/20081230

XPRESS

DAILY

FREE Tuesday, December 30, 2008 VOL 1, NO 249 dailyxpress.net

GOOD MORNING BANGKOK!

Stop fighting!

By Tik Shiro Artist

S

unshine and the smell of nature are valuable things. We should all appreciate the beauty of nature. We should stop fighting, war can only destroy the human race. We’re already being hit by natural disasters, and man-made casualties will just bring about more misery. I wish the best for our country and hope there won’t be more bad news on TV. Thais have good hearts, and I’d like people from around the world to experience and appreciate this charm of ours.

Smell of success

I SWEAR...

With the dire economic situation calling for belt-tightening, see what some personalities have resolved to do in the coming Year of the Ox >PAGE 2

Ladies, want to make a statement?

Choose a perfume that reflects your character and lifestyle... >PAGE 12

2 TODAY

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

THE CITY

DAILY XPRESS

1%

ECONOMIC GROWTH is predicted for 2009, while inflation is expected to come down to 1%.

People at every level of society are turning to face the changes that 2009 will bring

By Wannapa Phetdee veryone from politicians to flower sellers, celebrities to bus drivers are telling the Daily Xpress of their plans to survive the crunch of the economic crisis and other changes in 2009.

haven’t been many customers, so I’ve reduced my personal spending on food, clothes, cosmetics and eating out. I used to pay Bt50 to Bt100 per meal, but that’s down to Bt40, maximum.

E

NANNAPAT RIENLAPCHAROEN, 50, A FLOWER SELLER:

ACTRESS SAWIKA “PINKY” CHAIDET:

DAILY XPRESS/THAWECHAI JAOWATTANA

“Normally, I’m not an extravagant person, but I’ve changed my plans to buy a car and expensive jewellery next year, and I’m going to buy land instead as an investment for the future. I intend to start my own clothes business, though.

SUNANTA KHUMPALA, 31, A BUILDING CONTRACTOR:

“I’ll try to save money, as I want to build a house in Amnatcharoen province. I’ve reduced my alcohol intake to one beer per day, my cellphone bill from Bt500 to Bt100, and given up smoking. No New Year party will be another saving.

BUS DRIVER TIPPAWAN SONGKUL, 42:

Fewer passengers has reduced my income since the economic crisis, which means I’ll have to work harder and improve my service. I won’t buy anything expensive, especially clothes.

ANANTAYA SENGPRAKHON, 29, A COFFEE SHOP OWNER:

I’ve just invested in a new branch but there

DAILY

XPRESS

FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL

I’m cutting my budget for clothes and food to save money for my children. Not many people are buying my flowers these days, so I’ve applied for a part-time job to make extra money.

DEMOCRAT PARTY SPOKESMAN BURANAJ SMUTHARAKS:

Since the party became leader of the government coalition, I’ve had to work harder.

But, I’ll still try to get quality time with my family and balance everyone’s needs.

CHAROON THONGNUAL, A NATION GROUP PHOTOGRAPHER:

I have to be on stand-by during the New Year holidays at home in Songkhla. I hope there will be no violence then because I want to take part in my community’s tradition of visiting every home with good wishes, and then offer food to monks on New Year’s Day. PHUE THAI MP JATUPORN PROMPHAN

I’ll fight alongside the red shirts until the government gives back power to the people, though I’ll also have to make time for my family.

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 / Sport Editor: Preechachan Wiriyanupappong / Group Editor in Chief: Suthichai Yoon

>>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 FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING,PLEASE CALL (02) 338 3000 # 1 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 to Saturday. The Sunday edition of DAILY XPRESS incorporates THE NATION. Subscription rates: one year Bt4,900 within regular delivery areas; please contact Customer Service on (02) 338 3000. For bulk copy subscription rates please call (02) 338 3532.

4

GLOBETROT

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

THE WORLD Bull-headed?

Spanish bullfighter Uceda Leal performs his first bull at the Canaveralejo Plaza in Cali, Colombia, as part of the 2008-2009 bullfighting season. Some animal-rights campaigners have criticised the sport.

DAILY XPRESS

Activists prevent Japanese sailors from harpooning whales by engaging their ship after a

1,850-km pursuit in rough seas off Antarctica

briefly On a ventilator?

Don’t smoke!

A chronic smoker who has to use a ventilator to breathe was rushed to hospital yesterday after blowing himself up by having a cigarette while using his oxygen tank.

The explosion happened as the 75-year-old man lit up in his home while attached to an oxygen tank that had plastic tubes running to his nose because of lung disease caused by smoking.

The man knew he should not smoke while attached to his ventilator but apparently craved for a cigarette so badly he took the risk. – DPA

EPA

Hiding in the attic

Laura: Saddam would’ve executed shoe-thrower

CHILD MAIDS BEING

US first lady Laura Bush said she was “not amused” when an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at President George W Bush in Baghdad earlier this month.

“Of course I was not amused,” she told Fox News in an interview on Sunday, when asked about the December 14 incident. “It is an assault, and I think it should be treated that way.”

Asked whether the footwear flinger, Muntazer al-Zaidi, should be released, Laura Bush replied: “I don’t know about that. And that’s going to be up to the Iraqis. And they’ll do whatever.

“But I know that if Saddam Hussein had been there, the man wouldn’t have been released. And he probably would have been executed. So as bad as the incident is, in my view, it is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves,” she said.

Al-Zaidi, 29, is to go on trial tomorrow on charges of “aggression against a foreign head of state”, which carries between five and 15 years in prison. – A F P

EXPORTED TO THE US Thousands as young as 3 are recruited every year as servants and often beaten for their mistakes A P , Irvine, California

L

ate at night, the neighbours saw a little girl at the kitchen sink of the house next door.

They watched through their window as the child rinsed plates under the open faucet.

She wasn’t much taller than the counter and the soapy water swallowed her slender arms. To put the dishes away, she climbed on a chair.

But she was not the daughter of the couple next door.

She was their maid.

Shyima was 10 when a wealthy Egyptian couple brought her from a poor village in northern Egypt to work in their California home. She awoke before dawn and often

worked past midnight to iron their clothes, mop the marble floors and dust the family’s crystal. She earned US$45 (Bt1,500) a month working up to 20 hours a day. She had no breaks during the day and no days off.

All for a good meal The trafficking of children for domestic labour in the US is an extension of an illegal but common practice in Africa.

Families in remote villages send their daughters to work in cities for extra money and the opportunity to escape a deadend life. Some girls work for free on the understanding that they will at least be better fed in the home of their employer.

The custom has led to the spread of trafficking.

Tens of thousands of children in Africa, some as young as 3, are recruited every year to work as domestic servants.

On call 24-7 They are on call 24 hours a day and are often beaten if they make a mistake. Children are in demand because they earn less than adults and are less likely to complain.

Around one-third of the estimated 10,000 forced labourers in the US are servants, according to a study by the National Human Rights Centre and Free the Slaves, a non-profit group.

No one can say how many are children, especially since their work can so easily be masked as chores.

A family did not realise they had an unexpected Christmas guest until a man who had been in their attic for days emerged wearing their clothes.

Stanley Carter surrendered after police took a dog to search the home north of Philadelphia.

“When he came down from the attic, he was wearing my daughter’s pants and my sweat shirt and sneakers,” homeowner Stacy Ferrance said. “From what I gather, he was helping himself to my home, eating my food and stealing my clothes.”

Road under Yangtze China has opened its first road tunnel under the Yangtze River, a move expected to cut travel time and ease traffic congestion in Wuhan.

Construction began in November 2004 on the yuan 1.7-billion (Bt8.7-billion) tunnel, which stretches 3.5 kilometres under China’s longest river.

The four-lane road connects government offices and universities to the business district of Hankou, and will cut travel time between the two areas from half hour to just a few minutes. – AP

6 ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

THE FUN

DAILY XPRESS

KATE WINSLET, ON HER RELATIONSHIP WITH “TITANIC” CO-STAR LEONARDO DICAPRIO. “People say, ‘Oh my gosh, you guys are such good friends. Did you ever fight?’ And we really would have to stop and think about it and realise that we hadn’t.”

