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FREE Wednesday, March 5, 2008 VOL 1, NO 1 dailyxpress.net
GOOD MORNING BANGKOK!
A happier place
WHY I LOVE THE
By Apichatpong Weerasetthakul
S
ometimes I have doubts about merit, karma, and reincarnation. I wonder if it’s because of our past good deeds that led us to this Buddhism haven called Thailand, a land that thrives on fascist practices, simply for us to learn to endure and let it go. Is our screwed-up politics just an illusion, an important lesson on the path to nirvana? We always say that Thais like to help others. But I think perhaps selfish acts like fighting for your own space or going out into the streets to protest can make this a better, happier place.
SHINAWATRAS
Female screams propel Maroon 5
R&B queen “Lydia” reveals why she cried on seeing the emotional home-coming scene at the Suvarnabhumi airport last week.
They came for the music but enjoyed Adam Levine’s biceps and hips.
>PAGE 4
DAILY XPRESS\THANIS SUDTO
>PAGE 20
Beware of sticky rice Are you diabetic? Sticky rice may be bad for you. >PAGE 7
2 TODAY
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
THE CITY
66
%
OF BANGKOK YOUTHS FEEL “upbringing by parents” would solve youth problems in society.
about us LAUNCH OF A VIBRANT NEW NEWSPAPER
Phra Mahasompong will offer advice to failed students.
hen the Daily Xpress hits the streets today, it will W make history as the first free
D A I LY X P R E S S
D
id the admission results break your heart? Don’t worry. There’s a well-known Buddhist preacher at hand to give you comfort and advice on which direction your life should take. The Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec) has invited Phra Mahasompong Talapudto from Wat Soi Thong to provide youngsters with new perspectives on a Channel 5 show, said Deputy Education Minister Boonlue Prasert-sopha. The preacher should help youngsters realise that failing their entrance exams does not necessarily mean failure in life. Ohec will also put up posters providing details about programmes available for grade 9 and grade 12 students, he said. The activities, to be started after the results are announced in May, should prevent depression and suicide among students and offer them better options, the minister added.
DAILY XPRESS
Don’t let failure stop you It’s not the end of the world if you’ve failed your exams, Phra Mahasompong is there to help you
DAILYXPRESS
XTRA
SUMMER CLASSES
TIME TO BE PREPPING
TUTORIAL SCHOOLS IN A N D A R O U N D B A N G KO K >> Popular ones are located in Siam Square, Wannasornthurakij building in Phya Thai district, Visutthani estate in Bang Kapi, Wong Wian Yai in Thonburi district and the Mall Ngam Wong Wan in Nonthaburi province. >> Tutoring per course can cost anything from Bt1,000 to Bt10,000.
sheet in Thailand. It will also signal that newspapers are very much alive and catering to readers of the “always on” culture. Research shows that despite all the news we get via electronic media – from prompts on mobile phones to online news, not to mention television and radio – we still consider the newspaper one of the best ways to get informed. What’s different about the Daily Xpress? It is a newspaper designed to coexist with other media. Knowing that many of its readers will also consult online editions, we have created a system that allows easy access, is easy to read and pleasant to the eye. Daily Xpress isn’t just changing history in Bangkok and Thailand, but is also bringing readers something brand new: a compact, colourful and informationpacked publication.
Dr Mario R Garcia, CEO/founder, Garcia Media
This is a perfect season for tutorial schools to cash in – after all, kids must spend their holidays usefully By Wannapa Phetdee DAILY XPRESS
I
t’s time for tutorial schools to celebrate because most Thai students are getting ready to get enrolled in well-known schools and universities. “Every weekend, I come to Bangkok to attend classes at two tutorial schools in Siam Square. I do this because I want to enrol in a very famous secondary school,” a twelve-year-old student from Ayutthaya, Yanthicha Nam-prom, said. “We have to get up at 4am because I have to
attend my first class at 7.30am.” Another Matthayom 5 student is getting ready for ONet and ANet (Ordinary and Advanced National Educational Tests) by taking “Entrance Courses”.
Growing demand Suttahatai Khansri, 16, said she was getting tutored in Chemistry, Biology and English at the moment, and would take more subjects later. “Our school can take on about 400 students at a time. About 60 to 70 per cent of our total seats
have already been taken up for summer, which is usually a popular period for tutorial schools. “During other periods, about 50 per cent of our classes are filled,” said Poosit Jearapasaworn, the director of AMP7200, a popular tutorial school in Siam Square. “I spend a lot of one-on-one time with my students. Some of my students travel from Rayong or Sara Buri to be tutored.” Sompong Jitradab, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said tutoring was essential these days because school curriculum had not improved and the standards at many top schools were not up to par due to the lack of resources.
Daily Xpress is a going to prove a trailblazer not just in design but also in content. We realise that time is valuable for you, the reader, and this compact newspaper will provide all the information you need in just a few minutes. The crisp, modern, pulsating design leaves no room for long-winded stories, just quick news, facts, and loads of entertainment. We aim to continue the good work of Mario Garcia as we provide Thailand with a quality compact newspaper not seen before in this vibrant country.
Leroy A Sylk Design Editor, Daily Xpress
>>DAILY XPRESS is edited by Tulsathit Taptim and published by Nation Multimedia Group 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 4,950 Baht within regular delivery areas. For bulk copy subscription rates please contact Customer Sevice on 02-338-3000.
6
LIFE
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
CITYSCENE IN PICTURES Four fans
Stars out Natasha Plainvithi and Theerapat Sajjakul are ready to cheer on Maroon 5.
Methinee Kingpayom, second from right, and her brothers are among the celebrities adding sparkle to the Maroon 5 audience.
Maroon 5 Adam Levine, centre, is the lead singer for Maroon 5, an American pop-rock band that performed on Monday night at Impact Arena. The rest of the band are James Valentine (guitar, vocals), Mickey Madden (bass guitar) Jesse Carmichael (keyboards, vocals), and Matt Flynn (drums, percussion). See review in The Fun, Page 20.
Celebrity couple Model-actress Cindy Burbridge and husband, actor-stuntman Byron Bishop are all smiles at Impact Arena.
Power duo Maroon 5’s lead singer-guitarist Adam Levine, left, jams with guitarist James Valentine as the band opens its concert in support of its new album, ‘It Won’t Be Soon Before Long’.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
THE CITY 7
H E A LT H
STICKY RICE
DAILY XPRESS
AIN’T NICE
It’s been a staple for years now, but new studies show that sticky rice can make things stickier for type-2 diabetes patients By Pongphon Sarnsamak D A I LY X P R E S S
F
ancy some sticky rice and somtam for lunch? Think again if you have type-2 diabetes. A recent study shows that sticky rice can cause severe symptoms for patients with this type of bloodsugar imbalance. Chiang Mai University Hospital researcher Dr Ampika Mangkalapruek says she has closely studied type-2 diabetes sufferers who regularly consume sticky rice.
Dangerous change Her study showed that the level of blood sugar among type-2 diabetes patients often increased significantly after they had eaten sticky rice because it contains more starch and carbohydrates than other types of rice. “Sticky rice absorbs less water than other types of rice, making it more starchy and thus increasing sugar levels among type-2 diabetes patients,” she said. Regular consumption of sticky rice could lead to chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, she warns. According to the Public Health Ministry’s records, 52,800 people die each year from ailments caused by
diabetes, and more and more children risk developing type-2 diabetes. To reduce these risks, Ampika suggests that people change their eating habits. However, she does understand that sticky rice is part of the Thai diet, and hopes to educate people about its dangers. “We hope type-2 patients can stop eating sticky rice, but changing their habits may be initially difficult,” she said.
