02-12-2016

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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ARMY ACCUSED OF COLLECTING CASH > PAGE 3

WE LOVE YOU LONG TIME… THAILAND TO LURE RETIREES AGED 50 OR OLDER WITH 10-YEAR ‘LONG STAY’ VISA

NEWS

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Family in fight for Freedom

LIFE

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KIS launches new Sixth Form

A woman relaxes on the beach. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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week after the Thai Cabinet approved 10-year “long-stay” visas for retired expats aged 50 or older, details have yet to be forthcoming on whether or not the new visa will replace or simply be an addition to the current one-year option that many foreigners in Phuket currently use in order to stay in the country.

Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kantawat Pongsatabordee this week was unavailable to comment on the new 10-year visa, as were any officials at the Immigration Bureau headquarters in Bangkok and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa Division.

Col Apisit Chaiyanuwat, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, announced the new long-stay visa after the Cabinet meeting on Nov 22.

Of note, under the guidelines already approved by the Cabinet, ap-

plicants for the new visa must have a monthly income of at least B100,000 or a bank deposit of at least B3 million, to be maintained for at least one year after receiving the visa.

Eligible applicants must also have health insurance coverage for at least US$1,000 (about B35,590) for outpatient care and $10,000 (about B355,900) or more for inpatient care per policy per year.

They must also report to immigration police every 90 days.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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In contrast, the current one-year Non-Immigrant “O-A” visa for retirees aged 50 or older requires only B800,000 in the bank or a monthly income of not less than B65,000, and has no private healthcare requirement.

The fee for the 10-year visa was set at B10,000 and it was suggested that the visa be renewed every five years, but it was not made clear whether the fee would be due every five or 10 years.

Col Apisit on Nov 22 announced that the “target groups” for the 10-year...

SPORT

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Fish aplenty at Phuket’s new fishing park

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Gov Chockchai targets ‘Top Five’ issues plaguing Phuket > page 4

Students save mum, 70, from canal bridge jump Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

The Thai Airways takeoff from Phuket was aborted after loud bangs reportedly came from one of the aircraft’s engines. Photo: The Phuket News / file

Flight grounded after loud engine ‘bangs’ TH AI AIRWAYS H AS refused to comment on a flight from Phuket to Bangkok being cancelled after loud bangs were reported coming from one of the plane’s engines while accelerating for takeoff from Phuket International Airport on Tuesday night (Nov 29).

The aircraft, an Airbus A330-300, was performing flight TG-206 from Phuket to Bangkok, reported global aviation safety website The Aviation Herald.

The aircraft “was accelerating for takeoff from runway 09 when the crew rejected takeoff after the right hand engine (PW4168) emitted a loud bang” said the report.

“Ground observers reported there had been a huge

bang, the aircraft shuddered, the aircraft began to slow when two more bangs occurred from the right hand engine,” the report added.

A representative of Airports of Thailand (AoT), which operates Phuket airport, told The Phuket News, “We were alerted at 11:20pm that the Airbus was having a technical problem and unable to take off. No injuries were reported.

“The plane returned to the apron and unloaded passengers to another plane to their destination,” said the representative.

Staff at the Thai Airways office at Phuket airport declined to comment, as did the Thai Airways main office in Bangkok.

The Phuket News

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olice and technical college students talked an elderly woman out of jumping off a bridge in Phuket Town last Thursday morning (Nov 24). The woman accused her son of verbally and physically abusing her.

The son, who police declined to name, presented himself to police the next day and denied the allegations.

Phuket City Police Lt Col Chalaew Taihu was notified at 2pm that an elderly woman was crying and sitting on the ledge of a bridge near the intersection of Komaraphat Rd and Thepkrasattri Rd, on the north side of town.

Three technical college students at the scene told police that the woman seemed intent on jumping, a five-metre plunge to the narrow canal below.

Col Chalaew and his team arrived to find the 70-yearold woman, named by police only as “Ms Lai”, crying with bruises on her face and around her eyes.

“At first, she did not respond to questions. We continued to talk to her until she

Technical college students help the elederly woman away from the bridge in Phuket Town. talked back. It took us more than 15 minutes to talk her into stepping down from the ledge,” he said.

Ms Lai was taken to Phuket City Police station where she told police that she had run away from her home because her son verbally and physically abused her.

She said that her son had

punched her several times in the eyes and face.

“Ms Lai said she could not take it any more, so she came to the bridge which is not far from her home to end her life by jumping off it,” Col Chalaew said.

“Ms Lai has bruises on her body and a laceration on her eyebrow,” he added.

Ms Lai was later taken to a government shelter, Col Chalaew confirmed.

“So they can help take care of her, especially her mental condition,” he said.

However, police are continuing their investigation.

“If we believe he (the son) is guilty of this action, he will be charged,” Col Chalaew said.

Retiree visa under review Continued from page 1 ...visa are long-stay visitors from Australia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Taiwan and the United States.

However, he admitted that the requirements were still subject to “fine tuning” by the Royal Thai Police, namely the Immigration Bureau, which operates under police authority.

He also noted that the new visa was proposed by the Ministry of Health, but subject to approval by the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board and the National Intelligence Agency.

“Next, the Royal Thai Police must delicately determine the rules to protect the country from risky foreigners or any

foreigners whose entry may affect Thailand negatively,” he said.

The Cabinet also resolved on Nov 22 to waive for three months – starting on Thursday (Dec 1) – the B1,000 fee for tourist single entry visas, and to halve the B2,000 visa-onarrival fee for tourists from 19 countries from Dec 1 to Feb 28.

The 19 countries are: Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The move is to lure more tourists to the Kingdom, said officials, with tourism authorities saying the three-month tourism fee promotion was aimed at boosting the number of visitors by 350,000 and generating income of B28 billion. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Army under fire

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Probe launched into officers collecting cash payments Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he Commander of the Royal Thai Army 41st Military Circle, which heads Army operations in Phuket, has reported that nine individuals have been questioned following a complaint accusing army officers of “collecting money” from business operators on the island.

“We received a complaint about corruption in Phuket stating that military officers were involved,” Maj Gen Arkom Pongprom, Commander of the 41st Military Circle, told a public meeting at Provincial Hall on Monday (Nov 28).

“Our office does not have a policy for us to collect money from business operators,” he said.

“Our investigation into the allegation led us to nine individuals. We questioned them, but as we did not catch them red-handed and do not have enough evidence to prosecute them, they have not been punished.

“However, they are under surveillance and required to

The longtail boat sunk after it collided with a speedboat entering Maya Bay. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Boat collision lands Italian in hospital Police have confirmed that no charges are to be brought against Prapoj Nunphakdee (left). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub report to us from time to time,” Gen Arkom said.

In elusive language, Gen Arkom said the nine suspects “come from different agencies”, but did not in Thai language specifically identify that the agencies were governmental, or that the suspects were officials in active service.

Accusations of army officers involved in collecting payments from local businesses follows police and army investigators releasing without charge Prapoj Nunphakdee after he was caught impersonating a high-ranking

army officer in Chalong.

Maj Kanan Somrak of the Chalong Police Station told The Phuket News that after investigating the motive behind Mr Prapoj’s antics no charges would be brought against him because he had done nothing to deceive anyone.

On Nov 18, four army officers led by Maj Sathit Naikul escorted Mr Prapoj to Chalong Police Station to question him as to why he was pretending to be a highranking army officer.

At the time Maj Sathit declined to name the location

Patong hill bus crash driver charged THE DRIVER OF A TOUR bus who said that brake failure caused him to lose control of his vehicle while descending Patong hill on Nov 21 has been charged with reckless driving.

Patong Police Maj Teerasak Boonsang confirmed this week that bus driver Uyporn Rattanasang, 51, has been charged with reckless driving causing injury to other people.

Patong Police were notified of an accident on Phra Baramee Rd at 10:23pm on Nov 21, when it was reported that a bus carrying 19 Chinese tourists had crashed in front of

@thephuketnews

Mr Uyporn told police that he was heading to Patong when the brakes failed. the Sea Pearl Resort causing injury to two motorists.

Uyporn told police that he was heading to Patong when the bus suffered a brake failure.

He lost control of the vehicle, crossed over to the opposite lane and nearly crashed into

an oncoming motorbike.

Maj Teerasak said, “The driver has been charged with reckless driving causing injury.

The bus has full insurance coverage and the company is taking care of all expenses including damages caused to the property.”

Maj Teerasak also confirmed that the motorbike driver and his passenger who were injured as a result of the crash, Nattachai Chanmala, 33, and Ratchanok Masjula, 22, are still in hospitals recovering from their injuries.

The Phuket News

where officers found Mr Prapoj but revealed that impersonating a military official could result in up to one year in jail, a fine of up to B2,000, or both.

“We have checked into Mr Prapoj and he is just a normal resident living in Chalong. We believe this whole issue has been a misunderstanding,” Maj Kanan said.

“We have questioned local people and they have confirmed that Mr Prapoj has never done anything to deceive anyone in this area. It appears he just likes dressing in full military uniform.”

AN ITALIAN TOURIST injured when a speedboat collided with a longtail boat in Maya Bay, off Phi Phi Island, last Friday (Nov 25) has since been released from hospital, police have confirmed.

Capt Poramin Naiyakul, an inspector from Phi Phi Police, also confirmed to The Phuket News on Tuesday (Nov 29) that no charges have yet been filed over the incident.

Capt Poramin also clarified some points which he said had been misreported by media.

“On the day this incident occurred there were two Italian tourists in the longtail boat along with the boat captain Vichan Samnuk.

“As the longtail boat was entering Maya Bay, a speedboat, which was travelling fast,

tried to cut across in front of it. However, it crashed into the longtail boat causing it to sink.

“There was only one person injured in the incident, it was a female Italian tourist named Ms Lucia Quintela, 37, who had suffered scrapes to her body. She had been taken to Phi Phi Island Hospital by another speedboat by the time police arrived,” he said.

“Ms Quintela has already been discharged from the hospital and is due to head back home with her boyfriend this weekend (Dec 3-4).

“I can confirm that no charges have yet been filed against the boat operator as the incident is still under investigation,” Capt Poramin added.

Yutthawat Lekmak

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Governor vows to crack down on five major issues in Phuket

Kotamon Chayathanyakorn.

Photo: Patong Police

Phone found in underpants POLICE ARRESTED A TOUR agent in Patong after he was found with a Kuwaiti tourist’s iPhone 6 in his underwear last Thursday afternoon (Nov 24).

Patong Police arrived at “All In One Travel” on Phra Metta Rd at 3pm to investigate.

“Mr Abdul Nabimh Redha said that someone had stolen his mobile phone he had left at the shop,” said police.

Police questioned staffer Kotamon Chayathanyakorn, 38.

“We discovered Mr Redha’s iPhone in Kotamon’s underwear,” said police.

Darawan Naknakhon

Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan this week announced that he will spearhead a campaign by law-enforcement officers, including military personnel and police, to crack down on the “top five” issues plaguing the island.

Gov Chockchai named the “top five issues” as 1) “organising” Phuket beaches; 2) taxi management 3) encroachment and wastewater management; 4) mafia and entertainment venues 5) gambling and corruption.

Among the officials present at the meeting were Royal Thai Army 41st Military Circle Commander Maj Gen Arkom

Vendors were plainly seen operating back on Surin Beach.

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Pongprom, Royal Thai Navy Third Area Commander Vice Admiral Surapol Kuptaphan, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen and Provincial Chief Prosecutor Banjerd Rattanamanotham.

Maj Gen Teeraphol said that police were “ready to

help with the top five issues”.

“We will strictly enforce the law and eradicate all illegal activity,” he promised.

After the meeting, officials inspected Surin Beach, where Gov Chockchai said, “Today we still find vendors sneaking back into the area and we asked them to cooperate with

the government.

“I understand that some of these vendors have no place to go, so I have ordered the Thalang District Chief to organise an area outside of the beach territory for them,” he said.

No mention was made of any work that was to begin on the B800 million Rajabhakti Park to be built at Surin Beach in honour of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Construction was to begin in October.

Also, no mention was made of the troublesome issue of wastewater seeping onto Surin Beach as recently as last week.

However, Army Gen Arkom said that security concerns were being addressed.

Employee shoots boss in head, flees POLICE ARE SEARCHing for a man accused of shooting his employer in the head then running away after an altercation in Koh Kaew early on Monday morning (Nov 28).

“The incident happened behind the Isuzu showroom,” said Lt Col Naruebadin Pangleesen of Phuket City Police.

Phisekhpong Anwan, 38, from Lampang, was shot in the head during a fight with Chaiya Jongpakdee, 42, Col Naruebadin explained.

“Phisekhpong had a 22mm bullet lodged inside his head. He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he is now is consciousness and safe,” Col Naruebadin said.

During the f ight, in which Mr Phisekhpong was attacked by Mr Chaiya wielding a hammer, Mr Phisekhpong grabbed Mr Chaiya’s bag.

“Mr Phisekhpong said that Mr Chaiya shot him then ran away,” Col Naruebadin explained.

Mr Pisekhphong bleeding from a bullet wound to the head at his home in Koh Kaew. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub “I nside the bag we found 16 22mm bullets, a bankbook for an account at Siam Commercial Bank, Mr Chaiya’s identification card and a hammer,” he added.

“Police are still searching for him” Lt Col Naruebadin said.

No explanation was given as to what started the fight, though Col Naruebadin said that Mr Phisekhpong did identify Mr Chaiya as the cousin of Mr Phisekhpong’s girlfriend, Atitiya Phrummi, age 18.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Freedom fighters

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Family digs in to fight for beachfront land Darawan Naknakhon editor@classactmedia.co.th

Police at the scene of the deadly crash on Route 4027, near the Heroines Monument, last Friday (Nov 25).

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ccompanied by armed military personnel, forestry officials last Friday (Nov 25) seized 65 rai of land next to Freedom Beach, on the headland to the south of Patong valued at an estimated B4 billion that has been deemed to be public land.

One man at the site hired to charge tourists B200 per person to cross the land to access Freedom beach was also taken into custody.

“These areas will be returned to national forest.

The Forestry Department on September 8 gave the owner (sic) 30 days to remove four structures and vacate the area,” explained Royal Forestry Department region office Director Boonsueb Samakrat.

“The owner appealed to the Royal Forestry Department, but the appeal was denied and an order to proceed with the law (and reclaim the land) was issued,” he said.

However, while officials were inspecting the area,

Two dead in horror crashes in 48 hours

Benja Sae’iew arrived with land documents and threatened to sue officials for trespass.

Eakachai Sae’iew, who publicly lays claim to the land, and his mother, Ms Benja Sae’iew, arrived with land documents and threatened to sue officials for trespass.

M r Eakachai said he bought the land from Wiroj Kongkaew in 2000, when the land deed was SorKor 1, and applied for the Provincial Land Office to upgrade the deed to Chanote status in 2001.

Mr Eakachai said that

the land titles are legal because the original owner occupied the land before the government declared the area national forest land in 1954.

“Land officials thoroughly checked the documents and surveyed the area,” Mr Eakachai said.

“They did everything according to the law and confirmed that the land was not in the national forest area,” he added.

“I will file an appeal with

Gov fires up helmet safety campaign GOVERNOR CHOCKCHAI Dejamornthan has warned officials who ride motorbikes in Phuket that their superior officers will be held responsible if they are caught not wearing helmets while on the roads.

Gov Chockchai levelled the stern warning at officials at his monthly meeting with high-ranking officers at Provincial Hall on Tuesday (Nov 29), when Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen revealed that Phuket was the worst province in the Southern Thailand – and second-worst in the country – for motorbike riders not wearing helmets.

“All motorbike riders in Phuket should wear helmets 100 per cent of the time for their own protection,” Gov Chockchai said.

“Government officials caught not wearing one will be punished regardless what good work the person has done for his or her office.

“If any officials are found not wearing a helmet, that official’s superior will be held responsible,” he warned.

Gov Chockchai also ordered a zero-tolerance of any motorbike riders not wearing helmets when visiting government offices. @thephuketnews

Governor Chockchai.

“The same applies for all government office premises.

All people who come to government offices must wear helmets,” he said.

However, Gov Chockchai called for law enforcement to rely on public relations to encourage the general public to wear helmets while travelling on motorbikes.

“We prefer rely on public relations by give them information and make them understand how important it is to wear a helmet while on Phuket roads,” concluded Gov Chockchai.

Phuket Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol said that Phuket was the worst province in Southern Thailand for motorbike riders not wearing helmets.

“We’re the second-worst province in the country,” he said, without clarifying which province was the worst.

“We find a lot of motorists

not wearing helmets at night.

However, officers not on patrol are often at traffic checkpoints and on the lookout for these people. Motorists not wearing helmets are stopped and fined on spot,” Gen Teeraphol said, explaining the Royal Thai Police version of public relations.

“The majority of this type of law-breaker are teenagers, so we have asked educational institutions to cooperate with us by educating their students on traffic law and enforcing them wearing helmets,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chalong Police have been praised on Facebook for one of their officers making two female Thai high-school students run laps around their motorbikes instead of fining them for not wearing helmets.

The praise follows Facebook user Lek Sparrow posting a video of the incident when the students were caught not wearing helmets on Chao Fa East Rd near Chalong Circle.

“Lek” said that he admired the officer for not fining the girls, but instead disciplining them and lecturing them on the importance of wearing helmets.

Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub

the Administration Court to annul the order to revoke the titles,” Mr Eakachai said.