2008 IN MOVIE S

TOP 10, MORE OR LESS ‘Slumdog Millionaire’,

With so many great films, it’s hard to limit yourself

directed by Danny Boyle, is the story of a former street child in Mumbai, who won riches beyond anyone’s expectations when he appeared on India’s version of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’

By Kenneth Turan LOS ANGELES TIMES

Top 10 lists are often ranked, but I prefer to avoid that misery if I can. It’s like ranking your children: Even if you could do it with a degree of accuracy, the very act spreads more unhappiness than joy.

But while slots two to 10 will be listed alphabetically, I’m going to depart from my usual practice and name a clear No 1: Danny Boyle’s exhilarating “Slumdog Millionaire”.

I’m naming it No 1 because of the effect it had on me as well as almost everyone I’ve talked to. Watching it was like seeing an old friend long presumed dead suddenly walking around town as healthy as you please.

“Slumdog” is a modern version of an old-fashioned Hollywood-style audience picture, an updated romantic melodrama whose outlines the Warner brothers themselves would have embraced. If you think this kind of thing is easy to do, you haven’t been going to the movies lately.

As for the rest, I have doubled-up on occasion to make it easier to acknowledge deserving work. As the playwright said, attention must be paid.

“Frost/Nixon” – The most mature work Ron Howard has done, a sterling example of how to transform a prime literary property into something that works onscreen.

“Frozen River” and

“Ballast” – This pair of Sundance winners show not only that independent film is alive and well but also the vari-

ety of styles that keep the movement vital.

Breakthroughs

“Gomorrah” and “Happy-Go-Lucky” – Joining

these wildly different European films, the first a bleak look at Italy’s Mafia-esque Camorra, the other the happiest film British director

French films “A Christmas Tale” and “The Class” – You could say 2008 was an especially good year for French film, but then every year seems that way.

These two were standouts at Cannes, with “The Class” deservedly winning the Palme d’Or. Also worth mentioning were “I’ve Loved You for So Long” and “A Girl Cut in Two”.

Mike Leigh has ever made, qualifies as an act of critical perversity. Only their quality and overseas origins unite them, and that might be enough.

“Rachel Getting Married” – A return to top form for director Jonathan Demme and a breakthrough for star Anne Hathaway, who’ve combined with a Jenny Lumet script and a resourceful ensemble to bring the texture of edgy reality – reality intensified and captured on the fly – to the proceedings.

Great documentaries “Man on Wire”, “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired”, “Stranded” and “Trouble the Water” – These

‘Wall-E’, the animated feature by Pixar, is a love story between two robots, set in a future when humans have abandoned the trashed Earth and are living on cruise ships in space.

four exceptional documentaries all appeared at Sundance. A word should also be said for some other great docs: “Blindsight”, “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”,

“Standard Operating Procedure” and the too-littleseen “A Walk to Beautiful”.

What a group.

“Tell No One” – A space all its own for the little French thriller that could. The film no one wanted went on to become 2008’s top-grossing foreignlanguage movie.

Amazing animation “Wall-E” – The latest wonder from Pixar is daring and traditional, groundbreaking and familiar, apocalyptic and sentimental. How often do you see that?

“Waltz With Bashir” – Provocative, hallucinatory, incendiary, this animated personal documentary about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon is unlike any Israeli film you’ve seen. Mention should also be made of two other excellent works from that country: “Jellyfish” and “Beaufort”.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

55

ENTERTAINMENT 7

DAILY XPRESS

YEARS AGO TODAY,

MADE JUST FOR YOU

the first colour TV sets went on sale in the US, though few people in 1953 could afford the $1,000 price of an Admiral, one of the brands.

Albedo One gets in on the trend of customisation with its leather goods. > Page 8

Painted

apsara

DAILY XPRESS/EKKARAT SUKPETCH

A dancer in “The Legend of Angkor Wat: When History Comes to Life” puts on her makeup backstage at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. The soundand-light show with Khmer traditional dance and music is being performed until January 31 at the ancient Cambodian temple. Tickets run from Bt2,100 to Bt2,800 at Thaiticketmajor.

Call (02) 262 3456.

2008 IN BOOKS

Vampires and Obama Readers wrapped their minds around two very different things A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S

Two books by US presidentelect Barack Obama and the fourth and final novel in the “Twilight” teen vampire series were at the top of reading lists in 2008. Here’s the hottest five: “Breaking

Dawn” by Stephenie Meyer: The finale of Meyer’s millionselling vampire series, and the year’s favourite teen scream.

“The Story of Edgar

Sawtelle” by David Wroblewski: A debut novel that became a word-of-mouth hit in the summer, then a mega-selling

smash in the fall, thanks to the megaphone power of Oprah Winfrey.

“Dreams from My Father” by Barack Obama: First published in 1995, when Obama was best known as the first black president of ... the Harvard Law Review.

“The Audacity of Hope” by Barack Obama: First published in 2006, when Obama was best known as a senator, speechmaker and potential presidential candidate ... in the distant future.

“The Shack” by William P Young: A Christian novel originally self-published with a printing of 15 copies for friends of the author. He now has at least a million such “friends”.

soopsip Brook and Kob liked the gossip Wow, a rumour came true! Actor-turned politician Danupon “Brook” Punnakan and actress Suvanarn “Kob” Kongying told the press on Sunday that they will marry at the Centara Grand Hotel on January 9.

The couple will forego a fancy party in favour of a simple, traditional Thai wedding.

Brook doesn’t want to put his 95-year-old grandfather through too much of a whirl.

This bit of gossip had ebbed and flowed, with Brook’s mum opening a denial shop on the side.

Kob and Brook Come the day, all eyes will be on her. She never liked the idea, so she’ll make headlines whether she shows up or not – especially if not.

Three up, three down TV host Sorrayuth Suthassanajinda’s been goofing off during

homework time again. He had Abhisit Vejjajiva on his “Jub Kow Kui” show and began by saying he’s the youngest premier Thailand’s ever had.

Nope, said Abhisit. Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonkram and MR Seni Pramoj were younger.

“Well, perhaps you’re the most handsome,” Sorrayuth said.

Abhisit merely smiled, or was that a grimace?

Whenever Thaksin Shinawatra was on his show, Sorrayuth always addressed him as Than Na Yok (Mr Prime Minister), but not Abhisit. He just got “Khun Abhisit”.

Contact Soopsip at veenxpress@gmail.com.

ags

8

FASHION

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

DAILY XPRESS

Show your style!

Albedo One embraces the global trade in customising gear with its bags and wallets

By Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra D A I LY X P R E S S

G

uests and reporters crowded around a laptop at last week’s Albedo One launch picking the leather and colours for their new wallets. The trend in customising accessories hasn’t yet caught on in Thailand but it’s already routine elsewhere.

Kasetsart University lecturer Anothai Cholachatpinyo, who has a fashion-design PhD from London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, reckons that the trend is being propelled by the 2.5 per cent of the population who can be considered “fashion innovators”.

“You always get people serving as proud ambassadors for luxury brands, but now there’s a group of people who want something different that they can mix and match by themselves,” Assistant Professor Anothai said.

Customised products like those in Albedo’s new Albedo One line of bags and luggage lets customers do just that. Buyers choose the tones

and textures, lending a distinctive, personalised touch.

The idea might appeal to hundreds of people rather than thousands, but Albedo managing director David Chui says the focus is on a specific target group, not the masses.

As president of the Thai Leathergoods Association, he knows leather isn’t that popular among Thais. He’s mainly shooting for ca-

reer people, with business bags in different styles – like Classic Luxury and Urban Metro – among the initial Albedo One models on offer.

Anothai notes the growing boom in customised clothes as well. The makers of imported brands often consult him before bringing in a new product.

“Sometimes long skirts that are popular abroad need to be shortened to suit Thai buyers,” he says.

Brands like Prada use swipe

cards for customers to track their previous purchases, as well as their measurements.

But even with Prada’s inroads and Levis’ customised jeans, Anothai wishes more people would be brave in expressing themselves.

“People who just wear brand names aren’t confident in themselves,” he says. “They buy things so they can say to other people, ‘I have good taste’, but with customised products, they have to have real confidence.”

