B2 0
escaped Sun terror bomber found pattaya
i n c o r p o r at i n g pat taya o n e
Mid-monthly digest of news in Pattaya No 2 • 16 January 2015
Pakistani convicted of helping to slay 18 in India is picked up off Soi Siam Country Club
A Pakistan national who escaped from prison in India where he was incarcerated in relation to a bombing which killed 18 people, including the Punjab Chief Minister, has been located and arrested at a house in East Pattaya.
The Indian authorities contacted Nongprue Police and advised them that intelligence they had received indicated Gurmeet Singh, aged 37, was living somewhere in the East Pattaya area and was wanted on an International Arrest Warrant after he is alleged to have escaped from prison in India in 2000.
On 31 August 1995 the Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and 17 others were assassinated by suicide bomber Dilawar Singh outside India’s Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat.
High season: Happening or happened?
It was a case of “no room at the inn” over the New Year period in the city with visitors experiencing difficulties in finding somewhere to stay. We even know of one hotel where the owners gave up their own rooms in a bid to satisfy demand. But not long after welcoming in 2015 it seems there has been a tail-off in demand. So the question on the lips of those involved in tourism – and directly or indirectly that’s
many of us in Pattaya – is: Are we seeing high season pick up? Or have we seen it pick up? Last year saw a 6.6 per cent drop in tourists visiting the country and the Tourism Council of Thailand is urging the government to end martial law in a bid to restore tourist confidence. Opinion is divided. Many living here feel martial law is giving much-needed stability, but the outside world still mistrusts military rule.
In October 2010 Dilawar Singh’s accomplice, Gurmeet, was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia for his part in the bombing after an investigation lasting 15 years. He was tracked down to a house off Soi Siam Country Club owned by Ari Arat, aged 48, also from Pakistan, who was reportedly paid Bt30,000 by the suspect to allow him to stay at the house after he claimed the authorities were looking for him due to his expired passport.
Mr Arat says he was unaware of Gurmeet Singh’s involvement in the bombing. Gurmeet Singh is the last of nine prison escapees to be arrested after they fled from prison while on remand. The others were rearrested in India. He is now in custody and is expected to be handed to the Indian authorities in due course.
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TRULY A NEW WAY OF LIFE
2 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
Necklace stolen on doorstep of police Two Thai teenagers were arrested after they allegedly snatched a gold necklace from a female motorbike passenger, only metres away from Pattaya Police Station. The incident occurred on Beach Road close to the entrance of Soi 9 and in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach. Khun Supawadee, aged 22, was a passenger on a motorbike driven by her foreign boyfriend when the two suspects approached on another bike and its passenger leant over and snatched a gold necklace from around the neck of the victim. The victim and her boyfriend decided to give chase as they were not prepared to lose the necklace. As the two motorbikes approached a police checkpoint at the Pattaya Third Road intersection with the South Pattaya Road, they both failed to stop, which then drew police into the chase which came to an end in Soi 18 off the South Pattaya Road. The victim and her boyfriend were slightly injured after they came off their bike at the end of the chase when police were able to arrest Khun Nithithorn, aged 18, and his passenger Khun Kwan, aged 19, who was in possession of the gold necklace which was later returned to its rightful owner.
couple robbed after ignoring a warning A ROMANTIC evening in a remote location turned out badly for a couple in their 20s when they were attacked and robbed by a gang of local youths. Police and medics were called to a helipad on the Pratamnuk Hill in South Pattaya to assist the pair. Officers met Russians Nikita Salamatov, 26, and his wife Anastasia Dudnikova, 25. The man had sustained a head injury while his wife had an open cut on her lip.
The pair had chosen the area to enjoy a bottle of wine together and used an upturned bucket as a makeshift table.
Poorly lit
Medics patched up the couple whose romantic evening turned very sour.
The area is poorly lit and is regularly patrolled by Pattaya police volunteers who had encountered the couple earlier in the night. They were given a warning that the area was not safe for them but decided to continue their romantic evening regardless of the advice given. The pair were enjoying their glasses of wine when a group of youths arrived and surrounded the couple and demanded they hand over their cash and valuables. The pair decided not to comply and were attacked. A Nokia mobile phone, Bt2,000 and US$300 in cash were taken by the gang who fled. Police will check security camera footage in the area and attempt to locate and arrest the gang and recover the stolen items.
DJs don’t get much sexier This is DJ Vida (aka Vichuda Keetanitinun) who is without doubt one of the hottest looking spinners of discs in Thailand. But don’t just take our word for it. The website Edmdroid.com recently listed Asia’s Sexiest DJs of 2014 and Vida was voted in at No 8 making her the highest ranked of all Thai DJs.