“I will also ask for protection during the trial and will sue the Land Department for damage,” he added.

“I want the public to know that I am not an investor, not a nominee. I own a business in Samkong making signs and stickers. I bought this land because I want to develop it to promote tourism for our island,” he said.

TWO MEN DIED IN HORror crashes within 48 hours on Route 4027 – the road heading east from the Heroines Monument in Thalang, in central Phuket – last Friday and Saturday (Nov 27-28).

Soonthorn Chinphak, a 68-year-old Pa Khlok resident, died at about 7am on last Friday in a four-vehicle wipeout about 500 metres east of the famous monument.

No other people were injured in the accident.

Police were told that Mr Soonthorn was riding his motorbike when he cut across a Subaru sedan. The car and motorbike collided, sending Mr Soonthorn crashing heavily onto the road. He suffered severe head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene, said Lt Sunan Petchnoo of the Thalang Police.

Mr Soonthorn was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, Lt Sunan said.

Meanwhile, police are searching for a tour bus driver who fled the scene after Pa Khlok local resident Sompod Butprom, 40, was crushed under the bus’ wheels just east of the monument at about 8:45pm last Saturday night.

Mr Sompod was riding his motorbike in heavy rain when he slammed head-on into the bus after the bus pulled out onto Route 4027 to head toward the monument, said Lt Col Sanit Nookong of the Thalang Police.

The bus was not carrying any passengers at the time of the accident, Col Sanit confirmed.

Police are looking for the driver now, Col Sanit said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Navy seizes fleet after bogus Bolivia claims The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Three Russian tourists were taken to hospital after the Phuket-bound bus went off-road in Khok Kloi, Phang Nga. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Russian tourists injured as bus goes off-road THREE RUSSIAN TOURists were taken to hospital after the bus they were travelling in crashed into a verge at Khok Kloi, Phang Nga, last Sunday afternoon (Nov 27).

The driver, 26-year-old Inthonkorn Janrasklang, said the bus’ brakes failed as he approached the Intersection near the Khok Kloi Bus Station at about 2pm.

Mr Inthonkorn said he swerved off the road to

avoid ploughing into traffic waiting at the traffic lights.

Mr Inthonkorn explained to Takua Thung Police Inspector Lt Thavorn Thongkam that the bus was carrying 42 passengers from Khao Lak to Phuket.

Three passengers were taken to Tak ua Thu ng Hospital for treatment of injuries.

“The other 39 passengers are fine,” Lt Thavorn said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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he Royal Thai Navy has seized seven of nine suspected illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) tuna fishing boats and charged three agents for presenting fake documents indicating the boats were registered in Bolivia.

Two of the nine boats have since fled Phuket.

Initially nine boats were seized at the Sri Thai Pier in Rassada last Tuesday (Nov 22), Royal Thai Navy Third Area Commander Vice Admiral Surapol Kuptaphan announced on Monday (Nov 28).

V/Adm Surapol also heads the Third Area Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre (Thai-Mecc), which operates under the command of the Royal Thai Navy.

Navy officers discovered the nine boats were already at Sri Thai Pier in Rassada on Nov 16 and the captains were ordered to stay in port until documents presented had been identified. The nine boats were named as: Yutuna

The seven suspected IUU fishing boats, falsely reported as registered in Bolivia, were seized at the Phuket’s Sri Thai Pier in Rassada. Photo: Royal Thai Navy No 1, Yutuna 3, Abundant 1, Abundant 3, Abundant 6, Abundant 9, Abundant 12, Shun Lai and Sheng Ji Qun 3.

“The vessels initially requested to port in Phuket in order to carry out repairs, and initial checks found the captains and crews were carrying all the correct paperwork,” said V/Adm Surapol.

“All crew were Filipino and Indonesian and the captains were from Taiwan, but the boats were registered in

Bolivia,” he added.

However, checks with the Bolivian authorities soon revealed that none of the boats were registered with that country. Next, the officers learned that the Yutuna 1 and the Sheng Ji Qun 3 had already fled the port.

“The Phuket Marine Office has charged three companies – Xiang Hao Co Ltd, Yihong Co Ltd and Suanying Co Ltd – with presenting fake documents to officials, because

they are the agents for these nine boats,” V/Adm Surapol reported.

The agents for the Shun Lai and the Abubant 9 have also been fined B5,000 baht for each of the two boats failing to report to authorities within 24 hours of entering Phuket waters, V/Adm Surapol said.

The criminal charges have been handed over to Wichit Police to handle, as the port is in their jurisdiction, he added.

Drivers, guides appeal for ‘lost jobs’ MEMBERS OF THE ANdaman Tour Guide Association (ATGA) and Andaman Bus Travel Association (ABTA) submitted letters to the Phuket Governor on Monday (Nov 28) demanding action as they say they have lost their jobs to illegal tour guides and operations.

More than 50 members of the ATGA (Phuket-Phang Nga-Krabi) led by Krit Thepbamrung gathered at Provincial Hall at 9:30am to submit their letters to Gov Chockchai Dejamornthan. Thavornwat Buakaew, acting on behalf of the Governor, received the letter and told the group that he will look into the issue.

ATGA President Mr Krit explained, “In the past our government had an urgent policy and set up a committee to get rid of illegal guides and tour operations. Former Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul was chief of the committee, but since his retirement the operation seems to have come to a stop.

“Today the number of illegal guides has increased and this has caused stress to those who work legally.

“These illegal guides have no knowledge of the area they take tourists to. Tourists often

Members of the AGTA and ABTA massed at Phuket Provincial Hall to make their appeal on Monday (Nov 28). get wrong information about Phuket from these guides which damages the island’s tourism,” he said.

The ATGA wants Gov Chockchai to resolve the issue quickly and is demanding that officials set up a new committee immediately to rid the island of illegal guides.

“Many of us are in distress as officials incorrectly enforce the law, this must be rectified,” Mr Krit added.

Meanwhile, also at 9:30am on Monday, members of the ABTA led by Chonawee Eaktiewsakul arrived at Provincial Hall also to hand a similar letter of complaint to Gov Chockchai and 41st Military Circle Commander Maj Gen Arkom Pongprom, asking them to solve the problem of

out-of-province buses stealing their jobs.

“Today, bus operators in Phuket have no jobs, cannot afford to care for our families and our debts are accumulating “We want officials to solve this issue fast starting by banning buses from other provinces coming to work in Phuket.

“There are about 1,000 members in the ABTA, but we don’t have any income now because tour companies would rather hire buses from outside of Phuket for a cheaper rate.

“We cannot compete with their fares. We charge about B18,000 for six days, while those outside charge only B14,000. The government should help us settle this,” Mr Chonawee concluded.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Shutdown stalls

PHUKET NEWS

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Loma Park vendors win timely reprieve Darawan Naknakhon editor@classactmedia.co.th

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overnor Chockchai Dejamorntham has ordered Patong Municipality to stop work on renovating the Loma Food Court building on the Patong beachfront into a “community building” until the dispute with vendors evicted from the food court had been resolved.

Gov Chockchai ordered the Patong authority to halt its reclamation of the governmentowned building on Nov 24 after food vendors appealed to him for help again en masse at Phuket Provincial Hall.

The vendors’ appeal follows Patong Municipality workers sealing off the building the day earlier (Nov 23), preventing 13 vendors from opening their food stalls still inside the building.

T he cou ncil workers moved in at about 1:30pm, led by Patong Deputy Mayors Veerasak Kaminthong and Boonma Eibsap, and accompanied by military personnel and volunteers.

The workers set up metal barriers to seal off the area.

Saran Nantabut, 25, died crashing into the barriers.

Runway road crash, closure spurs locals Vendors at the Loma Park Food Centre were facing imminent eviction until Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamorntham delivered a timely – but temporary – reprieve.

The move comes after all the leases issued to the vendors had expired, and after Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup told vendors at a meeting at Provincial Hall on Nov 1 that it was likely “too late” for Patong Municipality to stop its plan from converting the Loma Food Centre into a “community building”.

At that same meeting, held after the vendors filed a complaint with the Phuket Damrongdhama Centre (Ombudsman’s Office), Vice Governor Teera Anantaseriwidhya urged both parties to try their best to resolve the dispute without

resorting to legal action.

“We want the Governor to investigate why Patong Municipality did not discuss this problem as directed in the meeting but instead they proceeded with tools to seal off the area from us,” former Loma Food Court vendor Wannee Kesakomol said.

“Patong Municipality needs to resolve this problem. We want to be able to sell food in the area until both of us reach an agreement on this issue,” she added.

Patong Municipality Legal Officer Somchai Netibumrung explained that officials were

‘Wasted’ Russian found safe A RUSSIAN MAN LAST seen drunk running into the water at Kamala Beach on Monday night (Nov 28) has turned up safe but hungover at Phuket International Airport – to reclaim his lost passport and luggage.

Mikhail Korneev, 39, was sitting on Kamala Beach drinking alcohol with friends when he suddenly jumped up and ran into the water.

A search that night failed to find him, as did the continued search for him the next day.

“I cannot remember anything that night. I was totally

@thephuketnews

Mikhail Korneev (right), 39, was found alive and hungover at Phuket Airport.

Photo: Phuket Tourist Police wasted last night and was badly hungover this morning,” Mr Korneev told Tourist Police officers at Phuket airport on Tuesday (Nov 29).

“Thankfully he did not

drown or disappear,” said Lt Col Naruewat Puttawiro of the Phuket Tourist Police.

Mr Korneev filed a report with Tourist Police on Monday that his passport and luggage were missing, Col Naruewat said.

Tourist Police tracked it down – it was left behind at the hotel in Patong where Mr Korneev was staying. The officers had the items taken to the airport, where it could be handed back to Mr Korneev when he returned home, Col Naruewat added.

Yutthawat Lekmak

acting lawfully in sealing off the building as all the leases had expired.

“Our management policy is to use this area to be a new building for the public, for which the plans have already been approved,” he said.

“The last leases expired in October and we gave them 15 days notice to remove their belongings and vacate the premises,” Mr Somchai said.

“Yesterday (Nov 23) their time was up, so officials came with tools to seal off the area.

However, the work was halted after they demanded us to stop,” he added.

RESIDENTS LIVING NEAR the airport runway road have called for authorities to explain when work on long-term measures to resolve further landslides blocking the road will begin.

The road was closed for safety on Aug 31 after heavy rain caused a dangerous landslide that smothered the busy road in earth and fallen trees.

Frustrated with no signs of any work to redress the problem, residents this week posted a sign on one of the concrete barriers that now block the road. The sign reads: “How many more deaths before the work begins?”

The question relates to the death of 25-year-old Saran Nantabut, from Phang Nga, who died after slamming his motorbike into the barriers

last Thursday (Nov 24).

Responding to local’s concerns, Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief Sarawut Srisakukam told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Nov 29), “I was told that officials from Phuket International Airport are in the process of designing plans for this project. However, I am not sure when the work will be carried out.

“The road is closed, yet people still risk their lives using this route as a shortcut to the airport,” he said.

Asked what needed to be done to prevent motorists from using the road, Mr Sarawuth said that he was in a meeting and that he would get back to The Phuket News later with the answer.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 8

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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CHRIS HUSTED

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084 307 7408 execeditor@classactmedia.co.th Fifteen years working in news and covering local issues and events in Phuket, with 18-month hiatus spent working for the Brunei Times on Borneo. From Queensland, Australia; 10 years living in the UK before moving to Phuket in 2000. Degree in business management. Spare time spent sailing or with family.

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th Originally from the UK; Has over six years experience as editor and reporter for Phuketindex.com magazine and website, and InPhuket magazine.

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editor1@classactmedia.co.th From Melbourne, Australia, Mark holds a BA from La Trobe University where he completed a double major in Anthropology and Media Studies.

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EDITORIAL

No more beating about the bush

T

he Phuket News has long debated whether the “comments” section of its website should cease, and in recent months, due to the nature of the comments being made, turning the comment option off has been seriously considered.

The purpose of the comments section is for readers to leave comments, questions, or provide feedback about stories, and also to encourage readers to get involved in discussions about “related” topics.

However, over time, some of the more frequent commentators are going well adrift of this true purpose.

The Phuket News could name those commentators, but that is unnecessary as they and other regular commentators know who they are.

These commentators no longer stick to the topic of the related article; they prefer to

troll other commentators simply because they do not agree with their opinion.

Everybody has their own opinion, and just because one doesn’t agree with them doesn’t mean they are wrong, it’s their opinion and they are be entitled to it.

Editors at The Phuket News are at times flabbergasted at the levels at which some commentators stoop because they do not agree with another commentators comments.

Editors could moderate and reply to such commentators, as was a favourite pastime of the editor of a local news website that went offline earlier this year, but we simply don’t have the time or energy to burn on such action.

Some well-known websites have decided to completely remove the comments option from their websites for the reasons mentioned above. One such

site, The Daily Dot, has turned them off because it became too hard to manage.

The Phuket News does receive a lot of comments that add value to a story, but sadly it receives more that add nothing and simply groan with hatred.

Turning the comments off is not what The Phuket News wants to do, but we are seriously considering it due to the puerile and bickering nature of so many of the comments.

Another option is emailing all the offending commentators, get them together, and see how they would react when arguing face-to-face. Would they be as brave in such a situation as they are sitting behind a keyboard?

Another option would be to enter them in the upcoming charity event “Black Tie Muay Thai” and let them battle it out in the ring. It would make for a very interesting story, for The Phuket News editors at least.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Phuket Immigration in the dark over new ‘10year’ visa Cabinet announces 10year ‘long-stay’ visas for senior tourists Phuket armed officials seize Freedom Beach Emirates flight makes emergency landing at Phuket airport when passenger falls unconscious Phuket Russian tourists injured as bus goes off-road Italian tourist injured in speedboat, longtail collision off Phi Phi Island Phuket man, 68, dies in four-vehicle wipeout Phuket resort calls for bras for women jailbirds Russians on the rise 1.15mn tourists from Russia forecast for 2016, up 31% Man cr ushed under Phuket tour bus in heavy rain

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY At last, the sweet smell of success!

After months of rubbish being dumped on the streets in my area, and poor, irregular (if at all) collection by local council workers, finally I’ve had a breakthrough.

Af ter going to the Chalong Municipal office and happening to bump into the “big boss” who wanted to know my problem as soon as I walked in (and in perfect English) and a few more visits to their offices the following has happened.

1. The rubbish that was there for four months was removed (you don’t believe how much it smelt when they were doing it).

2. A local business received two green wheelie bins and were instructed to use black bin liners and to keep their area clean.

3. The rubbish collectors where told to remove all rubbish on every visit even if it was not in bins.

4. We get collection now three times a week.

5. The bins are always now put back into the holders we built for them.

6. The soi is cleaned three

times a week after rubbish collections.

7. All land owners have received bills for rubbish collection for the next year.

8. The local office I think also visited the people who were not paying and who were technically dumping rubbish and told them to put any rubbish into black bags.

So you were right in the paper. Everyone has rights but many are scared to use them.

Paul Spring ...................................................

Poorly thought out

Re: Cabinet announces 10year ‘long-stay’ visas for senior tourists Way to go Thailand, this is how to integrate yourself into the global community, to attract international investment from global corporations, to strengthen your economic position in the ever smaller world of the 21st century, to enrich your countries pool of educated hard-working professional people, that’s right, by encouraging pensioners to move here. That’s what I call progress, NOT. CaptainJack69

Re: Cabinet announces 10year ‘long-stay’ visas for senior tourists Kurt, Rorii and Jogi (other commenters). As a guest in this country for over 15 years, I feel lucky and privileged to be able to reside here on a full time basis. As such, I make it a point not to criticise Thai people, Thai culture, or the Thai government. Unlike your good selves. In the case of immigration policy, you might consider that it is the responsibility of the government to do what it is best for Thailand, not just best – or easiest – for you.

With all due respect, that cow that you may have bought for your wife’s family in Isaan not withstanding, your continued presence here – especially if all you do is complain – may not in fact be in the country’s best interest.

The reality is that unless you are a wealthy retiree or own a business here with paid up capital in excess of B10 million, your economic benefit to this country is for all practical purposes zero. In addition, if you take a condescending, disrespectful, post-colonial attitude toward the place – why should they want you here? ematt

Re: Cabinet announces 10year ‘long-stay’ visas for senior tourists Ematt, I could not have put it better myself. I am sick of the whingeing, moaning, disrespectful attitude towards Thai people, Thailand and Phuket (on this forum). Why are these people still here if everything is so bad? swerv ...................................................

Corruption, not soft drugs, is the real problem

Re: German nabbed for growing cannabis What a beautiful and rich country, without poor people, Thailand could be if the same fascination/drive to go after soft drugs would be used for fighting corruption.

Corruption makes a few people rich and influential, keeps the majority poor.

Kurt ...................................................

Re: German nabbed for growing cannabis I hope Thailand changes its policy about natural herbs/medicine. People need to keep their good health.

Asterix

Have an opinion? Comment on stories at thephuketnews.com thephuketnews

10 THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Under 15s told not to drive motorbikes NATIONWIDE

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

The collapsed crane at a construction site behind Piyavate Hospital in Huai Khwang district on Tuesday (Nov 29). Photo: Patipat Janthong

Crane collapse kills 5 construction workers BANGKOK A CRANE AT A CONstruction site near Piyavate Hospital in Bangkok fell down on Tuesday afternoon (Nov 29), killing five workers.

The Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Erawan Centre reported the collapse of the crane at the site in Huai Khwang district occurred

around 4pm.

It said at least four workers died at the scene and two others were injured, all of them men.

One of the injured later died. All were working on the ground and could not escape the falling crane.

Police from the Makkasan police station and forensic officers are at the scene for investigations.

Bangkok Post

he Child Safety Promotion and Injur y Prevention Research Centre has launched an antimotorcycling campaign aimed at children under 15 years old to help reduce road accident death rates.

Adisak Plitapolkarnpim, director of the centre, said on Tuesday (Nov 29) that children under 15 are banned from riding motorcycles under the Land Traffic Act 1979 but their parents and teachers fail to prevent them from doing so.

He was speaking as the centre officially launched its “Don’t Ride if you are under 15” program at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation Office on Sathon Rd. The centre and foundation have worked together on the campaign.

Mr Adisak said a survey found 58 per cent of students aged 12 are able to ride a motorcycle, with young male

Children under 15 contribute to the high death toll on the nation’s highways. Photo: Apichit Jinakul riders outnumbering females.

Students learn to ride a motorbike mostly from their parents and relatives when they are around 10-11 years while many start doing it as early as seven, the study found.

The survey was conducted by the centre among 2,822 Prathom 6 (Grade 6) students in nine provinces.

Road accidents are the most common cause of death among children aged 10-14, Mr Adisak said, adding teenagers should not be allowed to ride

a motorcycle as they lack road safety knowledge.

At that age, children are prone to risks, including drinking and driving. They also fail to wear helmets, he said.

Children are not mature enough, he said, adding they fail to act decisively when they are at risk of accidents.

Mr Adisak said if parents, teachers and police officers urge under 15s to refrain from riding motorcycles, it would help cut road accident deaths among children aged 11-14

by 40%.

According to the president of the Accident Prevention Network, Phommin Kanthiya, around 2,000 Thai children are killed in road accidents every year. Some 20,000 are seriously injured and 9,000 become disabled following road accidents each year.

He said 80 schools from 25 provinces are expected to take part in the program and, if the campaign is successful, it will be extended to other schools.

Bangkok Post

Suspected pub owner reports to police CHIANG MAI A MAN SUSPECTED OF ordering the beating of a general’s son at a pub in Chiang Mai reported to police as a witness on Tuesday (Nov 29) and denied any wrongdoing.

Col Sarayuth Sa-nguanpokhai, acting police commander in the northern province, said Krisna “Ball” Amitsoon came to the Chiang Mai police headquarters at about 1pm after being summoned for questioning.

Mr Krisna, the boyfriend of TV actress Lakana “Aum” Wattanawongsiri, talked to the police not as a suspect but as a witness, the acting commander said.

Interrogators earlier summoned people involved in the incident – actors, actresses and waiters – to give statements.

Col Sarayuth said Mr Krisna denied ordering the guards at the Malin Sky pub to assault Issarajnuwat Wankawisan, 23.

Mr Krisna was believed to be the real owner of the pub although a man who registered

the pub business denied Mr Krisna’s involvement.

Social media users believe the man is Mr Krisna’s nominee because Mr Krisna said in a YouTube clip the pub belonged to him.

A 43-year-old guard of the pub already confessed to the assault of Mr Issarajnuwat, son of Maj Gen Witthaya Wankawisan, commander of the 38th Army Circle in Nan province.

Three waiters of the pub met local police late Monday night (Nov 28) and also denied

any involvement in the assault, which caused serious injuries in the victim’s face including a broken nose, cracked and deformed jaw and torn ear tissue.

Mr Issarajnuwat was reportedly attacked after complaining about not being able to use the washroom at the pub. The guards allegedly blocked it while the celebrities were using it last Friday night (Nov 25).

He was reportedly attacked while talking on the phone with his mother, who heard the entire incident.

Bangkok Post

Actress Lakana “Aum” Wattanawongsiri (centre) holds a press conference in Chiang Mai on Sunday (Nov 27) on the severe physical assault of a pub visitor who is a son of an army major-general Photo: Cheewin Sattha

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

ASIA NEWS 11

Skating rink slammed for freezing 5,000 fish JAPAN

Indonesian Muslims hold a rally outside the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta against the ongoing crackdown against Rohingya in Maungdaw. Photo: Bay Ismoyo/AFP

Protests delay Suu Kyi’s trip to Indonesia MYANMAR

M

yanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday (Nov 28) postponed a visit to Indonesia after protests there over her country’s bloody crackdown on Rohingya Muslims and a thwarted plot to attack its Jakarta embassy.

Thousands of desperate Rohingya have flooded over the border from Myanmar’s Rakhine state into Bangladesh in the past week, making horrifying claims of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of security forces.

The Nobel laureate has faced a growing international backlash for what a UN official has said amounts to a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Suu Kyi’s government has denied the allegations, saying the army is hunting “terror-

@thephuketnews

ists” behind deadly raids on police posts last month.

Foreign journalists and independent investigators have been banned from verifying what is happening in the north of Rakhine state bordering Bangladesh.

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets last week in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, calling for the government to break off diplomatic ties with Myanmar.

On Sunday (Nov 27) Indonesian police said they had arrested a third Islamic Statelinked militant accused of plotting to bomb Myanmar’s embassy in Jakarta.

Suu Kyi had been due to visit Indonesia after a trip to Singapore from Nov 30-Dec 2, but a senior Foreign Ministry official said the trip had been delayed.

“We postponed the Indonesia trip because of the

problems in Rakhine and also northern Shan state” where the army is fighting ethnic insurgents, said deputy director general Aye Aye Soe. “It will be arranged in the near future,” she said, denying that the delay was due to security concerns.

Some 30,000 Rohingya have fled their homes in Myanmar, where even in normal times they are denied citizenship, healthcare and education and have their movements severely restricted.

Dhaka says thousands more are massed on the border but it has refused urgent international appeals to let them in, instead calling on Myanmar to do more to stop people fleeing.

On Monday border guards pushed back eight more boatloads of Rohingya who were attempting to cross the Naf River to southern Bangladesh.

AFP

A JAPANESE SKATING rink that froze 5,000 dead fish into the ice as an attraction for visitors has been forced to close after receiving a barrage of criticism.

Amusement park Space World is now melting the rink – which could take about a week – and will hold a memorial service for the fish, the company said.

The rink in southwestern Japan opened on November 12, after 5,000 fish were frozen under the surface of the ice as a decorative effect while customers skated above.

But the concept was slammed as unethical and the rink in the city of Kitakyushu was forced to close last Sunday (Nov 27), Space World spokesman Koji Shibata said.

“We received critical voices saying it is not good to use creatures as a toy, and that it is bad to let food go to waste,” he said on Monday (Nov 28).

Social media erupted, with one visitor to the park’s official Facebook page writing: “An event on an ice rink with

People skate on an ice rink with 5,000 frozen dead fish inside at the Space World amusement park in Kitakyushu, southwestern Japan. Photo: AFP frozen fish... How sinful.”

“This is not personal but a social issue. They made food into a toy where children go and play,” said another.

Shibata said the fish were all already dead at the time of purchase and were considered unfit to be sold in markets.

“Internally we’d had discussions over the morality of the idea” before the display was set up, he said.

Toshimi Takeda, general manager of Space World, said

the intention was for customers to have fun while also learning about fish.

“We wanted customers to experience the feeling of skating on the sea, but after receiving criticism, we decided that we could not operate it any more,” he said.

“We are planning to hold a memorial service for the fish and inviting a Shinto priest, which we’d planned before getting criticised.”

AFP

12 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Turning sun into water

Morocco’s rural farmers use solar power to draw up what’s underground MOROCCO

I

n the arid mountains of eastern Morocco, people know the value of water all too well.

“Every drop is like gold. It should almost be measured by the carat,” said local activist Najib Bachiri.

Eight hundred kilometres away in bustling Marrakesh, negotiators were recently thrashing out the details of a landmark global agreement designed to stave off disastrous climate change.

But in Tafoughalt, a little village deep in the mountains of Morocco’s Berkane province, that impact is being felt already.

Rising temperatures are among the factors making the rains increasingly unpredictable.

As a consequence, life for the residents of Tafoughalt – who largely survive on subsistence farming – is becoming harder than ever.

“Here, the farmers work on small plots that are barely enough to feed their families,” says Bachiri, head of

In the Moroccan farming village of Tafoughalt solar panels have been installed to pump water from the ground, as rains dry up. Photo: AFP campaign group Homme et Environnement (“Man and Environment”).

The group is working to reverse an exodus from the mountains as people seek easier lives elsewhere.

Bachiri says local problems feed into each other; isolation makes life difficult, which encourages people to quit the countryside. Abandoned fields lead to land erosion, which in turn also spurs on the exodus.

And in the background,

there is the constant shortage of water.

“For their fields, in the absence of electricity, farmers rely either on rainwater or on pumping groundwater with diesel-powered generators,” says Bachiri.

Until recently, fuel for the generators was at least available cheaply thanks to rampant smuggling from across the nearby Algerian border.

But Algerian authorities have cracked down on the il-

licit trade since 2013, leading to a tripling in prices – from 10 euros (B391) for a 30-litre can to 30 euros (B1,131).

And to make matters even worse for the fuel-reliant farmers, the Moroccan government has called a halt to diesel subsidies.

“Small-scale farmers here have not been able keep up, which has aggravated the agricultural crisis in these isolated villages and encouraged people to leave,” says Bachiri.

But a simple solution is making a big difference: using the sun from above to draw up what’s underground.

With the help of local funds and international donors, Bachiri’s group has installed two solar water pumps in the mountains of Tafoughalt.

Two rows of black solar panels, two metres across and 10m long, are connected to a generator which feeds a pump extracting water from underground.

The equipment is durable and low-maintenance. The sunlight is unlimited in supply, but carries none of diesel’s downsides in terms of pollution and ill-health.

“Solar energy is so much better,” says 60-year-old local farmer Mahta Allal.

“The pumping is weaker in winter or when it’s cloudy.

But it’s good for us when the sun is there – it can double the pumping and irrigation.”

Siddiq, who has guarded the local well for 17 years and as such is in charge of the community’s water-sharing arrangements, said the new sys-

tem was far more convenient.

“Before, you had to go and collect fuel from very far away,” he said. “It was very tiring – and then there was the noise, the fumes, mechanical problems. Today it’s much better with the clean solar energy.”

The price of an hour’s irrigation has gone down by 75 per cent, from 50 dirhams (B177) to 12.5 dirhams (B44).

“It encourages agriculture,” says Siddiq. “Even if you don’t have a lot of land, at least you’ll be guaranteed a harvest to eat.”

Solar energy alone won’t be enough to solve Tafoughalt’s perennial water shortage.

“That’s why we’ve installed tanks to collect river water, and we’re also working on installing technology to make the use of water more efficient,” said Bachiri.

But he said 450 farmers were already using the two solar pumps to water 100 hectares of crops.

“Some farmers are coming back to the village to work the soil again – it’s a good sign,” he said.

AFP

Dutch kill 190,000 ducks to contain bird flu outbreak NETHERLANDS DUTCH OFFICIALS HAVE culled 190,000 ducks on a central Netherlands farm where inspectors have confirmed the presence of a highly infectious strain of bird flu, officials and local media said this week.

The outbreak was detected at a farm in Biddinghuizen, about 70 kilometres west of Amsterdam, where about 180,000 ducks were put down together with another 10,000 within a one-kilometre radius, the Dutch food and safety watchdog NVWA said.

“There are three other poultry farms within a threekilometre radius and they are being monitored,” the NVWA added in a statement.

Authorities have also imposed a ban on poultry and poultry product transport within a 10-kilometre radius, the statement said.

Tests indicated that the birds were killed by an H5N8 variant of the disease “which is highly infectious” for poultry – killing about 30 per cent of infected birds – but not “very dangerous to humans”, public

Workers in protective gear get ready to cull ducks as part of prevention measures against bird flu at a duck farm in Hierden. Photo: Remko de Waal/AFP newscaster NOS said.

Earlier this month the Netherlands shuttered petting zoos and banned duck hunting as it stepped up measures to stem a bird flu outbreak blamed for killing scores of poultry and more than a thousand wild birds in the country.

In the western port of Rotterdam, a park closed its animal section after several aquatic birds were found to have died from the H5N8 virus.

Others still not affected have been penned in.

And on the banks of Lake Markermeer, close to Amsterdam, about 1,250 wild birds were found dead earlier this

month, local news reports said.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 420 people, mainly in Southeast Asia, since first appearing in 2003. Another strain of bird flu, H7N9, has claimed more than 200 lives since emerging in 2013, according to World Health Organisation figures.

Avian flu severely hit the Netherlands in 2003 with health authorities destroying some 30 million birds in an effort to quash an outbreak.

Around 106 million chickens are raised on Dutch poultry farms, according to the latest Dutch statistics.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

BUSINESS NEWS 13

dusitD2 Phuket Aria slated to open 2020 HOSPITALITY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Work is steaming ahead at the Darasamut Intersection construction site, with the Central Phuket mega-mall on schedule to open for Christmas 2017.

L

eading hospitalit y company Dusit International has signed a management agreement with Phuket-based property developer Layana Development Co Ltd to operate the dusitD2 Phuket Aria hotel at Surin Beach.

Dusit International Group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun officially signed the management agreement with Layana Development Co Ltd on November 18 at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

Sit u ated on 1.75 rai, dusitD2 Phuket Aria will comprise 199 rooms and will operate under Dusit International’s dusitD2 brand.

The project is being designed by Hong Kong and Thailand based architecture company Original Vision and is currently in the initial design stages.

Room categories will range from studios and one-bedroom units to two-bedroom units and family suites. Four onebedroom lofts will also be available. For long-stay guests, all rooms will feature a corner pantry equipped with microwave and stove for simple cooking.

In line with dusitD2 branding, the eight-storey hotel is slated to open in 2020 and will have a modern and sleek

Central mega-mall on target for 2017 RETAIL Rustom Vickers, Vice President – Hotel Business Development, Dusit International; Dusit International Group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun; Layana Development Co-owner Edamel Chua Boon Chin; and Layana Development Co-partner Michael Choon Yeow Choo. design with beige tones accented by vibrant artworks and warm colours. A rooftop infinity pool and terrace will offer views of the Andaman Sea, with an adjoining allday-dining restaurant serving international and Thai dishes.

Rooms will be set around a courtyard garden.

The project is located 15 minutes’ drive from the five-star Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket hotel, which recently celebrated its 29th anniversary.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for the new project, held on November 18 at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Dusit International’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Suphajee Suthumpun, said the company was delighted to be partnering with Layana Development Co Ltd for the project.

“Surin Beach is a wonderful destination and the hip, young, design-conscious crowd

An artist’s impression of the dusitD2 Phuket Aria overlooking Surin Beach, to open by the year 2020. it attracts is the ideal market for our distinctively modern hotel brand,” she said.

“We look forward to working with Layana Development to create a hotel experience that not only delights in terms of contemporary design and gracious service, but which also meets the needs of today’s hyper-connected travellers.”

Edamel Chua Boon Chin, Co-owner of Layana Development Co Ltd said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with a hospitality company as experienced as Dusit International

and we are confident that, with their expertise, the dusitD2 brand in Surin Beach will be a huge success and will also pave the way for more exciting developments to come.”

Dusit International currently operates five hotels under the dusitD2 brand across Thailand, China, Kenya and the US. A further 13 dusitD2 properties are in the pipeline and are scheduled to open in Bhutan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman, the Philippines, Qatar, and the UAE.

Hyatt Regency appoints new GM HOSPITALITY HYATT REGENCY PHUKet Resort has appointed Stephen Radcliffe as its new General Manager.

Mr Radcliffe brings with him 34 years hospitality experience. He first joined Hyatt in August 1990 as Conference and Banqueting manager at Hyatt Regency Birmingham. In November 1993, Mr Radcliffe was selected as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage for Hyatt Regency Macau and three years later, moved to Hyatt Regency Cheju to take on the role of Director of Food and Beverage.

He continued his career in Food and Beverage in locations such as Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and Grand Hyatt Jakarta. In 2004, Mr Radcliffe @thephuketnews

was selected as General Manager for Bali Hyatt where he remained for eight years before assuming his most recent role as General Manager for Hyatt City of Dreams Manila in 2014.

“I am excited to return to Thailand after a number of years away from this beautiful country. It is an absolute pleasure to be leading the passionate team in Phuket, a world renowned location,” said Mr Radcliffe.

Willi Martin, Area Vice President overseeing Hyatt Regency Phuket, noted, “We are delighted that Stephen will be managing Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort and we look forward to welcoming him back to the South East Asia team.

“I wish Stephen much success in rapidly stabilising the performance of Hyatt Regency Phuket following the recent

upgrading of the property.”

Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, with 201 guestrooms and suites overlooking Kamala Bay, officially opened on Dec 24, 2013.

The Hyatt Regency brand operates hotels and resorts at more than 160 locations in over 30 countries.

The Phuket News

Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort has appointed Stephen Radcliffe as its new General Manager.

CONST RUC T ION OF the B20 billion Central Phuket is underway with the mega shopping mall on target to open by Christmas 2017, Central Pattana Co Ltd has confirmed.

Central Phuket will occupy 111 rai to the south of its sibling and the original Central mall on the island, Central Festival Phuket, located at the busy Darasamut Intersection.

