Bangkok Trader – Volume 6, Issue 11 – October 2012

www.thaismileair.com FREE! OCTOBER 2012 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE NO. 11

Go with the Flow!

www.facebook.com/bangkoktrader

Page 4

THAILAND LEGAL & BUSINESS SERVICES

interactive

COMPANY SET-UP ACCOUNTING WORK PERMIT

PROPERTY LAW CONVEYANCE 30 YR LEASE

IMMIGRATION FAMILY LAW CONTRACTS

REALISTIC RATES - SUPERIOR SERVICE FREE CONSULTATION - CONTACT US WWW.INTERACTIVETHAILAND.COM | 02-653-0043

Volume 6, Issue No. 11

OCTOBER 2012

Published by

Mango Mango Ltd. Part.

124 Sukhumvit 38 Prakanong, Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 • Thailand Tel. 02 712 4052

Managing and Creative Director: Reid Nixon Tel. 080 246 9000 • reid@thebangkoktrader.com Publisher and Managing Director: Pavinee Chaymanee (Ad sales: Thai) Tel. 084 147 5550 • thailandmagazine@gmail.com Business Development Manager: Andy Hyde (Ad sales: English) Tel. 080 814 9080 • andy@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Graphic Designer: Au Laphat-rada Tel. 089-229-4416 • au.laphat.rada@gmail.com Delivery and Messenger: Anan Boonma In association with Siam Gazette Co., Ltd. Alan Verstein Tel. 081 761 9302 • alan@siamgazette.com

facebook.com/bangkoktrader

Our next BT Party headquarters:

Roadhouse BBQ Smokehouse & Grill!

Rama IV and Surawongse Rd., a 3-minute walk from BTS Sala Daeng.

For more party details, including a map, head over to our Facebook event page at http://goo.gl/EnNbR and receive automatic updates for all our parties by adding yourself to our Facebook group at http://goo.gl/UBsgo

Networking

4 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

Go with the Flow

By Dave Stamboulis

B

angkok never ceases to amaze. New bars, new restaurants, new buildings seem to be an everyday occurrence these days, and there is always something notable and novel to go check out. But when I heard that there was surfing in Bangkok now – I mean, I know it is the rainy season, but… – I just had to go see Flow House, Bangkok’s latest urban beach party.

Surfing is known as a pretty laid-back and fun party sport. However, especially in urban Asia, one has to travel to the waves, wait for the breaks, and certainly in the case of Australia, think about the sharks. But not anymore.

Welcome to Bangkok’s latest urban activity, flowboarding, an urban beach club complete with a Flowrider wave-generating machine, where city surfers can ride their boards and then hop over to the bar for some food and drink!

The Flowrider machine creates a perpetual sheet wave perfect for surfing and body boarding, generating a thin wave that flows up over a soft plastic surface that is like a wrestling mat, soft enough to ensure that one too many margaritas at the bar won’t result in a total wipe-out. Up to 30,000 gallons of water a minute flow as fast as 32 kilometers per hour. Riders can slide down and ride up the wave surface, using boogie/bodyboards or by standing up on skateboard-like boards.

Admittedly, when you see the waves swirling around you for the first time, it looks pretty daunting, or at least like something that the uninitiated will certainly be sure to make an absolute fool out of themselves on during the initial runs, but I guess that is all part of the fun. A resident surf-/flowboard

bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012 5

guru from San Diego is in-house and has trained a top-notch staff, many of whom are top Thai skaters who have now honed their skills in the water, and before anyone is allowed to go for a ride, they have to take a complimentary lesson as to how to stay afloat. Flowboards and bodyboards are available to use and are included in the ride price, which runs 550 baht an hour before 6 pm, Monday-Friday, and 650 baht evenings and weekends.

Urban skateboarders will obviously be attracted to taking their maneuvers to a wet environment, and they won’t even have to change apparel, as board shorts and sunglasses are all that are required here. Flow House also has a big screen where riders can watch themselves in action, and video cameras can be fitted on the flowboards so that one’s most recent ride (or wipeout, for those of us lesser mortals) can be posted on YouTube and Facebook for all the world to see. A word of caution to the ladies, the wave action pulling people up the slide is pretty strong and has been known to play havoc with bikini tops; you might be advised to wear a T-shirt unless you want a visit paid by the Culture Ministry for public indecency.

Speaking of wipeouts and margaritas, there is an extensive bar menu at Flow House, along with a restaurant, several chill-out areas, an air-conditioned lounge to escape the heat, and an event meeting space. In addition to the drinks, there is plenty of pizza, pasta, burgers, and even pad thai, and more savories and sweets, not to mention a sports bar with pool and soccer tables, making this the coolest urban beach hangout this side of California. Private flowriding lessons are available, plus plenty of locker room space and showers for the busy urban warrior with other engagements before or after.

Even more amazingly, all this strange stuff is located right downtown! Flow House is just down the road from the Emporium on Sukhumvit Soi 26, meaning that you can go surfing when you get tired of shopping, or is it the other way round? Set in the new A Square community mall, which is across the street from fashionable K Village, there are no shortage of other

fine dining and drinking establishments to hang out in, as well, once you’ve exhausted yourself on top of the waves.

For all you pasty office types, don’t forget your suntan lotion and your hottest swimsuit, as I suppose at an urban surf party in Bangkok, people will be dressing to impress.

Flow House Bangkok – www.flowhousebangkok.com – A Square, Sukhumvit 26, Klongtoey. Tel: 02 108 5210. Open Sunday-Thursday, 8 am-11 pm, and Friday-Saturday, 8 am-midnight. Best to take a motorbike taxi from Sukhumvit, as A Square is at the bottom of Sukhumvit 26 near Rama 4.