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STICKY RICE ABSORBS LESS WATER THAN OTHER TYPES OF RICE,MAKING IT MORE STARCHY AND THUS INCREASING SUGAR LEVELS... Dr Ampika Mangkalapruek Chiang Mai University Hospital researcher
8
ON THE POLITICAL TRAIL
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
‘ROSE’ TO TIE THE KNOT Now that she’s a Bangkok Senator, this social activist wants to go the traditional way and finally register her relationship of 16 years By Somroutai Sapsomboon D A I LY X P R E S S
B
angkok’s newly elected senator Rosana “Rose” Tositrakul has put aside her delight over Sunday’s election victory, at least for a short while. At the moment she’s getting ready for another role and it has nothing to do with catching corrupt politicians or debating with the government. She is preparing to get married! As a politician, she believes she should always be transparent to the public. “I don’t want to hide that I have a husband,” Rosana said after winning a Senate seat on Sunday. Few people know that Rosana has had a partner for 16 years and their only son is 12 years old already. As a social activist, she refused to have her partnership given the stamp of a marriage certificate. “I didn’t want that registration certificate to become a hurdle between us. I wanted to keep using my family name. And we don’t want to have to ask for permission before doing things,” she said. However, Rosana believes a senator needs to show that he or she has a clean record before they can examine other people. “I will register my marriage soon,” Rosana said. “When I give the anti-corruption body a list of my assets, I will also give them a list of assets owned by my husband.” She has lived with freelance writer Santisuk Sophonsiri since May 1992. Though they marked their union with a ceremony, they are not husband and wife legally. But to Rosana the legality of things weren’t a big thing until she won the Senate seat. “Nobody can raise a case against me for hiding a husband now,” she said. Sixteen years ago, Rosana didn’t get legally married because she’d have had to take on her husband’s last name. Now, however, the law has given her the option of keeping her own name. Bet you can guess what Rosana Tositrakul name she will be using Bangkok Senator elect when she makes her union legal.
,,
I DIDN’T WANT THAT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE TO BECOME A HURDLE BETWEEN US.
Bangkok Senator-elect Rosana Tositrakul seen here with her husband Santisuk and their son Sirisan.
XTRA W I N N E R S I N B A N G KO K F R O M 2 0 0 0 T O 2 0 0 8
2008
>> Bangkok Senate Election 2000, March 4 Turnout 71.89% Winner: Pramote Maiklud (421,515 votes)
>> Bangkok Senator Election 2006, April 19 Turnout 62.69% Winner: Nitipoom Nawarat (257,420 votes)
>> Bangkok Senator Election 2008, March 2 Turnout 40.05% Winner: Rosana Tositrakul (743,397 votes)
2006
2000
>> Bangkok governor election 2004, August 29 Turnout 62.5% Winner: Apirak Kosayodhin (911,441 votes)
2004
2000
>> Bangkok governor election 2000, July 23 Turnout 58.87% Winner: Samak Sundaravej (1,016,096 votes)
10 TODAY
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
CRIME
16,306
DAILYXPRESS
animals face extinction worldwide, with 1 in 4 mammals, 1 in 8 birds and one-third of amphibians in jeopardy as of September.
A wild monkey saved from poachers reaches out to touch a wildlife official. Monkeys’ close acquaintance with humans at tourist-frequented spots has put them in danger of ending up on the table as bizarre delicacies.
briefly
,, WILDLIFE SMUGGLING
PLEASE DON’T EAT ME... Their freedom in Baan Waan village may cost wild monkeys their brains WILD MONKEYS AT RISK FETCH DAILY XPRESS
W
ild monkeys roaming freely may be an attraction for tourists, but this freedom puts them at the risk of ending up on
the dinner table. Despite government crackdowns, wildlife smuggling remains widespread as attested by frequent arrests of poachers and the confiscation of truckloads of dead and live wildlife. Monkeys are the most sought after because of the hefty price they fetch on exotic menus. Late on February 21, a group of poachers slipped through the vil-
lage of Baan Waan in the northeastern district of Rasi Salai, Si Sa Ket Province, trapping monkeys in the outlying woods. According to local police, a villager heard the howls of fleeing monkeys and called the police. One poacher was caught, while two escaped. Monky brains popular with Korean tourists The arrested suspect, Arun Kerdphet, told the police his
FOR BT10,000 OR SO,A RESTAURANT IN A WESTERN BORDER PROVINCE CAN HAVE A TRAPPER GET YOU A LIVE MONKEY A Korean businessman gang wanted to supply live monkeys to restaurants offering monkey brains. “The man who ordered the monkeys said their brains were popular among Korean tourists,”the suspect said. This is not the first time that >> The most-traded species in Thailand are wild birds, turtles, pangolins, slow loris and tigers.
Thailand is just a transit point DAILY XPRESS
I Officials burn tiger carcasses seized from a smuggling gang.
n many wildlife smuggling cases, Thailand is often just a transit point and not the main source of poaching, a national park official said. To end the illegal sale of protected animals, international co-
operation is required, said Wattana Wettayaprasit, the director of Cities Fauna and Flora Protection Division at the National Park. “We have information that Malay tigers and pangolins don’t just come from Southern
Thailand, but also from Malaysia and Indonesia, and are transported to the Northeast,” he said. “From there they are taken to other countries.” If convicted, smugglers face up to four years in jail or a maximum fine of Bt40,000, or both.
DAILY XPRESS/WARISARA WUTHIKUL
Next round? Not at a bar The acting national police chief is reviving social-order in a bid to prevent entertainment venues from breaking laws. General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, who took the helm at National Police Office last week, sent an order to all police officers on Sunday that they ensure strict law enforcement for nightspots. The laws impose specific opening hours, bar venues from admitting underage customers and ban sex shows. Patcharawat has threatened to take action against officers who fail to enforce these laws.
‘Angry neighbour’ blamed for killings Police are hunting for a 52year-old man who allegedly shot dead his neighbour and seven of her friends at a party in the early hours of Sunday. Venus Chukamnerd was identified as the suspect. Venus Witnesses said that Venus had often quarrelled with hospital director Dr Suthathip Thammachart, 36, over the fact that she and her boyfriend often held noisy parties late into the night. Police said Venus broke into Suthathip’s house in Songkhla province and threatened her with a gun two months ago.
Thousands held for cyber crimes The Royal Thai Police’s Economic and Cyber Crime Division tackled 6,485 cases over the past year. The cases covered bootleg products, violations of copyright and trademarks and offences against banking and financial laws. The cases involved more than Bt4.33 billion, the division’s commander, Maj-Gen Wisut Wanichbut, said yesterday. “We have arrested 5,552 suspects,” he added.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
BLOGGERS 11
blog buster
A definite film classic By wisekwai
Destiny found in a spinach farm GGrass crossed his brows looking at the rude BMW which has been tailgating GG’s Honda. Then the BMW suddenly made a big swerve and cut GG off in front, and sped away, leaving GG’s slower Honda in the dust…
blog.nationmultimedia.com/ GGrass
What went wrong?
RAT USHERS IN A WHITE NEW YEAR By Piset
I
had dropped my son at the airport to go home for CNY (Chinese New Year) the day, before when a slightly heavier that usual snow fell covering the trees and rooftops. Then, more snow fell all night long. The picture shows how view outside my window looked like the next morning ... Of course, for folks in cold countries, this is nothing unusual. However, for Shanghai inhabitants, who have had no more than one or two centimetres of snow at the heaviest, this is very abnornal. Some older folks in my apartment said they had not seen anything like this in their 80 years. Just imagine, what would happen if this happened in Chiang Mai or Bangkok? That’s what happened in Canton and nearby provinces, where snow and sleet fell for days for the first time in over a century or so . What came with this freak snow storm was the impact of the unpreparedness of normally considered snowand ice-free territories.
