PY O C E FRE ARSENAL, LIVERPOOL TO CLASH PAGE 42
XPRESS
DAILY
Saturday, March 15, 2008 VOL 1, NO 11 dailyxpress.net
THE REAL WAR HAS BEGUN
Off-screen battles heat up between ‘War of Angels’ writer and her real-life subjects. >PAGE 4
GOOD MORNING BANGKOK!
Baht vs dollar By Kriengsak Silakong Film-festival director
I
just came back from New York City. It was a great trip, thanks to the baht at Bt32 to the dollar. A very good seat at a Broadway show cost only Bt1,920 and a decent lunch in Soho Bt1,600. A taxi from JFK to Manhattan is around Bt1,700. In Bangkok, on the contrary, a tourist now has to pay $1.25 for a bowl of noodles compared with less than $1 before the baht rose. Hotels here charge room rates in dollars. We might get a bit snobbish now that spending in the Big Mango and the Big Apple is almost equal.
It’s still nice in Nan
What’s on in Bangkok?
From unique architecture and textiles to music and people, this northern province’s cultural heritage is second to none in the Kingdom. Yet it is being neglected... >PAGE 18
Have Bobby Chinn show you how to create dishes from the ‘Wild, Wild East’, get a ‘proposal’ at the Oriental or just take a break at one of the many events >PAGE 22
2 TODAY
Saturday, March 15, 2008
THE CITY
100,000
THAIS DIED of heart disease, diabetes and cancer in 2006. That means there was one death every six minutes.
Time to shed those extra kilos
briefly Queen getting over her flu Her Majesty the Queen is get-
Public Health Ministry launches anti-obesity campaign
ting better and is expected to be discharged from Chulalongkorn Hospital soon, the Royal Household Bureau says. Her Majesty was admitted with the flu this past Sunday.
By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul DAILY XPRESS, ANGTHONG
T
he Public Health Ministry has launched a campaign to prevent illness caused by obesity, with the aim of getting some 3 million people to lose weight this year. Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsup said the number of overweight Thais aged 20-29 was nearly eight times higher than in the past decade, while the number of obese people aged between 40 and 49 had doubled. About 13 per cent of children, from kindergarten to primaryschool level, are overweight, he added. Chaiya chaired the launch of the anti-obesity campaign in Angthong province yesterday. About 17 million of Thais aged over 15 are overweight, he said, citing a 2007 report which found that 24 per cent of men were overweight, compared to 61 per cent of women.
Call (02) 590 4327 for more.
Anubal Nakhon Ratchasima School has introduced swimming to help kids lose weight.
DAILY XPRESS
Role of Apirak’s deputy queried
Dark day for a bright future RS label artists in Bangkok’s Silom area encourage people to battle global warming by turning off lights for an hour at 8pm on March 29.
A R E E - S O M S AWA D AWA R D
AIDS-CARE PIONEER Nurse recognised for lone fight in breaking down HIV misconceptions By Pongphon Sarnsamak DAILY XPRESS
H
IV/Aids nurse Pornsiri Reunsawan has won the Aree-Somsawad award for her outstanding work in healthcare. The 50-year-old nurse is a pioneer in care for those infected with the killer virus. She taught fellow healthcare professionals about the infection and convinced them to help patients at a time when misinformation about its transmission was rife. Pornsiri works at the Bamrasnaradura Institute for Infectious Diseases hospital, where many of the patients are HIV/Aids sufferers. She has
been there for more than 20 years.
Changing attitudes In the 1980s, there was a stigma attached to Aids because of misunderstandings about how it was transmitted. Sufferers were ostracised. Even healthcare professionals were scared. When sufferers were admitted to the hospital they were shocked to learn there was just one nurse on duty. Pornsiri set to work changing people’s negative attitudes towards those living with the virus. “I told the hospital staff one by one that this disease could
Pornsiri Reunsawan not be easily spread and those with it desperately needed care. It is our responsibility to help them, I said”. Five years later, she had an established team of care-givers at the hospital.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, left, and former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin. A legal interpretation is being sought as to whether deputy Bangkok governor Wallop Suwandee can serve as a caretaker governor after Apirak Kosayodhin announced his suspension of duties as Bangkok governor on Thursday following the fire-engine procurement scandal. Apirak did not term his act a resignation but merely a “stoppage of his role”. News reports cited opposition to Wallop’s appointment on the grounds that he was a BMA manager, not a political office-holder who had received a mandate from residents in the gubernatorial election like Apirak and that thus his decisions would not be legally binding.
>>DAILY XPRESS is edited by Tulsathit Taptim and published by NMG News Co Ltd, at 1854, Bang Na-Trat Road, Bangkok 10260, and printed by WPS (Thailand) Co Ltd, Tel (02) 338 3000, Fax (02) 338 3334. EDITORIAL: Tel (02) 338 3333. ON THE WEB: DAILYXPRESS.NET >>DAILY XPRESS is a supplement to subscriber copies of THE NATION with bonus distribution in selected areas of Bangkok and its environs every Monday through Saturday. The Sunday edition of DAILY XPRESS incorporates THE NATION. Subscription rates: one year 4,900 Baht within regular delivery areas; please contact Customer Service on 02-338-3000. For bulk copy subscription rates please call 02-338-3532.
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4
COVER STORY
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
CATFIGHT AT 30,000 FEET CHRONOLOGY >>Mid 2006 – Royreudee Kenny, pen-name Airkee, posts her “Cheewit Rantod – Ruangjing Phan Comp”, or “The Melancholic Life – A True Story Through the Computer”, on Pantip.com. It is an immediate hit. Airkee’s fiction draws bids from several publishers and three different television channels. Blue Bell Press got the book deal and X-Act the small-screen rights. >>January 9, 2008 – “Songkram Nang Fah”, or “The War of Angels”, a soap from XAct, airs on Channel 5. >>January 21 – Thai Airways’ flight attendants protest at the soap and demand it be taken off the air. They say it portrays them in a bad light. >>January 22 – X-Act agrees to tone down the show in yetto-be filmed episodes. Skirts will be longer and jealous brawls fewer. >>March 6 – The soap reaches its finale. X-Act will sell it overseas. >>March 7 – Police arrest Royreudee, accusing her of posting pictures of Patchara Silapapreecha, a Thai Airways flight attendant, on the Internet. The pictures lead many to believe Patchara was the bad character Cherry in real life. >>March 11 – Interview with Royreudee on the “Jub Khao Khui” Channel 3 talk show is suspended indefinitely. >>March 12 – An interview with Royreudee’s ex-husband Ning, and his first wife Orn, their daughter Norn and Ning’s mistress Patchara on the “At Ten” Channel 3 talk show is censored. >>March 13 – Angsika Kusalasaya, Ning’s first wife, goes on the counter-offensive against Airkee’s novel.
Angsika Kusalasaya seen in old photographs she provided to the Daily Xpress. The one-time Thai Airways flight attendant also provided today’s cover photo to disprove claims by former colleague Royreudee Kenny, who wrote a bawdy TV soap opera about cabin crew and pilots, that they had never met.
Former flight attendants brace for defamation battle over online memoir depicting unsavoury goings-on between airline crew members By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong D A I LY X P R E S S
T
hose whose lives are documented in the controversial book that spawned the infamous soap “War of Angels” are hitting back. Their risqué antics could soon be given an airing in a courtroom. The bawdy soap chronicles the steamy lives and loves of an aircrew. An Army dentist whose real-life story is documented in the contentious Internet book has rallied fellow characters. They claim they’re “victims” of author and soap screenwriter and reallife scorned spouse of a character Royreudee Kenny. She wrote the online book “The Melancholic Life Book – A True Story Through the Computer”. The instant Internet hit went on to be made into the raunchy soap “War of Angels”. Dentist Lt-Colonel Angsika Kusalasaya says her group, Victims of The Melancholic Life Book, will defend the dignity of all those named in its chapters. It hopes “to set a new social standard in defamation protection”, Angsika says. “We will reveal the truth behind our stories. As victims we are now seen as bad people,” she says. Angsika and friends can handle the gossip and public odium over their
affairs and love triangles, she says, but as a mother she draws the line at being accused of abandoning her daughter, as claimed in the Royreudee prose. That adult daughter is now a flight attendant. She’s called “Norn” throughout “The Melancholic Life”. Angsika says she’s “mad” with people who now tease her using that name. Angsika, 56, says her former husband, a Thai Airways pilot, called “Ning” in the book, is constantly taunted by his cockpit colleagues. Angsika is the unnamed pilot’s first wife. The author of “The Melancholic Life” is his second wife. And his new wife and his erstwhile lover, Patchara, called Cherry in Royreudee’s rendition, has to put up with passengers and crew talking behind her back. She says the jokes go something like this: “Is our pilot Ning today? I hope the plane doesn’t crash because he’s upset over his wives fighting.” The victims’ lobby will go public in its denunciation of Royreudee and her writings. But she says the group will leave open a chance for “conditional” negotiations with “the other side”. “But if there’s no goodwill gesture, we’ll sue for defamation,” she promises. Countering Royruedee’s statement that they had not met previously, Angsika yesterday released a photo showing the writer at a party both women attended many years ago.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
NEWS 5
DAILY XPRESS
briefly
DAILY XPRESS/ANANT CHANTRASUT
School skirts education law
Yodrak Salakjai, 52, with one of his helpers at Siriraj Hospital. He has liver cancer and may only have six months to live.
SAYAN WON’T SING
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While following a rule not to accept donations from parents during admission period, the Debsirin School yesterday said parents could transfer money to the school’s bank account later. “We can accept contributions from our students and their parents,” school director Prakasit Yangkong explained. “We issue receipts.” He was speaking as the school started accepting applications for places. The application-submission period at state secondary schools across the country runs till March 18. The Office of Basic Education Commission has barred state schools from accepting donations during the admission period because it hoped to preempt any parent’s attempt to buy a place at prestigious schools.
Samui ferry fares to rise
‘Look tung’ veteran demands that fellow artist Yodrak Salakjai prove he really is dying from cancer before including him in benefit concert billing XTRA
DAILY XPRESS
D
uring their heyday, look tung superstars Yodrak Salakjai and Sayan Sanya never locked horns, but since one of them came down with cancer in his 50s, they are having an almighty row. Why? A concert dedicated to the ailing Yodrak, perhaps? “I have refused to take part in the concert because I don’t know whether Yodrak is really ill,” Sayan Sanya said yesterday. Sayan was unhappy about a poster saying he would star at the concert, which is scheduled to take place on March 26. “If Yodrak is not really ill and people find out later, they will say I colluded with Yodrak to take their money,” Sayan said, reiterating his comment published in a Thai-language newspaper to the outrage of people close to Yodrak. His son even demanded that Sayan kneel down before his father and apologise. “Why do I have to apologise?
TIMELINE >> February: Singer Yodrak Salakjai discloses his terminal cancer. Launches album “Yodrak, Yod Look Tung Thai”, or “Yodrak, Super Country Singer”.
Sayan Sanya
I DON’T KNOW WHY HE IS DOING THIS ... STILL HAVE A CHANCE OF SURVIVAL,BUT IF HE COMES TO OFFER HELP,I MAY HAVE TO DIE SOONER
>> Financial help pours. Benefit concert suggested. >> Early March: Sayan Sanya, another big-name singer, refuses to perform at benefit concert for Yodrak, saying he doesn’t believe he’s ill. >> March 13: Sayan demands Yodrak prove illness. >> March 14: Concert organisers chastise Sayan. Siriraj Hospital confirms Yodrak has liver cancer.
Did I do him wrong? I just said I didn’t know whether he was really ill,” Sayan retorted. He was speaking before Siriraj Hospital held a press conference to confirm that Yodrak had liver cancer. Yodrak yesterday said he
Yodrak Salakjai would not talk to Sayan and preferred not to meet him again. “I don’t know why he is doing this … I still have a chance of survival, but if he comes to offer help, I may have to die sooner,” Yodrak said
Seree Rungsawang, the organiser of the benefit concert, said Sayan’s comment had hurt Yodrak badly. “They were friends,” he said, adding that all the artists who were to perform at the concert had agreed to take part free.
A government committee yesterday approved the request of ferry operators between the mainland and Samui Island to increase fares. Adult fares will rise from Bt110 per trip to Bt130, an increase of 18 per cent. Children and students will have to pay a new fare of Bt60, compared to the current fare of Bt55, an increase of 9 per cent. A four-wheel vehicle will be charged Bt360 per trip, rising from Bt325, an increase of 10.7 per cent. Surat Thani deputy governor Damri Boonjing said the committee in charge of considering the fares of Samui ferry boats had approved the request because of the operators’ increased costs due to rising oil prices. The increases, which are expected to take effect on April 1, have yet to be endorsed by the governor, and the operators must inform their passengers 15 days in advance.
6
LIFE
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
CITYSCENE IN PICTURES Pakjera Wunnasoot
Early detection may save your life Chulalongkorn Hospital’s Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer is launching a campaign to teach the public about Thailand’s biggest killer cancer. ‘Celebrity ambassadors’ gave their time to be photographed for the cause by Amart Nimitrabak at a recent event held at the Thai Red Cross Society.
family. osol and her Kamala Suk
Maynart Nantakwang
Pavirsa ‘Nu-Waen’ Phenjati, third from left, poses with nurses from the Thai Red Cross Society.
Suchaya Thanalongkorn, right, and her daughter Ardhawadee ‘Mint’ Jiramaneekul.
Ann Thongprasom
8 TODAY
Saturday, March 15, 2008
CRIME
519
DAILY XPRESS
cases of motorcycle theft were reported to Bangkok police stations in January this year
Forestry officials inspect some of the illegally-felled logs in Nam Nao district yesterday.
briefly More teeth for AMLO law Gambling dens and football bookies with more than 100 clients or dealing in sums in excess of Bt10 million will now be prosecuted under the Anti Money-Laundering Office law. The amended MoneyLaundering Prevention and Suppression Act took effect this month and allows the office to arrest offenders itself, rather than calling in the police. The act also sets three- to 10year-jail terms for politicians ordering investigations in cases with no merit or for personal or political gain.
