Xpress-qTODAY PAGE-1011.XPRESS

Thursday, March 5, 2009 VOL 2, NO 292 dailyxpress.net

DAILY

XPRESS

BOOK OF DAILY XPRESS/TATCHADON PANYAPHANITKUL

WISDOM

See how you can get a FREE MINIATURE MAGNETIC BOOK containing HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s wise words >PAGE 2

GOOD MORNING BANGKOK!

Where have all the Thai smiles gone?

By Sirintip “Rose” Hanpradit

What’s on in the city

Life & health

Check out Fashion Fantasia by Korea’s André Kim, head to a preview of the Thailand Rock Fest, learn to cook Indian delicacies, and more

>> Introduce your child to a ‘digital gym’ and see him jump for joy >> Catch a man who drives a Mini and collects models of the car

>PAGE 9

>PAGES 8&10

Singer

I

t seems that the Land of Smiles has become a world of stress these days. Society is becoming more dangerous, with the newspapers and TV full of reports of people getting killed for stupid reasons. But at these times, we should never underestimate the healing power of a smile. My New Year’s resolution was to smile more, and I’ve spread the word to my fan club.

You never know what is going on in a person’s mind, so just try to smile and be nice – you will be surprised how much it can help.

2 TODAY

Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE CITY

92

THE NUMBER OF BUSES 41-54 years old operating under the Bangkok mass-transport service.

Hot cat

Tiny tome

A white tiger licks a block of ice provided

by Dusit Zoo officials to help it cope with rising temperatures.

Bookworms can feast on the wise words of a princess at fairs this month

1.5 million visitors Risuan Aramcharoen, chairwoman of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand, said yesterday that the Princess’s words provided useful guidelines on how to live one’s life.

Risuan expects the book fairs to attract more than 1.5 million visitors.

Held at the Queen Sirikit National and Convention Centre, the Bangkok International Book Fair 2009 will run from March 26 to March 30 while the 37th National Book Fair will run from March 26 to April 6.

Packed with every genre of book under the sun, both fairs will be spiced up with interesting activities.

D A I LY X P R E S S

DAILY

XPRESS

>> ON THE WEB Visit nationmultimedia.com

to see how other animals in the zoo are coping with the heat.

DAILY XPRESS/SAKOL SANDHIRATNE

Anyone donating Bt50 or more will get their hands on a free miniature book containing HRH Princess Maha Chaksri Sirindhorn’s wise words at book fairs this month.

The tiny tome is part of the “All for Books – Books for All” campaign which aims to raise funds to purchase more than 10,000 books for the country’s underprivileged kids.

DAILY XPRESS

Super scooper University student wins top prize for digging deep into the problems of the Songkhram river basin

By Wannapa Phetdee D A I LY X P R E S S

“I

wanted to show the effects of government projects in the Songkhram river basin through the eyes of locals in my community, and the different efforts to protect its biodiversity,” said Phaithoon Thuraphan.

The 21-year-old Maha Sarakham University student journalist was explaining what drove her to write “Wannee Khong Lumnam Songkhram” (“The

Songkhram River Basin These Days”), after it won the prestigious Rita Patiyasewi prize for best news documentary at this year’s Thai Journalist Association awards yesterday.

Bringing the uniqueness of the local area to life through a smoothly told story sprinkled with Isaan dialect and useful information, Phaithoon’s story was the standout among 26 articles submitted by 12 universities.

Ecosystem threatened “Our goal is to create a newspaper for the local community, so I tried to show how locals are affected by the damage being done to the ecosystem,” explained Phaithoon. “I also presented the different methods being proposed by academics and non-governmental organisations to bring back the biodiversity to the basin, and a parallel situation in the Khong Long marsh, where people have found sustainable solutions.”

Phaithoon and her colleagues spent over a month on

the story, interviewing sources across the three provinces the river runs through. She adds that she’s proud when locals tell her they use her newspaper to find out what’s going on in the community.

Elsewhere, Chandrakasem Rajabhat Uni’s Chandrakasem Post won the prestigious Pirab Noi award for the eighth consecutive time.

“Eye-catching layouts and easy-to-understand content were our newspaper’s strong points,” said Thongchai Tongmon, the 22-year-old editor.

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 Friday. Subscription rates for THE NATION: 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

Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE WORLD EPA

Indonesians perform yoga during a competition at the Bali-India Foundation in Denpasar, Bali, yesterday.

Indonesia’s top Islamic body issued a fatwa banning Muslims from yoga that includes chanting, mantras or meditation.

Couple can’t have son’s sperm A P , New York

T

he parents of a 23-year-old killed by cancer are not entitled to use their dead son’s preserved sperm so they can have a grandchild, an appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

The New York state appeals panel issued a unanimous and unprecedented ruling in the case of Mark Speranza, 23, who left semen samples at the Repro Lab in July 1997 and signed a form directing that they be destroyed if he died.

He wanted to be able to father a child if he survived his battle with cancer.

Following their son’s death in January 1998, Mary and Antonio Speranza of Edison, New Jersey, told Repro’s operator that they wanted a grandchild and wanted to save the sperm so a surrogate mother could be artificially inseminated.

The lab operator, Awilda Grillo, told the Speranzas their son deposited the specimens

for his use only and the specimens had not been screened for donation to a member of the public, as required by state law.

The Speranzas paid Grillo storage fees and asked her to preserve the sperm specimens until a court could decide on custody.

Blood test needed State Supreme Court Justice Jane Solomon ruled that the law barred use of the sperm.

She noted that the required screening, specifically a blood test of the donor, was now impossible since Mark Speranza was dead.

$1.2 million The bonus Google paid to each of its 4 top executives for helping it eke out a modest earnings growth

briefly WWII hero out of jail despite claims he’s dangerous

Stretch-out

Parents of 23-yr-old who died of cancer hoped to have a grandchild, but court ruled no as son wanted semen destroyed

DAILY XPRESS

The court’s Appellate Division agreed. The court said state law bars the use of stored semen “by a specific recipient, other than his current or active regular sexual partner” unless the sperm donor undergoes a blood test.