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

EVENTS 9

DAILY XPRESS

WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP Fit & firm for 2009 h hiphop,

ape wit Get into sh and g, aero box yoga, boxin sides with a spebe much more ered by on being off ti o cial prom e Centre at th the Fitness m ia S n o k ko ng Novotel Ba p for membership nu Square. Sig rrow and you pay mo to today or tire year 0 for the en 0 ,0 5 t1 just B o! to ecial gift and get a sp call , formation For more in 9.

999 (02) 208

see it!

Broadway in Bangkok The much-loved musical “Chicago” comes to Bangkok next year with 15 performances running from February 12 to 22 at Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre. Tickets costing from Bt1,000 to Bt4,000 are available at Thaiticketmajor. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.Rachadalai.com/chicago.

Seascapes and flowers Pam Sripian’s debut solo show “Flowers and Seascapes” kicks off at Rotunda and Garden Galleries on Friday. You can see her small and medium-size oil paintings of dreamlike flowers and seascapes until February 1.

The Neilson Hays Library, open daily except Saturday from 9.30 to 5.

Call (02) 233 1731 or visit www.NeilsonHaysLibrary.com.

Food for thought Asia Books joins the super sales season with a special promotion that runs through January 15. For every purchase of Bt1,000, Bt 1,500, and Bt2,000, you earn a Bt50 cash coupon and a chance to join a lucky draw to win a trip to Krabi.

Star Wars Join the stars of reality TV on January 31 at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, as Supparuj “Ruj” Techatanon, winner of the 2008 season of “The Star” and runner-up “Kam”, join with the winners and runnersup of the three earlier seasons for “The Star War” concert.

Tickets ranging from Bt500 to Bt2,500 go on sale on Friday at ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Call (02) 262 3456.

gift ft at Siam e t a m i t l to Lo The u Head over (BTS ver Centre

Disco amchuri Siam) or Ch Samyan) T Square (MR nuary 7, Ja l ti n u d n a joy a you can en promotion orld dubbed “W te a im lt U of d Gifts”. Spen 0 0 t8 B n betwee R 0 0 ,0 t5 and B ke and you’ll ta nt co ? u home a dis p u to coupon of ur next yo Bt1,000 off purchase.

ay Lazy Sund bruncBhangkok’s Romsai restauraithnbt uf-

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Children Clu 11.30am to 2.30pm Important o fr is open m on. Children are The brunch pers t1,400 per eir height. and costs B per centimetre of th Bt1 charged at 1200.

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10 EVENTS

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

DAILY XPRESS

WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP do it!

Picture that!

Lensmen Chamni Thipmanee, Noppadol Khaosamang and Kornkrit Jianpinijnan portray the thoughts and feelings of local people towards the First Royal Factory in Chiang Mai’s Fang district in the exhibition “Napakunkir”, which runs until January 25 at Thailand Creative and Design Centre.

Chamni draws his inspiration from the unaffected simplicity of the local people while Kornkrit captures the impact that the Royal projects have had on the physical landscape of the North. Meanwhile, Noppadol’s work is on the very real economic benefits that the Royal Factory has brought to the lives of local people.

The centre is on the sixth floor of the Emporium and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 9pm.

The woven word On January 17 at 10.30, the Thai Textile Society and the Siam Society hold a lecture on “Textile Texts, or the Woven Word: Burmese Manuscript Binding Tapes” by Ralph Isaacs.

The lecture will be in English and will be delivered in the Siam Society's fourth floor lecture room.

Isaacs will describe and celebrate a craft extinct in Burma since 1970 – the tablet weaving of text-woven tapes for winding around bundles of palm-leaf manuscripts called sazigyo. He also invites attendees to bring their sazigyo for display and discussion. Price is Bt200 for non-members. Contact

Call (02) 664 8448 or visit www.TCDC.or.th or www.FirstRoyalFactory.org.

info@thaitextilesociety.org.

nal Sensatio shellfislohbster from

Between the sheets The National Museum Volunteers will hold a lecture titled “Unexpected Encounters: 20th Century Thai Literature and Europe” on January 29 at 10am at its auditorium on Naphrathat Road.

Michaela Zimmermann, senior lecturer in the Department of Western Languages at Ramkhamhaeng University, will focus on two novels “Plae Kao” (“Old Wounds”) by Kan Pheungbun na Ayutthaya under the pseudonym Mai Muang Doem, and “Khwam Rak Khong Wanlaya” (“Wanlaya’s Love”) by Seinee Saovaphong.

Members pay Bt100 and the public is charged at Bt150. Contact Anette Pollner at (084) 942 1012 or visit www.MuseumVolunteersBKK.net.

A gift for the homeless The first ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Thailand, teen star Rathapoom “Film” Tokongsap , has created a New Year card to raise funds for the foundation. The card depicts a smiling heart surrounding some happy people living in their new homes. You can order the cards by calling (02) 664 0644 or visiting www.HabitatThailand.org.

Super savings with KTC Until January 31, KTC credit card holders can shop for less at Premium Outlet Cha-am, Outlet Village Khao Yai, and Outlet Village Pattaya. Additional discounts and free gifts come with purchases of Bt2,000 and more and Forever Rewards points can be exchanged for coupons at Food Centres in both Cha-am and Khao Yai. Conditions apply. Call (02) 665 5000 or visit www.KTC.co.th.

, enjoy i Pattaya’s In January Dusit Than

the Canada at t. Sample the shellfish ran u Bay resta ens with f mixed gre g, filled o d la in a sa in ss lemon dre orange and sun-dried h it tossed w li io v ra with safh it w in a risotto r o ce u sa tomato otel’s third fron. t is on the h 38) 425 n ra u a st re The ll (0 servation, ca floor. For re n 2270. nsio 611-7 exte

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Nitiphong “Dee” Ho when re on February 7 personal with natu at t er rom Dee” conc he’ll present the “A a. sim ha tc Nakhon Ra Chokchai Farm in Pang, e Th & h et m are Su ai, Among the guests Tr y , Nicole, Nuvo, Bo , Lula, Maew Jirasak ai M , ak a, Am Saowal f Acappella 7, Marsh Ao d an 2 it, Patcha Af Hydra, Ben Chalat st Bt2,200 from co s et ck Pongsak. Ti ils, visit ajor.com. For deta www.ThaiTicketM m. ee.co www.IAmYoungD

ble life a t t e g r o f n An u Charoon leBoonsuan ce st 71 is h s te bra a birthday with he “T solo show Splendour of Nature – e Reflecting th le b ta et Unforg Life” at the Gallery from

January 21 to .

February 15

His paintings depict the peace and quiet of rural ed life, surround d an st re fo by he mountains. T e th in is gallery of t en em bas Silom Galleria from 11 to 6. is 7 and Sunday d.com. to 10 Building and om fr yThailan to Saturday w.TheGaller open Monday 1 or visit ww 0 338 Call (02) 63

12

BEAUTY

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

DAILY XPRESS

Scents of a different woman Choose your perfume of the day based on what kind of role you feel like playing

Trésor

Agent 99 from “Get Smart” goes for what she wants, but she’s sensitive deep down.

That kind of woman needs Magnifique, with the sweetness of roses and jasmine.

And, if you’re the Spontaneous Free Spirit, the Classic Beauty or Cool and Confident, there’s a fragrance out there to match your personality. Just spritz on a little and get into character!

D A I LY X P R E S S

J

ust like choosing an outfit for the day, choosing a perfume is a way of making a statement about your character, your lifestyle – and you mood. Pick the wrong scent and you might find your self-confidence lacking.

The basic problem with perfumes these days is that there are thousands available. We asked Siam Paragon and Lancôme for some pointers.

Lancôme suggests characterising yourself in different ways and wearing the scent to match. On any given day you might be a Femme Fatale, Fresh and Bubbly, Romantic and Passionate or Bold and Sexy.

The Femme Fatale is like Angelina Jolie playing Lara Croft, sexy but ready to fight for what she believes in. A perfect scent for this scrappy lady is Hypn ôse, with its vanilla and woody notes.

