The Phuket News 02 November 2018

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CHALONG HOSPITAL SET FOR APRIL OPENING > PAGE 2

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Foreign student blitz exposes dark practices The fifth, and last, landfill site at Saphan Hin is nearly full from excess waste that the island’s only incinerators do not have the capacity to burn. Photo: The Phuket News

WASTE WOES GROW AS ISLAND INCINERATORS OVERWHELMED, LANDFILL NEARLY FULL The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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our of the five landfill sites at the incinerator complex at Saphan Hin are already full.

The fifth – and last – remaining site is nearly also full, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana has revealed.

The news was delivered directly to Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana during an inspection visit to the Phuket Solid Waste Incineration Plant – the only solid waste disposal centre on the island – on Monday (Oct 29).

“On average, from October 2017

through September 2018, about 925 tons of waste was delivered every day,” Mayor Somjai explained.

Although the waste facility is operated by Phuket City Municipality, it receives waste delivered from local administrations all across the island, Mayor Somjai noted.

The facility also receives waste delivered by private organisations, she added.

“The statistics show that the amount of waste is increasing every year. This is because Phuket has more tourists visiting each year and it affects the amount of waste,” Mayor Somjai explained to the Governor.

“And this is despite a campaign to separate waste at the source to reduce the volume of solid waste to be disposed. Even with this, the amount of waste is still increasing,” she said.

The waste delivered includes organic materials, and has hazardous materials separated to be sent to an appropriate disposal facility “out of the province”. The rest is assigned to be incinerated, Mayor Somjai said.

However, excess waste that the facility’s two incinerators in operation cannot handle are dispatched to the landfills at the site.

“Today, there are five landfills,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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and the fifth – and last – landfill is nearly full,” Mayor Somjai said.

The municipality has a plan to counter the growing mounds of trash, but that plan has been “struck by many problems”, she explained to Gov Phakaphong.

“Phuket Municipality has also hired a team from a university to study and analyse the possibility of having the private sector help solve this problem,” she said.

Earlier this year, Chakkrit Songsaeng, the manager of the waste facility, explained to The Phuket News that the municipality had long failed to secure funds for a much-needed...

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Officials deny ‘irregularities’ in artificial coral reef project > page 5

Waiting for care

Chalong Hospital finally set to open next April A garbage truck arrives at Saphan Hin with another load of rubbish to be dumped off.

Photo: The Phuket News / file

Waste landfill sites fill as incinerators breach capacity Continued from page 1 ...third incinerator in order to stave off the return of the huge piles of garbage at the landfill at Saphan Hin. “Two incinerators are working right now, and they can burn 700 tons per day combined,” Mr Chakkrit said in March.

“But in the high season, the volume of the waste arriving can even reach more than 1,000 tons per day.”

Mr Chakkrit explained that the very first incinerator installed at the plant, which could burn of up to 250 tons of garbage a day, had been working for 17 years, but stopped working in 2012.

“This project would cost B530mn to repair the first incinerator to operate again,” he said.

Governor Phakkaphong, who arrived on the island only on Oct 1, offered no solutions.

However, he said, “The waste problem is an important issue for a tourism city. We must have good management planning and the need to educate the public seriously to reduce the amount of waste generated.”

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he long-awaited opening of the Chalong Hospital is set for April, with plans to expand to include 150 inpatient beds within five years.

Dr Chuchart Nijwattana, who has been appointed Director of the still-under-construction Chalong Hospital, explained that the opening for the hospital being scheduled for April is unrelated to the ongoing construction of the Chalong Underpass, which is also planned to be completed by next April.

Plans to build the hospital were first announced in 2015.

“Chalong Hospital will open in April next year in accordance with our plan to alleviate the pressure of major government hospitals being overload with patients.

“It has nothing to do with the underpass construction. We are moving ahead in accordance with our own plan,” he said.

The first priority is to have the Accident & Emergency Centre at the hospital fully operational, Dr Chuchart said.

“Next will be Outpatient Department, which will also open in April. Then the Inpatient Depart-

More than three years in the making, the long-awaited Chalong Hospital is slated to open in April next year. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot ment with beds for 30 patients on the third floor will be added in June 2019,” he added.

In order to expedite the hospital opening to treat patients, the medical equipment needed will be added as each section of the hospital opens, Dr Chuchart explained.

“The obstacle is that we applied for the funds for the medical equipment under the budget for 2019, but we were not able to get approval for it, and so we must apply again under the budget for 2020,” he said.

“We don’t have a direct budget of our own yet. Currently all efforts for the Chalong Hospital are coming via support from Vachira Phuket Hospital,” he added.

Vachira Phuket Hospital, in Phuket Town, is the largest government hospital on the island and is operated directly under the Phuket Public Health Office of the Ministry of Health.

“In addition to the medical equipment, we will need a staff of 85, who will be ready and working in each section in the hospital by October 2019,” Dr Chuchart said.

“Further, our plan is to expand the hospital to have 150 inpatient beds within five years,” he noted.

Dr Chuchart rated the opening of the Chalong Hospital as vital for people in the southern end of the island needing medical treatment.

“Especially patients from accidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, the opening of Chalong Hospital come April will help alleviate the workload on staff at Vachira Hospital in Phuket Town, which earlier this year started refusing admitting non-critical patients unless they have been referred by a medical specialist due to a bed shortage.

The current practice by people to use Vachira Hospital as it is the largest and best-equipped government hospital on the island has left the facility overwhelmed, Vachira Hospital announced in August.

“Patients should first seek attention at Patong Hospital, Thalang Hospital, Chalong Health Centre, Phuket Provincial Hospital and other Health Promoting Hospitals which should be able to take care of them,” the notice said.

In response, Dr Chuchart said that the Chalong Health Centre should be the first port of call for people living in the Chalong area until Chalong Hospital opens.

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Jilted husband, 62, slays wife’s lover still in bed Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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62-year-old man wanted for shooting dead his wife’s lover in Sa Kaeo province last Thursday (Oct 25) was arrested in Phuket Town on Monday (Oct 29).

Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Chaiwat Uikam presented the suspect, Uten Jitman 62, at a press conference at the Phuket Provincial Police office at Phuket City Police headquarters in Phuket Town on Tuesday morning (Oct 30).

Joining Col Chaiwat at the press conference were Maj Gen Thatchai Pitanilaboon, Deputy Commander of Region 2 Police and Col Padoongsak Raksasin, Deputy Commander of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police.

Gen Thanchai explained that Phuket Provincial Police had taken Uten into custody at the Rassada Hotel on Thepkrasattri Rd in Rassada, north of Phuket Town, at 3:30pm.

Uten was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Sa Kaeo Provincial Court for the murder of Lt Sameinchai Peupein, 56, who was stationed with the Burapha Task Force at the Royal Thai Army base in Sa Kaeo.

Uten has been charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm, Gen Thatchai confirmed.

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Uten Jitman, 62, was arrested at a hotel north of Phuket Town on Monday afternoon (Oct 29). Photo: Khao Phuket

Gen Thatchai explained that police were called to a grilled fish restaurant in Moo 12 of Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo, at 11:50pm last Thursday (Oct 25).

“Police found only blood inside the building, not the injured man (Lt Sameinchai), as a neighbour had already taken him to Watthana Nakhon Hospital,” he said.

“Lt Sameinchai was shot three times.

He died at hospital,” Gen Thatchai said.

Gen Thatchai explained that Uten and his wife had owned the restaurant for two years, but that Uten had to leave to work in Bangkok.

Uten came back and saw a car parked

in front of the restaurant. He then walked into the bedroom at the back of the restaurant, where the shooting happened.

Mr Uten himself explained at the press conference, “I saw my wife with Lt Sameinchai. They were holding each other in bed… Lt Sameinchai saw me.

He was quick and grabbed his gun first, but the gun failed to fire. Then I shot at Lt Sameinchai first,” he said.

Crying at the press conference, Uten said, “I know what I did was wrong. I am willing to cooperate fully with the police... I ran beacuse I wanted to get as far as I could from the area, where I would be in danger.”

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Road racers charged with affray, with knives THE MOTORBIKE RIDers who ran a red light and slammed into a pickup truck last Saturday afternoon (Oct 27) have been charged with reckless driving and affray.

The incident occurred at 3:30pm, when the two motorbikes sped through the Khao Lan intersection on Thepkrasattri Rd in Thalang and slammed into a pickup truck.

Despite initial reports, Capt Ekkasak Koanwan of the Thalang Police confirmed that no shooting took place and no guns were involved in the incident.

Instead, the culprits were brandishing knives, he noted.

Capt Ekkasak said he arrived at the scene to find the pickup truck with impact damage to its left side.

On the ground beside it was a Phuket-registered blue Honda Wave motorbike with its rider, Surasak Inlaphat, 19, and his passenger Kratisada Philasook, 16, on the ground.

Nearby was a black motorbike with one of the shock absorbers puncturing the petrol tank. Its rider, Nattakit Chuaikhaeng, 20, had suffered a broken leg and was soon taken to Phuket Provincial Hospital by Srisoonthorn

Police recover a knife from one of the men involved.

Photo: Thalang Police rescue workers.

The driver of the pickup, Suwaree Chaiwet, 58, said he was driving from the Heroines Monument and had stopped at the intersection to turn right, Capt Ekkachai said.

When the light turned green he proceeded, but the two motorbikes raced through their red light and hit the pickup – and the two motorbike riders started threatening each other with knives, he added.

Both Nattakit and Surasak have now been charged with reckless driving, and all three have been charged with fighting in public, Capt Ekkasak confirmed.

Capt Ekkasak noted that the altercation flared up after one of the three men “misunderstood” how one of the others had looked at him.

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PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

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Light-rail to open to public by 2023, assures official

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LOCA L R ESI DEN TS will be able to get on board Phuket’s light-rail by 2023, a top official behind the project has assured.

Niran Kaetkeaw, the Director of the Regional Bureau of Transportation and Traffic Promotion, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and planning (OTP), said last Friday (Oct 26) that the project was making good progress.

“The e-bidding for the project is expected to start next year 2019, with bids closing in 2020. We expect construction to start in 2020, with construction completed by 2022,” Mr Niran said.

“The first year of operation will be a trial period, with the light-rail fully operational and open to the public by 2023 for certain,” he added.

“Construction of the first 41.7 kilometres of the project

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Fake goods raid hits Bangla stores Tavee Adam reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

Phuket’s light-rail system will be open to the public by 2023, officials have assured.

Image: OTP will be launched in the first half of 2022, or before the beginning of 2023. The budget for this section will be B30.154 billion. “The entire project will be along a total of 58.52km, with a total project cost of B39.406 billion,” he said.

However, in order to reduce traffic, people will have to adjust to using an alternative form of transport instead of using private vehicles, Mr Niran cautioned.

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mass raid on 25 shops along Bangla Rd, Patong, last Friday night (Oct 26) saw more than 300,000 items seized with a reported value of B42 million, the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau.