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fun in the
Vida was winner of Hard Rock Pattaya (where she is pictured) back in 2012 and has been a regular visitor to the HR chain of hotels ever since. She has performed at the Footloose Music Festival in Kathmandu, at the Drumbeat Festival and is often seen on the club circuit in Bangkok. If you want to know more about Vida visit her Facebook page which is www. facebook.com/vichuda.keetanitinun
Tweets? That stuff kills conversation. And people taking pictures with their phone or recording you, sometimes surreptitiously, is creepy. They come up and just start talking to you, and you can see the red light on their phone. – Robin Williams
Live grenade is safely defused Officers from the Royal Thai Navy bomb disposal unit were called to a transport company on the Northern outskirts of the city after a hand grenade was left at its entrance. The bomb disposal team determined the explosive device was live and it was removed and safely destroyed. It is thought a gang of youths were responsible for leaving the device at the location and its placement suggested they wanted to cause maximum disruption to the company and its vehicles.
Page Three Lady
By Photostudio Pattaya (fb.com/wowsabai)
Argument over jet ski damage led to assault Damp squib A jet ski operator has been arrested by police following an alleged assault on a Swedish tourist. The tourist was attempting to assist another foreigner who was discussing if he should pay for damage to a jet ski he had rented earlier. The incident occurred in front of the Royal Garden Plaza where a heated discussion between the operator, Khun Chawalit aged 27, and the foreign man who had allegedly caused damage to the jet ski, was taking place. Fredo Kazemi, aged 51, managing director of a well-known
modelling agency based in Stockholm, decided to intervene and advise the foreign man to call the police and only pay damages at Pattaya Police Station. Khun Chawalit became angry at Mr Kazemi’s intervention and is alleged to have assaulted him. The incident was reported to Pattaya police by Mr Kazemi and the suspect was located and arrested. The Pattaya Police Chief noted the suspect apologised for his actions to Mr Kazemi but he was still charged with assault and awaits further legal proceedings.
Hundreds of fireworks worth an estimated Bt200,000 were seized from a convenience store in the Naklua area. It was reported that fireworks were being sold from the location to teenagers who were causing havoc in the vicinity by launching them at unsuspecting members of the public. Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 3
Sun
IT MADE US SMILE
pattaya
Happy New Year We are halfway through January and this is the last time we will be wishing anyone a happy new year. As far as we are aware there is no “statute of limitations” on when you can stop mouthing these pleasantries but we are of the opinion that is okay to express these wishes immediately after Christmas and maybe for a couple of weeks into 2015. But let’s stop now, huh? What does 2015 hold in store for people who call Pattaya home? Are all the signs promising or is it time for an agonising reappraisal of the pros and cons of life in the city? By general consensus 2014 will not live in the memory as one of the best since the start of the new millennium. Tourist numbers were down for reasons we won’t bore you by repeating, the Russian rouble has plunged posing possible problems for those heavily dependent on their custom and the combination of democracy and peace remains elusive. We at the Pattaya Sun are not too despondent. The ability of the Thais to adapt to any situation is legendary and we supposedly more “practical” farangs can learn much from them. When life throws you lemons, make lemonade is an adage that readily springs to mind. Though substituting “grab tequila and salt” for “make lemonade” works too! Those who do business in the city need to adapt and adjust. Simple to say, but maybe more difficult to do. We agree with the sentiment that one man’s problem is another’s opportunity. So we will be examining opportunities with increased vigour. Let’s sincerely hope that in a year’s time we can look back on 2015 as the year things changed for the better. Pattaya Sun is published in association with Pattaya Property Consultants, the publishers of Real Estate Magazine – Thailand (REM) and www.pattayaone.net under licence No 5/50/2553. The editor-in-chief is Singhanart Rullapak E: info@thepattayasun.com T: 087 988 0799 W: thepattayasun.com
You’re in safe hands
This year ANZACs will commemorate a century since the World War I campaign in Gallipoli, Turkey
Churchill: Was he a hero or a villain? until a few years ago if anyone had asked me the question posed above I would have replied “Winston Churchill was a hero” and not given it a second thought.
Indeed, I would still come out with the same reply today. But in the back of my mind there would be an unspoken caveat: Maybe he got it wrong in relation to Australia.
I may have lead a sheltered life but I was unaware of the strong antiChurchill sentiment that exists among Aussies until I mentioned his name here in conversation a while back.