Hypnose

Put on a festive face

Magnifique

XTRA THE WORLD SMELLS GREAT >> The World Fragrance Showcase continues in the Beauty Hall on Siam Paragon’s M Floor until January 8, featuring the newest perfumes from New York City, Paris, London and Milan and scents created by local celebrities. >> If you like Beyonce Knowles, try Diamonds by Emporio Armani, which smells like freesia and lilyof-the-valley. >> Christina Aguilera’s Christina Inspire offers a “musky, provocative” aroma, and Jennifer Lopez’s Live Platinum has the sophisti-cated tang plum and ruby grapefruit.

Miracle

Remember Reese Witherspoon in “Legally Blonde”? She’s the bubbly character who seems ditzy but is actually quite smart.

The ideal perfume for her is “Miracle So Magic”, a fresh, floral fragrance that’s delicate but wild as well.

Kate Winslet in “Titanic” exudes romance and passion. She probably wears Trésor, with rose, lily-of-the-valley, iris and sandalwood tones.

For the Bold and Sexy woman, Anne Hathaway’s

For makeup lovers, the holidays offer a welcome excuse for experimentation.

Why stick with the usual brown eye shadow and nude lipstick when festive fetes call for drama and dazzle? Here are three options for spicing up your holiday look: ■ Get glowing. Brighten up with a dusting of golden highlighter on your cheekbones and decolletage. One to try: Estee Lauder's Shimmering Jewel Powder.

■ Master a party-perfect pout. Make a statement with a bold red lipstick or deep berry stain. Pair it with understated, classic makeup. Dramatic lips look perfect when paired with just a swipe of black liquid eyeliner.

Try Clinique’s blue-based Angel Red, Mac’s yellow-based Brave Red or Giorgio Armani’s long-lasting Lip Wax in Deep Chianti.

■ Colour it in. Instead of the usual grey-and-black smoky eye, try swapping neutrals for colour. Create a smoky look in shades of navy or eggplant with Laura Mercier’s Liquid Eyeliner in Bordeaux and Duwop’s Smoke Eyeshadow Duo or Smashbox’s Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Navy Blue and Stila’s Smoky Eye Talking Palette in The Sapphires.

- The Washington Post

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

IT / GAMES 13

DAILY XPRESS

In gear

with the GoGear A new portable digital-media player that won’t break the bank

OF COURSE,THE SA5245 DOESN’T JUST PLAY DIGITAL MUSIC. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH VIDEO ON ITS 2.8-INCH,320X240 PIXEL RESOLUTION SCREEN.

By Smiley Byte D A I LY X P R E S S

R

eleased in Europe and the US earlier this year, Philips new portable digital media player, the GoGear SA5245, arrives here in time for the festive season and offers terrific sound quality for anyone looking to treat themselves to a New Year gift.

The SA5245 uses Philips’ FullSound technology, which enhances the quality of compressed audio, giving a richer sound.

And when that’s reproduced through Philips’ in-ear highdefinition headphones, the music is fantastic.

Of course, the SA5245 doesn’t just play digital music. You can also watch video on its 2.8-inch, 320x240 pixel resolution screen. It supports both WMV and MPEG4 video formats, both of which played smoothly during our test.

And the package comes with

ArcSoft MediaConverter so you can convert your DVD movie to an MPEG4 file and enjoy it on the go. A two-hour movie uses about 580 megabyte in MPEG4 format, so it will fit easily fit on the SA5245’s 4 gigabyte memory.

The SA5245 is easy to use with buttons for direction control, reverse and options.

You can synchronise your music files on your computer using Windows Media Player and the playlists on the

portable player will be automatically updated. You can drag and drop your music files onto the player’s hard drive though you’ll have to manually browse to the folder to play the music files.

And you can keep up-to-date with the latest news courtesy of the FM tuner, which we found gave satisfactory reception.

Last but not least, the SA5245 while large is thin enough to slide into a shirt pocket. It’s on sale now for Bt5,990.

KEY SPECS Audio format support: MP3, WMA, AAC Video Playback: MPEG4, WMV9 Frequency response: 20 - 18k Hz Signal to noise ratio: > 84 dB Channel separation: 45 dB Display: 2.8 inch; 7 Lines of text;

320 x 240 pixels, 65K colours Built-in memory: 4 GB Connectivity: High speed USB 2.0 Battery: 880mAh LI-Polymer;

Up to 30 hours audio or 6 hours video playback Dimension (WxDxH): 106 x 9.9 x 58 mm Weight: 0.095 kg

14

THE SCREEN

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

DAILY XPRESS

TO SEE on tv

Totally Awesome After moving to a new town, a boy quickly becomes labelled as the most unpopular kid around. A decathlon holds the key to changing his status.

HBO (TrueVisions), 8pm

Waking Up in Reno Two couples travel to Reno to see a monster truck show.

Stars Billy Bob Thornton, Natasha Richardson, Patrick Swayze and Charlize Theron.

True Movie Hits (TrueVisions), 7pm

Australia

Baz Luhrma nn’s sweepin g epic is set Northern Te in rritory prior to World Wa the Kidman as a r II, with Nic n aristocrati ole c English wid arrives to w o hip a strugg ling cattle ra w who shape with nch ba the Jackman). ★ help of the heroic Drove ck into ★★ r (Hugh

The wife of a scientist believes that her lakeside home is haunted by a ghost – or that she’s losing her mind. Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer star.

Star Movies (TrueVisions), 8pm

The Running Man Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this 1987 thriller, playing a wrongly convicted man who must try to survive a public execution gauntlet that is staged as a TV game show.

Cinemax (TrueVisions), 8pm

in cinemas tomorrow Jesdaporn Pholdee stars in this Phranakorn fantasy as a former special-forces soldier who falls in love with a woman (Ploy Jindachot) hiding a dark secret.

Bedtime Stories A hotel handyman (Adam Sandler) finds himself at the centre of the outlandish tales he tells his niece and nephew.

The Spirit Frank Miller (“Sin City”) camps up the 1940s comic series about a masked superhero crimefighter.

Gabriel Macht, Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes star.

Diary of The Dead Zombie master George A Romero brings this tale of a group of indie filmmakers who stumble on an outbreak of corpses coming back to life.

Happy-Go-Lucky Channel links www.NationChannel.com Channel 3 – www.ThaiTV3.com Channel 5 – www.TV5.co.th Channel 7 – www.CH7.com Modernine – www.MCOT.net NBT – TV11.prd.go.th Thai PBS – www.ThaiPBS.or.th True – www.TrueVisionsTV.com

Chukiat Sakveerakul, Prachya Pinkaew, Bhandit Thongdee and Rashane Limtrakul each direct a short love story. With English subtitles at some cinemas.

Deep in The Jungle

What Lies Beneath

Fan Waan Aai Joop

Mike Leigh directs this British comedy about an irrepressible woman (Sally Hawkins) who refuses to be brought down. At House and Apex.

Mutant Chronicles Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, John Malkovich and Devon Aoki star in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, loosely based on a role-playing game.

Super Hap

tles at some cinemas.

A record company aims to make big baht with pretty-boy mixed-race singer Tom (Film Rattapoom). But Tom’s hiding a secret: ghost singer Tueng (Kiatisak Udomnak) whose looks are not superstar quality. With English subti-

Transporter 3 Driver Frank Martin (Jason Statham) has a new assignment: deliver the feisty daughter of a Ukrainian official from Marseilles to Odessa. For added excitement, Martin is fitted with a bracelet that will

explode if he fails to make his delivery on time. ★★

Pride and Glory A family of New York City Police officers are pitted against each other in the investigation of a drug bust that went horribly wrong.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

THE SCREEN 15

DAILY XPRESS

TO SEE on dvd REGION 3

Ikigami

lace by n the popu ve ke a w a to s ns they ha ment hope The govern messages, telling citize ith English th se w issuing dea left to live. In Japane rs u o only 24 h Apex. btitles at and Thai su

Stars Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Noah Emmerich and Jon Voight. ★★★

Toi et Moi Julie Depardieu and Marion Cotillard star in this romantic comedy. In French with English and Thai subtitles at House.

Chuck Season 1

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa The escaped New York zoo animals make their way to the African mainland where they encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Voices include Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith. Also at Krungsri IMAX. ★★★

Happy Birthday

The Orphanage

Twilight

The Duchess

A travel photographer (Ananda Everingham) and a tour guide (Chayanan Manomaisantiphap) fall in love.

Then tragedy strikes.