The appellate judges wrote that the purpose of the law is to protect the surrogate mother and the general public from disease.

The Speranzas’ lawyer, Kerry J Katsorhis, said he was disappointed by the decision, and his clients would review their options and decide within a couple of weeks whether to appeal further.

An 87-year-old World War II hero who has been behind bars for more than eight years for terrorising one of his exwives in central Florida was sent home by a judge, despite a prosecutor’s claims that he’s still a dangerous man.

Abner Aust looked anything but dangerous as he shuffled into a courtroom wearing an orange jail outfit and an elaborate hearing aid.

The highly decorated flying ace, who shot down enemy fighters over Japan in the waning days of World War II, pleaded with circuit judge Randall McDonald to free him so he can get the help he needs for a litany of medical problems.

Aust’s attorney Ronald Kurpiers said Aust would no longer be a threat to his exwife, even after being convicted in separate cases of trying to hire someone to burn her house down and have her killed.

Smoking cat A man who stuffed his girlfriend’s cat into a makeshift marijuana pipe said that he had done it on other occasions and that it calmed the cat down.

Acea Schomaker of Lincoln said he never intended to hurt six-month-old Shadow.

Like Schomaker, girlfriend Marissa Vieux also was ticketed for animal cruelty because she didn’t try to stop him.

Vieux said she took in the cat about two months ago from friends who abused it. – AP

Thursday, March 5, 2009

GLOBETROT 5

DAILY XPRESS

Hong Kong pop stars in Tokyo drug bust: police

Endangered species

EPA

A Philippine Long-Tailed Macaque is seen caged in the Wildlife Rescue Centre in suburban Quezon City, eastern Manila, yesterday. The Long-Tailed Macaque is endemic to the Philippines and is an endangered species.

AIDS: MICROBICIDE GEL ‘HIGHLY ENCOURAGING’ GML, used in cosmetics and toiletries, shields monkeys from a lethal cousin of HIV A F P , Paris

T

he dogged search for a vaginal gel to thwart the Aids virus earned some good news yesterday as scientists announced that a cheap, commonly used compound shielded monkeys from a lethal cousin of HIV. They cautioned that a long road lies ahead before the microbicide can be verified as safe and effective for humans but hailed the outcome as a tremendous boost.

A cream that blocks or kills

the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a cornerstone of efforts in the fight against Aids.

It would be especially useful for women in sub-Saharan Africa, at risk from coercive sex from HIV-infected partners.

But the quest has suffered blows. They include two trials that found women who used a prototype gel ran a greater risk of HIV than those who used a dummy lookalike.

In a study published in Nature, researchers at the University of Minnesota test-

ed a compound called glycerol monolaurate (GML).

GML exists naturally in the human body but is already licensed as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory agent in cosmetics and toiletries and as an emulsifier in foods.

How it’s tackled Their hunch was that GML interferes with signalling processes in the immune system, thus blocking HIV’s rampage at a key stage.

When the virus enters the body, defence systems unleash a cascade of orders, dispatching so-called T immune cells

to the site of the infection. It is these cells that are hijacked by HIV and turned into virusmaking mini-factories.

Scientists gave a vaginal application of GML gel to five monkeys and exposed them and a comparison group of five other animals to two large doses of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) – the monkey equivalent of HIV. Over the next two weeks, four of the control group contracted SIV. But none of the GML-treated group showed any acute infection, even though they were given up to two further shots of the virus.

Hong Kong-based pop singers Kelvin Kwan and Jill Vidal have been arrested in Japan for marijuana possession, a crime that carries up to five years in jail, Tokyo police said yesterday.

Police arrested 25-yearold Canadian national Kwan and 26-year-old Briton Vidal for possessing 0.2 grams of cannabis while they were out in Tokyo’s Shibuya district.

“Police searched them and found the marijuana among Kwan’s belongings, and they said it belonged to both of them,” said a Tokyo police spokesman.

The storekeeper called police after suspecting they were shoplifting and officers then found the marijuana, the spokesman said, although he was unable to confirm whether they had actually committed theft.

Japanese media reported that the marijuana was found rolled in a cigarette.

While the two singers have admitted to possessing the drug, they have denied taking it, media reported, quoting police officials.

“I just brought the cigarette with me that I was given in Hong Kong,” Kwan reportedly told police.

Kwan and Vidal, who are reportedly a couple, participated in anti-drug campaigns in 2007 in Hong Kong.

Japan strictly prohibits both hard and soft drugs, and police have in recent months arrested sumo wrestlers, popular musicians and actors, as well as college students, for posessing, growing or selling marijuana.

– AFP

6 ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE FUN

DAILY XPRESS

SEAN PENN, ON HIS HOPES FOR A LAW THAT WOULD MAKE HARVEY MILK’S BIRTHDAY A “DAY OF SIGNIFICANCE” IN CALIFORNIA. “I trust that Governor Schwarzenegger ... understands that passing on [the] prejudices that surround this issue and so many others is poisonous to future generations.”

XTRA

SEND IN THE CLOWNS >> Children First! runs from Saturday to March 17 at various venues around Singapore. >> Some shows are free while admission to others costs up to S$25 (Bt585) from www.Sistic.com.

COURTESY OF ACT 3 INTERNATIONAL

>> On the Web: www.ChildrenFirst.com.sg

“Small Worlds”, by Britain’s Mimika Theatre, is a puppet show in a tent.

C H I L D R E N ’ S F E S T I VA L

DRESS CODE: PYJAMAS Singapore’s Children First! fortnight of theatre fun for kids celebrates 10 years

By Pawit Mahasarinand S P E C I A L T O D A I LY XPRESS

R

uby Lim-Yang was badly bitten by children in Lyon, France, in 1999, and has never forgotten it.

This weekend her Singapore company, Act 3 International, launches the 10th-anniversary celebrations of its festival of stage performances for kids, Prudential Children First!

The delightful “bite” Lim-

Yang got in Lyon came with witnessing the dazzling sophistication of a children’s festival there, “and the richness of the content”.