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AS I REALISED THAT THE FORECASTS HAD BEEN UNDERSTATING THE WEATHER ,I DECIDED TO STOCK UP FOR 10 DAYS
o Country for Old Men” shows the Coen Brothers at their best, and is their most bone-dry film yet. Similar in tone to the Minnesota Gothic of “Fargo”, and just as violent (or maybe more) than their 1920s gangster drama “Miller's Crossing”, with philosophical insight similar to “Barton Fink”, the slapstick escapades of such films as “Raising Arizona” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” have been replaced by reveries on the great American old west... MORE ON THIS BLOG:
blog.nationmultimedia.com/wis ekwai
blog.nationmultimedia. com/1432
Know yourself in ten steps Some 3,000 power towers collapsed causing blackouts in the already freezing homes. The blackout further disrupted the railway in these provinces as millions were waiting to go home for the CNY. It was reported that over 500,000 passengers crowded the Guangzhou Railway Station hoping for the chance to catch a train. As a result approximately five to six million migrant workers had to celebrate their CNY away from home. At first, I was really glad to see snow-capped tree tops. Then, as I realised that the weather forecasts had been consistently understating the severe weather for days, I decided to stock up with food and supplies for 10 days, expecting the worst. In the picture, you might notice approximately 5cms of snow. That might tell the story. Well, folks, I guess you are quite tired of my writing on politics and exchange students. So, here you are, a different kind of blog from me.
You are on your usual path. The world around you is somewhat noisy so you cannot distinguish between the noise and what your mind tells you. You continue on your path. Suddenly you notice traces. You haven’t seen them before. You try to find out where they lead…
The blog has been edited due to space constraints.
blog.nationmultimedia.com/ frankufooq
>> MORE ON THIS BLOG
http://blog.nationmultimedia.c om/mahwatthai
I am reflecting on all the criticism of the current Thai government in recent blogs. Much of the criticism has centered on what is seen as incapability of leaders, corruption, and (un)democratic practices, including independence and freedom of press and media, vote buying etc…
N
blog.nationmultimedia. com/jern
The end of my holiday I’m going back to my campus, in less than 16 hours. Happy times always pass faster! Today is one of the traditional festivals for family reunion. I’m very happy that I can catch such a meaningful day and stay with my family. Traditionally ,there is a strange way in my town to celebrate this day: everyone carries a paper pinwheel and then the celebration starts off…
Tommy Lee Jones stars as a taciturn sheriff in ‘No Country for Old Men’.
A farang boyfriend By Ian
F
rom time to time I get asked by young Thai women how can they find a farang boyfriend. I think at times they imagine that I have a cupboard full of nice farang men all desperate to meet a nice Thai girl. But it has made me think, apart from bar girls and party girls how do farangs find nice Thai girls and vice versa? I met my girlfriend at an open air concert, I know others who made initial contact by Internet. So if you are willing, I would like to ask our farang bloggers where or how did you meet your Thai partner? Or conversely, if you are Thai where did you meet your non-Thai partner? MORE ON THIS BLOG:
blog.nationmultimedia.com/ anterian36
12 TODAY
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
TOURIST HAVENS
Expat
DAILYXPRESS
Dutchman sets up first Thai clinic for wildlife. >Page 14
Fine Italian dining – minus the ketchup
YESTER-YAO: Yao Beach, located on the bayside of Koh Maphrao, resembles Phuket’s beaches 30 years ago.
Limoncello at the Royal Phuket Marina is the real deal PHUKET GAZETTE
L
imoncello, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, is in a top location, alongside the motor yachts and aquatic toys of the mega-rich. Inside, there are more columns and arches than in downtown Florence, but it’s all tasteful. The ambience is perfect. For starters, we plump for salmon carpaccio and fresh mozzarella chunks with cherry tomato, a green salad and in-house bread. The wine list is one of the heaviest in Phuket: it’s about 2 kilos of pages listing Italian labels. Prices range from Bt1,400 to a Bt20,000 Champagne. The restaurant also has a VIP room, a wine-tasting salon and an al-fresco dining area overlooking the yachts. Limoncello is an elegant, new, ambitious eatery in a romantic setting. Pastas typically go for upwards of Bt300, mains for Bt500, salads for up to Bt270 and desserts for upwards of Bt250. Sachets of ketchup are nowhere to be seen. For reservations call (076) 36086 or e-mail info@limoncello.co.th. For more information visit their website www.limoncello.co.th.
PHUKET
CRACK THE COCONUT Take a step back in time with a trip to an unspoilt beach 2km from Phuket XTRA
By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn PHUKET GAZETTE
O
ff Phuket’s eastern side, there’s a small island with no resorts, go-go bars or tuktuks. It’s a place where children ride bikes, where fish and rubber trees are mainstays of income and beaches are lined with homes instead of umbrellas. Koh Maphrao remains a little-visited time warp. The only public access to “Coconut Island” is a boat from Laem Hin fishing port. Once across the 2-kilometre stretch of water, visitors can hire a motorbike to the village centre for Bt15. This mostly Muslim community remains largely untouched by the tourism that has transformed Phuket. About 150 families make up the island’s population, most of whom work on the rubber plantations or as fishermen. Wallop Khamhaeng, of Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organisation, said tourist traf-
GETTING THERE >>Drive down Thepkrasattri Rd, when you see the Laem Hin Seafood restaurant sign on your right, make a U-turn and proceed down that road. >> The ferry service to Koh Maphrao operates from 5:30am to 10pm daily, 15 baht per person. >> Uncle Serm Home Stay has rooms for Bt300 a night. Call (089) 871 2315 for more information.
fic remained low because the island lacked basic facilities such as electricity. Koh Maphrao isn’t on the Phuket power grid; most of the power comes from small solar panels.
Untouched beauty The beaches are not as long as those at Patong or Nai Harn, but are refreshingly empty of beach chairs and sun-soaked bodies. Crabs stray across sand still strewn with seashells, yet
to be picked clean by tourists. Local motorcycle-taxi driver Ason Abdulamum says the most beautiful beach is Yao or “Long” Beach, though it’s only about 30 metres long. “Not many people come to this beach because it is at the back of Koh Maphrao, but some days small tour groups visit. It’s a favourite fishing spot for locals,” he said. There are a couple of small restaurants serving standard
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THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF ACTIVITIES FOR TOURISTS,BUT THEY CAN ENJOY THE NATURAL WORLD, LIKE PHUKET 30 YEARS AGO Serm Nookhaet Owner, Uncle Serm Home Stay
fare. Visitors are usually daytrippers who pedal a rented bicycle, taking in the village life. However, there are two home-stays for those wanting to spend a night.
16
NEWS
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
THE WORLD
DAILYXPRESS
1,460 The number of dreams an average human being has every year
AFP
Prince Harry tells local Afghans the route around a British Army cordon, with the help of an interpreter. Prince Harry was pulled out for security reasons.
P R I N C E AT WA R
FLASHBACK
TALEBAN HAD EYES ON HARRY Militant leader says terrorists knew the British Royal was in Afghanistan AFP, Washington
A
fghan militants have said they knew that Britain’s Prince Harry had been among soldiers recently deployed in their country and had been gunning to get him, a US magazine reported. A Taleban deputy commander, Mullah Abdul Karim, told Newsweek magazine he sent men to hunt for the prince after receiving an urgent message from Taleban intelligence in late December or early
January that “an important chicken” had joined British troops in his area . “He is our special enemy,” Karim said. “Our first option was to capture him, and the second, to kill him.” The Taleban claimed to have learnt of Prince Harry’s presence in Afghanistan despite London’s best efforts to keep the secret under wraps. Karim said his men once or twice reported possible sightings of Harry’s armoured con-
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OUR FIRST OPTION WAS TO CAPTURE HIM,OUR SECOND WAS TO KILL HIM Mullah Abdul Karim voy in their area of operations, but his fighters never got close to their target.