Leading the high-profile raid at 8pm was Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau, and Deputy Commissioner Maj Gen Krissakorn Paleetunyawong.

Joining them were Col Panachai Cheunthaitham of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division, as well as Lt Gen Pongwut Pongsri and

Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn led the raid on Bangla Rd, Patong, last Friday night (Oct 26). Photo: Immigration Bureau Maj Gen Wanchai Ekpornpit, both deputy commanders of Region 8 Police, as well as Peeraphat Ingpongpan of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo).

Among the items seized were counterfeit versions of goods made by brand names including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Rayban, Nike, Adidas and Under Armor.

The Immigration Bureau valued the goods at B42 million.

Gen Surachate explained that the raid was carried out in line with policy laid down

by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, to focus

on the importance of fake goods to reduce the damage the fake-goods industry does to the country’s international image.

Specific focus is being given on brands from the US, Gen Surachate said, adding that the raid last night was carried out in conjunction with the American Embassy.

“This raid followed tip-offs and complaints sent via online, including through social media,” Gen Surachate said.

“Preventing this is not easy… We understand the position the merchants are in, so we first asked them to stop selling these goods,” he added.

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No ‘irregularities’ in reef project, says DPT The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he Phuket office of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) has denied any wrongdoing in the multi-million-baht project to create artificial reefs around Phuket amid a court case that officials are hesitant to explain.

In a statement issued via the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department last Friday (Oct 26), the DPT Phuket office revealed that no videos or other materials documenting the deployment are to be posted online or published elsewhere following an order by the Phuket Provincial Court.

The statement recognised that the centre of controversy stemmed from claims posted on social media and noted that the order was in relation to Black Case No. 1306/2018 being heard at the Phuket Provincial Court, dated October 22, 2018.

The statement noted that the court has prohibited “the

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While video recordings of the artificial reef blocks being deployed by at least one party have been banned by court order, the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department released this image to be used in announcing the news. Photo: PR Dept defendant from posting an online video, or sharing in Facebook or other media, until the court orders otherwise.”

However, no other details about the case were given, including what claims were made or why materials showing the deployment of the artificial reefs around Phuket were no longer allowed to be published – or published

by who.

Instead, the statement gave a detailed history of the project according to DPT Phuket office under the title “Phuket clarifies the facts of the running the artificial reef construction project to restore the ecosystem for tourism.”

“According to the information presented through social media about the implementa-

tion of the coral reefs project to provide relief and revitalise the ecosystems for tourism, that content indicates that the implementation of the project is not conducted properly in accordance with the rules of the project before the application,” the statement read.

“This led to the government being damaged,” the statement added.

PHUKET NEWS

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Hopes in major Phoenix salvage move fall short HOPES THAT THE OPeration to recover the sunken Phoenix tour boat would see the wreck moved to the halfway point from where it can be floated to the surface fell short on Tuesday (Oct 30) as the salvage team managed to move the boat only 40 metres.

The Phoenix sank 1.5 nautical miles off Koh Hei in storm conditions on July 5 in a disaster that killed 47 Chinese tourists.

The salvage team from Spitz Tech Co Ltd, which has been contracted by the government to recover the Phoenix, attempted a major operation to move the boat starting at 11am on Tuesday, Wiwat Chitchertwong, Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office, confirmed to The Phuket News.

The attempt aimed to moved the boat halfway to where it will be refloated in waters only 25 metres deep.

However, the team encountered problems with the ballast balloons used to lift the boat off the seabed, Mr Wiwat explained.

“The boat was moved only 40 metres today,” he said.

“The team will make adjustments to the floats and

The attempt to move the ‘Phoenix’ on Tuesday (Oct 30) saw the boat moved only 40 metres. Photo: PR Dept continue the project to move the boat (while the wreck is still completely submerged) tomorrow,” he added.

“We expect to have the boat in position to float it to the surface in one to two more days,” Mr Wiwat said.

“Once the boat is in position, in waters only 25m deep, the team will attempt to float it to the surface,” he repeated.

Mr Wiwat noted that hopes are still high to have the Phoenix floated by this weekend.

“We do expect that the Phoenix will be on land in the next two to three days,” he said.

Once the Phoenix has been recovered, it will be taken to the Rattanachai shipyard in Rassada so that investigators can inspect the wreck.

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Opinion 6

OPINION

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EDITORIAL

Restoring confidence

f there’s one phrase the world is tired of hearing these past few months it has to be Thai officials continually repeating just how important it is “to restore tourists’ confidence” that Phuket is a safe place to travel.

The unending regurgitation comes time and again, as if the message to local officials is meant to intend exactly and only what the words say – that the focus is purely on restoring tourists’ confidence, not actually taking any meaningful steps to improve safety.

If safety is improved, that would be nice, but purely coincidental.

What staggers the mind is the depth of skills and wealth of experience specifically in marine safety of the foreigners already here on Phuket – nevermind those readily available abroad – not being taken advantage of.

Since the July 5 Phoenix tour boat disaster that killed 47 Chinese tourists the suggestions made through comments, articles and even sent directly to The Phuket News has shown that the quality of understanding and the expertise to make Phuket’s marine tourism industry as safe as officials espouse they want it to be can be done right here, right now.

But what have we had instead? A steaming pile of press conferences and a couple of seminars telling local boat captains and crews how important safety is.

There are now some pretty souvenir wristbands at some piers that will help officials confirm how many tourists were on a boat if it sinks – and to make it easier to identify bodies, which in all is not a bad thought considering that in the aftermath of the Phoenix

disaster no officials had a clue how many tourists were on the ill-fated boat when it sank.

With the calibre of the long-term expats on the island there is no reason Phuket cannot do something world class.

So why haven’t local officials asked? If the Thai education system teaches anything, it is how to copy an answer that is already provided.

Loss of face and other forms of embarrassment also spring to mind, but most likely would be the same reason that we have heard nothing about the B500 million safety plan submitted to Cabinet by Tourism & Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat.

Maybe the Cabinet is just being cautious. After all, if a lifeguard-sourcing contract for a piddling B13 million is now under investigation for alleged corruption, what would they do with half a billion?

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

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Phuket Opinion: Avoiding the tourism meltdown US Embassy in Thailand to cease providing income affidavit Personal reasons to blame for Brit’s alleged suicide, say Phuket police Low-pressure system brings weather warning for Phuket, Andaman Construction crane driver found hanged after Cambodian wife leaves with baby Phuket light-rail up open to public by 2023, assures official 11 jailed for gang rape of 14-year-old Phang Nga girl Fake goods raid hits 25 stores in Patong, B42mn in goods seized Central commits to B1bn Phuket lifestyle mall Roads to close for Patong Carnival

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HAVE YOUR SAY Waiting Room

Re: Chalong Hospital set to open next April I recently accompanied a friend to Vachira to visit her father. It is shocking...There are people stacked up everywhere.

There are rows of patients on gurneys, lined up outdoors.

This hospital with 150 beds (within five years) is a joke.

There are at least 150 people needing rooms right now, laying in hallways at Vachira.

Timothy

Parking Lot

Re: Central commits to B1bn Phuket lifestyle mall Soon perhaps a lost tropical paradise – just a mega mass tourism shopping city?

Concernd Reading this article and the article about Phuket’s waste woes... Why not build a new incinerator in the Bang Tao area? The housing/visitors figures have to be supported by good and quick care of waste locally. They cannot continue to mass transport waste over half the island through Phuket Town to the old limited capacity incinerators.

Kurt

Equestrian plight

Re: Melbourne Cup Race Day in Phuket If people knew the realities of horse racing, where thousands of horses are euthanised each year and the slaughter pipelines, often shipped to Japan in horrid conditions, they probably would not be so keen to dress up for it and spend good money on celebrating it. Shame on these charities for exploiting the suffering of unfortunate horses and shame on TPN for accepting their ads seeking to profit from it.

Christy Sweet

Slight oversight

Re: Phuket light-rail up open to public by 2023, assures official I doubt tourists are going to be interested in getting into this stupid train after a long flight. How many stay in Phuket Town? If they took the train they would be stuck with all their luggage and still have to use a rip-off taxi to their destination. The only reason these morons want this so bad is the B39 Billion budget. This will cause years of traffic chaos.

Timothy

I have to agree, considering it won’t take them anywhere near their hotel, they will still need taxis, tuk-tuks, etc… more rip-offs.

Rorri_2

Unruly youth

Re: Road racers charged with affray, with knives So more genitally deficient Thais acting like children and (apparently) getting away with it. Affray? How about carrying a concealed weapon in public? Dangerous driving causing damage? Riding with no helmet (probably)? Or even assault with a deadly weapon (threatening someone with a knife is still assault)? Instead it’s a slap on the wrist and carry on unchanged.

CaptainJack69

Same but different

Re: Phuket Opinion: Avoiding the tourism meltdown Thoughtful article – begins to ask important strategic questions on the state of Phuket. Quantity vs. Quality.

Sheer numbers will destroy the beauty which attracts tourists in the first place.

Limiting tourism to a higher caliber is good, but higher

service standards are required.

Cultural diversity needs to be recognised, as Russians are different from Chinese, different from Indians, different from Aussies.

Vegasbaby

Goocci

Re: Fake goods raid hits 25 stores in Patong, B42mn in goods seized What would Thailand be without all those fake goods?

Many tourists like to buy them.

Most of them wouldn’t buy an original item anyway because of their exorbitant prices. No need to please some stupid US-government official and his “world police” attitude.

Pascale

Just a thought...

Re: Phuket underpass to close for maintenance, electrical repairs So the underpass contunually fills up with water every time it rains and the pumps short-out. Who had the bright idea that Phuket would be a great place to build an underpass? They should possibly have noticed that it rains a lot here.

Aj Raymond RITCHIE

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THAILAND NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Police launch defamation rap

Smash hit anti-dictatorship rap song, video spurs legal action BANGKOK Bangkok Post

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eputy national police chief Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul this week lodged a police complaint against the administrators of four Facebook pages, which he said defamed him in relation to an investigation into the controversial rap song Prathet Ku Mee (“What My Country’s Got”).

In Chiang Rai, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the song was a “slander” against the country and inappropriate.

Gen Srivara said on Tuesday (Oct 30) that he had authorised police officers to lodge the defamation lawsuit on his behalf on Monday. He did not elaborate on how the Facebook pages defamed him.

He did, however, concede there is no evidence so far that those connected to the song have broken the law.

According to Gen Srivara, there is no need at this point in time to summons anyone for questioning.

Pol Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul says he has barely begun his campaign against Rap Against Dictatorship, saying that a study of the lyrics of the controversial song and video 'Prathet Ku Mee' indicates some lines are ‘not entirely true’. Photos: Bangkok Post / file He also denied rumours that leading government figures ordered him to take legal action against the rappers.

Meanwhile, Gen Srivara distributed a brief containing 10 counter-arguments to various lyrics of the song to

the media. The brief, he said, was written by Seri Wongmonta, a media personality and academic.

Among the points raised is that the lyrics are not entirely true, he said, adding that some of the video’s content deliber-

ately tarnishes the reputation of the military.

Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut renewed his criticism, warning the rappers to be careful.

“I do not care if they attack me. But if they do so

against the country, I do not think it is appropriate,” said Gen Prayut.

“They should have a conscience. Do not slander your country.”

According to the premier, there are laws against acts of showing hostility toward the country. “Anyone that shows appreciation towards the song must accept responsibility for what happens to the country in the future,” said PM Prayut, stressing that he has not ordered anyone to go after the rappers.

Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said police have not initiated any legal procedures against the rappers yet as the song is deemed to be only an expression of opinion. “Voicing one’s views can still be done as usual,” he said.

Asked whether people can still share the song online, Gen Surachate said that may be within a person’s rights although people need to be careful about breaking the law with their comments.

The song, written by Rap

Against Dictatorship, a rap group, has clocked up more than 23 million views as of Wednesday morning. The five-minute music video was released on YouTube last Thursday (Oct 22).

The song was first released on the iTunes Store on Oct 14, apparently to mark the 45th anniversary of the 1973 popular uprising against a coup-installed prime minister in which 77 people died.

The rappers' verses critique the country’s political and social problems – divisive and violent politics, chronic corruption, inequality and injustice. The lyrics also pertain to allegations about events under the military government.

The video spiked in popularity after the police and government criticised it, according to observers.

Pol Col Siriwat Deepo, Chief of the Royal Thai Police Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) Sub-division 3, initially said the song might violate the Computer Crimes Act, undermine investor confidence and bring about economic instability.

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18th Architect & Hotelex to host huge variety of products, systems EXPO Sponsored

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he popular Architect & Hotelex trade expo, touted as the one-stop shop for home builders and hoteliers throughout Southern Thailand, will be at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra Hotel on Nov 28 through Dec 1 for its 18th edition with more than 500 products from more than 100 companies, manufacturers and importers on show.

“This year will have all types of construction materials, swimming pools, Pro-Pipe, floors to roof tiles, as well as the latest breakthroughs in technology, interior design and building maintenance,” explained Thanet Triwut, the expo’s organiser, PIC Phuket.

Among the displays will be nano-technology applications for next-generation homes, the latest in prefabrication construction structures and top-of-the-range light-and-sound systems for conventions, conferences, nightclubs and entertainment venues, as well as the latest products for spas, swimming pools and gymnasiums.

“Key players in the industry as well as people building their

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Suppliers of a huge range of industrial and household appliances, systems and building materials will have their wares on show at the annual Architect & Hotelex trade expo. own homes can come and learn how to design a smart home for multi-million-dollar projects, with explanations on ‘how to’ including IPTV, 4G internet, IP Phones, mobile phones, CCTV and other high-tech devices,” said Mr Thanet.

Phuket firm iT Guru will have on exhibit a “Smart City System” in co-operation with local IT, 3BB, ToT and CAT Telecom companies.

“Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and other provinces in the Andaman region are the best potential of investment economy during the opening of AEC (Asean Economic Community), and in light of the

Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam free-trade agreement,” Mr Thanet explained.

“Since the Thai government announced Phuket to be the first Smart City in Thailand, the government has started to inject huge amounts of funds to promote digital technology in the tourism industry – not only for growth of the hotel and tourism sector to continue, but also for other major construction projects, including the light rail system, the new ‘super highway’, luxury housing projects, yacht marinas, convention centres and large-scale shopping centres,” he

added.

“As Thailand today under the leadership of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha is undergoing extensive reforms in all socioeconomic dimensions, the Cabinet has realised the urgent need to leverage digital technology to drive the country forward and assigned the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to co-develop the Thailand Digital Economy and Society Development Plan.

“This plan is to be used as a blueprint for the country’s develop-

ment by digital technology, which can range from switching to digital mindset in all sectors, reforming economic structures (trade/ business, manufacturing, services), enhancing efficiency of government, to improving the quality of life of the Thai people,” Mr Thanet noted.

Other highlight innovations at the exhibition include: • JD Pool - From leading domestic pool market to one of the leading pool equipment exporters in the world market. With German and Australian technology support • Summer Solution – HDPE, PP-R, PE Winding Pipe, Wood plastic Composite • Artico – Home lifts from Sweden • Menam Stainless Grating – Stainless decoration • S.K.Telecom – Fire alarm, Access control • Bathroom Desing - Sanitary ware • Blu-Gas – LPG Equipment, Household and industrial • SRPE Group – Knock Down, Swimming Pool • K.S. Wood - Engineered Wood • Asahi-Thai Alloy –DRAGO Automatic meter reading system is a total solution for waterworks and electricity management.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Central B1bn lifestyle mall to open by 2020 RETAIL

A perspective of Porto de Phuket developed by Central Group.

Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

T Packages promised A man fishes on the bank of the Ping River in Tak, one of the 55 second-tier provinces promoted for tourism this year.

to bolster tourism TOURISM A SERIES OF INTENSIVE tourism packages are to be implemented by mid-November to increase foreign visitor numbers during the remainder of the year, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

Measures in the package include a tax measure for jewellery purchases, a tourism package with free flights to second-tier tourist provinces and a waiver for visa-on-arrival.

The measures should be implemented by Nov 15 and last through the end of the year, Mr Somkid said.

The government needs to

sustain growth in the tourism industry because it is still uncertain whether the global trade war will have a spillover effect on tourist arrivals to Thailand, Mr Somkid said.

The TAT is required to work with Thai Airways and tour operators to implement tourism packages, such as offering free flight tickets to second-tier tourism provinces if visitors plan to visit both first-tier tourism provinces, such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, and second-tier provinces, he explained.

The measure will contribute to boosting tourism revenue in 55 second-tier tourism provinces, Mr Somkid said.

Bangkok Post

he Central Group of Companies, Thailand’s biggest retail conglomerate, plans to spend B1 billion to build its first outdoor lifestyle mall in the Bang Tao area of Phuket next year.

Lertvit Pumipitak, the group’s senior executive vicepresident of corporate business development, said the company will start to develop Porto de Phuket on 50 rai in Bang Tao in 2019, with construction to be complete by the end the year.

The construction is divided into two phases. The first phase is on 20 rai, focusing on the development of an outdoor lifestyle mall covering 40,000 square metres.

The lifestyle mall will consist of seven features, including a Phuketian Mercado and a Food Hall with eateries, cafes, bars and beverage stores.

Central Food Hall, a restaurant and cafe zone, a multidesign house offering various creative products from top

designers around the world, as well as new formats of Supersports, Power Buy, B2S and FamilyMart convenience store are all planned for the mall.

Nick Reitmeier, executive vice-president of Food Hall and international buying for Central Food Retail Co (CFR), the operator of Tops Supermarket and Food Hall, said the company plans to invest B120-150 million to build a new Food Hall at the Porto de Phuket project covering 3,000 square metres.

The group already operates Central Festival, Central Floresta and Robinson department stores and lifestyle centres in

Phuket. In addition to Porto de Phuket, the group is building a Zen Department Store in Patong Beach slated to open before the end of this year.

The group’s interest in Phuket lies in the potential of the tourism industry. In 2017, Phuket had 16.9 million visitors contributing B399bn to the economy. The next few years are expected to see 20-25mn tourists who will circulate some B555bn, the company said.

“There is huge potential for Porto de Phuket because there are only a few retail chains in the area, while hotel villas and condos have seen

massive growth,” Mr Lertvit said. Phuket has more than 12,000 hotel rooms, over 5,000 apartment units and more than 2,000 villas, he said.

Customers in Cherng Talay district near Laguna Phuket have the highest spending power on the island. Their average spend per transaction is about B4,000 baht, compared with B3,000 in other zones, said Mr Lertvit.

He expects Porto de Phuket to see at least 3mn tourists every year and about 6,000 visitors during the weekday, with 12,000 visitors during the weekend.

Bangkok Post

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Top tips for socialising your family dog

14

A home from home for cafe lovers

17

SECRET BOOKS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

The Dark Underworld of Thailand’s Foreign University Students

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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hirty years ago, Thailand hosted very few international students. Today, the number has grown upwards of 30,000 when one counts all grades and short-term exchange students.

On the surface of things, 400% growth sounds like the greatest return in the world. Yet, growing evidence suggests that these figures are hiding some demons.

Since the 1970s, Thailand’s birthrate has been consistently dropping and computerisation has been consistently increasing. The Bangkok Post and The Nation have both reported that Thai universities and colleges are expecting 50 to 75% of their campuses to close in the next 10 years.

This, in turn, has opened a Pandora’s Box of problems. As classes empty and tuition evaporates, few Thai academics are untouchable from job loss.

Thailand tends to be especially heavy on administrative staff, tradition, pomp, circumstance and ceremony.

All of that, of course, is very expensive and so some savvy Thai universities have looked to fill their empty desks by bringing in more foreign students.

But, there are serious concerns about the quality of Thailand’s increasing array of international university graduates, and these issues run the gamut from simple quality control problems all the way to alleged criminal activity.

A laborious, tedious cross-reference of Unesco published data and various public records indicated that there are four conspicuous problems affecting today’s international university students here in Thailand.

These problems consist of anemic Stem ratings (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in the Thai educational sector, unsuitable international candidates for university enrollment, illegal work, and a lack of Western-style licensing exams to prevent malpractice.

The problems begin with the Stem scores of Thai students today, as they will be our foreign student’s teachers tomorrow. Unesco’s 2017-2018 Global Education Monitoring Report showed that barely 50% of today’s Thai students are competent in maths and reading.

Unesco also published that Thailand’s national student proficiency test@thephuketnews

ing system is not reliable. (This system is sometimes called ‘O-Net.’) Taken together, these deficiencies can create weaknesses in the Thai teachers who often help educate international students… but there are also alarming concerns regarding the quality of our international university and foreign college students themselves.

The Phuket News has obtained evidence indicating that some international undergraduate programs popular in Thailand have been admitting student school leavers to college, even though they don’t have high-school degrees.

The documents demonstrate that at least two undergraduate programs have been engaging in this practice over the past five years.

Some campuses have offered socalled ‘grace periods’ for high-school dropouts to acquire what is known as a General Educational Development (GED), a high-school equivalency certificate generally frowned upon by most of the Western world.

More alarmingly, these records strongly suggest that the ‘grace periods’ have not always been adhered to. Over several months, a special reporter for The Phuket News has cross-checked the transfer patterns of students in these

programs and came upon a document that indicated that one program instituted a GED prerequisite in order for students to graduate… only last month.

By the simple process of deduction, that means foreign high-school dropouts have been engaging in college instruction in Thailand for at least four years. Ergo, these so-called ‘grace periods’ seem little more than a means to lower the entry bar.

The Phuket News has also acquired a document that indicated that another undergraduate program has been enrolling foreign students into degrees taught in English, even though these students are not asked to prove that they actually speak English.

For instance, one web advertisement that was published online just a few months ago read: “Q: Do I need to take an IELTS or TOEFL exam before being admitted?”