FREE COFFEE

PRESENT THIS VOUCHER IN STORE TO RECEIVE OFFER

BUY ONE COFFEE & GET A 2ND COFFEE FREE

Only valid at The Coffee Club Major Ekamai. Second coffee of equal or lesser value. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

Valid to 31 October 2012.

Major Ekamai

1239 Unit B, Grd Fl, Sukhumvit Rd, Klongton Nua Wattana Tel: 02-381-2736 The Coffee Club Thailand

@thecoffeeclubth

6 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

Zen, Freedom, and Scooters

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

T

he same way bicycles are part of the daily life of people in China, motorbikes are imbedded in the Thai way of life. On how many occasions have we been saved from being late to work by employing the services of a motorbike taxi driver? How many times have we been angered by the recklessness of some of these drivers? How many times have we seen accidents that involved motorbikes? The answers to all these questions is, for sure, “Many.” Like it or not, if you live in Thailand, motorbikes are everywhere, and we’d better make the most out of them.

Still, there are many people, both Thai and foreign, for whom motorbikes and scooters are more than just a means of transportation. They are a passion, a way of life and, at the same time, a way of making a stand in what they believe in. Why else would anyone choose to ride an old and battered scooter rather than sell it and buy a fairly inexpensive, modern 100cc motorbike?

There is a special group of people living all around Thailand who care more for their motorbikes and scooters than almost anything else in their lives.

This is especially true for riders who have refused the pressure of their peers to buy new cars or new motorbikes and have chosen to stick with their lifelong travel companions… their good ol’ Vespas.

The Italian-made scooter has been popular with Thais for quite some time and many expatriates have also continued their love affair with the Vespa even after having relocated to Thailand. When a scooter comes to mean so much to its owner, it is little surprise that the Vespa becomes the favorite means of transportation. Even if we’re talking about hundreds of kilometers.

LEGAL & ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS

interactive

LEGAL & BUSINESS SERVICES COMPANY REGISTRATION WORK PERMIT & VISA ACCOUNTING & AUDIT ENGLISH SPEAKING REPRESENTATIVES COMPANY SET-UP ACCOUNTING WORK PERMIT

PROPERTY LAW CONVEYANCE 30 YR LEASE

IMMIGRATION FAMILY LAW CONTRACTS

FREE CONSULTATION - CONTACT US

WWW.INTERACTIVETHAILAND.COM | 02-653-0043 TWO PACIFIC PLACE, 17TH FLOOR - NANA BTS

8 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

reading Robert M. Pirsig’s philosophical novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values.

“I am a traveler and have climbed mountains, rafted rivers, hiked and biked many trails, but never made a long-distance motorcycle ride,” Jim says.

When an opportunity to do something different arose, James decided to go for it. “It seemed like a good challenge. ‘Why not?’ I asked myself. I like to ride on my scooter. It makes me feel cool from the warm weather and free from any obligations. I can go anywhere.”

Just like Sonkot Bangykan’s and Brad Florescu’s trips, Jim’s Vespa journey might seem odd. People generally use scooters and motorbikes to move from ‘A’ to ‘B’ in the quickest way possible. But, for James Stadtler, this was quite the opposite. He had all the time in the world: “I had the time to travel leisurely and it just seemed right. I’ve owned Vespas since I was 18. I know how to fix flat tires, as well as basic engine repair. I have ridden my scooter in many parts of California and Mexico. Going on rallies in California is not uncommon for Vespa enthusiasts and those who belong to scooter clubs.”

Jim’s journey began at Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok, where, after he showed his owner’s papers, the train attendants put his scooter aboard a train to Chiang Mai. He disembarked the next morning, got on his Vespa, and drove straight to Pai. “Here, I spent several days traveling the country roads, which motivated me to go further north. I went to Fang and spent the night in a bungalow near the river and woke up early to start for Chiang Rai. I had a mission to meet a famous Thai artist, Tawan Duchanee, who has built many artistic Thai houses and temples. I spent two days there checking out the artwork and then pushed on to Nan, Prae, Lampang, and Lampoon,” recalls James.

During his ‘Vespa trip,’ he met many Thai farmers working the rice fields of the northern region. He spent many nights in salas, Thai-style open pavilions, right next to the road and the rice fields. “I set up my mosquito net, rolled out my summer sleeping bag, and turned on my headlamp for my nightly reading and slowly drifted off to sleep. I had no fear other than snakes,” Jim says with a smile on his face.

After his trip to these provinces, he drove back to Pai and headed to Mae Hong Son. According to James, the country roads in this area are built for scooter riding, so they were easy to travel. “The roads were well built, and signs made it easy to calculate my mileage,” he remembers. After another stop in Tak, where he spent several days with the family of a friend, working in their fruit tree farm, he started on the long road back to Bangkok. “This was the dullest part of my journey. I drove along the main highway, as there were no shortcuts or country roads that could lead me to the capital. It took about two days to complete my journey.”