‘Gang plotted to kill Mick Jagger in 1969’ AP, London
R
olling Stones singer Mick Jagger escaped an assassination plot hatched in 1969 by the Hells Angels, a new British Broadcasting Corp documentary has claimed. A programme on BBC Radio 4 on Monday said the rock star was the target of the plot following a dispute with the motorcycle gang over concert security. Jagger had vowed not to use the Hell’s Angels as bouncers following the death in December 1969 of an 18-yearold fan at a performance at Altamont Speedway in Northern California. In return, gang members
hatched a plan to kill Jagger at his home in Long Island, New York, the BBC said. Tom Mangold, the presenter of the programme, said the plan was disclosed during an interview with a former FBI officer. Mangold said the men tried to reach Jagger by sea. “The boat was hit by a storm and all of the men were thrown overboard,” he said. They all survived but made no other attempt, Mangold said. It was not clear whether Jagger was ever informed of the alleged plot against him. The Hell’s Angels have denied any connection with the Altamont Speedway killing.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
NEWS 17
KNUTMANIA RETURNS
briefly
Film captures polar bear cub’s life AP, Berlin
Cotillard backs 9/11 conspiracy theories French actress Marion Cotillard, who won an Oscar for best actress last week, said she has doubts about the official version of the September 11 attacks in the US. “I tend to believe in the conspiracy theory,” the actress, said, “Did man really walk on the moon? That, really, I question. In any case I don’t believe everything people tell me.” – AFP
Council in sex, bribery scandal Australia’s anti-corruption watchdog on Monday recommended the council of a city near Sydney be sacked over a sex and bribery scandal. The Independent Commission Against Corruption found that “systemic corruption” existed within the Wollongong City Council, a commissioner said. The inquiry heard that four councillors had improper relationships with a local developer. The inquiry also heard that the town planner, who is accused of approving property developments in return for gifts, admitted to having sex with three developers. – AFP
one second starts an iPod, while blinking again stops the machine. A wink with the right eye makes the machine skip to the next tune while with a wink of the left eye it goes back. – AFP
Police called to thread needle A New Zealand woman dialled the police emergency number seeking urgent assistance to thread a needle for a sewing task she needed to do in order to get to a garden party, a newspaper reported. Police in Rotorua, who received the call from the unidentified woman on Sunday, said they could not respond because they lacked the necessary skill, a spokesman told the New Zealand Herald. – DPA
Cat survives tornado, fire
Remote control with a wink Don’t read too much into someone winking at you in Japan – a researcher says he has developed a system that will let people run their iPods with the flick of an eye. The system, comprising a single-chip computer and infrared sensors, monitors movements of the temple and is so tiny it can be built into a pair of glasses. Closing both eyes for
Charlie Brown is down to seven lives. Donna and Danny Pistole’s cat survived a February tornado that destroyed the family’s mobile home. However, the cat took refuge in a pile of debris that the Pistoles set afire while cleaning up. On Thursday, Donna Pistole followed the cat’s weak meows and found him stuck in briars, his coat singed. “He smells like an old, scorched wool blanket,” veterinarian Doug Mays said. “His feet pads are peeling off. But they’ll heal. I think he’ll be okay.” – AP
G
ermany’s original orphaned polar bear cub Knut is back and has hit the big screen as the star of a documentary detailing the first year of his life spent at the Berlin Zoo. “Knut and Friends,” or “Knut und Seine Freunde” premiered on Sunday at Berlin’s Zoo Palast cinema. The film tells how Knut, who has his own blog and TV show, was res-
cued in 2006 after his mother abandoned him. He was raised by hand, much to the delight of thousands of visitors to Berlin’s zoo who avidly followed his growth from a rolypoly cub to a now full-grown adult. The film grants a behind-thescenes look at Knut’s escapades, from taking his first bottle, to balancing precariously on a scale, to rooting through a bucket of fish.
Knut and his keeper, Thomas Doerflein
18
OPINION
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
XPRESS
DAILY
WEDNESDAY 5.3.2008
DAILYXPRESS
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 Sports Editor: Preechachan Wiriyanupappong Group Editor in Chief: Suthichai Yoon
EDITORIAL
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOU ARE READING THIS? Free and fun to flip through, the ‘Daily XPress’ wants you to reach out for a copy every day to enjoy content that’s informative, entertaining and relevant to your lifestyle
P
erhaps it just means that you are curious. After all, this is Thailand’s first ever “freesheet” newspaper. Someone handed this copy to you and you have flipped through it until you got to this page. We are aiming for more than piquing your curiosity, though. We want to appeal to you. We want to attract you. And we want to share with you useful information, experience and fun. We want your readership. We want you to read us every day. Since the concept of a free newspaper is very new in Thailand, we understand if some of you feel doubtful: Is this just an advertising pamphlet disguised as a newspaper? Are they forcing me to read silly things that really don’t matter? How good can something free be? Yes, the freesheet business model is based on advertising. But no, this is not an ad handout in disguise. Daily Xpress is produced by dedicated journalists and published by one of Thailand’s most respected media groups with a proud history of being independent and responsible.
THINGS FACEBOOK STILL KNOWS
Different but similar Although their content may be different, Daily Xpress and The Nation, the first English-language daily to belong to the Thai people, share the same professional motto: We tell our readers the truth and only the truth. Daily Xpress is designed to serve the interests of a younger generation of newspaper readers. If you have never bought a newspaper, or stopped buying one ages ago and now read news online, please take a closer look at us now. If you don’t have much time and want to know what’s going on around you and around the world in 20 minutes, give us a chance. If you were shocked when Heath Ledger died, or could not sleep when your team crashed out of the Champions League, we are your friend. If you are fun-loving, tech savvy, health-conscious and want to follow the latest trends, find us again tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and every day. We are still evolving, and welcome your criticism, suggestions or advice. And it would be great if you want to contribute to our content. Send us e-mails (the temporary address is editor@nationgroup.com) or go to www.nationmultimedia.com and register as one of our bloggers. Nothing serves the purpose of this publication better than two-way communication and interactive content. Now, if you have read until this line it means we have had a promising start together. Let’s make this connection a better one. Let’s see each other again tomorrow.
You may have given up on this website, but it hasn’t given up on you... it keeps your details alive forever By Catherine Rampell THE WASHINGTON POST, WASHINGTON
S
o you’ve sworn off Scrabulous. You’ve given up on poking. Never again shall you be newsfed or be attacked by Zombies. You’re done with seeing your friends’ exhibitionism, and you’re done with exhibiting yourself. In other words, you’ve given up on Facebook. But as recent articles have pointed out, even if you “deactivate” your account, Facebook holds on to your data. This disclosure has got privacy groups and consumers up in arms. All the commotion about how
Facebook hoards users’ data got me wondering whether we’re missing the more important privacy question: what happens to all the data we active members choose to delete, for privacy reasons or otherwise? Facebook’s policy is cryptic on this issue. It says the company “usually keep[s] a back-up copy of the prior version [of updated profiles] for a reasonable period of time to enable reversion to the prior version of that information.” Facebook declines to enumerate how many days (or centuries) constitute a “reasonable period”. Sure, Facebook archives must construct fascinating personal narratives. Those interested in
,,
[FACEBOOK] USUALLY KEEPS A BACK-UP COPY OF THE PRIOR VERSION FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME... the trajectory of my tastes and tempers are more likely to be advertisers. Facebook already uses profiles to target ads within its site. Third-party advertisers also can see information about oblivious Facebookers. Facebook specifies that such adver-
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
OTHER VOICES
DAILYXPRESS
OPINION 19
More pillars of justice needed
Russia’s succession
Yomiuri Shimbun
The Washington Post
Ongoing efforts to increase the number of legal professionals in this country should not be hampered. Such efforts are essential for improving the quality of legal services. The government hopes to increase the number of people passing the National Bar Examination to 3,000 annually by the end of 2010. The growth in the number of legal professionals constitutes a pillar of judicial reforms aimed at making the judicial system more accessible to people. There are about 27,000 judges, prosecutors and lawyers in the nation today.
No serious observer now disputes that Vladimir Putin has used his eight years in office to construct an autocracy or that he intends to continue wielding power even after Medvedev takes office. The debate in the West is about how to handle this increasingly belligerent police state. There is no reason why the EU should offer an expanded partnership to Moscow as long as it seeks to monopolise the energy supplies or strip its neighbours of their sovereignty. Nor should an autocracy be treated as an equal by leading democracies.