PHETCHABUN
LOGGERS STRIP FOREST RESERVE Locals suspected as more than 3,000 rai of land in Nam Nao district denuded D A I LY X P R E S S
M
ore than 3,000 rai of forest reserve in Phetchabun’s Nam Nao district have been found to have been encroached on for illegal logging. The authorities suspect some local community leaders Advertisement for a T-shirt screenprinted with a picture of a Buddha with the face of a dog on the controversial US website.
have been colluding with the loggers, the district chief said yesterday. In the past four months, 19 cases of forest encroachment and illegal logging have been uncovered in the district alone, and many suspects have been arrested, said Nam Nao
district chief Sa-ad Sing-ngam. “We suspect local community leaders’ roles in the crimes and we will investigate them,” he said. Encroachment on forest reserves has been found in 17 areas in the district and about 3,000 rai of forest land have been denuded, according to Anuchat Nutcharoen, chief of Tambon Lak Dan forestry unit.
IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS,19 CASES OF FOREST ENCROACHMENT AND ILLEGAL LOGGING HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED IN THE DISTRICT ALONE...
B
uddhists in Chiang Mai are demanding the shutdown of a US website that is selling Buddha images with faces of dogs. National Buddhism Bureau official Buncherd Kittitharangkoon says the Foreign Ministry is seeking help from the US authorities to have the offending website halt sale of the souvenirs. The images are offensive, insulting, inap-
Four more sought over motor scam Arrest warrants have been issued for four more people, including a police officer, in a rental-car pyramid scheme that cheated owners out of more than 1,000 cars last year. Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Thani Somboonsap says the officer concerned will surrender. Evidence may help retrieve 50 vehicles. The scam saw 34 insurance companies defrauded of Bt500 million. Victims have had their car hire-purchase repayments suspended for five months.
Sa-ad Sing-ngam Nam Nao district chief
Phetchabun forestry chief Virat Intarakanok said yesterday he had instructed his officials to step up operations against poachers and extend legal action against financiers behind the illegal activities.
Outrage over Buddha images D A I LY X P R E S S
DAILY XPRESS
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propriate and inconsiderate to the feelings of Buddhists, bureau director Jamlong Kitisri says. Buncherd says access to the Californiabased website from Thailand could be blocked by next month if it does not comply. The National Buddhism Bureau’s Chiang Mai office is asking residents who have discovered the website to “stay calm” and not to resort to violence.
Police inspect some of the cars seized in the pyramid scam.
Speeding through his prison term Prison visitors will be subject to body searches after a Thung Song inmate was found to have received methamphetamine tablets from a friend. Sirilak Saentor, 29, on remand at the Nakhon Si Thammarat prison for drug offences, was found with 87 tablets.
1894
TODAY 9
DAILY XPRESS
Saturday, March 15, 2008
the Kingdom’s first rail service from Bangkok to Ayutthaya went into operation
TOURIST HAVENS
Choo-choo
through Thailand Forget that ear-splitting karaoke on overnight buses and take in the countryside at a leisurely pace on a Thai train By Stephen Cleary SPECIAL TO DAILY XPRESS
W
esterners certainly have more of a love for trains than most of the locals in Thailand, the latter of whom consider such mode of transport as almost prehistoric – then again, I guess some of the trains operating actually are! While tripping around Thailand though, it’s almost a must, at least once, to experience the one-and-only Thai train. Take the Bangkok-Chiang Mai train, for example: even though the train does the journey much slower than the overnight bus, you won’t have to tolerate blaring karaoke or subzero air-conditioning. Instead, you could be having a
lot of fun in the train’s funky restaurant meeting locals and fellow travellers while enjoying a friendly game of cards and a chilled beer.
Kick back in style And instead of waking up in the morning to the sight of a sixlane motorway and countless petrol stations, you’ll be relishing a beautiful sunrise from the heart of the Thai countryside. If the North isn’t your cup of tea, then head to Isaan, which definitely has one of the best routes in Thailand: Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani. The train is incredibly slow but you can break your journey up and spend a night in the
groovy provincial towns of Surin, Buri Ram and Si Sa Ket. It’s a great ride, on which you can enjoy the company of superfriendly locals, who will, for sure, be inviting you to tuck into a delicious on-board picnic of grilled chicken, papaya salad and sticky rice. You’ll get the chance to pick up some Isaan dialect or even Khmer. Then, for those who fancy Thailand’s longest route, book yourselves onto the BangkokPenang International Express. It’s a 21-hour journey to remember. So, wherever you plan to go this year, make sure that at least once you take the one-and-only Thai train!
XTRA T R A I N T R AV E L I N T H A I L A N D >> Most trains go from Bangkok’s Hualamphong station, although trains to Kanchanaburi leave from the Thon Buri station across the Chao Phya River. >> Thai trains have three classes. Firstclass air-conditioned sleepingcars are available on overnight trains. Second-class comes in seat and sleeper versions, in air-conditioned and non-aircon varieties. Third-class is non-aircon and only seats.
>>The booking office at any main station can reserve seats or berths for any journey in Thailand. Your ticket will have the train time and your seat or berth number printed on it.
10
NEWS
Saturday, March 15, 2008
THE WORLD
DAILY XPRESS
4 The percentage of babies who are born on their actual due date
More than monkey business
AFP
Dancers perform in “Giap Than # 2” (‘The Year of the Monkey’), directed by French choreographer Regine Chopinot, near Bordeaux in France.
M J B E AT S I T
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
breaks out NEVERLAND OFF Violence in Tibetan capital AUCTION BLOCK
XTRA
A G E N C I E S , Beijing
Michael Jackson staves off attempt to auction his ranch by refinancing it A P , Los Olivos, California
M
ichael Jackson reached an 11th-hour deal to refinance his troubled Neverland ranch, his lawyer said, avoiding a public auction of the property that had been scheduled next week. Jackson’s lawyer L Londell McMillan said the pop star had worked out a “confidential” agreement with Fortress Investment Group allowing him to retain ownership of the property in California.
“Neverland and MJ are fine,” McMillan said. Jackson bought the property years ago from a cattle rancher and turned it into his personal playground, naming it after the mythical land of Peter Pan where boys never grow up. Neverland was scheduled to be auctioned on March 19 after Jackson went into default on the US$24.5 million (Bt760.72 million) he owes on the 2,500acre spread. A source close to Jackson,
who requested anonymity, said it was not clear whether the entertainer would keep Neverland. Jackson has not lived there since his acquittal on childmolestation charges in 2005. Among those rumoured to be interested in the property are soccer star David Beckham, said Kim Morrison, one of the administrators of a private school close to Neverland. “It would be nice to have Beckham there,’’ said Morrison, although she quickly added that Jackson “was always a good neighbour”.
T
he Tibetan capital Lhasa erupted in violence yesterday as security forces used gunfire to quell Buddhist monk-led protests that saw markets and cars set alight, witnesses said. The protesters beat up at least three firefighters and several police officers and tore down a Chinese national flag, a witness said. “Sources confirm gunshots being fired to disperse the protesting crowd,” said the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. A police car was burnt and one of Lhasa’s biggest markets was set ablaze, sources said.
THE WORLD REACTS >> “Condemnation is high” among the EU member states. – France >> Beijing needs to respect Tibetan culture. It needs to respect multi-ethnicity. – US >> The situation in Tibet is a real concern to us. – UK >> We are following developments and call on all sides to avoid violence. – Germany >> I appeal to China to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue. – The Dalai Lama
Saturday, March 15, 2008
NEWS 11
DAILY XPRESS
US FIRST LADY Laura Bush toured Haiti on Thursday, promoting funding for Aids patients and education in the impoverished country.
SHERYL CROW is gearing up to join classic rock band Fleetwood Mac, which has not toured since 2004.
Newfound genes may turn ageing clock back
briefly Canadian PM sues opposition for libel
T H E G U A R D I A N , London
cientists have discovered more than a dozen genes that play a crucial role in the ageing process, raising hopes of treatments to delay old age. By piecing together how different genes contribute to ageing, researchers expect to find ways to slow the process and treat diseases associated with growing old. Ultimately, scientists aim to develop pills that block the effects of age-related genes, extending human life span. Brian Kennedy at the University of Washington in Seattle and his team looked for genes that control the ageing process in yeast cells and nematode worms. The two organisms are separated by 1.5 billion years of evolution, so any genes they have in common are likely to be crucial to life and may even have similar versions in humans. The scientists found that of the 276 genes known to affect ageing in nematode worms, only 25 were also present in yeast. At least 15 of these have similar versions in humans. Closer inspection revealed that many of the genes were linked to chemical signals triggered by food. Previous studies have shown clearly that drastically reducing the number of calories in an organism’s diet can prolong its life span, though often at the expense of fertility. If scientists can find out how age-related genes are affected by an extremely low-calorie diet, they may be able to repeat the effect without resorting to such measures.
AFP
S
Girls wearing “Stop Wilders” T-shirts pose in the Netherlands, protesting at an anti-Muslim movie to be released by far-right politician Geert Wilder.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper sued the opposition Liberals for libel on Thursday over statements published on the party’s website that say he knew of an alleged attempt by his party to try and bribe a member of Parliament. Harper’s lawyers are seeking 2.5 million Canadian dollars (Bt78.1 million) in damages. The articles question Harper’s alleged involvement in financial “offers” made to a dying Chuck Cadman to sway his vote in a crucial 2005 vote that could have toppled the government in 2005. – AP
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EU backs Dutch on anti-Koran film A P , Brussels
T
he Netherlands prime minister on Thursday said he had won broad solidarity from EU leaders in case the expected release of an anti-Koran film by a maverick Dutch lawmaker led to violence. The lawmaker, Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders, has said he plans to air the film this month. Dutch and other European officials fear the film could spark violent protests in Muslim countries similar to those two years ago after the publication in the Danish press of cartoons deemed offensive by Muslims.
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EVEN IF WE DISAGREE WITH THE VISION,THAT CAN NEVER JUSTIFY VIOLENT ACTIONS Jan Peter Balkenende
The Netherlands has been warned by Islamic figures and countries that releasing the film would lead to violence. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said the other EU countries to supported the Netherlands’ view that it cannot silence Wilders due to the constitutional right to freedom of expression. “I said that even if we fundamentally disagree with the vision of Wilders, that can never justify taking violent actions,” Balkenende said, adding he sensed “a broad agreement to act together” in staving off violent actions. Diplomats said this meant EU ambassadors in Islamic countries should engage governments in dialogue should violence occur. Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the Dutch could expect full backing by EU member states. When the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad appeared in a Danish newspaper, the EU condemned the subsequent violence but said that freedom of expression must not go against the need to protect religious sensitivities.
US soldiers urged to protest at war US veterans and active-duty soldiers on Thursday protested against the Iraq war, urging others in the military to join them. Camilo Mejia, the first conscientious objector to the Iraq war, said: “I want our servicemen and women to know that standing up to an immoral occupation is not only their right but also their duty to their country and humanity.” – AFP
High Representative Javier Solana wrote. Rapid warming of the Arctic has driven ice north, opening up new maritime routes and making new territories open to mineral exploitation. – DPA
Greeks had surgery 1,800 years ago The skull of a woman found during a dig in northern Greece has revealed she had undergone head surgery nearly 1,800 years ago, reports said on Thursday. Archaeologists who discovered the skeleton said the skull bore perforations that indicated emergency surgery had been performed. – DPA
Bar fined after PM lights up EU warns of oil rush in the Arctic The melting of the North Pole’s ice caps could spark a dangerous oil rush in the Arctic, the European Union’s top foreignpolicy official warned on Thursday. “The increased accessibility of the enormous hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic region is changing the geo-strategic dynamics of the region with potential consequences for international stability and European security interests,” EU
A hotel in Lithuania which allowed the country’s prime minister to light up his pipe in breach of no-smoking laws has been hit with a hefty fine, authorities said on Thursday. Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas smoked a pipe in the bar of the Klaipeda hotel at a meeting in February with his Latvian opposite number, Ivars Godmanis. The Lithuanian alcohol and tobacco control service ordered the bar to pay a fine of ¤290 (Bt14,053.40). Public smoking was banned in Lithuania last year. – AFP
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THE WORLD
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Grin and
b r i e f ly
DAILY XPRESS
Jing Jing, the Beijing Olympic mascot, plays at a research base in China. The country is doing all it can to protect pandas in the run-up to the Games.
bear it
Alcohol campaign rebounds on Rudd
Britney is ‘having a blast’ Britney Spears is relishing her much-hyped cameo on the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother”, in which she portrays a receptionist named Abby. “Working at ‘How I Met Your Mother’ has been so terrific,” Spears said on Thursday. “Everyone, including the cast, the crew and the producers, has been wonderful and Abby is such a fun girl to play. I’m having a blast!” – AP
AFP
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s campaign against teenage drinking has revived questions about his own drunken escapade in 2003. “It’s a bit rich for a man who got famously stonkered at a lap-dancing club in New York to be lecturing the rest of us on binge drinking,” columnist Miranda Devine wrote. “I’ll take any flak, but I’ve got to get that number down,” Rudd said, referring to Australia’s 168,000 underage drinkers. – AP
IN PEAK FORM
AGE NO BAR FOR MOUNTAINEER At 75, Japan’s Yuichiro Miura is preparing to scale Mount Everest A F P , TOKYO
J
Burmese activists appeal to voters One of Burma’s main prodemocracy groups yesterday urged voters to reject the proposed constitution in a referendum in May. The regime says approval of the charter will clear the way to multi-party elections, but the 88 Generation Students’ Group said it would only enshrine military rule. “This constitution will allow the military dictatorship to perpetuate in Burma,” the group said. – AFP
apanese skier Yuichiro Miura, 75, is gearing up to become the oldest person to scale Mount Everest despite suffering heart problems, his office said yesterday. He will leave next week for the Himalayas with his son, Yuta. The pair plans to approach from the Tibetan side and reach the 8,848-metre peak on May 16, his office said. “The hurdle is high, but Lady Luck of Qomolangma is calling me,” Miura said, using Everest’s Tibetan name. “Ageing is inevitable for humans, but if you have goals in life, you should go through the physical and mental training, forget about age and embark on the challenges,” he said. If successful, Miura would break the record for Everest’s oldest conquerer, set last year by another Japanese man, Katsusuke Yanagisawa, who was 71 years old at the time.
Miura is no stranger to the world’s highest mountain and last conquered it in 2003. But since then he has undergone two heart operations.
