03-02-2017

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

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COURT UPHOLDS SEA GYPSIES’ LAND RIGHTS > PAGE 3

NO MORE CORRUPTION Former Phuket Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai has reported rampant corruption in Phuket to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

POLICE SHAKEDOWNS AND WORK PERMIT ‘RAIDS’ SPUR CALL TO BANGKOK TO CURB PHUKET GRAFT EPIDEMIC The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

F

ormer Phuket Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai, who has also previously served for years as the Chair of the Senate committee for Tourism, has called for a Bangkok-led investigation into rampant corruption among officials in Phuket.

Local police and government officials were exploiting the law to extort money from foreign employees

and migrant workers, Ms Tunyaratt told the press last Friday (Jan 27).

Ms Tunyaratt also said she had received many complaints from people affected by the shakedowns.

“A major Scandinavian tour agency that brings many tourists to the island said that foreign staff with work permits were being repeatedly harassed by officials, particularly in key tourist areas such as Kata, Karon and Patong beaches,” she said.

Ms Tunyaratt said the officials

kept returning to check foreigners’ work permits, and usually carried out their “raids” on Fridays.

“Even though the foreigners insisted they had valid permits, the officials threatened to take them to a police station for detention pending further questioning,” Ms Tunyaratt explained.

The officials chose Fridays as the foreigners would have difficulty raising the funds to post bail in order to avoid spending two days

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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in a Phuket holding cell.

“If they didn’t want to go to the station, they were asked to pay B20,000,” said Ms Tunyaratt.

Speaking on behalf of Phuket’s dive industry, Ratanapon Promchu, Manager of the Phuket-based Association of Thailand Underwater Sports (ATUS) office, on Saturday (Jan 28) warned that ongoing shakedowns targeting local dive operators could kill off many businesses in the island’s booming dive industry…

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Officials go easy on beach chairs at Kata

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Kaw Sim Bee: Father of Phuket

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England aim for Six Nations history

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Gov calls for public input into B30bn ‘tram’ plan for Phuket > page 4

NLA called to probe police graft Continued from page 1 ...Among the slew of complaints received by The Phuket News about the arrests were recurring reports that passports and work permits were being withheld even after a court-levied fine had been paid.

Allegations surfaced that officials were looking for cash contributions of a consistent sum of B35,000 before they would return the passports and work permits.

Ms Tunyaratt last Friday also highlighted how migrant workers were also subjected to systemic extortion, and threatened with arrest for working outside the areas specified in their work permits.

“Officials allegedly demanded B5,000 from each of the workers targeted in exchange for having the charges dropped,” Ms Tunyaratt said.

“Officers remove their name badges while carrying out these ‘raids’ and they seize

Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Teeraphol (centre) said Region 8 Police were now investigating migrant worker shakedowns. the worker’s mobile phones so no evidence of the extortion could be recorded,” she said.

“Apparently the officers carrying out the raids told the workers that they were told to do this by a ‘big boss’,” she added Systemic extortion of migrant workers by corrupt

officials in Phuket reared its head in August last year when a list nicknames, but identifying positions and government offices accused of carrying out the extortion racket, was leaked to the press.

Police in Phuket have so far failed to publicly report any progress on their investigation

into the list and the allegations of rampant corruption and extortion by local officials, including police themselves.

Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen vowed to investigate the list, but failed to make any announcements about the investigation.

However, Gen Teeraphol later told The Phuket News, “Region 8 Police have taken over this case. This case has been transferred to them. For details or updates, please ask Region 8 Police. I have no idea who is taking of this case now.”

Region 8 police have so far yet to reveal any action they have taken.

Amid the furore that broke out last year, Phuket Provincial Chief Administration Officer (Palad) Pakpoom Intarasuwan confirmed that a “special investigative committee” – comprising only Phuket officials – had been set up to investigate the alleged extortion racket.

That committee of unnamed officials was given until Aug 18, 2016 to present its findings, which it has so far failed to reveal.

Ms Tunyaratt also said she had received a complaint from a tour agency about officials soliciting B200 each

from passengers wanting to be fast-tracked to avoid hourslong waits in queues at Phuket International Airport.

Immigration officials at the airport were also lining their pockets by selling SIM cards to tourists, she added.

Ms Tunyaratt said she had brought the complaints to the attention of high-level officials in the province.

“The problems, if left unaddressed, would tarnish the reputation of Phuket,” she said.

As a precaution against inaction by Phuket officials who may already be profiting from the systemic corruption across the island, Ms Tunyaratt has also called for an investigation led by Bangkok officials.

“I have already notified a deputy chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) about the problems,” Ms Tunyaratt said on Friday.

“An NLA panel on labour affairs will be sent to investigate,” she assured.

When bribes don’t work MORE THAN 20 OWNERS of Patong bars, nightclubs and other entertainment businesses on Wednesday (Feb 1) filed a petition for a special zone to be set up, allowing the venues to close later than the current legally mandated times.

The petition filed, addressed to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, followed a blitz on Patong bars and clubs on Monday night that forced tourist-popular bars and nightclubs on Bangla Rd to close at 1am for venues inside Patong’s “entertainment zone” and midnight for venues

outside the zone.

The blitz was carried out in line with a direct order by Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan.

“We’re asking to close at 5am, and only for Bangla Rd and venues up to one kilometre from Bangla, as this is where most tourists are foreigners,” said Preechawude “Prab” Keesin, head of the Pisona Group of companies in Patong.

He also noted that the current closing times were easily avoided by paying bribes.

Although he said he had no solid evidence, Mr Pre-

Preechawude ‘Prab’ Keesin echawude added, “It’s no secret that some venue operators pay officials in order to be ignored and close later.”

Patong Entertainment Business Association President Weerawit Krueasombut pointed out that enforcing the legal closing times is costing the economy B100 million a year in revenue generated.

Suthicha Sirirat

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Seduction disco blaze started in staff rooms Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he fire at Seduction disco on Patong’s famed Bangla Rd last Saturday night (Jan 28) started in the staff change rooms on the upstairs level of the nightclub, police have revealed.

Police entered the building last Sunday (Jan 29) and carried out preliminary inspections in their investigation into the fire, confirmed Lt Col Jongserm Preecha, an investigator with the Patong Police.

“We have yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire but witnesses reported the fire started in the change rooms on the second floor,” Col Jongserm told The Phuket News.

“We have yet to check CCTV from inside the club.

The building has CCTV on every floor throughout the club, which is excellent and will help our investigations greatly,” he added.

The building is structurally safe, but the fire caused more than B4 million in damage, Col Jongserm said.

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Phuket sea gypsy Niran Hyangpan said the court dismissed the claim despite an official land document being presented as evidence. Photo: Premkamon Ketsara

Court upholds sea gypsy land rights

Firefighters had the blaze at Seduction disco under control within two hours, and all patrons and staff were safely evacuated from the building. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The tourist-popular nightclub will be closed for months while repairs are carried out, club manager Wichan Phromthong told The Phuket News.

“The damage is covered by insurance, but the building must be closed for one to two

months to carry out repairs and renovations,” he said.

I n t he mea nt i me, no staff will lose their jobs, Mr Wichan assured.

“We have to take care of them. They will be paid while the club is closed and they can return to work when

Tourists warned over beach chairs OFFICIALS HANDED OUT pamphlets to warn tourists on sun loungers at Kata Beach on Wednesday (Feb 1) that beach chairs are not allowed anywhere on the beach – not even inside the 10% “Special Zone”.

Many of the tourists confirmed that although they had been warned and that they now fully understood the “beach rules”, they were not asked to remove their sun loungers from the beach that day.

“Officials from Kata-Karon Municipality have been handing out these notices to tourists

PHUKET NEWS

Tourists were warned, but allowed to keep using their beach chairs. for a week,” one local vendor who asked to remain anonymous told The Phuket News.

“Today (Feb 1), they came down to the beach and handed the notices to foreigners sit-

ting in sun loungers,” he said.

T he Phuk et Ne ws on Wednesday was unable to contact the appropriate officers at Kata-Karon Municipality for comment.

However, Enzo Rossi from Milan, Italy, said, “I don’t like this rule. Why did the officials make this rule for tourists?

“I like my beach chair, and I have cut my holiday here short. I will go to Myanmar for the rest of my holidays instead,” said Mr Rossi, who is elderly, but declined to confirm his age.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

we reopen the club after the repairs are finished,” he said.

The fire broke out at about 7:45pm, with all guests and staff safely evacuated from the building.

No injuries were reported.

Additional reporting by Yutthawat Lekmak

THE PHUKET PROVINcial Court on Tuesday (Jan 31) ruled in favour of four Phuket sea gypsies, upholding their rights to live in the sea gypsy village in Rawai at the southern end of the island.

The verdict was handed down in the land claim by plaintiff Boonsri Tantiwattanawanlop against sea gypsies Aeaw Hardsaithong, Woranan Hadsaithong, Bancha Hadsaithong and Niran Hyangpan.

Mr Niran exited the courthouse at about 11am and broke the news to the 100-odd sea gypsies waiting anxiously outside.

Ms Boonsri and her legal representative were not present in court to hear the ruling.

“The court dismissed the claim,” Mr Niran said.

“We have photo evidence of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej when he visited our village in 1959 with a picture of a coconut tree.

“The plaintiff argued that the coconut tree today was only 10 years old, but forensic tests found that the same coconut tree is now 30 years old,” he explained.

The court dismissed the claim, even though the plaintiff presented a land document deed as evidence to her rights to the land, Mr Niran said.

However, the fight might yet be far from over as Ms Boonsri can appeal the verdict.

The Phuket News has yet to learn whether the land document presented by Ms Boonsri will be investigated.

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It is hoped the new Provincial Hall will open by November.

Provincial Hall rises CONSTRUCTION OF THE new B450 million Phuket Provincial Hall is 65% complete and expected to become home to the provincial seat of power

by November, Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan said this week.

“Painting of the exterior in blue is about 40% done and the roof tiles are already there,” Gov Chokchai said.

The original deadline for completion was May, 2017, Gov Chockchai noted. “But this could not be achieved because there were changes to the original plans. We hope this project will be finished by November,” he said.

Once the offices have moved to their new home, the current Provincial Hall will become a museum, he added.

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Soliciting suggestions for Phuket ‘tram’ plans Yutthawat Lekmak reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan has called on the people of Phuket to turn out and voice their opinions on what they would like to see the decadesin-coming light-rail project to become.

Public feedback meetings will be held at the Thalang District Office on Feb 6 and again at Wichit Municipality office on Feb 7.

“Feel free to attend and share your opinions,” Gov Chockchai said.

Gov Chockchai remains adamant that Phuket’s light-rail carriages – which he called “trams” – will actually start rolling in 2021.

“Construction will start next year and finish in 2020.

The tram service will be officially launched in 2021,” Gov Chockchai said.

Gov Chockchai noted that

Construction of Phuket's multi-billion-baht light-rail project will start next year, says Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan, despite the lack of progess so far. there had been some more changes to the 60-kilometre route and other aspects of the project, which in one year alone has seen its espoused budget balloon from B23.5 billion in November 2015 to B30bn reported only last month.

Regardless, Gov Chockchai repeated, “Construction will be completed within the next three years.

“The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is in the process of seeking potential bidders for the project, which will be run under a public-private partnership,” Gov Chockchai explained.

However, that would indicate the government is seeking bidders for a construction project that has yet to be defined.

A map of the exact route

of the light-rail has yet to be made public, and despite Gov Chockchai’s visit to China last month, the type and design of rail cars remains a mystery.

Hopefully shedding some light on the project, Gov Chockchai told The Phuket News this week, “The lightrail line will be built along the streets. It will pass Phuket International Airport and continue along Thepkrasattri Rd.” Other than that, Gov Chockchai’s description of the project plans made no departure from previous reports over the past two years.

“The light-rail tram service will have 23 stations, starting at Tha Noon in Phang Nga and ending at Chalong Circle in Muang District,” he said.

“Once complete, this project will help support Phuket’s economy as it will make travel more convenient for commuters and tourists while easing traffic congestion,” Gov Chockchai said.

Road rage leads to Alarm raised over streams redirected death threat claims by development affecting coastal reefs POLICE ARE ON THE hunt for two men who are alleged to have threatened to murder two Thai females following a road rage incident in Thalang early on Monday (Jan 30).

At 5:25am Monday, two Thai women reported to Lt Col Sanit Nookhong of the Thalang Police that at 4am two men had threatened to kill them following a road rage incident.

One of the women told police that while they were riding their motorbike home from a pub in Thalang, they arrived at the 7-Eleven at Tha Ruea when two men, who they described as between 25-29 years of age and riding a pink Yamaha Fino, cut across them and started to verbally abuse them.

“They then threatened to kill us if we reported

The two women report the incident to police. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub them to police,” the woman said.

“We were very frighten and screamed which caused the men to drive away.

However, the incident scared us that much that we came here to report it,” she added.

Lt Col Sanit said, “We have made a record of this incident and will search out these two guys so that they face legal action.”

Eakkapop Thongtub

A TEAM OF OFFICIALS inspected a series of sites along Mai Khao Beach last week to assess the damage to coral reefs done by natural freshwater streams whose courses have been changed by the rapid pace of development in the north of the island.

The areas affected range from Nai Yang at the southern end of Mai Khao, which is Phuket’s longest beach, to Sai Kaew at the northern tip of island, said Sakanan Plathong, from the Faculty of Science at the Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus.

“The problem is that these streams used to empty into the sea in areas where there were no reefs, but where these streams empty into the sea has been changed by construction of buildings in the area,” Mr Sakanan said during the inspection last Tuesday (Jan 24).

“Now where these fresh streams flow into the sea, the coral has died,” he added.

Coastal erosion is claiming large sections of Mai Khao Beach, say environment officials. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Mr Sakanan gave two suggestions to alleviate the damage being done.

“We can either redirect these streams to empty into the sea where there are no reefs, or we can install pipes to make sure the water empties into the sea past the reefs to make sure they do not affect the corals,” he said.

Coastal erosion was another problem, Mr Sakanan said as he inspected how strong waves have affected Mai Khao Beach.

“Another area suffering severe coastal erosion is Rawai Beach,” he said, but warned that building beach breaks

and other barriers did nothing to stave off the effects of the incessant pounding of waves.

“Barriers are not the solution, they just create more erosion,” Mr Sakanan said.

“All barriers do is force the waves to affect the beach in areas nearby, forcing more coastal erosion there,” he added.

Nattapon Rattanapan, Director of the Marine National Park Division at the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), called for less development in areas of coastal conservation concern.

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in musth Tourist fined B100k as Elephant hits out at mahout marine charges kick in Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ff icials f rom the Phuket Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) posted signs at Koh Racha Yai’s three main bays last Thursday (Jan 26) warning tour guides and tourists of the consequences they will face if found to have broken any rules as previously set out.

Marine and environment officers in Phuket launched a series of counter-measures to prevent further damage by tourists and tour operators at Racha Island, south of Phuket.

The coral damage countermeasures were brought into effect after a recent spate of environmental issues at Racha Island led to a meeting of marine officials with local conservation clubs, which laid out five demands for all tour operators and divers to follow to prevent any further impact on the environment.

Suchat Rattanarueangsri, Director of the Phuket-based office of the DMCR, together with other officials posted

MAIN: Officials show tourists the signs during a trip to Koh Racha Yai last week. INSET: Mr Huang was fined B100,000. the restriction signs at Racha Island’s Batok, Siam and Teu bays.