The two will be linked by a pedestrian skybridge complete with travelator to make the crossing effortless, Dr Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Central Pattana Co Ltd, the dedicated development company for Central construction projects, told The Phuket News.

“Investment for this project is B20bn. Construction has begun and we expect it to be open for business in

December 2017,” Dr Nattakit said.

The mega mall will have parking spaces to accommodate 4,150 cars and more than 4,000 motorbikes, he added.

The mall will be designed into the three main concept areas, Dr Nattakit explained. The “Mystic Forest” will cover five rai offering relaxation and activities; The “Aquaria” zone will house the largest aquarium in the country and, according to Dr Nattakit, the “world’s biggest underwater botanical exhibition”.

The third zone, to be called “Tales of Thailand”, will include a miniature floating market inside the shopping centre offering food and products from every region of Thailand.

“Moreover, this project also include world class entertainment, hangout locations, a premium hotel and an international conference centre,” Dr Nattakit said.

Supatra Sutham

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Nominees – The naked truth LAW

Jerrold Kippen Tax & Law Expert Duensing Kippen The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

s a general matter, real estate in Thailand can be an excellent investment. However, horror stories are not rare enough. But if you adhere to our “nine points”, such tragedy can be avoided.

Here is one particular point that needs specific attention: Nominees, and using Thai companies to own property in Thailand. The advice is simple, as follows:

Do not use a company only to own real estate Although common, using a company to own real estate in Thailand is generally unwise.

Here’s why: Legal Liabilities It is true that a company registered in Thailand can own land by having at least two Thai shareholders who own more than half (literally 50 per cent) of the company’s share capital.

However, those Thais may

Source: Duensing Kippen not be mere “nominees” – that is, in name only. They must be actual investors in the company having actually paid for the share capital that they hold and own.

If the authorities find that the Thai shareholders are not actual investors then both those Thai “nominees” (shareholders in name only, not real shareholders) and any foreigner who benefited from a Thai acting as a nominee will be subject to imprisonment, fines, or both.

In such cases, the company

can also be shutdown and the land office can force the company to divest itself of any land that it owns.

Further, Thai law does not recognise “holding companies” – that is, companies set up only to own assets but that not to do actual business.

If a Thai company is not actually doing business (and as a practical matter, paying taxes) it will be subject to closure.

Commercial Liabilities Using a Thai company to own property could also cost a lot more than expected.

For example: • Every year a Thai company must pay for: 1. an accounting report to be prepared, independently audited and filed; 2. an annual tax return to be prepared and filed; and 3. (after the company’s first year) a semi-annual tax return to be prepared and filed.

• A Thai company must have a registered address. If the company does not have a qualifying property the company will have to pay for one.

• If the company owns any

real estate from which it earns rental income or from which is should have earned rental income – including, for example, if the company’s director stays in the company’s villa or condo with or without paying – the company will be subject to taxes that would not have been if you simply owned the villa or condominium unit in your own name and on resale of the villa or condominium unit: • the income tax applicable to the sale is generally much higher for a company than for a personal owner; and • under Thai tax law if you personally own a villa or condominium unit for five years or more, then on transfer a tax equal to 0.5% of the sale price is applicable. However, if a company owns the same property for five years or more, the applicable tax will be 3.3% of the sale price amount.

liabilities (except perhaps for the accounting and tax return, but will certainly have annual running costs no matter where the company is registered).

Also, an off-shore company cannot own land. With few exceptions there is simply no good legal or commercial reason to use an off-shore company to own real estate in Thailand.

Off-Shore Companies Off-shore companies such as those registered in the British Virgin Islands or other tax havens are not a solution.

While such a company does not entail the legal liabilities mentioned above, it DOES implicate all of the commercial

DUENSING KIPPEN is an international law firm specialising in business transaction and dispute resolution matters, with offices in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand and affiliated offices in 45 other countries.

Visit them at: duensingkippen.com

Options Without Liabilities Foreigners can own outright structures such as villas and condominium units, and foreigners can lease land and such leases can be structured in such a way as to legally secure the investment – without the liabilities above.

In short, don’t use a company to own real estate.

Stay tuned for our final “Dos and don’ts of real estate in Thailand” in our next article in this series.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

KIS launches new Sixth Form program for 2017

16

Is ‘Fantastic Beasts’ just a dark Harry Potter?

20

BREEZING IN Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendevous helps put Phuket on the map as a yachting hot spot > p18

The event will be a prime opportunity for superyacht owners to showcase their flagship vessels.

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16 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

KIS matures with new Sixth Form on offer next year Mark Knowles editor1@classactmedia.co.th

K

ajonkiet International School (KIS) has announced it will open its new Sixth Form in August 2017. The curriculum will provide students with a structured and challenging individualised learning program following A-Level syllabuses and prepare them to study for their degrees at universities in Thailand and around the world.

KIS Head of Secondary Mr Gareth Eynon.

KIS Head of Secondary Mr Gareth Eynon said he is extremely excited about this next phase in the school’s development and was looking forward to welcoming his first cohort of Sixth Form students in 2017. The internationally recognised A-Level qualification will be offered in a wide range of subject choices to prospective students and will be tailored to their needs.

Mr Eynon said, “The A-Level is considered a gold-standard qualification, recognised by universities and employers globally. At KIS I anticipate students will typically study four A-level subjects over the two year course in line with the future degree paths they are considering.”

Whilst emphasising that academic rigour will be central to the Sixth Form experience, Mr Eynon also stressed that the new program would not solely concentrate on academic study. There will also be a strong focus on preparing students for university life. Through a varied Sixth Form study component, students will receive support and guidance in a range of areas, including: developing successful study skills and habits; careers advice; their search for the right university; preparing personal statements and applications and more.

“The overall vision for the Sixth Form reflects that promoted through

The new Sixth Form at KIS will offer a broad range of subjects. the rest of the school – of building a culture with individual and community excellence at the core,” said Mr Eynon, adding, “We aim to create learning environments that are creative, rigorous and challenging, but also safe, supportive and nurturing, with students given plentiful opportunity to express their ideas and opinions; to develop their individual identities and voices.”

A strong focus on English skills will also be embedded in the Sixth Form experience, to ensure students continue to develop their English in preparation for the transition to university. Mr Eynon said, “Over the years, I’ve noticed that unless students continue their study of English when they reach Sixth Form, their level of fluency can plateau, even decline. It is important therefore that we build this provision into the course framework. I envisage a varied program of study involving debating, presentation skills and techniques, writing styles – whether formal or creative, and using language for the sheer enjoyment of it.”

Providing guidance to students in finding and applying for their preferred university will also be a key part of the program. Especially so, given international students will be applying to a wide range of international universities.

“We want to ensure we are opening the most appropriate pathways for our students, whether that be in Thailand, Australia, the UK or wherever. One of the ways in which we will be measured in the future is by how successful we are in placing our students in their first choice university, or at the leading universities around the world,” Mr Eynon said.

The new program will also be a chance for teaching staff to spread their wings and teach at a more advanced level. Mr Eynon said that as the Sixth Form phase of the school grows more staff will be recruited to further strengthen the teaching provision currently benefiting the students.

“Many of our existing teachers have

experience of A-level teaching and they are excited by the prospect of teaching at that level again next year. We have the capability and capacity within our existing staff to move comfortably into Sixth Form offering a broad range of subjects. We are fortunate too that our student/teacher ratios are very favourable. This said, we anticipate additional staffing appointments will further supplement the specialist teaching knowledge within the team,” he said.

Mr Eynon also announced that scholarship awards will be available to students entering the Sixth Form program, whether existing students or those new to KIS, saying: “The scholarship program exists to support the school philosophy in recognising and celebrating students of exceptional talent, gifts and commitment. We are keen to attract the best students we possibly can; those that can demonstrate a history of high achievement with a genuine potential for improvement and further development. Someone who is going to make a significant contribution to the fabric of the school is the type of student we are looking for.”

Identifying the value that the senior students will bring to the school in promoting the ethos of responsibility and leadership, Mr Eynon said, “Our Sixth Formers will become beacons for the rest of the school to look up to. Our younger students will aspire to be like them, to emulate them. As the school’s student leaders they will carry real influence. I look to them to demonstrate all of the shared values of our school vision, including aspiration and ambition.

“If, when our students arrive on their first day at university, they are among those students at the forefront in the seminar rooms and lecture halls; leading discussions, with courteous voice; able to rationally present their opinions and to lead responsibly; then, we can claim to have been successful,” he said. thephuketnews

18 EVENTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Superyachts set to sail Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous brings high-end yachts to Phuket

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

Some beautiful yachts will attend.

P

reparations for the inaugural Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) are all squared away, with the glamorous event set to kick off next Sunday, December 10.

The three-day event will focus on the social side of the high-end yachting industry. The KRSR is by invitation only and open to both sailing and motor yachts measuring over 24 metres in length, either visiting or based in Phuket – Southeast Asia’s leading luxury destination and fast-rising superyacht hot spot.

The rendezvous will bring like-minded people together with a personally curated guest list featuring Kata Rocks villa owners, superyacht owners, yachting industry professionals, and an influential mix of international and regional luxury lifestyle media, for three days of celebration in a relaxed social environment.

Kata Rocks and Infinite Luxury CEO Richard Pope, said, “We are delighted with the universally positive response and support regarding the Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous from the yachting in-

The event offers superyacht owners a prime opportunity to showcase their flagship vessels. dustry and luxury media.

“Kata Rocks is often referred to as ‘the world’s first superyacht-inspired resort’ and the KRSR continues to extend its long association with the yachting industry.”

Sponsored by Infinite Luxury, the resort developer, and hosted by the award-winning Kata Rocks – which recently had the honour of being named one of the 25 best hotels in Southeast Asia by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards – the KRSR signals the opening of Phuket’s luxurious charter season and offers superyacht owners a prime opportunity to showcase their flagship vessels.

Participating yachting partners include, but are not limited to, Feadship Royal Dutch Shipyards – with roots dating back to 1849 – who will host the prestigious owner’s dinner on day two, bringing history, class and the superyacht brand’s trademark “relentless pursuit of perfection” to the event.

Other yachting partners include Burgess, Benetti, Northrop & Johnson, Edmiston, Princess Yachts Southeast Asia, Bristol Charter, Simpson Marine, PMYA Asia Yachting, Seal Superyachts, Yacht Solutions, Hemisphere Crew Solutions Monaco, 77 Design, with many more to be announced soon. The Phuket News is also delighted to support the KRSR as a media partner.

Highlights from the rendezvous will include a welcome reception on a superyacht plus a cruise with the fleet to a secluded beach for a gourmet BBQ. There is also a “Gins of the World” sunset cocktail event, a “yacht hop” and “big boy’s toys” on the water showcase followed by the exclusive Infinite Luxury “Feadship Owners Dinner” in Kata Rock’s iconic Sky Villa Penthouse and a grand finale that concludes with

Kata Rocks boasts spectacular sea views.

Infinity pools look out over the anchored yachts. the Kata Rocks Charter Season Opening Party.

Michael Nurbatlian, Marketing Director of Infinite Luxury, agreed that the event offered a different level of opportunity and a new type of exclusivity for owners and charter brokers to showcase their yachts for leading yachting, lifestyle and luxury media publications. Guests will enjoy a firstclass program of events and award winning hospitality.

The KRSR is part of a series of coordinated yachting events starting with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, running from December 3 to 10. This year the King’s Cup will be followed by the inaugural KRSR from December 10 to 12.

All the latest KRSR news and updates can be found at www.katarockssuperyachtrendezvous.com. Superyachts can register by expressing their interest with Michael Nurbatlian at: michael@infiniteluxury.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 19

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

This week’s routine is all about finding your balance.

Equilibrium brings equanimity

Finding your mental and physical balance is crucial for inner peace

Kim White kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com

H

ello and welcome, or should I say “HO HO HO and welcome” to December and our last yoga article for this year.

I feel like this year has just flown by and when I reflect back and look at the year that was, I think the underlying theme of the year for myself, and a lot of my clients I have talked to and taught this year, is the desire for finding balance in their lives.

I believe that people of the world are starting to take more heed of the notion of “working to live, not living to work”.

There is shift starting to take shape in the workforce that recognises the need for balanced work-time and social-time in order to garner the best productivity from employees. For all walks of life – equilibrium brings equanimity.

So, when do we take the time to recognise when we need more balance in our physical bodies? This concept of body balance inspired me this month and I want to share with you a very, very simple balance routine. It will allow you to see just how balanced you are physically, it will also challenge and stimulate your neuron synapses (the brain-to-body connectors) and start creating a better mind-body connection, as well as building a stronger, more even, physical balance on your feet.

I started teaching this balance set

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to my pre-natal clients but found that is was just as effective for all of my clients, to help them feel steadier on both feet as well as just one foot. I mean, let’s be honest, the feet are the roots of your body, we need to make sure we are always on a good, strong, steady foundation. We need to plant and nurture our roots!

Benefits of this balance flow include: • Firming of gluteal muscles.

• Aligning of the outer hip fascia.

• Better muscle stability.

• Strengthens knees and ankles.

• Tones the legs and core.

• Focuses the mind.

• Creates a better mind-body connection.

• Unifies the bodies balance centres – the eyes, ears and feet (that is, your visual perception, vestibular functions and proprioception).

• Teaches better breath management.

• Improves mobility and vitality.

• Enhances nervous system function.

• When we balance, we align our body’s centre of gravity with the Earth’s gravitational field.

Please follow these steps to work through this very simple yet effective balance flow. Once you lift the balance foot, keep it lifted until the end of the flow.

1. Find some flat even ground to stand on.

2. Plant your right foot on the ground and concentrate on feeling the whole foot, even and solid, like a strong foundation.

3. Extend your arms out to the side with palms facing upward and shoulders rolled down the back.

4. Lift the left heel off the ground by about 15cm and flex the foot – hold for ten seconds.

5. Rotate your shoulders forward and turn your palms upwards in reverse, turn your left leg out to the side and toes are flexed up – hold for 10 seconds.

6. Bring your right arm forward, bending your elbow and bringing your forearm across the face (I call this, the ‘Masked Avenger’ arm pose), take your left leg back straight, toe pointed, left arm is reaching back along with the left leg, look over your left shoulder – hold for 10 seconds.

7. Keep your feet and legs in the same position and the arms will reverse, left elbow forward like a ‘Masked Avenger’ and the right arm extended back, look over the right shoulder – hold for 10 seconds.

8. Step back onto your left foot, kick your right foot forward, toes pointed, about 15cm above the ground, arms stay in the same position as the last stance and look over your right shoulder – hold for 10 seconds.

9. Place both feet to the floor, square the shoulders, rest and repeat on the other foot.

10. Remember, “even in the most unbalanced situations, balance is never

that far,” according to BKS Iyengar, one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world.

Happy stretching Metta, Kim OXO Kim White is the owner of Sala Samadhi. She offers authentic Hatha yoga instruction for private and group sessions. Contact: www.mindbodyyogasystem.com or 086 276 9174.

The opinions and advice contained in this column are those of the author only. The Phuket News is not responsible for the outcome or results of following any advice in any situation.

20 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Return to a magical world

T

he latest film from the blockbusting Harry Potter franchise returns us to the magical world which engrossed an entire generation of children and no small amount of He could adults as well.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them be conoffers a new story and new characters, and it sidered looks at the wizard community from a differa kind of grown-up ent angle – and a different time period. Set in the jazz and prohibition era of New York City in 1926, the movversion of Harry ie takes magical action across the Atlantic and away Potter, which is an from the Potter-verse’s trademark English setting. understandable diThe script was written by JK Rowling herself, and although she has exerted strong control over the rection to take the screenplays adapting her novels, this is the first time franchise in, given she has personally written a movie script. It is directthat many Potter ed by old-hand David Yates, who has long experience fans are now them- in the Potter franchise, having directed the last four movies. selves all grown up. Potter The main character Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) is magic-zoologist who is passionate about finding and categorising magical creatures from all over the world. He could be considered a kind of grown-up version of Harry Potter, which is an understandable direction to take the franchise in, given that many Potter fans are now themselves all grown up.

As predecessor to Potter, Newt also studied at Hogwarts School, in Hufflepuff House, but he leaves his education behind to pursue his love of magical beasts and The action takes place in prohibition-era New York City. passion to protect them

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

‘Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them’ is now showing now in Phuket. from humans that might wish to cause them harm. As we already know from the previous movies, Newt will eventually pen the book from which the movie takes its name, which of course, was later studied by Potter during his time at Hogwarts.