,, YOU SHOULD FOR GET AGE AND EMBARK ON THE CHALLENGE Yuichiro Miura
His office said the 75-yearold’s body would feel twice as old in the conditions on Mount Everest in summer due to low oxygen concentration, low pressure, severe winds and frigid temperatures. “This project not only symbolises Yuichiro’s personal challenge to his age and his heart condition but is an ultimate anti-ageing project that may expand the horizon of human possibilities,” it said. Miura was the first person to ski down the South Col of Mount Everest in 1970 by using a parachute as a brake. When he reached the summit in 2003 from the Nepalese side, he was at the time the oldest person to stand on the world’s highest spot. Feats run in Miura’s family. His father Keizo Miura made headlines in 2003 when he skied down a run in the renowned Vallee Blanche area of Mont Blanc, western Europe’s tallest mountain, at age 99. He died in 2006 at age 101.
New Inca temple discovered Archaeologists in Peru have discovered the ruins of an ancient temple, roadway and irrigation systems at a famed fortress overlooking the Inca capital of Cuzco, officials involved with the dig said on Thursday. The temple, which sits on the periphery of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, includes 11 rooms thought to have held mummies and idols, lead archaeologist Oscar Rodriguez said. The team of archaeologists that made the discoveries believes the structures predate the Inca empire but were then significantly developed and expanded. “It’s from both the Inca and pre-Inca cultures; it has a sequence,” Washington Camacho, director of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, said. “The Incas entered and changed the form of the temple, as it initially had a more rustic architecture.” Archaeologists are still waiting for carbon-dating tests, but Camacho said their calculations of the facilities’ age were supported by as ceramics and construction style. They are also unearthing an advanced hydraulic system. – AP
OPINION
XPRESS
DAILY
14
SATURDAY 15.03.2008
Editor: Tulsathit Taptim Managing Editor: Thanong Khanthong Deputy Managing Editors: Kumar Krishnan, Jintana Panyaarvudh Design Editor: Leroy A Sylk Web Co-editors: Marisa Chimprabha, Paisal Chuenprasaeng The City Editor: Chularat Saengpassa The Fun Editor: Veena Thoopkrajae Politics Editor: Kittipong Thavevong Opinion Editor: Thana Poopat Sport Editor: Preechachan Wiriyanupappong Group Editor in Chief: Suthichai Yoon
EDITORIAL
COMIC RELIEF
CRAM SCHOOLS ARE PUNISHMENT, NOT A NECESSITY Students should be spending their school summer holidays enjoying themselves in innocent childhood pursuits – unless, of course, they weren’t paying attention in class
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Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada greets supporters in Navotas City, north of Manila, last November.
ity the children who will be goaded by parents into attending cram schools these summer holidays when they don’t really need to. Most youngsters who pay attention in class and do their homework do well at school and should not be forced to spend time learning what they already know. They should be enjoying themselves on the beach, in the mountains or pursuing hobbies, making new friends, volunteering for good causes, or, if necessary, even holding down a part-time job. Anything but cram school. Apart from learning three Rs and more at school, young people should be allowed by parents to learn to be happy in carefree environments in the innocent years of their lives. Childhood memories of summer holidays are something those lucky enough to have them will cherish for the rest of their lives. The freedom to pursue whatever activities take their fancy will also allow children to develop interests in areas not covered by the formal school curriculum. No child should be deprived of this. All it takes is a little imagination from parents.
,,
Symptom of a system in crisis Cram schools, which have been around for as long as anyone can remember, serve ambitious students trying to get into prestigious universities. But they have now become a big business that caters to hundreds of thousands of students, mostly in Bangkok and other large cities. Besides the traditional cram schools for high-school students preparing for university exams, there are now cram schools for primary schoolers and even kindergarten toddlers to help them enter the next level of education, The advantage cram schools offer high-school students, according to those in favour of such a supplementary service, is familiarisation with the kinds of questions that will be asked in entrance exams. They are supposed to help review what the students have learned in school and hone relevant problem-solving skills. But many educators and education reformers argue cram schools are symptomatic of a crisis facing the country’s education system, particularly unequal access to quality education. They insist students would not need to attend if teachers were doing their job. Cram schools should exist as a punishment for less conscientious students to do what they are supposed to – which is keep up with classmates. Good students should be rewarded by not having to attend.
Pardoned former Philippine president Joseph Estrada will star in comedy to take people’s minds off problems D P A , Manila
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ardoned former Philippine president and actor Joseph Estrada has said he will star in a comedy movie in May in a bid to make Filipinos laugh amid hardships they are facing under his successor’s rule. The 70-year-old former action movie star reiterated his call for scandal-tainted President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo to resign over allegations of large-scale corruption and electoral fraud to spare the Filipinos from further misery. Estrada, who was convicted of plunder but eventually pardoned by Arroyo, said the script of the comedy movie was being finalised and he would be paired with a top Filipino comedienne. “Because of the rising poverty, people are all crying in their home so I want to make them
BECAUSE OF THE RISING POVERTY, PEOPLE ARE CRYING IN THEIR HOME SO I WANT TO MAKE THEM LAUGH AND GIVE THEM SOME RELIEF
laugh and give them some relief,” he said in a media forum. Before entering politics in
OPINION 15
OTHER VOICES
US doesn’t have a leg to stand on The Daily Star
Anwar can play a vital role The Australian
It is ironic that the US with its own stained human-rights records should have seen it fit to admonish other countries on their performance in the sensitive area. This is not to preclude criticism where it is due in order to improve upon poor records but to point at a holier-than-thou attitude that is clearly not morally tenable. The memories of violation of people’s rights in Afghanistan and especially in Iraq are still fresh with Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib as stark proof of inhuman torture evoking protests from the world, including the US itself ...
In Malaysia’s recent elections, opposition parties managed their strongest showing since the country gained its independence from Britain in 1957, cutting the ruling coalition’s parliamentary majority to below two-thirds. Where the country’s newly invigorated democracy goes from here rests with one man, Anwar Ibrahim, the deputy prime minister sacked by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and later jailed. Anwar can finally make the opposition a credible check on the National Front ruling coalition, but knows that he will never become prime minister this way.
Going green to the grave D P A , Sydney
T
AP
hose careful about their ecological footprint sometimes ponder whether a burial is greener than a cremation. An Adelaide cemetery on Tuesday came up with some helpful arithmetic. It recommends cremation because although it is initially energy-intensive, over the long term it’s the more environmentally friendly option. Centennial Park chief executive Bryan Elliot told the Adelaide Advertiser that cremations produce 160 kilograms of carbon dioxide while burials are meaner at just 39 kilograms. But in the long run burials have a 10 per cent bigger impact “because we must look after the gravesite for a number of years by watering and mowing the surrounding lawn area”. Elliot said his was the first cemetery in Australia to offer
the late 1960s, Estrada was a popular and multi-awarded actor who starred in more than 100 movies. He often portrayed underdog characters who always fought against wealthy and powerful antagonists. Estrada was ousted by a military-backed mass uprising in January 2001 over accusations he skimmed millions of dollars in tobacco taxes and received kickbacks from illegal gambling lords. Arroyo, who replaced Estrada, is now facing similar accusations of corruption. She vowed to stay in office until her term ends in 2010 and denied any wrongdoing.
carbon-neutral funerals, with free tree planting to soak up the excess for those who asked for it. However, Melbourne-based Palacom will soon offer a cheaper and even-deepergreen service, with burial in one of the cardboard coffins now widely available in Australia and then letting the gravesite go to seed. Corpses are buried in
biodegradable plastic bags rather than wooden coffins and the out-of-town cemetery reverts to farmland once the 30,000 plots are filled up. Palacom’s George Lines explained that a post digger – usually used to drill a hole for a power pole – would be used to bury corpses standing up. “You bury in batches, although each corpse has an individual hole,” Lines said.
“Doing it this way, that is accumulating bodies as they die then keeping them frozen, the amount of labour is enormously reduced and the costs correspondingly reduced.” The five-hectare temporary cemetery that Palacom has purchased would have no markers or headstones and visitors would find the grave they were looking for from a grid reference on the gate.
China cuts down on executions By Tania Branigan GUARDIAN NEWS S E R V I C E , Beijing
O
nly “extremely vile criminals” were executed in China last year, the country’s most senior judge declared this week, lauding the success of efforts to curb the death penalty. The decline, estimated by independent analysts to be as great as 30 per cent year on year, is thought to be the result of so-called “kill fewer, kill carefully” reforms introduced in early 2006, which gave the supreme court the right to overturn capital sen-
tences handed down by lower courts. Human-rights groups welcomed the fall as a sign of progress, but pointed out that no one knew the actual number of executions because it was a state secret. Even going by reported cases, China executes more people annually than the rest of the world combined. “It’s a step in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go,” said John Kamm, executive director of the US-based Dui Hua Foundation, an advocacy group for non-violent politi-
cal prisoners. He said the group’s research suggested about 6,000 people were executed last year, 25-30 per cent fewer than in 2006. Amnesty International recorded 1,010 executions in China in 2006 on the basis of published reports alone, which was still two-thirds of the global total. It believes the real number may have been closer to 8,000. Xiao Yang, chief justice of the Supreme People’s Court, gave no figures for the overall use of the death penalty or the decline as he delivered his annual report on Monday.
Last week, a senior judge at the supreme court, Huang Ermei, said it had rejected 15 per cent of death sentences passed by lower courts. But in an interview with the official website China Peace Web she stressed that China would not have the right conditions to abolish the death penalty “for a considerable period of time”. The changes were in part introduced to allay public disquiet at high-profile miscarriages of justice, but also reflect the lobbying of lawyers, academics and some officials for broader legal reforms.
16 WHERE 2 GO
Saturday, March 15, 2008
THE FUN
DAILY XPRESS
GEORGE CLOONEY RESPONDING TO NEWS THAT A WEBSITE HAD CALLED HIM ‘GAY, GAY, GAY!’
“No, I’m gay, gay. The third gay – that was pushing it.”
PHOTOS/VIPASAI NIYAMABHA
GOING LOCAL
DON’T NEGLECT NAN The northern province’s monthly fairs show off a cultural heritage second to none in the land By Vipasai Niyamabha SPECIAL TO DAILY XPRESS
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obody goes to Nan, and that leaves Somjet Wimonkasem scratching his head. He’s an expert on culture and a consultant to the National Museum in the northern province, so he knows more than most that the Lanna heritage there is not to be found anywhere else. Ushering a rare group of visitors around Wat Chang Kham, the royal monastery, he dons a garment of local hand-woven cloth and begins to share. “Nan’s cultural heritage is second to none,” he says, “from its unique architecture and textiles to its music and people. I can’t understand why it’s still an unpopular destination!” Pointing out interesting features of the temple’s pagoda, which has 24 stucco elephants around its base,
Somjet explains that Wat Chang Kham was built early in the 15th century in the Sukhothai style. At nearby Wat Phumin he interprets the story depicted in well-conserved murals in the vihara, in colours so vivid they might be Fauve paintings. All four walls inside wonderfully illustrate how Nan’s rural populations remain connected to Buddhism. As a teacher at a local school, Somjet tells the children about all of this, and hopes some of them will take his place as tour guides. In fact, some are already doing so each weekend at the temples. Nan’s tourist accommodations, though, remain basic – not an international hotel brand in sight. There’s a dilemma here: Nan people would love to see more visitors, but the visitors – having discovered the province’s
serene charm – would prefer to keep it for themselves and hold the crowds out. A few years ago the provincial administration established San Silp Tin Nan – the Conservation Project of Nan
M A K E A D AT E T O V I S I T >> The Sans Silp Tin schedule: April 2 to 5 – Hand-woven textiles May 9 and 10 – Handicrafts June 13 and 14 – Traditional musical instruments July 11 and 12 – Rural produce August 8 and 9 – Unique local goods September 12 and 13 – Open streets for children >> Call the Nan Cultural Office at (053) 711 650-1.
Arts – to boost tourism through monthly cultural fairs. The fairs will be held until September, each with a different theme.
XTRA
Saturday, March 15, 2008
WHERE 2 GO 17
DAILY XPRESS
STRETCHYOUR HEAD
37.8
MILLION DOLLARS (Bt1.2 billion). The largest-ever jackpot paid out by a slot machine, to a 25year-old in Las Vegas.
A new yoga studio exercises minds as well as bodies. >Page 20
NEXT STOP
take a tour
Sipadan: Isle of deep thrills
How to get there: It takes two days from Bangkok. First fly to Kuala Lumpur, by either AirAsia, Thai Airways or Malaysia Airlines. Most passengers have to stay overnight in Kuala Lumpur to wait for the connecting flight to Tawau in Sabah state. Some passengers choose to fly to Kota Kinabalu then drive to Tawau. From Tawau Airport, go to Semporna Pier, 100 kilometres away, and take a speedboat to the island. Don’t miss: This is definitely one of the world’s best dive spots. Sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks can be spotted frequently, and hammerhead sharks occasionally. The bestrated sites include Barracuda Point, Hanging Garden, South Point and White Tip Alley. Lodging: Overnight stays are forbidden on Sipadan, so Semporna on the mainland is now the main base for diving around the island. Alternatively, there are resorts on the nearby islands of Mabul (25 minutes by boat) and Kapalai (15 minutes away). For details, go to www.BorneoDivers.info or www.WahooDivingCenter.com.
A sea turtle glides through the waters around Sipadan.
XPRESS/PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
When to go: Sipadan lies off the east coast of Malaysia. There’s good diving to be had from April to November, The best diving months are July and August.
All aboard a yellow submarine
LOVE BITE S
Don’t set sail just yet
If you think scuba diving is too much hassle, why not see the sea as the Beatles once suggested, and try a new underwater experience with Pattaya’s yellow submarine? Operated by Vimantaitalay, the submarine plunges into the depths off Pattaya thrice daily, at 10.30am 11.20am and 1pm. Passengers are taken a speedboat from to Koh Lan and then transfer to the submarine. Each trip lasts 40 minutes, exploring depths of up to 30 metres. It costs Bt990 per dive for adult and Bt740 for children aged three to 12. For details, call (038) 415 234 or (038) 415 181. to laid-back Bang Krajow. It is held every Monday to Friday from 10am until around 3pm. A Bt1,500 fee covers bike rental, snacks, drinks, water, lunch, tasting of local products, guide fee, special long-tail boat trip, boat transfers and personal accident insurance during the tour. For details, contact Amazing Bangkok Cyclist at (02) 665 6364 or info@realasia.net.