YOUR VIEWS Recover energy from plastic
AP
Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg.
tisers have “no access to your contact information”, presumably leaving the users’ “private” information accessible. The greatest potential for privacy violations, however, comes from the applications that have been developed by outsiders for the Facebook platform. Users who install these games and quizzes must agree to share all their information with strangers. So what, you say. Idiots like me and Facebook’s 65 million other users are publicising our personal lives voluntarily. Corporations aren’t exactly sneaking in; we’re inviting them. The problem is that most people who fill out forms don’t understand the risks. It’s not just the publicising of data that endangers privacy, it’s also the ability to search, aggregate and find uses for that data.
There is a global trend to ban plastic bags. Unfortunately, this may be unwittingly creating even more problems. Recent reports on biofuels and greenhouse gases reflects this in a very real way. Bioplastics are made from the same resources as biofuels. Plastic per se is not the problem, it is the misuse of the product and the lack of waste-resource management that is the challenge. Two tonnes of garbage is equivalent in energy to half a tonne of coal. Thailand produces 14.8 million tonnes of garbage annually, and assuming that recycling can reach 50 per cent, therefore has the potential to recover energy from garbage equivalent to between 1.5 to 2 million tonnes of coal. This represents a 500-megawatt energy generating potential (or more). Maybe Thailand can man-
age to avoid a nuclear power plant if garbage is incinerated for energy and, at the same time, avoid a plastics ban and solve a major problem with waste that cannot be re-used, recycled or composted. Nils B Vogt Bangkok
More milk, and more emissions In a recent article, the
president of the German farmers’ federation, Gerd Sonnleitner, was quoted as saying that intensive farming is better for the climate because fewer animals produce the same quantity of milk. Therefore the emissions from farming go down. This is not true, as Sonnleitner very well knows. Milk production and manure production are linked. Outside the farming community it is not widely known,
but for every litre of milk a cow produces at least three litres of manure. When a cow produces less milk, it also produce less manure. More milk per cow means more manure. M Abrahamse Reitsum, The Netherlands
Share your opinions on any issue with other Daily XPress readers. Send them to xpressletters@nationgroup.com to see them published in this space.
Fight for your rights – hug somebody! D A I LY X P R E S S
I
n Thailand, you wear either “Love Thaksin” or “Square Face I Hate You” T-shirts and march in searing heat, afraid that your opponents may throw stones at you or police may arrest you. Well, that’s democracy in its early stage, pals. In a full-blown democracy, you stage a hug-a-thon protest. After a junior high school in Mesa, Arizona, enacted a twosecond limit on hugs, all hell broke loose. The student handbook rule began to be en-
forced when students complained about hugging and kissing in the hall. After huggers were reprimanded, they and their sympathisers responded in kind. They kept on hugging and hugging and hugging to show their disapproval of the “fascist” rule. “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Chelsea Branham, a 14-yearold student at the Shepherd Junior High School in east Mesa. She got detention last week for hugging her friend after school. “It’s not like it’s supposed to mean anything,”
she said. “It’s not like I was making out with him or something.” She joined her classmates last Friday for a 20-minute, public hug-a-thon. And guess who came out to support her. “She’s taking a stand and I’m standing behind her to do it,” said Stephanie Wiegold, her mother. Website articles and bloggers have been quite supportive as well. “Rock on, Junior High kids. Hug or Die Tryin”, one columnist wrote. Prior to the demonstration,
the district said the principal and students brokered an agreement to clarify the “no hugging” rule. According to the guidelines, small hugs, less than two seconds are permitted, but longer ones and kissing are not. Whose side are you on, Daily Xpress readers? Maybe, in our fledging democracy, the best Thai students can hope for is an end to that ridiculous “hair” rule in many public and private schools – which makes both boys and girls look like a bunch of funny clones.
20 ENTERTAINMENT
THE FUN
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
VALERIE BERTINELLI EDDIE VAN HALEN’S EX-WIFE
“It got to a point where whenever I heard the birds chirp, I’d be like, ‘Oh, God, no.’ It took me years after stopping the cocaine before I was able to enjoy a sunrise and enjoy the sound of birds. ”
C O N C E RT R E V I E W
Maroon 5 blows into Bangkok with a rocking show that sets hearts aflame By Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra D A I LY X P R E S S
A
XTRA
COURTESY OF BEC-TERO ENTERTAINMENT
W H AT A M A R O O N >> Kara’s Flowers was the group’s name when it started in 1995. It changed to Maroon 5 in 2001. >> The band is the biggest act on the A&M/Octone label. >> ‘This Love’ was promoted with a sexually explicit music video starring the band’s frontman Adam Levine and his then girlfriend.
miracle occurred at Impact Arena on Monday night: a full house. Since bands began playing here, concert-goers have complained in their thousands about the terrible sound quality. Undaunted, Maroon 5 arrived for the first stop on the “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long” tour, bringing with them songs from their new album of the same name. The band has come a long way in the years since its 2002 debut effort, “Songs About Jane”, opening for the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder, among others. Lead singer Adam Levine spoke in an interview about the different vibe at the group’s concerts. “We make our albums very simple, refined and restrained,” said Levine. “In our live show we let ourselves go a little more. We surprise the crowd, because we sound so good.” They were doing something right judging from the chorus of screams from their female fans. Though it might have had more to do with the flashes of Levine’s bulging biceps and thrusting hips. For a rock ’n’ roll show, things got off to a slow start with the songs “If I Never See Your Face Again” and “Makes Me Wonder” from the new album. “We hated that song,” Levine
SCREAMS FROM THEIR FEMALE FANS MIGHT HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FLASHES OF LEAD SINGER ADAM LEVINE’S BULGING BICEPS AND THRUSTING HIPS. said of the latter, a Grammy Award winner. “It took a long time to finish; it’s kind of a labour of love.” But there was real heat generated by more soulful numbers like “Sunday Morning” and “Won’t Go Home” – enough to leave many ladies in the house smitten with the smouldering frontman. Critics of the live shows call the band peevish or too macho, but this time out the five guys connected with the crowd and were in their element. For the finale they saved the gorgeous ballad “She Will Be Loved”, which Adam dedicated to all the beautiful women of Thailand.
DAILY XPRESS/EKARAT SUKPETCH
RED HOT AND BLUE
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
93%
ENTERTAINMENT 21
PASSION FOR THE ROAD
THE PORTION of the 4,060 votes cast in favour of the new contract by the Writer’s Guild of America.
Parleerat never slows down: “I tend to drive fast like a man. It’s a habit I picked up during my university days.” >Page 26
Society’s
Thais rock Singapore
‘others’ Belgian artist Peggy Wauters’ ce-
ramic sculptures and works on paper are inspired by society’s “others” – prisoners, orphans and the disabled. Her provocative and contemplative humanoid forms show signs of mutation and disintegration, a metaphor perhaps for profound psychological states. Her exhibition, “Myths and Monstrosities”, is on display until April 20 at Tonson Gallery, 100 Soi Tonson off Phloenchit Road. It is open from 11am to 7pm Thursday to Sunday. Call (02) 684 1527 or visit www.100TonsonGallery.com.
Five-star suites,no-star noodles THE CHEFS AT Bangkok’s Peninsula Hotel must have been fuming when they heard that Thaksin Shinawatra and his entourage – collectively adding a couple of Vs to the hotel’s VIP suites – had gone out to eat at a simple noodle shop instead of sampling their five-star cuisine. Thaksin and his posse, including Newin Chidchob, trundled off to the nearest place they could get duck noodles the morning after the big guy got back. Soopsip has a theory: Maybe the neighbourhood shop seemed more secure, although having that scary Newin with you ought to guarantee safety wherever you go.