Newt, a tweedy somewhat bumbling Englishman, travels to New York City with only his magical leather suitcase, which is filled with the magical beasts Newt scours the city for his escaped creatures. he has collected, including, among others, a furry black platypus-like “Niffler” This sets up the action scenes for much with a knack for sniffing out treasure, and a giant Thunderbird that can sense of the film, as they rush around New York trying to recapture the elusive and danger and create storms as it flies, unusual creatures. which Newt planned to release back to With its adult characters, the movie its native Arizona. also brings with it the adult themes of His mission in America is to search bigotry and intolerance. It certainly out other scholars of the beastly world veers to the dark side of wizardry. Someto confer with, and also to find and protect the beasts that inhabit the New what like the darker turn the later Harry Potter movies took, but much more World. But, before long, an unforeseen explicit. It plays on the current Zeitgeist and unfortunate occurrence befalls of racial intolerance and xenophobia in Newt when he accidentally swaps his American culture and does its best to suitcase with Jacob, a “no-maj” (an American word for muggle –a non-mag- critique it, although the allegory does not quite hold water. We also catch our ic person) who before long allows many first glimpse of the new villain Gellert of the fantastic beasts to escape and Grindelwald who, given that the franbegin to wreak havoc on the city. chise is signed up for another four movThis chaos couldn’t come at a worse ies, we will no doubt see more of soon. time as tensions are rising between the Overall, it is a fast-paced movie, “no-majs” and wizards and witches in which despite the need to begin the New York. Anti-wizard “no-maj” group world-building plot and characters The New Salem Philanthropic Society inevitably needed in the first movie is led by the puritanical, hate-spewing of a franchise, it manages to keep the Mary Lou Barebone (played to a tee by Samantha Morton) and are protesting in viewer interested. The fantastic beasts are realised very well on screen by deft the streets against the wizards and the use of CGI. dangers they pose to ordinary people.

People who are unfamiliar with the Meanwhile, Newt is tracked down Harry Potter franchise movies may and arrested by wizard official Porpenstruggle to keep up with the magic jartina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), gon, so make sure you go with a Potter who works for the Magical Congress fan if you want to be brought up to date. of the United States of America (MACUSA), and is looking to get back in her employers’ good graces. Porpentina tells Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, starring Eddie Redmayne, KathNewt that all wizards must register erine Waterston, Dan Fogler and Colin their wands at the Wand Permit OfFarrell. Directed by David Yates. Now fice, lest they pose a threat to magical showing at cinemas at Jungceylon and safety.

Central Festival Phuket.

MACUSA’s policy is to hide themselves from “no-majs”, but lately a dark force is threatening this anonymity by destroying buildings causing mayhem in New York.

Newt is sent off on a merry chase to re-capture all the magical creatures before they cause more trouble, joined by his new “no-maj” friend Jacob, who provides some comic relief in the otherwise quite stern movie, and Porpentina’s Eddy Redmayne plays the lead character , the wizard Newt. flirtatious sister Queenie. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TRAVEL 21

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Some visitors do choose to take the six-hour trek to the summit of Mt Fuji.

Even on a cloudy day you can get stunning views of the summit.

Stunning vistas, challenging trek

Visitors don’t need to reach Mt Fuji’s peak to enjoy its breathtaking landscape Peerawat Jariyasombat editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

he beautiful cone-shape of Mt Fuji is a dream-like destination. But unlike some remote majestic peaks, getting to the mountain is not as difficult as you might think.

It is a very cloudy day as I ride a bus which is making its way through a foggy road. As the bus climbs up the mountain road, higher and higher, it becomes engulfed in white cloud. Visibility is very poor, the road is blanketed by thick mist as the bus slowly climbs until we emerge from the fog. The bright sun is shining over a blue sky and

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the peak of Mt Fuji materialises right before my eyes.

Situated at the border of the prefectures Shizuoka and Yamanashi, Mt Fuji is the highest in Japan with an elevation of 3,776 metres. It is an iconic symbol of Japan and most tourists hope they are lucky enough to see it clearly, at least once, when they visit. But even local people do not see the mountain every day, they say Mt Fuji is like a very shy lady, seldom appearing in public.

Many say the best view of Mt Fuji is from the train that runs between Tokyo and Osaka. It can also be seen from the lakes that flank the northern side of the mountain. Anyway, if you want to see the peak up close, you can take a ride to

the fifth station of Mt Fuji.

The fifth station of Mt Fuji is the fifth point from the base, situated at a height of 2,305m. I get off the bus and gaze at the majestic peak of Mt Fuji, it looks quite close, but believe me, you have to be strong to get to the peak. Normally, trekkers spend over six hours getting to the top. Thus, the fifth station, which requires little effort to access, attracts many of the less energetic tourists.

Hundreds of tourists are enjoying the stunning view of the blue sky above while vast white clouds lie beneath.

Shops are packed with visitors who look for cool souvenirs, ranging from Japanese traditional walking sticks to souvenir magnets. Ice cream and sweets made

in the shape of Mt Fuji seem to be a very popular choice as well.

Many climbers also arrive by car, then walk the trail to the top, passing several impressive view points. Mt Fuji has long been worshipped in ancient Japan. There is an observatory from where you can see Komitake Shrine, an ancient place for prayer visited by worshippers.

A trail called Ochudo near the observatory forms a circle around the middle of Mt Fuji. Walk on this trail about an hour and you will reach Oniwa, popular for its stunning views. So. if you are planning to take a trip to Japan any time in the future, make sure you put mount Fuji on your itinerary.

Bangkok Post

22 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Swissôtel staff pass on donations to students of Phuket Panyanukul School.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Four-member band Soulcoustics will be rocking the stage at Cariocas every Saturday.

SWISSÔTEL RESORT PHUKET PATONG BEACH HOSTS CHARITY LUNCH Swissôtel Resort Phuket Patong Beach proudly supported the community by hosting a charity lunch for Phuket Panyanukul School on Wednesday, Nov 28. The school is a special education facility for hearing impaired and challenged students.

SOULCOUSTICS ON SONG AT CARIOCAS Popular local band Soulcoustics recently hit the stage, helping to draw a huge crowd, at the Grand Opening of Cariocas Bistro & Lounge (Nov 17). The venue was packed to the rafters with people enjoying the tasty Mexican food and hand-mixed drinks. Following their success, Cariocas owner Andreas Korf announced that Soulcoustics will now be playing a live set every Saturday night. Their will also be the world-class bartending competition ‘Diplomatico’ taking place at Cariocas this Sunday (Dec 4) from 2-4pm.

s

From left: Tipaporn Koonphol (Deputy GM of Amari Phuket), Leong Kah Wah (VP of Ferrari Owners’ Club Singapore), Teo Bee Tat Gregory (President), Wong Jes (Motoring Director) and Pierre-Andre Pelletier (Amari VP and GM for South Thailand).

Over 20 Ferarri supercars hit the streets of Phuket.

SINGAPORE FERARRI OWNERS CLUB MAKES A PIT STOP AT AMARI PHUKET Amari Phuket’s representatives, Pierre-Andre Pelletier – Vice President and Area General Manager, South Thailand and Tipaporn Koonphol – Deputy General Manager recently welcomed a group of more than 20 Ferrari car owners from the Ferrari Owners’ Club Singapore during their stay at Amari Phuket. The group came to Phuket for their annual get-together and organised a CSR activity for a school in Phuket.

UNDERWORLD HAUNTED HARBOUR AND TRICK OR TREAT AT BOAT LAGOON

Families enjoyed dinner at Les Diables after their tour of the haunted house.

Some guests joined in the dancing.

Dozens of kids dressed up as their favourite spooky characters on the night.

Scores of families turned out last Saturday night (Nov 26) for the Underworld Haunted Harbour at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Kids had a frightfully good time as they walked through the terrifying haunted house. Adults also enjoyed a delicious dinner at some of the fabulous restaurants along the boardwalk. No one left empty-handed, with plenty of candy and prizes being handed out on the night.

Dinners were treated to a wonderful dance performance during the meal.

SIXZZLING BARBECUE BONANZA AT THE PAVILION'S FIREFLY RESTAURANT Firefly at The Pavilions Phuket, the island's new place to be seen, hosted a fantastic barbecue buffet serving contemporary grill specialities with a modern Mediterranean touch. Guests enjoyed their feast in the airy restaurant, which borders the impressive pool oasis – that lights up after dark with countless “fireflies”. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

PHUKET INTERNATIONAL SPORTFISHING TOURNAMENT 2016 COMES TO A CLOSE The P.I.S.T is now the longest-running fishing tournament in Asia. Last year’s event brought in some B175,000 in funds, all donated to The Phuket Sunshine Village. This year the final weigh in and party took place at Tamarind Bar, Chalong.

First-place winners ‘Hooker 1’ hold up their trophy and get ready to celebrate.

Live 89.5’s Jason Wilder did a live broadcast and interviewed P.I.S.T organisers.

From left: Paul Stevens, VP Operator for Novotel, Mercure, IBIS Upper Southeast ASIA and Hotel owners Mr and Mrs Choo.

NOVOTEL PHUKET RESORT RE-LAUNCH PARTY

From left: Resort owner Mr Michael Choo and Digital Marketing Director Pichsinee ‘Oy’ Pomnoi.

Last Friday (Nov 25), Novotel Phuket Resort held a re-launch party at their Rabiang Terrace with a casual blue-and-white dress code. The event was a chance for attendees to meet with the resort’s management team, enjoy a range of food and beverages, and of course, inspect the recently completed renovations.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Indian Navy officers met with members of Phuket’s local Indian community.

Indian Navy officers met with their Thai counterparts.

INDIAN NAVY DINES WITH THEIR THAI COUNTERPARTS WHILE VISITING PHUKET Senior officers from the Indian Navy hosted a reception on board INS Karmuk on Nov 23. The event was attended by more than 50 dignitaries from the Royal Thai Navy and the local Phuket community. The reception was the closing ceremony of the 23rd edition of the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and bilateral exercise between Indian and Thai Navies.

Some of the runners dressed up to bring a bit of flair to the event.

Runners received their medals at the finish line.

‘RUN TO GIVE’ CHARITY RUN AROUND THE BANG WAD DAM A HUGE SUCCESS The annual ‘Run to Give’ charity run was held last Sunday (Nov 27) from 5am at Bang Wad Dam in Kathu. Over 1,500 runners battled it the over three-kilometre and 10 km courses. All money raised from the event will be donated to the Maha Jakri Sirinthorn’s Children’s Project and Pun Fun Pun Yim Project. @thephuketnews

24 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SUN

2 DEC

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

4 DEC Youth Talent Competition

Sunday Brunch

WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong from 12-6pm! Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Cajun Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavorbursting chicken and more! Come for the FOOD Stay for the FUN at Two Chefs!!! www.twochefs.com.

All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam

Christmas Fair Friday 02 December: 15.30 - 20.30 Art & Carfts, Cookie Decorating, Santa’s Grotto, Performances, Baked Goods, Food Stalls, Carols, Christmas Market and much more. UWCT & Thanyapura, Thanyapura Poolside, psg@pia.ac.th.

SAT

3 DEC

The competition at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com.

MON

BBQ Buffet on Saturday Night Come and join us along the shores of the Andaman sea for an unforgettable experience of freshest seafood, generous selection of BBQ items, tempting desserts and delicious drinks. At Cosmo Restaurant.

Everyday from 6.30pm until 10.00pm. 1,950 THB for adults, 975 THB for children under 12. Reservations, Cosmo Restaurant at The Nai Harn Phuket, fbreservation@thenaiharn.com, 076 380 200.

Sunday Fun Brunch

Live Sports at Expat Hotel

TUE

6 DEC

Public Speaking made easier All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

NRL, AFL, Soccer, Rugby Union. Any live sport, we will show it. Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com.

All you can eat BBQ night 6PM – 11PM: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squids, salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Phuket’s most popular brunch experience. Seafood, live station, entertainment, kid’s corner and massage corner. From 1,650++ THB. 12.00 - 15.30. Reservation: info@xanabeachclub.com 076 358 500.

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with french fries, your choice, your style: nature, marnière, provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

5 DEC

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otoolsphuket.com.

Aussie bacon & egg rolls NOW at Cafe Siam. All day breakfast, just like mum makes. Lavazza Coffee, healthy snacks & salads. Find us at the Entrance of The Royal Paradise Complex, Patong. Mon - Sat 8.30am - 4.00pm. Facebook: CafeSiamGuesthousePhuket 081 676 9411.

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar

Every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Enjoy an exquisite Sunday Brunch with a variety of seafood selection on ice such as crab, oysters, king prawns and more wide variety of cuisine available from classic dishes to signatures. Prices starting from 1,200++ Baht for buffet and free flow soft drinks. Reservations, HYATT REGENCY PHUKET RESORT, fnb.phuhr@ hyatt.com, 076 231 234.

Limited to 50 entrants, and the closing date for entries is 25 Nov. The contest, which is open to all students in Thailand aged between 8 and 18 years old, kicks off at 11am on the Sunday morning. Students can enter into one of three categories; Junior Vocals for ages 8 to 12, Senior Vocals for ages 13 to 18 and Senior Instrumentalists for ages 13 to 18. To enter the competition, email papa@legendmusic.net with their name, age and what category they would like to enter into.

Entry is B700 per contestant. Proudly sponsored by Live89.5

Beef, Pork & Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservation recommended 350 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Looking to develop your public speaking and leadership skills? Ignite your career? Join Toastmasters Phuket and start making yourself a leader today! Invitation only. Contact Jason on 086 479 7471 for more info.

WED

7 DEC

Indian Curry Night on Fridays Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast First Week Friday and the Third Week Friday, in Karon Beach. Try out our delicious Aloo Tikki, Samosas, Chicken Tandoori, Aloo Gobi, Navrang Korma, Butter Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Naan, Rice, Salads, Chutneys / Achars, Pistachio Ice Cream, Gulah Jamun, Fruits. And extra dishes on the menu: ONIONBHAJI, BOMBAY ALOO, DAL MAKHINI, VANILLA ICE-CREAM. For only 499/nett and special reduced prices on drinks. 076-286464 Ext 4.

Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY

Black Tie Muay Thai III Gloves and Gowns: Muay Thai Chic! Celebrities and experienced Muay Thai fighters from Phuket step into the ring for a good cause. Guests will enjoy a drink reception, a delicious four course dinner and free flow beverages. When the gloves come off, the dance party starts in the ring! Booking essential; please contact #076-278-146 or email info@phukethasbeengoodtous.org. When: 3rd December 2016 Where: Outrigger Laguna Phuket. Tickets: 3,500 THB Proudly sponsored by Live89.5.

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Beach, Kata Center, Karon and Patong for Only 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites from 12-6pm! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavoured with Thyme and Garlic.

Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN! www.twochefs.com.

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch Icon of Italian cuisine Sri panwa & Baba Phuket host an Icon of Italian cuisine, the 2 michelin starred Chef Stefano Baiocco & his team from Villa Feltrinelli, Italy. Try this unmissable 8 course menu from the 1st – 7th December 2016, with authentic dishes & Italian ingredients expertly combined with the freshest local finds, that will come together to make a harmony of flavors. Book NOW! E: chill@sripanwa.com T: 076 371 000.

Saturday Live Music Every Saturday live music by the Soulcoustics, 9pm till open end.

The Banyan Tree Seafood Brunch experience returns with a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exception Lobster dished, Japanese starters, mouth-watering meats, Asia wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12.00-15.30, price start from 2,800net per person.

Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com, 076 372 400.

Dine 4 Pay 3 Oriental Buffet Dinner Extravaganza Embark on a journey to the four corners of Asia and enjoy a lavish array of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and other Oriental recipes. Develop your taste buds and experience new flavours; ranging from spicy curries to barbecued meats and local noodle plates, while watching our Chefs work their magic in the lively kitchen every Wednesday from 18:00 – 22:00 for THB 999 per person at Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas. Reservations, Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas, h8109@accor.com, 076 231 999.

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. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

WED

7 DEC

Every Wednesday! All-you-can-eat Pasta and Pizza at Bellini Every Wednesday Eat all you can Pizza and Pasta for only 500 Baht. Drink all you can for only 450 Baht – or BOTH eat and drink all you can FOR ONLY 890 Baht with DOUBLE EXPRESSIONS LIVE! Wednesdays 6pm to 11pm at Bellini. info@pastabellini.com.

Located at Chalong Circle, Chao-Fa East.

THU

EVENTS 25

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

8 DEC

SAT

24 DEC

Traditional Christmas Buffet Join us on Saturday Dec 24th for a Traditional Christmas Buffet at Two Chefs Kata Beach. Enjoy your holiday celebration with us. We are offering an early buffet at 6pm and a late buffet at 9pm. Including: Cold Smoked Salmon, Roast Beef, Christmas Ham, Pickled Herring, Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce, “Jansons Frestelse” Potato Gratin Flavoured with Scandinavian Anchovy, Ginger & Honey Marinated Pork Ribs, Chocolate Mousse, Gingerbread Cookies, Rice à la Malta with Strawberry Sauce and Much More! 1,450 Baht for Adults, 750 Baht for Kids Under 12. Reservations, kata@twochefs.com, 076 333 370.

SUN

25 DEC

FRI

10 DEC

THU

15 DEC

31 DEC Phuket International Boatshow PIMEX 2017

O’Tools - Traditional Christmas Lunch & Dinner

The 14th edition of PIMEX will take place at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina on Phuket’s east coast. The 2016 show attracted over 5,000 quality visitors. An annual event since 2003, the show is firmly fixed on the calendar as Phuket’s biggest trade show.

Broadcasting Live89.5 FM live from the show each day. Entry is free. Come along and register and get a chance to win prizes. Not to be missed! For more details visit www.phuketboatshow.com Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

Will be served from 1pm on Christmas Day. Xmas Menu Starter: Prawn Cocktail or Melon with Port. Main Courses: Roast Turkey with Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Fresh Seasonal Vegetables & Yorkshire Pudding (please ask). Dessert: Christmas Pudding wih Brandy sauce. Only 740 Baht inclusive per person. Free Christmas Present for the kids (0-16 Years). Book Now. Reservations, 093 696 1178.