It seems, rightly or wrongly, in the eyes of folk from Down Under British hero “Winnie” is about as popular as a fart in a spacesuit ... as Billy Connolly once said in an entirely different context on TV’s The Parkinson Show. Key among the reasons was Churchill’s involvement in the World War I Gallipoli campaign which saw great loss of life on both sides of the conflict, especially among Australian and New Zealand forces. This year marks 100 years since that campaign was launched and the two nations
from the southern hemisphere are intending many events to mark the occasion. Somehow I doubt if many kind words will be directed towards the memory of Churchill who held the position of First Lord of the Admiralty when the offensive was launched. Gallipoli was Churchill’s idea. The Ottoman Empire had entered the war on the side of Central Powers, Germany and Austro-Hungary. The thinking was that by invading Turkey close to Constantinople (now Istanbul) this would create a new front that would draw German
troops away from Belgium and France to go to the aid of the Turks, thus dividing their forces. Unfortunately for the allies the Turks were made of sterner stuff and did not need to summon up too much help. The Gallipoli landings started on 25 April which is commemorated to this day as ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day. History tells us that Churchill went on to galvanise the British during World War II and eventually lead them to victory. But even during this second major conflict he did not exactly endear
himself to Australians by seeming to prefer that Aussies fought to preserve British interests rather than return home to face the direct treat posed by the Japanese. In a BBC poll several years back Churchill was voted the Greatest Briton of All Time. For me no one else came close and I truly regard him as a British hero, maybe the British hero. But when the centenary of the Gallipoli landings is marked in a few months’ time I will keep my high regard for Churchill to myself out of respect for the feelings of others. Dave Buckley
A quote from the film, Gallipoli When you consult Pattaya’s most experienced agents 215/15-18 Pattaya Second Road (Opposite Royal Garden Plaza and Marriott Hotel) Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20260 Tel: 038 426 242 or 038 425 836 Email: info@realestatethailand.com
www.realestatethailand.com 4 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
ThE 1981 film, Gallipoli, told the story of the campaign through the eyes of two Australian sprinters Archy Hamilton played by Mark Lee (top) and Frank Dunne (Mel Gibson, bottom). Here is one of their exchanges... Archy Hamilton: You of all people should be going. Frank Dunne: Why me of all people? Archy: ’Cause you’re an athlete. Frank: [laughs] What’s that got to do with it? Archy: I’ve got mates who’d be lucky to do the hundred in 12 and they’re going to do their bit, so why shouldn’t you?
Frank: Because it’s not our bloody war. Archy: What do you mean, not our war? Frank: It’s an English war. It’s got nothing to do with us. Archy: You know what you are? A bloody coward. Frank: There’s only one reason why I haven’t knocked you down mate. Archy: What? Frank: ’Cause I don’t feel like carrying you to the next bloody water hole. Now shut up and don’t open your yap about the war again!
News stories appear courtesy of www.pattayaone.net
Open : 8:00am to 10:00pm
Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 5
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fun in the
Instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and just give her a house. – Rod Stewart
nong nooch gm perishes after lpg tank explodes
Three die in fireball that takes more than an hour to put out
Builder choked to death eating fried chicken A Cambodian construction worker choked and later died after eating fried chicken bought from the roadside in Jomtien. The man, known as Mr Oud, 27, who worked at a nearby construction site, was walking along Soi Chaiyapreuk 1, with a friend. They were eating fried chicken pieces bought from a roadside food vendor. Both men appeared drunk according to motorbike taxi drivers stationed outside of the Lalana Garden Village Housing Estate. The Cambodians asked to be taken to Jomtien Beach but as the victim jumped onto the back of a motorbike taxi he fell to the ground and began to choke and then started to convulse. Rescue services were called and were quickly on-scene. They administered CPR and the victim was taken to hospital in an unconscious state and died later.
Three people were killed when a pick-up truck collided with a Mercedes Benz car fitted with an LPG tank which exploded upon impact. The crash occurred on Highway 36 in the Map Ta Put area on the Pattaya-bound carriageway.
Witnesses saw a car being driven at speed and erratically which came into contact with the slower-moving pick-up truck driven by Khun Sunan, the general manager of Nong Nooch Gardens in Bang Saray. He was returning to the area following a business trip to Rayong.
The burned-out vehicles ... it took firefighters more than an hour to put the blaze out.
When the two vehicles came into contact, an LPG tank in the boot of the Benz is believed to have exploded causing both vehicles and its occupants to become engulfed in flames. It took firefighters more than an hour to bring the fire under control. Rescue workers recovered the charred remains of a male and female from the car and the body of Khun Sunan from the truck.
Fag on bed started blaze Police and firefighters were called to a luxury home on Pratamnuk Hill early one morning to deal with a house fire. The house, in Soi Kasetsin 11, was occupied by a British family and it is thought an argument between two family members may have led to the fire which is thought to have started when a lit cigarette was left on a bed. Authorities arrived and spoke with
Steven Brewster, aged 49, and his partner Miss Louise Morrison, aged 43, who are staying at the two-storey house with Mr Brewster’s son and daughter-in-law. Neighbours reported hearing shouting coming from the house and later, just before 7.30am, security guards at the village where the house is situated were alerted to a smell of burning. A fire had taken hold of a second
floor bedroom which was extinguished by firefighters who had been quick to arrive. Police spoke with Mr Brewster who appeared intoxicated and he confirmed the earlier argument and suspects the cigarette was left on the bed by mistake by Miss Morrison who is said to have gone to sleep on a sofa on the ground floor. No injuries were reported and police are investigating the incident further.
Restaurateur gives cash to HIV centre
Soon-to-retire policeman dies in hit-and-run road incident Police and medics rushed to the scene of a fatal road crash on the Sukhumvit Road which caused the death of a longserving and well-respected Pattaya traffic police officer. The crash occurred on the Pattaya-bound carriageway between Central and North Pattaya, just before the exit leading to Highway 7, and resulted in the death of Police Lieutenant Pradit, aged 55, who was due to retire from the force in the coming months. Witnesses, including one of his police colleagues saw a Black Mitsubishi Pajero rearend the officer’s motorbike. The SUV ran over the officer and then fled the scene. The victim died instantly from a head injury.