“Even though I couldn’t understand a word of French, the vibes, the ambience and the overall atmosphere gave me the impetus to develop the inspiration to do a festival of our own.”

Lim-Yang says the aim is to cover an “adventurous” range of art forms from different

countries with each show on the bill.

“We’ve introduced shows that have super-tiny-small audience members, shows for babies,” she says, “pushing the status quo of what children’s theatre ought to be – colourful costumes, loud music and kids being rabble-roused.

“We changed the stereotype of what children ought to watch in a theatre.”

‘Bite-size shows’ This year sees 12 productions for which tickets are on sale and a celebration evening that kids can attend wearing

their pyjamas “to watch bitesize shows”.

A free event finishes the festival: a parade of 1,000 puppets made by members of the public from recycled material.

The main show, “Alice”, brings Canadian troupe L’Arsenal a Musique in for physical theatre, multimedia and a concert of orchestral and electronic instruments.

Britain’s Mimika Theatre is debuting “Small Worlds” in a canvas tent with room for only 30 people. It’s a show of visual theatre, puppetry and digital animation.

The headline show, ‘Alice’, is by the Canadian troupe L’Arsenal a Musique.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

90

ENTERTAINMENT 7

DAILY XPRESS

MUSICIANS have been selected for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, the world’s first online orchestra. They’ll perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall on April 15 under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas.

A hair-raising tale Threat of a life in pain prompted a celebrity hairdresser to change his extravagant ways D A I LY X P R E S S

B

ack in his glory days, Thai-Filipino celebrity hairdresser Marc Thawin P Siaotong lived like a rock star. Just learning his craft cost him Bt10 million – but only because he flew everywhere first-class, decked out with designer bags and clothes that he’d toss off after a few uses.

He wore obscenely expensive earrings, his home in Thailand cost more than Bt50 million and his phobia of anything cheap had his pals shaking their heads in disbelief.

“I was extravagant and careless,” Marc admits. “I once bought a wristwatch worth more than a million baht after just a couple minutes’ consideration.”

soopsip

Feeling the pain Then came the crunch. He was gallivanting around the European fashion shows when he felt a sharp pain in his back.

The doctor diagnosed a herniated nucleus pulposus and told him an operation would fix it, but there was a chance he’d be permanently paralysed.

When the decisions get tough, the tough go travelling.

That’s what Marc did for the next six months.

“I just wanted to forget about it, but I cried and cried

and I had no idea what I should do with myself. I realised that all my money was useless to me.

Sleepless nights “When I came back from my trip I met another doctor who promised me that I’d be completely okay after the operation. I took his word for it and went ahead. He was right – I had no more pain – but then I started having terrible insomnia.”

Marc was advised to make merit, but it annoyed him to hear people talking about karma. “I figured I’d be okay if I didn’t do anything bad to other people.”

The insomnia and other health problems finally changed his mind, though, and he started meditating and praying.

“My perception changed,” he says. “I was no longer obsessed with material things.”

In better health and at peace in his mind, Marc discovered happiness without riches. Now, instead of making money, he just wants to make every minute count. So these days you can find him styling hair and doing makeup for free at prisons, seniors’ homes and orphanages as part of his Bang Fun Pun Suay project – Sharing the Beauty.

“It’s just something I can do with my ability,” he says.

It’s a great story, and you can hear all the details in Marc’s own words on tonight’s episode of “Jor Jai” on Channel 5 at 10.15pm.

Contact Soopsip at veenxpress@gmail.com.

MICHAEL JACKSON is expected to make an announcement today in London regarding the speculation that he is going to perform a series of comeback concerts.

Danupol dreaming Crooner Danupol “Jae”

Kaewkarn turns 50 this year and he’s celebrating with a concert on May 2 at Royal Paragon Hall. That may seem like a long way off but Phi Jae has lots of fans so tickets, which go on sale this Saturday, are likely to go like hot cakes. Expect to hear such evergreens as “Saen Rak”, “Oy Oy”, Danupol sings on “Nid Nueng Por”, “Thi May 2. Tickets go on Sud Khong Huajai”, sale on Saturday.

“Hong See Khao”, “Fun Lam Ieng”. “Dhevada Dern Din” and “Huajai Mee Peek”.

Tickets cost from Bt1,500 to Bt3,500 at Thaiticketmajor.

Talk-show divas go chic Winrat “Teay” Sakaurattananon, Salinee

“Sally” Panyarachun, Hattaya “Ple” Wongkrajang and Atchariya “Meaw” Sinvatchatanan, hosts of popular radio show “Get Divas”, which airs on Get 102.5 FM, will be sharing their experiences with fans later this month at “Gateway to Success with Get Divas”.

The activity, which takes place at Aisawan Resort and Spa in Pattaya from March 20 to 22, aims to help working women improve their social and professional lives.

Listeners interested in joining the activity should answer the question, “What is your greatest success?” and send it along with a photo to GetDivas@gmail.com by March 13.

Call (02) 641 5392 or visit www.ThisIsClick.com.

8

HEALTH & FITNESS

,,

Thursday, March 5, 2009

The gym goes digital

DAILY XPRESS

MANY KIDS ARE TECH SAVVY,AND VIDEO GAMES ARE A DRAW TO THEM.

New video games for children are providing healthy workouts

By Lori Aratani

THE WASHINGTON POST WASHINGTON

Demetrius Stoner-Williams of the Alexandria, Virginia, YMCA helps

Mahalia Giesselmann, with a wireless belt for the Trazer Soccer Goalie game.

s they try to get children off their couches and onto their feet, schools and gyms across the US are harnessing some of the same technology often blamed for making kids fat: video games.

The Alexandria, Virginia, YMCA is one of the first to pilot an “I-gym” — a workout room filled with about a dozen pieces of equipment that marry video games and fitness.

Think of it as Nintendo’s Wii on steroids.

“Kids are going to exercise

Demetrius Stoner-Williams of the Alexandria YMCA helps Mahalia

Giesselmann, 8, with a wireless belt for the Trazer Soccer Goalie game. if they want to and have fun doing it,” says Janice Williams, senior vice president for special projects at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. “So many kids are tech savvy, and video games are a draw to them, so why not have them use a video game that requires them to use movement?”