A small seaside eaterie reels in hungry travellers on their way to Koh Chang
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gob Cape and Koh Chang are only 30 minutes from each other on the ferry, but the lifestyles of the island folk and their landlubber cousins are an ocean apart. Laem Ngob is all cosy tradition with its timeworn wooden houses and traditional marriage of fish and spices, while Koh Chang buzzes with stylish resorts and fast-and-loose fusion cuisine. Down a narrow lane clinging to the shore in Laem Ngob is Rim Thale Seafood. A slate floor, high ceiling, plain tables and plastic chairs won’t win it any design awards, but no one comes to this restaurant specially for the decor. Here, seafood rules. We order goong pao (charred prawn), nam prik kai poo (chilli dip made of crab eggs), tom yam pla muek (spicy squid soup), tod man pla (spicy fishcakes) and seafood salad. First impressions are promising. The yellowish chilli dip is mild, only singeing the tastebuds – we’re still able to appreciate the subtle flavouring the accompanying fresh veggies give it. That makes the shock of the squid soup all the more delicious, searing our tongues
THE CHILLI DIP ONLY SINGES THE TASTEBUDS – WE’RE STILL ABLE TO APPRECIATE THE SUBTLE FLAVOUR THE FRESH VEGGIES GIVE IT. with its hot-and-sour signature. Not long before, all of us had been grumbling about the exhausting journey on the highway from Bangkok to Trat. A few minutes after our food arrives, the whining gives way to a clanking of forks and spoons and the odd “mmm”, the only soundtrack to what is a truly excellent meal. Those passing through to catch a ferry should consider lingering a little on the mainland – just long enough to work up an appetite for Rim Thale Seafood. It’s a great first taste for any holiday. – Phoowadon Duangmee DAILY XPRESS
This is how to see India Jetair Tours by Jet Airways has introduced a holiday package to three major cities in India. Start with a rickshaw ride to Delhi’s famed Red Fort, see Agra’s magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort and board an elephant in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. At least two people have to sign up, and they pay US$354 (Bt11,200) each for four nights’ accommodation in three-star hotels, $471 in four-star digs and $510 for five stars. The cost includes breakfast, local guides and all tour and entry fees. Call Jet Airways’ Bangkok office at (02) 696 8980.
Get pedalling The ABC (Amazing Bangkok Cyclist) tour invites bicyclists to explore off-the-beaten cycling paths in the city. From ABC’s office on Sukhumvit Soi 26, the tour passes through Klong Toei then across the Chao Phya River
Andaman jaunt on a junk Now is a perfect time to explore the beautiful Andaman Sea before diving season ends and the rains arrive. The stunning June Hong Chian Lee junk provides a live-aboard experience as you make your way to the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock and Surin Islands. The trip lasts five days and six nights, with departure every Saturday at 6pm. The prices are US$1,750 (Bt55,000) in a private cabin or twin sharing or US$1,250 in a cabin with four people. Each diver has to pay an entry fee for the National Marine Parks, which is currently Bt1,800 per trip. Prices also include meals and snacks, coffee and tea and soft drinks, transportation from/to Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, Phuket airport, tank, weights and weight belt, torch for night dive, dive guide and insurance. Visit www.TheJunk.com for departure dates and more details.
18
PROPERTY
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Lanna at its loveliest
DAILY XPRESS
A gilt picture complements wooden furniture and colourful pillows.
Make your home homier with northern-style tones – especially some browns and yellows By Somluck Srimalee D A I LY X P R E S S
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A mix of white and light colours, wood and colourful furniture.
olden decor and a sturdy wooden base are at the heart of Lanna style, which is still popular in northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. An interior designer who decorated Quality House Plc’s Laddarom Elegance project in the northern city says the main decoration theme there is “Lanna modern contemporary”. This combines Lanna home decor made from wood and a sprinkling of gold detail, with contemporary furniture featuring cotton and leather. Keep that wooden fur-
A single-family home at Baan Preuk Puwadej, part of the Laddarom Elegance project in Chiang Mai and priced around Bt30 million.
niture and golden decor in mind when selecting curtains, pillowcases, vases and picture frames. A mix of earth tones will make your room look warmly welcoming to visitors. For the curtains, go for folk-style cotton drapes made in Chiang Mai. If the outside walls of your home are wood, you have all the more reason to go Lanna when it comes to style! “Lanna themes and colours are easy to mix and match,” says the designer. “Wood represents nature. Gold represents good luck. When these two colours match, it’s inspiring and brightens your mood.”
Saturday, March 15, 2008
PETS & POTS 19
DAILY XPRESS
C R E AT U R E C O M F O RT S
Not all the furry things in quarantine are all that ‘bad’, you know By Laurie Rosenthal DAILY XPRESS <laurie@nationgroup.com>
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The beautiful white cat gets used to her new home.
he beautiful white cat leaps out of her carrier and immediately inspects her new cage on the third floor of my townhouse. Although it’s large, it’s a cage, nevertheless. She will never leave it. My other cats will never enter it. She has tested positive for feline Aids. Neither humans nor dogs are in danger, but any cat she bites will be infected. If a cat bites her, the biter will be infected. As long as I’m careful, everyone in the household should be all right. If she escapes, none of my feline ladies would confront her. They operate on the principle, “Flee first. Ask questions later.” Yoyo, the brat-cat, is another matter. Every morning he stands outside her cage and tells her loudly how he’ll kill her when he reaches her. At first, she ignores his aggression. She’s more worried about my poodle Wan-Wan. These two met the first
day, when she beat the poor pup up. Wan, who loves cats, was a bit confused, but now stays respectfully outside while I play with the cat. With Yoyo, the white cat is no longer aloof. Today, while he threatened her, she rolled over on her back and waved her paws playfully at him. How was she first infected? I don’t know, but most probably from a cat bite. How long will she live? No one knows. The virus limits her ability to fight infection. A slight wound on her head has not healed after a week. She loves being with people, but she has a very imperial personality. “Come back here now!” I think she commands me when I leave her. I haven’t yet named her. Do readers have any suggestions? Something elegant and unique for a special cat who can never enjoy complete freedom. The soi dogs are female; the soi cats male. All have been neutered and vaccinated. For more information, call Carol at SCAD (formerly Soi Dog Rescue) on (084) 535 1452, email adoptions@scadbangkok.org or visit www.Scadbangkok.org.
Howling for the moon Presents for the pooch who has nearly everything By Kimi Yoshino LOS ANGELES TIMES
Some of us toss Fido some scraps off the dinner plate and call it a night. But for those with money to burn, there’s no shortage of overthe-top products to pamper a pet. At Three Dog Bakery in Santa Monica, California, owners Rocky and Hannah Keever are experts. Customers routinely ask to see the priciest pet paraphernalia, without even looking around the store.
Too hot for a walk? Bring the fire hydrant indoors, grass and all. These Pet-aPotty mini-lawns come in fake or real grass complete with a drip tray that can be emptied; $199 to $2,200 (Bt6,300 to Bt69,500). If your teacup terrier is decked out in diamonds, surely you can’t expect her to walk. Tote her around in a Creature Couture carrier bag, which comes with vents and fold-down flaps, $269.95.
Does your canine want to put on the dog? Designer Cuddly Ruff offers a necklace set of cultured pearls and a diamond pendant for $2,325.
Three Dog Bakery’s catering packages include gift bags for tail-wagging guests, ‘pupcakes’, a bone-shaped cake, party hats and a bottle of Sauvignon Bark gravy for a party of 10; $249.95. Want to take Rover camping but can’t bear to have him rough it in a pup tent? British Columbia-based Straight Line Designs Inc makes a miniAirstream trailer. This ultra-sleek doghouse is handcrafted and comes with hardwood floors, $5,000.
The tropical garden on the fourth floor of Pramote Theerakul’s house
PLANTWISE
Green up your home The strategic placement of tropical houseplants can do wonders for the most ordinary-looking abode By Somluck Srimalee DAILY XPRESS
Lots of greenery is the trend for urbanites, in condominiums as well as office buildings. The problem for urban homeowners is selecting the right plants for small areas. Four Pattana managing director Pramote Theerakul, who maintains a tropical garden in his home, suggests planning where you want to build your little garden before heading to the nursery. Select a space where there’s appropriate exposure to sunlight. Tropical gardens are of course particularly well suited to Thailand’s climate. Pramote says you can go green anywhere, including in the bathroom, balcony and bedroom. A garden can be designed to match your residence, keeping in mind the colour and size of the plant and its leaves. It’s relaxing to come home after a hard day’s work and admire a beautiful garden before going to sleep, Pramote says.
A stone garden on the second-floor balcony at Baan Klang Muang on Kaset.
SUNDAY XPRESS/TAWEESAK PAKDEEHOON
The lady in the cage
20
HALE AND HEALTHY
Eat Healthy
Saturday, March 18, 2008
J U S T D RO P I N
IT’S THE LATEST SPOT TO STRETCH
DAILY XPRESS
feel good
Dharma Yoga at the Crystal covers all the bases – and it happily makes room for beginners too By Aekanek Girl D A I LY X P R E S S
Stir-fried tofu with holy basil BY CHEF PAISARN CHEEWINSIRIWAT
Serves two. Ingredients
5 bird's-eye chillies, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 60ml vegetable stock 140g hard tofu, cubed 40g string beans cut diagonally into 5cm lengths 40g straw mushrooms, halved 40g baby corn cut diagonally into 5cm lengths 1 red chilli, seeded and finely sliced 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 handfuls holy basil leaves Directions
Stir-fry the bird's-eye chillies and garlic in a wok, using half of the vegetable stock. Once fragrant, add the tofu, string beans, straw mushrooms and baby corn and cook for several minutes. Add the remaining vegetable stock and season with soy sauce. Add sliced red chilli and holy basil. Remove from the heat and serve with brown rice. Food facts per serving: Kilocalories 106.98 Protein 8g Carbohydrates 12.89g Saturated fat 0.42g Total fat 2.87g Cholesterol 1.65mg Dietary fibre 1.9g Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat is executive chef at the multi-award-winning Chiva-Som resort.
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ooking slick in contemporary black, blue and brown, Bangkok’s newest yoga studio – Dharma Yoga – aims for pure relaxation. Nualpan Osthananda and her partners have had five years of success running the lavish day spa Sareerarom on Soi Thonglor, and now they’ve expanded into yoga. A Bt5-million investment, Dharma Yoga is in the lifestyle shopping centre The Crystal and boasts instructors who all have at least 15 years’ experience. “Yoga not only enhances your strength and flexibility,” says Nualpan, “it also eases
tension through pranayama – the breathing technique that controls and harnesses your life force. You develop a steadier mind and stronger willpower and perception.” The word “dharma” refers to nature, she adds. “It helps practitioners to experience the connection of body, mind and spirit.” The studio offers classes in three yoga styles: Power Vinyagsa, with its dynamic movement, Iyengar Yoga, slower and with attention to detail and body alignment, and Ashtanga Yoga, which emphasises correct posture. And since a lot of Thais haven’t tried yoga before, there are daily, 90-minute drop-in classes for beginners, and
XTRA COME GET THE BENDS WHAT: Dharma Yoga by Sareerom WHERE: Second floor the Crystal shopping centre on Ekamai Ramintra Road MUST TRY: Introduction to Yoga every Saturday from noon to 1pm, Bt450 HOW MUCH: Bt450 for a 90minute session, Bt30,000 for a year’s membership CALL: (02) 515 0868
Have you tried out yin yoga? March 21 at Absolute Yoga Studio in Amarin Plaza
Victor Chang will be conducting a yin yoga workshop next Friday and training yin yoga teachers from March 22 to 24. Call (02) 252 4400 or visit www.AbsoluteYogaBangkok. com.
hour-long introductory classes every Saturday at noon. A second branch of Dharma Yoga is planned on Asoke Road.
The Imperial Spa’s got a great deal Until March 31 at the Imperial Spa branches at the Imperial Queen’s Park, Imperial Mae Ping, Imperial Samui and Imperial Boat House hotels
Spend Bt5,000 on any spa treatment and receive a gift voucher valued Bt1,000. Members of the Imperial Club are also entitled to a complimentary pedicure treatment. Call (02) 261 9000.
Get your own private trainer
Amrita Fitness at the Nai Lert Park Hotel
Lose weight, tone your muscles and otherwise get in better shape with a private trainer. Programmes are tailored to each individual based on their goals and current fitness. The fee starts at Bt900 for 90 minutes. Call (02) 253 0123, extension 8699.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
SOCIETY 21
DAILY XPRESS
Flying high Princess Ubolratana visited Thai Airways’ promotional booth at ITB Berlin 2008 in Germany and was welcomed by Nond Kalinta, second right, the airline’s general manager for Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe.
A sporting ge sture Supatra Chirath ivat, third right
, senior Hotels & Resorts , led the managem vice president of development fo r Centara ent of Central Gr Weerasak Kowsu ou rat, centre, on hi s appointment as p in congratulating Minister for Tour ism and Sport.
e Right oransint, foim anager of Swatch urth left, brand m Swatch ced the new Siriwan Pongkijvo ), recently introdu City Hotel’s nd ila ha (T g in Group Trad at the Siam 2008 Collection Spring/Summer Garden Pavilion.
e true ob Mokaves, general manager Robertt Dreamsledcbyoitsm t Prar e managemen Thailand presiden njit Ghura and th f Ra Dream Hotel staf agent Agoda. owner’s delegate ailand by online anager Adi Jaya, Th m l in te l te ho n, Ho an ue m iq Jaer st Bout being ranked be team celebrated
A sporting chance Manchester City soccer stars Kelvin Etuhu and Kasper Schmeichel stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers during a recent visit to Thailand to conduct a Thaikom football clinic for young players. Also pictured are hotel manager Charles Jack, right, Chris De Silva, second left, and Chorprae Chotchinchao, director of marketing communications.