Damage
A generous Norwegian has donated money and rice to an HIV care centre which is currently facing opposition from local villagers. The Glory Hut Foundation is situated off Soi Siam Country Club in East Pattaya and cares for those suffering from HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. They rely entirely on donations and are currently in dispute with some villagers who would like the centre closed and relocated. Despite this, Bebe Michelsen aged 33, a restaurateur from
Norway, presented a donation of Bt99,999 and Bt10,000s worth of rice to the foundation. Each year at this time he chooses a charity which is in need of assistance and for his New Year donation for 2015 Mr Michelsen chose the Glory Hut Foundation. The generous donation was gratefully received by Khun Nangponsawan, chairman of the foundation, who also received a donation of food and provisions from the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation who support the valuable work of Glory Hut.
Less than 30 minutes later officers from Nongkam Police Station in nearby Sriracha District stopped a vehicle matching the description of the SUV involved in the crash. It had front-end damage. The driver of the SUV denied any involvement but was arrested on a charge of reckless driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene of the crash. Later the SUV driver was released without charge and cleared of any involvement.
Gone in a flash
Police have arrested a man who exposed himself to a group of people and allowed them to take pictures which were later posted on Facebook. The incident occurred in an alleyway near Pattaya Third Road and behind the Apichart Clinic in Central Pattaya. Witnesses said the entire incident lasted less than a minute.
All news stories from www.pattayaone.net 6 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 7
8 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 9
Call 083 597 7958, 085 134 6153 Or Email: pattaya@bbx.co.th call center 02 107 1049 10 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
Fun in the sun Dingbats Can you decipher the three well-known phrases or sayings represented by the Dingbats below?
TIMING
A DRAFT
X I St N G
Liquid assets HERE’S a brainteaser to test your powers of logical deduction – that’s if you don’t pull your hair out in frustration first! You have an eight litre jug full of water. You also have an empty five litre jug and an empty three litre jug. The object is to end up with two jugs each containing four litres of water, simply by pouring water from one jug to another. How do you do it? If you need a hint, the solution requires you to pour water eight separate times .
WordWheels
8 7 6
2
1
5 4 3 2
M R
1 A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
White to play and checkmate in three moves
ALL ANSWERS APPEAR ON PAGE 14
What time should the watch on the right show?
L A A T I
I P
A ?
Can you find at least one nine-letter word and 20 words of five letters or more in the wheel above. Each word must contain the hub letter.
5 3
4 5
1
5 8
7
2
1 2
6
DOWN 2. Tie down bad acorn with small piece of hemp (6) 3. Drunken doorman loses ring, That’s irregular (6) 4. It’s cold! Take off from place of work (3) 5. See boldness from some of the artists (5) 6. Reveals around a handful or so (7)
ACROSS 1. Spume (5) 6. Compass point (5) 9. Stirring (7) 10. Pry (5) 11. Audible warning (5) 12. Wide open (5) 13. Disaster (7) 15. Untruth (3) 17. Golf club (4) 18. Clear off! (6) 19. Kept (5) 20. Fools (6) 22. Girls name (4) 24. Male possessor (3) 25. Dirigible (7) 26. Scottish seaside town (5) 27. Hover (5) 28. Outdoor boot (5) 29. Mild of temper (7) 30. Inexperienced (5) 31. Nickname for Edward (5)
6
2 9
7 8 3
EASY CLUES 7. Does about two or more poems (4) 8. Hot gun, cocked, has nothing in it (6) 12. Rush around to the East to find a guide (5) 13. Quietly sort out activity (5) 14. Partly mouthy (5) 15. Love as is, it’s lush (5) 16. Something hard, half of it is in your meal (5) 18. Endlessly planed, knotted piece of wood (5) 19. Ropy? Perhaps rub if so (7) 21. Rodent in an age gives list of mistakes (6) 22. Newspaper man joins weird cult, Sounds good! (6) 23. Jumps over safe areas (6) 25. Excite or use roughly (5) 26. Mutt goes to the east to find Venetian official (4) 28. Ship with a hole in it sends signal (3)
4 7
4
Use the grid for the cryptic or easy clues, but not both – the answers are different! ACROSS 1. In Africa, private resort island (5) 6. Trustworthy noise? (5) 9. Agreed with account by two small fellows (twins) (7) 10. Cake company has directors outside (5) 11. Planet rotates sun on special day (5) 12. Needs a new surge (5) 13. Lead singer is lost with head organist in composition (7) 15. Confused moth loses time forming resistance unit (3) 17. Impressive start, then changed to proper outcome (4) 18. Taste pale tea brew, out East (6) 19. Wild leaf twisted right in the centre (5) 20. Fix them both together again (6) 22. Could Ivan produce a prima donna? (4) 24. Take to court in Rugby? (3) 25. Declination about FA rules (7) 26. Slobber from one small marsupial in 550 (5) 27. Cooking a boot is just not done! (5) 28. Old half-Scot about to berate (5) 29. Gus enters ramshackle home to find Dick (7) 30. Covers in sponge? (5) 31. Hide some pasta shells (5)
DOWN 2. Imposter (6) 3. Ancient Turk (6) 4. Springy leap (3) 5. Application (5) 6. Took a photo (7) 7. Eye amorously (4) 8. 18th Century Robber (6) 12. Monicker (5) 13. Throw out (5) 14. Added benefit (5) 15. Case for loose papers (5) 16. Start (5) 18. Aneurin _____, MP (5) 19. Ancient Greek (7) 21. Austrian dictator (6) 22. Deceive and take money from (6) 23. Covered with offensive matter(6) 25. Type of knife (5) 26. Recording medium (4) 28. Talent for banter (3)
0 T
Replace the question mark with a letter that will complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anticlockwise.