“A: You can join the program with only an in-house English exam given by [the school.]”

To explain, IELTS & TOEFL are standard English proficiency exams for foreign students from non-English speaking countries.

In addition, The Phuket News has recently learned that foreign students

enrolled on the same program may soon be graduating from an American university due to a partnership between that Thai college and an American school.

But, The Phuket News has also learned that these same students might not have fluency in English until two years into their studies. This is not likely to be normal practice at an American university and seems entirely unorthodox to either common academic standards, or routine American university enrollment standards.

This suggests that some of Thailand’s international college students are simply being enrolled in Thailand in order to evade the entry standards of American universities on a commercial or repetitive basis and graduate later on. A practice that many would find morally bankrupt.

And it only gets worse from there.

Thailand’s Education Visa expressly prohibits employment.

Yet, Thailand’s authorities have long-suspected that many international undergraduate students are breaking that law. There was a heavily reported crackdown on this very issue by Immigration and the Tourist Police.

Continued on page 12

12 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Thailand welcomes a diverse cultural mix into its Universities. Photo: Naassom Azevedo ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ has been widely publicised throughout Thailand. This year, the Royal Thai Police arrested hundreds of illegal foreign workers.

Numerous unqualified English teachers were handcuffed, collared and dragged out of at least 74 of Thailand’s international schools and language institutes.

Critically, The Bangkok Post reported Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn did not say that any of those illegal teachers were qualified professionals limping from one legitimate visa to another, but exactly the opposite. Those arrested were reportedly illegally teaching on student visas.

“Police Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn sought cooperation from educational institutes and entreated them to avoid

helping foreigners change their Tourist Visa to a Student Visa,” The Bangkok Post reported.

The results of ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ have suggested that foreign students who engage in educational visa fraud do not necessarily limit their criminal activities to illegal teaching. The operation has ensnared a complex web of often concurrent crimes; all the way from international romance scams to complex illegal drug networks.

In summary, as Thailand’s number of international students soar, the reality is that their teachers are often not up to Western standards and that some programs have been flouting Thailand’s labour laws, as well as allegedly skirting the standard entry requirements commonly applied around the world for American university programs through

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

What kind of academic future are our teens walking into? Photo: Pexels which some students may soon graduate.

Compounding these woes, Thailand presently lacks occupational ‘licensing examinations’ that are on par with those of many Western states and countries.

These are the crucial exams that verify the competency of some of society’s most critical occupations... such as teachers, doctors and lawyers.

“At present, Thailand has no equivalent licensing examinations in the post-graduate, pre-degree window of time on some critical teacher-training programs that mirror their Western counterparts,” says Dr Ian Reide, a multiple Ph.D holder, historian, teacher and software designer from The University of Western Australia.

He explained that Thailand’s licensing examination issues need to be updated, but this is little understood by the general public. Practically anyone can become a foreign college student, but that does not mean that they are competent to work after they graduate, and these exams stop unqualified candidates from committing occupational malpractice post-graduation. But Thailand’s glaring weaknesses here are clearly being exploited.

According to a slew of Thai college websites, foreign students can come to Thailand to study architecture, accounting, aerospace engineering, automotive design, business, dentistry, many forms of finance, food science, public health, medical science and, very notably, foreign-language teaching, as well as teacher-training programs.

As it stands, Thailand’s mechanisms to detect high school dropouts and prevent them from entering college have proven to be barely present, or easily evaded. Its mechanisms to detect international students not fluent in English

are also being skirted.

In effect, recent revelations demonstrate that a growing number of international undergraduate programs offered in Thailand seem to be taking in unsuitable students today; but solving the problems by ‘backdating’ their records tomorrow.

The investigation opens up wideranging questions that are as yet unanswered. These questions include how high-school dropouts can be ethically enrolled in college; how those who have not yet finished high school can be expected to master college or university topics; how the general public can rely on them without Western-style licensing exams prior to being granted a diploma; how any student not fluent in English can possibly master complicated occupations taught in English; by what means these students are obtaining high grades; as well as how students who might harbour these deficiencies can possibly be deemed as suitable prospective American university graduates?

Large numbers of substandard students could constitute a serious hazard for any advanced nation outside Thailand whose government could be liable for defaulted student loans. Whilst many foreign students pay Thailand in cash for their education, further education in their Western countries is likely to be on credit.

Substandard foreign college and university students in Thailand today could be your dentist, teacher, or architect tomorrow. The revelations revealed in the course of this investigation are shocking and their consequences could eventually be enormous.

And, if left to continue, the person who may someday pay for those consequences could very well be you.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 13

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Bring out the star in you Skal Phuket 2018 Charity Evening Richard Valentine

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ack Nicholson, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Marilyn Monroe, Jessica Alba, Superman, Batman, Wolverine, Storm, Wonder Woman, Ellen Ripley… just some of the names that may be turning up at the Skal Phuket Charity Event on Saturday, December 1 at the Angsana Laguna Ballroom.

It’s Academy Awards season in Phuket, Phuket style of course, so be ready for some surprises as Skal Phuket honours those businesses on the island that have made a difference,

No prizes for guessing the theme of last year’s event.

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whether through service, charity, or just great times.

We even have our own Oscars to present, again with a difference but still worth winning.

The main purpose of the evening is to raise money for local charities that are improving the educational opportunities for children on the island and nearby so that they, and their families, can have a brighter future.

Our hosts for the night, the Angsana Laguna Phuket, have assured us of an excellent buffet and our kind sponsors are providing us with the libation to go with it and to help you get into the mood for the auctions, raffles and music. The price for the evening is B3,600 if booked and paid for by November 30 and B3,900 on the door, so it pays to book early. You can book and pay at www. skal-international-phuket. myshopify.com.

There are prizes on offer for the best male and female costume, so come as your favourite Hollywood star or character for a chance to win. Go on, be daring and really go for it… we even have a red carpet and backdrop for those paparazzi photo opportunities.

We are also inviting everyone to nominate and vote for their favourite businesses in Phuket in the following

Skal Charity Evening 2017.

categories: Best Brunch, Best Yacht Charter, Best Activity, Best CSR Project and Best Environmental Project. If you have other ideas for categories, let us know and we will consider them.

You can register your vote for your favourites at http://bit.do/SkalVote2018 and you may vote as many times as you like.

Winners will be announced on the night, just like the real Academy Awards in Hollywood.

If you have a business in Phuket and would like to contribute to the auc-

tion or raffle we would be delighted to accept you kind donation. If you would let us know at contact@skalphuket.org what you are able to give we can make arrangements for your prizes to be included in the relevant part of the night.

Every baht we raise helps improve a child’s life so please be generous. And don’t forget to ask your family, friends and customers to nominate you for an award.

Thanks to The Phuket News for being a great sponsor yet again. Your support is appreciated.

14 PETS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

THE SOCIAL ANIMAL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

It’s all about educating your dog UNLEASHED Russell D Russell info@k9pointacademy.com

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he term ‘Socialisation’ (much like the term ‘Aggression’) is one of the more misunderstood terms people often use.

Most people think having a socialised dog means they will play and engage with everyone and everything. But in essence, what you’re saying is you want a ‘friendly’ dog – and that really depends on your dog’s base character. Some dogs like being part of a pack, others prefer to be more aloof – a bit like people.

So, how do we get our puppies to be ‘truly’ social animals that are a pleasure to have around?

People It’s important for our pups to meet and engage with as many different people as possible. Different heights, ages, voices, sizes, long hair, beards, walking sticks and so on – these all create different pictures for our dog. But it’s not about getting these people to run up and play with our pup, it’s about get-

ting them to be calm and ignore them – allowing our pup to interact, engage and approach people at their own pace, whilst being rewarded by YOU, not them. And never force your dog to meet or engage with someone that they very clearly don’t want to.

Dogs and other animals In the same way, it’s just expected that everyone should be able to pet every puppy they come across, it also seems expected that all dogs should just get on and play together. This is not the case. We need to show our dogs to be calm in the presence of other dogs and animals, rewarding them or redirecting them as required. I don’t advocate puppy play-dates with the ‘friendly’ dog next door as our pup could just end up learning all the fun, friendly, yet hugely anti-social engagement behaviours of the other dog, which doesn’t set them up well for future encounters with other more social dogs.

Environments and Texture Dogs learn with pictures. So every time the picture changes, we have to show them it’s okay. They may be calm and fine with you at home, but when you go to the beach, they freak out. It takes

Socialising your dog is not humanising your dog. Photo: Charles Deluvio

What’s that? Your dog needs gentle exposure to different sounds. Photo: Sereja Ris time for our dogs to work out that all these different environments don’t matter. Also, getting our dog used to different surfaces that they may encounter – such as tiled floors, wooden floors, uneven floors, steps, gravel, grass, wobbly floors – all of these things create pictures for our dogs. Bring up a dog on nothing but tiled floors, and then one day try getting him to walk on grass.

You’d be amazed at how troublesome that can be.

Sounds Many dogs are diagnosed with a fear of thunder, or fireworks and most of this is due to a combination of poor socialising to the sounds, and reinforcement of their behaviour in response to it. Playing these sounds at a low level on your phone, whilst rewarding your dog for calm behaviour is a simple way to create an alternative behaviour, such as laying down and being calm, for your dog in the face of such stimuli.

Machinery Motorbikes, bicycles, skateboards, mini buses, hoovers, washing machines… there’s a plethora of noisy stuff out there and our dogs need to hear them all and realise there’s nothing to worry about. Stick with me, and you’ll be okay.

Remember, socialisation doesn’t just happen on its own, and it takes more than just simple exposure and expecting our dog to ‘get over it’. The key is create meaningful and positive experi-

Being one of the pack. Photo: Savs ences for our dogs. Allowing them to approach stimuli in their own time, with no pressure, and being rewarded at the right time.

A quick note on vaccinations: Most vets will tell you to give your dog zero exposure to anything until around four to six months of age, when they are fully vaccinated. For me, the benefits of having a fully socialised and confident dog far outweighs the tiny risk of our dogs getting infected by being outside at such a young age. Obviously, any outside exposure to new environments, animals and so on needs to be carefully managed to minimise any risks – but short simple exposure in the right environments should be fine.

If you would like some more information on canine training, or behavioural issues, then please contact us on 091 654 1960, email info@k9pointacademy.com, or check our website at www.k9pointacademy.com.

CPA is the only K9 organisation in Thailand accredited with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator.

thephuketnews

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Belgian Craft THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 15

Guest Chef Evert Onderbeke at The Boathouse David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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f you missed it, you’ll be disappointed to learn that across the month of October The Boathouse, Phuket hosted the ‘Feastival of Indulgence’. And yes, it was as delicious and decadent as it sounds.

Unless you’ve got a Flux Capacitor, a DeLorean going at a steady 88mph and a spare 1.21 gigawatts you’ll just have to wait until next year.

Chef Evert at work behind the scenes at The Boathouse.

@thephuketnews

If you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about and believe I may still be under the influence of my indulgences… see Back to the Future.