Mr Suchat said, “The sign we have posted today are in three languages; Thai, Chinese and English. The restrictions on the signs are as follow: 1. Boats are not allowed to anchor on coral reefs.

2. People are not to walk on the coral reefs.

3. Marine life (including corals and carcasses) are not allow to taken and marine animals are not to be fed.

4. No litter or waste is to

be disposed of in the sea. All garbage must be removed from the island and taken back to the mainland.

“The places where we put up the signs are the main assembly points for tourists. The guides will need to informed tourists about the restrictions again to make sure there is a clear understanding,” he said.

“After finishing this job we will again speak with tour operators and guides that come to the island.

“We hope that the effort we are making will help re-

Russian, 60, slips on rocks, dies A RUSSIAN TOURIST HAS died, believed drowned, after witnesses reported seeing him fall from rocks at Kata Beach last Sunday (Jan 29).

Tourist Police gave the man’s name as Alexsey Hromov.

Maj Patiwat Yodkwan of the Karon Police was informed of the incident at 3:45pm.

“The man was 60 years old. He was staying at the Kata Beach Resort on holiday with his family,” Maj Patiwat said.

“I was informed that lifeguards at the beach, likely with help from the Royal Thai

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Lifeguards performed CPR on the beach, but Russian tourist Alexsey Hromov, 60, remained unresponsive.

Navy sea rescue centre there, recovered the man from the water,” he said.

“They performed CPR on him on the beach, but it was

too late,” he added.

Mr Hromov was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“I have heard reports that people saw the man walking on the rocks and then vomit before falling into the water,” Maj Patiwat said.

“I was also told that a foreigner snorkelling in the area and a Thai longtail boat driver found him floating near the rocks and pulled him out of the water, but I have yet to confirm all this,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

duce damage to our natural resources damages.

“If any person breaks these regulations they will face legal action and be punished with not more than one year in jail and fined not more than B100,000.

“We will be watching closely what goes on at Koh Racha Yai,” he added.

Chinese tourist Huang Yongjia, 35, was arrested and fined B100,000 last Tuesday (Jan 24) for catching baby parrotfish at Racha Yai Island’s at Plab Pla Beach.

Mr Huang was brought back to Phuket and taken to Chalong Police Station, where Lt Sakkarin Sangjaroen charged him with illegally removing marine life from coral reef areas.

“Part of the problem is the guides who do not warn tourists. Most tourists do not know that it is illegal to catch marine life,” Mr Suchat said.

“We are trying to inform the guides of this problem, but the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office also needs to do something about these guides,” he added.

A 15-YEAR-OLD MALE elephant showing signs of aggressive behaviour possibly due to it being the mating season thrashed its mahout on Monday (Jan 30), leaving the man with an injured hand.

Chalong Police at 10:30am received a call from the owner of an elephant camp in Soi Yodsanae, Chalong, reporting that one of the elephants had become aggressive when taking tourists out on a trek.

Police advised the owner to call the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office (PPLO), officers from which then went to the area in the Nakkerd Hills.

PPLO officials arrived to find police officers and the mahout, or elephant handler, watching an elephant named “Grongthong” walking through the forested area.

PPLO officers used three tranquilliser darts to sedate the animal in their first attempt.

This was not enough and another two darts were shot.

The mahout then approached Grongthong to try to capture him, but in retaliation Grongthong thrashed the mahout with his trunk leaving the man with an injury to his hand.

‘Grongthong’ had to be shot with five tranquillizer darts before he was sedated.

In November 2014, PPLO Chief at that time Werasit Puthipairoj issued a stern warning to elephant camps to be careful about using elephants during breeding season when bull elephants are in musth, a highly excitable hormonal state in which the animals become unpredictable and dangerous.

Mr Werasit issued the warning after a mahout was killed at the Phuchada Safari kraal in Naiharn on Nov 17, 2014, by Nong Po, a 23-yearold bull elephant in musth.

Nong Po picked up Wittawat Salangan, 22, from Surin Province, in his trunk, slammed him to the ground and then knelt down, crushing him with his head and tusks.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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Coroner stumped

Blame blurred in death of British woman The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The two men were heading along the Rawai beach road when the accident happened at about 2:40am.

Hungarians killed in motorbike crash TWO HUNGARIAN MEN died early Monday morning (Jan 30) after the motorbike they were riding slammed into a roadside pole in Rawai.

Lt Col Sakkarin Sangjaroen of the Chalong Police was informed the accident at 2:40am.

Col Sakkarin identified the two men as Gabor Asztalos, 28, and his passenger Bence Edvin Banfi, 26.

“We were told that the men were heading towards Wiset Rd when Mr Asztalos lost control of the motorbike on the bend and crashed into the pylon,” Col

Sakkarin told The Phuket News.

Both men were wearing helmets, Col Sakkarin noted.

“Mr Banfi died at the scene,” he confirmed.

“Mr Asztalos still suffered severe head trauma.

He was taken to Phuket International Hospital by a rescue team, but was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:58am,” he added.

“Their families and the Hungarian Embassy in Bangkok have been notified,” Col Sakkarin said.

Yutthawat Lekmak

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onflicting accounts have blurred responsibility for the deadly accident that killed English badminton champion Rebecca Shaw in Phuket in December 2015, when her friend drove their scooter into the path of a truck, an inquest in England has heard.

Ms Shaw, from Bradley, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was on her way to swim with elephants with Julie Robinson when the accident happened on Patong Hill.

Ms Shaw, 32, who played for the England badminton team 10 times and was described by her family as a “real-life angel”, was travelling in Thailand after doing a yoga course in Bali, reported the Guardian.

The inquest into her death at Bradford coroner’s court heard the exact details of the accident remained unclear due to conflicting accounts from witnesses.

The coroner, Martin Fleming, said the driver of the

MAIN: The scene of the accident on Dec 12, 2015. INSET: Rebecca Shaw (handout).

Toyota pickup truck, Natthaphon Klomkhan, told police he was driving at about 60kmh on the morning of December 12 when the scooter, on which Ms Shaw was a passenger, drove from a side road across the lane of traffic and in front of his vehicle.

Mr Klomkhan said he braked, sounded his horn and flashed his lights but was unable to avoid a collision.

Ms Robinson, who could not be contacted to attend the inquest, said she checked there was no traffic before she drove

across the road and claimed the driver was travelling too fast and failed to slow down, change lanes or pull into a large car park by the road.

In an email sent by Ms Robinson to the coroner in July, she said: “He just drove straight into the back of the scooter, sending both of us flying through the air at some height… I believe the main cause of the accident was excessive speed by the pickup driver.”

Ms Robinson described blood pouring from Ms Shaw’s

mouth after her head hit a guardrail, and that an ambulance crew resuscitated her friend twice at the scene, but she was pronounced dead in hospital. The inquest heard police in Phuket had considered charging Ms Robinson in connection with the accident.

Coroner Fleming said photos of the scene showed Ms Robinson’s view would have been obscured and that crossing the carriageway would have left little margin for error. He said it was unclear whether Mr Klomkhan was speeding.

Raid clears illegal plantations Health officers begin search for A TEAM OF ABOUT 100 officers, accompanied by soldiers and police, moved in and cleared illegally planted rubber trees covering 73 rai in Sirinath National Park on Monday (Jan 30).

Leading the foray were Capt Bowaorn Promkaewngam, Deputy Chief of the Phuket Provincial Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and Sirinath National Park Chief Witoon Detchpramuanphon.

The task force assembled included officials from the Phuket Provincial Office, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation regional office in Nakhon Sri Thammarat and the Royal Forest Department’s Phuket office.

“The areas cleared covered 39.35 rai in Moo 3, Tambon Thepkrasattri and 33.86 rai in Moo 6, Cherng Talay,” Mr

‘flesh-eating disease’ infected cat

The officers cut down rubber trees illegally planted across 73 rai in Sirinath National Park. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Witoon said.

The raid was part of an ongoing campaign to remove illegal plantations from within the park boundaries.

Under the campaign all rubber trees not yet seven years old must be cut down, Park Chief Witoon explained.

“Sixty per cent of all the rubber trees we find that are

between eight to 19 years old will be cut down, but all rubber trees 20 years or older will be left standing,” Mr Witoon said.

“We are leaving the older trees for now to protect the soil. They will be cut down later because they are still illegal trees,” he explained.

The Phuket News

THE MAYOR OF RAWAI has ordered officials to investigate the case of 63-yearold Veera Pantip, who was scratched by a cat and infected with the flesh-eating bacteria necrotizing fasciitis.

Mr Veera’s infection was so severe that doctors were close to amputating the man’s leg, though after receiving treatment it is hoped that amputation will be avoided and he remains in hospital recovering.

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos has now ordered health officials from Rawai Municipality to visit Mr Veera in hospital and his home to investigate the situation.

“We don’t have any set plan of reaction to this issue

Veera Pantip, 63, recovers in hospital, hoping to avoid having his leg amputated. yet. I am waiting for the Rawai Municipality Health Department to deliver its official report.”

Mayor Aroon said that residents near Mr Veera’s home in Soi Ruamjai 1, Rawai, should not panic about the possibility of infection from cat scratches “I don’t think it is an issue to be overly alarmed

about,” Mayor Aroon said.

Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Jirapan Teapan concurred.

“This case has more to do with Mr Veera’s existing health condition, which allowed the bacteria to flourish and cause a severe infection,” he said.

Asked if the PPHO will inspect the area and try to apprehend the infected cat, Dr Jirapan said, “I don’t think it is important to find this cat. The bacteria that caused Mr Veera’s infection is common and can be found almost anywhere.”

“The patient’s existing medical condition was the primary reason the infection became so severe,” he added.

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OPINION

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

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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.

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

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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Lifestyle Editor

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.

He has over eight years experience as a journalist, photographer and editor for several magazines and newspapers.

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EDITORIAL

Rotten to the core

his week’s call by former Phuket Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai for a Bangkok-led investigation into rampant corruption in Phuket deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. Many foreigners living in Phuket have tasted the bitter experience of a shakedown by an official, with some “men in uniform” more vicious in their approach than others.

Ms Tunyaratt’s public stance serves to highlight just how intolerable it has become – publicly calling out former colleagues for their corruption rarely improves your career prospects. The never-ending list of culprits accused in complaints fielded by this newspaper run the gamut from police to immigration and even to getting a child enrolled in school.

Just investigating how officials in Phuket are targeting foreigners would be a good

start. Foreigners are easy prey for the merciless. Their choice is to pay up or get kicked out of the country. “An NLA panel will investigate,” Ms Tunyaratt warned. We wish.

Thailand’s precipitous drop from 76th of 168 countries (2015) to 101st of 176 countries (2016), has put the country on par with Gabon and Niger.

This might be a little too embarrassing to ignore. Sadly, it is more likely that the ongoing high-profile Rolls-Royce bribery scandal will take centre stage and the poisonous root and branch corruption will carry on as normal.

What Ms Tunyaratt’s call this week highlights is that corruption lurks at all levels of officialdom in Thailand.

That’s the factor that makes tackling corruption in Thailand so immense and why efforts so far to eradicate it have been token. It is the lifeblood that

flows through the whole administration and sometimes you can’t cut the cancer out without killing the patient.

An entire shift is needed, from base recruit “general worker” to “higher executive”, and the only way the West has managed this has been with long-term systemic change.

First, salaries need to be raised to make low-level, but endemic, corruption not worthwhile. Second, the financial benefits of corruption need to be outweighed by the potential punishment.

But the most successful aspect has been a lifetime ban from working in any capacity with the government, even as a service provider or a contractor. Simply make them work for a living.

Finally get rid of the uniforms. Removing the uniforms provides a daily reminder that officials are no more “powerful” than those they serve.

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HAVE YOUR SAY Misplaced values

Re: Parrotfish poaching Chinese tourist fined B100,000 So let me get this straight... A van driver destroys a house, kills three passengers, injures six others and is fined B150,000 and has yet to be charged.

Apparently the lives of two baby parrot fish have the same value as a human life.

Phuket Sam ...................................................

Tram travails

Re: Phuket input sought for light-rail plans Hopefully someone can explain to the governor that, unless these trams actually go somewhere where people want to go, then they will be completely useless and ignored.

Where’s the connection to the west coast? In to Phuket Town?

Down the bypass road to Tesco, Big C, Central?

Will it even actually connect to the airport, or stop out on the main road? Now consider this. How many modern, clean, air-conditioned buses would B30 billion buy?

And by how much would that reduce the gridlock on Phuket’s desperately over-

crowded roads? Do they think we enjoy spending all day sitting in traffic, fighting for space with motorbikes, minibuses, coaches and taxi’s?

Given the choice wouldn’t most people rather sit on a cool comfortable bus than get on a motorbike and risk their lives?

Apparently this is obvious to everyone except the governor, who wants to actually make traffic worse by putting “tram” lines down the busiest road on Phuket, reducing the available road space, for a public transport system that nobody will use.

Do the taxi cartels really still hold that much power over Phuket’s administrators?

Captain Jack 69 ...................................................

Prime target

Re: Former Senator calls for probe into rampant Phuket corruption Being a small business owner employing 18 Thais, four Burmese and three expats I am continuously a target for corruption. Small mistakes that carry small fines or warnings for Thai companies suddenly become big issues for a nonThai work permit holder because they threaten you with blacklist and deportation.

For example I own a small guesthouse and a restaurant at different locations, I employ a Westerner to run the guesthouse and breakfast is served at our restaurant. I cannot send my Western manager to talk to the guests during breakfast because it is a different company and location that breakfast is served at. Even though they are his guests and responsibility. This is just 1 example I have 10-15 others.

Crying Man ....................................................

Brave call

Re: Former Senator calls for probe into rampant Phuket corruption About time!! Well done that lady, let’s hope she doesn’t now have an “accident” or “commit suicide”!

Malczx7r ....................................................

Ducking and diving

Re: Phuket dive instructor crackdown may have ‘terminal effect’, warns industry representative 1. Few dive companies here want to employ foreign scuba instructors and provide work permits, fixed salaries and employment benefits

– hence many instructors work illegally without a work permit or are forced to setup their own Thai nominee based companies to overcome the work permit hurdle.

2. Authorities here see diving instructors as a bit of a cash cow – examples include scuba instructors arrested for carrying diving equipment bags and teaching in a swimming pool that is not mentioned on their work permit (that is if they actually have one) 3. Certain segments of the Phuket scuba diving industry continue to promote the life of a PADI scuba diving professional in Phuket as a great career move and lifestyle choice, whereas the reality is that you will earn very little money and be subjected to many local scams.

4. With the lax safety standards here many foreign dive masters and instructors are putting themselves at risk of ‘expensive’ legal issues that far out way the small salaries that they earn if issues arise.

5. Many foreign tourists here do not feel safe with Thai divemasters and instructors.

Scuba Teddy

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

‘Namtan’ wins Miss Universe plaudits BANGKOK

Detectives arrest Mang Yangkhiri at a petrol station on the Mitrapharp Highway in Udon Thani on Sunday (Jan 29). Photo: Narcotics Suppression Bureau photo

Celebs alleged to be hiding drug kingpin's assets BANGKOK ARRESTED DRUG TRaffickers have alleged some celebrities and people in high society help hide the assets of alleged drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha, Narcotics Suppression Bureau commissioner Sommai Kongwisaisuk said in Bangkok on Wednesday (Feb 1).

The information was contained in the confessions of th ree Hmong people recently arrested while smuggling 720,000 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) from the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom bordering Laos to the Central Plains area.