Xpress
T H E AT R E P R E V I E W
Silence on stage ‘Watching Babymime’s performance is probably like watching cartoons. It’s very easy to understand and fun.’ By Pawit Mahasarinand
DAILY XPRESS/KANONGDET SUKKAKIT
March 16. See www.mosaicmusicfestival.com. – Daily
EPA
SOOPSIP
Two top Thai rock bands, Modern Dog and Silly Fools, will be among the dozens of acts at Singapore’s fourth annual Mosaic Music Festival. Modern Dog play on March 13 while Silly Fools take the stage on March 14. The shows run from 7pm until late from Friday until
Lydia’s duet wish list
S P E C I A L T O T H E D A I LY
SINGER SARUNRAT “LYDIA” Visutthithada has probably learned a lot from her good buddy Thaksin, but she needs a little lesson in just how far you can take freedom of expression. Lydia was having a heart-to-heart chat with the Daily Xpress the other day and it just sort of popped out that she’d love to work with “great artists” like Tata Young and Joey Boy. The public-relations representative from her music company RS was sitting in on the conversation and just about spewed her latte. That would be impossible, dear, she said, because they’re on another label!
hailand’s only professional pantomime troupe, Babymime, have teamed up with veteran stage director Nikorn Saetang of Theatre 8X8 for their first full-scale production, “Babymime Vol 1”. “Watching Babymime’s performance is probably like watching cartoons. It’s very easy to understand and fun. We retain the routines of pantomime, but concentrate on the fun part of it,” says troupe member Ratchai “Nging” Rujiwipatna. Babymime pitched the idea for the production to Nikorn during last year’s Bangkok Theatre Festival. “Usually, they comment on one another’s work during rehearsal – they’re all directors and performers at the same
XPRESS
T
XTRA SHOWTIMES >> Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 7.30pm at the Pridi Banomyong Institute. >> Tickets are Bt300 and Bt500, available at Thaiticketmaster. >> The show is a benefit for the institute on Soi Thonglor.
time,” says Nikorn. “Now that I’m in the picture, I’m like the fourth director – well, let’s say I’m the third and a half. They tell me, ‘Without you, this scene would take a week. With you, it’s done in one day.’ They listen to me, instead of sharing opinions among themselves or fighting with one another.”
Taiwan gets some ‘Bangkok Love’ “Bangkok Love Story” director Poj Arnon was recently in Taipei promoting the Taiwanese theatrical release of his film with actor Weeradit Srimalai. The crime drama is about a gunman assigned to kill a policeman, but the target and the assassin fall in love. Weeradit played the gunman’s Aids-afflicted brother in the film. – Daily Xpress
Star-studded ode to Obama Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has released another star-studded music video in tribute to the US presidential campaign of Barack Obama. “We Are the Ones” is backed by a simple vocal refrain of “OBA-MA! O-BA-MA!”, and features such stars such as Jessica Alba, Ryan Phillippe and Macy Gray. See www.WeAreThe OnesSong.com. – AP
[ æ , æ ,1241412/03/1243632, æ , æ , æ , æ ] Xpress-qPAGE DONE-1221.Xsoundbit.05Mar08
22
3/4/2008
7:31 PM
ENTERTAINMENT
sound bytes Exile on Mainstream Matchbox Twenty (Atlantic) Six new songs pack a satisfying punch of mainstream pop, among them “How Far We’ve Gone”, “These Hard Times”, “I’ll Believe You When” and “If I Fall”. Other previous big hits here include “Bent”, which went to No 1 in the US, “Push”, “Disease”, which was co-written by Mick Jagger, and the funky, Santana-like “Smooth”.
By the People, For the People Mudvayne (Epic) A collection of demos, live songs, and b-sides chosen by Mudvayne’s fans plus versions picked by the band. It includes a brand new track, “Dully Boy” featuring frontman Chad Gray’s heavy but melodic voice and Greg Tribbett’s riffs. The big surprises are the acoustic rendition of the Lost and Found hit “Forget to Remember” and a live, raw version of the breakout single “Dig”.
Page 22
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 A F G H A N I S TA N
A tale of two boys A new film tells the story of an Afghan refugee haunted by guilt at a childhood betrayal By Parinyaporn Pajee D A I LY X P R E S S
W
ith little news other than suicide bombs and terrorist hunts coming out from Afghanistan today, Thai film
fans should enjoy getting a different take on the country from “The Kite Runner”, which opens tomorrow at Lido, Siam Square. Based on Afghan-American
,,
Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel, the film portrays the bittersweet friendship of two boys against a tumultuous backdrop of the 1975 Soviet invasion.
IT’S SUBTLE, NOT A TEAR-JERKING DRAMA.
DAILYXPRESS
Wisanuschat Wisetsuwanna phum, who translated the novel into Thai three years ago, says the movie is faithful to the book. “Unfortunately, it was necessary to shorten the story, so some important parts have been cut. If there were greater focus both on the friendship and the father and son relationship, the audience would be more touched by the characters’ destiny,” he says. “But I love the way the director [Marc Forster] presents the story. It’s subtle, not a tear-jerking drama.” Wisanuchat enjoyed working on the book but admits he sometimes disliked the way Hosseini used the main character Amir to narrate the story, especially when the boy abused Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. “I used to throw the book down in disgust. But I always picked it up again,” says Wisanuchat, who’s the son of novelist Chatchai Wisetsuwannaphoom, also known as Phanomtien. And while the movie deals with a different culture from that of Thailand, he’s sure that everyone will be able to relate to the story.
quote
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW NOMINEES, BECAUSE I WORSHIP YOU GUYS. DIABLO CODY, Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay for “Juno” A Scene from ‘The Kite Runner.’
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24 EVENTS
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP
DAILYXPRESS
see it! Natural wonders
Bangrak Soi 9 on stage tre, Smart tee n camp S’Club The Siam Cen
S' Club welc tre omes the sc ho Smart Teen Camp, pack ol break with its ed with fun ties like an acting class activi,a look at a T V show, inlin behind-the-scenes e skating, re scratching, cord sin ration, mix ging, street dancing, fi and match lm nardre summer, tip s for hairstyl ssing styles for ing tour at Siam Ocean Worl and an undersea Bt3,400; a pply today d. Application fee is 5 at S'C Loun
ge on the lub Privile fourth flo ge or call (02 o r o f Siam Centr ) 658 000 e 0. March 8 to 26.
hadalai Thea Muangthai Ratc ng planade Shoppi Fourth Floor, Es ad Ro ek is ph da Centre, Ratcha es, loves
ith the liv Get caught up w e people of th of and laughs MCOT channel’s “Bangrak Soi 9”, w adapted as a popular sitcom no 2,000, Bt1,500, play. Tickets at Bt 0 are available Bt1,000 and Bt50 ajor. For March from Thaiticketm ance, tickets are rm 5’s matinee perfo , Bt800, and Bt1,800, Bt1,300 Bt400. e 56 for mor Call (02) 262 34 March 9. til information. Un
Fashion Hall, Parc Paragon Siam Paragon Explore the world’s biggest Plarail, a miniature railway beyond imagination from Japan, along with replicas of five famous natural wonders from around the world. Until March 9, 11am to 8pm. Call (02) 658 1000.
In the C(IT)Y ArtGorillas ArtGalllery Siam Square An experimental show views big-city life through the lens of art, design, music, video and installation. Experience rotating flows of form, space, sound and imagery created by emerging young talents. Until May 31.
Floral art in the park Benjasiri Park Sprouting from the ground are more than 200 paintings with the theme “Unconditioned Love” by the Venerable Phra Pisal Visalo, Anuchai Srijaroonpoothong, Udom Udomsrianan, Charit Nakpawan and others. Until March 14. Call (02) 319 5017.