TUE

27 DEC

Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous The Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) from 10 to 12 December 2016, sponsored by Infinite Luxury & Kata Rocks, brings together superyacht owners, industry partners and luxury lifestyle media for three days of celebration in a relaxed social environment. The KRSR is by invitation only and open to both sailing and motor yachts measuring over 24 metres in length katarockssuperyachtrendezvous.com. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Live89.5.

GRAND OPENING! New vegan restaurant with creative food opening in Chalong. Come see our awesome menu with choices of only plant based creative food. Most of our items are allergen-free. We strive away from gluten as well with many desserts gluten-free. Get 30% off on opening day! Facebook: /pureveganheaven Pure Vegan Heaven, Soi Ta-ied, Next to Dragon Muai Thai, Chalong, Phuket, 093 920 3491.

SAT

PIWC Meet & Greet Coffee December New members are encouraged to join our monthly Meet & Greet Coffee Morning to find out more about our organisation. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with a few members in a more casual setting over a cup of coffee. For more information, please contact Joan Watson – imm@loxinfo.co.th or Renate Hirte – hirtefamily@hotmail.com.

THU

29 DEC

HEALTHY MEXICAN RESTAURANT Taco Tuesday!

Create your own food at our new Mexican-inspired restaurant, authentic food with a healthy mindset.

Soft corn tacos, rice bowls, salads, burritos and much more… Get one free selected beverage with your tacos order this Tuesday! Facebook: Mexican Corner Phuket Mexican Corner Phuket, 093 920 3491.

WED

28 DEC

New Year Sensation 2017 At Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas

EVERY DAY

Feast on sumptuous salad, a fresh seafood, BBQ and carving stations, mouthwatering Western dishes and authentic Thai cuisine, including Phuket favourites, followed by local Thai dessert temptations while guests will be entertained with Thai classical performances and lucky draws for only THB 4,999 per person and THB 1,999 per person for free-flow beverages throughout the night. For more information and reservation, call +66 76 231 999 or email h8109@accor.com

THU

5 JAN

co-located:

www.veryinternationalphuket.com

7 Nights, 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. World of Curries @790THB++, Thai & International Buffet @790THB++, Seafood Night @980THB++, Ribs Wing Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++, Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++ Only in December (except 24 and 31 December), show the promo code: PMRTPN2016/2 to receive a 10% discount! For reservations, email rimtalay@amari.com or call 076 340106-14 #8027.

PIWC Christmas Lunch Price for members is 600 THB and for guests 750 THB. Registration starts at 11.30 am and lunch begins at 12.15. RSVP REQUIRED! Send email to info@ piwc-phuket.com, attention Maggy Wigman. NOTE for cancellations and no-shows: If you are a no-show and/or do not provide 24-hour cancellation notice, you will be responsible for the lunch fee. Thank you for your understanding as we need to provide the venue with a confirmed headcount in advance. All proceeds from our monthly lunches support the PIWC scholarship fund.

@thephuketnews

GRAND OPENING!

Very International Phuket 2017 - Live the Island Life!

First Açai Bar opening in Thailand! Come and try some of our Açai Bowls and Superfoods. Açai berries from the Amazon forest are full of antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins! Most of all it’s delicious... We are offering 50% discount on opening day with this ad. See you soon! Facebook: /acaiheaven Acai Heaven, Soi Ta-ied, Across Dragon Muai Thai Chalong, Phuket, 093 920 3491.

Save the dates! Luxury & Lifestyle goods & services to be showcased at Royal Phuket Marina, alongside the successful Boat Show PIMEX. Meet the exhibitors during the day then be entertained by special shows at the outside venue in the evening. All global and local brands are waiting for you to visit. Keep up to date with what’s on, follow our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and register now!.

La Gritta’s Discovery Menu Take your taste buds on a culinary tour through some of the finest Italian flavours. Chef Patrizia has created a six-course discovery menu consisting of the appetiser, main course and dessert, priced at 1,590 THB++ per person. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, lagritta@ amari.com, 076 292 697.

26 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across

1. Who is the literary character Jack Dawkins better known as?

2. Which river flows through the Italian city of Florence?

3. In which year was Abraham Lincoln assassinated?

4. In 1311, which British cathedral became the world’s tallest structure?

5. What’s the world’s fourth most populated country?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

23. Of a Mississippi region 1. Result of ill-fitting 25. Comic villain shoe 26. Raise a stink 7. Neighbor 27. Hindu diety 11. Wetland 29. Devilish 14. Play an ace?

30. Cambodian 15. No gain, no loss money 16. Mozart’s “L’___ 32.

Barbie buddies del Cairo” 33.

Mythology 17. Fixed rights anthology 20. Wannabe 34. Tipsy 21. Triumvirates Down 35. Needle holder 22. Beat 24. With irony 1. A sparkling wine 36. “Say ___” 38. Designed anew 25. Language of 2. Sts. 39. Undoing Pakistan 3. Talk like Daffy 28. Ghostlike 4. Freedom 43. Bee, to Opie 31. Epitome of from normal 45. Talkative thinness restraints 46. Give extreme 32. Scale of 5. Female parts unction to temperature 6. When haroseth is 47. Drops off 34. Fell eaten 49. One of L.B.J.’s 37. Broke off 7. Bristle beagles relations 8. Insulation fiber 50. Bank 40. Police blotter 9. Cybercafe patron 51. False move abbr.

10. Balls put into 53. Small amount 41. Ultimate object play (rugby) 54. Ginger ___ 42. Malaria symptom 11. Covered with 56. Gone wrong?

43. Very, in music thickets 57. Veg out 44. Flimsy 12. Of base 8 58. Stains 45. Range 13. Bloated 60. Shakespearean 48. Irritate 18. Pique suffix 52. Faux names 19. Emerald Isle 55. May birthstone 59. Commuter track in Toronto 61. Short order, for short 62. Greek vowels 63. Big bore 64. Classic rock band 65. Cabinet div.

66. Fur pieces

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Artful Dodger; 2) Arno; 3) 1865; 4) St Mary’s (Great Pyramid of Giza previously held the record for nearly 4000 years) ;5) Indonesia

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

■■ Dec 2, 1982 At the University of Utah, Barney Clark becomes the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart.

7

different words to describe distinct types of crunching are in the Japanese dictionary.

■Dec ■ 3, 1976 An assassination attempt is made on Bob Marley. He is shot twice, and plays a concert two days later. Photo: Ueli Frey

17

years of her life will the average woman spend dieting.

59

■■ Dec 4, 1872 The crewless American ship Mary Celeste is found by the Canadian brig Dei Gratia. The ship had been abandoned for nine days but was only slightly damaged.

per cent of Americans prefer the presentation of facts without interpretation, says a recent news survey.

30,000

■■ Dec 5, 1933 Prohibition in the United States ends.

■■ Dec 6, 1240 Mongol invasion of Rus’: Kiev under Daniel of Galicia and Voivode Dmytro falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan.

US dollars NASA will pay for developing a space suit system that collects human waste for days at a time and routes it away hands-free.

412 million

accounts at adult dating and pornography company Friend Finder Networks were recently hacked, exposing the users’ private details.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

■■ Dec 7, 1703 The Great Storm of 1703, the greatest windstorm ever recorded in the southern part of Great Britain, makes landfall. Winds gust up to 190kph, and 9,000 people die.

Dusk on a Phuket beach. Photo by Raymond Gerritsen Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

■■ Dec 8, 887 Louis the Stammerer (son of Charles the Bald) is crowned king of the West Frankish Kingdom (France) at Compiègne.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Jobs

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Trades & Services

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ADVERTISING SERVICES

CABLE TV SERVICES

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

LEGAL SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

OTHER

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

 Sizes to Suit all Budgets  Personal & Business Storage  Motorcycle Storage  Left Luggage Service  We Sell Boxes  Storage Insurance Inclusive

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

TATTOO

FISHING SERVICE

TRAINING

HOME DECORATION

TRAINING

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ADVERTISE HERE

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Buy&Sell

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

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ACTIVITIES, GROUPS Sign up today for a discount code

The new website for Tiya’s hammocks is ready! Visit now at: native-habitat.com and subscribe for a discount code to use for online shopping. Tiya: hammockphuket@yahoo.com, 076 631 841.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Boating deal of the year: 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat. New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail. com, 080 695 3933.

Steel boat for sale

32 metre steel boat for sale.

Built 2012, 2 x Cummings engines, 10hrs work only. International REG. Excellent for live-aboard or ferry. Price 6MB. Contact: call Joe 087 8918912 or email joe@similan-divers.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Business for sale

Phuket Car Rentals and Internet Shop is for sale as the owner has to return to his country to obtain a pension. The cost is US $27,000 and includes 4 cars, 2 scooters, 1 motorbike and 8 computers. Rawai is a pleasant area to live. The shop has pleasant accommodation upstairs. Ownership allows a work permit and 1 year visas. 0987075945, bobskibarnett@gmail.com

Beauty Salon with Equipment

For Sale, Nai Harn Beauty Salon with Equipment & lease, B290,000. Salon Equipment replacement cost is more than B300,000. All equipment shown as new. Must view to see excellent opportunity to purchase Salon for extremely good price in prime location. Call Nok for details 098 017 8818.

REST-BAR-LOUNGE RAWAI BEACH

Beautiful decoration - Private terrace - Seaview - Sound system - Led lights - Air conditioned - Fully equipped - 400sqm - 2 levels - Parking - Ready for work: superstaronthebeach@ hotmail.com, 092 526 0222.

Looking for investor / partner

Looking for investor / partnership for Patong beach front location to start with Japanese and Indian restaurant.

Narin, narinpga@gmail.com, 081 826 9390.

Price reduced for quick sale

No, not a bar or guesthouse, but a manufacturing business for wooden window blinds. All the machinery and inventory of parts to be up and running in a matter of days. A very successful business in Phuket for over eight years. Price reduced to 2 mil Baht. Owner will partially finance. lamsden@ phuketemail.com, 081 487 4812. @thephuketnews

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant for sale in Rawai

All new equipment, air conditioned, private terrace, unlimited parking. All offers considered. optispa@gmail. com, 088 386 9132, 063 067 4498.

Looking for a Partner Investor

I am looking for a Partner/Investor to expand my Dive business. Anyone interested please email me to discuss the proposal. rwhi690169@bigpond.com

Restaurant set up for sale

A fully equipped restaurant in the highly sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna.

Stainless steel kitchen, Wi-Fi, bar counter, service area. Ready to go in days. Email: jukeboxphuket@gmail.com, 081 090 1608.

CAR FOR SALE

CAR FOR SALE n r ge

U

t sa

le

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc Auto

57,000km. One owner since new.

Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and Insurance until the end of June and available now at right offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIPS Life Time Family Membership

Blue Canyon: 800,000 THB includes 140,000 transfer fee. Loch Palm: 475,000 THB includes 72,000 transfer fee. Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. ฿485,000, the Loch Palm transfer fee of ฿72,000 will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. Contact J. Trenton Early, jtrenton.early@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

BMW 323i

323i. One owner since new. No accidents; excellent condition. 105,000km; cared for with BMW service. Full history available. 395,000THB, Thalang, Phuket, jrh1@me.com, 086 989 0919.

Convertible

Mercedes CLK 200 Cabriolet W-209 Brabus Package - seat 4.

Excellent condition and fun to drive.

37,400km. 1,199,000 Bht. Eng - Thai 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G VVTI

2013 - 35,000km - Automatic White - CD Radio, Air-con, Alloys Excellent Condition, Only used for school runs. 525,000, Duang, Royal Phuket Marina, gavinmullins@hotmail. com, 083 093 9724.

New loft trailer

081 693 8214.

Fully welded steel construction. Proper fenders springs, hitch, lights, toungue jack, alu deck. Fits M/C, ATY, const, landscape. 1700 lb. cap. 65,000 THB,

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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MOVING SERVICES Looking for Moving Company?

With over 15 years of experience Bigmove Phuket is the number 1 provider of moving and shipping in and out of Phuket Thailand. We provide storage in a state of the art clean, secure, storage facility located centrally in Phuket. www.bigmovephuket.com, 081-797-5377.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Phuket real estate tour

Real estate investment tours are specially designed to help you to achieve your investment goals with the right property in the right location. You will get advice on the multitude of lucrative investment opportunities in Phuket. md@ tourasian.com, 080 826 4665.

WEBSITES, IT For Sale: hoteldealsphuket.com

PHD has 125,000 pages indexed in Google and an average of 22,000 page views per month! See stats image. Also see the selling points on the link below. Quick sale: 33.000B!, Mark, mr.m.hopkins@gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Condominium for sale

Foreign Freehold 150 SQM Huge Ground Floor 2 Bed 2 Bath condo.

150m to Nai Harn Beach. 8.2M THB. paulover@hotmail.com, 089 875 4173.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Beautiful Land in Rawai For Sale

Apartment Country Golf Club House

One room with kitchen in main house Country Club. 6th floor with balcony 75sqm. Membership in Country Club included. Price 3.3 Million THB. Contact pzw@gmx.at Per Dompert, 086 043 4315 (English and German)

Luxury 4 bed Villa ‘Price Reduced’

Opportunity for small Resort. Luxury 4 BDR Villa + 3 Bungalows + Land Plot, must see. (Price reduced, 19,990,000 baht, 3 Chanotes, 1075 sq m.), (4 BDR Villa, pool, gym, steam room + 1 x 2 BDR Bungalow), (Price reduced, 7,990,000 baht, 3 chantes, 792 sq m.), ( 2 Bungalows & Land Plot, 2-BDR + 1-BDR). www. phuketvilla.asia. Location - 7°47’23.1”N 98°18’53.4”E (call to view). Contact Chris 087 884 8972.

X2 Vibe Phuket Bangtao

X2 Vibe Bangtao is low-rise, low density condo and with only 84 units that provides nice resort facilities and offers high quality finishings. 4.59mn baht. Phumarin, 139 Soi Cherngtalay 16, Srisoonthorn Rd, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, sales@oceanstonephuket.com or 095 037 8150.

Beautiful mountain view with option of sea view land of 742m2 for sale in Rawai with chanote title. For more information contact 085 790 2021.

Prime Land near Natai Beach

13 Rai. Prime flat land, Full Chanote. 5 mins to beautiful Natai Beach, 5 mins to Khok Kloi, 20 mins from Phuket Airport.

Close to temples, beach & mountain views, perfect for large property or subdivide for development. B13,500,000, Antoine (Thai & English), 081 979 9307, dannyred@hotmail.com

Kay McDonnell

I have a number of FIRE SALE PROPERTIES from 1.5 MTB to 47MTB. Condos/Houses/Villas Please contact me if you are looking for bargains in the south of the island.080 124 1245, kay@pare.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Ten Room Villa for sale

With 5 Rai land. 5 sleeping rooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 balcony, 2 kitchens, big living room, play room, lobby, car port. Hillside Maikhao Beach sunset seaview. Asking price 24 MB. julius_schuster2001@ yahoo.de, 087 267 1192.

House for Sale

3 bed, 2 bath, living/dining, Farang & Thai kitchens. Back/both sides under cover. Water fall/relax area.

BBQ area under cover/car port. 4 aircons/7 fans. Very private, close to all services, 500 meters from Heroines Monument. 4.9 mil. o.n.o. Contact Randy. Email randyalltime@gmail.com

Waterfront Condominium

The Cleat Condo, residence project in Krabi Boat Lagoon Marina. Price 3-9MB, size 37-119 Sq.M., 1 or 2 bedroom, marina view. For rent/sale. marketing@phuketpropertytrip.com

COMMUNITY

HERE IS THE FUTURE. 17 RAI FOR SALE

Between Kok Loi and Thai Muang, 38 km from the airport, we are selling a beautiful peice of land with 2 new houses. A perfect place for artists or a sport resort.

The land is more than 17 Rai, full of old trees, with a big private lake and located directly behind the river. Chanote title. With a canoe it takes 20 min to paddle to the sea.

A great opportunity for a fair price. Price 9.5M, Yupin, residler@gmail.com, 081 817 4805 Thai, Eng, Deutsch.

Land For Sale

Land for sale. Anuphas Golf Ville, Kathu. 81 sq wah. Golf course view of Phuket CC. Quiet village, convenient location. E-mail for details Contact David, d1jarvis@hotmail.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 33

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Buy&Sell

PROPERTY FOR SALE Outstanding Beach Front Pool Villa

A rare opportunity to purchase a 4 bedroom beachfront villa in a 5* resort at The Village Coconut Island.

A “snip” at 22m THB. Contact email aadmo@btinternet. com, Somjit, aadmo@btinternet.com, 081 9791945.

LAND NEAR WATERFALL FOR SALE

Beautiful, gently sloping land for sale near Bang Pae waterfall. Good road, 3-phase power. NS3 paper (upgrade applied for). 7 rai, B4m/rai. 087 884 9964 (En) or 087 272 5594 (Th). alasdair.phuket@gmail.com

Modern home office for sale

Modern home office for sale located 400 m fr Central Intersection. 1 Unit has 1 commercial, 1 living space, 4 bedrooms & built-in bathrooms. Owner, thip_june19@yahoo.com, 087 543 4716.

House for Sale

House at Land and House for sale. 2-storey with 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, balcony, jacuzzi, library, laundry. Near to kid playground, two swimming pools, sauna, gym. Enough land to build a second house on the same plot. Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

MAI KHAO LAND

Beachfront land in Mai Khao. East coast. 3 rai 2 ngan 24sqw. For sale: 45 million baht. 45 million.