Lt Gen Sommai identified them as Mang Yangkhiri, 38, Kanokwipa Yangkhiri, 38, and Paisert sae Yang, 40, from Phop Phra district, Tak. They were arrested trav-

elling in pickup trucks in the northeastern province of Udon Thani on Sunday morning (Jan 29).

Police found packages of methamphetamine pills hidden in the trucks.

The three suspects were part of the drug network allegedly run by Mr Xaysana, a citizen of Laos and alleged major trafficker. They told police that some well-known people in entertainment and the luxury car business, and some hi-so people, were taking care of Mr Xaysana's assets in Bangkok, Lt Gen Sommai said.

According to the commissioner, Mr Xaysana had presented himself as a rich Lao man and hosted parties for well-known people in a number of circles. He later arranged for some these people he became familiar with to take care of his laundered assets.

Bangkok Post

Bangkok Post

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rime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his appreciation to Miss Thailand, Chalita “Namtan” Suansane, for making the final six before being eliminated in Monday’s (Jan 30) Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines.

Gen Prayut congratulated Ms Chalita or Nong Namtan for doing well in the 65th pageant, an event won twice

by Thai women, in 1965 and 1988.

“Even though Ms Chalita did not win the contest, I believe she wins the hearts of Thai people,” Gen Prayut said. “I believe she was doing her best in the competition.

She is a source of Thai pride.”

He said he was delighted with Ms Chalita and gave her moral support.

The final round of the Miss Universe Pageant finished Monday morning and Ms Chalita, 21, a Samut Prakan native and university student, made her way to the final six before being eliminated.

The winner was Miss France, Iris Mittenaere. Miss Haiti was the first runner-up and Miss Colombia finished third.

A total of 85 candidates took part in the competition.

The Pr ime Minister thanked Ms Chalita for representing the country and

Miss Universe contestant Chalita ‘Namtan’ Suansane in her swimsuit during the preliminary competition of the Miss Universe pageant. Photos: Ted Aljibe/AFP helping to promote unique Thai culture to other candidates.

Gen Prayut said he felt proud when Miss Thailand spoke about King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the question round, and praised him.

Meanwhile, Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wong-

suwon, who also serves as Defence Minister, watched the contest and supported Ms Chalita to be crowned as Miss Universe.

Gen Prawit was disappointed that Ms Chalita, who was doing well, failed to make her way to the final round, he added.

Maj Gen Kongcheep said Gen Prawit was speaking

to media members before attending a meeting at the Defence Council meeting, which he chaired.

Gen Prawit described Ms Chalita as “beautiful and perfect. She was doing so well in the question round.”

He said he wanted to vote for Miss Thailand in the internet voting but he did know how.

Yellow hemp field becomes new attraction SUKHOTHAI THE HISTORICAL TOURism province has introduced its new attraction, a 1,200rai field of blossoming yellow Indian hemp, grown by farmers seeking to replace second-crop rice cultivation.

The field of Indian hemp, known in Thai as por thuang, lies in Ban Mon Khiri village in tambon Muang Kao of Muang district. Local farmers there participated in the government’s plan to reduce second-crop rice cultivation in the Chao Phraya river basin.

The farmers chose to grow Indian hemp instead of rice and now the vast field of golden bean-family plants against the mountainous backdrop

Visitors take selfies in the Indian hemp field in Muang district of Sukhothai. Photo: Bangkok Post during sunset have become a new attraction.

Land development officials encouraged the cultivation of Indian hemp, which is used to make fertiliser for rice

fields. Farmers could also sell the seeds for extra income, said assistant village head Mongkolchai Ruangjaem.

Suchart Rianthong, Sukhothai Land Development

Director, said farmers could bury Indian hemp plants to make natural fertiliser for their future rice cultivation.

Besides, they could sell hemp seeds at B20 per kilogramme to the local Land Development Office and receive a B500 subsidy per rai from the government.

Indian hemp cultivation would expand from 1,200 rai in Ban Mon Khiri to 8,600 rai throughout Sukhothai province within this year, he said.

The yellow Indian hemp field is about seven kilometres from the Sukhothai Historical Park. Motorists can follow direction signs from the park via Chetuphon and Soke Ped villages.

Bangkok Post

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

ASIA NEWS 11

A timeless Chinese teahouse

Throwback to the past in a society becoming more frenetic CHINA AFP

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t 4am the kettles crackle on a charcoal stove as regulars crowd inside an ancient Chinese temple turned teahouse, a relic in a country being overrun by Starbucks cafes.

Wearing a cap and a blue vest, Li Qiang gets up in the middle of the night, as he does every day, to light the fire and prepare portions of tea in tiny cups that can be purchased for a modest two yuan (B10) each.

Outside the Guanyin Pavilion teahouse, named for the goddess the temple was once dedicated to, elderly men chat as they wait for the 300-year-old building’s large wooden doors to open.

Inside, decorations from past eras are visible in the shadows: religious frescoes and motifs on high beams, dating from before it was converted just over a century ago.

Lower down, decaying paintings on wooden panels

The day starts at 4am at this 100-year-old teahouse in Chengdu in Sichuan that still draws a crowd of regulars. Photo: Julien Girault/AFP depict Communist China’s founder Mao Zedong surrounded by solar rays, or slogans glorifying socialism and hoping for the Great Helmsman’s longevity.

“Nothing has changed since the Cultural Revolution,” says Li. The 50 -seat teahouse in Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, and the way of life it represents are a throwback to the past in a society that

is becoming increasingly frenetic and internationalised by its status as the world’s second-largest economy.

Unlike upmarket teahouses in the city centre, the stateowned establishment does not offer rare and expensive teas at premium prices.

Instead customers sit on bamboo chairs in small groups, under the pale glow of naked light bulbs suspended from the high ceiling.

“Nowhere else in Chengdu

VIETNAM

Laser-carving technology is giving an update to the Vietnamese tradition of carving fruit for the new year, known locally as ‘Tet’. Photo: Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP

Lasers leading a fancy fruit fetish VIETNAM AFTER LEARNING TO use a laser engraving machine in a Vietnamese engineering school, Nguyen Van Minh is now putting the technology to an unexpected use: decorating fruit.

It is a modern twist on the traditional custom of hand-carving designs into watermelons on the occasion of the lunar new year, a holiday known as Tet in Vietnam that kicked off last Saturday (Jan 28).

“Laser carving is more accurate and better for small patterns. Plus, the designs are more diverse,” @thephuketnews

the 27-year-old entrepreneur said as a laser beam rapidly etched an elaborate rooster design into the green rind of a bowling ball-sized melon.

From giant pomelos to gold-dusted coconuts, Vietnam’s markets fill up with an array of novelty fruits ahead of Tet. The designer produce is often gifted to colleagues and relatives, or kept at home as decorations.

Minh’s Hanoi-based company is now churning out scores of decorated and polished melons at a fraction of the speed that it takes traditional carvers to chisel away at the fruit’s peel by hand.

In the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Rooster, the bird is without a doubt this season’s must have emblem.

Other popular designs include dragons, phoenixes and messages wishing good fortune or wealth.

Yet at about $1.50 (B52) to $3.50 (B123) a pop, Minh says his company has yet to be graced by riches.

“Our prof its are not good, but we still want to do it because this is a new business, and also because we’re passionate about it,” he said.

As far as wishes for the new year, Minh says he only has one: a fruitful business.

AFP

will you find a similar tea house,” says customer Ning Shucheng, who is in his 80s.

“There are none. They have been ruined or completely demolished.”

Teahouses were once emblematic of Chinese urban culture but are now struggling to revitalise their public image in the face of ever-expanding foreign or foreign-inspired coffee chains.

Pouring boiling water into Thermos bottles deco-

rated with flowers, Li greeted everyone.

Li was around 30 when he was appointed manager more than two decades ago, but has been careful not to change anything during his tenure.

He muses: “What’s the point? This is a place that breathes humanity, the lives of the regulars. This is not profitable, admittedly, but how could I give it up? Some regulars walk 10 kilometres every morning to come here.”

The teahouse offers customers a place to socialise and escape a materialistic and individualistic society they struggle to fit into, according to Tian Zaipo, a comparatively young client at 50.

“In today’s world people are getting further and further apart,” he says. “It’s so good to see your friends here.”

But he acknowledges that a new generation of Chinese beverage drinkers preferred coffeeshops – US chain Starbucks had only 400 outlets in the country in 2011, but within five years had almost six times as many, and was aiming to double that.

“The young people do not come any more,” said Tian.

But there is one new group of visitors to the Guanyin Pavilion – the establishment and its clientele have become renowned as a picturesque subject among China’s army of amateur photographers, a crucial market for camera manufacturers such as Canon and Nikon.

Soon after the mid-morning arrival of an ear cleaner – a traditional but declining Sichuanese service to scrub out ear canals for 20 yuan (B102) – a dozen camerawielding shutterbugs piled in.

Without hesitation, request or consent, they proceeded to rearrange the crockery, and sometimes even the customers themselves, to improve their compositions.

The teahouse is renowned for its timelessness, but manager Li resents its resulting popularity.

The photographers never buy a cup of tea, he said – and for his part, he does not let them sit down.

“It’s even worse at the weekend,” he grimaces.

12 WORLD NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Saving the suicide jumpers

Local fisherman rescues sorry souls from the cold, blue Danube SERBIA AFP

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utting her backpack down, she climbed over the fence and jumped into the rushing waters of the Danube below: the 16-year-old girl was the 29th attempted suicide to be saved by Renato Grbic, a Belgrade fisherman and restaurant owner.

On that day “she was lucky that I was nearby with a friend to pull her out,” said her rescuer, an athletic 55-year-old.

“I was sitting in my taverna when a neighbour ran in and said someone had jumped from the bridge. So I took my boat... I pulled her out,” Grbic recalled in an interview.

Built in 1946, the Pancevo Bridge has the notorious distinction of being a hot spot for Belgrade’s most desperate.

Until 2014, the road and rail bridge was the only crossing point over the River Danube in the Serbian capital and was spared during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbia over its war with ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

The city’s central Brankov Bridge is another draw for suicide bids but the Sava River flowing underneath “is a pool” compared with the Danube, said Grbic.

The mighty Danube may conjure up romantic visions of

Renato Grbic, a fisherman and restaurant owner in Belgrade, Serbia, has received official recognition for rescuing 29 people who have attempted suicide by jumping from the Pancevo Bridge. Photo: Andrej Isakovic/AFP epic waterway tours through enchanting European countryside in some of the 10 countries it flows through.

But Europe’s second longest river will carry anyone who wants to jump into it for many kilometres, and in winter, its temperature is barely above 0ºC. “Life expectancy” before fatal hypothermia “is 15 to 20 minutes,” Grbic said, whose family of river fishermen has lived at their waterside residence for four generations.

On the section where his tavern “At Renato and Goca”

is located, the Danube is almost one kilometre wide. In the winter mist, it is hard to make out even the other side of the bank.

Some victims die of cardiac arrest when jumping or hitting the water some 20 metres down, such as a 73year old man two years ago.

“Those who survive have a survival reflex. They scream, swim,” Grbic, a married, father-of-three grown-up sons, said.

Every year the authorities register 25 to 30 suicide attempts off Belgrade bridges.

“But these are only registered cases,” said Sasa Knezevic, Deputy Chief of Belgrade’s river police unit, adding the figures peak towards the end of the summer.

Police usually act to prevent suicides when they spot potential cases through video surveillance but the closest river police station is about 15 minutes upstream, said Grbic.

“I have known Renato forever,” Knezevic said. “If it was not for him, many people would not be saved after jumping into the river.”

Grbic said he spent 90%

of his time fishing. His 29 rescues of Pancevo Bridge jumpers span nearly two decades and his efforts have won him official recognition.

A wall in his restaurant is adorned with elaborate certificates for bravery awarded by local authorities, as well as newspaper articles about him.

He was also among around 200 Serb nationals recognised for their outstanding achievements in 2008.

Serbia is in the top third of European countries with the highest number of suicides, at 16.8% per 100,000

inhabitants, according to the most recent World Health Organisation data for 2012.

Grbic believes that most suicide attempts are a cry for help since, he says, most jump in the daytime. “They want to be seen, they want to alert,” he said.

Those who really want to die opt for the Brankov Bridge for its concrete river banks, he said.

As far as he knows, Grbic says that out of the 29 people whom he has saved, only one, a postman, did it again and ended his life by going for the concrete.

The first person he rescued was a young man “some 17 or 18 years ago.”

“It took me several attempts and I literally begged him to give me a hand” to pull him out, Grbic said.

He often wonders about what has become of those he has saved.

But only two young women out of the 29 got back in touch. One of them, now a mother, “understood that life was worth much more than what she wanted to do.”

A psychiatrist, who once came to the restaurant, “told me that... those people were eternally grateful but were embarrassed to face me.”

“Nevertheless, I would really like to know something about them... that I offered them a second life and that they kept living,” he said.

Moth with distinctive ‘hairdo’ named Trump UNITED STATES A TINY MOTH HAS BEEN named after Donald Trump partly because of its distinctive “hairdo” which resembles that of US President.

The minuscule creature, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, was discovered by Canadian scientist Vazrick Nazari who said he was struck by the resemblance of the golden scales on the head of the moth to Trump’s signature hairstyle.

He said he also named the new species, which measures about nine millimetres, after the president said he would focus attention on ecological issues.

“The reason for this choice of name is to bring wider public attention to the need to continue protecting fragile habitats in the US that still contain many undescribed species,” Nazari

Moth species ‘Neopalpa donaldtrumpi’, named after Donald Trump. Photo: AFP wrote in a review of the species.

The newly discovered moth, the first animal to bear Trump’s name, is native to southern California but its habitat extends to Baja California in Mexico.

According to Live Science, Barack Obama had nine species named after him, more than any other US president.

Last year, a caterpillar found in the Peruvian Amazon was informally named “Trumpapillar” because its orange-yellow furry cover resembled Trump’s hairdo.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

PIMEX reinvented as luxury lifestyle expo MARINE The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

fter 14 years, the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) has been reinvented and rebranded as the luxury lifestyle event titled “Phuket RendezVous”, to be held at PIMEX’s traditional home – the five-star, award-winning Royal Phuket Marina (RPM).

“Partnering with Asia’s most experienced luxury lifestyle event organiser Asia RendezVous, the Phuket RendezVous showcase event will replace the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) and build on its 14-year legacy of success,” said an RPM press release issued last week.

The four-day Phuket RendezVous, to held on Jan 4-7, 2018, will showcase a diverse range of high-end products and attractions both on land and in water.

“Visitors will enjoy curated activities and interac-

The award-winning Royal Phuket Marina will host the luxury lifestyle ‘Phuket RendezVous’ on Jan 4-7, 2018. tive displays of some of the finer luxuries in life such as yachts, classic cars, supercars, watches, properties and art,” said the release.

“Luxury aficionados from Asia (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.), Europe (Russia, Germany, UK, France, etc.), as well as Bangkok and Phuket, are expected to attend the show and participate in this unique experience.

“Visitors will be able to access over 40 yachts and

have the opportunity to meet with yacht brokers, high-end property developers, luxury travel organisers (including private jet and helicopter operators) as well as specialists within the areas of auctions, art and investments.

“VIP guests will enjoy exclusive access to selected attractions and superyachts, while members of the public are free to explore the exciting exhibits at the Phuket RendezVous,” the release added.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the luxury industry in Phuket and Asia to come together at what will surely be the biggest luxury lifestyle event in the region,” said Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina.