7
4
CRYPTIC CLUES
D E
SUDOKU 9
TWO-IN-ONE CROSSWORD
T E
3 1
9
9 2
Which card replaces the question mark?
?
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alfie@lakeviewpropertiespattaya.com www.lakeviewpropertiespattaya.com Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 11
hangover I
pop Music with mark white Mark is one half (alongside Patrick Murray) of the team that presents The Hangover Show between 2-4pm on weekday afternoons on Buzzin Radio
How my music taste has developed over the years As a ’60s baby my earliest musical memories are of artists such as The Isley Brothers, Bill Haley, Little Richard and Del Shannon. My mum was always singing along with an iron in her hand (she never burned her lips but I know what you were thinking) and my dad cooked Sunday roast as the stereogram crackled and played the hits on Radio One spun by DJs such as Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman, Pete Murray and David Jacobs, about the only three I can still mention for obvious reasons. As the ’70s arrived (along with acne) Top Of The Pops became my main focus of what and who was hot. I can still recall images of the two girls from ABBA in their tight fitting clothes with long hair and teasing smiles which meant that I found myself alone in my room glued to my 12” black and white portable TV. And so my love of women began, I mean anyone who knows me (or has listened to our show) will know my knowledge of music is limited. Don’t get me wrong, I know what I like, but, more importantly I can appreciate what other people like which is one of the reasons I have always done pretty well at packing dance floors around the world and getting listeners on radio.
Tartan scarves The ’70s and ’80s were great decades to spend your adolescent years in, The Sweet, Showaddywaddy, Rubettes, even the Bay City Rollers. Teenagers all over the world had their own tartan – no matter what their nationality – on their white trouser bottoms which our mums had spent hours sewing. I was no exception. I remember school discos and watching the girls dancing, us guys never really danced did we? The best place to be was behind the DJ booth playing the tracks that made the girls smile and move their bodies in amazing ways, I think that was a pivotal part in my life when I realised what I wanted to be, a DJ (Dance Judge). Music has always featured highly in my taste in movies too. One of my all-time favourites being The Jazz Singer, originally released in 1927. I prefer the 1980 version with Neil Diamond (below) who remains one of my favourite artists. If anything I appreciate his extraordinary talent more so now than ever. You will often hear me slipping Sweet Caroline, Desiree, Forever in Blue Jeans, Cracklin’ Rosie or I am I Said into The Hangover Show playlist whenever possible alongside my co-presenter actor Patrick Murray whose knowledge and eclectic taste in music makes for a great three way balance of my preference, the listeners’ and his. l Tune in to Buzzin Radio Pattaya via the internet on http://radio.pattayadigitalsignage.com/.
Dan’s the man to manage new media partnership
Local media needs to be responsive to the everchanging demographic of the city if it wants to stay relevant.
That’s the view of the new general manager of the combined media company that encompasses Pattaya Channel TV, Inspire Digital Media and Flirt media.
He’s Dan Cheeseman (pictured above, right) who is a familiar face to many involved in Pattaya media.
Dan is the co-founder of Inspire Digital Media. He brings with him considerable knowledge and experience of traditional and digital media in the city having worked in television, print, radio and digital channels over the past six years here in Thailand. He also has previous sales,
marketing and developing business proposition track records with Coca-Cola Enterprises and the Post Office in the UK. “Media is moving at speed especially within the expat channel where information is increasingly digitally sourced, so for Inspire this is where we needed to be – from app, website, social media, eNewsletters to You Tube. Inspire also looks to be part of consumers’ daily life, which is why we also have 24hour Inspire TV running in eight fitness centres in Pattaya.