The past haunts a couple after they adopt a boy and buy a spooky old orphanage. In

A teenage girl (Kristen Stewart) risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire (Robert Pattinson). ★★★

Keira Knightley plays a young woman who becomes the toast of high society when she marries a duke. At the

With English subtitles at some cinemas. ★★★★

Spanish with English and Thai subtitles at the Siam. ★★★★

Ong Bak 2 Phanom “Tony Jaa” Yeerum co-directs his magnum opus, starring as a fierce young warrior who has only a taste for vengeance. With English subtitles at some cinemas. ★★★★

Kids Asato (Teppei Koike) has the power to transfer other people’s wounds to his own body. His strange healing powers lead to a friendship with the troubled Takeo. In Japanese with Thai and English subtitles at House. ★★★★

Lido. ★★★

Burn After Reading The secrets of a fired CIA agent (John Malkovich) end up in the hands of two bumbling gym employees (Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand). At the Lido. ★★★★

Apex Lido: (02) 252 6498 Siam: (02) 251 3508 Scala: (02) 251 2861 www.ApexSiam-Square.com

Century – The Movie Plaza (02) 247 9940 www.CenturyTheMoviePlaza.com

Saw V Jigsaw might be dead, but his grisly traps live on. Costas Mandylor stars as a detective trying to piece things together. At SF

House (02) 641 5913-4 www.HouseRama.com

Major Cineplex/EGV

Cinemas. ★

Bangkok: (02) 515 5555 www.MajorCineplex.com

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Major Hollywood

A pampered lap dog finds herself accidentally lost in the mean streets of Mexico. ★★

Paragon Cineplex

Tokyo Sonata Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s dark drama is about a family that disintegrates after its patriarch loses his job.

‘Super Hap’ stars Naowarat Yuktanan.

Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levy) is a computer geek working at an electronics chain store who accidentally becomes a secret agent when he unwittingly downloads stolen government secrets into his brain. All 12 episodes plus the pilot are in this four-disc package, which also includes special features along with making-of and gag reels.

Audio languages are English and Portuguese with subtitles adding Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese and Thai.

Prices start at Bt650. – Daily Xpress

In Japanese with Thai and English subtitles at House and the Lido. ★★★★

Bangkok: (02) 718 7999 www.MajorHollywood.co.th

(02) 129 4635 IMAX: (02) 129 4631 www.ParagonCineplex.com

The Day Stood Sttilhe Earth l

In this upda te of the 19 51 sci-fi cla Reeves pla ss ys an alien who comes ic, Keanu Earthlings o to warn f their impe nding doom Krungsri IM . Also at AX. ★★★

SF Cinemas Bangkok: (02) 268 8888 www.SFCinemaCity.com

Critical consensus ★★★★★ = Must see! ★★★★ = Solidly entertaining ★★★ = It’s okay ★★ = Barely watchable ★ = Don’t bother

16

Close to Home

By John McPherson

LEISURE

Pooch Cafe

The Buckets

Adam

Calvin and Hobbes

By Brian Basset

By Paul Gilligan

By Scott Stantis

By Bryan Basset

By Bill Watterson

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Comics&Games

Red and Rover

DAILY XPRESS

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

LEISURE

DAILY XPRESS

Games&YourStars SUDOKU

The last word in

ASTROLOGY

By Eugenia Last

Today’s Birthday: You’ll have a lot of options to choose from in the coming year. Let your emotions get involved for a change and you will be satisfied with your choices. Take nothing for granted but expect the most from your efforts. You will be a powerhouse in your chosen field, among your friends and in your family, surprising everyone with your timing and good memory.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

ARIES **** March 21-April 19 Focus on helping others and you will be less likely to worry and stress over things you cannot change.

Memories of the people you have lost will lead to the wisdom needed to make the right choices.

TAURUS ** April 20-May 20 Back your views with positive affirmation and you will achieve your goals. Travel will pay off in gains and talks regarding your ideas. Be open and forthright and everything else will fall into place.

GEMINI ***** May 21-June 20 All eyes will be on you so be fully prepared to take the lead. Love and romance will be emotionally exhilarating. Don’t let uncertainty stand in your way when you are so close to getting what you want.

DIFFICULTY RATING ★★

CANCER *** June 21-July 22 Don’t get drawn off course by someone who attracts you. You are up for a jolt if you give in to temptation. Focus on getting ahead by your own means and stabilising your future.

LEO *** July 23-Aug. 22 You will learn something very interesting that will help you make a decision about where to move. A practical approach to business will impress the people you deal with, so keep your ideas simple.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY

VIRGO *** Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Don’t get all bogged down in professional matters.

Instead, focus on home, family and enjoying the people who make your life worthwhile. There is much to be learned from the ones you love.

LIBRA ***** Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Enjoy the company of someone who makes your heart beat fast. Love is in the stars and much can be accomplished if you are direct about the way you feel. Don’t let anyone stand in your way.

SCORPIO ** Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You can make some very important decisions about your future today. Consider what needs to be done in order to live up to your own expectations. There is room to move but you need to make it happen.

SAGITTARIUS **** Nov. 22-Dec. 21 You must avoid making rash decisions. The pressure may be on to move one way or another and, if you choose not to do anything, you will probably find you’ve missed out.

CAPRICORN *** Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Take advantage of the economic situation and you will prosper. You can control your future by knowing and challenging your competition. Moving at a steady pace will bring you the most.

Tiger Woods

Singer Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) is 71.

Singer Michael Nesmith (The Monkees is 66.

Singer Davy Jones (The Monkees) is 63.

Actress Tracey Ullman is 49.

Musician Jay Kay (Jamiroquai) is 39.

Actor Jason Behr is 35.

Golfer Tiger Woods is 33.

AQUARIUS *** Jan. 20-Feb. 18 A lot will depend on a partnership you are in or want to be in. You must make your move and secure your position. Tie up loose ends and make promises to ensure your future move down the right path.

PISCES *** Feb. 19-March 20 Explosive and unpredictable events may surprise many who know you. Think big. Your timing can be perfect if you draw in the right people from your past to reclaim an old goal.

17

Bangkok Bank, the career partner you can rely on to bring out your best With our 60-year track record of success, and our reputation as Thailandís leading bank, we offer a secure employment environment with great opportunities for career advancement.

To create your great future career, Bangkok Bank - opening the door to new opportunities.

Positions available: Management Level ● ●

● ●

●

Relationship Managers-Overseas Branch Credit Analysis Managers-Credit Acceptance Unit Card Marketing Manager Product Managers (Reward/Retention) -Credit Card Assistant Vice President-Product Development, Global Payment Services

Senior Level ● ●

Accounting Specialists Product Development Specialists

Officer Level ●

● ●

Relationship Officers-Corporate Banking Division Marketing Officers-Credit Card Programmers

If you recognize yourself in any of these profiles, please apply online via www.bangkokbank.com/careers

Index Living Mall : Special Mall for Home Furnishings.

Challenges... opportunities... come alive at Index Living Mall in Dubai Got potential and self drive? Take it now!

Attractive salary, great benefits await you!

Store Manager & Assistant Store Managers Responsibilities: • Manages the store, performs to achieve sales target.

• Maintains store's standard performance.

• Develops services and ensures effectiveness.

Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in any related field with at least 10 years experience in retail operations.

• Dynamic, team player, leadership skill and work hard.

Sales & Customer Service Responsibilities: • Advises customers and offers right products and services solutions.

• Maintains store's standard performance, performs to achieve sales target.

Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in any related field with 2 years experience in retail operations.

• Dynamic, self-disciplined, high responsibility and work hard.

All positions require:

Sales Coordinators Responsibilities: • Summarizes sales ordering documents, plans and coordinates all logistics.

• Coordinates all sales activities within the store to ensure customer satisfaction.

Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in any related field with at least 2 years experience in coordinating sales activities or logistics.

• Dynamic, well-organized, self-disciplined & responsible.

Section Managers Responsibilities: • Manages sales floor, schematic, replenishment, stock availability, performs to achieve sales target and maintains store's standard performance.

• Trains and develops staff for operation effectiveness.

Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in any related field with at least 5 years experience in retail operations or similar.

• Dynamic, team player, leadership skill and work hard.

- Service minded with good personality., Good command of English, preferably writing skills.