The effort does not come inexpensively. But the investment reflects growing anxiety about the health and fitness of a generation of children who are heavier and could suffer more health problems than their parents and grandparents. Current estimates put nine million — or 16 per cent — of young people between the ages of six and 19 as overweight, triple the number in 1980. But efforts to combat the problem over the past decade

have made little progress in reducing waistlines.

That’s why YMCA officials have decided to go digital.

The equipment in Alexandria allows students to “snowboard” without the chill and “drive” all-terrain vehicles without the mud. The students might not realise it, but all that pedalling, balancing and hopping is boosting their heart rates and making them sweat, explains Inez Edwards, association director of youth wellness for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.

The machines have also been successfully marketed in gyms and schools overseas, particularly in Korea, but as yet there has been little independent analysis of whether the outcome is worth the significant investment required to build a digital playground.

Youngsters get in the rhythm of the

Dance Dance Revolution video game.

LAT-WP/ TRACY A. WOODWARD

A

Thursday, March 5, 2009

EVENTS 9

DAILY XPRESS

WHAT’S UP

do it!

Doctorate in economics Kasetsart University’s Economic Science Faculty is inviting applications for doctoral students for the upcoming semester. The course is open to post-graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who will be required to get a score of more than 80 per cent in an English examination. Classes are held Monday to Friday from 8 to 9 and on weekends from 9 to 4.

Apply before April 30 at Centre of Economic Science at the university’s Bangkhen Campus. Call (02) 562 02323 or visit ECO.KU.ac.th.

Challenges in creativity

Pretty in s ilk To

celebrate 5 between S 0 years of diplomatic outh Korea relations and designer An dré Kim will Thailand, Korean present “Fa Fantasia” o shion nS Convention aturday at the Bang kok Centre at C entralWorl will feature d. Th m them mad ore than 170 costume e show e of silk fro s, some of mH Queen’s Su pport Foun er Majesty the dation. Pre outfits will senti be among the Korean models and st ng Kim’s m Lee Jun Ki, Jang Ji W ars, Dong Jin, K oo, Jung im Dong Gu n, E Hyuk. Doors are open to van Yu and Oh Jong 5.30pm, aft the public fr er om to VIPs and which entry will be gra 4 to members o nted only f the Royal Tickets cost family. ing Bt1,200 and Bt2,50 able at Tha 0 are availitickmajor.

Call (02) 262 3456 .

Ready to rock M

oderndog, Tattoo Colo u stage from noon on Sa r, Slot Machine, Slur a nd Mild will turday at Thailand R Cen b ock Festiva l, which take tralWorld as a previe e on March 28 a w of the s place in S nd 29. Ticke att ts bought o lucky punte n Saturday ahip, Chon Buri, on rs cost Bt650 part in the will get a Moderndog and some fest at Had C Yao Beach. D. More than 35 band www.KtdT s will take Call (02) hailandro 833 555 ck.com 5 or visit or www.To talReserv ation.com .

Sights of the city Photo

graphers fr om 4toArt Web co will show th mmunity eir photos o f Bangkok in “City Scene ” next Wed

nesday th rough April 3 at the G

Fond farewell Sinjai Plengpanich and Songsit Rungnoppakhunsri face off in the bittersweet romance “Soul Mate 11: From First Day ’til Farewell” from today until March 22 at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre. Directed by Takonkiet Viravan, the play follows the couple from the moment they fall in love until the day their relationship comes to an end. Tickets start at Bt300 and are available at Thaiticketmajor. Visit www.Rachadalai.com.

oethe Institut on South Sath orn Soi 1. Photo gra include Win phers ai Phunamph ol, Worawu t Weeraching ch Khutien, Ph ai, Somsak aisarn Pleanbang chang and Jittima Pho lsawaek. V is

it www.4toA rt.com or call (02) 287 0 942-4.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will open the “Facing the Challenges” seminar on March 13 at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre.

His speech, “Empowering Thai Economy with Creativity”, is at 10.30. That will be followed by a panel discussion from 11 to 12.30 with Narongchai Akrasanee, Supachai Chearavanont, Porametee Vimolsiri and Pittipong Phungboon na Ayutthaya.

They’ll talk more about the challenges being faced in building the Thai economy.

The afternoon session starts at 2 with lectures by John Newbigin and Edna dos Santos-Duisenberg.

Admission is free, but seats are limited. Call (02) 664 8448 extension 213-4 or visit www.Creative Thailand.org.

Spice of life Learn to cook Indian delicacies from the chefs of Indian Host as they take you on a culinary journey to explore the delicious depths of Indian cuisine. They’ll demonstrate easy cooking methods using spices and ingredients that are available locally. The class takes place from 10 to noon on March 19 at the Grand Mercure Park Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 22 and costs Bt1,250 including lunch. Email pr@indian-host.com, renu@indian-host.com, or call (02) 260 1115, (089) 499 9589.

10

HOBBY

Thursday, March 5, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

Steering to success One of Central Group’s executives explains why he prefers to manoeuvre a Mini

By Sreeporn Laowanichaya SPECIAL TO D A I LY X P R E S S

Pat Sakuntanaga with his cars

DAILY XPRESS/ ANA NT

e not only chooses to drive around town in a hip Mini Cooper but Pat Skuntanaga, chief of Central Pattana’s marketing department, also collects models of the Mini as a hobby.

“The design is an absolute classic. I love my car and won’t be selling it. I want to keep it for my children,” says Pat, a third generation member of the Chirathiva family, which owns the Central group, who took his place in the family business after studying advertising and graphic design in the US. The Mini Cooper costs a cool Bt2 million on the Thai market but its fans think it’s worth the price because its compact design makes it ideal for manoeuvring on Bangkok’s busy streets.

CHANTARASUT

H

“Thailand’s sois are narrow so the Mini is just the right size. I can eat noodles on a street side whenever I want because I don’t need much space to park,” he smiles.

