2007年VOA标准英语-Security Measures, Speculation Increase in Wake

By Suzanne Presto¹
Bangkok
04 January 2007

Thailand's prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, has warned that additional bomb attacks are possible following the blasts that shook the capital New Year's Eve. VOA's Suzanne Presto reports from Bangkok that people in the capital continue to go about their business, as security measures and speculation² increase.

Life appeared back to normal at the traffic circle near Bangkok's Victory Monument, four days after a fatal bomb blast at a bus shelter there. There was no sign of soldiers or increased security presence.

But the capital is stepping up security measures.

Foreign Ministry³ officials Thursday told the diplomatic corps⁴ that the government is increasing its use of closed-circuit television in Bangkok. The government is also beefing up security at public places, including airports and tourist attractions.

 
Thai soldier stands guard next to a damaged bus stop after a bomb exploded near The Victory Monument in Bangkok, 31 Dec 2006
Investigators⁵ continue the hunt for those responsible for the New Year's Eve bombings, which killed three and wounded dozens. But the lack of concrete information has not prevented public officials from engaging in public finger pointing.

Foreign Ministry officials stressed that intelligence suggests that groups that lost political power in last September's military coup⁶ were involved in the attacks. Officials say these preliminary suppositions are based upon forensic⁷ and circumstantial evidence, as well as intelligence analysis.

Kuthep Saikrachang is the head of public relations for Thai Rak Thai, or TRT, the party of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin was overthrown⁸ in the coup.

Kuthep says that the party condemns⁹ the attacks and accusations¹⁰ by public officials that members of the former government may have been involved.

"There is no proof. There is no evidence, anything at all. That is why we ask them to be careful in making a statement against us. You know, they should have proof first before they can say anyone get involved," said Kuthep.

He adds that no member of the TRT has been questioned in relation to the bombing.

"That is only rumors¹¹. That is only the speculation by the media sectors¹², or something. So far, we don't have anyone to be questioned by the military," he said.

 
PM Surayud Chulanont, (r), speaks as Interior Minister Aree Wongaraya looks on at parliament in Bangkok, 4 Jan 2007
Prime Minister Surayud on Thursday warned that there could be more attacks. Without being specific, Prime Minister Surayud said that the people behind the blasts aimed to make a political statement by creating a sense of instability.

Foreign Ministry officials also say that intelligence agencies do not believe Muslim insurgents¹³ in the southern provinces are linked to the violence in Bangkok. Bomb experts have said the bombs were similar to, but not the same, as explosives used in the south.

Ministry officials also say the attacks will not affect the lifting of martial¹⁴ law. Martial law, imposed in September, remains¹⁵ in place in some areas of Thailand, including Bangkok.

1 presto   

adv.急速地；n.急板乐段；adj.急板的

参考例句：

• With something so important,you can't just wave a wand and presto!在这么重大的问题上，你想挥动一下指挥棒，转眼就变过来,办不到！
• I just turned the piece of wire in the lock and hey presto,the door opened.我把金属丝伸到锁孔里一拧，嘿，那门就开了。

2 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

5 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

7 forensic   

adj.法庭的，雄辩的

参考例句：

• The report included his interpretation of the forensic evidence.该报告包括他对法庭证据的诠释。
• The judge concluded the proceeding on 10:30 Am after one hour of forensic debate.经过近一个小时的法庭辩论后，法官于10时30分宣布休庭。

8 overthrown   

adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词

参考例句：

• The president was overthrown in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被赶下台。
• He has overthrown the basic standards of morality. 他已摒弃了基本的道德标准。

9 condemns   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• Her widowhood condemns her to a lonely old age. 守寡使她不得不过着孤独的晚年生活。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The public opinion condemns prostitution. 公众舆论遣责卖淫。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

11 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

13 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

14 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

15 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。