Fragrant but fatal
managing Oriflame Cosmetics, led by centre, , director Supraporn SC Pao of nch lau recently organised the rden Ga at e fum per ale Amethyst Fat ether tog ok, ngk Ba hai hot Suk Villa, the and , left s, with perfumier Jean Jacque ry, elle jew ion lut Evo designer of Crystal Bella Redl.
22 EVENTS
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP Here comes the bride Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai
“Our Wedding Proposal” at the Grand Ballroom offers rings by Anyamanee, tailor-made honeymoon packages by Manit Travel, selected tipples from the Wine Gallery, spa treatments by Dheva Spa and, from 4pm, a wedding-dress fashion show. Reserve your wedding day for any time between April and December, and get a free gift for two of one night in a Colonial Suite inclusive of breakfast, and a spa treatment.
The simple life Rotunda Gallery llery Neilson Hays Ga
th nnvatanachit’s 90 Artist Boonsri Du exhibilo so st fir d by her birthday is marke tury t of early 18th-cen i’s tion. Reminiscen sr on ape paintings, Bo European landsc renity se d an the harmony canvases call up m fro ds ee oc All the pr of pastoral idylls. ch ar M til Un . ity ar to ch the exhibition go nday, 9.30am 30. Tuesday to Su 31.
Today and tomorrow, 11am to 6pm. Call (053) 888 888.
see it!
2) 233 17 to 5pm. Call (0
The radio life for real Hollywood Music Hall Ratchada Soi 8 Live music from DJ Piano & the Crazy Quilt, Maha Jamroen and Kaleidoscope will be punctuated by DJs on the decks at a party on March 22, 4pm. Register by 6pm today at (02) 264 9666 by stating your name and contact number as well as the last four digits of your ID card.
and n o i t a Cre tionoad, Pattaya a m r o f trans m 315/26 ThepparriaasnitnRe Hvass Kureith Opiu and M ideas w Gallery sae Jern ilosophies and 29. g n ie J Painters to Eastern ph . Until March shape forms
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Bond with a fusion legend Chef Bobby Chinn celebrates the launch of his first cookbook by inviting shoppers at the Emporium to join him at his “Wild, Wild East” cooking demonstration – register by the end of today. If you miss him there, you can catch his cooking at the Peninsula Hotel. For details, e-mail information@asiabooks.com.
‘Our Lady of the Low Countries’ Kathmandu Photo Gallery 87 Pan Road near the Indian temple, Silom Road
Michael Shaowanasai continues the exploration of female divinity he began as the super-heroine in the musicalcomedy film “The Adventure of Iron Pussy” with his photographic self-portraits on display until March 30. Open daily except Monday from 11am to 7pm. Call (02) 234 6700 or visit www.Kathmandu-BKK.com.
The process of creation Gallery Soulflower, Basement, Silom Galleria
On view in “From Surface to Origin: Journeys through Recent Art From India and Thailand” are works by Pinaree Sanpitak, Nipan Oranniwesna, Be Takerng Pattanopas, Biju Joze, George Martin PG and Benitha Perciyal K. Preliminary sketches also on display show the physical, emotional and conceptual work behind the finished paintings. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 11 to 7. Call (02) 630 0032, or visit www.GallerySoulflower.com.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
EVENTS 23
DAILY XPRESS
WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP
Get a b degree usiness fr Britain om Premie
rR Hotel, P oom 8, Interc on h The Ma loenchit Road tinental
A shoal of different flavours
opia c u n w A pra angkok
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin
d –s The Goo ery which way teed with v e d, sau prawns e, currie nd more. c u a s O with X stock, a 555. Chinese all (02) 655 5 special C . 1
Talay Thai restaurant prepares the catch of the day in an ocean of different styles. Enjoy authentic Thai soups and spicy salads, noodles and fried rice for Bt900. Saturdays, 6 to 10.30pm. Call (032) 521 234.
nc present hester Busines s Schoo s free ta l lk world-c lass MB s on how to get A or DB a of Busin A (D es working s Administratio octorate in n for DBA Thailand. Tom ) while s, 4pm fo orrow, 2 pm seat, ca r MBAs. ll Chris T Higgins o reserve a 2590 o at re
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(087) 8 worldw -mail c.higgin s@mbs 15 ide.edu .sg.
G Floor, Promotion Area, Central Bang Na
Discounts on cosmetics from Bobbi Brown come with advice from resident gurus of beauty. Until Tuesday. Origin products get the promotional treatment from Wednesday to March 25. Call (02) 667 5555.
B e-river a Hotel, Arnom Earth offers blu tir-fried
arch 3 Until M
do it! Beginning with a blank canvas Grand Mercure Fortune Hotel
Rim Suan Gallery presents a watercolour painting course for beginners conducted by Chalee Sodprasert and Supakit Audtaranakorn. The Bt999 fee covers an afternoon coffee break, paper and watercolours. Part of the proceeds will support young artists. Today, 2 to 5pm. Call (02) 641 1500.
The world is your oyster Four Seasons Hotel
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til April Call (0 38) 411 30. 755.
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Enjoy succulent oysters from France, Australia, Canada and the US prepared in different ways by chef Anchalee at Madison Restaurant today. Oysters are also prepared – but Japanese-style – by chef Sawada and his team at Shintaro. Until March 22. Call (02) 250 1000.
Darkest Peru for free Starbucks
Enjoy a complimentary 8oz cup of Peruvian coffee today from 11am to 1pm. Call (02) 271 2455.
St Patrick’s Day Lunch Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Hotel Tickets at Bt1,250 each (Bt1,000 for members) include a buffet lunch, wine, whiskey and, if you still have room, Irish coffee. For information contact info@irishthaicc.com. Monday, 1pm. Reception at 12.30.
24 EVENTS
Monday, March 17, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP Mickey & Minnie’s Amazing Journey Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani
Mickey and Minnie Mouse lead Disney friends from the “The Lion King”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Lilo and Stitch”, “101 Dalmatians” and “Peter Pan” in an ice-dancing adventure. Tickets range from Bt200 to Bt1,500 and are available from Thaiticketmajor. From March 22 to 30. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.DisneyLive.com.
see it! The art of French cuisine Intercontinental Hotel
The culinary and visual arts compete for diners’ attention with the works of artist Martin P Collins accompanying the creations of guest chef Jean Luc Amann. Alongside the a la carte menu, guests can enjoy a five-course degustation menu for Bt2,500. Until March 29. Call (02) 656 0360.
Making their mark Seven artists are taking turns showing their work at three locations in Bangkok until March 31 as part of “Brand New”, an introduction to new creative talents. Theerawat Mayasasitthivit and Naruemon Padsamran are exhibiting at Bangkok University’s Art Gallery. Prateep Suthathongthai, Wasan Thitisakul and Supapong Landheerasiri will be at Chulalongkorn University’s Art Centre. And works by Orawan Arunrak and Krit Ngamsom are at Tadu Contemporary Art. Tadu is on the seventh floor of the Barcelona Motor Building on Tiamruammit Road off Ratchadaphisek Road, and open Monday to Saturday from 9 to 6. Call (02) 645 2461 or visit Tadu.net. The Chulalongkorn Art Centre, on the seventh floor of the library, is open weekdays from 9 to 7 and Saturdays from 9 to 4. Call (02) 218 2965 or visit car.chula.ac.th/art.
Some powerful surprises The Mall, the Emporium and Siam Paragon Power Mall surprise customers with shock prices on electrical products from top brands, with privileges and gifts. Until Wednesday.
Japane se com 10th flo o edy Japanes r of Sermmit T ower o e comed n
Soi Aso y films a at the J ap ke re the film an Foundation on the program s have T . Showt imes are me this month h All”; Fr iday – “ ai subtitles on ly. Tomo at 6.30pm and Adrena Guy”. O line D rrow – n Ma
rive”; M rch 2 “Give it will be arch screene 9 at 3pm, “Ju venile B 28 – “Fall d. Call ( o 02) 26 0 8560 ys Meet Futu re” .
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G Whitespace quare Soi 3 ing, Siam S d il u B Cinema ows paintings
sa-nguan sh Kraising Sud a confused course from a t ar ch at th gallery is to peace. The state of mind to Sunday from open Tuesday March 23. ntil noon to 8. U or visit
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2 2900 Call (02) 25 m/gallery. paceAsia.co eS it www.Wh
Squeeze a freebie Robinson department stores
Spend Bt6,000 with the 1 Card in the Juicy Summer Spirit promotion and get a free Juicy Summer Bag, valued at Bt890, while stocks last. Until March 23. Call (02) 248 2626-35.
26 THE SCREEN
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
TO SEE on tv Dan in Rea l Life A mel
Robber Bride An investigation into the death of seductress Zenia Arden (Mary-Louise Parker) reveals that her closest friends had good reason to want her dead. Based on a best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood. HBO (TrueVisions), 6pm
Through Their Eyes In Iraq, where kidnappings, roadside bombs and sectarian violence are all too prevalent, it is often the women who suffer the greatest hardships. Eight women share their stories of survival, heartbreak and determination. CNN (TrueVisions), 10pm,
Partition Determined to leave the ravages of war behind, Gian Singh (Jimi Mistry) resigns from the army. But his life is thrown in turmoil when he finds himself responsible for a 17-year-old girl. Star Movies (TrueVisions), 8pm
odramati triangle plays c, awkward loveo reunion amo ut during a family ng a widower (S Carell), his sl acker brother teve (Dane Cook) and a wo Binoche) wh man (Juliette o charms th em both. At Paragon . ★★
Rambo 4
Persepolis In this controversial black-and-white animated feature, based on her illustrated novel, artist Marjane Satrapi recalls her difficult childhood growing up in Iran during the Islamic revolution. In French with English and Thai subtitles at House. ★★★★★
10,000 BC A dreadlocked, dirt-smudged hero (Steven Strait) battles woolly mammoths, angry ostrich-looking things and a sabre-toothed tiger to must rescue the love of his life, the mystical Evolet (Camilla Belle) from the slave raiders who’ve kidnapped her. ★★
(Watsana Chalakorn) brings a little girl into her house and then forgets about her, setting off a panic in the neighbourhood. The only person who saw the girl enter Choom’s home is a medical student, who only sits and watches. With English subtitles at some cinemas. ★★★★
Nine children are lost in a storm, and then proceed to upstage the pirate captain (Saranyu Wongkrajang) who rescues them, as they proceed to battle a rival crew for hidden treasure. With English subtitles at some cinemas. ★★
The 8th Day (Paed Wan Plaek Khon) A mentally unstable old woman
Czech woman pianist (Marketa Irglova). At the Lido. ★★★★★
Amir must return to Talebanruled Afghanistan in a dangerous bid to rescue the son of his childhood friend. At the Lido in Dari and English with English and Thai subtitles. ★★★★
Soul’s Code
Once Winner of the Academy Award for best song, this Irish film is a simple story of two artists falling in love. Glen Hansard, lead singer of the Frames, stars a heartbroken Dublin busker who one day meets a charming
Newscaster ML Nattakorn “Pleum” Devakula makes his screen debut as Captain Khan, a detective investigating the murder of a woman found dead and naked with some ancient writing engraved on her body. An autopsy reveals her identity leading Khan to believe that the dead
The Mist Director Frank Darabont adapts Stephen King’s 1980 short story about a deadly mist that engulfs a small town. Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden and Andre Braugher are among the residents trapped in a shop when the mist hits. There are things in the mist. But it’s what the humans do to each other that’s more likely to shake you to your core. ★★★★
P2 Angela (Rachel Nichols) is staying late at work and is the last one out to leave the building, except for creepy carpark attendant Thomas (Wes Bentley) on Level P2. At SF. ★★★
No Country for Old Men A weary sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) quietly pieces together the case of a deadly drug deal while another man (Josh Brolin) has fled with a satchel of money and a psychopathic hitman (Oscar-winner Javier Bardem) in pursuit. At Siam, Emporium, Paragon. ★★★★★
Typhoon A North Korean defector aims to destroy both North and South Korea with a dirty bomb and the help of a typhoon.
There Will Be Blood
Channel 7, 10.30pm
Channel links www.nationchannel.com Channel 3 – www.thaitv3.com Channel 5 – www.tv5.co.th Channel 7 – www.ch7.com ModernNine – www.mcot.net Channel 11 – tv11.prd.go.th Thai PBS – www.thaipbs.or.th True – www.truevisionstv.com
woman’s soul is communicating with him. With English subtitles at some cinemas.
The Ghost and Master Bo (Phee Taa Waan Kab Ajarn Taa Bo) Waan (Pansachol Khumpraewpan) is in love with Wit (Weerayuth Naburana). Problem is, Wit doesn’t know his ladyfriend is a ghost. Medium Ajarn Bo (Jaturong Mokjok) tries to intervene. With English subtitles at some cinemas.
The Kite Runner Salad Ta Diaw Kab Dek 200 Ta
He didn’t a sk for it, he did it, but Ram bo (Sylvest n’t want er Stallone once again ) be pable dem comes an upstopon of death as he enters Burma to napped mis save some kidsionaries. ★ ★★
10,000 BC stars Steven Strait as a hunter from an isolated tribe who discovers strange, new civilisations.
An obsessive turn-of-the-century oilman (Daniel Day-Lewis) will stop at nothing to best his competitors, even at the cost of harming his own family and his sanity. His ego gushes out of control until he’s left a sputtering madman, hollering “I drink your milkshake!” in the face of his chief rival. At the Lido. ★★✍ ★★★
Saturday, March 15, 2008
THE SCREEN 27
DAILY XPRESS
TO SEE
Cinema information Unless otherwise noted, films are playing at most multiplex cinema chains. For showtimes, call the cinemas or check their websites.
on dvd REGION 3
Seat prices in Bangkok cinemas range from Bt80 to Bt500. The King’s anthem is played before the main programme and it is obligatory to stand as a sign of respect.