“Royal Phuket Marina has successfully hosted the Phuket International Boat Show for the past 12 years.

We will build on that success and expect the Phuket RendezVous to attract thousands of visitors from around the world each year,” he added.

PIMEX Organiser Andy Dowden, one of the original co-founders of the event, confirmed to The Phuket News that he remains a key organiser of the RendezVous.

“After 14 years, PIMEX has been very successful but has decided to join together with organisers of the Singapore Rendezvous to bring the event up to another level with high-end luxury goods and supporting brands which will fit very well with the ambience of the five-star Royal Phuket Marina,” he said.

BUSINESS NEWS 13

Chinese New Year to stimulate spending RETAIL THAIS ARE EXPECTED to splash out a total of B54.9 billion during the Chinese New Year holiday, the highest in 10 years.

According to Thanavath Phonvichai, Vice President for research at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the seven days of the Chinese New Year festival, from Jan 27 to Feb 2, were expected to trigger B54.9bn in spending, up 4.5% from last year.

The higher spending forecast was largely due to the recovering economy, rising incomes, higher farm prices and more expensive products.

Spending was mostly going towards buying offerings for spirits, merit-making and monetary gifts given to parents and kids.

Mr Thanavath said spending was likely to be most active in Bangkok and the central and eastern regions, while spending in the southern provinces, recently hit by widespread flooding, also remained strong thanks to rising rubber and oil palm prices,

The Chinese New Year is expected to generate B54.9bn in domestic spending in Thailand. as well as growing tourism.

He said the Chinese New Year was also expected to draw in foreign tourist arrivals, particularly the Chinese. The university estimated tourism revenue from foreign visitors during the long holiday would amount to B20-30bn, B10bn of which was to be derived from Chinese tourists.

Mr Thanavath said Chinese arrivals were expected to recover in Q1 2017 after the number contracted significantly late last year following the government’s clampdown on zero-dollar tours.

Recovering tourism will help stimulate Thailand’s economic growth to an estimated 3-3.3% in the first quarter of this year from 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2016, he said.

Bangkok Post

Thailand’s hotel investment transactions total B9.6bn in 2016 HOSPITALITY T H A I LA N D’S HOT EL investment activity remained robust in 2016 with more than 10 hotels and hospitality assets sold in Bangkok and major provincial destinations. Of this, five assets were brokered by JLL on behalf of the sellers.

However, investment volume fell 15% from 2015 to B9.6 billion due to the lack of large assets being offered to the market. This year, 2017,

@thephuketnews

will see a big jump in investment volume as the B10.8bn sale of Swissotel Nai Lert Park is scheduled for conclusion this year, according JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group.

Mike Batchelor, Managing Director of Investment Sales Asia, JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group, said, “Investment appetite by both local and foreign investors in Thailand’s hospitality market has showed no signs of subsiding as these investors have remained upbeat on long-term fundamentals in

this ever-resilient market.”

Data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand suggests that the growth of inbound visitors into Thailand has been consistent with a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. Total international visitor arrivals breached the 30 million mark for the first time in 2016 and are expected to reach 35 million in 2017 despite the crackdown on zero-dollar tours that has impacted the number of arrivals from China since the latter part of 2016.

Bangkok was the star performer in Thailand with hospitality transactions accounting for around 50% of the total volume in 2016.

Some of the key deals recorded over the year across the city include the sales of Eight Thonglor (including the former Pan Pacific Residences, since rebranded as Akyra Thonglor), Liberty Garden Hotel and Park 24 Condominium in Sukhumvit, which will be rebranded and managed as serviced apartments by Ascott.

Other transactions were spread across major tourism destinations including Pattaya, Phuket, Phang Nga, Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Chiang Rai as well as additional transactions in Nakhon Ratchasima and the industrial town of Sri Racha.

While most of the hotel deals last year were transacted

by Thai investors, institutional investors from Hong Kong and Singapore were also active purchasers, accounting for around 45% of the total transaction volume.

Mike Batchelor, Managing Director of Investment Sales Asia at JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group.

“Interest from both domestic and regional investors were strong in 2016, a trend that is expected to continue into 2017,” said Mr Batchelor.

The Phuket News

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Bright outlook for tourism TOURISM

A woman relaxes, reading a book at Patong Beach.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

TTR Weekly

T

ourism associations estimate Thailand’s tourism industry will increase the number of tourist visits by 10% this year.

Presiding at the Association of Thai Travel Agents and Thai Hotels Association annual meeting, last Wednesday (Jan 25), Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn said last year the country welcomed 32.6 million international visits.

He claimed there were more “quality tourists” in the year’s total than in the past as a result of government promotions.

The crackdown of illegal tour operators and hotels would also help to drive quality tourism, he said, referring to the policy to end zero-dollar tours from China that he said have no financial value for the country, but create considerable stress on resources.

“The country needs to set strategies to shift tourists from crowded destinations and to develop new tourist attractions… we have to tighten

safety and security.”

This year, Thailand will focus on specific tourism segments such as sports tourism, health and wellness, weddings and romance, marine and rail to boost tourism.

The government will also promote what is popularly called foodie tourism, and Deputy PM Thanasak has already proposed to the Cabinet to approve a proposal by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to sign an agreement with Michelin Guide to award

Michelin stars for excellence in restaurants. It should be completed in three weeks.

The Michelin Guidebook Bangkok is expected to cover five years starting this year and will cost US$4.1mn (B49.252mn) to establish and operate, although he did not elaborate on the cost breakdown.

“Once the project is approved, Thailand will be the second country in Asean, after Singapore, to join the Michelin Guidebook… it will help to

increase tourist spending in the country.”

In addition, the government is likely to extend the free tourist visa concession for citizens of 19 nations that is due to end Feb 28. It will be extended for another six months, Deputy PM Thanasak added.

Most of the countries listed are not major tourist providers, but the concession sends the right message to China, Taiwan, India and Saudi Arabia markets that

have vast potential for growth, he said.

The 19 nations eligible for the visa-fee waiver comprise of Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Under the scheme, citizens from the 19 countries do not need to pay the B1,000 fee to process a visa at Thai embassies, or consular offices overseas. They still have to visit the consulates, which can be time consuming due to the long distances between the capital and other cities.

The visa-on-arrival fee, which was increased on Sept 27 to B2,000 was also reduced to B1,000 for citizens of the 19 countries. The visa-on-arrival is valid for just 15 days.

ATTA President Charoen Wangananont said, “This year, tourism should grow around 9% to 10% mainly on the back of strong markets in Asia.

“The Asean market will be crucial for us this year and that will encourage more air connectivity between destinations,” he added.

Thai Hotels Association President Supawan Tanomkieatipum said it was vital to convince tour operators to use legal hotels to end negative practices.

Last year, overall hotel occupancy stood at 64.48%, up 3.23% from 62.46%. This year, the association expects occupancy to close at 70%, she said.

This year, the country projects 35mn foreign travellers. Tourism-related revenue is expected to reach B2.71 trillion. Of that, B1.78trn is to come from foreign visitors and B930 billion from domestic travellers.

In 2016, the country attracted 32,588,303 international visits, improving 8.91% compared with 29,923,185 in 2015.

Last year, overall tourism revenue reached B2.51trn, increasing 10.93% and exceeding the target of B2.4trn. Of that, B1.64trn came from international markets and B870bn from the domestic market.

The revenue estimates were based on exit surveys to determine an average spend per tourist, but are not considered entirely accurate.

The Rooster crows caution ECONOMICS A BUSINESS SURVEY BY Grant Thornton has found that Thailand’s optimism in economic and financial affairs still low and waning slightly, with Asia-Pacific business leaders reporting a split in optimism heading into 2017.

Citing the most recent quarterly global survey of 2,600 businesses in 37 economies under the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), a release issued this week said, “The optimism among developed APAC economies has fallen 8pp in Q4 2016 to net -16%, whilst emerging APAC has risen from 42% to 53%.

“The optimism of businesses in Thailand has dropped slightly from 18% to 16% – which represents a small drop but off a low base.”

The IBR shows that almost all sub-categories for Thailand dropped in Q4 – selling price expectation (12% to 8%), export expectation (22% to 8%), research & development (34% to 24%) and employment expectation (28% to 12%), but investment in plant & machinery increased (16% to 24%). “Perhaps unsurprisingly,

An investor checks his phone in front of screens showing stock market movements at a brokerage. Photo: AFP the major constraints cited for Thailand’s businesses were economic uncertainty (48%), shortage of orders (42%) and energy costs (40%),” the report added.

Andrew McBean, Partner at Grant Thornton in Thailand and specialist in Asean markets, noted, “There is a striking split between business leaders in emerging and developed Asia Pacific countries. The results from business leaders in developed nations show a reaction to the political volatility of the year, especially in the 4th quarter.

“Despite the record stock market performances there has been increasing volatility in these markets. Perhaps emerging markets are taking some succour from the fact that any capital flight from developed

economies would more likely benefit them.” he said.

“In Thailand the last quarter of 2016 clearly brought very profound and sad news. The possible economic pessimism that could easily have resulted does appear to have been absorbed by businesses showing some strong resilience in the economy,” Mr McBean said.

“Political stability continues to ensure there is not too much volatility in the market. However whilst the government is spending a great deal of money on infrastructure projects it should be noted that these tend to have a low disbursement to the general public at the beginning but more benefit once the infrastructure has been built – but the benefits will be felt more in the longer term.”

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

A uniquely Buddhist treatment for addiction

17

The perfect getaway in northern Phuket

21

RUBBER BARON

A statue of Khaw Sim Bee, who was also known as Phraya Rassada, sits atop Rang Hill in Phuket Town. Photo: Mark Knowles @thephuketnews

As the Old Town Festival gets underway we examine the life of Phuket’s founding father > P18

16 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Helping kids with pedal power Mark Knowles editor1@classactmedia.co.th

The sixday, 835km ride has been organised by local charity group Ride 4 Kids with the aim of raising money to support three of the island’s child focussed charity organisations.

E

arly next month, a group of intrepid cyclists from Phuket will be oiling their chains and pumping their tyres before heading off on an epic ride from Hua Hin all the way down to Phuket from March 6-11. The six-day, 835km ride has been organised by local charity group Ride 4 Kids with the aim of raising money to support three of the island’s childfocussed charity organisations.

Ride 4 Kids was founded by long-term expats Sam and Rebecca Frith who, along with their two boys, love living on the island of Phuket and wanted to give back to the community and to less-fortunate children who need a helping hand. So Sam and Rebecca, together with a small group of expat cycling enthusiasts, decided the ride would be a great way to raise money for their project and allow them to enjoy their passion for cycling at the same time.

Three Phuket schools – Kajonkiet International School (KIS), British International School Phuket (BISP) and Gecko Nursery School will also be supporting the cyclists as they embark on the daunting 845km ride from Hua Hin to Phuket. All monies raised will go to benefit three wonderful charities in Phuket who work hard to help children in need – The Good Shepherd, Phuket Has Been Good To Us and Outrigger’s Share4Change.

“Our mission is to bring the community of expats together, and raise awareness and funds to help these three charities on the island who work tirelessly for the good of the children,” said Ride 4 Kids co-founder Rebecca Frith.

“To celebrate the end of the ride, an event will be held at our title sponsor’s Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort on the March 11. It will be a chance to meet the team and support the three charities, tickets are available through our Facebook page Ride 4 Kids.”

Members of the Ride 4 Kids committee visit the children at The Good Shepherd Ban Ya School to donate toys and clothing.

Ride 4 Kids co-founders Sam and Rebecca Frith.

“We would also like to thank our media sponsors for the ride Class Act Media, and also all the local businesses who have donated to our event, either through cash donations or prizes for silent auctions,” said Ride 4 Kids committee member Donna Toon.

“It’s important to stress that this isn’t a race. There will be varying levels of riders involved and the emphasis will be placed on fun and support. The only race here will be to see which rider can raise the most amount of cash,” she added.

The Phuket News is a proud sponsor of the Ride 4 Kids charity ride.

For more information on Ride 4 Kids or to donate visit: www.ride4kids.co

The 835km journey will take six days.

Cat adoption month at Soi Dog

T

he adoptions team at Soi Dog Foundation has put out an appeal to animal lovers in Thailand. They are urging people to seriously consider adopting a rescued cat from the shelter during the month of February if they are looking to acquire a lifelong pet companion for their family. Soi Dog has been inundated with abandoned kittens and cats in desperate need of medical care and shelter over the past few months, and therefore has a wide range of perfect feline pets available for adoption – from cute kittens to mature cats of all types and sizes.

All pets available for adoption have been brought back to good health under expert medical care and have been vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which is also a huge cost saving for potential adopters, unlike with pets bought from pet shops.

Cats are naturally independent creatures that require little supervi-

A Soi Dog worker plays with cats in need of adoption. sion. Whilst they may be able to take care of themselves, cats are also warm and fuzzy creatures and will always love a good cuddle on your lap. Cats are more than capable of entertaining themselves with toys, boxes, drawers and the like and will watch even the worst reality TV show with you and never complain about your taste in TV. Adoptions Manager Teresa Colman said, “Re-homing dogs and cats is a major part of our work, and the success of our adoptions program is vital to our ability to provide treatment and care for more animals in need. We work really hard to find each adopter the right pet and we will help you find the right pet for you.”

If you are interested in adopting a cat, please call 098 868 0058, email: thaiadoptions@ soidog.org or visit www. soidog.org thephuketnews

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CULTURE 17

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Alcohol, drugs and recovery ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM

Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

O

ne day, a man was interviewing the Dalai Lama. He asked him, “What is your biggest concern about man?” The Dalai Lama wisely replied with but a word. “Man,” he said.

The Dalai Lama went on to explain that he was speaking of misplaced priorities. He observed that man goes about life in a rather fruitless pattern. First, he sacrifices his health in the pursuit of money. Then, he spends money in the effort to repair his ruined health. Next, he worries about the future so much that he ignores the present. As a result, he never really lives in either the present or the future.

He simply treads water adrift a river of chaos, all the while totally oblivious to the fact that he will someday die.

Finally, he dies – never having really lived at all.

These words from the Dalai Lama are succinct and wise. However, I would observe that man tends to facilitate this tautology through the vice of alcohol or, more recently, drugs. We use it to distract ourselves from the truth observed by the Dalai Lama. Intoxicants make us forget about all of our problems... at least for a while.

Our biggest vice is probably alcohol.

We glorify it. We joke about it. We write songs about it. Yet, we hardly ever confront it. We gloss over it rather than dress it down.

There even is a publication entitled The Alcoholmanac that is circulated in my hometown. I was recently reading a copy of it when I stumbled upon an advertisement for a featured bar that is called the Karma Bar & Grill.

Yes, most of us know that Buddhist Karma refers to the sum of a person’s experiences as it totals in the measure of the suffering in their current life but, alas, most Westerners are oblivious to the fact that the Fifth Precept of Buddha says “Do not use intoxicants.”

Sadly, this tavern unwittingly insults Buddhism by leading people down the wrong road. America has not historically been a Buddhist country, so I am rather forgiving when it comes to their ignorance of Buddhist matters. However, these insults to the Teachings of Buddha do more than simply injure the religion. They also facilitate people into using alcohol and drugs and, as one

Ya-ba pills contain addictive methamphetamine. @thephuketnews

my readers recently observed, many of those people readily fall into addiction.

