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Friday, March 20, 2009 VOL 2, NO 303 dailyxpress.net

WEEKEND TRAVEL

GET EXPERIMENTAL WITH ‘SOMETHING ELSE’ PAGE 8

A NIGHT OUT SAY YES TO THE MINISTRY OF SOUND WITH DJ MISCHA PAGE 9

Dive into Asia’s beautiful rivers with THE FUN

HOUSE ALARM The shortage of affordable homes is leaving Thailand’s poor without a roof over their heads. It’s time the government woke up to the problem, say experts. >PAGE 2

2 TODAY

Friday, March 20, 2009

DAILY XPRESS/KUNLAPHUN SIRIMAMPORN

THE CITY

655,000 THE ESTIMATED number of drug addicts in Thailand last year, rising from 460,000 in 2003.

A job fair in front of Fortune Tower was quiet yesterday. Though there were more than 6,000 vacant positions up for grabs, few job seekers showed up. The event was jointly organised

by Bangkok Employment Office Area 3 and CP Plaza.

Situations

NO HOMES TO GO TO

By Anan Paengnoy DAILY XPRESS

he economic downturn has resulted in a 50-per-cent drop in house sales in Thailand, compared to the peak volume before the 1997 crisis, a recent Bangkok housing seminar was told.

Somchao Tantherdtha, chairman of the Thai Real Estate Association, said the drop was mainly due to banks’ tighter loan policies, and homebuyers being unable to pay instalments in these tough times.

Clear and consistent government policies on housing were vital for economic growth and

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DAILY

XPRESS

employment, he told the seminar of more than 300 real estate developers, government officials and academics from around the world.

Policy in chaos Professor Pree Buranasiri, a former National Housing Association governor, said government support and soft loans were needed so that low-income earners could buy homes more easily.

He attacked the government’s lack of coordination, saying there were 28 departments under 14 ministries and six independent organisations

briefly Malaysia bans Thai oranges Malaysia has banned the

import of oranges from Thailand with immediate effect after they were found to contain Ethion, a highly toxic pesticide. At least 50 consignments of oranges which entered Malaysia in 2008 contained the banned pesticide, said Dr Mahyin Abdul Halim of Malaysia’s Health Ministry.

Breast is best

still vacant

Greedy real-estate developers and a muddled government is leaving poor families out in the cold, say experts

DAILY XPRESS

involved in working out the national housing policy.

Pree said that the average size of a Thai home was 32 square metres but that dropped to eight sqm in the case of a low-income family of four.

More homes needed Somchai Jitsuchon of the Thailand Development Research Institute said that the widening income gap meant more homes for low-income earners were needed as more people migrated to Bangkok to seek work.

He also expressed worries about the mental health of children living in low-cost NHA apartments.

Pree said key NHA housing projects in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district and Nawa

Nakhon in Pathum Thani were failing residents.

Incumbent NHA governor Suchart Siriyophan brought some good news, telling the seminar that 120,000 homes would be built next year if a Bt30-billion budget was approved.

Ignoring the poor On the real estate front, Dutch analyst Cor Dijkgraaf drew parallels between the US subprime crisis and the collapse of the Thai economy in 1997.

Over-investment in real estate played big factors in both crises, he said, adding that developers had sunk their money into niche-market housing while ignoring low-income earners.

HRH Princess Srirasmi, the Royal Consort of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, yesterday visited health facilities under the Family Love project in Chai Nat. The project, covering 80 health facilities in the central province, is under the Crown Prince’s royal patronage.

Chai Nat public-health chief Dr Sirichai Limsakul said it had achieved impressive results.

“During the past year, up to 42 per cent of newborns in the province have received breast milk for the first six months of their life,” Sirichai said.

Breathalysing Songkran The Road Safety Centre will launch a drive to minimise road accidents during the upcoming Songkran Festival. Checkpoints to nab drunk drivers will be set up during the festival period of April 10 to 16.

Last year, 4,243 road accidents were the cause of 368 deaths and 4,803 injuries during Songkran.

Daily Xpress

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.

Friday, March 20, 2009

THE CITY 3

DAILY XPRESS

Fashion week gets earthy

BACK IN POWER

Bangkok International Fashion

With Moderndog snapping at his heels, Ohm Chatree shows his pedigree at the Season Awards DAILY XPRESS

P

roducer-cum-artist Chatree “Ohm” Kongsuwan roared back onto the music scene by taking the lion’s share of prizes at the 21st Season Awards on Wednesday night.

Three Seasons He stepped onto the stage at the Town-In-Town Hotel to pick up Best Male Artist, Best Album (for his long-awaited opus “Into The Light”) and Best Instrumental for “Song For RW”.

“I never thought I’d get my hands on this award [Best Instrumental],” said the former member of ’80s pop band The Innocent, thanking the crowd from the podium. “I never expected to get three awards, either. They will be a driving force for my next album.”

The awards ceremony also

included performances from Tik Shiro, Stamp, Infinity, Hammer and Silent Scream.

Two for Stamp, ’Dog One behind Ohm Chatree on two awards apiece were Moderndog, who won Best Duo & Group Artist, and Apiwat “Stamp” Ueathawornsuk – Best New Artist. Both bagged Best Song for “Ngern Larn”, which was a collaboration between Stamp and Moderndog’s frontman Tanachai “Pod” Ujjin.

Other winners were Thanida “Da Endorphine” Thamwimol for Best Female Artist, Silly Fools for Best Rock Group, Krichyos “The Must” Lertprapai for Best Rock Artist, Silent Scream for Best Rock Album, Apichai Yenpoonsuk for Best Producer, Clash’s “Cheewit Mai Mee Huajai” for Best Rock Track, and Wiriyapa “Nui” Chansuwong’s “Free

Ohm Chatree accepts one of his three throphies at this year’s Season Awards.

Free” for Best Recording.

This year, the theme for the ceremony was inspired by the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire”.

“But getting a Season award makes you ‘Slumdog Maybe A Millionaire’,” joked concert organiser Chanin Posapiwat.

DAILY XPRESS/WATCHARACHAI KLAIPONG

By Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

Week kicked off at Siam Paragon yesterday with the extravagant “Precious Garden by L’Oreal Professional” show.

Fashion guru Sebastien Richard brought a striking mix of colours to the catwalk to create a fresh and breezy garden atmosphere. Springsummer collections under the concept “Colour the Earth” will be flowing down the runway until Sunday at Parc Paragon. The Bt40-million fashion bash features 10 designers and includes the debut of Siam Paragon’s own brand, Code 10.

Top name Fly Now by designer Chamnan Pakdeesuk will wrap things up on Sunday with bright dresses that break the rules of traditional eveningwear. He’ll bring daywear, too, giving a sporty look to his casual collection.

Models taking the stage will include Kemnij “Pancake” Jamikorn and Sirinya “Cindy” Bishop.

Tomorrow’s show starts at 5.30pm with En Voyage swimwear by Lingerie Salon, followed by Asava for Singha.

Singha is back at 5.30pm on Sunday with FASH by Srinakharin University, followed by 27 Nov and Fly Now.

4

GLOBETROT

Friday, March 20, 2009

THE WORLD The ocean

70,000 Children across Asia, mainly Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, are being used by sex tourists An undersea volcano erupts off the coast of Tonga, tossing clouds of smoke, steam and ash thousands of metres into the sky above the South Pacific ocean on Wednesday. The eruption was at sea about 10 kilometres from the southwest coast of the main island of Tongatapu, an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered.