Apex Lido: (02) 252 6498 Siam: (02) 251 3508 Scala: (02) 251 2861 www.apexsiam-square.com
: The Step Up 2 Streets a ncer (Brian
s street da A rebelliou in at an ggles to fit Evigan) stru ol, where she meets ho elite arts sc n), the ert Hoffma b o (R se a Ch pus. ★★ m ca cer on hottest dan
Century – The Movie Plaza (02) 247 9940 www.centurythemovieplaza.com
The Spiderwick Chronicles
EGV, Major Cineplex, Esplanade, Paragon
A lonely boy (Freddie Highmore) leads his twin brother and older sister on an adventure after he finds a magical field guide to fairies, sprites and monsters. ★★★
Bangkok: (02) 515 5555 www.egv.com www.majorcineplex.com
House
Jumper
Kung Fu Dunk
L: Change the World
This globe-trotting thriller is about a young man named David Rice (Hayden Christensen) who has the amazingly cool ability to jump anywhere in the world at any time, just by thinking of the place he wants to go. Directed by Doug Liman, it’s all fun and sexy until you start wondering: Who is this guy, and how can he do this? He is pursued by the Paladins, who want to stop the jumpers. They are led by a white-haired Samuel L Jackson.
A Shaolin-trained martial artist (Jay Chou) uses his skills on the basketball court. Thai dubbed
Eccentric secret agent L (Ken’ichi Matsuyama) must stop a mad scientist from spreading a lethal virus. In Japanese with English
★★★
with English subtitles at some cinemas.
and Thai subtitles at Paragon; Thai-dubbed elsewhere.
Dead in Three Days
★★★★
In this Austrian teen slasherhorror, a group of friends each receive the SMS message on their cellphones: “In 3 days you're dead!” German with
Kris-Ka-Ja (Valentine)
English and Thai subtitles at House.
With English subtitles at some cinemas.
A lesbian and a transvestite man trade bodies in a car crash.
West Side Story The winner of 10 Academy Awards, this 1961 musical directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise remains a mustsee. Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris star. Inspired by “Romeo and Juliet”, the tale of star-crossed lovers is set in a 1950s New York plagued by racial tensions. The disc has English and Spanish audio and subtitles and behindthe-scenes special features. – Daily Xpress
UMG RCA: (02) 641 5913-4 www.houserama.com
Major Hollywood Bangkok: (02) 718 7999 www.majorhollywood.co.th
SF Cinema Bangkok: (02) 268 8888 www.sfcinemacity.com
Critical consensus ★★★★★ = Don’t miss! ★★★★ = Solidly entertaining ★★★ = Better than nothing ★★ = Barely watchable ★ = Don’t bother No star rating means no reviews were available from Daily Xpress staff or agencies.
Adam By Bryan Basset
The Buckets By Scott Stantis
Pooch Cafe By Paul Gilligan
Red and Rover
By Brian Basset
By Bill Watterson
Calvin and Hobbes
By John McPherson
Close to Home
28 LEISURE Saturday, March 15, 2008 DAILY XPRESS
Comics&Games
Saturday, March 15, 2008
LEISURE
DAILY XPRESS
29
Games&YourStars SUDOKU
The last word in
ASTROLOGY
By Eugenia Last
Today’s Birthday: What a great year to spruce things up: your home, your life, your looks. The results you get will be spectacular as long as you follow through. Hard work will pay off and recognition for your labour will be granted. It’s a new you and a new year, so push hard and make the most of it.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
It won’t be difficult for you to get into trouble today. Keep your thoughts to yourself and avoid any sort of discussion with anyone who may be critical. Whatever you do, stick to your set budget. Taurus (April 20-May 20)
It’s what you put out that will determine what you get back. Follow through with your ideas and plans and you will succeed. A love interest looks promising but don’t get involved if either one of you is already in another relationship. Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Work-related friends are likely to be charming but not trustworthy. You may be given false information and are better off finding out for yourself what actually is required of you. Emotional outbursts over money, contracts or any legal matters will not benefit you. Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Rest and relaxation should be your plan. It’s time to enjoy your family and friends. Don’t be tempted to overspend in order to show your appreciation and love for someone. You are better off being kind and generous.
DIFFICULTY RATING ★★★★★
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Don’t make a costly mistake. A sudden change in your financial situation is apparent but, if you spend it as fast as you make it, you won’t get ahead. Do your best to pay off and collect old debts. You’ll feel so much better.
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY
Virgo (August 23-Sept 22)
You will have plenty of choices but, if you decide to use your energy taking care of responsibilities that don’t belong to you, you will miss out on something beneficial. Make alterations at home and put yourself first for a change. Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22)
Don’t let anyone push you around. Keeping the peace doesn’t mean you should let someone take advantage of you. Avoid situations that are potentially disruptive and ignore anyone using emotional blackmail. Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)
Put time aside for a little old-fashioned loving. Do things with the people you care about and you will feel the rewards of being loved. A short trip will change your outlook as well as your relationship with someone special. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)
Don’t count on anything before it’s a reality. Reassure the people you are dealing with that you know what you are doing and that you have a foolproof plan in place. Stick to basics. Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)
will.i.am Actor Judd Hirsch is 73. Singer Mike Love of the Beach Boys is 67. Singer-keyboardist Sly Stone is 65. Rock guitarist Ry Cooder is 61. Singer Dee Snider of Twisted Sister is 53. Singer Terence Trent D’Arby is 46. Singer Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray is 40. Actress Eva Longoria Parker (“Desperate Housewives”) is 33. Rapper will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas is 33. DJ Joseph Hahn of Linkin Park is 31. Rapper Young Buck is 27.
Start counting your cash and preparing to put it into something serviceable. Profits can be made through property investments, a new business idea or a grant being offered. Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)
Don’t feel obligated to pay for others. You can make suggestions but only if you are willing to delegate what needs to be done. Don’t let anyone push you, especially if he or she is trying to get out of doing things. Pisces (Feb 19-March 20)
Reevaluate your personal situation. Take a close look at your living environment and consider making a move or changes that will help you feel more comfortable. Such changes could improve your state of mind and your ability to be successful in the future.
ROOKIE
Bulletin Board
A place to sell your ideas What: One-2-Call iD Showcase Where: Siam Square Soi 3
Want space to show off your great notions? Sign up for the One-2-Call iD showcase, which is great for students who love being creative. You’ll be given space to display and sell your work on the last Friday of every month all this year – at no charge. Call the AIS hotline at 1175 or visit any One-2-Call shop.
Giving learning the boost it needs What: A better-learning workshop Where: Room B108 of the Asian Institute of Technology Conference Centre in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani When: April 6 and 7
The Association of Southeast Asia Institutions for Higher Learning, the Asian Institute of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland are holding this workshop to promote teaching and learning in higher education. Participants will learn about practical ways to promote learning and teaching at their own universities. Discussion topics include goal setting, gap analysis, change management, quality assurance and best practices in teaching. Registration costs Bt4,500 and includes two lunches, a dinner, coffee breaks and workshop materials. Call (02) 524 5002 or visit http://tlworkshop.ait.ac.th.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
TIME OUT
SPINNING A NEW YARN If you love hand-made attire and accessories, crocheting could be your hobby for life
,,
WE KNOW THAT THE GIFT HAS BEEN CREATED WITH LOVE AND GOOD INTENTIONS Kanokporn Indragaruwet
By Suwicha Chanitnun D A I LY X P R E S S
S
tepping into one of Rabbit Publishing’s crochet classes, you could be forgiven for having thought that you’d come across a meditation course. Indeed, crocheting hones your ability to concentrate. The room is pin-drop quiet. Everyone is busy and focused. Colourful wool and crochet dolls lie scattered on table. Subtle smiles are seen on the participants’ faces. “Almost done – my first crochet!” says Sathita Prawongkhom, 25. People might think crochet classes are all about dreary scarves and tablecloths, but here you can finish a lovely doll within a day. “Think about when you receive a gift. It makes you feel much better when a friend has made it for you. We know that the gift
has been created with love and good intentions,” says teacher Kanokporn Indragaruwet, who last year wrote a book to promote her hobby, “Crochet Dolls: Garden Collection”. Since the book’s release she’s received a lot of questions from readers about buying patterns, equipment and fabrics. Impressed with the reaction, Kanokporn recently began conducting monthly classes. Sathita smiles at her crocheted bear. “So lovely! My first handmade doll! It would have taken me a year to make this alone at home.” And that puts a smile on the instructor’s face. The class is limited to five people. Each class costs Bt750, which pays for all the tools and materials. Classes are held on the last Sunday of every month. Visit www.Rabbit-Publishing.com.
DAILY XPRESS/CHARNNARONG PORNDILOKRAD
30
PREUKSA REAL ESTATE PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
We are a leading real estate developer of state - of - the - art housing projects. Our company is ranked in the first tier of the five tiers of companies in Thailand by sales volume. Our core values are our tight focus on customers, shareholders, employees and society. Due to our 40 projects expansion, vacancies have arisen for top quality professionals to join our dynamic team, as follows:
1. Vice President Business
5. Sales Manager
9. Deputy Erection Manager
Development of business strategies to serve company goals. Execution of business plans and projects for sales & marketing, quality control, customer relations and budget control.
Responsible for developing, creating, planning and executing sales promotion plan and activities to achieve sales target.
Supervise on site erection work and keep work on schedule. Assist project manager to solve problems concerning site constraints and utilities.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Business Admin., Economics, Marketing or related field. • Minimum 10 years experience, preferably in real estate projects. • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with good command of English.
2. Vice President Construction Responsible for on-site managing and monitoring of construction projects, on schedule and according to plan and planning, managing and reviewing all procedures and strategies. • Bachelor's degree or higher in Civil or Structural Engineering, Architecture or related field. • Minimum 10 years experience, preferably with construction company. • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with good command of English.
3. Project Manager Responsible for managing and monitoring site construction schedule and quality control until project hand-over. Act as the company's management representative on site. • Bachelor's degree or higher in Civil, Mechanical or Structural Engineering, Architecture or related field. • Minimum 10 years experience on site, real estate preferred.
4. Marketing Manager Responsible to identify, develop and evaluate marketing plan, target markets, monitoring marketing campaigns & developing new strategies and ideas. - Bachelor's degree in Marketing or higher in related field. - Minimum 7 years' marketing experience, real estate preferred. - Must be creative, initiative, proactive. - Strategic thinker with good analytical skills. - Be able to work under dynamic environment.
Interested applicants are invited to submit application letter with full resume (in English), telephone number, expected salary and recent photo with contact details to:
• Master's degree in Sale, Marketing or related field. At least 7 years experience in real estate. • Good human relations, team player and excellent cooperation skill is a must. • Able to work under pressured, accurate and timely working atmosphere. • Good command of written and spoken English and computer literacy is a must.
6. QA Manager Responsible to organize and manage an effective quality function and auditing in accordance with the Quality Policy and Procedures. Perform product and construction process audit. • Bachelor's degree or higher in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or related field. Have knowledge of ISO9001. • Minimum 9 years experience of auditing in property development or real estate. • Have knowledge of ISO 9001
• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Mechanical, or related field. • Minimum 5 years experience on site of fabrication and erection in construction or cement. Precast is preferred.
10. Deputy PR Manager Responsible for implementing communication programs and social events, handling newsletter, printed material and website, good writing, communications and interpersonal skills and strong connection with media. • Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Public Relations, Mass Communication or related field. • Male / Female, age between 30-35 years. • Minimum 5 years experience in proven track record in corporate communications, public relations or related field.
11. Project Engineer
7. Deputy Brand Manager / Manager
Supervise construction work as assigned by site manager and keep work on schedule. Assist project manager to solve problems concerning site constraints and utilities.
Responsible to manage project portfolio of assigned products and develop product strategy. Develop and execute marketing plan both short and long range to ensure profit growth and expansion.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Structural Engineering, Architecture or related field. • Minimum 5 years experience on site, real estate preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or higher in related field. • Minimum 5 years marketing experience, on site, real estate preferred. • Must be creative, initiative, proactive, result and customer oriented. • Strategic thinker with good analytical skills. Be able to work under dynamic environment.
8. Deputy Estimate Manager Responsible to review drawing for tender and prepare BOQ and cost tracking sheet. Communicate and negotiate with contractors, designers, and suppliers to prepare project cost proposal. • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. • Male/Female, age not over 30 years. • Minimum 3 years experience in project, product cost estimate in real estate.
12. Business Research Executive Assist in business research to ensure and monitoring that the company is grasping the best opportunity and perform result tracking mechanism that can clearly identify accountability. • Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Business Administration or Economics. • Minimum 6 years experience in research and analysis field.
13. Architect Overseeing, ensuring and monitoring that all construction works are carried out in accordance to an approved drawing and quality of work adheres to plans. • Bachelor's degree in architecture and/or design. • Knowledge of landscaping and interior design. • 4 years experience on site, real estate preferred.
Attn: Mr. Wattana Dechbun / HRM Manager, HRM Department,
PREUKSA REAL ESTATE PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED SM Tower, 27th Floor, Paholyothin Rd., Samsennai, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400 Tel: 0-2298-0101 ext. 508, 511, 514, 534 www.ps.co.th Email: personnel@ps.co.th
Home Product Center Public Co., Ltd. Home Product Center Public Company Limited was founded on June 27, 1995 with the initial registered capital of Baht 150 million. The Company is a joint venture between Land and Houses Group, American International Assurance Co., Ltd. and the Sarasin family. The Company was listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand on October 30, 2001. The Company was established with an objective to operate a retail business by selling goods and providing complete services relating to construction, improvement, decoration and renovation of buildings, houses and residence places under the trade name "HomePro". On July 31, 2006, the Company has 23 branches in total, of which 15 branches are located in great Bangkok and another 11 branches in upcountry provinces. On May 26, 2005 Market Village Co., Ltd. was incorporated "Market Village" being a subsidiary, located at 234/1 Petchkasem Road, Hua-Hin, Prachaubkirikhan. Home Product Center Public Company Limited holds 99.99% of shares in Market Village. Presently, its registered capital is Baht 5 million. Market Village was formed with objectives to manage leasing space for Home Product Center Public Company Limited and to provide facilities services to lessees. It commenced operation on the project "Hua-Hin Market Village" which is located on Petchkasem Road, Hua-Hin, Prachaubkirikhan. This was opened in the first quarter of 2006.
Asst. Vice President / Division Organization Development
Asst. Vice President / Division Trainee - Buyer
Management Trainee - GM Store
Qualifications : ❏ Bachelor's / Master's Degree in Human Resources Management or related field. ❏ Experience in human resources development 5-8 years. ❏ At least 3-5 years direct working experience in organization development. ❏ Exceptional people skill, possess proactive and detail-oriented style. ❏ Strong interpersonal as well as communication skills. ❏ Proven ability to lead and manage. ❏ Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage.