Last month, one of my readers wrote me to find out what could be done to help Thai people who fell into drugs and alcohol. I thought that was an intriguing question and I, too, wanted to find out more. Thanks to my translators, I was able to find some very good answers for the vexing addictions that inevitably follow failure to recognise the value of Buddha’s Fifth Precept.

There is a monastery up in Lopburi called Wat Tham Krabok and it is open to not just Thai addicts, but also Westerners. While I have never personally been there, I found many pictures on the Internet of both Thai and Westerners who were in recovery. Wat Tham Krabok is often called Thailand’s “Buddhist Detox Centre” and many celebrities have been there such as musicians Tim Arnold and Pete Doherty.

Over 100,000 addicts have walked through the temple doors since it began treating alcohol and drug problems some 60 years ago. The temple is famous nowadays for treating yaba addiction, which is more commonly known in the West as speed, or more technically, methamphetamine. Its healing monks have even won awards such as the esteemed Magsaysay Award for Public Service.

People from every walk of life have found peace at the temple. Ancient words are chanted and a secret herbal purgative, yaa dtat, is given in the shadow of two dozen stone Buddha figures. Surrounded by the warmth of sun-drenched mountain-stone and the dignity of soaring trees, healing wafts through the steam that emanates from the daily afternoon steam baths that addicts take. Golden Buddhas and oil lanterns are perched near important buildings, and the healing steam baths are created from a local grass, yaa kah, as well as morning glory, castor leaves and citronella. Amid quieter times, men can be seen tending to chores underneath golden Buddha statues that easily stand six-times their own height.

Unlike many Buddhist temples, Wat Tham Krabok does not seem to be making much of an effort to remain out of the sight of non-Buddhists. The temple has an English-language website that has been translated into five additional languages and its Abbot, Phra Atikarn Gitiwanno, has several decades of service. Although there is no charge and any drug addict can come, the temple has a charitable foundation which is called the Tham Krabok Foundation.

Sajja teaching principals are used.

Patients and monks wear dark brown robes at this temple and you must be willing to stay at least two weeks. Patients take sacred vows before a monk whereupon they vow to give-up smoking, injecting drugs and drinking alcohol forever.

Many patients have found even more peace by tending to the temple’s garden and chopping wood. One can find the spirit of teamwork as men use simple tools to acquire new skills. Many of the bricks have actually been made on the land and many men learn ceramics. Pa-

The imposing stones Buddhas of Wat Tham Krabok watch over addicts as they recover. tients often play sports once they start to recover and others get involved in music during their off time.

However, the experience will be somewhat different for most foreigners in one key aspect. Westerners usually don’t know the teachings of Buddha, which is called the Dharma. Even though most Thai people will attend more intense Dharma sessions, Dharma instruction is only once a week for Westerners so there is no pressure there. Meditation, however, is every morning and so is evening chanting.

Some patients even have recovered so much that they became monks themselves.

If you or someone that you know is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, Wat Tham Krabok is could offer them path to recovery. For more information on Wat Tham Krabok, see this video at http://wat-thamkrabok.org/ rehabilitation/. Thai speakers can call: +66 036 266 292.

Patients drink a herbal liquid to induce vomiting.

All About Buddhism is a monthly column in The Phuket News where I take readers on my exotic journey into Thai Buddhism and debunk a number of myths about Buddhism. If you have any specific queries, or ideas for articles, please let us know. Email editor1@classactmedia.co.th, and we will do our best to accommodate your interests.

18 HISTORY

Phuket’s main street Thalang Road in 1908.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

The Khaw family’s steamer ‘Damrong Rat’.

The father of Phuket Anton Makrov life@novostiphuketa.com

Phraya Rassada oversaw the construction of island’s first modern roads, hospitals, schools and even a cinema.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

W

ith the Phuket Old Town Festival underway (Feb 3), a celebration of the island’s rich heritage marked with three days of parades, dances and food stalls, it is an ideal time to look back at Khaw Sim Bee Na-Ranong – the man who built Phuket Town and put the island on the map.

Located in the northern part of Phuket Town, Rang Hill is one of the favourite places for locals looking for a reclusive hideaway to enjoy a cup of coffee with a view on the city spread out beneath their feet. At the top of Rang Hill sits a monument to Khaw Sim Bee Na-Ranong, allowing the legendary High Commissioner of Phuket to eternally survey the city and province he built. Every day locals bring flowers to the monument paying respect to this wise and stern politician. He is honoured as no other ruler in the history of the province and his portrait can still be found adorning shrines in many shophouses, restaurants and homes throughout Phuket.

From rags to riches

First off, it is worth mentioning that most Phuketians know Governor Khaw Sim Bee under a different name, or more correctly, a title. Locals know him as Phraya Rassada. His original Chinese family name Khaw is more recognised on the island of Penang, where Khaw Sim Bee’s father Khaw Soo Cheang emigrated to from Fujian, China, in 1822.

Though being a poor Hokkien Chinese emigrant, Khaw Soo Cheang had a strong businesses mind and a knack for making a profit. This side of his character lead him to Southern Thailand where tin mining was booming. Starting from scratch Khaw’s business grew and grew and soon he was appointed Royal Collector of tin royalties and then granted the governorship of Ranong – one of very few foreigners to climb so high in the Siamese administration. Khaw’s clan Phraya Rassada the golfer. enjoyed respect and influence in Siam, Malaysia and on the island of Penang, which was a British colony in those days.

Khaw Sim Bee NaRanong was the youngest of his father’s six sons.

Like his elder brothers, he inherited Khaw Soo Cheang’s administrative talent, which fully emerged in 1900 when the Siamese Government decided to merge several Andaman provinces into The Na-Ranong family at the family gravesite in Ranong. the so-called Monthon

Phuket District and appointed Khaw Sim Bee to be the High Commissioner, bestowing upon him the lordly title of Phraya Rassada.

Tin fever

In the early 1900s Phuket did not look like a picture from a glamorous tourist brochure. Numerous tin mines were the only “destinations” on the island, a thick green canopy covered what is now Phuket Town and tigers still roamed freely in the jungle. Phuket’s economy relied solely on the mining industry and mining was still being carried out with rudimentary sluice techniques that needed large amounts of labour but minimal technology.

Na-Ranong family’s wealth and power were directly linked with the that fortunes of the province and Phraya Rassada knew it well. So the newly appointed head of Monthon Phuket started to make some sweeping reforms. He worked hard to build infrastructure on the island and specifically Phuket Town, which in those days was nothing more than a bunch of ramshackle buildings. A single look at Phuket Old Town is enough to tell that Phraya Rassada used Penang’s George Town as a model of what he wanted his town to look like.

Phraya Rassada oversaw the construction of island’s first modern roads, hospitals, schools and even a cinema (the latest word in entertainment straight from Europe). The NaRanong family also contributed greatly to developing the logistical connection between Phuket and Penang, the latter being the main regional trading hub.

Throughout his rule, Phraya Rassada had to balance people’s expectations, goals set by the Siamese Crown and the interest of foreign businesses that never ceased their attempts to enter and make profit in Phuket.

Ironically, the latter turned out to be non-voluntarily contributors to Phuket’s development, receiving the right to operate in the province only in exchange for investing in the island’s infrastructure.

Phraya Rasada in his full official regalia.

Rubber revolution

Phraya Rassada is also often referred to as “The Father of Thai latex”. Being an acute businessman and politician, he was keenly aware of the dangers that Phuket’s tin-reliant economy was facing. In the 1900s the tin market was as unstable as the oil market is today, so he came up with an alternative that would save the local economy – rubber.

Rubber tree planting was entirely new to Siam in those days and at first the idea faced strong opposition from the local population and officials alike.

Phraya Rassada had to use all of the Na-Ranong family influence to make his seed of an idea bear fruit, in every sense of the word.

Phraya Rassada almost single handedly created this new industry, so by the time the tin market collapsed Phuket had already been shipping growing amounts of rubber to George Town in Penang. The tin ships then returned with furniture, cloths, pieces of art and luxury items all ending up for sale on Thalang Road in Phuket Town.

A shot rings out

Phraya Rassada Na-Ranong was a powerful, and in a sense, autocratic ruler and thus had many rivals and even enemies, including prominent foreign business figures. It is not clear whether any of these players wished to actively dispose of the venerable Phraya Rassada, but one way or another his death came through violence.

Phraya Rassada was shot on Trang pier by a local man who suspected that the governor was having an affair with his wife. The critically injured Phraya Rassada was transported back to Penang, where he died in May 1913.

A street in George Town still bears the name of this legendary ruler of Phuket.

Adapted with permission from “A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region” by Colin Mackay. Available from local bookshops, Amazon.com and www.historyofphuket.com

thephuketnews

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DINING 19

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

A glorious gaucho-style feast JP Mestanza tv@classactmedia.co.th

B

oth an expat haven and a popular choice for tourists, Asado Gaucho Grill packs their menu with a plethora of choices – the key here is versatility!

It’s the latest establishment to join the popular Sunrise Rd strip near Chalong Pier and would a great spot for a date, but it’s equally good for big groups wanting to have a “catch-up” with friends.

From the sides to the main courses to the vintages and appetisers, Asado has fine-tuned the menu for even the pickiest eater. Whether it’s a quick bite at the bar (washed-down with premium drink selections) or a hearty dinner fit for a gaucho (in case you didn’t know, gaucho is an Argentinian word for cowboy, and asado means barbecue).

It all starts with the appetiser menu, which includes several share plates as well as individual servings. We started our dinner off with the grilled portobello mushroom stuffed with cream cheese and Parmesan cheese (you can never have enough cheese!) along with some recommendations from co-owner Aaron Snioch – the chorizo sausage and melted Camembert cheese with berry compote on the side. If the appetisers were any indication, the mains were going to be something special.

While the portobello was light and flavourful, the chorizo delivered a chilli/paprika kick, but without any hint of the usual oiliness from this type of sausage. The Camembert, meanwhile, was a real treat – perfectly melted so we could spread it on bread and contrasted with sweet berries. Cheese with fruit paste is a popular snack in South America. The blend of French cheese

The authentic Agentinian parrilla.

@thephuketnews

Indulge in a rich chocolate mousse.

Grilled portobello mushrooms with cheese. and Spanish-inspired appetisers is no accident. Aaron, along with co-owner Steven Smith are long-time expats with years of experience in the food business, having owned several restaurants and bars over the years. It wasn’t until they brought in their third partner, Simon Besagni, that things finally took off and Asado Gaucho Grill was born.

“While we’ve been talking about doing this, the final decision was bit of a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Aaron told The Phuket News, “We wanted to go a notch above the norm, do something different in Phuket. So when this space became available, we had to get it.”

The first thing diners notice at Asado is the huge traditional Argentinianstyle parrilla, or grill, where hungry diners can see their meats grilled over the hot coals before they are served up.

The décor has a touch of an Old World feeling too, with antique sewing machine benches as tables and exposed brick walls.

“Steak was always the primary idea, the grill kind of led us in a Latin way, then pulled back and brought in a couple of French sauces, so now you have many choices,” Steven says.

The beauty of their system lies in its simplicity and versatility: Choose your steak, choose your three sides (or load up on one or two of your favourites) then choose your sauce.

Take the New Zealand tenderloin, for instance, cooked rare for this occasion with a side of polenta and Parmesan herb fries (you read that right), mixed bean salad, garden salad, and

Flank steak off the asado with a peppercorn sauce and polenta and herb fries. a Béarnaise sauce. The steak’s bold flavour really jumps out at you – it’s a welcome reminder of what steak is supposed to taste like!

My friend ordered a 300 gram flank steak prepared medium rare with a peppercorn sauce, polenta and herb fries with a side of mashed potatoes.

The tender steak has a bit of charring that really brings the whole thing together. The fluffy potatoes were almost pillow-like and complemented by the fries that, when dipped in the creamy sauce, you would swear could cure blindness.

Washed down with some choice vin-

tages, it’s a world-class dinner of champions, but without all the pretentious fluff that would usually accompany such an fine meal. It’s a local restaurant with the feel of something more upscale and it won’t break your budget.

“We pay attention to details and if the meat isn’t up to what we want it to be, we don’t use it,” Steven says – and it shows.

Foodies, you have a new home.

Asado Gaucho Grill. Sunrise Road, Chalong (The road to Chalong Pier) Open daily 4pm til midnight. Visit: Facebook.com/AsadoGauchoGrill

20 ENTERTAINMENT

Sukhumvit cowboy Mark Knowles editor1@classactmedia.co.th

W

riter Steve Rosse is an old Thailand hand who cut his teeth penning articles for a local Phuket newspaper in the early ’90s and later achieved a modicum of fame as a humour columnist for The Nation and Thailand Tattler. He has released several books – Thai Vignettes, Expat Days and She Kept the Bar Between Them – all anthologies of his best columns from those days as well as a smattering of short stories.

His latest book Bangkok Buckaroo is a tongue-in-cheek romp through the alleys, dive bars and sex clubs of Bangkok’s infamous Sukhumvit neighbourhood. We follow Joe DiMaggio, urban cowboy and former US marine cum amateur private detective, as he hunts for connections between the bizarre murders of his estranged friend and a Bangkok barfly who runs a website detailing the sordid pleasures available in the city’s red-light district.

After being ordered to find the culprit by his retainer, a steely-eyed underworld lawyer named Phi Mah (Elder Horse), Joe begins his search for clues to the murders – whose victims were bled to death following what appears to be a sadistic sexual game in seedy Bangkok hotel rooms. The clues at first

lead him to the Hellfire Club, a highend private sex club, which he enters pretending to be a patron in order to question the working girls. After some fruitless but not all together unpleasant questioning of the girls, he is summoned to the office of Vlad, the tactless and menacing Russian gangster who owns the club. Vlad warns him not to return and orders his flamboyant, cowboy hat wearing henchman to throw Joe out.

Soon we learn that the two murdered men, desperate for cash, had borrowed money from Vlad to finance a people-smuggling operation bringing Cambodian girls to Bangkok to be forced into the sex trade. However, a third partner in the scheme tries to flee with the money and Vlad orders his, as it turns out, transvestite cowboy henchman to murder all three men – which he does in his own inimitable style.

As the plot thickens and more bodies pile up there is a final flourish of twists and turns that I won’t spoil here, suffice to say that Joe manages to narrowly scrape his way out of some tricky predicaments before the murderer is stopped.

The plot is standard detective story boiler-plate and it is clear that Rosse has much more fun populating Bangkok’s sleazy underworld with a cast of quirky characters, which he describes in convincing and humorous detail.

So putting the rather thin plot to one

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

side, the real enjoyment of Bangkok Buckaroo comes from the wry observations of the lifestyles and habits of his characters, both Thai and foreign.

Joe muses on some of the quirky cultural nuances of Thai behaviour and beliefs and anyone that has spent much time here will enjoy these idiosyncratic insights.

The book never takes itself too seriously despite the seedy setting and grisly murders. So there is much fun to be had watching Joe, who is surprisingly naïve given his demonstrated streetsmarts, stumble into the hands of Russian gangsters one minute to the arms of a busty Thai vixen the next, with a sardonic Bangkok Buckaroo by Steve Rosse is available from Amazon. quip always at the ready.

Throughout the book Rosse deploys a mixture of homespun Texas edges, Bangkok Buckaroo is a quick, witticisms and mystic Eastern aphofun read, especially for anyone who has risms to draw parallels between the en- spent some time living in Thailand, lightened teaching of Buddha and Joe’s who will get more of the sly winks hard-won cowboy life lessons. These diabout life in Thailand. gressions add a little depth to the story and make it a more enjoyable to read Bangkok Buckaroo and Steve Rosse’s then your typical pulp detective novel. other books are available from Amazon.