AP

explodes

DAILY XPRESS

O B I T U A RY

THE FINAL CURTAIN Lights dim as theatre’s daughter Richardson dies after a skiing accident AP, New York

atasha Richardson starred on Broadway in a quintet of strikingly different productions – each showing why she was a true daughter of theatre.

Richardson, who died on Wednesday following a skiing accident in Canada, was loyal to the stage throughout her career, despite having a film career that included “Gothic”, “Patty Hearst”, “Nell” and “The Parent Trap”.

Her most prominent New York appearance came a decade ago in the long-running revival of “Cabaret”, for which she won a 1998 best-actress Tony. Her blonde, bobbed Sally Bowles was a lost child-

N

woman, vulnerable and sexy at the same time. Richardson’s portrait wisely didn’t mimic Liza Minnelli’s memorable film performance. The actress was not a singer, but her chilling rendition of the title tune got the genuine terror found beneath the song’s cheery lyrics.

Classical training Richardson, schooled in the classics on stage in London, made her Broadway debut in 1993 in another revival, Eugene O’Neill’s “Anna Christie”. In it, she played the title character, an unhappy young woman who falls from grace into the world’s oldest profession.

Her co-star was Liam Neeson (also making his Broadway debut) as the big, gruff seafaring man who loves her. Their electricity was palpable on stage and they married later.

A year after “Cabaret,” Richardson returned to Broadway in 1999’s “Closer”, a scathing look at love and sex and the end of the 20th century. With an impeccable worldweariness, she played an arty photographer, one member of

a quartet of characters who couple, uncouple and re-couple with remarkable dexterity.

The actress came back to the stage in 2005 to play one of the most famous roles in modern drama, Blanche DuBois, in a revival of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”.

Richardson’s most recent appearance was a one-nightonly, benefit performance this year of “A Little Night Music”.

The show – a rueful recollection of love, old and new, wise and foolish – offered Richardson a chance to play daughter to her real-life mother, Vanessa Redgrave. There were tantalising rumours that mother and daughter would star in a full production on Broadway, a wish that now will be sadly unrealised.

Bidding for Versace’s bed An auction of late Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace’s private belongings beat all expectations as sculptures, chandeliers, paintings and furniture were bought for a total of £7.4 million (Bt379 million), Sotheby’s said.

The sale continued a trend set by the auction last month in Paris of the possessions of late French designer Yves Saint Laurent and showed that investment in art was regarded as a “safe alternative”.

Though not comparable in scale and genuine value with the Saint Laurent auction, which netted a record US$262 million (Bt9.3 billion), the sale of more than 500 items from Versace’s Villa Fontanelle far exceeded its presale estimate of £2 million.

The prize piece at the auction, a pair of life-size casts of Antonio Canova’s wrestlers in plaster, which dominated Versace’s private bedroom, sold for £433,250, compared with its pre-sale upper estimate of £40,000.

DPA

Friday, March 20, 2009

GLOBETROT 5

DAILY XPRESS

PRINCE WILLIAM said he wanted to get a ‘Harry Potter’ scar on his forehead when he was young. He also said that if he was invisible for a day he would go to a newspaper office. “I’d hide in the background and listen to all the stories they make about me.”

Basketball star tops China ‘Forbes’ list

briefly Fritzl guilty on all counts,to be held for life

hinese sports stars have outshone entertainers to top the annual Forbes magazine list of China’s most successful celebrities.

Basketballer Yao Ming, superstar centre for the NBA Houston Rockets, topped the list for the sixth consecutive year based on his Olympic performance and lucrative endorsement deals with Visa and McDonald’s, Forbes said.

The annual China celebrity list, which began in 2003, factors in earnings and media appeal through an “exposure index” to decide the nation’s most successful stars.

Actress Zhang Ziyi was the only non-Olympian to make the list’s top five, coming in behind Yao based on her recent role in the Chen Kaige film “Forever Enthralled”.

Yao’s Olympic teammate Yi Jianlian, who plays for the New Jersey Nets, moved up one place from last year to number three, while Olympic gold winn e r women’s diver Guo Jingjing w a s fourth, it said.

AP

AFP, Beijing

C

BRITISH MAGAZINE OK!, defended its decision to publish a black-bordered official tribute edition to reality TV star Jade Goody, who has terminal cancer but is still alive, saying it was a ‘celebration of Jade’s amazing life’.

A baby tuatara is held at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington, New Zealand yesterday. The hatchling of the rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age was found on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years.

First ‘living fossil’ born in N Zealand AFP, Wellington

rare “living fossil” tuatara reptile has been born in the wild in New Zealand, where it had been believed extinct for 200 years, conservationists said yesterday.

The tuatara – a lizard-like reptile that has existed for 200 million years and shared the earth with dinosaurs – had been believed extinct on New Zealand’s three main islands for 200 years.

A

Jurassic resurrection But since 2005, 200 have been reintroduced from offshore islands into the Karori Sanctuary in the capital Wellington, where the baby was discovered.

Staff at the 252-hectare sanctuary found the eightcentimetre long hatchling, thought to be about a month old, in an area where tuatara nests were found late last year.

“This is an extremely significant discovery,” said sanctuary conservation manager Raewyn Empson. “It means

we have successfully re-established a breeding population ... which is a massive breakthrough for New Zealand conservation.

“He is unlikely to be the only baby to have hatched this season, but seeing him was an incredible fluke”.

High security The infant tuatara will need to avoid the attentions of cannibalistic adult tuatara as well as some native birds if it is to reach adulthood, she said.

“Like all the wildlife living here, he’ll just have to take his chances,” Empson said.

Baby tuatara hatch about 12 to 15 months after their mothers lay and then abandon their eggs.

The reptiles became extinct on New Zealand’s three main islands after the Pacific rat arrived with the Polynesian Maori in the previously uninhabited country about 700 years ago.

They live to about 100 years old but do not become fertile until aged about 13.

Josef Fritzl, the Austrian accused of enslaving his daughter in a cellar for 24 years and killing one of the seven children he fathered with her, was found guilty on all counts and will be incarcerated for life.

It took the jury about three hours today to accept Fritzl’s admission of guilt. He admitted rape, incest, grievous assault and slavery at the start of proceedings on Monday.

Fritzl, 73, was composed and nodded to indicate he understood as Judge Andrea Humer told him his sentence. Dressed in a grey suit, he said earlier that he was sorry “from the bottom of my heart”, when Humer gave him the opportunity to speak at the trials end.

Fritzl yesterday dropped his claim of innocence on the charge of negligent homicide of his baby boy after seeing his daughter in court the day before, defence lawyer Rudolf Mayer said in his closing remarks. The former electrical engineer didn’t choose to be the way he is, Mayer said.

Under Austrian law, a jury is required to deliver a verdict on the charges even after a defendant has pleaded guilty. Fritzl can appeal the verdict by Tuesday, a court spokesman said. – Bloomberg

Teen killed ‘for fun’ The man taken hostage by

German gunman Tim Kretschmer last week told a magazine that the teenager said he killed “for fun” and wanted to find another school. Igor Wolf, hijacked by the 17-year-old and forced to drive with a gun at his back, asked: “Why are you doing this?”

“Because it is fun,” the teen replied. During the trip, Kretschmer also asked: “Do you think we could find another school?” He had just killed eight girls, one boy and three teachers at the Albertville school in Winnenden, southern Germany.