Qualifications : ❏ Bachelor's / Master's Degree in Economics, Business Administration or related field. ❏ AVP - Buyer Trainee : at least 5 years experience in purchasing. ❏ Division - Buyer Trainee : at least 2 years experience in purchasing. ❏ Negotiation skills. ❏ Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage.
Qualifications : ❏ Age 30-45 years old. ❏ Master's Degree in Business Administration or related field. ❏ Good English communication skill. ❏ Prior experience in sales team management, sales target management, customer management, inventory management, or overall knowledge of retail operation business / department store will be an advantage. ❏ Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage. ❏ Willing to work rotating shift schedules. ❏ Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage. ❏ Able to work upcountry. ❏ **Upcountry residence within Phuket, Samui, Chiangmai, Pattaya, Hadyai, Hua-Hin, Phitsanulok, Khonkaen, Udornthani, Suratthani, Chonburi, Rayong, Nakornratchasima, Ayuthaya, Krabi**.
Management Trainee - Sales / Administration / Customer Service
Division Call Center
(Bangkok & Upcountry)
Qualifications : ❏ Bachelor's Degree in any field. ❏ Professional experience in customer services, call center, outbound planning or related fields 3-5 years up. ❏ Proficient in read, written and spoken English. ❏ High proficiency in computer, Windows, MS-Office, internet, email. etc. ❏ Knowledge of SAP is an advantage. ❏ Fast leaner and good team player. ❏ Strong problem solving and decision making skills. ❏ Pleasant personality, high patience, interpersonal and communication skills. ❏ Positive attitude, hard working, diligent, able to work under pressure. ❏ Able to work in Rangsit.
Qualifications : ❏ Master's Degree in any field. ❏ Age over 27 years. ❏ Minimum 3 years experience in sales, customer service, logistics management, purchase order or product delivery management areas. ❏ Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage. ❏ Willing to work rotating shift schedules. ❏ Able to work upcountry. ❏ **Upcountry residence within Phuket, Samui, Chiangmai, Pattaya, Hadyai, Hua-Hin, Phitsanulok, Khonkaen, Udornthani, Suratthani, Chonburi, Rayong**.
Cathay Leaseplan Public Company Limited (CTL) was formed by a group of prominent financial and industrial investors in 1992 to provide asset backed financing services. Now CTL is expanding business to financial advisory and related services. The company is looking for energetic personnel to fill in the following positions:
1. Senior Vice President, New Business Development Division Job Description ● Develop new product and new business opportunities. ● Conduct detailed feasibility studies on the project to ascertain maximum return within their legal, physical, market and financial constraints. ● Prepare investment/development memoranda for Investment Committee approval. ● Coordinate with related parties to ensure the success of the project. Qualifications preferred ● Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics or related fields. ● Proven track record of customer portfolio and revenue - generation growth. ● Strong business, financial, analytical and problem solving skills.
2. Vice President of Treasury and Business Development Job Description ● Manage all financial functions; planning, budgeting, raising external fund, fund mobilization, assets and liabilities management. ● Work alongside new business development team to analyze potential opportunities. ● Analysis and valuation of the target investment project. Qualification preferred ● Master's Degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Business Administration or related fields or Bachelor's Degree with at least 7 years experiences in the field. ● Familiar with commercial investment/finance/real estate background is a plus. ● Good analytical skill & computer literacy. ● Excellent command of both written & spoken English. ● Self-motivated with good interpersonal and presentation skills, highly team-oriented.
3. Credit Operation Manager Qualification preferred ● Age over 30 years old. ● Bachelor's Degree or higher in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related fields. ● Min. 7 years of working experience in credit operation from financial institutions. ● Strong knowledge of loan documentation (loan agreement, hire purchase or leasing contract, car registration, tax and insurance policy). ● Strong leadership skill and ability to communicate effectively. ● Good command of English and computer literacy.
4. Credit and Marketing Officer Qualification preferred ● Age over 25 years old, Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Business Administration or related fields. ● Min. 3 years of working experience in credit & marketing from financial institutions. ● Prepare credit proposal for credit committee approval. ● Strong leadership skill and ability to communicate effectively. If you think you are qualified and eager to start an exciting new career with us, please submit your application, transcript, CV, photo, copy of identification card, copy of house registration, military exemption certificate to:
Cathay Leaseplan Public Co., Ltd. 72/8-9 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 0-2266-5070 press 203 Fax: 0-266-4365 Website: www.cathaylease.com E-mail: suttawat@hertz.pcrt.co.th E-mail: kittipong@cathaylease.com
Vice President - Overseas Purchasing
(Bangkok & Upcountry)
Qualifications : ❏ Bachelor's / Master's Degree in relevant fields. ❏ At least 8 years experience in purchasing field with at least 5 years direct working experience in overseas purchasing. ❏ Skill in MS Office. ❏ Manage team and be a good problem solver. ❏ Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage. ❏ Able to use Mandarin is an advantage.
Overseas Purchasing Manager (China) Qualifications : ❏ Bachelor's / Master's Degree in relevant fields. ❏ At least 3 years experience in purchasing or marketing field. ❏ Fluent in Mandarin**. ❏ Skill in MS Office. ❏ Manage team and be a good problem solver. ❏ Experience in retails business or purchasing is a plus. ❏ Work based in Bangkok & China.
To join our team, please send your resume and recent photograph to:
Home Product Center Public Co., Ltd.
96/27 Moo 9 Tambol Bangkhen, Amphur Muang, Nonthaburi 11000 Tel. 0-2832-1000 ext. 1364, 1399 Fax: 0-2832-1299 Email: job@homepro.co.th or hrsystem@homepro.co.th Website: www.homepro.co.th
Thongthai (1956) Co., Ltd. is a distributor of HITACHI industrial products from Japan. We are looking for energetic and highly responsible personnel for the following positions.
ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field - Male or Female, age over 25 years - At least 3 years experience in sales - Good command of read, written and spoken English - Computer literate (MS WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT)
- Female, age not over 28 years - Bachelor's degree in Administration - Good command of English communication and management skills
SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field - Male or Female, age over 20 years - At least 2 years experience in sales - Good command of read, written and spoken English - Computer literate (MS WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT) All position - Military exempted for male candidate - Able to drive a car
If you are interested in the above positions, please send application letter and resume to :
THONGTHAI (1956) CO., LTD. (Electrical Dept.) 762-768 Charoenkrung Rd., Sumpunthawongse, Bangkok 10100 Tel. 02-235-5566 Ext. 225 (Khun Kanjana) Fax: 02-236-5674, 02-2338934 E-mail: ttled@cscoms.com
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thaistaff@amnuaysilpa.ac.th ‚∑√. 0-2354-5267
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42
GAMES
Saturday, March 15, 2008
THE SPORT
DAILY XPRESS
RED WINGS vs STARS
5:3
Pavel Datsyuk had two goals and an assist as Detroit became the first team to secure a NHL play-off spot.
briefly Zhang stops Salakjit in Basel second round Thailand’s Salakjit Ponsana’s run in the Swiss Open Super Series in Basel came to an end after she lost 21-16 23-21 to former champion Zhang Ning of China in the women’s second round. The victory helped the China world No 2 maintain her unbeaten record 3-0 against the Thai. Zhang was due to face Hong Kong’s Wang Chen, who finished runner-up in the 2007 World Championship, in the quarters. – Daily Xpress
Phitsanulok to host Senior Worlds
European Tours, with existing circuits acting as feeders. – AFP
Phitsanulok will be the battleground for the third Thailand Senior World Cup, which will be held from April 21 to 26. Theppitak Chansuthep, president of the Senior Footballers’ Association of Thailand, said that this time strong teams from England and the US would also take part in the tournament. Thailand have named a 26member team led by Chalermvudh Sangapol. – Daily Xpress
Butler back to help Wizards past Cavs
Asian Tour rejects OneAsia project The Asian Tour rejected plans for a regional golf “super tour” yesterday after they were formally endorsed by Japan, Australia, China and South Korea. Asian Tour chief executive Kyi Hla Han said the OneAsia project, designed to rival the European and US circuits, did not serve the region’s best interests. The Japan Golf Tour Organisation, China Golf Association, Korean Golf Association and the PGA of Australia earlier said they had reached agreement for the new tour with a planned launch in January. The tour’s backers reportedly envisaged an eventual 35-stop tour to rival the lucrative and hugely popular US PGA and
Caron Butler returned from a 16game injury absence to help the Washington Wizards to a 101-99 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA yesterday (Bangkok time). Butler, whose hip injury sent the Wizards into a February slump, scored the game’s opening basket, survived some rough contact to make six of his first eight shots and finished with 19 points. Cleveland’s LeBron James marked his appearance on the cover of the April issue of Vogue with a spotty 25-point performance. – AP
Evans wins ParisNice fourth stage Australian Cadel Evans warmed up for his bid for the Tour de France title this summer by winning the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race ahead of towering Dutch rider Robert Gesink. Gesink, 21, of Rabobank, takes the overall leader’s yellow jersey after the gruelling 176km stage which finished on the slopes of the Mont Ventoux climb. – AFP
CHAMPIONS LE AGUE
POT LUCK NOT KIND TO REDS Liverpool draw Arsenal in quarters; Man Utd face Roma while Chelsea get Turks A F P , Nyon, Switzerland
A
rsenal will meet fellow English giants Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals following the draw made yesterday. Four English clubs are in the final eight and Arsene
Wenger’s side were the first out of the hat for their first leg at home on April 1-2, with the return leg against the 2005 champions at Anfield on April 8-9. The tie means that Arsenal and Liverpool, last season’s finalists, will play each other
three times in one week as the two European legs sandwich a Premier League game. Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: “We were hoping to avoid an English team but statistically it was going to be hard to avoid a 100-per-cent English quarter-final. And it’s fallen on us. “Between the two quarter-final ties we also play Arsenal in
Saturday, March 15, 2008
GAMES 43
DAILY XPRESS
Gary Hall Jr
Phil Vickery
AMERICAN SWIMMER
ENGLAND RUGBY CAPTAIN
“It’s no fault of Eamon [Sullivan who broke the world record in the 50m freestyle] that people are going to look at him suspiciously, unless, of course, he did cheat”
“[On the loss to Scotland] If we’d just given it to them and defended all game I think the score would have been closer”
U E FA C U P
FOOTBALL
face Rangers save Thais Chinese British pride test today Scots advance despite narrow defeat to Werder Bremen; Bolton bow out after reverse at Lisbon A F P , Paris
R
Rick Parry the Premier League. It’s going to be interesting.” Manchester United will once again come up against AS Roma. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side inflicted a 7-1 thrashing of the
Italians in the return leg of the quarter-finals last season. The two clubs also crossed swords in the current campaign’s group stage. Chelsea open at Fenerbahce while Bundesliga side Schalke 04 host the team who beat Arsenal for the 2006 title, Barcelona. And Chelsea’s chief executive Peter Kenyon was a good deal happier than his opposite number up at Anfield. “I’m thrilled. At this level there’s no easy draw but we above all wanted to avoid an English side. Despite some disappointing results recently we have total confidence,” he said. The winners of the Arsenal versus Liverpool fixture will then face Chelsea or Fenerbahce in the semi-finals, with Manchester United or Roma taking on either Barcelona or Schalke.
T
of the favourites and you can only take it one game at a time. But it’s an unbelievable spirit here and all the boys get on well.
Rangers’ Sporting chance Rangers, the only British club still in business, will face Sporting Lisbon in the Uefa Cup quarter-finals while favourites Bayern Munich take on Spanish debutants Getafe. The lasteight draw also pitted Serie A side Fiorentina against PSV Eindhoven and Bayer Leverkusen against Zenit Saint Petersburg.
XTRA B R I T I S H S AV I O U R S >> Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers are the only UK club left in the competition. >> Bolton failed to make the cut to leave the EPL unrepresented in the Cup. >> Sporting ended Bolton’s run with a lastgasp victory in Lisbon.
AFP
WE WERE HOPING TO AVOID AN ENGLISH TEAM BUT STATISTICALLY IT WAS GOING TO BE HARD TO AVOID
AFP
,,
David Taylor, right, Uefa general secretary and former Russian keeper Rinat Dassaev draw the team names for the Champions League quarters.
angers marched into the Uefa Cup quarter-finals on Thursday to save Britain’s blushes after English clubs crashed out. Rangers lost 1-0 at Werder Bremen but their 2-0 first leg victory at Ibrox was enough to see the Scots through. In another match, Sporting Lisbon beat Bolton 1-0 to go through 2-1 on aggregate for a further English victim after Tottenham and Everton were both eliminated after penalty shoot-outs on Wednesday. Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor refused to talk up his side’s chances of winning the competition. Diego scored the only goal of the game after 58 minutes but McGregor was forced to stand firm under a barrage of late pressure, making several impressive saves. On their chances of going all the way in the competition, he said: “I don’t know about that but Werder Bremen must have been one
D A I LY X P R E S S
Allan McGregor, right, of Rangers defends his territory against Bremen striker Boubacar Sanogo during their Uefa Cup match.
hailand have less than 24 hours to prepare for a warm-up match against China today, having touched down at the Kunming airport just a day before. The match is part of preparations for the Thai team ahead of the crucial Group B World Cup qualifying fixture against Oman on March 26. The Thais need to win that match to keep alive their hopes of clinching one of the two available qualification spots. Chanvit Pholchivin’s men, who are currently bottom of the table after a 4-1 thumping by regional powerhouse Japan last month, need to recovery quickly to be ready for the game following a hectic schedule. The concerns over the players’ fitness provided more headaches to Chanvit, who already has to contend with the unavailability of some first-choice players, including Manchester City’s Suree Sukha and Teerasil Daengda, who are currently on loan at Switzerland’s Grasshopper Zurich. “We have a doubt over Sarayooth [Chaikamdee]’s fitness. I subsequently would pair Teeratep [Winothai] with Pipat [Thonkanya] up front. “We’re also deprived of Suree at the defence so Suchao [Nutchnum] would be dragged from midfield to fill in the void while Wuthichai [Thathong] will take over his role,” Chanvit said. Chanvit knows his players are in for a tough game against the tricky Chinese team, who are ranked 75th in the world.