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EVENTS 25
DAILYXPRESS
WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP
Never awake
The beauty gs in of simple atrohenrat Road,
ery 90 Ch La Luna Gall student Chiang Mai postgraduate
sin, a Morrakot Nak iversity, displays 17 new Un ai M of the at Chiang e the beauty ok ev at ortraits of works th p ul characterf in rm fo an hum unday, 10am Tuesday to S ntment. en p O e. lif l ca lo poi Monday by ap 678. to 8pm; open 3 ) 06 9. Call (053 Until March
‘Hunger’ for rights Pridi Banomyong Institute
The Peace in Thailand group joins hands with Chulalongkorn University’s Dramatic Arts Club to stage an adaptation of Hope Mcintyre’s “Hunger”, which tells of the struggles of a human-rights lawyer whose husband has been kidnapped. March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23, 7pm (additional matinee at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday). Call (085) 805 5799.
Nospace gallery 178 Soi Pridi Banomyo ng (off
Sukh
umvit Soi 71) Paintings in an exhib itio Chulalongkorn stude n by 21-year-old nt Pornlert Tantipa nitkoon confront the shadow personality that lur ks in our dreams. Until M arch 15. No SpaceBkk.com
28 BIG SCREEN
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
TO SEE
P2
staying late el Nichols) is ch a (R la ge An and is the hristmas Eve at work on C leave the building, to ttendant last one out py carpark a ee cr r . fo t p exce on Level P2 es Bentley) ta (W a s a se m en o h sp T p the su u s p m ra n ” The actio e end “P2 pace. If in th slow, steady rprises, it’s still a nice su contains few m. At SF. hed escapis lis o p f o ce ie p
The Mist Director Frank Darabont (“Shawshank Redemption”, “Green Mile”) collaborates again with writer Stephen King to adapt a short story about a deadly mist that engulfs a small town. Lots of things are in the mist. They’ll make you jump. But it’s what the humans do to each other that’s more likely to shake you to your core.
Soul’s Code
don’t miss this!
The ghost of a woman found dead and naked in a cardboard box tries to provide clues to a police detective (newscaster ML Nattakorn “Pleum” Devakula in his big-screen debut) investigating her murder. With English subtitles at some cinemas.
Once Winner of the Academy Award for best song, this Irish film is low-key in concept – “a simple, classic story of two artists falling in love”, says writer-director John Carney – and thoroughly winning in execution. Its tone may be sweet and gentle, but it has the grit to resist going exactly where you’d expect it to. Glen Hansard, lead singer of the Irish group the Frames, stars a young, heartbroken Dublin busker who one day meets a charming Czech woman pianist (Marketa Irglova) As their friendship blossoms, they share their music, create songs, forge a band and record a demo album. At the
No Country for Old Men in this Academy Award-winning film from Ethan and Joel Coen, retiring lawman (Tommy Lee Jones) is helpless to stop the carnage as another man (Josh Brolin) flees with a satchel full of drug money, with a psychopathic hitman (Javier Bardem) in pursuit. At Siam, Emporium,
The Ghost and Master Bo (Phee Taa Waan Kab Ajarn Taa Bo)
Paragon.
Waan (Pansachol Khumpraewpan) is in love with Wit (Weerayuth Naburana). Problem is, Wit doesn’t know his ladyfriend is a ghost. With
Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights”, “Magnolia”) crafts a bold character study of an obsessive, pioneering oilman, played by
There Will Be Blood
English subtitles at some cinemas.
The 8th Day (Paed Wan Plaek Khon) A mentally unstable old woman, a missing little girl and a watchful researcher show that not everything is necessarily in black and white. With English subtitles at some cinemas.
Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis in one of the more terrifying turns of his long and eclectic career. At the Lido.
Jumper A young man (Hayden Christensen) has the amazingly cool ability to jump anywhere in the world at any time, just by thinking of the place he wants to go. It’s all fun and sexy until you start wondering: Who is this guy, and how can he do this?
= 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.
Cinema hotlines
with English subtitles at some cinemas.
Unless otherwise noted, films are playing at most multiplex cinemas. For showtimes, please call the cinemas or check their websites.
Dead in Three Days
Apex
A group of friends each receive a threatened SMS message. Deadly consequences follow. German with English and Thai subtitles at House.
Dragon Wars
en y for Old M No Countr / m e rd a B ner Javier Oscar-win
Critical consensus
Kung Fu Dunk A Shaolin-trained martial artist (Jay Chou) uses his skills on the basketball court. Thai dubbed
Lido.
orn ML Nattak Devakula/ e Soul’s Cod
Giant dragons attack Los Angeles and the only person with the power to stop the carnage is a young man (Cody Erens) who has been granted the powers of a reincarnated ancient warrior, who must somehow find a young woman with a red dragon tattoo on her shoulder. At Century, Lido.
Channel 3
Channel 7
Channel 11
www.thaitv3.com
www.ch7.com
www.tv11.go.th
Channel 5
Channel 9
ThaiPBS
www.tv5.co.th
www.mcot.net
www.thaipbs.go.th
Lido: (02) 252 6498 Siam: (02) 251 3508 Scala: (02) 251 2861 www.apexsiam-square.com
EGV, Major Cineplex, Esplanade, Paragon Bangkok: (02) 511 5555 www.egv.com www.majorcineplex.com
SF Cinema Bangkok: (02) 268 8888 www.sfcinemacity.com
House UMG RCA: (02) 641 5913-4 www.houserama.com
Nation Channel www.nationchannel.com
TrueVision www.truevision.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
LEISURE
31
Games&YourStars SUDOKU
The last word in
ASTROLOGY
By Eugenia Last
Today’s Birthday: It’s important for you not to carry baggage into the future. A strong sense of justice and fair play will help you make the right decisions. Consider what long term adjustments need to be made in your personal life. Buying, selling and making moves that will help you out financially should be your intent.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
Aries (March 21-April 19) Don’t turn down any help that’s offered because valuable solutions can be found. A chance to experience unique surroundings will bring to view what’s available and how you can make things work to your advantage. You don’t have to go big in order to be successful.
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Steer clear of anyone asking you for something. Chances are good that you will be taken advantage of if you give in to demands or pushy people. Once you make it clear what you want to do, hangers-on and meddlers will back off. Gemini (May 21-June 21) Don’t sit back when there is so much happening. Be ready to take advantage of what’s being offered. Prepare to use your Gemini charm to persuade others that you have skills that are in demand.
DIFFICULTY RATING ★★★★★
Cancer (June 22-July 22) Don’t take things for granted. Take the initiative and do what needs to be done and you will have no regrets. You are sitting in a much more powerful position than you realise. A chance to make things right is looking you in theface. Leo (July 23-August 22) You will have trouble deciding which way to go. A partnership may turn into a bit of a rollercoaster ride but once it stops, you can renew the foundation of this connection. Choose what’s best for you. Virgo (August 23-Sept 22) You can bring about reform and change by sharing your ideas with people capable of altering the outcome of things. An opportunity to show your superiority will put you in a prime position to advance and take over.
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22) It’s what you do and the initiative you take that will impress people. Laziness will be your downfall and will stop you short of achieving your goals. Love is in the stars but, if you are slow to make your move, you may miss out. Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Take your time and don’t let anyone railroad you into making a decision you aren’t ready to make. You have to gauge your time and try different alternatives before you can move forward comfortably. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Don’t think someone else can do things better than you. Roll up your shirtsleeves and get things started. Don’t waste time traveling or spending money on unnecessary expenditures. Instead, communicate by phone or Internet. Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Focus on accomplishing what you set out to do. Don’t be sidetracked by what someone else is doing. In your case, steady, ready and conservative should be the course. Don’t get angry at someone’s lack of knowledge or vision.
Niki Taylor Keyboardist Alan Clark of Dire Straits is 56. Guitarist John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is 38. Singer Rome is 38. Actor Kevin Connolly (“Entourage”) is 34. Model Niki Taylor is 33. Actor Jake Lloyd (“Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Menace”) is 19.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Try to stay calm and don’t let emotional matters stop you in your tracks. You’ll have to reach out to someone who needs reassurance if you want to avoid tension or a possible argument. A little charm and an enticing proposal will turn matters around quickly. Pisces (Feb 19-March 20) Don’t give anyone a chance to interfere or take over. Be precise and to the point about what you want or someone will misinterpret your intentions. Take advantage of anything being offered but not if something is expected in return.