Not knowing the death toll, Kretschmer said: “I have already killed 15 people in my old school and I’m not done yet.”

A chilling prediction: he later killed three passers-by before

turning the gun on himself. – AFP

Drug-filled telly Malaysian customs officers who

became suspicious after finding a TV set on a flight have detained an Indian citizen for alleged drug smuggling. Officers in eastern Sarawak state, suspicious that anyone would bring a TV set all the way from India, discovered 7kg of ketamine divided into 46 bags stuffed inside the set, said Rusmani Abdul Sukur, state customs director. “It’s not normal for people to bring a TV. They can buy it here,” he said.

The 32-year-old, who arrived from New Delhi, was detained at the airport in Kuching city, Rusmani said. The man has been remanded for five days and is being investigated under the country’s drug act, he said. – AP

6 WEEKEND

Friday, March 20, 2009

THE FUN. Until the end of October, pay

for two nights and get the third for free at the Amari Vogue Resort on Krabi’s Tubkaek Beach. An American buffet breakfast is included.

Visit www.Amari.com/ Vogue.

Serenity in Phuket Next month, Phuket’s new

resort, Outrigger Serenity Terraces, is offering packages for couples at prices ranging from Bt13,000 to Bt38,900.

The deals include two nights lodging, a la carte breakfast, three-course lunch or dinner, a bottle of wine on arrival and late check out until 6pm. Visit www.Outrigger.com.

Spa sensations Until April 16, pamper yourself

with a spa package at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa. Priced from Bt7,000 to Bt9,400++, you’ll get a night’s accommodation, breakfast buffet and a treatment at the Mandara Spa with a selection of Thai, aromatic, sports, ayurvedic, Balinese, Indian head and body detox massages. Visit www.

Marriott.com.

G E TAWAY S

Romancing the rivers Leisurely luxury cruises attracting tourists to Asia’s inland waterways

By Hilke Segbers DEUTSCHE PRESSEAGENTUR

ruising by the Lorelei is romantic. In Germanic folklore, a siren’s singing on the rock in the Rhine River lured sailors.

But the Lorelei is old hat.

River cruise passengers are also drawn nowadays to places with views of rice paddies, not vineyards. Popular rivers include the Mekong as well as China’s Yangtze and India’s Ganges.

“Adventurous river travellers who’ve been to all the classic destinations and are ready to try more exotic ones,” says Katharina Afflerbach of Viking River Cruises, which is based in Cologne.

The Yangtze has become a classic destination. Viking offers three- and four-day trips between Yichang and Chongqing with a tour of the Three Gorges Dam as the highlight. Travellers can also book cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai, which last seven days or nine when the direction is upstream.

Nicko Tours, headquartered in Stuttgart, offers Yangtze cruises that last, together with air travel, up to 18 days.

Phoenix Reisen, based in Bonn, plies the Yangtze too.

Cruises on its MS Yangtze Victoria are often combined with excursions to other destinations, such as Hong Kong, the Great Wall of China and the terracotta army near Xian.

Transocean Tours, based in Bremen, sends its Yangtze

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Pearl on the trail of the medieval Venetian traveller Marco Polo.

Heading upstream In India, three main destinations attract fans of river cruises: the Brahmaputra, the holy Ganges and the Kerala backwaters in the south.

Michael Schulze, director of Phoenix Reisen’s cruise department, says demand for the company's India cruises was “still high” despite the terror attacks in Mumbai last November. Phoenix tours the Brahmaputra with the MS Charaidew, which has room for 24 passengers.

The Mekong also beckons.

Tours generally lead to Angkor

AFP

The beach in Vogue

TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT

A tourist boat passes through the Wu Gorge, one of the scenic highlights of the Yangtze River cruises in China.

Wat in Cambodia, snaking upriver past Phnom Penh, from Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam’s Mekong delta.

Phoenix sails the Mekong with the MS Lan Diep, which has an unofficial rating of three and a half stars.

“Among the exotic destinations, demand for Vietnam is greatest,” says Schulze, adding that the main attraction is the tropical scenery along the river.

Viking does not plan to tour the Mekong until 2011. “The river’s infrastructure is still unsatisfactory,” says Afflerbach, pointing to a lack of landing

places and access roads.

On the Yangtze, passengers can learn the Chinese language, or take lessons in mahjong or Chinese painting.

Amateur cooks can practise making dim sum and, after slicing the vegetables, present their significant other with a piece of carrot shaped like a rose. Who said cruises on exotic rivers were less romantic than the Lorelei? >> ON THE WEB

www.VikingRivers.com www.Nicko-Tours.com www.PhoenixReisen.com

AP

good deal

DAILY XPRESS

Swimmers take a dip in the Yangtze in the Qutang Gorge near Chongqing in central China.

Friday, March 20, 2009

WEEKEND 7

DAILY XPRESS

33%

OF ALL MUSIC TRACKS purchased in the US are bought online. Digital music sales increased by 29% last year over the previous year.

A TOILET at Bob Dylan’s house in Malibu, California, is the cause of protests by neighbours, who complain the “Blowin’ in the Wind” songwriter’s portable potty is fouling the ocean air.

Dancing in

the street

COURTESY OF THE JAPAN FOUNDATION

Watch performances of yosakoi soran, a form of street dance from Hokkaido on March 28 at Japan Fest 2 in CentralWorld’s first-floor Beacon Zone. During the festival from Monday until April 8, stunning samples of Japanese handicrafts will be on display. Kiyashi Marugame and Masuteru Aoba will demonstrate uchiwa – the art of making fans at 4pm on Monday and on March 28.

Call (02) 640 7000, extension 1321.

MUSIC FEST

Natural talent With no instruments to pack, Naturally 7 travels light to Singapore

By Manta Klangboonkrong D A I LY X P R E S S

N

ew York a cappella outfit Naturally 7 is known for its rhythmand-blues-inspired “vocal play”, which combines singing and beat boxing.

Among their hits is a cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” and Music is the Key” with German singer Sarah Conner. Their fourth studio album, “Wall of Sound”, was released ear-

lier this year.

One of the 7, Rod Eldridge, says caring for their voices is key.

“We try not to yell. And we don’t smoke. We try not to even be around smoke. And getting enough rest is very important. >> SINGING PRAISES Naturally 7 plays at the Mosaic Music Festival in Singapore on Sunday. Visit www.Mosaic MusicFestival.com.

Trisdee celebrates Haydn Pianist Trisdee na Patalung will give a

recital of sonatas by Haydn at 4 tomorrow at the Thailand Science Park Convention Centre in Pathum Thani and at 8 next Wednesday at the Goethe Institut on South Sathorn Road in Bangkok.

Ticket prices range from Bt200 for students to Bt800 for VIP seats.

Visit www.Bangkok Opera.org and (02) 231 5280 or (089) 454

8

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, March 20, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

T H E AT R E P R E V I E W

You see what I see?

‘Something Else’ will have actors and viewers comparing notes on what’s happening onstage

By Pawit Mahasarinand SPECIAL TO D A I LY X P R E S S

D

ujdao “Dao” Vadhanapakorn, the director of “Something Else” – on view this month – explains the attention-grabbing subtitle: “An Experiential Performance”.

“The experiences and perceptions of both performers and audience members are highlighted during the course of the action. Conventional stage performance focuses only on the stage action and messages.