- Can work in Dubai, UAE for a minimum of 2 years.

Interior Designers / Visual Display Professionals Interior Designer's

Responsibilities: • Provides 3D services, including interior design housing and residence.

• Advises customers about interior design, furniture and decorative items.

Visual Display's

Responsibilities: • Interior design, display room setting in the store.

• In store communications (e.g. design, placement of POSM in points of sale, etc.)

Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, preferably interior housing, visual merchandising in housing or retail business.

• Dynamic, self-disciplined and high responsibility.

Cashiers Responsibilities: • Handles cash and registers sales transactions.

• Process and control documents.

Qualifications: • Vocational or Commercial Certificate in any related field, preferably with experience in retail business.

• Accurate, self-disciplined and high responsibility.

If you are seeking a dynamic, exciting work environment and everyday challenges, apply now!

Human Resources - Recruitment

Index Living Mall Co., Ltd.

43/15 Moo 7, Rama 2 Road Soi 50, Samaedam, Bangkhunthien, Bangkok 10150, Thailand Tel: 0 2898 5544 ext. Recruitment Fax: 0 2898 4377

Email: recruitment@indexlivingmall.com Visit: www.indexlivingmall.com

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".

Management Trainee - District Manager / GM Store Qualifications: • Age 35-45 years old • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business Administration or related field • 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 • Good English communication skill, good personality and good leadership, Able to work upcountry

Management Trainee - Sale / Administration / Customer Service Qualifications: • Age 28-35 years • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in any field • Minimum 3 years experience in logistics management, sales team management, product delivery management areas or customer services • Willing to work on rotating shift schedules • Experience in retails business or department stores will be an advantage • Able to work upcountry

Advertising Division Manager (Head Office) Qualifications: • Age 28-35 years old • Bachelor's Degree in Marketing or Communication Arts • At least 4 years experience in marketing and advertising management • Good English communication skill, good personality and good leadership, Good computer skill

Buyer Division Manager / Buyer (Head Office) Qualifications: • Age 22-35 years old (for the division manager over 27 years old) • Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Economics, Statistics or related field • 3-5 experience in retails business or department stores at least 2 years will be an advantage • Good personality, confident, and good negotiation skill • Good computer skill especially in MS Excel

Data Analyst (Head Office) Qualifications: • Age 22-35 years old • Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Marketing, Business Administration, Economics or related field • At least 2 years experience in sales analysis, inventory, gross profit analysis • Good analytical skill and expertise in MS Excel (such as Pivot table, Macro) • Experience in retail business is a preferable To join our team, please send your resume and recent photograph to:

Home Product Center Public Co., Ltd. Head Office 96/27 M. 9 Bangkhen, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000 (Beside of The Mall Ngamwongwan) Download Map: http://www.homepro.co.th/map/pr.asp Tel. 0-2832-1000 ext. 1364, 1399, 1681 Fax: 0-2832-1299 E-mail: job@homepro.co.th or thanapolw@homepro.co.th Website: www.homepro.co.th

22

THE SPORT

Tuesday December 30, 2008

THE SPORT

DAILY XPRESS

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs MINNESOTA WILD

4-1

Dustin Byfuglien led Chicago to a franchise-record ninth straight victory, scoring two goals and adding an assist in the Blackhawks’ 4-1 decision over the Minnesota Wild.

G

briefly

I

Cavs rally to beat Heat,improve to 16-0 LeBron James got the best of fellow-superstar Dwyane Wade, and the Cleveland Cavaliers kept their house in perfect order.

James tossed in 33 points – four more than Wade – and the Cavaliers moved to 16-0 at home with a 93-86 come-from-behind victory over the Miami Heat yesterday. “Any good or Wade great team tries to take care of home court first and then tries to play well on the road,” said James. – DPA

Ronaldo practises with ball again An overweight Ronaldo practiced with a ball for the first time on Sunday since joining Brazil’s Corinthians, hoping to be fit enough to make his debut early in the new year.

Ronaldo’s main goal remains losing the “five or six” kilograms he gained during the nearly 10 months of inactivity prompted by his latest knee injury, but on Sunday he was allowed to take part in his first ball drills with Corinthians. He still hasn’t been able to join his team-mates on the practice field, but was able to kick the ball around inside the club’s gym. – AFP

Federer, Nadal start early Roger Federer faces an early start to the 2009 season as he begins his campaign to reclaim the world No 1 spot from Rafael Nadal.

The Swiss star was deposed from the top ranking by Nadal in 2008 with the Spaniard also taking his Wimbledon crown after a five-year reign. Federer will begin his new year in the unlikely surroundings of the Zayed Sports City at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex where Nadal, as well as four other top 10 players, will battle for the US$250,000 top prize. “Never before have I started a tennis year as early as the

one ahead. I will be back in action on January 1st,” said Federer ahead of the January 1-3 exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. – AFP

Jewell quits as Derby manager Derby manager Paul Jewell has resigned after his 50th league game in charge ended in defeat.

The 1-0 home loss to Ipswich on Sunday left Derby 18th in the 24team League Championship, further hampering their bid for a quick return to the Premier League.

“Derby County can confirm that the club has parted company with manager Paul Jewell Jewell with immediate effect,” the club said. – AP

Gasquet looks to new coach Frenchman Richard Gasquet has turned to a new coach to help him launch a successful Australian campaign and a return to the world’s top 10 rankings next year.

Gasquet, a Wimbledon semifinalist last year, has turned to coach Guillaume Peyre, who helped Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis to the Australian Open final in 2006. – AFP

Liverpool captain in assault probe after brawl at a night-spot yesterday A G E N C I E S , Liverpool

L

iverpool captain Steven Gerrard was arrested early yesterday in connection with an alleged assault at a bar that left a man hospitalised with facial injuries.

The England midfielder was detained by police at 0230 GMT (9.30am Bangkok time) in Southport along with five other men after the brawl and remained in police custody for questioning, a person close to the investigation said on condition of anonymity. British police do not publicly name suspects unless charges are brought.

A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries that are not believed to be life

threatening, police said.

The disturbance happened outside the Lounge Inn – a modern restaurant that becomes a nightclub later in the evening – in the seaside town less than 10 miles north of Gerrard’s home in Formby in Merseyside.

Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool extending their lead to three points atop the Premier League standings after he scored twice and set up another goal in a 5-1 victory at Newcastle, while second-place Chelsea was held 2-2 by Fulham.

“Merseyside Police is investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday ... on Bold Street in Southport,”

police said in a statement, without naming Gerrard. “Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street.”

The other men held are not believed to be footballers, but are from the Huyton area of Liverpool, where Gerrard was brought up and spotted by Liverpool scouts at the age of eight playing for Whiston Juniors.

A police spokesman added: “The men, four aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, who all come from the Huyton area, a 28-year-old man from Formby and an 18-yearold man from Litherland remain in police custody.”

Liverpool, who next face Preston on Saturday in the FA Cup, were making no comment.

Gerrard branded the current Liverpool side “the best” he’d played in after the

THE SPORT 23

DAILY XPRESS

Roy Hodgson

Lebron James

FULHAM MANAGER

CLEVELAND PLAYER ON DWYANE WADE

“It’s been a marvellous 12 months, one of the better, if not one of very best, years of my long career. All I can wish for in my New Year’s wish list is that things will continue in the same vein in 2009.”

Stoke’s Fuller enters the Hall of Shame

GERRARD

IN JAIL

Steven Gerrard

Merseysiders ended 2008 as Premier League leaders.

Liverpool haven’t been crowned champions of England

R

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had to spend a night in jail after the match against Newcastle in which he scored twice.

since 1990 – an interminable wait for a club that has won the domestic title a record 18 times.

Reds captain Gerrard knows better than most people at Anfield the dangers of raising hopes which end in painful failure. However, such was his selfbelief following Sunday’s away win, where he scored twice himself, the England midfielder felt able to joyfully talk up his side’s prospects. “This is the best team I have played with,” said Gerrard, a one-club man.

“You look around the dressing room and from the keeper to the forwards we have some fantastic players and there is a confidence there,” added the 28-year-old, who made his Liverpool debut in 1998.