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GAMES
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
THE SPORT
DAILYXPRESS
ADVANTAGE FEDERER
400 points divide World No 1 Roger Federer (5,930) and his nearest competitor Rafael Nadal in the latest ATP tennis rankings.
briefly Atkinson targets maiden victory Australia's Chris Atkinson has set his sights on a maiden world championship victory after achieving his best career finish in the Rally of Mexico. The Subaru driver battled to a second place behind four-time world champion Sebastien Loeb. It was his second podium in three rallies this season and lifted him to fourth overall. – AP
Players unavailable for volleyball camp The Thai women's volleyball team's preparations for the May 17-25 Olympic qualification tournament in Tokyo has hit a roadblock with many players preoccupied with studies. Four, including Pluemjitr Thinkaow and Malika Kanthong, are competing in overseas leagues. Head coach Nutthapon Srisamutnark said that without the full strength, training cannot begin. “We will have to wait until every player can gather,” he said. Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Kazakhstan, the Dominican Republic, Poland, Puerto Rico and Serbia are taking part. – DailyXpress
Hong Kong to host Bledisloe Cup The Bledisloe Cup will be contested for the first time off Australian or New Zealand shores when the Wallabies meet the All Blacks at Hong Kong in November. The Australia and New Zealand rugby unions made a joint announcement, confirming a fourth match in this season's Bledisloe Cup series would be staged on November 1. – AP
Thai juniors gun for hat-trick Eleven countries confirmed their participation in the third South East Asian Junior Athletic Championships, which will take
place at Surakul Stadium in Phuket from May 22 to 23. Thailand have won the titles two times in a row. “We expect our athletes to win at least 15 gold medals,” said Pol Maj-Gen Surapong Ariyamongkol of the Athletic Association of Thailand. – DailyXpress
Bayern to battle Wolfsburg in semis Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will face first division VfL Wolfsburg in the German Cup semi-final on March 18 for a place in the final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Bayern Ottmar Hitzfeld booked their semi-final berth with 1-0 win over Munich last week. The tie will pit current Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld against Wolfsburg's Felix Magath, the man he replaced in Munich. – AFP
‘No second chance’ in Olympic IT race A marathon contest longer and more complex than any race at the Olympics is unfolding behind the windowless facade of Digital Beijing. This secretive, slateblack tower complex that looks like a row of computer chips stands close by the two most famous Olympic venues – the National Aquatics Centre and the National Stadium. – AFP
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has his eyes set on the quarter-final.
CHAMPIONS LE AGUE
REALITY CHECK AWAITS MADRID Spanish leaders are recovering from a run of three losses in four matches AP, London
R
eal Madrid hope they are on a roll in the Champions League this week. Madrid look to be in good shape for AS Roma's visit today after taking a five-point lead in
the Spanish league. And the team's 3-2 win at Recreativo Huelva should help the ninetime European champions overturn a 2-1 deficit to reach the quarter-final. Madrid are recovering from a
run of three losses in four matches. The teams are among 14 set to return to the tournament and complete the twolegged second round. The final game in the round of 16, Inter Milan against Liverpool, is scheduled for next week. In other games today, Chelsea host Olympiakos and FC Porto play Schalke.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
DAILYXPRESS
GAMES 45
David Beckham LA GALAXY STAR
,, THIS WIN [AGAINST RECREATIVO HUELVA IN THE SPANISH LEAGUE] HAS GIVEN US CONFIDENCE AT A VERY GOOD TIME Iker Casillas Madrid need a victory over Roma after a 2-1 loss at Stadio Olimpico, when Raul Gonzalez gave the Spanish team an eighth-minute goal before David Pizarro and Mancini scored for the hosts. Madrid coach Bernd Schuster will
EPA
“All I can do now is to get my fitness and play as many games [for England] as possible ... We will just have to wait and see”
again be able to call upon Robinho after the Brazil forward recovered from injury to score twice as a substitute in Saturday's win at Recreativo. “This win has given us confidence at a very good time,'' said Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who is also back from injury. “We have to beat Roma and we mustnot let goals in.'' Madrid need the boost since Schuster will be without winger Arjen Robben, midfielder Wesley Sneijder and defender Christoph Metzelder because of injury. Robinho could start up front in place of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has four goals in this season's tournament but may miss out with an ankle injury. Olympiakos' chances of bettering their 0-0 draw against Chelsea two weeks ago were hurt when Lomana LuaLua was ruled out of the game with a dislocated shoulder, while Porto need to overturn a 1-0 loss to Schalke.
THE SPORT
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
TENNIS
HIT OR
MISS
DAILYXPRESS
After a 11-month break and marriage to a beauty queen, the former World No 9 is set to pick up the racquet again By Lerla DAILYXPRESS
I
t took Paradorn Srichaphan longer than usual to trace the whereabouts of his trainers. It could happen to you too, if the last time you put on tennis shoes was 11 months ago. A nagging wrist injury and surgery had kept the tennis star out of the game for almost a year. Until last Friday, when he returned to the court and struck some balls. “I had to dig through my bag to find the outfits and shoes which hadn’t been used for long,’’ said ‘Super Ball’, who plans to return to the circuit in June. It’s been a roller-coaster phase of the tennis star’s life. Once ranked World No 9, he has slumped to outside the top 900. He also celebrated the greatest conquest in his life – the heart of the “most beautiful lady in the universe” Natalie Glebova. The Thai and the Canadian beauty tied the knot last November. “I used to hang out a lot and take decisions on my own. But now I have to spare time for my wife and share the decisions,’’ he said. “We’re a happy couple.”
No matter how long he has been off the court, tennis is always in his veins. The glorious moments of old still linger and there is no better way to cherish them than watching CDs of his matches. “I don’t follow the goings-on in the tour but I watch my old matches. That’s how I build my confidence,” he said. During the interlude, there were also times when the former Asian No 1 pondered the futility of fighting for more: Fame, five ATP titles and a Ferrari. Is that not enough? Would it not be better to move on to the next phase of his life? “I used to feel like giving up. But I’ve been there before, so why can’t I do it one more time? I realised the need to think positive.” It is the positive thinking of seeing “a glass half-full instead of half-empty” that earned ‘Nong Fah’, the Thai name of Natalie, the 2005 Miss Universe crown. That explains his new-found self-belief. “I have set the target to be in the top 50 and we’ll see if I can go further. It won’t be too long before I return,” Paradorn said.
,, I WATCH MY OLD MATCHES.THAT’S HOW I BUILD MY CONFIDENCE Paradorn Srichaphan
XTRA PARADORN SRICHAPHAN >> The former World No 9 has won five titles, and a gold in the 2002 Asian Games. >> Defeated world No 1s Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick and Juan Carlos Ferrero. >> Led Thailand to three Davis Cup World Group play-offs.
DAILY XPRESS/KORBPHUK PHROMREKHA
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Wednesday, March 5, 2008 DAILYXPRESS
BANGKOK
THESPORT
RIBERY MANIA Franck Ribery's stock has shot up since joining Bayern Munich with the tabloid Bild putting his worth at 40-million euros
GOLF
GRIEF TO
GLORY From slugging in office three years ago and mourning his father’s recent demise, Kiwi Mark Brown has worked hard to snatch the elite Johnnie Walker Classic
TENNIS
CHAMPIONS LE AGUE
Paradon readies for comeback
Real, Porto look to turn the tide
After losing nearly a year to injury, the Thai star is now sounding warning bells to opponents as he plans his return to the circuit. >PAGE 46
Nine-time champions Real Madrid look to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Roma in the second-leg match as Premier League side Chelsea host Olympiakos and Portugal’s FC Porto play Schalke. >PAGE 44