“In our work,” Dao says, “the performers ask the audience – without being aggressive or forcing them to respond, of course – what they think of what’s happening onstage, and whether they’re seeing it differently than the actors.

“Audience members can interpret freely in accordance with their own background and experiences.”

The show’s tagline is “You are you, you are always you,

XTRA S E E W H AT E L S E >> “Something Else” runs

from Thursday to Sunday and again from March 26 to 29 at the Pridi Banomyong Institute’s Crescent Moon Space between Thong Lor Sois 1 and 3. >> Shoes are at 7.30 with 2pm matinees on the weekends. Tickets are Bt300 at (089) 167 4039 or www.BFloorTheatre.com.

but you are something else for others, always”.

“People tend to view things differently,” Dao says, “and sometimes they feel they have to fight about this, even though different points of view are very natural.

“I started by writing some scenes, and then the perform-

ers interpreted them the way they wanted. Some could draw connection between some scenes, while others saw no link at all.

“I let them do whatever they feel like, as long as it remains within the structure I had in mind.”

A long-time member of B-

Floor Theatre, and the first Thai trained to offer dancemovement therapy, Dao incorporated the new field of knowledge in preparations for “Something Else”.

“Apart from conducting workshops to develop the performers’ skills, I always allow time in rehearsals to let

them recheck what kind of mental baggage they’re carrying.”

Besides veteran stage performers Jarunun Phantachat, Orn-anong Thaisriwong and Varanyoo Intarakamhaeng, “Something Else” features live video and installation art.

C H I L D R E N ’ S T H E AT R E

Take the kids flying

By Pawit Mahasarinand SPECIAL TO D A I LY X P R E S S

C

aravan Theatre is launching “Two Fabulous Flights of Fancy” this weekend and next, a double-bill of new English-language plays that should get kids’ imaginations soaring.

Inspired by the madcap adventures of Doctor Doolittle, the first 35-minute flight has artistic director Kathy France as the wacky title character Doctor Concoctor on a journey to Africa to save animals. Ignoring conventional transport, she uses dance, pantomime, puppetry, and

storytelling to get there.

After the brief intermission, Australian performer Dancin’ Dan pilots the other 35minute trip.

In his set of adventures, we’ll meet dragons, learn how to make rainbows, and discover the secret to life thanks to “Mr Imagination”.

XTRA READY FOR TAKE-OFF >> “Two Fabulous Flights of Fancy” is at the British Club on Silom

Soi 18 (BTS Chong Nonsee) tomorrow, Sunday and next Sunday (March 29), 1pm and 4pm. >> Tickets are Bt350 for adults, Bt300 for kids, available by

calling (089) 689 3789 or e-mailing caravantheatrethailand @yahoo.com. A good-value buffet meal will be provided.

Friday, March 20, 2009

AFTER DARK

DAILY XPRESS

9

Yes, Ministry!

Holland’s Mischa Daniels puts the spin on 808 for the Ministry of Sound

By Manta Klangboonkrong D A I LY X P R E S S

U

K-based dance-music brand Ministry of Sound launches the inaugural series of its “Sessions” tonight at 808 with Dutch house DJ Mischa Daniels as Bangkok’s first sound minister.

Since 1991, the Ministry of Sound has been one of the world’s most successful independent record companies and dance-club chains, extending across four continents.

It churns out dance music and compilations by DJs and remixers, and has sold 40 million copies worldwide.

The Ministry also organises live-music events in its own franchised venues and other clubs all around the globe, using its own DJs as headliners.

Daniels and his progressive, tribal house gets things rolling for Thailand, as he explains in a chat with Daily Xpress.

Tell us what you’ve been doing.

At the moment I’m working on an album that needs to be finished before the summer.

Besides that, I just remixed for Sophie Ellis Bextor, Kaskade and John Legend.

How does one turn a trumpet into a turntable?

Ha ha, funny story. I guess a trumpet alone wasn’t enough for me. That’s why I started out playing the trumpet, then switched to the drums and finally to the turntables and computers to create my music with all kind of instruments.

Who’s your idol?

DJ-wise, it’s Erick Morillo.

He is the creator of what DJs are these days. Producer-wise, it’s Axwell – he’s always surprising us with totally new kinds of house music. Next to him, I really adore Timbaland and Pharrell.

What specifically appeals to you about electronic music?

Electronic music is a global language. Everybody goes crazy on this type of music and shares the passion and love.

What was the electronic scene like in the Netherlands then and now?

When I started out as a DJ it was really all about filtered,

jacking music – Olav Basoski, Junior Jack, etc. But in recent years it’s become more and more electronic, using fewer old disco loops and really creating house music with computer tools and plug-ins.

At this moment in Holland it’s all about minimal house.

Name a song you’ve always wanted to remix but haven’t had the chance.

Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You”.

XTRA AT YOUR CIVIL SERVICE >> Mischa Daniels performs

tonight at 808 in RCA’s Zone C. Tickets are Bt500, inclusive of one drink. >> Call (02) 203 1043 or trip by www.808Bangkok.com.

Ready to do Battles

The New York edge-cutters add Bangkok to their Asian tour

By Manta Klangboonkrong D A I LY X P R E S S

I

f you missed Battles at Singapore’s Mosaic Music Festival this week fret not: The New York experimental quartet is playing Club Culture tomorrow night – their debut in Bangkok and definitely not to be missed!

The group became a critics’ favourite after their first CD, “Mirrored”, hit the stores last year. They’ve been praised, guitarist Ian Williams tells us, for their “noise, rhythm, texture, melody, happy keyboards, drums and scary timbre polyphony”.

“We’re inspired by all kinds of music and anything – from

happiness, boredom, cellphones and bubbly tea. In that generic, more open quality of the band’s name, we can play whatever kind of music we want.”

The first single, “Atlas”, was declared best of the week

by NME magazine and earned generous gushing in another British magazine, Clash.

The video for the track was included in a Warp Films medley at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival in France earlier this year.

With a new album in the works, Battles took a short break from the studio to tour Asia.

XTRA ARMED AND DANCE-EROUS >> See Battles tomorrow

night at Club Culture on Sri Ayutthaya Road near the Phya Thai Skytrain stop. You get in and get a drink for Bt700. >> Call (02) 642 5499 or check out www.Club-Culture-Bkk.com.

10

ALTERNATIVE / SOHO

Friday, March 20, 2009

DAILY XPRESS

so-ho-t One month of shame The Sao-Sao-ed (Saturday the 21st) Network is holding an open discussion called “Chiang Mai Gay Pride – One Month After” tomorrow from 2 to 6pm at the October 14, 1973 Memorial (near the Democracy Monument). At 5pm, those gathered will join in solidarity against the repression in Chiang Mai a month ago.

Standing up to

homophobia The Last Day Show The infamous Day Freeman and her crew of bitchy katoeys and musclemen are invading the Thailand Cultural Centre with their charity musical/talk show “The Last Day Show: Will I Survive?”, featuring guest appearances by Jason Young, “Nong” Wasan and “Jaew” Yutthana. Showtimes are 2.30 and 7.30 on April 4 and 5. For more information and tickets visit www. LastDayShow.com.

Dinner with friends

The local chapter of the Long Yang Club will hold its monthly “Dinner with Friends” on March 28 at the Tivoli Hotel restaurant on Soi Sri Bumphen, Yen Akart Road. For more, check out http://Thailand.LongYangClub. org or call (02) 234 0459.