Obviously, Jim isn’t afraid of spending time alone and enjoys the freedom of choosing his own destinations. “If I was tired, I stopped. If I wanted to sleep, Take for example Sonkot ‘Hao’ Bangykan, the author of Vespa Diary. In his I slept where I wanted, mainly in bungalows and salas. I usually awoke besmall Thai-language booklet published by A Book in 2006, he recorded fore sunrise and then proceeded to get on the road while it was still nice his journey from Bangkok to Ranong. The book has long since been out of and cool.” print, but if you’re lucky, you might find it at a secondhand bookstall at the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Using a conversational style, the author recol- But there’s no real journey without some real challenges, and Jim wasn’t lects his experiences during the 580-kilometer ride to the south of Thailand. spared. On the way back to Bangkok, just a few hours’ drive from his home, he broke a clutch cable: “Keeping my cool, I knew I could bump-start the A similar but longer journey was done by Romanian travel journalist, Brad scooter and shift the rest of the gears by doing the same procedure, bumpFlorescu, who, between 2010 and 2011, covered a total distance of 7,700 ing the gears. I do not recommend this, but when you are in survival mode, kilometers throughout Thailand at the ‘wheel’ of a saleng, a motorcycle with you have to do what you have to do. I knew I would be home soon enough a sidecar. It took him four months, but there is no doubt that the trip was and could get a mechanic to fix it.” worth every kilometer.

So, what was the point of this journey? For James Stadtler it was zen and a More recently, Jim Stadtler, a 49-year-old American from California, toured feeling of accomplishment. “No one I have ever known has ever ridden their the north of Thailand on a 1969 Vespa 150 Sprint. Jim has been living in Vespa in Thailand the way I had. The memories I have come back home with Thailand on and off for ten years and is now employed at Keerapat Inter- will forever be with me.” national School in Bangkok as an education consultant specializing in environmental science, outdoor education, and the social sciences.

If you’re interested in taking your scooter on a longer journey in Thailand, you can find more information about the ‘scooter movement’ at the Thai Scooter He owned a Vespa scooter for many years, and his decision to ride the forum (www.thaiscooter.com) or you can join the guys at Vespa Club Thailand 750 kilometers from Chiang Mai to Bangkok was mainly influenced by his (www.vespa-thailand.com). Either way, you’ll be in good company!

bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012 9

A Kaleidoscope of Thainess

By Shei Sanchez; photographs courtesy of MOCA

T

o expats who may have been here for a certain number of years, an ocean of ideas are sure to flood when asked what they think Thainess signifies.

Could they include the ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ approach to most of life’s travails? Perhaps they could mention the way situations are confronted – well, kind of. Or bring up the creative approach to old plastic bottles during the flood. Those are just a few from this writer’s experience, of course. But what about for those who are still clueless or just have an inkling of a guess?

For a better idea, maybe foreigners can look at Thai art… the contemporary kind.

Art collector, and now emerging philanthropist, Mr. Boonchai Bencharongkul had a grand formula to sate the curious and, at the same time, provoke the senses. It is in the form of a monumental granite cube (all 18,000 square meters of it!) housing contemporary works of art from major Thai artists of past and present. The Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA as this private museum is called, proudly stands away from the confines of the inner Bangkok metropolis and instead perches in the Chatuchak District. With works that range from the ethereal and sublime to the folksy and surreal, visitors will leave this museum of contemporary art with a lingering curiosity and hopefully, a stronger sense of what Thai culture and identity is about.

“He wants to show foreigners what Thainess is,” assistant director of development Ms Bongkoch Sanwong says of founder Mr. Boonchai. At once a vivid reminder to Thais of their Thai identity (or more accurately, their multifaceted identities) and a visual – and at times, visceral – experience for foreigners of that ever complex Thainess, MOCA presents the works in a way that is cumulative and exploratory. Visitors wend their way from the first to the fifth floor via an escalator that only goes up and intuitively absorb and reshape their idea of what being Thai means. This could seem like a tall order for many a novice to Thai art history and culture. Luckily, there are tour guides available to elaborate on the details and iron out any confusion.

Take the renowned National Artist Thawan Duchanee from Chiang Rai, for example. His oeuvre is showcased in many spaces of the MOCA. A student

Break Away skills Courses.

Profits go to charity of your choice!

LBG’s Managing Director has taught over 20,000 people worldwide and continues to work for some of the largest MNCs. LBG now offers these same courses to any groups, or charitable organizations looking at ways to raise funds. ALL MONIES GO TO A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE. For further info on our FREE courses please contact Aaron Le Boutillier on aaron@leboutilliergroup.com

www.leboutilliergroup.com

10 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

of the revered Professor Silpa Bhilasri, the Italian sculptor whose influence is still felt by many Thai art students today, Mr. Thawan has made his mark in the international art scene by painting Buddhist and Thai spirituality in a raw, energetic light.

Mr. Boonchai’s massive collection also displays work from Thonburi’s Surrealist painter Prateep Kochabua, whose fantastical, phantasmagoric landscapes on the third floor delight and, at the same time, frighten viewer sensibilities. A visitor noted how this section was ‘very male,’ referring to the not uncommon element of a naked female body in many of the canvases. Perhaps the ‘male gaze’ might be too strong for some and normal for others. Either way, Mr. Prateep’s paintings not only uncovers an obsession with folk belief and Western surrealism, but also a penchant for the spell of the sensuous.

Two permanent exhibits invite guests to a participatory experience. A Thai style house features the Siamese epic Thai poem Khun Chang Khun Phaen.

With a small scene in front of a porch, the two men are arguing over Wanthong in this classic love triangle that culminated in a tragedy. Visitors can walk into the raised room of this interactive exhibit and lay their eyes upon airbrushed canvases that tell the folktale, though un-chronologically.

On the fourth floor is an area called Passage Across the Universe. According to ancient Thai belief, everyone comes from an egg. Before arriving at this primeval form, visitors will walk through a dark passage or hallway lit only by glow-in-the-dark décor of the solar system. Upon exit, they will see before them three towering paintings forming a triptych of heaven, earth, and hell. In a similar vein of 16th century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, this three-panel work, with each painting standing seven meters tall, forcefully reveals religious and moral narratives. Interestingly, the hell panel is the most interesting. The same visitor who remarked on the ‘very male’ collection of Prateep Kochabua remarked on the ‘heavy metal-ness’ of this painting.