One of the finale events of the ‘Feastival’ was a five-course degustation menu presented by guest Chef Evert Onderbeke. The award-wining Belgian chef’s signature is in combining his considerable skill in contemporary European cuisine with his travels and learnings across Asian flavours and regional ingredients.

Chef Evert has brought his approach to much acclaim at Soleil Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur. Fortunately for us, Phuketians had the opportunity to sample his restaurant’s fare at The Boathouse, who exclusively invited him to the legendary restaurant for two nights on October 26-27.

“European cuisine is at the root of my skill and training,” said Chef Evert, who started early at 15 years old in the industry which saw him mentored by two star Michelin Chef Roger Souvereyns. “When I was young I travelled and fell in love with Asia. The feeling when you are here, the people’s way and the food.”

For Chef Evert the heart of his cook-

ing is all about the flavours and oldstyle techniques of traditional French cuisine. What’s striking is how he then brings in Asian elements and ingredients that not only support but lift his creations.

Across the five-course pairing menu were several inspired examples of precisely this artful skill.

In the Seared Hokkaido Scallop, the sweet meat of the Japanese clam was balanced with an incredible Mentaiko butter. Mentaiko is made from the roe of the Pollock fish, and reduced as a butter it brought strong flavours of the sea to the supporting tagliatelle.

The Grilled Lamb Loin was presented as a medley of taste sensations, with a cosmopolitan accompanying cast of lamb sweetbread wrapped in a Vietnamese nem, turnip, asparagus and a base which was infused with ras el hanout spices from North Africa, giving a Moroccan edge to the dish’s composition.

For the dessert Chef Evert reverted to his Belgian roots with a Dark Chocolate Cremeux. To say the supporting caramel ice-cream was salted would be an understatement, but this is much to my liking. A sprinkling of passion fruit

Grilled Lamb Loin.

Seared Hokkaido Scallop. crispy gave yet another dimension to the rich chocolate finale.

If it sounds like a complex mixture of international flavours under the roof of one sitting, you’d be hitting the mark.

It’s down to Chef Evert’s refined craft that the flavours make for an inimitable and considered coupling of Western cuisine with Eastern influences.

The Boathouse, Phuket 182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100, Thailand Tel: +66 76 330 015-7 Online: boathouse-phuket.com

16 TECHNOLOGY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro All-round high resolution tablet for both work and play

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Komsan John Jandamit

t’s not often that a 4G-ready tablet comes equipped with high quality surround sound. So if you like to immerse yourself in your favourite apps on the go, this is the tablet for you.

The Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro’s quad-speaker system produces a loud bassy sound that also supports Hi-Res audio, keeping the treble sweet and the bass anchored for a truer, more immersive listening experience. Tuned by Harman Kardon, the tablet delivers quality sound with more bass and less distortion.

The tablet’s screen, 10.8 inches wide with 2K resolution, is great to look at.

To my eyes, some sort of colour saturation trick is at play which makes the images pop. Just like Apple’s True Tone technology, the screen automatically adjusts, dimming the brightness according to the surroundings to reduce eye strain.

Speed wise, demanding games play well, with no display glitches or any of the weird ratio stretching that many tablets have.

The tablet keeps going for a long time without needing to be plugged in, with its 7,500mAh battery capability.

The all-curved body is a plus.

10.8 inches wide screen with 2K resolution.

It can be fully charged in around three hours.

M-Pen, a stylus built by Huawei, is a 4,000-level pressure and tilt sensitivity digital pen. The tip is a little too slippery when used on the screen, so a matted screen protector is recommended for precision. I created a few drawings on this tablet and, with most drawing apps, I found that there is a slight lag between what you draw and what is displayed on the screen. However, this is quite typical for any tablet that can be drawn on, including the iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab. The stylus can also be used like a mouse.

The all-curved body is a plus when

you don’t want the side of the device to dig in to your hands, which can be a little painful with something as big and weighty as this.

The optional keyboard that comes with this set, when attached to the tablet, transforms the usual Android user interface into something akin to a Windows desktop. It can be very useful and makes document creation a lot more user friendly than the usual Android UI. But there is a language-change bug that I found very annoying as it prevented me from typing in Thai. The keyboard seemed a bit fragile at first but it survived with a journalist for a whole week fine, so it is pretty durable.

I would like to commend Huawei for adding swipe gestures to the home button (which also functions as a fingerprint sensor), enabling you to return to the home screen, go back or do an app switch. However, I would also like to curse the fact that it’s a bit too sensitive to accidental touch (and caused unwanted app exits many times a day).

The MediaPad M5 Pro supports multiple user accounts, which can easily be switched on the fly when logging on with another user’s fingerprint. So you can lock the screen, pass it on to another person without them seeing your private information and let them use their own set of apps and information.

Sadly, the volume and power buttons are very difficult to find in the dark or by feeling because they do not protrude enough from the case. It’s annoying but not a deal-breaker.

So will this replace your PC? No. Is it a good media consumption device?

Yes, very. And in case you need to go into a store and ask for one… Huawei is pronounced ‘Wah-Way’. Honest.

Bangkok Post

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Sugar and spice

COMMUNITY 17

Everything nice at Nai Harn’s A Spoonful of Sugar CAFE SOCIETY

Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com

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ocated on the road to Nai Harn Beach, over the years A Spoonful of Sugar has rightly transformed itself into a neighbourhood favourite. Although management recently changed, the endearing qualities of this cosy, kitsch coffee shop have remained the same.

Spending time at A Spoonful of Sugar is like catching up with an old friend. The coffee shop boasts a wonderful ambience. Originally a family home, A Spoonful of Sugar was renovated and turned into a coffee shop by its first owner. The coffee shop features a splendid wrap-around porch and plenty of seating options, including comfy floor cushions to curl up into with a good book.

WiFi at A Spoonful of Sugar is free, and many laptop workers take advantage of squeezing in a bit of work while sipping on a morning coffee.

The staff and management at this cafe are super friendly and eager to please. Do question their menu recommendations as well as their advice on things to see and experience while in the Nai Harn Beach area.

A Spoonful of Sugar boasts an incredible coffee and tea menu. I dare say it is also the only place in Phuket that serves authentic Chai Tea, which also comes in the form of a delicious Chai Latte.

Many of the coffee beans used at the shop come from local Phuket roasters, and the coffee here is both aromatic and strong. A Spoonful of Sugar is my go-to spot for a creamy iced latte, but other popular favourites on the menu included flavoured lattes, such as the divine vanilla latte and the shop’s smooth, frothy cappuccino.

Baked goods are a speciality at the venue, and the shop originally got its name from using just a spoonful of sugar in all of their baked goods. If you are craving creative cakes, this cafe does not disappoint. Personally, I recommend the coffee shop’s lush Carrot Cake with

@thephuketnews

Mmm… Coffee and Banoffee.

A Spoonful of Sugar, Nai Harn. homemade cream cheese frosting, but other moreish baked goodies also include the Red Velvet Cake and the Banoffee Pie. The coffee shop can also prepare custom cakes for special events such as birthday parties or wedding anniversaries. Best to speak to the shop staff about this.

For those looking for a healthier alternative, A Spoonful of Sugar delivers.

The menu features an extensive selection of shakes, smoothies and protein shakes. Diners also have the option to create their own drinks from a wide array of tropical fruits and local vegetables. Choose three of your favourites and add in milk, non-fat milk, almond milk, coconut milk or coconut water for a tailor-made luscious treat.

There is a small assortment of food items on the menu which include fresh, healthy salads, sandwich varieties such as Smoked Salmon or Chicken Cheese on a choice of a classic baguette, whole wheat bread or ciabatta, whole wheat pancakes and muesli with fruit and yoghurt.

Perhaps the most popular menu item at this wonderful hideaway is the Fried Pan Egg. This dish makes a scrumptious breakfast with a choice of eggs cooked to guest’s liking and a heaping side of vegetables. While it’s true that the food menu at A Spoonful of Sugar might be small, it certainly does not lack in variety nor flavour.

Current opening times are Tuesday

to Sunday from 8am until 5pm.

However, with the high season approaching, it is likely that the shop will extend its afternoon hours.

There is plenty of parking onsite which makes A Spoonful of Sugar a wonderful place to stop and relax on the way to or coming back from Nai Harn Beach.

Prices are affordable and the coffee and food items are on point.

The relaxed interior décor.

For more information, head over to A Spoonful of Sugar’s Facebook page https://www.facbook. com/spoonfulofsugar/ or email a_spoonful_of_sugar@hotmail.com Written by Amy Bensema, Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as Phuketstagram at https://www.instagram.com/phuketstagram/

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Chef Evert displays his artistic talents in the kitchen.

No prizes for guessing who put their hand up for more.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Anisa, Richard, Jason, Paul and Jonathan.

Amorn and Renu.

CHEF EVERT ONDERBEKE PRESENTS GUEST MENU AT THE BOATHOUSE On Friday (Oct 26) at The Boathouse the ‘Feastival of Indulgence’ continued with a five course degustation menu presented by guest Chef Evert Onderbeke from Soleil Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur. Fans of contemporary European cuisine with Asian influences were given a rare treat in the hands of this award winning Belgian craftsman.

A demonstration was given on how the life saving machines can be used.

Lion Club Phuket Pearl presenting the two AED machines.

LIONS CLUB PHUKET PEARL DONATES DEFIBRILLATORS TO RAWAI AREA Lions Club Phuket Pearl have provided two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to Rawai Municipality for the purpose of first aid to visitors in the Rawai area. Rawai Deputy Mayor Nikorn Papakityosapat and Padungkiat Uthakitsa, Deputy Public Health Officer, Phuket Province, attended to accept the generous and life-saving donation.

The local media and invited guests attended the Banyan Tree event.

Chef Stuart Chant discusses his craft in the masterclass.

THE LOCAL MEDIA GATHER FOR CHEF STUART CHANT’S DINING MASTERCLASS At the Banyan Tree, Phuket on Wednesday (Oct 24) visiting Australian Chef Stuart Chant hosted a luncheon and fine dining masterclass with local media and invited guests in attendance. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Simon Douthett, General Manager at Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong gave the reward to runners.

Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and his wife at the starting point.

Vice Governor Prakob gave a medal to Kathu Mayor Dr ChaiAnan, who came a respectable fifth.

Chillva Market Phuket Mascot.

AND THEY’RE OFF! RUNNERS GET UNDERWAY AT THE KATHU FUN RUN A huge turnout on Saturday morning (Oct 27) for the #BetterTogether fun run around Bang Wad dam in Kathu, proudly sponsored by Khao Phuket and The Phuket News. Runners got underway at 5am, with Phuket Vice Governor Prakorb Wanmaneerung sounding the starter’s horn. The Fun Run was only 6km and the Mini Marathon was 12km, taking in the sights of the natural surroundings of Phuket’s biggest lake. Great fun for all ages!

Chef Carsten Ritter with supporting staff at the resort.

Gert Lehmann informs the guests on each pairing.