The Sao-Sao-Ed Network marks the first anniversary of a shameful episode in Thailand’s history

By Nada Chaiyajit SPECIAL TO D A I LY X P R E S S

T

omorrow marks a month to the day since the second Chiang Mai Gay Pride was violently shut down by the Rak Chiang Mai 51 political group.

Like victims of a drive-by shooting, LGBT people became accidental casualties in the ongoing political struggle.

What’s more outrageous, however, is that although the participants – who included youth groups – were subjected to harassment and outright violence, the police and the government have yet to take any responsibility for the incident. Their inaction and silence can only be taken as tacit approval of the violence against LGBT people.

The verbal insults and threats during the four-hour lock-in are still reverberating throughout Thailand. How is it possible that sexual minorities like us are forbidden on the streets of Chiang Mai when dogs can roam freely?

We were even told never to organise another gay pride event for the next 1,500 years!

Thai news media misrepresent this country, calling it a land of liberty for all gender identities and sexual orientations when in reality society has always limited the space for its LGBT members.

Homophobia is still rampant – subtly in the public sphere and more overtly in local communities and on the Internet.

But there is a silver lining in the clouds of homophobia. Following the Chiang Mai incident on

February 21, dozens of rights and justice organisations have come together to form the Sao-Sao-ed (Saturday 21st) Network with the aim of promoting equality and non-discrimination, and to end violence against LGBT people.

The group will be conducting activities on the 21st of every month, rotating the location to different cities, to commemorate the shameful episode and demand accountability from the government. Tomorrow will see the first in the series in Bangkok (See the So-Ho-T column.)

One thing the government and all political groups can be sure about: In the year 3500, LGBT people will still be part of Thai society, just as they have always been.

Friday, March 20, 2009

THE SCREEN 11

DAILY XPRESS

TO SEE

“RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN” was the top movie at the North American box office last weekend. It earned US$25 million.

don’t miss!

Diseases and a Hundred-Year Period ams of appen Make It H ary Elizabeth Winstead) uhpaswdorerking at a ncer (M ut ends A young da stigious arts school b pre entering a club. e u sq e rl bu

New in Town An ambitious company executive (Renee Zellweger) finds herself at odds with the bluecollar workforce in a small Minnesota factory town. At SF

Dragonball Evolution Young warrior Son Goku (Justin Chatwin) sets out on a questto collect a set of seven magical orbs.

Cinemas. ★★

Watchmen Retired superheroes in a dystopian 1985 America don their masks again to solve a mystery and hopefully prevent nuclear war. ★★★

A school’s former students reunite to try and save the building from being razed to make way for a superstore. No

A TV-show pup escapes from the set and is shocked to discover he doesn’t really have superpowers. John Travolta is among the voices in this cartoon. ★★★

owner (Mai Char oenpura) takes special recipe th a stab at a at makes her so up a hit. Wit titles in so

English subtitles.

Maradona by Kusturica Emir Kusturica presents an admiring portrait of Diego Maradona, dubbed the “Sex Pistol of football”. At House. ★★★

h English sub-

me cinemas.

Song of Sparrows

Slumdog Millionaire

A man loses his job on an ostrich farm and ends up in the city, where he accidentally becomes a motorcycle-taxi driver. In Persian with English and

A young man recalls his life in the slums and his lifelong love for a girl. At Apex. ★★★★

Thai subtitles at House.

A-Nueng Kidtueng Pen Yang Ying

Bolt

Chuead Kon C him (Meat Gri nder) A noodle-shop

Khwamjum Sun Tae Rak Chan Yao A lovelorn veterinarian sees a chance for romance with his old high-school crush. With English subtitles at some cinemas. ★★★

5 Huajai Hero Young Thai martial artists fight terrorists who’ve taken over a hospital. With English subtitles at some cinemas. ★★

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

The Pink Panther 2

The “Six Degrees of Separation” series at the

Kiosk cafe in the Thailand Creative and Design Centre at the Emporium continues tomorrow with four shorts by Sompot “Boat” Chidgasornpongse. Among them is last year’s “Diseases and a Hundred Year Period”, Boat’s reaction to the censorship of Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Syndromes and a Century”, which played around the world to great acclaim but had six scenes snipped by Thai authorities.

Those missing scenes are viewed from a skewed perspective in “Diseases”. The showtime is 5.30. Admission is free. The series continues on Saturdays until April 11. – DAILY XPRESS

Steve Martin is Clouseau. At SFW CentralWorld. ★★

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

on tv

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

Apex Lido: (02) 252 6498 Siam: (02) 251 3508 Scala: (02) 251 2861

Century – The Movie Plaza (02) 247 9940

First Shot

House

A Secret Service agent (Mariel Hemingway) has a choice between saving the life of the US president or that of her own husband.

(02) 641 5913-4

Major Cineplex/EGV Bangkok: (02) 515 5555

Cinemax (TrueVisions), 8pm

Major Hollywood Bangkok: (02) 718 7999

Channel links

Paragon Cineplex Bangkok: (02) 129 4635 IMAX: (02) 129 4631

SF Cinemas Bangkok: (02) 268 8888 Pattaya: (038) 361 500

Seven Pounds Will Smith stars in this twist-filled melodrama as a man who seeks redemption by changing the lives of seven strangers. But his quest becomes complicated when he falls in love. Rosario Dawson also stars. ★★★

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 TV Thai – www.ThaiPBS.or.th True – www.TrueVisionsTV.com

12

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

Comics&Games

Red and Rover

Friday, March 20, 2009 DAILY XPRESS

Friday, March 20, 2009

LEISURE

DAILY XPRESS

Games&YourStars SUDOKU

The last word in

ASTROLOGY

By Eugenia Last

Today’s Birthday: There is a lot you can do to develop a skill you have this year. Present what you have but do not give it away. You must barter to win the spot with which you will be most comfortable. Managing your life financially and emotionally will be your most important job this year.

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 You’ve got too much going on, so you are likely to become stressed out and make professional and personal mistakes. Wait until you have the goahead before making changes.

TAURUS ***** April 20-May 20 Consider taking a trip for both business and personal concerns. You stand to learn a lot on both fronts by spending time with people who can share thoughts, plans and inspiration.

GEMINI *** May 21-June 20 You can charm your way in and out of any situation but don’t exaggerate or make promises you can’t keep. Be straight about what you can and cannot do if you want to gain respect. Focus on your goals.

DIFFICULTY RATING ★★★★★

CANCER *** June 21-July 22 It’s important that you send a message to everyone regarding the direction you choose to take.

Consider a trip that combines research, business and some leisure time.

LEO *** July 23-Aug. 22 Communication will be the key to getting what you want. Set up meetings and show that you are willing to listen as well as contribute.

Negotiate fairly so that everyone feels good about the deal.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY

VIRGO ***** Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You’ll be convincing but, before you decide to push to have things your way, be sure you are doing the right thing. Put a little hard labour in at home and make your place more comfortable.

LIBRA ** Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Don’t give away all your secrets or someone will meddle in your affairs. Get involved in a creative activity or take a short trip to remind you of your past. Hook up with someone who makes you laugh.

SCORPIO **** Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Make plans that will surprise the one you love.

Don’t let your own uncertainties stop you from going the distance. A social gathering will give you the chance to show off your work.

SAGITTARIUS *** Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Keep a low profile and work from home. Mixed feelings about someone you have been attached to in the past may cause you to question your current relationships.

Holly Hunter Actor William Hurt is 59.