The top floor of the collection marks the ‘internationality’ of Thai art. While it also includes works by foreign artists, such as those of Chinese painter Yang Feiyun’s 19-Year-Old Girl, which is estimated to be valued in the sevenmillion-dollar range, Thai artists are also featured in this international section. This indicates that Thailand’s artists have had opportunities to study abroad yet produce work that reflects their nation’s identity and culture.

One such artist is Lampoon province’s Praphan Srisouta, whose woodcuts of 1967 show the graceful yet hard simplicity of Thai rural life.

Unlike its counterpart BACC (the Bangkok Art and Culture Center), which is a similar behemoth in size, Mr. Boonchai’s MOCA does not offer workshops, screenings, or regular lectures at the moment. However, Ms Bongkoch hopes this contemporary art rival does so in the near future. With a mission to ‘preserve and protect Thai culture’ and to raise the awareness of younger generations of the love for their homeland, Mr. Boonchai has given a piece of legacy to his country through the MOCA. And for visitors unfamiliar with Thainess, this could be that open, visual textbook to a people and a culture worth understanding.

MOCA – 499 Moo 3 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak. By public bus #134, 29, 510, 52, 191, 69, 504, 555, and 187; by public van (boarding points at The Mall Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak Park, Victory Monument, MBK); by BTS to Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park stations. Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. Adults, 180 baht; children 15 and up, 80 baht; monks, seniors, children under the age of 15, and guests with disabilities, free. www.mocabangkok.com

+66 (0)8 9993-3689

12 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

Over the Border Cambodia’s Hidden Coast

By Dave Stamboulis

M

ost weekend visitors to Cambodia head to the beaches of Sihanoukville, which is fine if one likes crowds, crass development, and all that usually comes with tourist ‘progress,’ yet most folks don’t even know that there is a sweet little secret just down the road, only about another hour’s drive. The sleepy towns of Kampot and Kep, long a Khmer Rouge stronghold, have come back on the map with some interesting sights, extremely welcoming locals, and a sleepy, old-school atmosphere in which to soak it all up in.

Not too many years ago, the road from Sihanoukville to Kampot was a craterfilled mess, with potholes the size of jeeps and a rather forlorn and desperate overall feel to it. Not surprising, as this was an area completely devastated by the Khmer Rouge as they retreated further into the countryside away from Phnom Penh. Yet, today, there is a smooth tarmac, drivable by taxi in less than an hour from Sihanoukville.

which later was turned into a fancy resort and casino by King Sihanouk, but then abandoned when the Khmer Rouge arrived.

These days, the ruins of Bokor Mountain have become a tourist attraction and the surrounding hills, a national park. Local agencies take visitors hiking through the jungle, emerging on top of the perpetually mist- and fog-shrouded mountain, where the old hotel and church ruins are extremely atmospheric and spooky, looking like something out of The Shining, and quite fun to explore.

A crime thriller with Matt Dillon, City of Ghosts, was filmed up here.

Back in town, Kampot does not boast a slew of sights, but rather is just a place just to find a corner café or riverfront restaurant, sit back with a good book, and enjoy the town’s languid pace. One can cover most of the city on foot, and there are plenty of crumbling colonial mansions amidst the palm trees, adding loads of charm to a stroll. Lots of shops in town sell souvenir bags of pepper, as Kampot pepper is quite famous, and a thriving cottage industry Kampot is a small fishing village on the banks of the Tek Chou River that for locals. has come back to life welcoming the tourist trade, but without the bars and cheesy development that has plagued Sihanoukville. Kampot was a dar- Another way of passing time in Kampot is to take a boat trip along the Kamling of the French during the colonial times here. The riverside town with its pot River, which flows out into the Gulf of Thailand. Late afternoon is a great charming old mansions was a pleasant place to live, and when the summer time for this, with fishing boats headed out for the night, and plenty of great heat came, one could go up to Bokor Mountain, the large peak that overlooks scenery to enjoy. Further upriver, several enterprising families have set up Kampot. The French built a ritzy palace hotel on top of the mountain in 1925, small bamboo shack restaurants and bars on stilts that look out at the sun

bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012 13

NEED VISA? VISA ISSUES ?

INSTANT THAI VISA  Do you need a long-term Visa to stay in Thailand?  Do you have an overstay problem?  We solve ANY immigration problem you might have.  We provide fast, professional services at reasonable price.  We require minimal documentation.  Completely hassle-free for you!

Call: 089-149-9200 info@InstantThaiVisa.com INSTANT THAI VISA

info@bangkokfinder.com 02 262 0747 081 988 4419

Properties for Rent.

www.bangkokfinder.com

bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012 15

setting over the Bokor Mountain range, a perfect spot to sip a cold bottle of Angkor beer and watch the world go by.

While Kampot has plenty of cafes and delightful spots to hang out in, Kep, another 30 minutes down the road is a place to really escape from it all.

Feeling a bit like the end of the world, Kep actually is the last stop in Cambodia, as the Vietnamese border is just nearby. Kep was known as the Khmer Riviera during the ’60s, a jet-set hideaway that was later abandoned during Khmer Rouge times, with its sprawling French colonial villas destroyed and stripped of wealth, traded to the Vietnamese for rice and cash. But like Kampot, Kep is beginning anew. Several of the villas have been restored into boutique lodgings, while the rest remain a reminder of the past, to be taken in on any architectural tour of the surroundings.