So while it’s a bit rough around the com in ebook or paperback editions.

thephuketnews

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EXPLORE 21

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

The central lagoon is surrounded by luxury villas.

Memorable moments in Phuket Andrew J Wood

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ooking for that do-able travel experience that’s special, memorable and offers relaxation and fun? Don’t have heaps of time planning the perfect getaway, but want a break and an easy life? Max reward for little effort? If you answered yes to most of the above and a short break or family vacation is on your travel shopping list, then the Angsana Villas Resort in Phuket, located just minutes from the island’s airport, might be the answer.

Set around a hidden lagoon and a large pool, in what is described as a new kind of resort community, Angsana Villas has comfort and style of a luxury resort paired with all the space of your favourite vacation home. Set within the larger Laguna Phuket area, guests staying in any of the Laguna’s hotels can take advantage of the many restaurants, shops, spas and golf that Laguna has to offer.

The Angsana Villas is one of those world-class hotels – it really is a beautiful resort, with manicured gardens and swaying palm trees. We stayed in a one-bedroom suite, it was spacious and came equipped with a full kitchen. The accommodation is perfect for vacation stays for young families with kids, that wish to have family meals together.

The kitchen had everything – from a huge fridge to a large oven and a microwave. All the equipment that you would need – coffee maker, kettle, pots, pans, chefs’ knives, utensils, crockery, cutlery, it was all there, including a four-ring

Beautiful Bang Tao beach is close by.

There are plenty of activities for the kids. @thephuketnews

hob, water cooler and extractor fans.

Our large balcony included our own sun loungers and assorted outdoor tables and chairs. The design of the suite is modern and luxurious, the bedroom area is separated by a sliding wall which gives the suite a great feeling of light and space throughout. It has a good quality TV and AV system.

When we arrived it was the end of a two-week road trip vacation from Bangkok. I’ve lived and worked in Thailand for the past 26 years so we were relatively mobile having our own car – although this is not essential.

The resort has golf buggies for moving around the Laguna complex and also daily shuttles into town and to the beach which are easy to book. The Angsana Villas Resort was a perfect choice for us. Once at the resort we didn’t really explore much. We just chilled out. In the past week prior to arriving in the Laguna area we had visited Phuket Town, Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha.

Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and, at 45 metres tall, it is easily seen for miles around. It’s well worth a visit for the views alone.

The hotel has a wide range of facilities including a kid’s club, which was very popular with families that were staying in the resort during our visit.

There is also a gym and the enormous pool in the centre of the resort. If you are a serious swimmer it’s great for laps. There are plentiful sunbeds and umbrellas and shaded, cushioned poolside cabanas. We particularly liked these to simply relax and chill. Grab a good book; order a cocktail, on with the headphones, lay back. Perfect!

There is a poolside bar and the Panache restaurant is located in this area too. It’s a bright coffee shop/brasserie with acres of glass. You can choose either indoor or al fresco dining. Breakfast is served here also with a good variety of offerings, you’re bound to find

Enjoy a meal or a cool drink by the pool.

Dive in for a swim or just enjoy relaxing on a sunlouge with a good book. something that appeals.

During my visit I asked to inspect one of the many villas. I learnt that the most popular were three-bedroom pool villas that are perfect for a larger family travelling together.

It is a house on two floors with its own pool and small gardens. The villa was beautifully appointed and included kitchen and laundry. If you are thinking of travelling as a family or with a group of friends it would be ideal. The staff throughout the resort were extremely caring and nothing was too much trouble. All the staff were very child-friendly and clearly enjoyed interactions with all guests making them feel comfortable and at home.

The open plan of the resort’s lobby area is cool, clean and inviting. Bright with orange, yellow colour tones. A positive happy space filled with flowers.

Friday night is seafood night and we made a good decision to join the seafood

barbecue at the Panache restaurant.

The cost is B1,190++ and for this you get an absolutely wonderful array of freshly barbecued seafood and a full buffet with oysters; sushi, sashimi, multiple salads and hot dishes, as well as desserts and ice creams.

The barbecued tiger prawns and rock lobsters were delicious and fresh and cooked perfectly. The outdoor barbecue area had a skilled chef. We thoroughly enjoyed our short visit to Angsana Villas and whilst we may not have fully experienced everything that the area had to offer we would definitely come back.

Andrew J. Wood is a travel writer and a regular university guest lecturer. A long-time resident of Thailand, Andrew is a former hotel general manager and Immediate Past President of Skal International Thailand. Andrew is also a Director of Worldwide Destinations Asia Co Ltd in Bangkok.

22 ISLAND SCENE

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Hospital managers and doctors pose in front of the new building.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

From left: Prasert Srivanitrak, Dr Lalita Kongseeha, Dr Pichit Kangwolkij, Dr Somrit Jantarapratin and Bhummikitti Ruktaengam.

Members of the local media pose with hospital staff in front of the new building.

BANGKOK HOSPITAL PHUKET OFFICIALLY MARKS THE COMPLETION OF SINO-PORTUGUESE FAÇADE From left: Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, Dr Lalita Kongseeha, Piyanoot Hongsyok and Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan.

Newly appointed CEO of Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Dr Pichit Kangwolkij, unveiled the hospital's new Sino-portuguese façade to local media on January 24.

The Centara team wore Chinese-style red silk shirts and dresses for the evening in keeping with the Chinese New Year theme.

CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT PHUKET CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket kicked off the Year of the Rooster in style with a huge buffet dinner for guests. The buffet featured classic Chinese dishes and even a whole suckling pig. There was also a traditional lion dance performance with firecrackers to mark the occasion.

From left: Jason, Nok, Tai and Tiya

AMARI PHUKET VISITS THE CLASS ACT MEDIA OFFICES Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for Amari Phuket, Penprapa “Tai” Chooklin, recently visited the Class Act Media offices to present a gift and wish the team well for 2017.

Centara Grand Executive Assistant Manager Paul Orny feeds a lion.

Centre: Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan, All Seasons Naiharn GM Siwaporn Pornrattanasoron, Grand Mercure Patong GM Sebastien Tronchet and the Talent & Culture Team from AccorHotels in Southern Thailand.

HEARTBREAK HILL MINI-MARATHON SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY The Scholarship Awards Ceremony from fundraising at the 2nd AccorHotels Heartbreak Hill Mini-Marathon 2016 was held on January 24 at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra. Over B400,000 in scholarships were awarded to 200 Phuket students. thephuketnews

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ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Guests pose for a photo during the Chinese New Year party.

TRICIA CAITHNESS HOSTS ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY IN RAWAI Friends and family of local expat Tricia Caithness recently celebrated the start of The Year of the Rooster at Tricia’s annual Chinese New Year Party in Rawai.

GM of The Nai Harn Phuket Frank Grassmann (left) and legendary barman Salim Khuory.

THE NAI HARN HOSTS A SUNSET MIXOLOGY MASTER CLASS The Nai Harn recently hosted a Sunset Mixology Master Class at its Reflections Rooftop Bar on January 24. Legendary barman Salim Khuory conducted the class, passing on his extensive knowledge of mixology to eager students. Chef George Panagiotidis from Greece was also on hand providing canapés to complement the handcrafted drinks.

From left: Kritsanat Udomphakphiphat, Prapa Hemmin, Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan, Anthony Loh and Teerawut Totarat.

LAGUNA PHUKET JOINS PHUKET PROVINCE IN FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS On Friday January 20, Laguna Phuket management representatives presented survival kits worth a total of B180,000 to Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan to be distributed to flood-affected residents across Southern Thailand.

Local students were presented with scholarships

by Phuket ViceGovernor Siwaporn Chuasawad.

THE HEINECKE FOUNDATION GRANTS B600,000 WORTH OF SCHOLARSHIPS The Heinecke Foundation, named after CEO and Chairman of Minor International and owner of Anantara, supports less-fortunate children of all ages throughout Thailand who have outstanding records of academic performance. Each year, the foundation gives scholarships to 449 students.

Governor Chockchai (centre) officially opens the new venue.

Local government and tourism officials also attended the opening.

Flowboarders and friends pose for a photo at the opening.

SURF HOUSE PATONG SOFT OPENING PARTY

Government officals pose for a photo with Surf House investors.

The Surf House Boardriders Group recently launched its latest project at Patong Beach. Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan, gave an opening speech and started the FlowRider surf machine for the first time, expressing his delight about the new Surf House livening up Patong with positive, family friendly activities. @thephuketnews

24 EVENTS

FRI

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3 FEB

SAT

4 FEB

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.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

of the Andaman Sea with complimentary access to the resort swimming pool. Starting from THB 990++ per person. Reservations, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, metzos@outrigger.co.th, 076 360 600.

White: Water: Gala 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!!!

Enhance the lives of poor Thai kids on Phuket. Put on your best white clothes and join the Gala. Funds raised will pay for 1000 Kohler Clarity clean water filters. Features: The Colin illy Hill Band featuring Luisa Scarpa, numerous top restaurant food stalls, fabulous Nok Air ticket door prize, outstanding silent auction prizes. 7pm, Latitude, Laguna, February 4. Tickets: http://www.rotarypatong.org/product/tickets

Sunday Fun Brunch 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.

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar The competition at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong.

See map at www.expathotel.com.

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.

Family Coloured Obstacle Challenge An activity filled afternoon for the whole family in support of Phuket Has Been Good To Us! Have fun with all the family completing a course featuring physical obstacles and brain teasers. Participants receive medals and goody bags! Everyone can enjoy the fantastic carnival atmosphere with food and drink stalls and music from DJ Tank! Sat. 4th February, 3 pm Royal Phuket Marina Adults 500 THB; Children (5-16) 300 THB; <5 KidsMania entrance for 250 THB. Book at 076-278146 or info@phukethasbeengoodtous.org

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet 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.

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.

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

SUN

5 FEB

Friday is Wine & Tapas night at Cape Sienna Hotel Kamala All you can eat Tapas with one bottle of Regular White or Red: Baht 1,490 net per person. Premium White, Red, Rose and Bubbly: Baht 1,790 net per person.

Tapas starts: 19:00 – 22:00. Located Vanilla Sky Bar, Cape Sienna Hotel, Kamala. 076 337 300.

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

Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY 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. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914

Mediterranean Sunday Brunch at Metzo’s Feast to your heart’s content on our Mediterranean menu of mezze and tapas served family style at your table, live cooking station, kids’ corner and dessert buffet. After brunch, why not relax and take in the view

thephuketnews

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MON

EVENTS 25

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

6 FEB

out more about our organization. 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.

TUE

14 FEB

pre save Ticket 1,000 THB. VIP RESERVATION: +66 98.024.6369 | rsvn@illuzionphuket.com

THU

6 MAR

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.

WED

8 FEB

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.

Ride 4 Kids Valentines at Two Chefs Make your Valentine’s Day special at Two Chefs this Feb 14th. Enjoy a spectacular set menu for only 1195 Baht and Live Music by the Two Chefs Band.

Including: AMUSE BOUCHE Prawn Ceviche FIRST COURSE Butter Poached Lobster Salad Fresh Mango, Green Apple And Cherry Tomatoes Bedded On Crisp Greens With A Citrus Dressing MAIN COURSE 8 Hour Braised Australian Beef Foie Gras-Red Wine Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes And Roasted Vegetables Or Pistachio Crusted Salmon Prosecco Cream Sauce, Grilled Asparagus, Confit Tomatoes And Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes DESSERT White Chocolate And Strawberry Panna Cotta www.twochefs.com Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344914.

THU

16 FEB

Hua Hin to Phuket, 835 KMS in 6 Days. 3 charities, 1 mission. Donations accepted at www.ride4kids.co

THU

19 MAR

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay

Supersports 10 Mile International Run Thanyapura Phuket, in cooperation with Supersports, Thailand’s leading sports retailer, will organise the third edition of the Supersports 10 Mile International Run in March 2017, with an expected crowd of over 3,000 runners. This challenging race is open to runners of all ages, featuring four running distances and categories from 500 meters to 10 miles. Register online at thanyapura.com Proudly sponsored by Khao Phuket.

Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. World of Curries @790 THB++, Thai & International Buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++,Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++.

The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. For reservations, email rimtalay@amari.com or call 076 340106-14 #8027

PIWC February Luncheon

The monthly lunch price is 600 baht for members and guests are charged 750 baht per person.

Registration begins at 11:30AM with the lunch service starting at 12:15PM. Lunch RSVP is required, send email to info@piwc-phuket.com All monthly lunch proceeds fund PIWC Scholarship Awards and your support is greatly appreciated.

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.

THU

WED

EVERY DAY

22 FEB

9 FEB

All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam

PIWC Meet & Greet Coffee February

New members are encouraged to join our monthly Meet & Greet Coffee Morning to find

@thephuketnews

STEVE AOKI Live at Illuzion Steve Aoki debuts at ILLUZON Phuket The mostpopular EDM DJ will be spinning an EXCLUSIVE LIVE SET and of course throwing his popular CAKES! WEDNESDAY 22nd FEBRUARY --------------------------Standard

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.

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.

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

26 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What was the street address of Sherlock Holmes?

2. Which antiseptic has the chemical formula H2O2?

3. Nearly how many years did it take Sir Francis Drake to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe (starting in 1580)?

4. Who became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln?

5. How many M&Ms are in a standard pack?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Across Wolfgang 1. Heart 55. Circus performer 5. Lettuce variety 56. Cereal killer 9. Feel blindly 57. Do perfectly 14. Berry 58. Word with ball or 15. Methane’s lack possum 16. Two-time U.S. Open 59. “A merry heart winner ___ good like 17. World’s smallest a medicine”: republic Proverbs 19. About-face 60. Knock dead 20. Neptune, Diana 61. Swing around 22. Sleep . phenomenon Down 23. Title ___ 1. Have a sudden 24. Greet the day inspiration?

28. Birthplaces of fungi 2. U.N. agency 29. Easy mark 3. ___ souci 32. Drive out 4. Proctor’s call 33. Sweeping story 5. ___ patrol 34. Authority 6. Going to the dogs, 35. Bacchus, Ceres e.g.

38. Civic group 7. City on the Rhine 39. Kind of diagram 8. Handbill 40. Indigo-yielding 9. Large body shrubs muscles 41. Lilliputian 10. Assigned a “G,” 42. Chaotic places maybe 43. Sultan of ___ 11. Start of 44. Cord fiber something big?

45. Zealot 12. “Frasier” actress 46. Minerva, Cupid, Gilpin Pluto 13. Coastal raptors 54. U.S. physicist 18. In a flippant

manner 21. Military mission, slangily 24. Moisten 25. Banish 26. Bicycle part 27. Certain column 28. Vaulted recesses 29. Fabric for a doll?

30. Anoint 31. Zoroastrian 33. Spaniards et al.

34. Restaurant handout 36. Leaf opening 37. Famous Stewart 42. Highest point 43. Actively 44. Slave 45. Water wheel 46. Took off on 47. Member of the arum family 48. Extremely popular 49. Bona fide 50. Skiing mecca 51. River in Germany 52. Birthright seller 53. Eye problem

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 221B Baker Street; 2) Hydrogen Peroxide; 3) Three; 4) Andrew Johnson; 5) 30-35

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

February 3, 1971 New York Police Officer Frank Serpico is shot during a drug bust in Brooklyn and survives to later testify against police corruption.