Pat started collecting models while he was studying in the

States and has amassed almost 40 models.

Though he can afford the more expensive toys, he prefers to keep his money and rarely lays out more than a few hundred baht for a new model. He

admits that he has occasionally paid “a couple of thousand,” but adds, “some people spend a lot of money on their collections because they simply must have special models that carry high price tags.

“I don’t buy if I think something is really expensive,” he says.

However, cheaper models often have simpler designs and less detail.

“I base my purchases on how close the cloned designs are to the real thing. But price also plays a role in my decision,” he explains.

He also cleans his cars by himself rather than ask the household staff, explaining that it’s easy to leave scratches on the cars.

And his toys also inspire him at work.

“These models needs a lot of creativity to keep them looking good and that’s like my work, I need to keep improving so that my colleague will accept my ideas,” he says.

12 THE SCREEN

Thursday, March 5, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

TO SEE

don’t miss!

Slumdog Millionaire Even if it hadn’t won eight Academy Awards, the ragsto-riches tale “Slumdog Millionaire” would still be a notable accomplishment by director Danny Boyle – he’s managed to make a scene even more exhilarating yet at the same time more stomach-churning than his worst bog in Scotland from “Trainspotting”. At Apex. –

Khwamjum Sun Tae Ra (Best of Tim k Chan Yao es)

A lovelorn ve terinarian (A rak Amornsu chance with p his high-sch ool crush (Y asiri) thinks he has a he learns sh arinda Bunn e’s just divo ag rced. Meanw widow (Sun hile, a 50-yea ) when sanee Watt r-old a n a gent (Krissa na Setthatu nukul) falls for a smooth mrong) who -talking With Engli ’s losing his sh subtitle memory. s at some ci nema s. ★★★

(Power Kids) ol ro e H i ja a u H Haa hamongk ck factory of Sa

the action-fli tists fighting The latest from Thai martial ar g un yo s ha l na ars Nanthawut Film Internatio er a hospital. St ov n o, ke ta e ’v ho aay Wongkumla terrorists w damanee, Peth h Jin it a W sis n.

Sa , ye ab gu N bs Boonra and Johnny rt se ra ap an at Narawan Techar me cinemas. les at so English subtit

DAILY XPRESS

Bolt

on tv

A TV pup escapes from the set and is shocked to discover he doesn’t really have superpowers. Voices include John Travolta, Miley Cyrus and Malcolm McDowell. In 3D at some cinemas. ★★★

Wonderful Town This romance by Aditya Assarat,

winner of five Subhanahongsa Awards, is back for a limited rerelease. At 2.15 and 7.45pm

law-enforcement task force against a thief of historical artefacts. At SFW and SFX cine-

daily until March 11 at SFW CentralWorld. ★★★★

mas. ★★

The Pink Panther 2

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Steve Martin returns to the role of the bumbling French police inspector Clouseau. This time he’s heading an international

This video-game adaptation stars Kristin Kreuk in Bangkok as fearsome fighter Chun-Li. Neil McDonough also stars. ★

Milk Oscar winner Sean Penn portrays the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in the US. ★★★★

Outlander A soldier from a far-off world (Jim Caviezel) forms an alliance with the Vikings to destroy a bloodthirsty monster. ★★

Luang Phi Kab Phi Khanun A conman escapes capture by becoming a monk, but then has to face the dreaded jackfruit ghost. With English subtitles

A Slight Case of Murder A New York film critic finds himself in a messy predicament when he accidentally kills his lover during a spat. Stars William H Macy, Adam Arkin and Felicity Huffman.

at some cinemas. ★★

Valkyrie Tom Cruise stars as a German army colonel who heads a plot to assassinate Hitler. ★★

Cinemax (TrueVisions), 8pm

The Wrestler 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

Watchmen Zack Snyder (“300”) adapts Alan Moore’s multi-layered graphic novel, which is set in an alternate 1985 America in which Nixon is still president, the “Doomsday Clock” is permanently set at five minutes to midnight and costumed superheroes are part of everyday society. Stars Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode and Jackie Earle Haley. ★★★

An ageing professional wrestler (Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke) is given a chance to reclaim the spotlight. ★★★★

Waiter (Ober) A glum waiter demands that his life story be spiced up. At House.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Close to Home

By John McPherson

The Buckets

Adam

Calvin and Hobbes

By Paul Gilligan

By Scott Stantis

By Bryan Basset

By Bill Watterson

DAILY XPRESS

Pooch Cafe

By Brian Basset

Comics&Games

Red and Rover

LEISURE 13

14

LEISURE

Thursday, March 5, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

Games&YourStars SUDOKU

The last word in

ASTROLOGY

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By Eugenia Last

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

Today’s Birthday: Whether you are moving, getting ready to buy or sell or just need to make some changes at home, now is the time. This is a perfect way to spend your extra cash.

Securing your home base will ensure your future and help you develop better relationships with your neighbours. It’s all about making life less stressful.

ARIES ** March 21-April 19 Don’t let a conversation with someone upset you or cause you to be defensive. Problems with work and someone you have to deal with are likely to develop. Listen but don’t retaliate.

TAURUS **** April 20-May 20 Don’t question a decision once you’ve made it. A change of location or position is likely. Someone else’s dilemma may be dropped in your lap. Deal with it promptly.

DIFFICULTY RATING ★★★★

GEMINI *** May 21-June 20 Someone will lend you a hand. There is much to gain from interacting with other people. Your strong beliefs and determination to help and make reforms will bring you recognition.

CANCER *** June 21-July 22 Don’t wait for things to unfold in front of you.

Change is good. Someone you love may not like your method of getting what you want but he or she doesn’t understand what you are up against.

LEO *** July 23-Aug. 22 Whether you are taking a trip or engaging in a new relationship, excess is apparent. Before you decide to jump in, make sure that whatever you agree to is something you can handle long-term.

VIRGO **** Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You have to be ahead of everyone else in these times of economic and emotional strife. The better prepared you are, the better you will do. A very interesting deal will be brought to the table.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY

LIBRA ** Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Someone will try to derail you emotionally regarding your future plans and prospects. Before that happens, jump in and take what you want.