Kep is located on the sea, and is well known for its crab and other fresh fish. Many wealthy Khmers come down here for the weekend from Phnom Penh, and it won’t be too many years before tourism hits full stride, with old properties being bought up and refurbished. But, for now, there is still a rather wild and windswept look to the place, perfect for escaping the crowds.

The favorite pastime in Kep is eating crab on the long beach in town or on the pier next to the mermaid statue that is the symbol of Kep, but one can also find some nice white sand and plenty of quiet out on Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), a small coconut palm-fringed island five kilometers offshore.

Catch this pristine slice of quiet Cambodia while it still exists.

By The Way Stay.

Villa Romonea – villaromonea.com – is a beautifully restored modernist villa sitting secluded by the sea just outside of Kep, and is a great place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the 5 acre estate and huge saltwater swimming pool.

Eat. Rikitikitavi – www.rikitikitavi-kampot.com – is a boutique guesthouse and fine upscale restaurant in Kampot serving delicacies like chicken yogurt wraps or eggplant parmagiana that are real rarities in these parts.

Do. Bokor Mountain visits along with an afternoon boat trip on the Kampot River can be arranged for about $25 a person.

Try Cheang Try Tours in Kampot – http://goo.gl/YLxtX Tel. +66 (0)75 622 713, (0)75 622 624. Open daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., entry fee is 100 baht.

16 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

Networking

Head over to www.facebook.com/bangkoktrader to check out all the pix from the great time we had at Watermark IL Ristorante Italiano!

Wine is a little like love

when the right one comes along

you know it.

The Queen Victoria British Pub and Restaurant

smoking area

For great Italian food...

Think daily

thong lo

SUKHUMVIT

500mt

thonglor 5

sukhumvit 49

motorbike taxi

sukhumvit 53

131 soi sukhumvit 53 (thonglor soi9) tel: 027 129 129 / fax: 027 129 960

available for private party

thonglor 9

IL Ristorante Italiano

thonglor 11

thonglor 13

hospital

sukhumvit 55

motorbike taxi

operating hours: everyday 11.30-14.30 18.00 -22.30

www.clubnove.com

acebook.com/ clubnove

GREAT PUB FOOD SNACKS & THAI FAVOURITES FROM OUR OPEN PLAN KITCHEN OUTDOOR GARDEN AREA with TV’S IDEAL FOR WATCHING LIVE SPORT with SOUND ALSO FREE WI-FI DAILY HAPPY HOURS 4.30 - 7.30 / 11.00 pm TIL’ CLOSING FUNCTION ROOM AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES

SUKUMVIT SOI 23 (OPPOSITE SOI COWBOY) Tel. 02 661 7417

www.queenvicbkk.com

HOUSE FOR SALE IN GRAND CANAL

Premium Furnishings

Total Area 203 m2

3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms 1 Living room / 2 Kitchens

CONTACT: Office/K.Jib 02-520-4747 | Mobile/K.Martial 084-438-4500 FOR MORE INFORMATION: E-mail mboegli@kolang.co.th

18 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

Who’s Ready for a Good Scrum?

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

T

here are quite a few rugby establishments set up in Bangkok, and the aficionados of this game have a wide variety of options when it comes to playing format. Either you want to play 7s, 10s, 15s, or in the veterans’ team, all you have to do is put on your gear and join one of the rugby clubs that operate in Thailand.

The club’s calendar is full year round with tournaments and competitions taking place not only in Bangkok and around Thailand, but also internationally. Rugby training is on most Thursday nights, and there’s also an informal fitness group on Tuesday evenings. Check out their website to find out the different locations where the games take place.

Not too far south of Bangkok, you can also join the players at the Pattaya Panthers RFC (www.pattayapanthers.com). Their Captain is Adrien Simon, a 26-year-old French national who started playing rugby at the age of nine while he was living in England. As soon as he set foot in Thailand almost two years ago, Adrien picked up rugby again here.

The format in Asia is mostly oriented towards 10-a-side rugby (whereas traditional rugby is played in teams of 15 players), and Adrien plays fly-half (number 10). The 10-a-side format is well suited for tournaments spread across a weekend, such as the Pattaya 10s, held every first weekend of May, or the Bangkok 10s.

One of the bigger rugby clubs based in Bangkok is the one belonging to the Southerners Sports Club (www.southerners-bangkok.com), which traces its beginnings back to 1994, when a New Zealand rugby team toured and played in Thailand alongside Thais and other international teams. From here to setting up their first rugby team called ‘The Southerners’ was just a small step, but one that required a lot of passion.

Referring to the numbers of members in the club, Adrien says, “This year we have had more than forty players come to training, but I would say that we are a core of twenty players that train regularly.” It is worth mentioning that the youngest player is 15 years old, and the most senior player is over 60.

“We are also proud to have some female players train with us,” exclaims the Pattaya Panther’s captain. There’s no membership cost to join the club, but the players do chip in for a bit of ‘light money’ to cover the cost of lighting on training nights.

Today, the Southerners Sports Club is a not-for-profit club, numbering among its members a great variety of nationalities from different walks of life, such as Thais, Kiwis, Aussies, Welsh, Brits, Scots, Yanks, Canadians, French, and Japanese. Among the 500 social and sporting club members, you’ll find teachers, jewelers, military officers, bankers, journalists, personal trainers, engineers, and many more. Although they get together to play their favorite game, the atmosphere at the club is relaxed, and a lot of emphasis is put on the social aspect of their gatherings.