Sale by owner Apartment ‘The Pearl of Naithon’ Leasehold

Total area 226,66 SQM including terrace 41,25 Sqm, 50 meters from the beach, 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms, Owner purchased at THB 22.5 million, now reduced to only THB 11.5 million for quick sales. MP + 66 (0) 89 814 1458.

PROPERTY FOR RENT House For sale or rent Baan Manik (Cherngtalay)

Attractive 3 bed, 2 bathroom detached house for sale or rent. Set in quiet surroundings but with easy access to Laguna, Boat avenue, PIA, airport, Surin, Bangtao and Layan beaches. The property boasts many additional features including, Auto-gate, Western styled kitchen, security system, natural stone floors, imported ceiling fans, 12volt LED Garden Lighting and air-con throughout.

Asking 4.5 Million Negotiable Rent 25K Per Month Fully furnished or 20K per month unfurnished. 081 9686 051.

CHALONG BEACH FRONT LAND

Beach Front 40m. Long and short term. 1 and half rai(600sq.m.) Mr. Narin, narinpga@gmail.com, 081 826 9390. @thephuketnews

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PROPERTY FOR RENT PRIME LAND+BLDG @CHALONG PIER

Seaview Building with land 50m to Chalong Pier for Rent/Long Term Lease.

1.5Rai+bldg. Ideal for Hotel, Community Mall, Restaurants Wirote, 081 931 5189.

Family Pool Villa Rawai

4 Bedroom 4 bathroom 5,000 Baht per night/3 bedroom 3 bathroom 4,000 Baht per night. Quality Furnishings. Contact: rawaihillvillasphuket @gmail.com or 091 654 6249.

Bedroom in shared house-Kathu

Near Kajonkiet Inter school, Loch Palm, close to Central, Big C, Tesco. Inclusive:WiFi, water, electricity, use of kitchen, washing machine. Month by month agreement with some deposit. Bedsheet + pillows provided.

4000 THB/month, 089 600 0041.

Apartment for rent

Quality 1 Bedroom serviced apartment 65sqm for rent. Central Patong.

Short or long term. For details email ianscondo21@gmail.com

Vassana Residence. Rawai

Fully furnished 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom. WiFi and cable TV included in price. 160M.S. in size. Jacuzzi in each Apartments. BBQ area on the roof. Contact vassana.residence@gmail.com Art, Rawai / NaiHarn, Eng.087 882 9604.

Kata Western Apartment

1 and 2 115M2 furnished apartments, full kitchen, huge covered terraces, mountain and seaview.

1 month minimum, 1 year lease starting 20,000/month. gordy240@hotmail.com, 084 840 1262.

Kathu Condo forSale/Rent

36 Sqm Fully Furnished with Pool & Fitness. Rent start 9,000 monthly.

Close to Patong, Central Festival Phuket and Prince of Songkla University. Lily Line ID: 0841094466, flyfreelily@gmail. com, 084 109 4466.

Office/Shop for Rent

Ground Floor space with excellent positioning on Chalong Pier Road.

For more information, please call 081 416 4177 or 076 381 341.

2 BDR Bungalow, Nai Harn Beach

For rent with “Free UBC Platinum cable TV”, security, air-con, fridge, stove, quiet area, at end of cul-de-sac, 12,500 per month. Call 098 017 8818 or 087 884 8972.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Two condos for sale/rent

2 condos for sale 48 sqm. - sale price $60,000 (developer’s price $116,000) & 54,5 sqm. - sale price $70,000 (developer’s price $128,000). Fully furnished, near Central, Big C, BIS, Lotus, hospitals, schools. Communal pool and gym. Short & long time rent available 48 sqm. – THB 10000-15000 per month; 54,5 sqm. – THB 15000-20000 per month + electricity&water, Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

ROOM FOR RENT

Room for rent in attractive house Baan Manik (not far from Anthem wakeboard park). Convenient location for access to Laguna, Boat avenue, Airport and PIA. House is equipped with, Air-con, Internet, Expat-TV, foreign kitchen, washing machine, fridge ect ect. 8000 Baht PCM + Share of Bills. Please email bluebeyond@me.com or call 081 968 6051 for a viewing.

Kamala Villa for rent

5 Bedrooms Villa available for long term, normally 10,000 Baht Nightly price Long lease 70,000 Baht monthly for 1 year minimum, Include pool, garden, courtyard maintenance. Suitable for large or two families. Wanphen, kamalagym2@gmail. com, 080 697 7729.

Villas & Apts Rent-Chalong

2- and 3-bedroom pool villas, 2-bedroom townhouses & studio apartments. Special prices from 700/night or 8,000/month. Rates include WiFi, maid service, cable TV, furnishings. Great location near Big Buddha. info@chalongapartment.com, 086 282 6221, www.chalongapartment.com

34 PROPERTY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

e ic ed Pr uc d re

FREEHOLD SEAVIEW PENTHOUSE, Surin 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 262 sqm

11,500,000 THB

Measuring 162 sqm internally with a wonderful roof terrace with Jacuzzi, BBQ and seating area. Just a short walk from Bang Tao and Surin Beach, the condominium has a proven track-record of netting 1.1m THB through rentals.

S th tep e s be fro ac m h

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SEAVIEW 6-BEDROOM POOL VILLA, Layan 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 1003 sqm

A unique 6-bedroom with an ideal location with Layan Beach right across the quiet road. Successful rental property and maintained to a very high standard

45,000,000 THB

to se h lo ac C Be

FREEHOLD 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT, Karon 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 156 sqm

On offer is a spacious 2-bedroom apartment. Just a few minutes from the sandy Karon Beach, this property is ideal both for residential use and a as holiday home. Excellent location at 68,000 THB per SQM

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 210 sqm

Well-appointed villa in a gated community. Ideal location near shops and restaurants and a 5 minute drive from Nai Harn Beach. Good potential for a high rental return.

7,400,000 THB

re Pr du ice ce d

10,700,000 THB

WELL MAINTAINED POOL VILLA, Nai Harn

SPACIOUS STUDIO OVEROOKING POOL, Layan Studio, 1 bathroom, 57 sqm

2,500,000 THB

This leasehold studio offers a spacious terrace, open and bright. The colonial style development is very well maintained with lots of greenery, swimming pool, kid’s pool and outdoor seating areas. Must-see development.

TOP FLOOR SPACIOUS APARTMENT, Kamala 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 115 sqm

Surrounded by jungle and a waterfall 100 meters away, this apartment features vaulted ceilings with skylight windows. Wonderful of the common area pool and mountains. Reduced from 4.5m THB to facilitate a quick sale.

3,200,000 THB

nt lle e ce lu Ex Va

FREEHOLD 3-BED DUPLEX, Bang Tao

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 216 sqm

9,800,000 THB

Unique opportunity to own a townhouse style condominium under a freehold title. Great location by between main shopping amenities and Bang Tao Beach with the new Catch Beach Club a few minutes away.

FREEHOLD APARTMENT NEAR OCEAN, Patong 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. 87 sqm

Excellent location between Kalim and Patong Beach, the spacious apartment was recently renovated to a high standard.

Rents out at a high occupancy rate.

8,900,000 THB

thephuketnews

PROPERTY 35

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FRIDAY,DECEMBER DECEMBER2, 2,2016 2016 THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Call us today to schedule a viewing or visit Thailand’s leading online marketplace to seach 1000’s of properties in Phuket and all other major locations across Thailand - go to FazWaz.com

BRAND-NEW FREEHOLD STUDIO, Surin 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 30 sqm

Prime location in walking distance to Bang Tao and Surin Beach.

Completed beginning of 2016, the complex provides a communal rooftop pool with sea views and state of the art gym facilities.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 256 sqm

Well-priced pool villa with views of Loch Palm golf course. Open plan living area and 3 well-appointed bedrooms, two of which are facing the pool deck.

9,900,000 THB

N M ew ar to ke t

2,700,000 THB

GOLF COURSE POOL VILLA, Kathu

FREEHOLD APARTMENT IN PRIME LOCATION, Nai Harn 2, bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 141 sqm

Nestled next to the lake just a few hundred meters from Nai Harn Beach, location does not get much better. Completed in 1999 this complex offers a quiet and private communal swimming pool.

8,500,000 THB

SEAVIEW CONDO NEAR COMPLETION, Patong 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 32 sqm

2,700,000 THB

Hotel operated investment condo offering a 7 % net guarantee for 15 years 4 weeks free owners use. Construction well under way, there are limited sea view units available at this time.

LUXURY OCEANFRONT VILLA, Cape Yamu 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 1343 sqm

95,000,000 THB

@thephuketnews @thephuketnews

Exclusive to fazwaz.com this beautiful pool villa is set on a 4000 sqm land plot and located in one of Phuket’s most exclusive areas. Sold unfurnished enabling a new owner to out their final touch on the finishing.

LAKEFRONT VILLA IN GREAT CONDITION, Laguna 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 490 sqm

Situated on a lake front corner plot of 1200 sqm, this classic Laguna has recently undergone full cosmetic repair. Terrific location near Boat Avenue and the Bang Tao Bay. Must-See property!

35,000,000 THB

REFURBISHED FREEHOLD CONDO, Kamala 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 99 sqm

Located hillside in Kamala with good common areas including 2 pools, reception and gym. With furniture included this apartment represents one of the best valued freehold properties on the West Coast.

4,900,000 THB

HIGH QUALITY POOL VILLA, Cherng Talay 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 235 sqm

Situated within a gated community of 15 villas with full management services available. Large open living/dining room, spacious salt water pool and lovely sala which provides a hide away from the dazzling sun.

14,000,000 THB

36 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

It’s all about the cricket At 55 years old, SCC’s Hugh Darwell is slightly younger than the club itself CRICKET Matt Pond editor3@thephuketnews.com

O

n Saturday Nov 19, the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) hosted their last team of the 2016 touring season at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) in Thalang, that team being the longest standing team to visit the island, the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC).

The Phuket News were lucky to be invited to interview the team’s captain Hugh Darwell, and in the following article we will find out more about him, his role within the SCC and a few more cricket related issues.

At 55, Australian born Darwell has been living and working in Singapore for 11 years having moved there from Sydney in 2005.

SCC captain Hugh Darwell (left) hands the ‘Sensible’ Cup to PCG captain Anthony Van Blerk.

Phuket Cricket Groups’s Henno Jordaan was the pick of the team’s batsmen when they played SCC on Nov 19 scoring 68 not out. Photo: Michael Way He sees himself as a relatively recent member of the club having joined in January 2012, however, he says that the club is slightly older than himself having been founded

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run: #1609 Saturday December 3 Run Start Time: 3:30pm Hares: WTFIA, Kiss My Ring, Triple Cripple Location: Kata View Point Directions: Coming from Kata, drive the coast road toward Rawai and about 10 metres past Kata View Point turn right. Drive for 1.6 kilometres to laager. Coming

from Rawai and Naiharn, at the 3-way intersection on Saiyuan drive along the mountain road toward Kata then 10m before Kata View Point turn left. Drive for 1.6 kilometres to laager.

Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2pm P ato ng @ E x p at H ote l : 2:30pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

in 1852.

“I became involved with the SCC after meeting a number of members socially, but in 2011 I was enticed to join the tour to Phuket that November.

“I actually came along as a non-playing member of the tour squad and thoroughly enjoyed my time. But having not played cricket for around 20 years I thought it would be a lot of fun to join a veteran’s team and did so on my return to Singapore following the Phuket tour,” Darwell told The Phuket News.

“This year was my 6th tour to Phuket,” he added.

Asked how he has seen cricket change on the island over those six years, Darwell said that it’s difficult to judge, what with the team only visiting for one game a year.

“However, the most noticeable change is the new blood that has come into the cricket teams we play against.

A number of guys in the team we played on Saturday were new faces which shows that cricket in Phuket is alive and well,” he said.

“I appreciate that, as be-

cause we play our game on Saturday, a number of PCG players are not available…..and this probably helped keep the game closer than it otherwise would have been,” he added.

But there is a big difference when comparing the social cricket scene amongst expats in Singapore and Phuket, even with the size of the communities being taken into account.

“Singapore has a vibrant cricket community with over 100 teams playing in six league divisions and two corporate leagues,” Darwell explained.

“The social side of cricket in Singapore is also alive and well with countless other teams playing each other on a purely social basis. The large Indian, Australian and English communities in Singapore feed all of those teams.”

But despite that, Darwell was still upbeat about the much smaller cricketing fraternity here on the island.

“I think Phuket cricket is doing very well, given the smaller player base that it has.

“It seems to me that the main challenge facing Phuket cricket is a financial one, en-

suring that cricket can afford to continue into the future and give young players on the island a chance to play,” Darwell said.

“But it would also be be great to see more locals playing the game.

“I recall a few years ago, you had some very promising Thai boys playing, which was great to see, but I understand that they have drifted away from the game.

“This is a similar problem to that faced in Singapore, trying to attract local kids to the game,” he added.

And of course it’s not only the cricket that the members of the SCC get to enjoy during their trips to Phuket. As we all know, it has so much more to offer.

“The lads, of course, enjoy a tour so we end up squeezing a couple of games of golf in on Thursday and Friday before the game. The other main things we get from our visits to Phuket are multiple hangovers and empty wallets,” Darwell said jokingly.

Turning to the cricketing facilities available here on the island, Darwell says that the ACG is a fantastic facility and that the team love playing there.

“But what we find most impressive is the great hospitality we are greeted with each and every time we visit. We

are always made to feel very welcome, no matter what the result of the game,” he said.

As is the case every year, the game on Nov 19 wasn’t simply a friendly affair, it was played for the “Sensible” Cup. To many this will probably mean nothing, so Darwell explained, “The ‘Sensible’ Cup is named after my Saturday XI captain predecessor, Matthew “Captain Sensible” Streeton.

He donated the cup to celebrate the camaraderie between our two Clubs.

“We won it last year, but handed it back this year.

“Any team that SCC puts out on the field is always serious about winning the game we are playing in, but what is more important to us is the spirit in which the game is played,” Darwell said.

“We are a team full of old blokes who love their cricket, with the age range of the team being 40 to 56 on Saturday.

We caught like champions (seven catches, no drops), but unfortunately were beaten by the better side on the day, particularly Henno who scored 68 not out.

“We had no answer to his superb batting.

“Well played PCG, but we’ll be back next year, hungry to regain the Sensible Cup,” he added.

She’s done it again:

Over the weekend of Nov 19-20, Louise Landgraf picked up yet another trophy to add to her cabinet, this time at the TGA (Thailand Golf Association) Southern Thailand Golf Junior Championship held at the Rajaprabha Dam Golf Course in Surat Thani. Way to go Louise! thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

SPORT 37

Forced into the depths Surface-lying rain water means pelagic predators go deep, says Jimmy FISHING

CAST AWAY Jimmy Stewart info@fishinginphuket.com

W

el l sh ip m a t e s , it seems to be unanimous, this has been the wettest “low” season anyone can remember and mid-month we had a “Super Moon”, the closest the moon has come to Earth in 70 years.

While a full moon is often good for trolling, the early part of the month was very disappointing as regard to catches.

While divers reported lots of fish about, we fishermen, apart from a few nice Sailfish, found pelagic fish few and far between, and my personal theory was that the fresh water from all the rain we have been having was lying on the surface of the sea forcing the pelagic predators into the depths, as very few

Here’s just one example of the type of fish that can be caught at the recently opened Chalong Fishing Park. Photo: Pearpaka Keawpratum/Facebook fish species can handle too much fresh water.

November also saw the grand opening of the Chalong

Fishing Park, which, while not being as “exotic” as some of the parks on the mainland, does have the big advantages

The Foremost IronMan 70.3 triathlon participants line up at the start-point of the race, Bang Tao Beach, where the first triathlon was held in Asia more than 20 years ago.

Aussie Reed takes IronMan title TRIATHLON

AUSTRALIAN TIM REED won the men’s competition of the Foremost IronMan 70.3 triathlon held on November 26-27, in a nail-biter against Michael Raelert of Germany, pitting the two former IronMan triathlon champions in a race that was neck-and-neck from start to finish.

With only 16 seconds separating the 1st and 2nd place finishers, this razor-thin margin of victory kept the crowd in suspense throughout the 3:48:33 it took the Australian to complete the race.

Thai-based New Zealander Amelia Watkinson stormed the women’s competition in emphatic fashion, besting @thephuketnews

the Australian second-place finisher Dimity-Lee Duke by just over nine minutes.

Watkinson’s 4:21:01 win in Phuket continues an impressive string of victories this year, including long-distance titles in New Zealand and China, as well as another IronMan 70.3 win in Busan, South Korea.

Angsana Laguna Phuket was proud host of the proudly Foremost IronMan 70.3 triathlon which brought together more than 1,300 athletes for a terrific competition of swimming, cycling and running.

The highly-anticipated event started and finished at Bang Tao Beach outside XANA Beach Club – the same location where the first triathlon was held in Asia more than

20 years ago – and featured outstanding individual and team relay performances.

The famously demanding IronMan 70.3 triathlon features a 1.9km swim followed by a 90km bike ride and a 21km run, ensuring that only the most fit and determined competitors finish the race.

Despite the level of difficulty, the event attracted strong male and female competitors of all ages and backgrounds, from teenage athletes to O65 retirees. Competitors from 61 countries participated in the event.

Angsana Laguna Phuket’s hosting of the IronMan 70.3 triathlon further establishes the luxury resort as the island’s premier location for special events.

of convenience and much more realistic prices for those of us who like to have rod in hand on a regular basis.