Drummer Carl Palmer is 59.

Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan is 58.

Director Spike Lee is 52.

Actress Theresa Russell is 52.

Actress Holly Hunter is 51.

Drummer Slim Jim Phantom is 48.

Model Kathy Ireland is 46.

Actress Liza Snyder is 41.

Actor Michael Rapaport is 39.

Actor Alexander Chaplin is 38.

Singer Chester Bennington is 33.

CAPRICORN *** Dec. 22-Jan. 19 A romantic relationship may be on shaky ground if you haven’t spent enough time together. Don’t get involved in a risky venture just because you want to support someone’s project. Offer advice.

AQUARIUS *** Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Don’t get involved with anyone who may lead you back to old habits. Confusion will set in if you aren’t straight about the way you feel and your new direction. Talk to someone you trust.

PISCES **** Feb. 19-March 20 Don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate work.

You have to show that you are a leader if you want to be treated like one. Talks will bring about a positive change.

13

JOIN US MAKING THAILAND FAMOUS We are a high tech company producing laboratory polymer processing machines for the plastic and rubber industries. Our machines are made in Thailand with the latest technologies and with highest international quality standards. We export worldwide and we enjoy a very good response from our customers as their first choice of laboratory machines.

We need to strengthen our dedicated work team and urgently need the following positions:

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Executive Sales Engineer (Thai or Expatriate) • At least 3 years experience in export sales of machinery or technical components • A good background in plastic processing or engineering is an advantage • Must have a very good command of spoken and written English and be able to compose technical correspondence • Own transport is an advantage • Must be able to travel alone and to participate in our exhibitions worldwide

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ë ‡®â“Àπâ“∑’Ë欓∫“≈ (ª√–®” ”π—°ß“π„À≠à) ë ‡®â“Àπâ“∑’Ë√—∫‚∑√»—æ∑å (ºŸâæ‘°“√)

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3. ”π—°ß“π¿“§„µâ

4. ΩÉ“¬∑√—欓°√∫ÿ§§≈·≈–∏ÿ√°“√ 3 Õ—µ√“

Marketing Secretary • Fluent in written and spoken English • Experience in export is an advantage • Minimum 3 years experience with bigger level of secretarial work We offer inspiring work in a pleasant atmosphere with excellent advancement possibilities.

Please send your applications by mail, E-mail or fax written in your own wording and telling of your education and experiences, etc. Please also attach a resume and recent photo.

Labtech Engineering Co., Ltd. Bangpoo Industrial Estate, 818 Moo 4, Soi 14B, Sukhumvit Road, Praeksa, Muang, Samutprakarn 10280, Thailand Tel: 66-2-709 6959, Fax: 66-2-710 6488 and 89 E-mail: personnel@labtechengineering.com www.labtechengineering.com

ºŸâ ¡—§√∑’Ë π„® “¡“√∂µ√«® Õ∫§ÿ≥ ¡∫—µ‘‡æ‘Ë¡‡µ‘¡·≈–°√Õ° ¡—§√‰¥â∑“ß www.isbt.co.th À√◊Õ ¡—§√¥â«¬µπ‡Õ߉¥â∑’Ë : ∏𓧓√Õ‘ ≈“¡·Ààߪ√–‡∑»‰∑Õ“§“√ Q House Õ‚»° ™—πÈ 21 ∂ππ ÿ¢ÿ¡«‘∑ 21 ·¢«ß§≈Õ߇µ¬‡Àπ◊Õ ‡¢µ«—≤π“ °∑¡. 10110 ‚∑√ 02-6506999

International NGO urgently requires for work on Thai-Burma border:

Micro. Enterprise Development Project Assistant • BA Business Administration • 3 years business or income generation exp.

• Community development and training skills

Provincial Coordinator • BA Health/Nursing • 2 years Malaria/health exp.

• Training, supervisory and monitoring skills

District Coordinator • • • •

BA health/nursing or education Comm. dev. exp.

Training, supervisory and monitoring skills Burmese language skills preferred

Field Supervisor • BA health/nursing • Supervisory and monitoring exp.

Finance Officer • BA Accounting • 3 years fin. and accounts exp.

• Excel expertise

Bookkeeper • BA Accounting • 1-2 yrs. exp.

• Excel expertise

Translator / English Interpreter • BA degree • 1 yr exp.

Positions require: Thai Nationals, PC skills (Word, Excel); excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, willingness to live/work in Burma Border area.

Send application to: ARC Intl., 37/1 Soi 15, Petchburi Rd., BKK 10400 Thailand Fax: 662 253 2899 E-mail: arcjobs@ksc.th.com

Forbest Properties Co., Ltd.

Tel. 02-287-4568-70, 677-5550 / www.fbprop.com

Expert in 2nd hand houses in the city. Property investment consulting service.

Silom-Bangrak Rd. Sukhumvit 11 Rd. Condo 62 sq.m.

1 br., 1 bth., city's heart near BTS Taksin

Sell@6.8 MB.

Condo 150 sq.m. 2 brs., 2 bths., fully furnished, accessible via Sukhumvit 3

Sell@14 MB.

No.28581-025 (93,334 Bt/sq.m.)

No.28569-029

Phetburi Rd.

Condo 99 sq.m., 3 brs., 2 bths., on main road, near Siam Paragon, BTS

Sell@11 MB.

No.28542-023

24 Rd. Silom-Bangrak Rd. Rama IV, Ngamduplee Naradivas Condo 95 sq.m., 2 brs., Condo 92 sq.m.

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Sell@8.8 MB.

Condo 125 sq.m., 2 brs., 2 bths., 1 kitchen, high floor, near BTS Ploenchit

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No.28582-025 (80,000 Bt/sq.m.)

No.28566-025

2 bths., w/ furniture, convenient transport, near Central, Lotus

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Sathorn, Suanplu 8

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Seephaya

Sukhumvit 40

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N.Pattaya-Naklua

Sathorn 12 Rd. Condo 289 sq.m. 3 brs., 3 bths., Condo 200 sq.m. 3 brs., newly furnished, river view, near Condo 50 sq.m., 1 br., 1 bth., 3 bths., fully furnished, ready 1 kitchen, high floor (20+), F/F, Ayudhya Bank head office to move in, sea view income 20,000 Baht/month Sell@20 MB. Sell@10.9 MB. Sell@25 MB. Sell@4.3 MB. (93,966 bt/sq.m.) No.28515-025/023 (69,205 Bt/sq.m.) No.28586-025/023 (86,000 Bt/sq.m.) No.28544-027 (125,000 Bt/sq.m.) No.28457-058 Condo 116 sq.m. 3 brs., 2 bths., 1 living, 1 kitchen, 20F, fully furnished

Theprasit Rd., Pattaya

New condo 30 sq.m.