A few of the Pattaya Panthers players, including Adrien Simon, also play for the Old Bangkok Bangers, which is a team of expats based in Bangkok. Pattaya Panthers RFC has participated in many tournaments all over Thailand and also in neighboring countries. They played in the Bangkok 10s last February, and more recently, in June 2012, they won the EADS Trophee Byron Kelleher Charity Rugby Tournament, a tournament held by the rugby stars Byron Kelleher and Serge Betsen to raise funds for charity. The Pattaya Panthers train at 7 p.m. every Thursday at Horseshoe Point in Pattaya.

Sukhumvit Soi.4 Heineken & San Miguel,

99Bt a pint

Nana’s Original British Boozer

Rajah Hotel Car Park Sukhumvit Soi.4

Tequila Shots

45bt

Come & enjoy Strikers Sports Pub Nana’s BIGGEST bar!

Sukhumvit Rd.

Rajah Car Park

S O I 4

* Cold draft beer * 5 Brunswick pool tables * All your favourite sports * Lovely ladies

! n u F e h t n i o J

...& a great service staff

Rajah Hotel Complex 18 Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana)

20 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012

As proof that rugby is spreading in Thailand is also the fact that some new clubs are emerging from all parts of Thailand, such as the Surin Elephants or Prince of Songkla from the south of Thailand. In 2016, 7-aside rugby will become an Olympic event, and the Thai Rugby Union (www.thairugbyunion.com) is currently putting an emphasis on this kind of rugby in hopes of qualifying for the games in Rio de Janeiro.

Rugby in Thailand is a very spectacular sport to watch, as it is fast and less physical. Says Adrien: “The biggest difference between rugby in Asia and France comes from the difference in body build between European and Asian players. Indeed, in Asia, rugby players are smaller and lack a bit of physicality. But they compensate this lack of strength by their speed, their reactiveness, their agility, and their passing skills.”

One of the biggest differences between rugby in Thailand and elsewhere is that other countries benefit from having leagues at all levels of the game from juniors through to vets. Since the advent of professional rugby, there has also been an influx of specialist sponsors for tournaments, which has lifted the profile of the sport. The Rugby Football Union is also very active in promoting the game at all levels, and the International Rugby Board makes funding available to youth development, which is one of the most important areas to develop the game.

“There is quite a solid base here in Thailand with a lot of talent, but unfortunately, as in most countries, sometimes the people with the most talent don’t always get selected for whatever reason,” says Patrick Cotter. “One of the biggest problems that I see holding Thai rugby back is the lack of a competitive 15-a-side league structure. Football has benefited immensely since the introduction of the Thailand league, and rugby needs a similar format.

Obviously, it will be a lot smaller, but there is no substitute for playing a game week in, week out, under a pressure situation such as a league.” If a competitive league could be introduced, there is no reason why Thailand could not compete among the top teams in Asia.

If you live or are headed further down south, then Phuket Vagabonds (www.phuketvagabondsrfc.com) is another club rugby lovers might want to consider. The one responsible for starting rugby on the island is Patrick Cotter, a 52-year-old British expat who first started playing rugby in junior school when he was only seven.

The good thing about rugby is that it is for everyone. In basketball, for example, you have to be tall to be able to play; in football, you have to be svelte; in sumo, you have to be… er, ‘big’. Whereas, in rugby, no matter your body build, there is a position for you. If you are heavily built, you will be a forward and you will be pushing in the scrums; if you’re small and slim, you will be a back and expected to run fast and score often. “Rugby is for everyone – for ladies, for kids, for experienced players, and for novice players. In fact, it’s for everybody, as long as you can still stand up on your two feet.

At Pattaya Panthers, we emphasize more on the learning and social side of rugby and spend a lot of time as a team outside of training. This is where the real team spirit is forged,” asserts Adrien.

Patrick has lived – as well as played rugby union – in Phuket since 1987, and he is also the organizer of the Phuket International Rugby 10s, which is now in its 14th year. On top of all this, he also started a youth training program, So should you start practicing such a physical sport? Some rugby players the Phuket Lomas, aimed at Thai youth from deprived backgrounds. believe that playing rugby can be among the best lessons in life, promoting values such as teamwork, solidarity, respect, effort, sportsmanship, and The number of members depends on who is around when they have games, friendship. Rugby isn’t just a game; it truly is a way of life. but the youth program is quite stable and strong, with more than 60 boys and 17 girls in their program. Last year, ten of these kids were taken to the Manchester Touraid Rugby Festival in the UK where they finished runnersup in the tournament. “It was a wonderful experience for the kids,” Patrick recounts. This year, for competitions in Thailand, the youth program will have an unprecedented three teams for boys U12 and U17 and girls U16.

Nana’s BIGGEST Bar!

When possible, the Phuket Vagabonds always send teams to the Bangkok 10s and the Pattaya 10s. The youth development side also competes in the national rugby 7s championships, and the Phuket Lomas are the southern regional champions. Club registration is free of charge.

Referring to the rugby movement in Thailand, Adrien Simon believes that “rugby is already quite big in the Kingdom and is getting bigger and bigger.

Ten years ago, the expatriate teams were the better teams in Thailand, but now the tide has completely changed.” Currently, the best teams in Thailand are the Thai Navy, Thai Police, Thai Army, Thai Barbarians, and the Thai Legends. At the national level, the country is also doing well, as they have just reached Division 1 of the HSBC Asian League, making them one of the top-ten teams in Asia.

• Magic & Comedy Evenings • Brunswick Pool Tables • Live Sports / Great Food • Cold Draft Beer • Coyote Dancers Rajah Hotel Car Park • Sukhumvit Soi 4

bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012 21

MARKETPLACE Advertise or announce anything for...