The lake is surrounded by about a dozen salas and the infrastructure includes an office, bar and swimming pool which makes the place very child friendly, I especially liked the “rope swing” chairs and hammocks which added to the chill-out atmosphere of the place.

The groundwork, as regard plants, trees etc. will take some time to get established, but it should not be too long before the remainder of the construction work is grassed over, which would be my only criticism of what will obviously become a first-class venue worthy of recommendation.

While I was there, along with quite a few well-known local “worm wigglers” I was lucky enough to snap one of them landing a Mekong Cat which I estimated to be around 25 kilograms, a nice fish in anybody’s language.

And finally, November was the time for the annual P.I.S.T. Competition (Phuket International Sports-fishing Tournament) and not surprisingly, after taking the

wind out of the opposition’s sails with a staggering nine Sailfish tally on the first day, “Fish Eagle”– Capt Andrew – and the “Fighting Irish” team went on to dominate the proceedings.

From reports it looks like the fishing was extremely frustrating, with Sailfish jumping everywhere and not biting, while the Wahoo and/or King Macs were regularly accused of slicing through steel trace.

So it’s well done the boys from Cork. The Russian team “Ardent Anglers” came in with a good overall 2nd place score, and our pals on “Thai 2 On” get a day ticket, for the whole team, to fish the “new” Chalong Fishing Park “as mentioned above” for landing the largest Wahoo, having caught the only two of the competition, a nice sponsorship gesture from “Jez” Wilson the owner/manager of the park.

So me hearties, that’s it for another month, tight lines to all.

Jimmy – fishinginphuket.com

38 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

F1’s new World Champion Second-place finish enough to give Rosberg his first championship title FORMULA ONE

Nico Rosberg celebrates at the end of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix . Photo: Mohammed Al-Shaikh/AFP

BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

N

ico Rosberg is Formula One’s newest world champion after finishing a hard-fought second at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The German started the weekend knowing third place would be enough to secure him his first title in motorsport’s premier category, but the race became a tense duel with teammate and race winner Lewis Hamilton, who attempted to manufacturer a four-way fight for the lead to steal Rosberg’s crown.

Hamilton drove almost farcically slowly around the Yas Marina circuit, speeding up only at the parts of the track Rosberg could launch an attack on his lead, to allow Ferrari’s

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen to close in on the Mercedes pair.

Vettel, whose strategy meant he finished the race on faster tyres than the Mercedes drivers did, left Rosberg stuck in a pincer attack in the final five laps, knowing all the while that losing position to Vettel would leave him vulnerable to the always-aggressive Verstappen in fourth, as was Hamilton’s plan.

Rosberg, however, drove

masterfully to the situation, defending against the chasing Ferrari expertly to deny his unyielding teammate fulfilment of his cunning plan.

The world championship was his.

“That was definitely not the most enjoyable race I’ve ever had,” Rosberg said on the podium, the relief obvious as he fought to contain his emotions. “The feelings out there … unreal, really unreal. Pressure on from behind, Lewis

driving slow at the front; it was a tough one.

“I’m very, very glad it’s over, and I’m unbelievably ecstatic.”

Nico’s title comes 34 years after his father, Keke, won his sole world championship in 1982, famously with a single victory.

Similarly the younger Rosberg claimed the 2016 title with one fewer win than his teammate – Hamilton won 10 races to Rosberg’s nine – and

he paid credit to the Briton, who beat him to the crown in 2014 and 2015.

“I also want to say congrats to Lewis – you did a great season – a great competitor [who is] massively quick always,” he said before dedicating the championship to his wife, Vivian, and their one-year-old daughter, Alaïa.

Hamilton, who only briefly congratulated his teammate for his title success – a sign of just how much their childhood friendship has degraded since the pair became teammates – divided fans and pundits with his driving strategy, particularly for his blunt refusal to heed team orders and speed up to protect the Mercedes one-two finish from Sebastian Vettel.

“I don’t feel I did anything unfair,” Hamilton said. “We’re fighting for a championship. I was in the lead, I control the pace – that’s the rules.”

The Briton also re-emphasised his belief that only technical troubles prevented him

from defeating his teammate over the course of the season.

“Nico had a very, very clean year without any real issues, to be honest, and that’s why we sit in this position right now,” he said.

Hamilton said earlier in the week that he already considered himself a sort of moral world champion for this reason, telling reporters that, “If [Nico] is labelled ‘the world champion’, it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the way it’s been labelled in my heart”.

His comments set a fascinating precedent for a new intra-team dynamic at Mercedes next season, when Hamilton will start on the back foot and the German marque will likely have its three-year dominance challenged by rivals under a new regulatory regime.

Formula One now embarks on a four-month racing hiatus, with pre-season testing commencing at the end of February before round one of the 2017 season in Melbourne on March 26.

Could China resolve snooker’s ills?

SNOOKER SNOOKER LEGEND RONnie O’Sullivan believes the sport needs a shake-up and the solution could be resolved by an infusion of Chinese cash.

The mercurial 40-yearold quintuple world champion – whose comments are never dull but sometimes spark disciplinary action – said the sport resembles a car boot sale compared to others whose packaging is more slick and worthy of the historic store of Harrods.

O’Sullivan – who was speaking on the sidelines of the UK Championship tourna-

ment where he has reached the last 16 – made the remarks after no snooker player featured on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominees.

“Maybe if it went to China and you found some billionaires out there who would put the sport on and have million pound prize money you could start looking at snooker as a core sport again,” said O’Sullivan, fondly known as ‘Rocket Ronnie’.

“But you’re competing with Formula One, tennis, golf and the Olympics.

“They give it (snooker) like 10 seconds on BBC Sports Personality – it’s a complete insult to the sport but it’s what

they think of it and what they believe it warrants, and that says it all really.”

O’Sullivan, whose charisma and unpredictability make him easily the most watchable and bankable of the present generation of snooker players, said snooker was selling itself too cheaply.

“Snooker is becoming a nothing-type sport – it’s kind of like a car boot sale but with the other sports it’s like shopping at Harrods,” said O’Sullivan.

“They’re putting so much of it out there it’s cheap TV. I think snooker has lost that respect amongst other sports out there.”

AFP

Brazil’s Chapecoense Real players were on the plane and were to have played in the Copa Sudamericana finals on Wednesday (Nov 30) against Atletico Nacional de Colombia. Photo: Nelson Almeida/AFP

Colombian club says opponents in plane crash should take title FOOTBALL COLOM BI A N CLU B Atletico Nacional on Tuesday (Nov 29) called on football authorities to hand the Copa Sudamericana title to their opponents, Brazilian side Chapecoense, as a tribute to the team’s players killed in a plane crash.

The Colombian side made the request to regional football confederation Conmebol in a statement.

It asked of Conmebol “that the Copa Sudamericana title be handed to Chapecoense Football Association as an honorary trophy for its great loss, and

as a posthumous homage to the victims of the fatal accident that has put our sport in mourning”.

Chapecoense and Atletico Nacional were supposed to have faced off on Wednesday (Nov 30) in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana, the second most prestigious club football tournament in South America after the Copa Libertadores.

Conmebol said in a statement earlier that the match was suspended until further notice.

“We are in contact with the authorities and are waiting for official reports.”

A source close to Conmebol said it was “very

unlikely” that the final would ever be played.

Nine members of the Brazilian team did not travel to Colombia.

Chapecoense Real had risen from obscurity to reach the Copa Sudamericana finals.

The Lamia airlines charter declared an emergency at around 10:00 pm (local time), reporting it had suffered “electrical failures,” and crashed a short time later near the city of Medellin, officials said.

Authorities said that only six of the 81 people on board the plane were thought to have survived.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four things we learnt in the Premier League I n week thirteen of the Premier League, Chelsea stayed on top, Manchester City registered a gritty win at

FOOTBALL

Burnley, Manchester United lost more ground following yet another home draw and Liverpool were left sweating

on Philippe Coutinho.

Here are four things we lear nt f rom the Premier League last weekend:

Manchester City’s scruffy 2-1 win over Burnley last Saturday might have scored low on style points, but for Pep Guardiola, the trip to Turf Moor underlined the importance of his squad’s strength in depth. The City manager made five changes to his starting line-up following the mid-week Champions League draw against Borussia Moenchengladbach as he wanted “fresh legs”. The switches included leaving out defender John Stones and putting key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on the bench. Burnley took a 14thminute lead through Dean Marney’s volley, but City hit back to win via a pair of scrappy Sergio Aguero goals

Jose Mourinho leaves the pitch after the referee sent him to the stands during their game against West Ham United. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring their first goal against Burnley. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP either side of half-time. City showed character to survive Burnley’s late pressure and record successive league wins for the first time since September.

Live Sports TV Schedule SPORT

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Dubai 7’s

Day 1

Friday December 2 Rugby Union 13:00

00:00

Saturday December 3 Rugby Union

21:30

23:30

Autumn Internationals

England v. Australia

RugbyUnion

19:10

21:15

Aviva Premiership

Bath v. Saracens

23:25

01:30

Aviva Premiership

Gloucester v. Bristol

Rugby Union 13:00

20:30

Dubai 7’s

Day 2

19:30

21:30

EPL

Man City v. Chelsea

22:00

00:00

EPL

Tottenham v. Swansea

22:00

00:00

EPL

Crystal Palace v. Southampton

22:00

00:00

EPL

Sunderland v. Leicester

00:30

02:30

EPL

West Ham v. Arsenal

Soccer

Sunday December 4 Rugby Union

21:55

23:55

Aviva Premiership

Worcester v. Wasps

Soccer

20:30

22:30

EPL

Bournemouth v. Liverpool

23:00

01:00

EPL

Everton v. Man United

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Man United’s scoring problems are chronic They may boast one of the most star-studded squads in world football, but Manchester United are currently experiencing a damaging goal shortage in the Premier League. Their 1-1 draw with West Ham United last Sunday was their fourth home league stalemate in succession – something they last experienced in

1980 – and in those games they have scored just three goals. United showed they know where the goal is in last Thursday’s 4-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord, but their profligacy in the league is costing them. They currently stand in sixth place, a gaping 11 points below leaders Chelsea after just 13 matches.

Chelsea can mix it too

*Times may be subject to change

The overall competition winner receives a two day/one night private fishing charter to Racha Island on board Wahoo Yacht Charters Phuket’s Reel Blue. Total prize value: B180,000 The monthly competition winner for December 2016 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at any of the island's Two Chefs outlets.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS (SEPT) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Man City have depth in resources and spirit

Chelsea stormed to the top of the Premier League with a run of six successive wins in which they generally outclassed their opponents.

But last Saturday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur showed they are also capable of going toeto-toe with teams who prove themselves to be on the same level. Christian Eriksen gave Spurs an 11th-minute lead and Mauricio Pochettino’s side were truly dominant in the first half, but goals either side of half-time by Pedro Rodriguez and Victor Moses turned the game on its head. Chelsea got to grips with Spurs’ high press and withstood the visitors’

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OVERALL STANDINGS

19 16 16 16 16

1.

2.

3.

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5.

scottkip carst chook adamrosindale TC

76 75 75 74 74

English Premier League 2016 - 2017 Team

MP W

D

L

F

A GD Pts

1

Chelsea

13

10

1

2

29

10

19

31

2

Liverpool

13

9

3

1

32

14

18

30

3

Manchester City

13

9

3

1

29

12

17

30

4

Arsenal

13

8

4

1

28

13

15

28

5

Tottenham Hotspur

13

6

6

1

19

10

9

24

6

Manchester United

13

5

5

3

18

15

3

20

7

Everton

13

5

4

4

16

15

1

19

8

Watford

13

5

3

5

17

21

-4

18

9

West Brom

13

4

5

4

17

16

1

17

10

Southampton

13

4

5

4

13

12

1

17

11

Stoke City

13

4

4

5

14

19

-5

16

12

Bournemouth

13

4

3

6

15

19

-4

15

13

Burnley

13

4

2

7

12

21

-9

14

14

Leicester City

13

3

4

6

16

22

-6

13

15

Middlesbrough

13

2

6

5

12

15

-3

12

16

West Ham United

13

3

3

7

14

24 -10

12

17

Crystal Palace

13

3

2

8

21

26

-5

11

18

Hull City

13

3

2

8

11

28 -17

11

19

Swansea City

13

2

3

8

16

26 -10

9

20

Sunderland

13

2

2

9

12

23 -11

8

Liverpool must learn to live without Coutinho

Chelsea’s Antonio Conte celebrates at the final whistle of their match a g a i n s t To t t e n h a m Hotspur. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP physicality in midfield to reclaim their place at the league summit. They visit Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this weekend looking to record an eighth successive league victory for the first time since 2010.

Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Sunderland came at the cost of an injury to Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who could be out until the New Year with suspected ankle ligament damage. The 24-year-old has been Liverpool’s key attacking player to date this season, supplying five goals and six assists and reportedly attracting interest from Barcelona.

With fellow schemer Adam Lallana currently nursing a groin injury and Sadio Mane set for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal in January, manager Jurgen Klopp finds

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho could be out until the New Year with suspected ankle ligament damage. Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP himself without Coutinho at a particularly unfortunate juncture.

AFP

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

SC Club captain talks, well, cricket of course > page 36

IT’S A HAT-TRICK A BISP O15 player controls the ball during their final against Dulwich College Shanghai China. The team went on to retain the trophy they won in 2014.

Home team wins three titles at 2016 BISP Soccer 7s TRIATHLON Simon Osteimer editor3@classactmedia.co.th

T

eams from the British International School, Phuket (BISP) won three titles at last weekend’s 2016 BISP Soccer 7s.

Held on November 25-26 at the BISP campus in Koh Kaew, the event attracted 1,500 competitors playing for 141 teams from 32 international schools, based in eight different countries.

It was, as Tournament

Director Jeff LaMantia put it, “A truly remarkable meeting place for Asia’s top young footballers, and the international school community.”

Unlike last year, where torrential rain brought a premature end to the competition, the 2016 edition saw two days of bright sunshine and blue skies, providing the perfect backdrop to some excellent football and highly competitive action.

“I cannot express how proud I am to work at a school where the staff, students and parents all work together as

one big team to help run and organise such a massive event.

I can safely say that they all deserve a standing ovation and a gold medal for being the best team in the tournament,” said LaMantia.

“We are also very proud of our boys and girls, who won the U11 Boys, U15 Boys and O15 Boys titles, as well as coming close runners-up in the U13 Boys and O15 Girls categories. It was an amazing achievement, and recognition for the ongoing progression of both our school football program and BISP

Cruzeiro Football Academy.

“The U11 Boys played a fantastic tournament and were amazing both on and off the pitch showing a real team spirit,” added BISP U11 Coach Tim Pearson.

“They played seven games, winning six of them, scoring a total of 32 goals. I’m immensely proud of every single one of my players and they deserve to be champions,” he said.

Meanwhile, BISP Head Coach Jonathas Candido said that he felt that the 2016 BISP Soccer 7s was one of the

best tournaments he had seen since he arrived at the school, with the weather, facilities, atmosphere, staff, level of competition and plenty of smiles combining to make it a special occasion this year.

“In general, I am very proud of all of the BISP teams for showing great sportsmanship and respect for their coaches, opponents, officials and staff. They gave brilliant performances on the pitch, raising their level in key games, and always playing in the Cruzeiro style.

“We have been coach-

ing the players to have more game understanding,” added Candido, “and they embraced our philosophy in a very deep way. The result of that was a very sharp and smart way of playing, that ultimately led us to winning several trophies.”

Director LaMantia concluded, “We’re already looking forward to hosting the 2017 BISP Soccer 7s, and making that tournament bigger and better than ever.

“My thanks again to all the schools who took part, and the supporters who made it such a brilliant atmosphere,” he said.

Young triathletes pursue gold at Foremost IronKids race TRIATHLON CHILDREN FROM ALL over Asia, f rom f ut u re champions to local athletes, competed in the Foremost IronKids Race last Saturday (Nov 26). The challenging test of speed includes swimming, cycling, and running over different distances for individual and relay teams.

A total of 130 contenders participated in the race, including individual racers

and children in relay teams.

While most kids competed for recreation and fun, many bolstered their triathlon records in being champions.

The distances of the IronKids competition varies across four age categories: • Tri-tot (ages 4-6): 25m swim, 1km bike, 400m run • Junior (ages 7-9): 100m swim, 3km bike, 600m run • Intermediate (ages 10-12): 200m swim, 5km bike, 1.5km run • Senior (ages 13- 15): 300m

swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run The top three male and female winners of each age group were awarded trophies and medals while each participant in the top relay teams were given a trophy.

All children who finished the race were awarded a medal and T-shirt.

Winners of the Foremost IronKids Triathlon also got to meet reigning IronMan 70.3 champions – Tim Reed, Tim Van Berkel, Dimity-Lee Duke, Amelia Watkinson,

and August Benedicto – for inspiration and guidance in pursuing careers as professional athletes. “[Winning] feels very, very good. I’m looking forward to coming back next year, for sure. I’ll go to a few [races] coming up in a month in the UAE. The training in Thailand is very good, it couldn’t have happened without my coach,” said Alexcos Cristalai, Phuket resident and first-place finisher in the 1315 years’ category.

Alexcos Cristalai, Phuket resident and first-place finisher in the 13- 15 years’ category. thephuketnews