Ramayana Mahakab An Yingyai Khong India" ("The Ramayana: A Modern Translation") may be the 1,000th time the Ramayana - one of the world's oldest legends - has been rewritten.

"The story might be much the same as what you learned in school, but details in the language have changed. Ramesh Menon has translated the epic into a contemporary tale with modern terminology.

The book has now been translated into Thai by Worawadee Wongsa-nga and published by Muang Boran. It's at the Rim Khob Fah Shop for Bt450.

Talk, don't drive

Starting on Thursday, traffic police will be watching drivers more closely to see if they're holding a mobile phone.

Doing two things at once, it's been decided, makes road accidents four times more likely. Every time you notice the spy cameras already installed at 30 Bangkok intersections, it's a reminder that you have to buy extra gear to make your phone hands-free - or just pull over when you get a call.

If you get busted, even sitting at a red light, the fine could be as much as Bt1,000.