FREE!

A T I N G T H E L A N D O FEmail your ad to:

freeclassifieds@thebangkoktrader.com

ME & GLORY

Maximum 75 words. Listings run as space allows or until cancelled.

TAXI AND TRANSPORT service by 1st class cars with customer friendly drivers. Drivers stand by at arrival hall Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Suvarnabhumi Airport-Pattaya: 1100 THB (all in). Other destinations or inquiry, contact us on below. Tel: 088 521 0610. Fax: 038 030 863. http://banchangagent.com • taxibanchang@ There’s no better city to be hotmail.com (J) living in right now. This is 9 “JUST LIVE IT” a new and fashionable retro London at its very best, showing sporting apparel brand recently launched from why itBangkok, is one ofisthe world’s great now offering a 15% off end of year cities.

So if you’d like to make special till Dec 1st 2012 to all our fellow Bangkok it your permanent address, Trader colleagues.

Please visit www.9active. we’ve got the finest selection com to view the retro range or contact simon@ of London properties on purchases. offer.

9active.com for direct (J) EXCLUSIVE CONDO FOR RENT – Waterford ToDiamond, view our near latestemporium homes, & BTS. Located on savills.co.th Sukumvit Soi 30/1. High floor with great view, 200 Sqm, 3 B/R & 3 Bath. Newly painted & F/F in modern style. Walk distance to BTS. Only THB 65,000 per month. Great. More info contact: 0824448499 or email siamtc@ji-net.com (J) MODERN CONDO for rent near BTS – great value.

86 Sqm, 2 B/R & 2 Bath. Newly renovated & F/F in modern and bright style, 7 mins. Walk distance to Ploenchit BTS. Only THB 26,000 per month.

More info contact: 082-4448499 or email siamtc@ ji-net.com (J) PATTAYA CONDOS FOR SALE. (1) Avenue Residence. One bedroom, 46 sq/m, fully furnished.

Very popular development with an excellent location close to Second Road and Soi Buakhao.

Ideal for residence or investment. 3.1 M Baht. (2) Pattaya City Resort. One bedroom, 66 sq/m, fully furnished, pool view. On South Pattaya Road, close to Big C with easy access to Sukhamvit or Walking Street. 4 M Baht. Both condos are in foreign ownership. Call Vincy 0849183285. (J) US COMPANY SOFT OPENING business in Thailand by end of September 2012. Patented product 100% legal and approved by Thailand FDA. It’s a ground floor opportunity of a life time. Seeking distributor willing to work to build business in Thailand and also globally. Interested?

Visit our website: www.mystemtech.com or call Thai mobile 089-068-1494. (J) IN SUKHUMVIT 8 - lovely 2 Br furnished condo now for rent @ 43,000 baht per month. On the roof is an Infinity swimming pool plus a well equipped fitness room. The unit has solid wooden floors, open plan living, good size balcony, kitchen with flat plate hob, king size bed in master, 24 hour security, parking and is conveniently near the BTS. To view please phone 08 7812 6893 (J)

YOU NEED TO LEARN ENGLISH? You need a good teacher! I am a native English speaker with a perfectly clear Midwestern American accent. I have a BA in Education and 35 years of teaching experience, much of it in Bangkok. My areas of expertise are ESL, Business Administration, Social Studies, World History, Psychology, Sociology, and Examination Preparation. Please write: iron_ bamboo1253@yahoo.com or call: 08-921-018-08 (J) STAFF WANTED. 9 Active is looking for Sports Partnership/Sales people to represent us in sourcing local partners for some of the worlds largest sports brands in football, Muay Thai, golf and sports apparels. Fluent in Thai & English and willing to work on large commission basis only. Contact: simon@9active.com • www.9active.com (J) 20TH CENTURY history books for sale.

Very reasonable prices. Contact nigel at nigelinseychelles@gmail.com (J) PANASIN PLACE Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24/3 Rd. Commercial bldg. 3 stories, 3 bathrooms. 2 car park. Rent 23,000 per month, yearly contract.

Lease for 17 years 1.6 Million. Close to ABAC University and Ramkhamhaeng Unversity.

Tel. 086-537-2557 Naree (J)

NEED A VISA? VISA ISSUES? Do you need a long-term or short-term Visa to stay in Thailand? Do you need to extend or transform your current Visa? Do you have an overstay or blacklist problem? We solve ANY immigration problem you might have. “ANY” means ANY! We provide fast services at a reasonable price.

We require minimal or NO documentation.

We do everything: completely hasslefree for you! Call 089-149-9200 or email to info@instantthaivisa.com (J) STUNNING 2 BED 2 BATH CONDO by BTS Phrom Phong available for 12 million baht.

The well decorated 137 sq.m unit comes with a tenant and is ready for viewing at your earliest convenience. Room ammenities include 2 TV’s, fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and wall to wall windows. Please contact Call Christian on 0844346470 or email chris@primebkk.com (J) FOR SALE - 228 sqm 3br condo near park and BTS – Located Crystal Garden in Soi 4 near Park entrance. Great view, large balcony. Asking: THB 10.9M. More info contact: 082-4448499 or email siamtc@ji-net.com (J)

28/08/2012 17:25

Savills Plc. is a leading international property services company with full listing on the London Stock Exchange. The company has undergone dynamic growth in recent years establishing itself as a powerful player on the international stage with offices and associates throughout the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, offering a broad range of specialist advisory management and transactional services to clients all over the world.