Core market “With Pattaya Channel it is different. For TV the core market is still tourists. Survey statistics overwhelmingly support this position for the foreign market,” added Dan. “Local TV still has a role to play in this segment, but the content needs to be right, which is why with immediate effect
the show has become all about events, offers and what to do in the city for tourists.” There will be no bad news reported, it will be a feelgood show where the onus is on making every second relevant to the channel’s target consumer. Dan has also redirected the channel from being round the clock to being screened for one hour four times a day on the popular movie channels. “The channel needs to make commercial sense, too, and putting the show in between the daily movies also gives a lot of synergy from this already very popular channel,” Dan explains. So where would Dan like to take this opportunity? “I have given myself just six months to ensure both Pattaya Channel and Inspire are commercially very strong, have great and relevant content for their target consumer. “The team is in place – which is the backbone of getting this all
TFi will join the bed racers
working correctly. I have a terrific group of people many of whom came with me from Inspire. “Special mention should be made of Martin Carlyle (above, left), my video production manager, who really is best in class. I expect him to flourish here moving forward, to be my assistant and online content manager.”
Innovative He concluded: “I want the two media to be famous for different things. With Pattaya Channel being the best quality in terms of production and content, while Inspire will remain creative and innovative in how it goes about connecting with consumers. “After this I have a new project that I want to embark on back in the UK, so with the team in place and the plan already gaining momentum, time is of the essence!”
Sun
fun in the
Things hurt me now. My knees hurt, my back hurts. But your head still thinks it’s 23. – George Clooney
Fake watch seller stabs tourist, 22
THE COOL BAR ON SOI KHAOTALO OPEN DAILY FROM 1pm
For more information call +66 (0)87 747 8555 or + 66 (0)89 250 5691 or email info@boozeloungepattaya.com www.facebook.com/BoozeLoungePattaya 12 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
Since its inception in August 2013 the Thai Farang Initiative (TFi) have raised more than Bt500,000, with their music themed evenings and kids parties. Their motto is “Fun Events for Charity” and it’s with this in mind that the team has signed up to take part in the annual Pattaya International Bed Race on Sunday 25 January. This fun and colourful event is now in its seventh year and has caught the attention of not just the local community but also media from around the globe. TFi would like to thank their sponsors for their assistance for this event, namely: CSP Construction Projects, Defence International Security Services, Global Property, Booze Lounge, Pattaya Bungy Jump, Murphy’s Law and Buzzin Pattaya. Joe Cox from Defence International Security
Services, who is also a TFi team member, said: “My company has sponsored and taken part in the bed race in the past. It’s a great day out, although we always seem to come last, but it’s not about the winning, it’s about taking part and doing our bit for charity. “This was the logical move for TFi to take part in this as we have worked with other charities in the past such as Jesters Care for Kids, Pattaya Sports Club & Rotary and at the end of the day we like to have a bit of fun.” The bed race kicks off at 4pm on Beach Road beside Central Festival and is organised by Pattaya City and the Rotary Club of Pattaya and proceeds from the event will go to local charities that are supported by the Rotary Club of Pattaya. More information regarding TFi can be found on: www.facebook.com/funcharityevents
A 22-year-old tourist was in a serious, but stable, condition in hospital after he was reportedly stabbed by a fake watch seller at the front of Starbucks at Central Festival. Russian Ivan Cherkashin is here with friends and his sister, Nadezhdn, 26, who accompanied him to hospital. Witnesses said the seller tried to sell a fake branded watch to the victim who, when he realised the item was not real, said he would not buy it. The seller later gave himself up to police and offered a different version of events.
the buck
stops here By DAVE BUCKLEY
a mixed bag of views
Might Stevie G play for United? OKAY Liverpool fans did you break out in a bit of an indignant, cold sweat when you read this headline?
Yes? Well, apologies. I’m feeling in a bit of a mischievous mood ... but there is a serious point behind my (probably misguided) attempt at mirth.
What if your great servant Steven Gerrard were to sign for a team playing Major League Soccer (MLS) in America – which looks like being LA Galaxy – and is immediately loaned back to, say, Everton or, even worse, arch rivals Manchester United?