NICOLAS FEUILATTE EVENING AND DINING EVENT HELD AT THE NAKA ISLAND RESORT Guests on The Naka Island enjoyed a great night organised by the Asst F&B Manager and Wine Sommelier, Daniele Pinto. Superb food from Chef Carsten Ritter was paired with drinks produced

by Nicolas Feuilatte. The guests were entertained during the night by General Manager Erich Friedl and Nicolas Feuilatte Brand Ambassador Gert Lehmann.

Sam Sethi can’t quite believe it himself.

Theera Wongsawanon, GM Loch Palm Golf Club Phuket, presenting a certificate to commemorate the perfect strike.

SAM IS BOWLED OVER BY A HOLE-IN-ONE AT LOCH PALM GOLF COURSE It’s the moment every budding golfer dreams of. Sukhchaensing ‘Sam’ Sethi struck the ball off the tee and sunk a Hole-in-One at Loch Palm Golf Course on Thursday (Oct 25).

The memorable event took place at the Par 3, 176-yard Hole 16 (pin center right) using a 5 iron. Congratulations Sam! Hopefully you’ve managed to get back on your feet. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

TUE

2 NOV

6 NOV

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Boat Lagoon Weekend Nov 2 & 3, 2018 Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Beats & Bites. Music & Food & Fun. 2-3 November 2018.

From 6.00pm till 10.00pm at Lagoon Quay.

SAT

Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers.

Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht.

Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.

3 NOV

Melbourne Cup 2018 Brunch On Tuesday 6th November watch The Race That Stops The Nation at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. From 9am to 2pm enjoy this elegant fundraiser with five hours of free flow food and beverages, Fashions on the Field, amazing prizes and much more. Book now with Donna Toon at lunch@ classactmedia.co.th Tel: 0812 702 180.

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavour-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www. twochefs.com

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-late performed by our famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - RESERVE your table now online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

An Italian Evening

Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant

Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages.

Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more.

Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.

Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550.

Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/

Phuket Schools Quiz Challenge STUDENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES; get your team ready for a fun-filled afternoon! Special prize for “Phuket’s Smartest Family”. Entrance: B150 students & B300 adults, Kid’s Mania Kids Club for 1-8 year olds at B250 (incl 50% donation) All proceeds to “Good Shepherd Centre, Phuket Town” .

CLUB TROPICANA ’80s & ’90s Retro Pool Party!

Charcoal Friday Charcoal BBQ at Bodega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal broiler with the unique sear and smokiness only charcoal could deliver. Starting from THB 1,200++. Reservations, Bodega & Grill, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana. com, 076 358 500.

Screenagers UWCT & PSG will be hosting a complimentary screening of SCREENAGERS for parents, staff and to the wider Phuket community. Kindly RSVP by emailing rsvp@uwcthailand.ac.th to allow for seating and planning as spaces are limited. Please share the event details for families that may be interested to attend.

Join us for our brand new retro style pool party, every Saturday where we take you back in time with music and fashion of the ’80s, ’90s & beyond. Let us take you back in time as our resident DJs drop iconic tracks and remixes – think Wham, Madonna, Queen, Spice Girls, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Kool & The Gang, De La Soul, Run DMC... the list goes on! Have fun in the sun with huge pool inflatables, disco balls, giant Rubik’s cubes and be entertained with our sexy Club Tropicana dancers and live musicians all day. **Selected Dream drinks from THB 80++ **Poolside bites from THB 198++ Get your groove on for some Saturday Pool Party Fun at Dream Beach Club! Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.

SUN

4 NOV

WED

7 NOV

Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket.com or call 076 338 888.

Italian Family Dinner

Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com

MON

Gather round the dining table, it’s family bonding time! Experience authentic taste in a classical Italian family housewarming we will be uncorking unique Italian grape varieties to compliment your night. THB 1,990 net per person. 6:00PM - 10:30PM. Advance reservation is required. Reservations, dtlpfb@dusit.com, 076 362 999 ext.7303.

FRI

9 NOV

5 NOV

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

All you can eat BBQ night

Phuket Business Networking - PBN #6

Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBN is all about. Location - Grizzly’s Sports Bar Kathu. 086 479 7471, facebook.com/events/172583063661011/

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

10 NOV

FRI

WED

16 NOV

28 NOV

Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2018

2018 Colour Fun Run

Symphony of Flavours

Gather up your friends or gear up solo for this vibrant race.

The Colour Fun Run takes place annually and combines sport with family fun, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join in on this fantastic and colourful day out. Tickets for this event sell very fast, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort, events@thanyapura. com, 076 336 000.

The Pavilions Phuket is proud to kick off its first Symphony of World Flavours with Chef Shinichi Maeda, a multi-award winning 2-star, 1-hat chef from An Dining in Japan. Chef Shin will celebrate his unique style of modern Japanese cuisine utilising the freshest local organic produce for one night only at The Plantation Club. Food only priced at THB 3,500++. Traditional Japanese beverage paring THB 4,800++. Reservations, The Pavilions Phuket, restaurant.phuket@pavilionshotels.com, 076 317 600.

SUN

11 NOV

SAT

Celebrating 25th anniversary as Asia’s longest-standing triathlon race during 17-18 Nov, Laguna Phuket Triathlon (1.8K Swim, 50K Bike and 12K Run) introduces 25 For 25 Sprint (0.5K Swim, 18.5K Bike and 6K Run) and includes 2nd LPT Charity Fun Run (5K, 10K and 2K Kids Run) with the theme “Run for Fun, Run for Kids” to raise funds for Children First Fund (CFF) in support of underprivileged children in Phuket.

Register at www.LagunaphuketTri.com until 11 Nov (or sold out).

SUN

18 NOV

18th Architect & Hotelex Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition. All types of construction materials from floors to roof tiles. Hotel supplies and home decoration items. See the latest breakthroughs in construction technology, interior design and building maintenance. Learn how to design a smarthome for multi-million-dollar project IPTV, 4G Internet, IP Phone, Mobile phone, CCTV and other high-tech devices. PIC Phuket, 076 217199.

FRI

17 NOV

1 DEC

Zumba Party in Pink 2018

Alan Wallace Two-Day Complimentary Seminar 3rd Faldo Series Thailand Championship - South Entries are now open for the 2018 Faldo Series Thailand Championship – South and Junior Open, to be staged at Laguna Golf Phuket from 11 – 13 November 2018. Aimed to create access to the sport for a younger audience through grass-roots initiatives at its tournaments, this event will consist of 54 holes in a stroke play format, open to junior golfers aged 12 – 21 holding a USGA or nationally recognised handicap.

Grass roots divisions for golfers under 12 years old are available as part of Laguna Junior Open, but they will not qualify for the Faldo Series division winners. Tournament packages start from THB 2,950. Contact Laguna Golf Phuket to be part of this championship competition!

Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind. UWC Thailand International School (UWCT) and Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort are honoured to be able to host Dr. Wallace for a two-day seminar in Phuket on November 17 & 18. The seminar is free of charge – compliments of UWCT and Thanyapura – but spaces are limited. Dr Wallace’s visit underpins the school’s perspective that mindfulness is integral to a 21st-century education. Kindly RSVP by emailing rsvp@ uwcthailand.ac.th

The pink ribbon has become the symbol for awareness of the breast cancer disease and can be found adorning everything.

Our Zumba Community is fully aware of this disease and we are arranging a Zumba Fitness for Charity and Donation event to fight against breast cancer, Money raised from “Party in Pink 2018” will be given to Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. Registration; 17.30 hrs – 18.30 hrs, Zumba Fitness Dance 18.30 hrs – 20.30 hrs. Theme: Pink. For more info please contact Gabry 086 953 6341.

WED

21 NOV

SKAL Phuket Annual Charity Dinner The Phuket Academy Awards on Saturday 1st December at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Come as your favorite movie star. Buy tickets online until 31st Oct @ 2,900 baht. Tickets online until 30th Nov @ 3,600 baht. Tickets available on the door @ 3,900 baht. Music from JAMROXXX.

EVERY DAY Phuket Sportfishing Tournament 2018

CAREY MARX IN PHUKET CAREY MARX IN PHUKET with Mick Neven and Tsitsi Chiumya “Highly engaging, devilish, menacing, and totally mesmerizing” Edinburgh Guide “The mocking stance and unremitting march of cold logic will reduce you to howls of laughter” Daily Mail . Announcing STANDUP ASIA’s next show featuring British, Australian and South African comedians. Tickets are on sale now from 350 THB (limited early bird), 600 THB (show only), 950 THB (BBS & show), or 1400 THB for VIP tickets, which includes free-flow drinks, meet & greet with the comedians, and the best seats in the house. Get your tickets today on TicketFlap: www.ticketflap.com/phuketcomedy-careymarx Magic Rock, Marriott Resort Phuket, Merlin Beach.

THU

15 NOV

KIS FUN RUN 2018 KIS Phuket is holding its second annual KIS FUN RUN 2018 at King Rama 9 Park on Saturday 17 November 2018 from 6.30-11 AM to raise funds for The Good Shepherd Center, Phuket Town. Last year the event was very successful raising more than 200,000THB in aid of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, aiming to make it an even more successful event, KIS has invited all teachers, staff and students from the 11 branches of the Kajonkiet Group, which consists of more than 5,000 students. There will be 3 distances to run; 800M, 2KM and 4KM. If you would like to join the event or become a sponsor, please contact act@kisp.academy or call 076 684 4458. Together we can make a difference !

The PST 2018 is the only “Offshore Fishing” tournament in Thailand. Over the years we brought fishermen and women from all over the world to Phuket. The tournament is an “All Billfish Release” event. Junior anglers are free of entry fee and unlimited in numbers. A Lady Angler Trophy will be given to the lady with the most points. The venue for our PST 2018 this year will be “Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar” on the waterfront in Chalong. The “Prize Giving Party” will also be held at “Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar” from 8:00pm onwards.

FRI

23 NOV

BISP Soccer 7s - 2018 Back to the ’90s Party PIWC - November luncheon November 2018 lunch will be held at the Vocational College in Phuket Town. 11.30am for 12.00 noon. 700 baht members and 850 baht for guests. info@piwc-phuket.com

@thephuketnews

Get Some Hella Cool Night with Two Chefs Bar & Grill’s Back to ’90s Party! Grab your home skillet and enjoy your favorite 90’s music on 17th of November 2018 at Two Chefs Bar & Grill KARON branch. Live music starts at 8pm until late. Sing along, jam along, and just dance the night away! 50% OFF on SPECIAL DRINKS FOR LADIES! Don’t miss the 90’s fever!

Book a table NOW or call 076-286-479!

On Friday 23rd (07:30 to 17:00) & Saturday 24th November (07:00 to 17:00), British International School, Phuket will host the 17th Annual International Soccer 7s tournament featuring 1500 players, 145 teams from 41 International Schools in 10 countries! With two full days of competitive soccer involving girls and boys teams ranging from Under 9s to Over15s, plus vendor and music areas, this is an event not to be missed!

Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant Spoil yourself with seafood set from noon – 10 pm every day! Come and crack open some crab legs, grilled mussels, peel some prawns, rock lobsters, sip some spicy tom yam soup and toast to your perfect night at this beachfront restaurant in Patong overlooking the sea (sunset) views. Start from THB 450. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impia Resort Patong, patong@impiana.com, 076 340 138.

Futsal League 2018 Come and join us for some fast-paced and enjoyable Brazilian Futsal at British International School Phuket. Boys and girls aged 7 - 14 can join our sixweek league taking place indoors to ensure play even on rainy days. The cost for the league is 3,500 Baht and includes a Brazilian kit, medals and “player of the match” trophies! There are still a few places available.

To register, contact cruzeirosoccerschools@gmail. com

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which small Colorado city was named after the abundance of certain trees in the area?

2. In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Miss Havisham has all the clocks in her mansion set at precisely what time?

3. How many American presidents have been assassinated?

4. The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam were better known by which term?

5. In meteorology, what ‘catch-all’ name is given to any condensation that falls under gravity?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. Does math 5. Climb 9. Gorillalike 14. Sketched 15. Celestial bear 16. Sidekick 17. Launch site 18. Ground grain 19. Add 20. Migrating fliers 23. Gov.health org.

24. “So ___ me!”

25. Time units (abbr.)

28. ___ juice (milk) 30. Comes to pass 34. War game 37. Word-of-mouth 38. Egg producer 39. Kind of gun 40. Finnish coin 41. Intro to physics?

42. Code breaking game 44. Go unnoticed 46. Formula ___ 47. Cataract site 48. Blink of an eye 49. Medicinal amt.

51. Game of knowledge 59. Luau dances 60. Let up

61. ___ canal 63. Eastern Orthodox Church, e.g.

64. Kind of collar 65. “White” Welsh 66. Christmas ___ 67. Makeup, e.g.

68. Bridge position

weapon 26. Fray 27. California, e.g.

29. Extinct Italic language 30. In the know 31. Cookie Monster cohort 32. Mary Poppins, e.g.

Down 33. Playground 1. Infomercials, e.g. chute 2. Small amount 35. Formally, South 3. Supermarket African Republic section 36. Takes in 4. Like much 40. Iron testimony 42. Flexible mineral 5. Sam Spade, e.g. 43. Beseech 6. Black-and-white 45. Believers in the cookie existence of God 7. A military division 50. Cleanse 8. Feeler 51. As a result 9. Behaves badly 52. Norse letter 10. Form of poetry 53. Hipbones 11. Letter before 54. Hit the road kappa 55. Eastwood’s ___ 12. Like a bug in a Rider rug 56. Applications 13. Ballyhoo 57. Corn Belt state 21. In a not so 58. 1992 Robin bright way Williams movie 22. “Stat!”

62. Demolitionist’s 25. A nuclear supply

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Aspen; 2) 8:40 (the time she received a letter of rejection on her wedding day); 3) Four; 4) Viet Cong; 5) Precipitation

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1.7

percent of women say they would only date a shorter man, according to a recent survey.

49

percent of women only want to date men who are taller than they are, said the same survey.

96

bags of feces, urine and vomit were left on the Moon by the Apollo missions.

1,000

tons of classified documents are incinerated by the CIA each year to heat water, protect information and reduce waste.

1 million minutes old is a person when they have lived 19 years and 4 days.

Source: Uberfacts

The Milky Way over Nai Harn at 3am. Photo: Michael Rafael Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history Nov 2, 1949 The Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference ends with the Netherlands agreeing to transfer sovereignty of the Dutch East Indies to the United States of Indonesia.

Nov 4, 1979 Iran hostage crisis: A mob of Iranians, mostly students, overruns the US embassy in Tehran and takes 90 hostages (53 of whom are American).

Nov 7, 1999 Australians vote to keep the Head of the Commonwealth, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, as their head of state in the Australian republic referendum.

Nov 3, 1957 The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2 with the dog Laika, a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, on board as the first animal to enter orbit, paving the way for human spaceflight. (See photo.)

Nov 5, 1605 Guy Fawkes is arrested while guarding a stockpile of gunpowder under Westminster Abbey amid a plot to assassinate King James I in order to restore a Catholic monarch to the throne.

Nov 8, 1492 The Ensisheim meteorite, the oldest meteorite with a known date of impact, strikes the Earth around noon in a wheat field outside the village of Ensisheim, Alsace, France.

Source: Wikipedia

Nov 6, 1913 Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi is arrested while leading a march of Indian miners in South Africa.

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CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS Website operator

Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: Siam.serenity.th@gmail.com, 0874178715. @thephuketnews

SALES EXECUTIVE WANTED

CHINESE SALES MANAGER WANTED

Art House Co., Ltd is looking for Art House Development Co., Sales Executive for our real esLtd. Looking for Chinese sales tate company. Thai Nationality manager, good communication with good English and commuskills, native Chinese speaker. nication. Please contact. Email: natcha@arthouse. For more details please contact. Tel: 089 594 6888. asia 086 414 4559.

Email: info@arthouse.asia

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CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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26 CLASSIFIEDS

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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OTHER

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CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Boat – Rinker 290

Rinker 290 with trailer Continental 2017, engine Volvo Penta, Under warranty, includes all standard equipment, less then 100 hours used. More information at: http://clc.la/07hDmA Price: B3,990,000. Tel: +66-97-175-0096.

Riviera sport fishing boat

Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42” Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel. 9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au UR

N GE

TS

AL

E

Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arranged. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234- FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086-269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

BUSINESS FOR SALE RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). ZERO Debts/Leases/Loans etc.

Low Overheads, Hi-Margins, Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales).

Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: ZERO COMPETITION …

ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job Pymt 20-30hpw) + Monthly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Profits Dist. Genuine + Rare business opp – serious enquiries only please.

2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, PHUKET, MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime).

BUSINESS FOR SALE Chalong Boatbuilding Business

Boatbuilding business with 300sqm Office + 300sqm Workshop/Store. Chanote 0.5rai.

30ft Speedboat plus moulds for more production.

16,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130, simonj@cscoms.com, +66878832542.

Hyundai Veloster TURBO

Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000 km, Price from new 1,749,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tires, all options. Now just 850,000THB. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 0843058363 TH

Amazing Deal!

2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket.

It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 465,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission.

Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu, office@tcm-asia.com, 086-9439834,076-385081.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Hot sale ! pool villa Naiharn

A lovely fully furnished pool villa in a secured estate in Naiharn, 5 minutes drive to Naiharn beach and 10 minutes drive to Kata. Freehold. 455 sqm of land. Sold fully furnished and equipped (solid teak furniture and high quality equipment). phukethomecareservice@gmail. com, 0638394973.

House Lots on Coconut Island!

230-300 sq.m. 1.4-1.9 million baht. New Chanote titles.

Government road. Electricity. 200 METRES TO OCEAN !! Financing available. Tel. 095-068-1672 chrisfisherii@gmail.com

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE

SERVICES

Ducati Multistrada 2012

Property Phuket Law

2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition.

Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained.

Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag.

Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com, 081-734-8309

Properties hot deal for sell & buy, legal Advisor & Litigation Nationwide, accounting, visa, work permit, 083 599 4514, 087 014 9736,095 325 5654.

OTHER Hotel Laundry Sevices

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Lovely Pitbull Mastif looking for a new home

Only 2 1/2 years old, super friendly “Repsol” is looking for a new family ASAP. Does not chase car, bikes or people. A real lovely big good natured dog. Contact 081 970 8487 in order to meet Repsol.

SERVICES

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Young Minds Phuket is now fully set up and is offering one URG to one therapy, family and parenting support and support to schools. www.youngmindsphuket.com 0992382783.

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Inked Machine™ Tattoo

Unique investment opportunity not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates.

More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com

PETS, BOARDING

Exceptional commercial laundry services in Patong.increased capabilities are allowing us to expand to support 500 additional rooms.Competitive, Chonticha, Patong. candk servicespatong@gmail.com, 0991658538.

One to one and family therapy

Unique Investment Opportunity

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House for sale

Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road.

082 377 5555.

Good morning to all of you. Today I presPENTHOUSE ent the “ Machine Tattoo". This tattoo shop Stunning ocean & sunset views over is located in Patong. When you are at the Patong bay-2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms roundabout of Patong Beach, take a right and walk the beach. After 300 meters, you will find the Inked fully furnished with car park & pool 121sqm+.

Machine Tattoo on your right at the entrance of the self ‘mor Email for more details penthousedicw@gmail.com LE watthana’ (Watthana Clinic Soi’). You will be made very SA T VILLA OPEN HOUSE welcome and enjoy the cleanliness of the place (everything GEN R U Oct 19 Nov 2 is new), but above all the quality of the tattoos that are made; RE/MAX EP - Luxury Pool Villa - 5BR traditional bamboo or machine (Demographer) – all your Spacious Open Design Quiet Secure tattoo ideas will be satisfied. A team of several professional tattoo artists are waiting for you, the atmosphere is very Large Kitchen Guest Entertainment Land 1.5rai - Call nice and you will have a good time getting tattooed while for Details ! 27,000,000, Suchana or John, 90/24 Moo 6, listening to music. On Site you can buy T-shirts and other Wiset Rd, Rawai, 83130 Promthep Residence, johncamproducts in the image of the shop. The prices are very cor- pos@remax.co.th, 0956415693 or 0634413481. rect so do not hesitate to visit the site to make a beautiful tattoo during your stay on the island of Phuket. For more Loch Palm Golf Villa information and details, I invite you to contact them and they 2 bedrooms - full furniture - hole no 17 will answer all your questions. I sincerely recommend it.

Includes 2 golf bags, 2 bicycles, an exerFacebook : @InkedMachine.PhuketTattooStudio Instagram cise machine and golf membership until : Inked_Machine_Tattoo Soi Mor Watthana Tambon Patong, 21/02/2040. 11.2 Million Baht, philippe andre, Loch Palm Amphoe Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83150.

Golf Club, philippediavel@gmail.com, 098 682 9069

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/ out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. contact only via email. picharly@gmail.com

Villa Mission Heights big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. only email please. picharly@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT

ENDLESS POTENTIAL

12.5 rai walled w/ auto gate, water pound & transformer.

4200m2 slab, 9 Bed, 11 Bath, swim pool, ideal for school, detox, sport center 300,000 baht per month. lionel01@hotmail.com (66) 081 821 4064. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

SPORT 29

White Hart’s white ball woes

Shot Bar win after ‘moment of madness’ ball-lift POOL Barry Craig

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he headline game in Rawai Pool League’s Division A was second placed White Hart, who visited third-placed Shot Bar. Shot’s Shaun had easy finishes to beat Phil who only could find the jaws of the pockets. White Hart’s Ben looked to level the scores going one up in the first frame but, in a moment of madness, picked up the white when he thought he fouled but hadn’t. Stefan then went on to produce the shot of the night on a near-impossible black making it 2-0.