Now is not the time to waffle or procrastinate.

SCORPIO ***** Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You cannot take the chance of letting someone steal your thunder when you are so close to achieving your long-time goals. Don’t trust anyone making noise about helping out. Take action.

SAGITTARIUS *** Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The unfamiliar is your enemy right now, so stick to your own strategy. Problems with authority figures or rules will develop if you haven’t done your homework. Be prepared to backtrack.

Eva Mednes Actress Samantha Eggar is 70.

Actor Murray Head is 63.

Musician Richard Bell (The Band) is 63.

Singer Elaine Paige is 61.

Keyboardist Alan Clark (Dire Straits) is 57.

Musician John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 39.

Actress Eva Mendes is 35.

Actress Kimberly McCullough is 31.

Actor Jake Lloyd is 21.

CAPRICORN *** Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Don’t let a love issue or problems with relatives bog you down and cause you to miss out on something of value. Balance your personal and professional life. A change will help improve your finances.

AQUARIUS ***** Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Socialising or getting involved in something that interests you will lead to intimacy with someone who shares your beliefs. A creative outlet will allow you to expand your friendships.

PISCES ***** Feb. 19-March 20 Make some adjustments at home to help you feel more comfortable and less stressed. Implement services that will make your life easier. Open your doors and entertain friends or family.

16

JOBS

Thursday, March 5, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

Thursday, March 5, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

JOBS

17

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24 GAMES

Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE SPORT

DAILY XPRESS

3-2 Johnny Oduya scored 4:48 into overtime to help Martin Brodeur remain unbeaten as the New Jersey Devils beat the Maple Leafs.

Liverpool forward David Ngog celebrates scoring in the 2-0 win against Sunderland.

briefly Pistons rock Nuggets, spoil Billups’return

Madrid elections to be held on July 5 Vicente Boluda, interim president of Spanish giants Real Madrid, has told sports daily AS that elections will be held at the club on July 5. AS quoted Boluda as saying that “the elections will be held on July 5...It is impossible to organise them before.” – DPA

Cricketers now ‘sitting ducks’ Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen have been warned they risk becoming “sitting ducks” for terrorists if they play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the wake of the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan. Former England coach Duncan Fletcher has warned English cricket's biggest names that, based on his experience, some types of terrorist attacks are easier to carry out in India than in Pakistan. – AFP

Search ends for 2 NFL players The US Coast Guard’s three-day search for two NFL players and a third man sent adrift in chilly seas has ended in futility, dashing hopes they might be found after rescuers plucked one survivor from the Gulf of Mexico.

Crews combed more than

38,000 kilometres of ocean before calling off their search on Tuesday for Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, freeagent defensive lineman Corey Smith and former South Florida player William Bleakley. They had been missing since Saturday when their boat capsized during a fishing trip. – AP

NZ to play ball with Thailand in friendly Blackburn Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen will lead New Zealand in a football friendly against Thailand on March 28 ahead of this year’s bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. New Zealand Football is also trying to secure a second international against an Asian country to replace a match cancelled against Indonesia in Jakarta on April 1. – AFP

Becks says Milan is road to World Cup David Beckham has reiterated his desire to move permanently to AC Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 33-year-old midfielder wants to remain with Milan to improve his chances of making England’s team for next year’s World Cup “I want to stay ... I know negotiations are on and, hopefully, I can continue to play with Milan,” Beckham said from Doha. - AP

AFP

Chauncey Billups received the love, but the Detroit Pistons spoiled his emotional homecoming. Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points, Richard Hamilton had 21 and the Pistons overcame a season-high 34 from Billups to beat the Denver Nuggets, 100-95. Billups was given a warm reception filled with hugs and handshakes from Billups former team-mates in his first appearance at the Palace since being traded for Allen Iverson on November 3. – DPA

FOOTBALL

STOKED UP Liverpool back to winning ways in time for Utd clash AFP, Liverpool, England

L

iverpool manager Rafa Benitez has told his side to forget their faint Premier League title hopes if they fail to win at Manchester United on March 14.

Benitez saw his team move to within four points of Sir Alex Ferguson’s leaders with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield on Tuesday.

Liverpool, who have 10 league games remaining, have played two more matches than United but visit Old Trafford in their next league encounter with confidence sky high following goals by young French striker David Ngog and Yossi Benayoun.

However, Benitez knows that his side’s domestic season will be over if they do not win at Old Trafford for the first time in five years later this month.

“We will try and win there,” said Benitez after Liverpool’s first win in three league out-

ings. “If you cannot win there it will be very, very difficult. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with United first,” the Spaniard added. “We have to approach each game with confidence and just think about ourselves.”

Benitez breathed a huge sigh of relief as Liverpool bounced back from last Saturday’s titledamaging defeat at Middlesbrough.

Ngog, who does not turn 20 until next month, was the inspiration as he marked his first Premier League start at Anfield with one goal and set up the other for Benayoun.

“We needed that win,” added Benitez. “After the defeat the other day we needed the three points.

“But we have shown character and the reaction of the players was very good.

“Sunderland had a very good chance but after that we controlled the ball and Ngog had a good game.”

Dalglish attacks police Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has criticised

police and officials for a failure to delay the kick-off in the build-up to the Hillsborough disaster.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans were crushed to death at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday’s home ground, during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

Dalglish, Liverpool’s boss at the time, has spoken out in a television documentary due to be broadcast on the 20th anniversary of one of the worst tragedies ever witnessed at a British football ground.

A failure to control the flow of spectators onto a terrace where fans were standing was cited as a key factor in the disaster but Dalglish said this could have been avoided.

“The easiest thing to do is just to put the kick-off back a bit,” Dalglish told “Hillsborough Remembered”, due to be broadcast on the History Channel on April 15.