Condo 68 sq.m. 2 brs., Condo 68 sq.m. 1 br., 1 bth., Condo 187 sq.m. studio room, near BTS near BTS Taksin, Lertsin Hospital 2 bths., newly built, near Silom, 2 brs., 3 bths., sea view Thonglor, Major Cineplex mall, university, MRT, BTS Sell@5 MB. Sell@15.9 MB. Sell@2.3 MB. (73,529 Bt/sq.m.) No.28584-025 Sell@7.53 MB. No.28516-023 (76,667 Bt/sq.m.) No.28528-023 (85,027 Bt/sq.m.) No.28543-021

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24

THE SPORT

Friday March 20, 2009

THE SPORT

DAILY XPRESS

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS vs CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

4-3 Antoine Vermette took a pass from RJ Umberger and scored 2:38 into overtime to give the Blue Jackets a 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks in the NHL.

briefly Pierce,Celtics beat Heat in overtime The short-handed Boston Celtics rode the hot hand of Paul Pierce to shoot them over the finish line. Pierce poured in 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 112-108 to clinch their second straight Atlantic Division title. “With bodies going down left and right, we just needed a win so Pierce desperately right now to get our spirits back up,” Pierce said. “We needed an extra boost in scoring, so I just wanted to step up my game while the guys were out.” – DPA

Ferguson dismisses ‘quintuple’ talk

damaged cars and have denied the allegations.- AFP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe his team will win an unprecedented five major trophies this season – even though he reckons the current squad is the best he’s had during more than two decades at Old Trafford.

“The thing about Cup football is you need to be the best but you also need a lot of luck and I think it’s asking too much for all the games to go your way.

“The one thing I will say is, this squad is the best I have ever had. Every game we play, I feel confident.” – AFP

At last, Benitez signs new deal!

Hertha suspend Ebert over damage Hertha Berlin coach Lucien Favre indefinitely suspended exGermany Under-21 midfielder Patrick Ebert, who is under police investigation after three cars were damaged in Berlin.

Ebert, 22, has helped put Hertha four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, but was questioned by police early Wednesday morning after three cars were damaged as he walked home from his birthday celebrations. Ebert and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng, who is on loan to Dortmund, were both questioned by police over the

Rafael Benitez’s protracted standoff with Liverpool’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, was resolved when the club’s manager of Benitez almost five years finally signed a contract extension that will keep him at Anfield until 2014. “My heart is with Liverpool, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal,” said Benitez. – Agencies

Ramirez tries his hand at cricket Major League Baseball star Manny Ramirez tried his hand at wielding a cricket bat in Phoenix with some help from Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh. Wearing typical cricket garb that offers far greater protection that the uniform and batting helmet he normally dons, Ramirez connected on five of the eight balls bowled to him on the home pitch of the Arizona Cricket Club.

“I have faced some tough pitchers before but we don’t have to ever swing at a bouncing ball that’s rising as it passes us,” Ramirez said. – AFP

Batting legend Tendulkar puts India in control with a steady 70 against Kiwis AFP, Hamilton, New Zealand

I

ndia are eyeing a substantial first-innings lead over New Zealand in the first Test after ending day two yesterday just one run behind with six wickets in hand.

Steady batting by the tourists, restricted by the home side’s defensive approach and their own reluctance to take risks, left them on 278 for four when bad light ended play six overs early.

With Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 70 and Yuvraj Singh on eight, and with strong batting to come, India look set to rack up a substantial lead.

New Zealand, who could muster just 279 on a placid wicket, had an early success when dangerous opener

Virender Sehwag was run out early for 24.

But they took just three more wickets during the day as Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid both posted half-centuries and VVS Laxman chipped in with 30.

Chris Martin, dropped for the West Indies series early this year, was the most effective of the bowlers, dismissing Gambhir and Laxman to produce figures of two for 53 off 20 overs.

Veteran batsman Dravid said India would be setting their sights on a lead of at least 150, although he said the third morning could prove pivotal.

“The first session is going to be critical. If we can bat well in

the first session, build on our lead, I think we should be able to put the pressure on them in the third innings,” said Dravid.

“If we can get 150 ahead it will be fantastic. If Sachin and Yuvraj can get us through the new ball tomorrow we can put some serious pressure on them.”

But Martin felt conditions would favour the bowlers, with Hamilton traditionally offering moisture and movement in the air in the morning.

“With the new ball and a little bit of swing tomorrow I think we can at least claw back a couple of early wickets and get ourselves right back in the game again,” he said.

There was no urgency about the Indian innings, in part because of the defensive fields set

by New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori in an attempt to force the visitors into taking the initiative

Friday March 20, 2009

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DAILY XPRESS

England rugby boss Martin Johnson

Raul Gonzalez

ON MEETING SCOTLAND THIS WEEKEND

ON POSSIBLE RECALL TO SPANISH SQUAD

“I have no sympathy for them at the moment ... They will come down here desperate to win. They will regard themselves as underdogs.

They haven’t won at Twickenham for a while. It will be a big thing for them if they win. Everyone is talking like we are strong favourites but Scotland have been hard to beat.”

“If they make the call I’ll be delighted. Getting called up is a big privilege – but I’ll not lose any sleep over it. I am calm about it. The situation has not changed. The people there are doing very well without my services.”

Fabregas says spitting allegations don’t wash

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AT WORK

THE FIRST SESSION IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL.IF WE CAN GET 150 AHEAD IT WILL BE FANTASTIC. Rahul Dravid

if they wanted to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Instead, Gambhir, Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar were prepared to bide their time and wait for the loose deliveries.

New Zealand sent down 21

AFP

,,

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar plays a shot during his unbeaten half-century.

maidens. Tendulkar, who faced 135 balls for his 70, was fortunate to survive when on 13. Daniel Flynn was able to get his fingertips to a top edge but could not hold the ball.

Gambhir, who was trapped lbw off a no-ball from Kyle Mills’s first delivery of the day when on six, went on to make 72 off 135 deliveries.

Dravid went soon after for 66, bowled by Iain O’Brien with a ball that nipped back between bat and pad. Tendulkar and Laxman added 61 in 28 overs for the fourth wicket before Martin dismissed Laxman with the second new ball, caught by Ross Taylor at first slip for 30.

But while Martin was frugal at one end, Tendulkar was particularly harsh on Mills, who proved the most expensive of the bowlers with no wicket for 70 off his 15 overs.

will leave it in the FA’s hands for the time being – I will wait to see what they say.”

Trip was mistake: Owen Michael Owen has admitted he should have skipped the 2006 World Cup and concentrated on getting himself fully fit for Newcastle.

The striker won a raceagainst-time to recover from a broken foot bone in time to join up with the England squad in Germany. But he has been plagued by injuries ever since and, with hindsight, now wishes he had stayed at home.

“If you look at my time at Newcastle, the problems started when Paul Robinson landed on my foot against Tottenham just after Christmas [2005],” Owen said. “Loads of people get metatarsal injuries, but they are normally not as bad as mine. Nobody’s foot would not have broken in that situation.

“I then rushed my preparations for the World Cup. I played half a game for Newcastle.

“After being in plaster for so long, my leg was de-conditioned and with hindsight, I should never have gone to Germany with England.

“It’s easy to say that now, but if I had my time again, I would still have gone because it was a World Cup.”

Yoennis Cespedes of Cuba drops a fly ball to allow two runs to Japan.

Japan make history in beating Cuba A F P , San Diego, California

D

EPA

MASTER

rsenal captain Cesc Fabregas insisted yesterday he has nothing to hide if he is hauled before the Football Association over claims that he spat at Hull’s assistant manager.

“I’ve absolutely nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of,” he told The Sun newspaper.

“The simple fact is I did not spit at the assistant manager of Hull City.”

Hull boss Phil Brown accused the Spanish midfielder of spitting at assistant manager Brian Horton in the tunnel after Arsenal’s illtempered 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

But Spain midfielder Fabregas, who didn’t play in the match, added: “I have never spat at anyone in my life. It is a disgusting habit.

Why would I do something like that after a match I was not even playing in?