2

in every three fatal hit-and-runs in New York City in 2016 failed to see the perpetrator arrested.

February 4, 1789 George Washington is unanimously elected the first President of the United States by the US Electoral College.

26

February 5, 1958 The “Tybee Bomb” hydrogen bomb is lost by the US Air Force off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, never to be recovered.

per cent of candidates fail job interviews because they fidget too much.

1,000

February 6, 1958 Eight Manchester United F.C. players and 15 other passengers are killed in the Munich air disaster. (The Munich Clock on the South-East corner of Old Trafford.

Photo: PeeJay2K3)

year-old windmills made of clay, straw, and wood are used in Nashtifan, a village in northern Iran, as an energy source.

11,000

pieces of plastic hidden in seafood are eaten by Europeans each year, say researchers.

February 7, 1819 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles leaves Singapore after just taking it over, leaving it in the hands of William Farquhar.

1.7 trillion

US dollars in total are estimated to be contributed to the US economy by LGBT-owned businesses.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

February 8, 1960 The first eight star plaques are installed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Smiles at Rawai Beach Fish Market. Photo by Rick Nuffer Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

February 9, 1996 The Provisional Irish Republican Army declares the end of its 18-month ceasefire and explodes a large bomb in London’s Canary Wharf.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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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

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LOST & FOUND Missing Person

Martin Perter Ingram (son of Roy Percival Ingram). Last known of in Thailand in 2010. Any person with knowledge of the current whereabouts of Mr Ingram is request to contact Title Research in the UK (info@titleresearch. com) or our local agent Spectrum Asia (02 626 0250).

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 3-engine speedboat for sale

3-engine speedboat, Length 13.5 m., width 3.4 m, capacity 45 pax + 3 crew. Front seats. Good condition. Inc. 3 Honda engines. 1600000, Vladimir, 084 182 8685.

Long Tail Boat For Sale

Ready to go “Long Tail Boat” with or Without Captain (Thai) Get special price, please call 085 781 9167 (English) Bangtao Beach, Phuket, B275,000, giorgionaef@aol.com, 085 781 9167.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

MEMBERSHIPS

Life Time Family Membership Looking for investor / partner Boating deal of the year: Blue Canyon: 750,000 THB includes 140,000 transfer fee.

Looking for investor / partnership for Patong beach front 7.5m baht (reduced Loch Palms: 425,000 THB includes 72,000 transfer fee. location to start with Japanese and Indian restaurant. 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.

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

CAR FOR SALE Nissan Juke 2014

Sporty, compact car, one lady owner.

1.6 with 3 drive modes, sport, normal or eco. Keyless push button start, rear view camera, leather interior in red and black. Bluetooth and wifi capable stereo with hands free. Serviced by Nissan. THB600,000 or near offer.

Call 081 270 2180 (ENG).

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.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 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.

Restaurant set up for sale

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. s al

e

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc

A fully equipped restaurant in the highly rgent Auto sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna. U 57,000km.

One owner since new.

Stainless steel kitchen, Wi-Fi, bar counter, Regularly serviced

by Honda. Tax and service area. Ready to go in days. Email: Insurance until the end of June and available now at right jukeboxphuket@gmail.com, 081 090 1608. offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com 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

MEMBERSHIPS

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

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

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.

PETS, BOARDING A pure breed, male Doberman

A pure breed, male Doberman, 4 1/2 years old, from Germany imported parents from a German breeder ( NO backyard dog breeder!!! ) is, due serious medical condition of its owner, available for free. The new owner must have space and time for this highly intelligent dog.

If you never had a dog before, this is not a dog for you.

Serious interested people call: 084 713 3707.

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

32 CLASSIFIEDS

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Buy&Sell

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Condominium for sale

Freehold 32.5 Sq.M. Studio type.

Price 3.6MB. Swimming pool on roof. Absolute Bangla Suites. Bruno, brunomeier1945@hotmail.com

Property for sale

Large building near airport and sea view land near Bang Pae Waterfall for sale or lease. Any reasonable offers accepted. Lana, Lana.phuket@gmail.com, 080 271 6484.

Land near By Pass road

4 Rai 3 Ngan 45.1 Sq.wah (1,945.10 Sq.wah)near Bypass Rd., easy to go to the downtown or Airport. On the main road, suitable for developments such as Townhome, Hotel ect. Sarinthorn, phuket@plus.co.th, 076 681 188 or 084 555 3178.

House for sale

Private pool villa with lovely garden half a rai. Quite and safe area. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom open kitchen. 160 m2 Situated in Ban Pahra. 12 minutes to PIA, Phuket Airport, Nay Yang beach, and Blue Canyon Golf course. 2 min to Mission Hill Golf course. 7.5 million baht, bergsstigen@telia.com, 090 701 4204.

Penthouse for quick sale

265 sqm, sea and mountain view in Kamala. Foreign freehold. Reduced to 9.9mn, fully furnished!! info@ sunny-property.com , 083 105 2707.

Foreign freehold corner unit

76 sqm, sea and mountain view in Patong Tower, Patong. Reduced to 8.8mn.

Special deal with car, info@sunnyproperty.com, 083 105 2707.

Condominium for sale

Foreign Freehold 150 SQM Huge Ground Floor 2 Bed, 2 Bath condo. 150m to Nai Harn Beach. 7.7M THB. Owner, paulover@hotmail.com, 089 875 4173.

House for sale

Rawai Samki 3 with Chonote. 2 Bed, 2 Bath, big living room, 1 storage, 1 laundry. House 160 sqm, land 280 sqm. 3MB. rico9963@hotmail.com, 083 640 9041.

House for sale

Good location in Chalong area. 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, 200 sqm.

House on 800 sqm plot. Including furniture, 084 745 5546.

PoolVilla Mission Heights

PROPERTY FOR SALE New Sea View Villa

Premium villa 8B in the prestiques Sunrise Ocean Villas development is now for sale.

Being built on the highest point in the estate, only 80 meter from the ocean and located 3 mins away from Grand Ao Po Marina, 10 mins from golf course, 20 mins from the airport, shopping centers, schools and hospitals, this villa is a perfect place to live with no traffic, no polution and no mass tourism.

Over 600 Sqm usable building area, 3 bedrooms, guest apartment, maid quater, games room, 10 metre infinity swimming pool, roof terrace and breath taking views. Can be ready to move in within 8 weeks and still can be customized to the wishes of new owner. For sale at only 27.9 mill baht.

For viewing or more information please contact our sales director, Khun Montha on: 081 343 0777 or email: montha_phuket@yahoo.com

Beautiful Land in Rawai For Sale

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.

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

COMMUNITY

villa with salt pool, 330qm 3bed 3.5 bath, 900qm chanote, owner finance, near mission hill golf 2km.

6km PIA, 8km airport 087 060 8400.

16.900.000. picharly@gmail.com

Apartment

1.65mill. 60qm 2bed 2bath + 30qm balcony, liv-kitchen, 3 a/c, quality doors/wind., Dream Village near mission hill golf, tel: 087 383 8709.

Land for sale in Saku - Phuket

1 to 5 Rai. Chanote. 10 min south to the airport. Nice quiet location near Naiyang - Naithon Beach. Fixed price only 2.6Mil Baht per Rai. Kanchana, kanchanajit09@gmail.com, 087 076 6016. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 33

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Buy&Sell

PROPERTY FOR SALE X2 Vibe Phuket Bangtao

Welcoming investor with high yield return 21%. X2 is a privately owned chain of design hotel based out of Thailand 4.59 m. Hot deal Pro, Full Fur, Irene, 139 Soi Cherngtalay 16, Srisoonthron Rd., Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, sales@oceanstone phuket.com, 095 037 8150.

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)

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.

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.

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

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

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 @thephuketnews

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE 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.

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

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.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Karon Beach House for rent

96 sqm. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 40 sqm. living room. Only long lease.

18,000, Narumon, naruchai@gmx.de, 082 576 6162.

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.

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.

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.

PROPERTY FOR RENT 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.

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.

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, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY,FEBRUARY 3, 2017

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

POOL VILLA OVERLOOKING THE ANDAMAN SEA, Kamala 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 1,037 sqm

84,000,000 THB

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 232.8 sqm

This exquisite ocean front property hangs from a cliff edge boasting iconic views of the Andaman Sea. With large indoor and outdoor living spaces featuring grand halls and several common and dining spaces.

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.

TOP FLOOR SPACIOUS APARTMENT, Kamala

IMPRESSIVE SEA VIEW APARTMENT, Ao Po

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 115 sqm

3,200,000 THB

FREEHOLD 3-BED DUPLEX, Bang Tao

9,800,000 THB

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 110 sqm

Surrounded by jungle and a waterfall 100 meters away, this apartment features

Situated in a quiet 32 apartment complex. Large terrace with a spectacular sea view

vaulted ceilings with skylight windows. Wonderful of the common area pool and

with surrounding islands as a calming backdrop. Well-managed estate.

7,500,000 THB

R e Pr duc ic ed e

mountains. Reduced from 4.5m THB to facilitate a quick sale.

LUXURY 3 BEDROOM VILLA WITH DIRECT BEACH ACCESS Bang Tao 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 167 sqm

14,000,000 THB

A luxury beach front estate set around a 20 meter private swimming pool and a large patio with garden view. Also conveniently located near international restaurants and a 5 minute drive to Laem Singh and Surin Beach.

SPACIOUS VILLA WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW, Kathu 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 841 sqm

18,500,000 THB

A 2-story villa with spectacular panoramic view that will give you 841 sqm of generous space amongst lush vegetation.

WELL MAINTAINED POOL VILLA, Nai Harn 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

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

Situated on a lakefront 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

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

PROPERTY 35

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

FREEHOLD CONDO 800M FROM KAMALA BEACH, Kamala

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 99.9 sqm

4,900,000 THB

Refurbished 2-bedroom apartment in walking distance to the beach.

Corner unit maximizing privacy. Good common area facilities with 2 common pools and 2 fitness rooms.

FREEHOLD STUDIO WITH SEA VIEW, Patong Studio, 1 bathroom, 38.4 sqm

Located in Patong with it’s a wide array of local and international eateries. Stunning view over the city and ocean. Excellent common areas facilities.

3,900,000 THB

ed uc e ed ic R Pr

FREEHOLD 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.

LEASEHOLD LAKE VIEW CONDO, LAYAN 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 117 sqm

6,900,000 THB

This leasehold 2-bedroom 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.

2 BEDROOM CONDO 500 METERS FROM THE BEACH, Karon 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 112 sqm

Situated hillside in Karon with beautiful sunset views across the beach. Good common area facilities. Serviced apartments in well managed estate.

12,500,000 THB

AFFORDABLE POOL VILLA, Kamala 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 169 sqm

With stylish interior and large outdoor space, this freehold villa is nestled on a hill surrounded by lush plantations. Less than 5 minutes to the shops and restaurants of Kamala and 15 minutes to Patong.

7,000,000 THB

ue al n t V uri es S B in

FREEHOLD CONDO, Surin

Studio, 1 bathroom, 27 sqm

2,700,000 THB

@thephuketnews

Priced nearly 35 % lower than other units, a motivated seller has 4 units on offer in this newly completed development. Beautiful communal rooftop with gym and views over Bang Tao.

HIGH QUALITY MOUNTAIN VIEW VILLA, Naithon 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 389 sqm

Nestled in the valley between Naithon and Nai Yang Beach, this high quality pool villa has a private pool on a sizeable land plot. Just a few minutes from Phuket International airport.

15,900,000 THB

36 SPORT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Softball picks up pace

Rookies to pros, everyone wants a chance to slide in the ACG SOFTBALL Jared Spindel

M

ona Lisa. T he Scream. The Thinker. The Defence on Display at the Softball Games at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) last Saturday (Jan 28). Which of these four doesn’t belong? Trick question.

They all belong. From rookie backstop Amanda Jo displaying range the size of her native Texas to fellow rookie Reece’s staggering aptitude for the keystone sack, the masterful glove work of most of the 24 men and women that took the field on that day was a paragon of human endeavour.

The exhibition began shortly after midday, following a liberal session of batting practice. Seven gruelling sun and sweat-soaked innings later, with an eight-seven battle behind them, the poor, tired mass of players huddled together in the dugout with a colossal decision at hand.

Would they take perma-

Was he in or run out? No matter, those in attendance certainly enjoyed the softball at the ACG. Photo: Michael Way nent refuge at the bar and call it a day? Or would they yearn for more softball?

It was more softball, for which they yearned. And so, last Saturday, the most beautiful word in the softball lexicon, doubleheader, landed in Phuket.

The second game saw

Slammin’ Sammy Wagner captain his Phuket Cubs against Chris Moliviatis and his Upstate New York Steamed Hams. The Steamed Hams raced out to an early lead, and headed into the 4th inning of the seven-inning game with a 6-1 advantage.

A blowout was emerging,

thought the Steamed Hams.

The Cubs, however, refused to go silently. The Cubs’ defence entered lockdown mode, and no more Steamed Hams would score for the remainder of the game. The only question was whether the Cubs would be able to score enough runs to overcome the deficit.

The Cubs’ bats came alive in the last 4 innings, with Michael Haskell, Nick Carter, Casey Kilbane and the presumably Irish Paddy leading the way, and the Cubs scored seven unanswered runs to win the game, 8-6.

Aiding in the Cubs’ comeback were two uncharacteris-

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1618 Saturday February 4 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Jaws, Baldylocks, Shirley, Ya Bah (VH), VH Location: Chalong, Chao Fa West Rd - Soi Annussorn 200 Pee Rd - Top of the hill Directions: From the south, go through the lights at Thanon Kwang and turn left after 200 metres onto Annusorn 200 Pee Rd.( See also Korean BBQ sign ). Head straight up the hill (and down a little bit) for 2.5 kilometres and laager will be on the right on the grassy areas.

HHH truck and Hash bus will be sign posted.

Coming from the north, head south through Central intersection along Chao Fa West Rd until the Thanon Kwang traffic lights. Make a U-turn at the lights and turn left in 200m

tic misplays by experienced players, Campbell and Spindel. Campbell was unable to field an easily reachable groundball hit just a few feet away from him at second base, while Spindel had a fly ball pop out of his glove in centre field.

“Sor r y I did n’t catch the fly. I was distracted by my grief over the spiralling global toll attributable to the American public’s continuing neglect of its duty to be vigilant in safeguarding its democracy,” said a visibly glum Spindel after the game.

The next game is tomorrow (Feb 4) at noon at the ACG. Players are encouraged to show up at 11:30 to warm up and take batting practice.

Everyone is welcome to play and equipment is not needed.

It’s B100 per player, all of which goes to the ACG to help maintain the field.

For more information, click “like” on the Phuket Softball Facebook page and RSVP at the Event Page for this week’s game.

Week 1 Under 7s 1 2 3 4 5

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Dragon Juniors

2

2

0

0

12

0

12

PTS 6

M’Den

2

2

0

0

10

0

10

6

Lui Juniors

2

1

0

1

3

5

-2

3

Blue Stars

2

0

0

2

0

9

-9

0

Blue Diamonds

2

0

0

2

0

11

-11

0

Under 9s at the HHH sign onto Annusorn 200 Pee Rd. Follow as above. Coordinates N. 7.880843 E. 98.350440 Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

1 2 3 4 5

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

M’Den

2

2

0

0

5

1

4

PTS 6

Cherngtalay F.C.

2

2

0

0

3

0

3

6

Plaifon F.C.