“That’s no problem for anybody,” former Scotland striker Dalglish, one of Liverpool’s greatest players, added.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE SPORT 25

DAILY XPRESS

CRICKET FOOTBALL

Sri Lanka kept cool under fire

DIDIER THE MAN Hiddink backs Drogba to lead Chelsea charge AFP, Portsmouth, England

helsea manager Guus Hiddink believes Didier Drogba is the man to wrest the Premier League title from Manchester United’s grasp after rediscovering his best form since the Dutchman’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba scored his first league goal since December but his second in Hiddink’s four games at the helm as Chelsea rallied to another late victory by beating battling Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park here on Tuesday.

The Ivory Coast striker made no secret of the fact he wanted to leave Chelsea during Luiz Felipe Scolari’s ill-fated six month spell in charge but Hiddink believes he has helped rekindle Drogba’s enthusiasm for the Blues.

“Didier has made a difference in the last few games,” said Hiddink. “As long as he is so committed, and I am convinced he will be, we do not put the pressure on him. Automatically, he will score goals.

“From my first day at the club Didier has been working hard and enjoying himself,” Hiddink, also still the manager of Russia, added after a win which saw Chelsea close to within four points of United. When players just play their efficiency goes down but when I see them enjoy everything in training it will help raise their game.

“Didier is very happy with his

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EPA

C

Chelsea’s Didier Drogba celebrates his winning goal against Portsmouth. goals. He knows he has not scored many goals this season,” Hiddink, who has insisted he is only staying at Chelsea until the end of the season, said.

“I cannot judge what has happened earlier in the season but if you are a striker you play to score. I can imagine that when you score it is a relief.”

Hiddink’s rejuvenated side left it until the dying minutes to overcome relegation-haunted Portsmouth.

Petr Cech had been by far the busier of the two goalkeepers when substitute Ricardo Quaresma burst down the right before crossing for Drogba to finish neatly beyond David Guus Hiddink James from 12 yards.

IF WE WANT TO KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON MAN UNITED WE KNEW WE HAD TO WIN.THAT IS WHY WE TOOK A FEW CHANCES.

Hiddink admitted afterwards he was relieved to emerge from a rain-swept south coast with his 100 per cent record as Chelsea boss still intact.

He also said the victory, which cut United’s lead to just four points, albeit with two games in hand, piled the pressure on the champions.

“It did not happen until late but I have to admit we are very happy. If we want to keep up the pressure on Manchester United we knew we had to win. That is why we took a few chances towards the end of the game.

“The fact the lead is down to four points puts a little bit more pressure on. It is good to have the pressure on the No 1 team.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says living in a country troubled by civil war helped save his team as it came under fire from gunmen in Pakistan.

Jayawardene said Tuesday’s attack in Lahore should prompt cricket authorities to put player security higher on the list of criteria in assessing the viability of tours.

“This is something for all of us to realise, whoever made all these decisions... that we need to think more than cricket,” said Jayawardene.

Jayawardene said his players’ instinctive reaction to the attack arose from their lives in Sri Lanka, long affected by civil war. “We have been brought up in a background of terrorist activities,” Jayawardene told reporters at the airport.

“We are used to hearing, seeing these things.

Firing, bombings. So we ducked under our seats when the firing began. It was like natural instinct.”

“We were all tucked under the seats,” said Jayawardene, who was cut on the foot by debris.

“Our guys were getting hurt and screaming but we couldn’t help each other. We were just hoping that we will not get hit. None of us thought that we would come alive out of the situation.

“There was mortar attack which luckily missed the bus,” said Jayawardene. – A P

26

THE SPORT

Thursday, March 5, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

FOOTBALL

Juventus furious over Inter Milan coach Mourinho’s claims of favourable treatment by referees AFP, Rome

J

uventus reacted with fury after Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho implied the club received favourable treatment from referees.

Mourinho made the comments at a press conference which saw him allude to the controversy which ensued following the Serie A leaders’ 3-3 draw with AS Roma – a match in which his men recovered to bag a point with the aid of a contested spot kick.

Mario Balotelli netted the penalty but Roma boss Luciano Spalletti was livid and accused Balotelli of diving.

Juventus coach Claudio

Man arrested over Fletcher burglary

Ranieri – like Mourinho a former Chelsea coach – saw fit to back Spalletti and that angered the Inter coach, who promptly insinuated that Juve received preferential treatment from referees.

“While Ranieri says he is behind Spalletti, I am on the side of coaches who have dropped points against Juve – and also on the side of those who are going to meet Juve in the coming weeks,” Mourino said ahead of yesterday’s Italian Cup semi-final meeting with Sampdoria.

Detecting what he termed an “organised attempt to manipulate public opinion” against his team Mourinho then proceeded

,,

AFP

JOSE’S MIND GAMES Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has always courted controversy.

MILAN WILL FINISH THE SEASON WITH ZERO TITLES,WHEN THE CLUB HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO WIN. Jose Mourinho

to slate his team’s rivals, prophesying that “Roma, with their great players, so many players that I’d like to have, will end the season with zero titles. “[AC] Milan will finish the season with zero titles, when the club has everything it needs to win – as will Juventus, who have won a lot of points thanks to refereeing errors.”

The temperamental Mourinho, accepting that there had been one occasion, in Siena, that Inter might have themselves benefited from a refereeing mistake, then turned on his heel and left the interview room.

Juve later issued a statement

expressing the Turin club’s “indignation”, while calling on Inter “to disassociate itself publicly from such claims”.

Juve accused Mourinho of a lack of respect – to Italian football as well as to the club.

Inter, who could only draw last week at home to Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16, currently lead the table by seven points from Juve with 12 games left.

Portsmouth stick with Hart Meanwhile, Paul Hart will stay on as Portsmouth manager at least until the end of the season.

Australians confident of stopping Thais DAILY XPRESS

T

he scorching heat has failed to wilt the will of Australia, who are eyeing victory over Thailand in the Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Group I tie this weekend.

Australian captain John Fitzgerald said his players, led by former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt, had adapted quickly to the hot and humid conditions at the LTAT National Tennis Development Centre.

“I’m not worried about the hot weather because the conditions are similar in Australia.

The court surface is also the same as at the Australian Open.

So there’s no problem for my team,’’ said Fitzgerald.