In Thailand, Savills is a leading property management and agency services provider, with strong foundation in the luxury residential sector. Our services are expertly tailored to each client’s specific requirements.

The Directors of Savills Thailand are pleased to announce the opening of Savills Pattaya. Robert Collins, CEO Savills Thailand, commented ‘Savills are already the largest international real estate service provider in Pattaya due to our Property Management business. The opening of our new branch will enable us to provide a full range of agency services’.

‘Savills is often most associated with the luxury residential real estate sector and we are keen to expand upon our internationally respected profile locally. Our team in Pattaya is led by Kochakorn Sanpakdee, a seasoned Pattaya residential sales executive and respected figure in the local market’.

22 bangkok trader OCTOBER 2012 HAIR & BEAUTY SALON for sale South Pattaya.

Great location in City Walk Pattaya (next to Royal Garden plaza) on beach front. 7 work stations, 2 massage tables, good clientele base. Two 5 star hotels nearby. Free parking. No licence required, no key money. Profitable business, accounts available. 30,000 baht/month rent, only 980,000 baht. Relocating hence sale price.

Call 080-0959002 (J) BORED OF PARTYING in the weekends?

Don’t know what to do on your day off? Why not come and explore Bangkok by bicycle?

Follow me on a journey few have ever seen. www.followmebiketour.com (J) CHANCES OF GETTING admitted to US graduate school is greatly improved if you have published research in a peer-reviewed journal. This is especially true for doctoral programs. Editor of US peer-reviewed journal edits your articles.

Basic editing: 60 baht per page (1 page = 250 words) Editing with commentary to improve your professional writing: 100 baht per page.

Special services: journal selection advice and validation of statistical analysis using your data. wkittredge@gmail.com (J) STUDIO AT THE LINK, Short term ok – a new mood condominium located in Sukhumvit near Carrefour. Close to BTS Onnut, Tesco Lotus, Ekamai-Raminthra Expressway. On 3rd floor, view pool, security, cctv, habitat trail. Studio, 32,5 sqm, fully furnished (fridge, sofa, microwawe, hot plate, TV LCD). 15000B month to month, 13000B 3 month, 12000B 6 month, 11000B 1 year. Avaibility: 06 November. For more details call Kay: 081 825 4363 or see our website: www. immodebangkok.com (J)

NEW 45SQM STUDIO. Located Cozy Beach, Pratumnak Hill in the prestigious area of Pattaya.

200m to Beach, close to shops, bars, restuarants.

Fully furn, Aircon, fitted euro kitchen, oven hob, microwave. Balcony overlooking swimming pool with views Koh Larn Island. sauna, pool bar, restuarant, gym, conference room, rooftop garden, 24hr security, cctv, underground parking.

Also Lcd Tv, Wifi Internet, Telephone. Sale 2.8m baht or 14,000b mth. Contact Nick Green 0800 959 002 (Pattaya). Email: nickgreen3@hotmail.com (J) EXPAT. PARTNER WANTED – to promote leather products for non asean oversea market. Please contact: lydiamerchandising@yahoo.com (J) SPANISH TRANSLATIONS and interpretation – Spanish native speaker offers translation and interpretation services. Websites, contracts, official letters, manuals etc. Both for private companies and official institutions. Thai translations and Accounting also offered. Call 0870470590 or email: Spanish_Consultant@ yahoo.es (J) VIP CONDO PATTAYA studio 40 sqm. Fully furnished private beachfront. 10th Fl. Room A 1009 Large swimming pool, 2 tennis courts, and a jogging lane. Sea view. Rent 10,000 bath/month yearly contract. Sale 1.7 Million. Tel 086-537-2557 Naree (J) FOR RENT near Srinakarinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, 49m/sq studio come one bedroom, FF condo for 15,000 baht per month. Has a proper kitchen, nice bathroom, own washing machine and onsite is a lovely roof top pool as well as a snooker room. An ideal inexpensive base in central Bangkok. 1 Yr lease required. Phone 08 7812 6893 (J)

RENT CONDO IN BANGKOK – Real estate agency.

Welcome to Immodebangkok. If you want to sell, rent or buy condominium, we can help you to reach your objective. just visit to our website: www.rentcondoinbangkok or call us: Khun Kay +66 081-825 4363 (J) PATTAYA RE-SALE CONDOS. “The Cliff”. A new Nova development due for completion in January 2013, located at the popular Cosy Beach, Pattaya.

2 one bedroom units, 46 sq.m, 3 M baht each (developer’s current price 3.3M baht). Studio.

37 sq.m, 2.4M baht. All units are in foreign name and all have great pool views. For more details contact Trevor on 086 156 3109. (J) CONDO FOR SALE: 68 sq mts, 2 bed rm / 1 bth rm, corner unit located in Supalai City Home close to the Udomsuk Skytrain station. Fifth floor unit in a low rise 8 storey bldg. Three A/C, extra electrical outlets and circuit box capacity, smoke alarms, sprinklers, etc. Less than 100 meter to BTS station. Area never flooded. Sale price 3.5 million baht OBO. Contact 081-754-6885 or 089-9232615 (J) CASA CITY RAMKHAMHAENG 76 main road. 23 wah 3 stories, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, large living room, dining room and kitchen. 2 car park.

Aircon in every rooms. Close to Big C and Home pro. Sale 6 Million. Tel. 086-537-2557 Naree. New town house (J) MODERN & FULLY furnished one bedroom condominium for rent within easy walking distance of Terminal 21 and Asoke station. Has master with king size bed plus an ensuite; a service balcony with washing machine, open plan living + a storage cupboard. One year lease req. 25K/month. Phone 08 7812 6893 (J)