“We have given ourselves a great chance [of winning the league]. We have to remain consistent and that is the key.”

icardo Fuller’s shocking assault on Stoke City team-mate Andy Griffin on Sunday cost him a red card and his team an English Premier League defeat.

It also gave him a place in sport’s hall of shame – flying fists department.

“He walked up to ‘Griff’ and clipped him on the chin,” said Stoke manager Tony Pulis after Sunday’s domestic tiff at Upton Park where West Ham won 2-1.

“There are always incidents on the pitch and in training. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

The Premier League is quite used to seeing teammates become sparring partners.

Newcastle’s Joey Barton has rarely been out of the headlines for his actions, both on and off the field.

The 26-year-old served a 74-day jail sentence this year following an assault on a 16year-old boy. In May 2007, he attacked former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training session. Dabo had described Barton as a coward.

“The fact that I look like the Elephant Man is bad enough, but what I find most shocking is that he struck me first from behind and then repeatedly when I was down on the ground. His actions are despicable,” said Dabo.

Barton scored for Newcastle on his return in October this year having served a six-match ban imposed by the Football Association (FA) and insisted he was a changed character. “I have messed up on more than one occasion but nothing sobers you up like going to prison,” he said.

“It was not a nice experience and I know this is the last-chance saloon.”

Just weeks later, however, he faced allegations that he had racially abused Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Newcastle are no strangers to internal strife.

In April 2005, Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer squared-up to each other as their team slumped to a dispiriting 3-0 home defeat to Villa. Both players were sent-off.

“We are team-mates and we have disagreements, but we should not be fighting in front of 50,000 people,” admitted Dyer.

Bowyer was later fined by a court and his club also banned him.

Punch-ups between teammates have also featured in the United States.

In August, NFL star Steve Smith apologised to his Carolina Panthers team and fans after punching teammate Ken Lucas in training, leaving the starting cornerback with a broken nose.

Everton’s Tim Cahill revels in his role as a striker

I need to work hard, says Cahill AFP, Liverpool, England

A

AFP

THIS IS THE BEST TEAM I HAVE PLAYED WITH.YOU LOOK AROUND THE DRESSING ROOM, THERE IS CONFIDENCE THERE.

AFP, Paris

EPA

,,

“We’re the ultimate competitors.

Every time we go out there we try to lead our team to victory.

Dwyane is an unbelievable player, and he brings out the best in me and hopefully I do the same to him. It was great performances by the both of us.”

AP

Tuesday December 30, 2008

Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller is sent off by referee Michael Jones for violent conduct against his team-mate Andy Griffin.

ustralian international Tim Cahill believes his new role as a lone striker at English Premier League side Everton is improving him as a player.

Everton, without injured attackers Yakubu, James Vaughan, Victor Anichebe and Louis Saha, have seen Cahill respond to his new position in style by scoring in recent wins over Manchester City and Middlesbrough.

“There is a lot of pressure.

If we don’t score or don’t win, then people are going to start calling on the striker and want someone else to play there,” Cahill told www.evertonfc.com.

“I’m not in a win-win situation. I have to work very hard to keep my place and put pressure on defences, because I feel that I need to work hard for the team.

“All players are playing in different positions because of the lack of numbers but we’re all in there for the cause. You see where we’re sat in the table.

“It’s a lot harder work [as a lone striker],” added Cahill.

“I just think that for the manager to have the faith in me to play up there on my own means I’m going to take that chance and do it for the team.”

24

THE SPORT

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

DAILY XPRESS

FOOTBALL

Manager Hughes hails super-sub Sturridge after young Manchester City forward makes point against Rovers AFP, Blackburn, England

M

anchester City manager Mark Hughes vowed to secure the long-term services of Daniel Sturridge after the teenage substitute inspired a late fightback to seal a 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

Hughes, back at Ewood Park for the first time since leaving Rovers for City in June, saw his team staring at an eleventh defeat in 20 league games as goals from South Africa striker Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts gave Sam Allardyce’s team a 2-0 lead here Sunday.

But Sturridge – a 71st minute substitute – almost singlehandedly salvaged a point for City by scoring with an 88th minute volley before setting-

Chelsea can catch Reds: Scolari

up an equaliser for Brazil star Robinho in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

The 19-year-old forward is out of contract at the end of the season but, despite highprofile stars such as Michael Owen, Jermain Defoe and Roque Santa Cruz being linked with City in the January transfer window, Hughes insisted youth-team graduate Sturridge has a big future at Eastlands.

“I was delighted with Daniel. I had hoped he would make a positive impact. We asked him to make things happen and he certainly did that,” said Hughes. “We want to bring good players into the club, but we can create the

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AP

SHAKEN AND STURRED Manchester City forward Robinho scores the equaliser past Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson at Ewood Park, Blackburn.

I WAS DELIGHTED WITH DANIEL.WE ASKED HIM TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN AND HE CERTAINLY DID THAT. Mark Hughes

sort of environment where he can thrive. We have tried to introduce him bit-by-bit, but we want to keep him at this club.

“I think we’re very close to agreeing a new deal with him.

He has been allowed to get into the last year of his contract, but that was allowed to happen before I came here.

“That puts the player in a position of power, not the club.”

Allardyce, who took charge three games ago after Rovers sacked Paul Ince, said his team had suffered for a lack of assurance late on.

“It feels like a defeat be-

cause you expect to win a game if you play so well for 90 minutes. When you are 2-0 up with minutes to go, you should be able to see the game out, but we paid a heavy price.

“We had nine men behind the ball, yet didn’t have a soul near Robinho when the ball was played to him. It was a good finish, but the ball just dropped to him and we should have defended it better.

“All that was missing today was a bit of composure in the final minutes, but you make more mistakes when you are tired. We didn’t get what we deserved but that sometimes happens,” Allardyce said.

We are still the best team, says Worawi DAILY XPRESS

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espite suffering a heart-breaking ending to the Asean Championship campaign, Worawi Makudi, the Football Association of Thailand president, said the Kingdom are the top football nation in the region.

On Sunday, Vietnam’s star striker Le Cong Vinh’s lastditch header made sure that Thailand has to wait for a while to prove it is top of the Asean pile. The effort earned Vietnam a 1-1 draw in the second-leg of the final in Hanoi, which helped them secure a 3-2 aggregate victory to win the event for the first time.

Despite the fact that threetime champions Thailand have failed to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2002, Worawi

DAILY XPRESS/KORBPHUK PHROMREKHA

Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted the English Premier League title race was still open as his Chelsea side went into 2009 three points behind leaders Liverpool.

Only once in the last four seasons has a team that led the Premier League at Christmas failed to win the title, but Scolari is adamant the battle is far from over.

“The championship is not finished,” he said. “It will be finished in the last two or three games. It is normal in England. The Premier League is difficult.

“We are in a good position. We need to win our games,” said Scolari, whose team topped the table in November. - A F P

Thailand captain Datsakorn Thonglao returns from Vietnam. marked the defeated players’ return by saying their performance earned them respect and they are still the region’s best.

“We would like to apologise to the fans for failing to deliver the title. The players felt miser-

able for letting in a goal at the death. But I still feel that we are the No 1 team in Asean.

Manager Peter Reid has my full backing and he must continue his good job,” Worawi said.

Reid admitted that the defeat

was a blow but pledged his commitment to the national job. “Losing was a setback but I’ve no intention to go anywhere just yet. The players have been brilliant, the people are great, everything’s going well,” said Reid, who signed a lucrative four-year contract in September.

The Englishman urged his troops to put the disappointment behind them quickly, given the task lying ahead next month when they start the Asian Cup qualifying campaign. “I think this side has a lot of potential and we have to build on what we’ve done.

There’s plenty of work to do and improvements to be made but they’re all young lads and they’re a committed bunch,” said Reid.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

THE SPORT 25

DAILY XPRESS

CRICKET

STARING AT DEFEAT

Honda F1 team worth one dollar?

AGENCIES, Mexico City

Ponting the lone ranger as Aussies face the inevitable A G E N C I E S , Melbourne

outh Africa look poised to seal a historic Test series victory in Australia after bowling out the hosts for 247 on day four in Melbourne.

It left Graeme Smith’s side needing just 183 to clinch a remarkable win and at the close they were 30 without loss.