“We don’t know how many rubbers we are going to win because Thai players will try

XPRESS

Police arrested a man on Tuesday on suspicion of burgling the house of Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher last month. The man’s identity was not made public and he was released on bail while the police investigated further. Fletcher, a Scotland international, was away when three armed robbers kicked in the front door while his fiancee and her mother were inside. A knife was held to Hayley Grice’s throat as she was forced to hand over her engagement ring, which police said was stolen along with watches and jewellery.

The couple’s twin sons, Jack and Tyler, were asleep at the time. – AP

Lleyton Hewitt during practice yesterday. their best on home courts. But without Paradorn [Srichaphan], our chances are better,’’ added the Australian skipper.

Chris Guccione, Carsten Ball and Brydan Klein, a Cup debu-

tant, make up the remaining three in the Australian line-up.

“The Ratiwattana twins are good doubles players. It will be a good match if we have to play,’’ said 19-year-old Klein.

Thai captain Thanakorn

Srichaphan is hopeful that the first day finishes 1-1 after the opening singles. Danai should meet Guccione, the Australian No 2 on Friday.

“I think Danai can win his rubber on Friday. If we split a point on Friday, Saturday’s doubles will be fun,’’ said Thanakorn. The draw is scheduled for 10.30am today at the competition venue.

Meanwhile, Switzerland tackle 32-time champions the US with Roger Federer thousands of kilometres away nursing a back problem in Dubai as the worldwide team competition kicks off the 2009 season tomorrow. Venues spread from Buenos Aires to Benidorm will host World Group matches which will yield eight quarterfinalists by Sunday night.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE SPORT 27

DAILY XPRESS

GOLF

Tseng talks good game

THAI MAKES WAVES Thongchai eyes Thailand Open, Masters chance AFP, Phuket

hai star and tournament favourite Thongchai Jaidee will chase a second straight victory at this week’s Thailand Open with an eye on qualifying for the US Masters.

The two-time Asian Tour No 1 leads the field at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club this week after lifting a record 11th Asian Tour title in Indonesia on Sunday.

Other big names competing in the US$500,000 tournament starting today include American Anthony Kang, India’s Jyoti Randhawa, Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, Daniel Chopra of Sweden and Frenchman Jean Van de Velde.

“My confidence is high now after the win. I have performed well over the past three months, winning three times and also playing well in the Royal Trophy,” said the 39-year-old Thongchai.

His return to top form has seen him rise to 71 in the world rankings.

With the top 50 in the rankings published during the week prior to the year’s opening Major qualifying for April’s tournament, Thongchai is hoping to make a late push for a coveted ticket to Augusta National Golf Club.

“I’m thinking about the Masters,” said Thongchai, Asia’s No 1 player in 2001 and 2004, who was invited to the Masters in 2006.

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AFP

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Thongchai Jaidee takes a guided tour on a lake at the Laguna Phuket resort at the Pro-Am event yesterday.

“If I win again this week, I will have a good chance. I will play in the Black Mountain Masters later this month, which is also in Thailand, so these events will give me a good chance to break into the top 50.

I feel I’m very close.”

With the 40th edition of Thailand’s national championship being played on the holiday isle of Phuket, India’s Randhawa is hoping that a relaxed attitude will lead him to an eighth Asian Tour victory.

“Hopefully by being this relaxed, it will help with the golf.

When you’re playing well, it helps to be mentally fresh,” said Randhawa, who has posted a

Mercurial

Superfly Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has launched the Mercurial Vapor Superfly, incorporating Nike Flywire technology. Look out for more aerial action during the winger’s future performances.

I’M THINKING ABOUT THE MASTERS.IF I WIN AGAIN THIS WEEK,I WILL HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF MAKING IT. Thongchai Jaidee

second and seventh place finish this season. The 42-year-old Van de Velde, a two-time winner in Europe, was delighted to accept a sponsor’s invitation to compete alongside Asia’s best players at the Thailand Open.

“I hope to play more in Asia and hopefully this is the beginning of it,” said the Frenchman, who is best remembered for his near miss at the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie.

Meanwhile, world No 1ranked Lorena Ochoa will defend her crown this week in Asia's richest women's golf tournament, the $2 million HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore from today.

Taiwan’s golden girl Tseng Yani is more used to communicating in Chinese than English, but as world No 2 she has had to adapt quickly.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene last year and is now second only in the LPGA pecking order to Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa, and that means media attention.

Rather than finetuning her game in the offseason, her Tseng Yani focus has been on improving her language skills to better cope with the inevitable fame that comes with being one of the best in the business.

“I worked on speech, I worked on talking to the media,” she said when asked what aspects of her game she had concentrated on.

“I didn’t speak very good English and some of my sentences; I needed to make them better. I hope I can now speak to the media more and tell them how I think. Of course when I speak Chinese it’s easier, so I’ve been writing down some of the things I want to say and I’ve been practicing them.”

She hopes it will take the pressure off when she faces the media, where questions are invariably in English. “Yeah, that’s right. That was my coaches’ idea. I was worrying about the press conferences or interviews,” she said.

AFP

Wenger has faith in Bendtner AFP. West Bromwich

A

rsene Wenger believes that Nicklas Bendtner is finally starting to prove his class after the striker inspired a 3-1 rout of West Bromwich Albion.

The Dane has been subjected to stinging criticism from sections of the Arsenal support this season.

Bendtner rattled in two firsthalf goals – one curled into the bottom corner and another

crunched past Scott Carson from an acute angle – and was only denied the match-ball when his low shot struck the post in the second period.

That took his season’s tally to 11 and Wenger believes the young striker could now be running into form at the perfect time, with Arsenal’s Champions League last 16 decider at AS Roma looming large next week.

“He has shown he has the tal-

ent to be an Arsenal player and that he is on the right way to maturity,” Gunners boss Wenger said. “I liked his presence, I liked his determined attitude and the way he took people on.

“It’s been difficult for Nicklas because, as an Arsenal player, you are always compared to the great players from the past. You have to accept that he is a 19year-old who will get better with time.”