“I was on the pitch at the end of the game celebrating with my team-mates but I promise I did not do anything wrong.”

English football’s governing body will be obliged to investigate the incident if Hull make a formal complaint or if the incident is mentioned by the referee in his match report.

Asked about the prospect of a probe, Fabregas said: “I

AFP

A F P , London

Cesc Fabregas claims he has nothing to hide in Hull spat.

efending champions Japan reached the World Baseball Classic semi-finals yesterday by blanking Cuba 5-0 in a historic victory that ended the Communist nation’s amazing success streak.

The Cubans had never missed a podium in global competition dating to their 1939 world championships debut and had not missed reaching a tournament final in 38 events over half a century since the 1959 Pan American Games.

“The only thing left for us to do is to continue to fight for our great game – baseball,” Cuban manager Higinio Velez said in a statement. “They were much better than us. They deserved the victory and deserve to go to the final.”

Japan, who beat Cuba 10-6 in the inaugural 2006 Classic final, joined United States, Venezuela and reigning Olympic champions South Korea in weekend semi-finals at Los Angeles.

Cuba’s aura of invulnerability vanished in the fog that surrounded Petco Park for much of their game, a haze that contributed to a pivotal two-run error by Cuban centrefielder Yoennis Cespedes in their fourth inning.

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Friday, March 20, 2009

B A N G KO K O P E N T E N N I S

THE NEXT BEST THING

DAILY XPRESS

Federer and Nadal in QF A P , Indian Wells, California

Dimitrov follows in the footsteps of Federer

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam DAILY XPRESS

here is no Roger Federer at the SAT Bangkok Open but there’s young Grigor Dimitrov, a potential successor to the former world No 1.

If you just caught a glimpse of the Bulgarian on court, it would be easy to mistake the 17-yearold for “Fed Ex”. His all-round game, low slices and beautiful backhand shots make one wonder whether the kid is for real or just an illusion.

Dimitrov’s technique is all about natural talent, something that has already bagged him the 2008 junior Wimbledon and junior US Open trophies.

This year he displayed his precocious talent during an upset win over world No 23 Tomas Bedych and forced No 1 Rafael Nadal and No 8 Gilles Simon to three sets in two

XPRESS

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Rising star Grigor Dimitrov and coach Peter Lundgren yesterday.

European Indoor events.

“I’m honoured when people say I play like Federer. But I would prefer people to recognise me for my ‘Grigor style’,” said the world No 2 junior.

With help from the “Jedi Master” of tennis, Peter Lundgren – who coached three No 1 players, Marcelo Rios, Federer and Marat Safin – it

wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bulgarian teenager is the next best thing in men’s tennis.

“Grigor and Federer are similar in lot of things – technique, strokes and especially backhand. He is a better player than Federer at the same age,” said Lundgren of his latest disciple, whom he took under his wing a month ago.

Thai No 1 Danai Udomchoke has just touted Dimitrov as a future top 10 star, a prediction echoed by Lundgren.

“Of course he will. But he still has a lot to improve in his game, and needs to work hard on the physical aspects. He should make the top 200 this year, or even the top 100 if he can maintain progress and stay injury free,” said the Swedish coach.

Back home, Dimitrov has become a celebrity after his glamorous junior Major achievements. He is the first player from Bulgaria to hold a Grand Slam trophy. “I can’t walk the streets or visit a market because people go crazy,” said the world No 400.

Meanwhile, in the US$50,000 SAT Bangkok Open, top seed Andreas Beck beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4 6-2, thirdseeded Go Soeda beat Harel Levy 6-4 ret, Im Kyu-tae beat Martin Slanar 6-3 ret and Noam Okun toppled Rohan Bopanna 4-6 6-3 6-3.

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op-ranked Rafael Nadal fended off five match points to take a 3-6 7-6 (5) 60 victory over nemesis David Nalbandian at the BNP Paribas Open.

In a fourth-round match that began about 11am yesterday (Bangkok time) and lasted until around 2pm, Nadal climbed back after losing the first set and falling behind 3-5 in the second. He then overcame four match points in the ninth game, and another in the 10th. Nadal shot out to a 4-0 lead on his way to winning the tiebreaker and the set.

He then dominated the third set.

Earlier Wednesday, Roger Federer ran his record against Fernando Gonzalez to 12-1 with a three-set victory to also move into the quarterfinals. Federer, his play patchy but good enough to continue his domination of his frequent foe, ousted Gonzalez 6-3 5-7 6-2.

Friday, March 20, 2009

THE SPORT 27

DAILY XPRESS

GOLF

STAGE SET FOR TALENT Thailand’s best 250 juniors gather for Truevisions test

our commitment to developing young players. We want to see young Thai golfers on the international stage,” said Kanthima.

Woods’ fee queried in Aust

By Kitinan Sanguansak DAILY XPRESS

alented golfers from around the world will gather in Thailand to compete in the Truevisions’ International Junior Golf Championship next month.

The eight-year-old annual tournament has attracted 250 golfers from 16 countries.

The event, which will be held at Rayong’s Green Valley Country Club and St Andrews 2000 between April 7 and 10, consists of both individual and team competitions. The individual contest is split into six divisions of different ages and genders. Classes A&B will play over 72 holes at St Andrews 2000, while classes C&D will play 54 holes at the Green Valley Country Club The country’s representatives in the team event were se-

AFP

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Tiger Woods is expected to draw tourists to Melbourne, Australia lected by Thailand Junior Golf Federation. Chanthaburi ‘s Phoom Saksansil and Hua Hinbased Jirapat Chaochawanil, who were named the country’s best male and female junior golfer respectively, form the spine of the team in the fourday event.

Piyachat Eusabai, Umarin Kraivichien and Smithi Teeratrakool, the top three in

Class C, are part of a four-member team in the three-day event.

Dr Kanthima Kunchorn Na Ayuthaya, Truevisions’ organisation communication director, said supporting sports event at the junior level was one of the cable television operator’s social objectives.

“We’ve regularly given our support to staging sport events for youth. In golf, we’ve shown

Tiger Woods’ decision to play in the Australian Masters in Melbourne in November sparked heated debate yesterday about how much taxpayers should contribute to his appearance fee.

The golfing superstar will reportedly be paid US$2 million to turn up at the Kingston Heath course, with the Victoria state government chipping in half.

Victorian Premier John Brumby refused to confirm the figures but said the crowds flocking to see Woods’ first appearance in Australia for more than a decade would pump $19 million into Melbourne’s economy. “It secures for us an extraordinary drive in our tourism industry – it brings people to our state,” Brumby said.

Chapchai sets record AFP, New Delhi

ig-hitting Chapchai Nirat of Thailand made the best of ideal playing conditions to set a courserecord 10-under-par 62 for the first-round lead at the SAIL Open yesterday.

The 25-year-old, a twotime winner on the Asian Tour, sank 10 birdies at the Classic Golf Resort to lead by three strokes from countryman Wisut Artjanawat, Filipino Antonio Lascuna, Singaporean Mardan Mamat and New Zealand’s Mark Purser, who each shot 65 for a share of second place.

SSP Chowrasia and Shamim Khan led the Indian charge with a pair of 66s to lie a further stroke back.

“I’m very pleased with my effort since this is my second-best single round score on the Asian Tour,” said Chapchai, who bettered the previous course mark by one shot.

His career low of 61 helped him win the TCL Classic in China two years ago.

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