Australia were left staring at a first home series defeat in 16 years after pace bowler Dale Steyn took 5-67.

Ricky Ponting was dismissed one run short of his second century of the game when he was the eighth wicket to fall.

Ponting looked set to become the first man to score a century in each innings of a Test on four occasions.

But his departure all but ended Australia’s hopes of posting a difficult total for South Africa, who won the first Test in Perth by six wickets after

AP

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Australia captain Ricky Ponting, out one run short of his 38th century. chasing down a target of 414.

The Australia captain again carried his team’s hopes virtually single-handedly after his leading batsmen failed when the world champions resumed

on 4-0, 61 runs behind.

Ponting admitted his side were up against it, but remained optimistic that they could still snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

“Whenever we’ve got wickets against them we’ve got them in pretty quick succession,” he said.

“We have to make sure we just execute perfectly which is one area we probably haven’t done as well as the South Africans in the first two games.

“That’s the only option we’ve got. We’ve got to get out there and give it our best shot for as long as it takes tomorrow and hopefully hand us some chances and have some luck and we’ll see what happens.

“We’ve all got to dig as deep as we can tomorrow to dislodge a few of their batsmen and get a few nerves through their changing room.”

The captain was confident he would be able to call on his premier fast bowler Lee, who is suffering from a serious foot injury.

“It has flared up really quickly and we hope it will plateau now a little bit, just enough to give us the chance to get a few more overs out of him.”

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he son of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim dismissed a report that his father was interested in buying the Honda Formula One team for the symbolic price of one dollar, the daily newspaper Reforma reported.

Reforma said it had received a statement dismissing the story from Carlos Slim Domit, son of the billionaire and second richest man in the world.

The Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that Slim would have to invest US$421 million to finance the team next season The Telmex team said in a statement that Slim “has not bought, nor is negotiating to buy, the Honda Formula 1 team, and thus all reports in that sense are baseless and completely false.”

Telmex races in Formula 3 and other series. The website said it participates in those categories “as one of the best ways to enter the top category, Formula 1.”

Defoe going nowhere, says Adams A F P , London

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Jermain Defoe played for only three minutes on Sunday.

ortsmouth manager Tony Adams has denied England striker Jermain Defoe is about to leave the club.

Speaking following his side’s 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal on Sunday, former Gunners captain Adams insisted reports that a “massive offer” for the 26-year-old had been made

were inaccurate. “Speculate all you want but we have had no offers from Jermain Defoe – not one,” he said.

The claim had been made by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who had signed Defoe from Spurs 11 months ago when he was in charge of Portsmouth.

Defoe was relegated to the

bench at the Emirates Stadium and played only the final three minutes of a game decided by William Gallas’s 81st-minute header.

Adams insisted the decision had been purely tactical, the ex-England centre-half ’s attempting to frustrate his former employers with a five-man midfield and just Peter Crouch

up front. “We played the kind of system we played at Liverpooland were 12 minutes away from getting something on that occasion.

“Jermain was really annoyed at me for leaving him out and he’s still angry with me now. I didn’t want that any other way to be honest. It was tactical, exactly like Liverpool,”

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

THE SPORT 27

DAILY XPRESS

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Manning notches 4,000 yds

BIG TURNAROUND Dolphins among five teams to punch play-off tickets in frantic NFL finish AFP, Minneapolis, Minnesota

ive teams punched their National Football League play-off tickets in styles ranging from last-gasp efforts to thorough thrashings yesterday as the regular season came to a hectic close.

The Miami Dolphins completed a dramatic turnaround from last season’s dismal campaign to earn a play-off berth as AFC East division champions.

Minnesota, Philadelphia, Baltimore and San Diego also advanced on a day that saw 11 teams battling for the five remaining spots in the 12-team play-offs.

Philadelphia took the field against Dallas with a chance to advance only after defeats earlier in the day for Tampa Bay and Chicago.

Oakland spoiled Tampa Bay’s hopes with a 31-24 victory, while Chicago fell 31-24 to the Houston Texans.

The Eagles made the most of their opportunity with a crushing 44-6 victory over the Cowboys.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb ran for one touchdown and threw for two more as the Eagles humbled one of their most hated foes.

“I’m very proud of our guys,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said.

“They very easily could have lost the faith and not prepared themselves right for today.”

The Cowboys would have

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Phillip Merling of the Miami Dolphins rumbles in for a touchdown after intercepting a throw by Brett Favre of the New York Jets. claimed the final NFC berth with a victory. Instead they completed another late-season collapse, failing to post a winning record in December for the 12th season in a row.

In the third quarter, Philadelphia’s Chris Clemons and Joselio Hanson returned fumbles 73 and 96 yards for touchdowns. “It was a disaster from the opening kickoff,” Dallas coach Wade Phillips said.

Minnesota needed only to win to clinch the NFC North division title and rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the New York Giants 20-19.

Ryan Longwell booted a 51yard field goal as time expired

CELEBRATE TONIGHT, HAVE A LITTLE FUN, AND COME BACK TO WORK ON TUESDAY. Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings to lift the Vikings to the triumph over the Giants, already the top seeds in the National

Conference.Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, who turned in a 67-yard touchdown run, rushed for a total of 103 yards and became the first Viking to claim an NFL rushing title.

“Celebrate tonight, have a little fun, and come back to work on Tuesday,” Peterson said of the Vikings’ preparations for next weekend’s first-round clash with Philadelphia.

The Dolphins captured the hotly contested AFC East crown with a 24-17 triumph over division foes the New York Jets.

Miami finished the season with an 11-5 record after winning just one game last season.

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning extended his National Football League record for most 4,000-yard passing seasons as he surpassed the mark for the ninth time.

Manning played just one series of downs for the Colts in yesterday’s regular-season finale against Tennessee, completing seven of seven passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

The future Hall of Famer went over 4,000 yards with a 55-yard scoring strike to Joseph Addai, his last pass of the game.

He entered the contest needing 93 yards to reach the mark.

In his 11 NFL seasons, Manning has failed to pass for 4,000 yards only twice: in his rookie year in 1998 and again in 2005, when he sat out the final two games and finished with 3,747 yards.

Dan Marino, now retired, is second with six 4,000-yard campaigns.

Yesterday’s results: Atlanta 31, St. Louis 27; Houston 31, Chicago 24; Green Bay 31, Detroit 21; Minnesota 20, NY Giants 19; Carolina 33, New Orleans 31; Pittsburgh 31, Cleveland 0; New England 13, Buffalo 0; Oakland 31, Tampa Bay 24; Indianapolis 23, Tennessee 0; Cincinnati 16, Kansas City 6; Miami 24, NY Jets 17; Philadelphia 44, Dallas 6; Baltimore 27, Jacksonville 7; Arizona 34, Seattle 21; San Francisco 27, Washington 24; San Diego 52, Denver 21.

– AGENCIES

Lions finish season with worst NFL record AP, Green Bay, Wisconsin

AP

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Kevin Smith of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench during the final seconds of the game.

he Detroit Lions earned the dubious distinction of the worst team in NFL history after losing their final game 31-21 to the Green Bay Packers yesterday to end a winless season 016.

The 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-14) were the last NFL team to complete a season without a victory.

“I’ve got to live with this,” centre Dominic Raiola said.

“I’ve been here eight years. This is on my resume.”

It’s also on the resume of Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who faces an uncertain future.

“No competitor wants to go through something like this,” Marinelli said. “This is not fun to go through, obviously. But there’s people going through a lot worse than this.”

Asked what the next step might be if he does keep his job, Marinelli said, “Let me get

through step one first.”

The Lions’ last loss didn’t come without a fight. After falling behind 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter, Kevin Smith’s 9-yard touchdown run put Detroit back within a field goal.

But Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers responded with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver and the Lions’ Dan Orlovsky threw an interception on fourth-and-27 with 3

minutes left, dooming Detroit to futility of historic proportion.

“It’s just kind of numb,” veteran kicker Jason Hanson said.

“It’s here. It’s been coming, though, a train rolling down the tracks for a while. We tried to stop it. We couldn’t.”

The Lions were building towards this for years and now have lost 23 of their last 24 games. The 0-16 record will be a lasting testimony to president Matt Millen era.