Couldn’t happen? Yes, I tend to agree. But indulge me for a minute or two. How do you think Chelsea fans felt on New Year’s Day after their all-time leading scorer Frank Lampard netted the goal that by the day’s end saw Manchester City level on points, goal difference, goals Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard with England manager Roy Hodgson. Will the two former England scored, you name it, with his former club? midfielders face each other or even join up in the American MLS next year? Couldn’t happen? It did, and if I were a Chelsea fan I would Some reports say Chelsea had awfully like a two-year deal with a player go to boost one of your go via Italy. Phil Chisnall in 1964 be feeling fairly out of sorts, decided to release Lampard at the Manchester City to me. made a direct move from United main rivals. wouldn’t you? Lampard’s goals for City up end of last season so, if correct, A few seasons back Arsenal to Liverpool. No one has since in At the end of last season the player was more than within until the end of New Year’s Day sold Robin van Persie to more than 50 years. Frank Lampard left Stamford his rights to join whichever club included winners against Leicester Manchester United. At the time Rivalry Bridge ostensively to join MLS was happy to sign him. and Sunderland and one that he had only a short spell left on team New York City FC on a Sure, the rivalry between But this charade of him earned a draw against Chelsea. his contract so they might have two-year contract. Chelsea and Manchester City saying he was off to America So his contribution cannot be had to let him go later for free. then joining City just leaves me dismissed as insignificant. The Gunners said it made is not comparable and probably Service I don’t go a whole lot on financial good sense and probably more players have moved wishing he had signed directly for I’m confident Blues fans the Cityzens and be done with it. conspiracy theories so let’s say it did, but I have yet to meet a directly between the two though wished him well after many years At the outset of this loan he that maybe Lampard’s route to Gooner who applauded the deal Shaun Wright-Phillips is the only of great service to the club. But was only going to play for City Manchester City was initially not given United won the league that one I can think of off-hand. what would they have said had until the American season began. part of the planning. But would, season with van Persie scoring One wonders what relations they realised he would instead be Then it was recently revealed he or could, Chelsea have acted many important goals in the run. will be like between the two playing for current Premiership would stay at the Etihad Stadium differently had it been made clear Some teams seem to just clubs should Chelsea legend holders Manchester City and until the English Premiership this would be the outcome? never sell to each other because Frank Lampard help City to scoring goals that would pose season has finished. of intense rivalries. Liverpool retain their title. Boost a direct threat to Chelsea’s own I can’t see any team outside Plus there has been talk and Manchester United probably title ambitions this season? Perhaps there was not a top the list. You will find the odd of these two mounting a serious that he might hang around in Nothing illegal has happened. Manchester next season as well. whole lot they could have done player who has played for both title challenge. If I’m right, one No football rules have been broken Don’t know how others about it, but it goes against the clubs – Paul Ince immediately thing’s for sure, one of the sides to the best of my knowledge. might interpret that but it sounds unwritten “law” that you don’t let springs to mind – but he had to will be left Singing the Blues.
Let’s give credit where it’s due POLICE forces around the world regularly come in for criticism and the one here in Thailand is no exception. So I recount the following tale related to me by a friend in a bid to balance the books just a little. He was out on New Year’s Day with his wife filling up a petrol station in Soi Siam Country Club when they realised his bike has developed a flat tyre. Given the time of year they were not sure of finding a repair shop open but they decided to push the bike (to save the tyre from further damage) to a place
they knew just past the crossroads. Their route took them past the holiday police checkpoint at the crossroads. The police spoke with my friend’s Thai wife who asked if the officers knew of any repair shop that was open. They didn’t, but, given that my friend lived nearby, they kindly offered to give the couple plus their bike a lift home which was gladly accepted. Four officers pitched in to lift the bike onto the back of a truck and they set off. On the short journey the officer driving spotted a young lad rolling a tyre
A short memory THE OTHER day I ran into an old friend who I have known pretty much since I arrived here the best part of 15 years ago. Do you think I could remember his name? Not for the life of me! It came to me just after I had driven off. I considered driving back and saying goodbye again just so I could add his name. But I resisted the temptation on the grounds he would (rightly) have thought my actions odd. This has happened a few times in recent years and the embarrassment is only heightened by the fact that no one ever seems to forget my name. I have even recently forgotten the name of a guy with the same Christian name as myself.
Old age I guess it’s just another sign of old age creeping up. When younger I used to go in for word association to help me remember a person’s name. For example, to remember someone called Barry I would think “holidays in South Wales”. Yes, I know it sounds a bit convoluted, but it was effective. Now, even that ploy doesn’t seem to work. Luckily for me I have always been the type to say “hello, mate” even when in complete command of someone’s name so perhaps my memory lapses will not be too obvious. Now, of course, friends will be coming up asking: “What’s my name?”
along the road and stopped to ask if he could help with the deflated bike tyre in the back. The lad could, so the incident reached a happy conclusion. Being well versed in local customs my mate offered what he felt was an appropriate small ‘thank you’ gift to the officers who had helped them. They politely declined to accept with a smile and a wish for a happy new year. Being a cynic I asked my friend if he had made the last bit up. “Not at all,” he assured me, adding, “maybe it would make a piece for your newspaper.” It did!
Suitors: Where do you draw the line? There are pros and cons to having a lot of suitors. You have increased choice, but someone, somewhere is going to get hurt. In typing this I am reminded of a bargirl friend of my wife who had three farangs very keen on her favours and each was sending money to “save” her from having to sell her charms. All went swimmingly until the three decided to holiday here at the same time. She ended up losing all three. Wonder why?
But I am allowing myself to be sidetracked (pun intended) ... the real point of this small piece is regarding the country’s dilapidated railway system. In recent years Thailand has been keeping its options open about who to choose as a partner in building new rail lines. China, South Korea and Japan have each attempted to woo this country and the former seems to have got the nod apparently on a “we said ‘yes’
to you first” basis. The result has been that both South Korea and Japan are sorely miffed and feel Thailand has played fast and loose with their “affections”. Personally, I don’t much care which suitor wins ... as long as someone does. I like train travel. When I go to Bangkok I park up at the airport and get the rail link into the city from there. So come on you guys in government – pick a winner and let’s make progress.
Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 13
Fun in the sun ANSWERS Dingbats: 1. Split-second timing; 2. A large overdraft; 3. 10 Downing Street. Liquid assets: Step one: Fill the three litre jug. Step two: Empty the three litre jug into the five litre jug. Step three: Fill the three litre jug again from what remains in the eight litre jug. Step four: Fill the five litre jug from the three litre jug leaving one litre of water remaining in the three litre jug. Step five: Empty the five litre jug into the eight litre jug. Step six: Pour the one litre of water from the three litre jug into the five litre jug. Step seven: Refill the three litre jug from the eight litre jug. Step eight: Empty the contents of the three litre jug into the five litre jug. You now have four litres of water in the five litre jug and in the eight litre jug. Chess: A5xA6 check; B6xA6; C6-D7 check; A7-B6; C4-C5 mate.
In next month’s issue of REm
Hemsworth plays a hacker With the massive hack of Sony Pictures late last year, cyber terrorism is now very much in the public spotlight. That makes the current release of Michael Mann’s new film, Blackhat, a thriller about a master hacker on the trail of a cyber-terrorist about as timely a movie release as you could want. Aussie hunk Chris Hemsworth plays Nick
Hathaway, a computer genius whose hacking skills are so valuable that his prison sentence is commuted in exchange for helping track down a cyber-terrorist who has been wreaking havoc on banks, power grids, and other computer networks around the world. l Read the full article and interview in the next issue of REm due out on February 2.
Winners of the photo With sun competition
Clock: 5:19. Starting with the watch on the left, add 42 minutes to the time shown to give the time on the next watch to the right. Cards: Nine of Clubs. Taking red cards as positive values and black cards as negative values, in each column of the diagram, the lower card value equals the sum of the two upper card values. The suits are used alternately in each column. WordWheel 1: Some words of five letters or more containing the hub letter – airmail, alarm, altar, apart, armpit, atria, atrip, impair, impala, impair, impart, IMPARTIAL, lariat, maria, marital, martial, matai, milia, partial, pilar, plait, prima, primal, primatal, PRIMATIAL, raita, riata, tapir, tiara, trail, tramp, trial.
WordWheel 2:
A N
T E O T
D E
Cryptic Crossword: Across – 1 Capri; 6 Sound; 9 Acceded; 10 Scone; 11 Venus; 12 Urges; 13 Soloist; 15 Ohm; 17 Prim; 18 Palate; 19 Feral; 20 Repair; 22 Diva; 24 Try; 25 Refusal; 26 Drool; 27 Taboo; 28 Scold; 29 Gumshoe; 30 Cakes; 31 Stash. Down – 2 Anchor; 3 Random; 4 Ice; 5 Heart; 6 Several; 7 Odes; 8 Nought; 12 Usher; 13 Sport; 14 Lippy; 15 Oasis; 16 Metal; 18 Panel; 19 Fibrous; 21 Errata; 22 Dulcet; 23 Vaults; 25 Rouse; 26 Doge; 28 SOS. Easy Crossword: Across – 1 Froth; 6 South; 9 Rousing; 10 Snoop; 11 Alarm; 12 Agape; 13 Debacle; 15 Fib; 17 Iron; 18 Begone; 19 Saved; 20 Chumps; 22 FiFi; 24 His; 25 Balloon; 26 Troon; 27 Float; 28 Welly; 29 Pacific; 30 Green; 31 Teddy. Down – 2 Ringer; 3 Trojan; 4 Hop; 5 Usage; 6 Snapped; 7 Ogle; 8 Turpin; 12 Alias; 13 Ditch; 14 Bonus; 15 Folio; 16 Begin; 18 Bevan; 19 Spartan; 21 Hitler; 22 Fleece; 23 Fouled; 25 Bowie; 26 Tape; 28 Wit. Sudoku:
8 9 6 4 1 3 2 5 7
5 7 4 6 2 8 9 3 1
1 3 2 7 9 5 8 4 6
7 6 1 9 8 4 5 2 3
2 5 9 3 6 7 1 8 4
4 8 3 2 5 1 7 6 9
9 2 7 5 3 6 4 1 8
6 1 5 8 4 9 3 7 2
3 4 8 1 7 2 6 9 5
We have chosen the winners of the his ‘n’ hers massage vouchers worth more than Bt9,000 combined to be used at the Oasis Spa, Jomtien.
There’s no one, two, three order but the ones we like – for differing reasons – are of Terry Collins (above), Namfon Uraipan (left) and Matthew Raspin (below).
We felt that Terry’s picture was just too outrageous to ignore, Namfon gets the nod partly because she was first to enter and mainly because it is a nice picture and Matthew gave the best impression of actually reading the newspaper! We would ask the winners to email info@thepattayasun. com and we will liaise with them about the best way to get the vouchers to them.
All news stories from www.pattayaone.net 14 • Pattaya Sun • January 2015
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Call Trevor: 086 089 4699 / trevor@buzzinmediagroup.com Pattaya Sun • January 2015 • 15