during when a king or queen rules a country  ช่วงเวลาครองราชย์
generous – giving people more of your time or money than is usual or expected  มีน้ำใจ,  เอื้อเฟื้อ
due to – because of เนื่องจาก
co-exist – to exist together in the same place or at the same time, especially in a peaceful way การดำรงอยู่ร่วมกัน
alms – food, money, and other items that are given to Buddhist monks;  money, clothes and food that are given to poor people ของทำบุญ ของบริจาค
transgression – breaking a law or moral rule การกระทำผิด
cooperation – working together to achieve a result that will benefit all sides ความร่วมมือ, การทำงานร่วมกัน