2

1

0

1

4

2

2

3

Blue Diamonds

2

0

0

2

0

4

-4

0

Blue Stars

2

0

0

2

0

5

-5

0

Under 11s 1 2 3 4 5

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Blue Diamonds

2

2

0

0

6

2

4

PTS 6

Blue Stars

2

2

0

0

7

4

3

6

M.J. Academy

2

1

0

1

4

4

0

3

Cherngtalay F.C.

2

0

0

2

3

6

-3

0

Seven Kanya F.C.

2

0

0

2

2

6

-4

0

F

PTS

Under 13s 1 2 3 4 5

Team

P

W

D

L

A

GD

Dragon Juniors

3

3

0

0

5

0

5

9

Karon F.C.

3

2

0

1

8

1

7

6

Blue Diamonds Watsuwan Kiriwong School

2

1

0

1

2

3

-1

3

2

0

0

2

0

4

-4

0

Blue Stars

2

0

0

2

0

7

-7

0

Team

P

W

D

L

A

GD

Dragon Juniors

2

2

0

0

3

1

2

6

Blue Diamonds

2

2

0

0

2

0

2

6

Karon F.C. Watsuwan Kiriwong School

2

1

0

1

3

2

1

3

2

0

0

2

0

2

-2

0

Blue Stars

2

0

0

2

2

5

-3

0

Under 15s 1 2 3 4 5

F

PTS

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

SPORT 37

student scores 4 top Laguna Phuket Marathon BISP 10 results in Italian Alps set for over 7,000 runners SKIING

MARATHON

More than 7,000 athletes from over 40 countries are expected at the 12th edition of the Laguna Phuket Marathon.

The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

M

ore than 7,000 athletes from around the world are heading to Phuket this June to “Run Paradise” at the 2017 Laguna Phuket Marathon.

Having put Phuket on the map as a world-class sports tourism destination, the Laguna Phuket Marathon has grown to become the leading destination marathon in Southeast Asia and will take place June 3-4, hosted by the multi award-winning integrated destination resort Laguna Phuket.

With a reputation that spans the globe, the Laguna Phuket Marathon attracts runners from more than 40 countries and has become the “must run” destination marathon in the region.

“2017 will be the 12th edition of the Laguna Phuket Marathon and it continues to go from strength-to-strength. The beautiful course, beachfront location of Laguna Phuket and its onsite resorts and facilities appeals to a diverse

@thephuketnews

demographic – from families and first-timers to experienced runners,” said Mr Roman Floesser, General Manager of the event’s organiser, Go Adventure Asia.

The Laguna Phuket Marathon offers five distances: the 2 kilometre Kids Run, 5km Run and 10.5km Run take place on Saturday June 3 in the afternoon while the Half Marathon (21.097km) and Marathon (42.195km) take place Sunday morning (Jun 4).

“This sunset to sunrise

concept of splitting the distances over two days was introduced last year, and was well received. It allows us to accept more runners and provide a safe and enjoyable race experience for all participants,” added Floesser.

Sanctioned by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, the race is organised by leading sports management company Go Adventure Asia with professional timing and results by Sportstats Asia, ensuring the highest of

international standards.

Early Bird rates for the 2017 Laguna Phuket Marathon are available until February 28.

Don’t miss out on discounts of up to 22%.

To secure your registration visit the website: phuketmarathon.com/registration.

For more information, visit phuketmarathon.com or facebook.com/phuketmarathon.

Khao Phuket is proud media sponsor of this event.

BRITISH INTERNATIONal School Phuket Year 10 student Justin Reid was back racing slalom and giant slalom in the Anglo-Scottish Cup and British Ski Academy Championships, sponsored

by Artemis, in the Italian Alps last month.

Justin was one of only three top 10 skiers in the U16 Boys category to complete all eight runs in two Giant Slalom and two Slalom races and ranked 7th/8th in every race.

This is a great come back after having missed all last winter due to a broken femur which Reid suffered in Dec 2015.

Reid is also the only top

Justin Reid seen here in action in the Italian Alps last month.

10 competitor not to live in an Alpine country during the winter.

Furthermore, he has been a member of the English School’s National Ski Teams since age 10 and skiing since he was three years old. He trains in France and Italy.

Outstanding Student:

Congratulations to British International School Phuket student and Swim Academy member, Ravipon “Est” Sangaworawong, who was recently selected as Outstanding Student Increasing the Reputation of Thailand’s Youth by the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand on the occasion of Children’s Day (Jan 11).

38 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Ting Tong win big, close gap on PPL leaders 1Bar POOL IN WEEK SEVEN OF THE Patong Pool League, played last Thursday (Jan 26), Ting Tong Bar picked up a big 10-1 victory at home over Champs Bar, and as league leaders 1Bar only managed a narrow 4-7 win away to San Sabai Sports Bar, Ting Tong are now only six points behind them in the league standings.

Another big win was recorded in last week’s action and that was in the game between Dirty Nellies and Happy End Bar. A 9-2 win for Dirty Nellies saw them move up one place to 4th in the league table, and now just two points behind 3rd placed Cool Hand Lukes who walked away with a 4-7 away win against Martin Swiss Guesthouse. The loss to Dirty Nellies also means that Happy End Bar still sit bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, Green Mango picked up their first big win of the season beating Simon and Oils 3-8 away from home.

That result moved Green Mango up one place to 10th in the league standings while

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

German Zäck takes Phuket Classic 2017 cycling title CYCLING Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

P u y f r o m We t Dreams Sports Bar. Simon and Oils dropped two places to be joint bottom with Happy End Bar. Elsewhere, Wet Dreams Bar had a close 5-6 home defeat to newcomers Queen of Hearts Bar. Finally, Caddyshack lost at home 5-6 to Genius Bar also dropping them down one place in the table leaving them in 7th.

League Standings 1Bar Ting Tong Cool Hand Lukes Dirty Nellies Genius Wet Dreams Queen of Hearts Caddyshack Martin Swiss San Sabai Green Mango Champs Bar Simon & Oils Happy End Bar

58 52 46 44 44 40 xx 38 36 31 29 28 27 27

J

ürgen Zäck from Germany took 1st place in the Male Open Category of the Phuket Classic 106 kilometre cycling race held on Sunday (Jan 29) crossing the finish line in a time of 2:34:54.8.

However, it was only six seconds that separated Zack from 2nd placed Pichet Puengrang from Thailand who came in with a time of 2:35:00.6. Third place went to Aleksandr Dorovskikh who finished the gruelling race in 2:35:02.7.

Close to 300 cyclists from across the globe participated in the 3rd Thanyapura Phuket Classic Cycling competition in two distances: the 45km and the advanced 106km.

The race, launched and organised by Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort, consisted of routes along North Phuket’s lush jungles, mountains, scenic roads, and exotic coastlines.

The race started from Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and turned at two loca-

Close to 300 cyclists took part in this year’s Phuket Classic Cycling Race 2017. tions: Sarasin Bridge for the 45km ride and Masjid Ban Nai Yong in Phang Nga for the 106km.

Speaking after the race, Zack said, “I didn’t expect anything when I entered the race because there were a lot of good athletes. I was just happy to be in the breakaway group and enjoyed the scenery.

“I t h i n k T ha nyapu ra picked the best race course possible to Phang Nga and I will certainly be coming back to race next year.”

In the Female Open Cat-

egory it was Eimear Mullan of Ireland who took 1st place completing the course in 2:43:04.0. Mullan was just one second ahead of 2nd placed Boyer Moulin from France (2:43:05.2), and just three seconds ahead of 3rd placed Dimity-Lee Duke from Australia (2:43:16.2).

“I’m really happy to have won the race at Thanyapura.

It’s my first race since the end of 2015 because I was recovering from an injury. Things are progressing, and I’m getting a little bit better. I’ll be ready

for some triathlons later on in the season,” said Mullan.

Meanwhile, it was Elle Brooks of Australia who took the tile in the MinClassic 45km race in a time of 1:11:42.2.

“I felt pretty strong, it was hard, it felt very different from a triathlon race with the drafting. It was really good, I loved the race, the staff, and I felt very strong. I’ve only had this bike for about five weeks now, so I’m new to the bike but I’m really enjoying it,” she said.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM MONTHLY SPONSOR

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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 January 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O'Tools in Karon.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

toptipster 23 zestrealestate 22 YanuiPla 21 aquamarine 20 Sidwell Guduka 20

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Sidwell Guduka 131 The Red Card Gang 131 carst 129 scottkip 128 zestrealestate 128

English Premier League 2016 - 2017 Team

MP W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Chelsea

23

18

2

3

48

16

32

56

2

Tottenham Hotspur

23

13

8

2

45

16

29

47

3

Arsenal

23

14

5

4

51

25

26

47

4

Liverpool

23

13

7

3

52

28

24

46 43

5

Manchester City

22

13

4

5

43

28

15

From left: Sergio Parisse of Italy, Rory Best of Ireland, Greig Laidlaw of Scotland, Dylan Hartley of England, Guilhem Guirado of France and Alun Wyn Jones of Wales pose with the Six Nations trophy. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP

6

Manchester United

22

11

8

3

33

21

12

41

7

Everton

22

10

6

6

33

23

10

36

Spiralling injury list to test England’s depth

8

West Brom

23

9

6

8

31

29

2

33

9

Burnley

23

9

2

12

25

33

-8

29

10

Stoke City

22

7

7

8

28

34

-6

28

11

West Ham United

22

8

4

10

29

36

-7

28

12

Southampton

23

7

6

10

23

28

-5

27

13

Watford

23

7

6

10

27

39

-12

27

14

Bournemouth

23

7

5

11

32

41

-9

26

15

Middlesbrough

23

4

9

10

19

26

-7

21

16

Leicester City

23

5

6

12

24

38

-14

21

17

Swansea City

23

6

3

14

28

52

-24

21

18

Crystal Palace

23

5

4

14

32

41

-9

19

19

Sunderland

23

4

4

15

20

42

-22

16

20

Hull City

22

4

4

14

20

47

-27

16

Continued from page 40 ...New Zealand will also provide a target of a different sort as it is the destination for the British and Irish Lions tour in June, with the combined side seeking just a second series win over the All Blacks to follow their celebrated 1971 triumph.

“It’s one of the greatest things in world rugby, a Lions tour,” said Jones. “It’s something we’ve got to hold dear.

“But the players have got to understand it’s a consequence of playing well for England.

If they play well for England they’re going to get selected for the Lions.”

With England missing former captain Chris Robshaw and powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi for the whole of the Six

Nations, while nursing injury doubts over back-rows Billy Vunipola and James Haskell, as well as wing Anthony Watson, their strength in depth will be tested.

Indeed predictions of a winner take-all Grand Slam decider between England and Ireland could well have fallen flat by the time the teams meet in Dublin in the final round of the Six Nations on March 18.

Ireland deser ve their billing as second favourites, however, after ending New Zealand’s record-breaking run with a stunning maiden win over the All Blacks in Chicago in November that also bolstered the Lions’ self-belief.

But Joe Schmidt, Ireland’s Kiwi coach, has tried to keep expectations in check.

Date

Time

Match

Stadium

Sun Feb 12

4pm

Sungaipadee FC vs Phuket FC

Maharat Stadium

Sat Feb 25

6pm

Phuket FC vs Yala United

Surakul Stadium

Sat Mar 4

4:15pm

Pattani FC vs Phuket FC

Central Stadium

Sat Mar 18

6pm

Phuket FC vs Chumpon FC

Surakul Stadium

Sun Mar 26

4pm

Satun United vs Phuket FC

Satun OrBorJor Stadium

Sun Apr 2

5pm

Hat Yai FC Vs Phuket FC

Souuthern Lak Muang Stadium

Sun Apr 9

6pm

Phuket FC vs Surat Thani FC

Surakul Stadium

Sun Apr 23

6pm

Phatthalung FC vs Phuket FC

Patthalung OrBorJor Stadium

Sun Apr 30

6pm

Phuket FC vs Sungaipadee FC

Surakul Stadium

Sat May 6

4pm

Yala United vs Phuket FC

Yala Municipality Stadium

Sat May 13

6pm

Phuket FC vs Pattani FC

Surakul Stadium

@thephuketnews

“A top-two finish would be great,” he said. “It’s hard to say anything beyond that, because I think this Six Nations will be the most competitive I’ll have been involved in.”

Wales have a new captain in Alun Wyn Jones, while Scotland and Italy promise to be increasingly difficult to beat.

As for France, the last side to win consecutive Grand Slams back in 1998, they showed enough encouraging signs in defeats by Australia and New Zealand in November to give their supporters hope.

This Six Nations will see bonus points trialled for the first time and the effect of World Rugby’s crackdown on high tackling is also set to be on show.

Yet what excites Jones most is the quality of the teams involved – a far cry from the gloom that enveloped the northern hemisphere game after a 2015 World Cup in England where no European

side reached the semi-finals.

“Look at the form of the contestants, it’s very positive, bubbling isn’t it?,” said Jones.

“Ireland turned world rugby upside down; they come in in good fettle, a well-coached confident group of players.”

He added, “Scotland have been promising to beat a big side for a long time, they should have beaten Australia in November; Italy under Conor O’Shea beat South Africa, a fantastic achievement. Brendan Venter is on board as the defence coach, the defence will improve measurably.

“Wales – Rob Howley has got a chance of being head coach so he’s going to take them forward. France should have beaten Australia; take the intercept out and they’d have beaten New Zealand.

‘They’ve got a big physical pack, big back line, two Fijian wingers, big South African fullback – a big physical team that know how they want to play.”

Premier League Prediction Competition scores and league table correct at time of going to press.

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT

START STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Saturday February 4 Rugby Union Rugby Union

Soccer

Cricket

11:00

17:30

HSBC Sevens

Sydney, Day 1 Scotland v. Ireland

21:30

23:30

6 Nations

23:50

01:50

6 Nations

England v. France

19:30

21:30

EPL

Chelsea v. Arsenal

22:00

00:00

EPL

Hull v. Liverpool

00:25

02:20

EPL

Tottenham v. Middlesbrough

22:00

00:00

EPL

Southampton v. West Ham

22:00

00:00

EPL

Everton v. Bournemouth

22:00

00:00

EPL

Crystal Palace v. Sunderland

18:20

02:00

ODI 3 - Johannesburg

South Africa v. Sri Lanka

Sunday February 5 Rugby Union

11:00

17:30

HSBC Sevens

Sydney, Day 2

Soccer

20:30

22:30

EPL

Man City v. Swansea

23:00

01:00

EPL

Leicester v. Man United

21:00

23:00

6 Nations

Italy v. Wales

10:00

Super Bowl No.: 51

NE Patriots v. Atlanta Falcons

Rugby Union

Monday February 6 NFL

05:00

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

7,000 runners are expected to Run Paradise > page 37

SIX NATIONS KICK OFF

England look to win back-to-back Grand Slams RUGBY UNION AFP

E

ngland will look to become only the sixth team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in what is now the Six Nations when

this season’s Championship gets underway tomorrow (Feb 4).

Their opening match against France at Twickenham tomorrow will see England bidding to extend their 14-match winning streak, with 13 of those victories under coach Eddie Jones since the Australian’s

appointment following a first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup. Another perfect Six Nations season would see England surpass world champions New Zealand’s record of 18 successive top-tier Test wins.

Continued page 39

England’s centre Owen Farrell prepares to kick the ball during the Six Nations international rugby union match between France and England last year. Photo: 2016. Photo: Thomas Samson/AFP

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