Shot Bar’s solid start continued when White Hart’s Rob found the pockets too often with the white, despite clearing up the first frame. Pan took full advantage, taking the score to 3-0. The visitors were left reeling in the final singles, when an error in the second frame by Blair allowed Harry in for a nice clear up, making it 4-0 with a typically flamboyant finish. They went on to win 6-1 with White Hart

@thephuketnews

Week #13 of the Rawai Pool League. Photo: Philipp, Roses Bar getting a little consolation in the doubles.

Bottom of the table Orange Bar, hosted league leaders Black Sheep. Black Sheep put in a clean sweep in the singles, but Orange Bar’s power-couple Jonathan and Noi created an amazing upset by beating Nanni and Riky. The rest of the match went to script, with Black Sheep 1-6 victors.

Pita Bar posted a 7-0 win. Taking on neighbours Masaya Bar,

the home team won convincingly, with only the doubles game between Masaya’s Marcus and Serge opposing Pita’s Ding and Stefan providing any real competition. Stefan’s game dropped a little when someone commented that he looked like a well-coiffed Ed Sheeran.

The tightest fixture of the night was at Freedom Bar who welcomed Black Pearl. Tom and Big Dave got the hosts

off to a great start, but Black Pearl’s Dave and Grega won their respective games to level the score 2-2. In the doubles, Freedom again got themselves in front, but Bang and Tommi drew the match level. The Beer Leg went to the deciding frame, but excellent team play by Black Pearl saw them winning out a hard-fought 3-4 victory.

The most fun fixture of the night was at Spot Bar who

played host to a highly excited Future Bar. Unsteady-Eddy was too clinical for Otis, putting Spot Bar in the lead.

Wan, in a demure red dress, didn’t do quite enough to put off Future’s Fod. Mimi was the next girl to attempt to use her skill and charm to disarm Barry. Tempting offers to throw the game looked like they might be working on the Future Bar’s captain – he potted the black out-of-turn

in the second frame, but a classy clearance in the third frame put the visitors ahead.

Daow played brilliantly, but not well enough against Future’s wonderful Wayne. The doubles sealed Spot Bar’s downfall and the Future Bar enjoyed a well-deserved Beer Leg drink, taking the match points with a convincing 1-6 win.

Mango Bar got back to winning ways against their visiting guests Tropical Sands. Bill got killed yet again for the visitors, and Gregg beat the ever loveable Fuzz. Jason, who last week was compared to Ray Reardon in looks and style of play, insists he’s more like Ronnie O’Sullivan in both facets. Despite his delusion, he and Craig brought Tropical Sands back to level, but Mango bar won both doubles and the Beer Leg to run out convincing 5-2 winners.

Due to space constraints Division B update was omited.

Please visit the official Rawai Pool League website at http:// www.rawai-pool-league.com.

Visit our League sponsor http:// www.thailandpooltables.com.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Hamilton joins ‘The Greats’ BOX OF NEUTRALS

Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

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railing home fourth and almost 80 seconds behind the leader doesn’t sound like the drive of a champion, but such is the job Lewis Hamilton had done up to the Mexican Grand Prix that it was more than enough to earn him the Formula One world championship.

The numbers had long been stacked in favour of the Briton’s historic fifth title. A run of six races in seven weekends between July and October was a body blow to Sebastian Vettel’s campaign, putting the outcome of the season entirely in Hamilton’s hands.

A sudden Ferrari resurgence in the United States was too little, too late to rescue the German, even in the face of mounting Mercedes struggles with tyres. Hamilton finished third and just shy of the points he needed to seal the deal in Austin, but in Mexico, what transpired to be Mercedes’ least competitive race of the season, anything higher than eighth would do it.

So it was that Hamilton, the season’s unstoppable force, won his fifth championship by rolling past the chequered flag more than a minute after Max Verstappen had

2018 F1 World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez last Sunday (Oct 28) Photo: AFP claimed a dominant victory for Red Bull Racing.

“It was a horrible race!” Hamilton exclaimed. “I’m conflicted emotionally right now because I’ve had this tough race which I wanted to win… but we still finished fourth.”

But the Briton acknowledged the hard work of his team in ensuring that even a lacklustre fourth place was enough to secure a rare fifth title.

“It wasn’t won here; it was won through a lot of hard work throughout

the races. I’m so grateful for all the hard work back home.

“It’s been such a difficult year and such a great battle, but a lot of work to try and raise the bar this year.”

Hamilton is only the third driver in Formula One history to win five world championships. The first was Juan Manuel Fangio, the Argentine driver of the 1950s considered to be the sport’s first great.

The second was Michael Schumacher, the German who defined an

entire generation of Formula One by winning five titles in successions between 2000 and 2004 to bring his total to seven championships and 91 race victories, F1 records on both counts.

Both records were thought unattainable, but Hamilton’s string of wins in the middle of the year brought him to within just 20 victories of the benchmark, and with two years to run on his contract and with an average of 9.8 wins per

season since his first Mercedes title in 2014, the Briton is odds-on to give Schumacher a run for his money.

“I’ve not really put any thought towards getting to that number, just because I’ve been trying to focus on getting this one,” Hamilton said. “Whether or not I’m going to have the chance to win more, who knows – but I’m going to give it everything to do so.

“But even so, Michael was just such a genius in how he implemented himself into Ferrari and what he did with that team. I will always be a fan of him.”

But immediate focus now turns to sealing the constructors championship. Mercedes must ensure Ferrari doesn’t outscore it by more than 12 points at the Brazilian Grand Prix on 11 November to claim its fifth successive championship.

But though Ferrari was bested in Mexico by Red Bull Racing, which dominated the race once Max Verstappen jumped teammate Daniel Ricciardo at the start, the Scuderia was substantially quicker than Mercedes all weekend, as was the case one week earlier in the United States, setting up a close finish for F1’s other piece of silverware.

Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Premier League honours Leicester Chairman Vichai Continued from page 32 “Everyone at the Club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time,” the statement said.

Police named the four other victims as Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, two members of Vichai’s staff, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Vichai, 60, the owner of Thailand’s King Power dutyfree empire, was a regular at matches who used to fly to and from home games.

The blue chopper took off from the middle of the pitch once the stadium had emptied after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. Eyewitnesses said the helicopter appeared to develop a mechanical problem in its rear propeller shortly after takeoff.

Images showed orange balls of flame engulfing the wreckage in the car park of the stadium where just two years ago Leicester celebrated the most unlikely of Premier League title triumphs.

“Struggling to find the right words… but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club,” Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, one of the heroes of that success, posted on Instagram.

“Thank you for everything you did for me, my family and our club. I will truly miss you… may you rest in peace… #theboss” ‘Sense of family’ Prayers and tributes poured in from the footballing world and beyond for the jovial man many credit with bringing glory to

@thephuketnews

Leicester City FC chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was honoured with tributes from the Leicester players, the club and other greats from the Premier League. Photo: AFP the central English city with the miracle-making club.

“He’s put Leicester on the map,” said supporter Cathy Dann, 55.

“He’s made us big,” she said, as aviation experts picked through small pieces of wreckage scattered on the stadium’s edge.

Among the tributes was an image of Ganesh – a Hindu god also seen in Thai Buddhist temples.

A minute’s silence was observed before the whistle of last Sunday’s Premier League matches.

“It is a family business and they have instilled this sense of family not just throughout the club but into the city as well,” said Andrew Hulley, the team’s chaplain for the past seven years.

Football fans in Bangkok said Vichai had helped develop the sport in Thailand as well, bringing the Kingdom greater recognition in the sporting world.

“He is an important person who has raised the bar of Thai football further,” said Leicester fan Apichart Jitratkavee in

Bangkok.

Chamat Uchukanokkul, 39, said Vichai was “an inspiration to Thais… He showed that we can do anything if we set our minds to do it”.

Vichai bought Leicester City in 2010 and moved to chairman the following February, pouring millions into the team and becoming a beloved figure in the club and the city – a feat rarely achieved by the Premier League’s foreign owners.

5,000-1 odds It was under Vichai’s ownership that Leicester crafted one of the biggest fairytales in English football history by winning the 2015/16 Premier League, having started the season as 5,000-1 outsiders for the title.

Vichai’s investments in the club helped return them to the Premier League from the second-tier Championship in 2014.

Languishing at the very bottom of the table for most of the 2014/15 season, the Foxes, as the team are nicknamed, then engineered what fans now

fondly refer to as the “Great Escape”, winning seven of their last nine matches.

They ended up finishing 14th, securing another season in Europe’s richest league in 2015/16.

But not even their most devout fans could have imagined what happened next.

Vardy scored in 11 consecutive matches, propelling the men in blue to a title without parallel in Premier League history.

T he i mpact made by Leicester’s remarkable rise under Vichai across the continent was reflected as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid both expressed their condolences.

“The club wants to show their condolences to his family, his friends and all the Leicester fans,” said European champions Madrid in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with the whole @lcfc family. Rest in peace,” Barca posted on Twitter.

AFP

MAIN SPONSOR

MONTHLY SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for November 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to be used on food, beverage and/or fishing at the Chalong Fishing Park.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

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2.

3.

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5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

lufc 19 Seahorse 19 aquamarine 18 Charlie1982 18 fazza 18

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Smiley Bar 62 fazza 61 Fitz 61 giggs 61 jaysinky 61

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT

START

STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Saturday 03 Nov rd

Rugby Union 12:45 14:45 Autumn Internationals

Soccer

Soccer

Japan v. New Zealand

21:45 23:45 Autumn Internationals

Wales v. Scotland

22:00 00:00 Autumn Internationals

England v South Africa

19:30 21:30

EPL

Bournemouth v. Man United

22:00 00:00

EPL

Everton v. Brighton

00:30 02:30

EPL

Arsenal v. Liverpool

22:00 00:00

EPL

Newcastle v. Watford

22:00 00:00

EPL

West Ham v. Burnley

Sunday 04 Nov th

Soccer

23:00 01:00

EPL

Chelsea v. Crystal Palace

Cricket

10:30 18:30

ODI1 - Perth

Australia v. South Africa

Tennis

21:00 00:00 Rolex Masters, Paris

Men’s Final

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Hamilton joins F1 ‘Greats’ with fifth driver’s title > p30

TRIBUTES FLOW FOR VICHAI Pirate Irwin and Dmitry Zaks

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stream of fans this week laid out flowers, football scar ves and Budd hist prayers outside the Leicester City Football Club’s King Power stadium

in tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha – a the man they credit for an against-all-odds Premier League victory in 2016.

Vichai, Leicester City’s Thai billionaire boss, was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the

Premier League side’s stadium car park moments after taking off from the pitch last Saturday (Oct 27).

“The world has lost a great man,” the club said in a statement.

“Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and

maintain the pursuit of a vision for the club that is now his legacy,” it said.

A book of condolence was opened at the stadium on Tuesday and the team has postponed its upcoming League Cup fixture against Southampton…

Continued on page 31

A Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is seen amid flowers and tributes outside the King Power Stadium on Monday (Oct 29). Photo: AFP

thephuketnews