THE SPORT
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS XTRA
SOMLUCK KAMSING >> Won five consecutive Golden Gloves. >> Won gold at the Chiang Mai SEA Games and the Hiroshima Asian Games. >> Won gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
LIFEST YLE
MASTER
STROKES Olympic boxer, restaurateur, TV producer, stuntman … Somluck is this and much more
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong D A I LY X P R E S S
H
is is a classic tale of rags to riches. And, Somluck Kamsing has moved ahead, taking up many challenges along the way that have spiced up his life. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the featherweight boxer captured the hearts of his countrymen by becoming Thailand’s first-ever Olympic champion. On his return home, he became a millionaire, showered with gold and money. However, after the Athens Games, Somluck hung up his gloves. He later played stunt roles in movies, notably ‘Kerd Ma Lui’ (Born to Fight). He appeared in ‘Fearless’ alongside Jet Li, and made his debut as a singer in 2006 and as a television star. The 35-year-old from Khon Kaen opened a restaurant. His Korean dishes became so popular he opened new branches. However, after years of running the business, Somluck suddenly called it a day. “I’m happy with doing what I love the most - running a Muay
Thai programme on Channel 5. It’s on air every Friday from 3pm,” said Somluck, whose Maidaimo (I’m not boastful) statement, has been immortalised by his fans. “I also produced another Muay Thai programme for TGN. I think the sport is very popular among foreigners. Many local fighters stand a chance of going abroad to promote the martial art,” he said. Somluck also has a job at the Navy Civil Affairs Department. He owns the Sor Kamsing boxing camp, too. “I have done several things in life and it has been fulfilling. My life cannot be this good. I now have a family with two children. My four-month-old son is very cute and might grow up to be a handsome man. I hope he can become a movie star in the future,” Somluck says. “I have also been invited to England as a Muay Thai trainer. I will leave for London for five days next month to train fighters there,” he said.
DAILY XPRESS/UTHORN SRIPHANTHA
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THE SPORT
Saturday, March 15, 2008
DAILY XPRESS
All matches kick off at 10pm Bangkok time unless stated. League positions in parentheses
Today
Derby (20) v Manchester United (2) Live, True Sport 1 You look at this fixture and straight away have to say ‘away win’. Derby look shot and even a manager as good as Paul Jewell has not been able to revive them, which tells you just how much they are lacking. Man Utd will probably rest players and still have a side packed with match-winners to take this one easily.
PREMIERSHIP
TACKLE
West Ham (10) v Blackburn (8) Live, True Sport 5 This is a crunch game for West Ham – goodness knows they need to stop the rot. They have had injury problems again, of course, but Alan Curbishley does have a good squad. London is not the greatest hunting ground for Blackburn generally, and the Hammers will be going all out to get something after a run of three straight 4-0 defeats.
Liverpool (4) v Reading (14)
Tomorrow
Live, True Sport 3
Fulham (19) v Everton (5) Live, True Sport 1, 5, 8.30pm
Liverpool are going well, as everyone knows. They controlled the game from start to finish in gaining a fantastic result against Inter Milan in midweek. Reading, apart from at Middlesbrough, have not been at all convincing on the road. Although they have had two good wins of late, one cannot see them getting much here.
An away win looks likely for Everton – the Toffees did so well in fighting back against Fiorentina in midweek only to go out in the worst way possible, on penalties, but they will be full of confidence. Meanwhile, you just have to feel for Fulham. They are scrambling for results despite the best efforts of Jimmy Bullard. The best they seem to be able to get at present is a draw, which is simply not good enough.
Portsmouth (7) v Aston Villa (6) Live, True Sport Extra 1 This looks like a draw – two teams pretty close to each other in the league and similar in that they have a lot of pace and a good blend of youth and experience. It will be a tight game for sure between Harry Redknapp’s boys and Martin O’Neill’s warriors and one can easily see them cancelling each other out.
Wigan (13) v Bolton (18) Live, True Sport 3 One has to fancy a narrow win for Wigan in a real messy kind of Lancashire derby on an awful pitch during which the ball might get stretchered off. The Trotters are hoping to complete a hat-trick of Premier League victories over Wigan.
Owen
Arsenal (1) v Middlesbrough (12) Manchester City (9) v Tottenham (11)
Live, True Sport 3, 12am (midnight)
Live, GSQ 60, 11pm
Middlesbrough bounced back well from their FA Cup shock defeat to Cardiff with a draw at Aston Villa in midweek and it seemed like they deserved more. That said, this is Arsenal they are playing and one just cannot see who will score for them, so one has to fancy a home win.
Tottenham will have had a lot taken out of them by the two hours or so they played in Eindhoven in midweek, and this is far from an easy trip. Meanwhile, although Man City are stuttering to a certain extent, their home form still remains fairly good. A narrow home win looks like a probable result.
Sunderland (16) v Chelsea (3) Monday
Live, True Visions 106 Chelsea are a funny side at the moment in that they keep having the odd blip but then rattle back and crush someone – for example, Derby, against whom Frank Lampard scored four goals. So, this will be a tight game, but one in which the Blues will ultimately prevail.
Birmingham (17) v Newcastle (15)
Jewell
Redknapp
Live, GSQ 60, 3am (Tuesday) A draw looks likely, which probably will not really suit either team – although Michael Owen and Newcastle will take anything they can get. You wonder where Newcastle’s points will come from, while Birmingham will be all right as long as their young guns keep putting in the performances they have done lately.
Bullard
Lampard
Saturday, March 15, 2008
THE SPORT 47
DAILY XPRESS
RU G B Y U N I O N
FORMULA ONE
Gatland demands victory
ICEMAN KIMI LOSES COOL
W
ales can lose to France and still win the Six Nations title today. However, Wales do not want to claim the championship that way. The Red Dragons have the luxury of a 20-point cushion in points difference with France, but Wales coach Warren Gatland said anything less than a win at Millennium Stadium will diminish their surprising campaign. “It will be nice if we can take the championship, but we’d like to be doing it with a win over France,” Gatland said. “To win on points difference would be something of a hollow victory.” The unbeaten team he has dragged up from dysfunction and despair in three months to be on the verge of a second Six Nations title, also agreed. “All these games will mean nothing now if we don’t win at the weekend,’’ said fullback Lee Byrne, who has not missed a minute of the stunning wins over Italy, England, Scotland and Ireland.
A F P , Melbourne
W
orld champion Kimi Raikkonen was disgruntled with the set-up of his Ferrari after yesterday’s lacklustre afternoon practice took the sheen off his morning best time ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. The Flying Finn looked good as he posted the day’s fastest time in opening practice with one minute and 26.461 seconds, but he was dismayed with a struggling 1:28.208 in the afternoon session. McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton topped the boards with a session best of 1:26.559 in the afternoon after his lap time was overtaken by Raikkonen in first practice. The conclusion from the opening practice sessions was a pointer to a dominant showing by Ferrari and McLaren in tomorrow’s season-opening
RESULTS basketball
golf
NBA Washington 101-99 Cleveland Sacramento 96-85 Portland Phoenix 123-115 Golden State
Ballantine’s Championship Second round: 132 - Graeme McDowell (NIR) 68-64 134 - Johan Edfors (SWE) 69-65, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 68-66 135 - Kim Hyung-Tae (KOR) 6966, Paul McGinley (IRE) 68-67 136 - Thomas Bjorn (DEN) 7066, Padraig Harrington (IRE) 7165, Anthony Kim (USA) 68-68 137 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 71-66 138 - Ariel Canete (ARG) 70-68, Chris DiMarco (USA) 70-68 139 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 68-71, Oliver Wilson (ENG) 70-69
cricket N Zealand v England Test Scores after day two: England, 1st innings: 342 (Tim Ambrose 102, Paul Collingwood 65, Alastair Cook 44, Mark Gillespie 4/79, Jacob Oram 3/46) New Zealand, 1st innings: 198 (Ross Taylor 53, Stephen Fleming 34, James Anderson 5/73, Paul Collingwood 3/23) England, 2nd innings 4/0 Bangladesh v South Africa Third ODI: Bangladesh 143 (Shahriar Nafees Morkel 25, Farhad Reza 20no, Albie Morkel 4/29, Johan Botha 3/34) South Africa 147/3 (Graeme Smith 68no, AB de Villiers 40) Result: South Africa won by seven wickets and clinch series 3-0
Arnold Palmer Invitational First round: 65 - Fred Couples, JJ Henry 66 - Lucas Glover, Tom Lehman, Vijay Singh (FIJ), Lee Westwood (GBR) 67 - Alex Cejka (GER), Ken Duke, Jim Furyk, Cliff Kresge, Bubba Watson 68 - Bart Bryant, Chad Campbell, Tim Clark (RSA), Dustin Johnson, Steve Lowery, Hunter Mahan, Rocco Mediate, Carl Pettersson (SWE), D.A. Points, Andres Romero (ARG), Vaughn Taylor, Nicholas Thompson
EPA
A P , London
Defending champ Raikkonen slams Ferrari car set-up after sluggish show in testing
Kimi Raikkonen, left, of Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes after the drivers’ briefing at the paddock of the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne yesterday. The Australian Grand Prix takes place tomorrow. race, where the two leading teams have won nine of the 12 GPs held in Melbourne since 1996. But Raikkonen hinted at a hard night’s work ahead for his Ferrari mechanics seeking an improved car set-up for today’s one-off qualifying to determine race grid positions. “I am not very happy with the way practice went,” Raikkonen said. “This morning we found some good settings for the car, but in the af-
65 69 - Richard Johnson (GBR), Richard Sterne (RSA), Camilo Villegas (COL) 70 - Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia (ESP), Retief Goosen (RSA), Matthew Jones (AUS), John Senden (AUS)
ice hockey NHL Atlanta 6-4 Calgary Tampa Bay 3-1 Boston Detroit 5-3 Dallas Ottawa 3-0 Montreal New Jersey 4-3 Minnesota (So) Los Angeles 4-1 Nashville Colorado 5-1 Edmonton Phoenix 2-0 Vancouver
soccer Uefa Cup Last-16, second-leg (* denotes qualified): Sporting Lisbon* 1-0 Bolton Werder Bremen 1-0 Rangers*
tennis ATP/WTA Indian Wells Men’s first round: Lee Hyung-taik
XTRA TESTING TIMES >> Raikkonen was the day’s fastest with a time of one minute and 26.461 seconds. >> But he struggled with his car in the afternoon sesssion. >> Lewis Hamilton topped the charts in the latter sesssion with a 1:26.559 lap.
ternoon, we struggled and our lap times reflect that. “We must look carefully at the data to work out how to improve the car,” he said. Hamilton, who lost last season’s championship by a point after being overhauled in the final race in Brazil, was pleased with the start to the season by his car. “There was some good progress with the car and we made the best use of the ever improving track conditions,” he said.
Couples on top Fred Couples went 5-under on the first day to share the lead with JJ Henry in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (KOR) b Michael Llodra (FRA) 6-2, 6-3 Dudi Sela (ISR) b Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 Robin Soderling (SWE) b Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) 6-3, 6-3 Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) b Filippo Volandri (ITA) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) Andeas Seppi (ITA) b Paul Capdeville (CHI) 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 Santiago Giraldo (COL) b Werner Eschauer (AUT) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) b Jesse Levine (USA) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 Olivier Rochus (BEL) b Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-4, 6-4 Fabio Fognini (ITA) b Rainer Schuettler (GER) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 Xavier Malisse (BEL) b Florent Serra (FRA) 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-0 Wayne Odesnik (USA) b Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 Robby Ginepri (USA) b Vincent Spadea (USA) 6-1, 6-1 Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) b Benjamin Becker (GER) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 Marc Gicquel (FRA) b Potito Starace (ITA) 6-4, 6-3 Donald Young (USA) b Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-3, 6-4 Robin Haase (NED) b Dusan Vemic (SRB) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Women’s first round: Angelique Kerber (GER) b Ekaterina Bychkova (RUS) 6-1, 6-2 Aravane Rezai (FRA) b Camille Pin (FRA) 7-5, 6-2 Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROM) b Yuan Meng (CHN) 6-4, 6-4 Julia Schruff (GER) b Catalina Castano (COL) 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 Ahsha Rolle (USA) b Madison Brengle (USA) 6-2, 6-2 Vania King (USA) b Anne Kremer (LUX) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Elena Vesnina (RUS) b Hsieh SuWei (TPE) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 Kaja Kanepi (EST) b Martina Muller (GER) 6-3, 6-2 Melanie Oudin (USA) b Maret Ani (EST) 7-5, 6-2 Casey Dellacqua (AUS) b Olga Putchkova (RUS) 6-1, 6-1 Chan Young-jan (TPE) b Iveta Benesova (CZE) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) b Bethanie Mattek (USA) 6-2, 6-1 Gisela Dulko (ARG) b Julie Ditty (USA) 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 Galina Voskoboeva (RUS) b Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 7-5, 6-3 Greta Arn (HUN) b Sabine Lisicki (GER) 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) b Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 6-4, 6-3
ON TV Motor Sport Formula I Australian Open 10am/Star Sports
Golf Asian Tour Ballantine’s C’ship
11.30am /ESPN
Soccer Spanish League
Deportivo v Real Madrid 2am/ Truesport 1 Calcio Serie A
Roma v Milan 2.30am/Truesport 3
Rugby Six Nations
Wales v France Midnight/Star Sport
48
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DAILY XPRESS
THESPORT
SERIALWINNER World No 1 Tiger Woods was named the winner of the Mark H McCormack Award for a 10th straight year.
GOLF
GRAEME
RISES
Graeme McDowell eyes the ball after teeing off as Dane Thomas Bjorn looks on in Jeju, South Korea.
AFP
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland produced a jaw-dropping 64 to open up a two-shot lead at the US$2.9-million Ballantine’s Championship yesterday. He took advantage of calm conditions to nail an eagle and six birdies for a second-round score of 132.
LIFEST YLE
CHAMPIONS LE AGUE
Lord of ring has the Midas touch
Gunners take on Reds in quarters
From humble beginnings he earned fame and fortune as Thailand's first Olympic champion. But retirement from boxing did not mean the end, and Somluck turned everything he touched thereafter into gold >PAGE 44
Rafael Benitez’s quest for a second title in Europe’s elite competition will face a stiff test from Arsene Wenger’s youth brigade after the Uefa draw of lots pitted Liverpool and Arsenal against each other >PAGE 42