03-03-2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com Friday, March 3 – Thursday, March 9, 2017

Since 2011 / Volume VII / No. 9

AUSSIE JET-SKI CRASH TRIAL BROUGHT FORWARD > PAGE 5

THEY’RE BACK!

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NEWS

PAGE 3

Huge support for nightlife late trading

LIFE

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Buying the farm for better food

Sun loungers returned to Patong Beach on Monday (Feb 27), with permission from the Royal Thai Army.

Photo: Thanakron Sa-nguanwong

SUN LOUNGERS BACK ON THE BEACHES Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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mid a flood of support from tourists praising the move, sun loungers returned to Patong Beach on Monday and are to return to Kata Beach today (Mar 3) – and will be allowed back onto all nine Phuket beaches with “10% vendor zones” at a later date, Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan has confirmed.

However, the loungers must remain inside the 10% zones, Gov Chockchai warned.

“For now the sun loungers are allowed back on the beaches. There are no changes to any of the other beach rules – for example alcohol and food vendors must remain inside the 10% zones,” he added.

Gov Chockchai asserted that the return of the sun loungers was a “trial”, but gave no hint as to any deadline for the trial to come to an end.

He also claimed that the return of the sun loungers came with his approval, though attempts by Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebup to bring the beach chairs back were shot down at every turn late last year and as recently as early January.

The sun loungers were allowed back onto Patong Beach on Monday (Feb 27) only after Maj Gen Pornsak Poonsawat, Deputy Commander of Royal Thai Army Region 4, the military unit responsible for all of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Southern Thailand, gave his direct consent in person on the beach without any provincial officials present.

“I permitted this trial in Phuket.

The sun loungers is only a trail.

This week, sun loungers have been approved for two of nine beaches in Phuket,” Gov Chockchai told The Phuket News on Wednesday (Mar 1).

“This approval has come from the Phuket provincial (beach management) committee that I assigned Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawad to chair...

SPORT

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Return of The Casey – softball just gets better

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Army allows the beach chairs back Continued from page 1 …Maj Gen Pornsak has joined this committee, and Maj Gen Pornsak will join the inspection at Kata Beach this Friday (Mar 3),” he said.

Asked to clarify how long the trial would be, Gov Chockchai said, “We are still assessing that.”

Of note, shortly after he arrived in Phuket, Gov Chockchai on Oct 17 last year called for all vendors, umbrellas and beach chairs to be cleared from all Phuket beaches.

“Actually no laws allows 10% zones on beaches,” he said at the time.

“Also, it appears that we still have issues with the umbrella and beach chair mafias. There will be no more mafias. It is my duty to work out who will manage Phuket’s beaches, but I can assure you it will not be mafias and they will be run in accordance with the law,” he added.

Wanchai Saetan, Public Works Chief at Karon Municipality, welcomed the return of the sun loungers at Kata Beach.

“This trial is in response to tourism needs,” he told The Phuket News. “I am redrafting the 10% zones at Kata and Karon beaches to be horizontal areas (along the beach). If this is approved the sun loungers will be back on Karon Beach too.

“There are 73 umbrellas and 146 beach chairs in each

10% zone at Kata Beach, but the sun loungers must stay inside 10% zones only,” Mr Wanchai explained.

“I don’t know how long this will be allowed, we must see what happens on Friday,” he added.

Mr Wanchai also noted, “Right now Karon Municipality does not own any sun loungers or directly operate any rental of them, but in the future we will have our own.”

However, Mr Wanchai did not elaborate on whether the municipality would provide them freely for tourists or rent them out directly themselves – or rent them out en masse to beach chair rental operators under a concession.

Police in 2014 revealed to the public the illegal beach sunbed industry on Phuket and details of the cases they had built against Karon Mayor T hawee Thongchaem, who surrendered to police on June 4 that year to answer to a variety of corruption and ‘”mafia taxi” charges.

Central to the investigation was how officials offered dozens of government “concession” contracts to allow vendors to work on Kata and Karon beaches, with contracts totalling billions of baht.

None of the Karon officials called have yet stood trial for the charges against them.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

BBC journalist fights defamation over Phuket fraud report > page 6

Asleep, but legal

Moonlighting taxi driver cleared as licensed Yutthawat Lekmak reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

O

fficials have confirmed that the driver of a Phuket taxi who fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the pillar of a pedestrian footbridge on Thepkrasattri Rd last week, injuring himself and his two Chinese tourist passengers, was not the registered owner of the vehicle but was legally driving the vehicle.

Lt Sunan Petchnoo of the Thalang Police was informed of the accident, in front of Muang Thalang School on Thepkrasattri Rd northbound, at 4am on Monday, Feb 20.

Police arrived at the scene with Kusoldhar m rescue workers to find a gold-coloured “green-plate*” Toyota Altis taxi smashed into the base of a footbridge pillar.

Three injured people were still at the scene when police arrived. They were named as taxi driver Theerapol Seewan, 31, from Prachinburi, and his two passengers, Chinese tourists Mr Ruan Huiqiang, 22, who had suffered injures to his chest and Miss Ying Leyan, 22, who suffered injuries to her head.

All three were taken to Thalang Hospital for treatment.

However, the driver named in the police report, Mr Theerapol, was not the same person named on the registered taxi, as required by law.

The name on the taxi was Tammarong Chuwyoaksr.

Taxi driver Theerapol Seewan, 31, slammed into the footbridge pillar after falling asleep at the wheel. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub As per laws introduced in 2012, the name of the registered owner of the vehicle must be shown on the vehicle.

The name must be shown along with the complaints hotline number 1584.

“The registered owner of the taxi should not lend the vehicle to other people unless the other driver has a Type 4 Driver’s Licence.

This is because if they do not have a Type 4 licence any insurance on that vehicle will be invalid,” Chutinan Jindachoue, chief of the Driv-

ing Licence Department at the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), explained to The Phuket News.

“However, it is fine for the registered owner to lend the car to someone with the necessary Type 4 licence,” she added.

“Having brought this to our attention, we have checked the details of Mr Theerapol’s driver’s licence and we confirm that it is Type 4,” Ms Chutinan added.

Meanwhile, Lt Sunan of the Thalang Police confirmed

to The Phuket News that the insurance on the vehicle covered all medical costs incurred

by Mr Ruan and Miss Ying.

“The insurance on the vehicle has covered the treatment costs of Mr Theerapol and the two passengers he was carrying at the time of the accident,” he said.

Lt Sunan also confirmed that Mr Theerapol had been charged with reckless driving causing injury. *A registered commercial passenger vehicle.

Thief robs room while Chinese tourist couple still sleep

Zhang Min, 24, explains how her handbag was found on a ledge beside the hotel-room balcony, located on the resort’s first floor.

POLICE ARE ON THE HUNT for a cat burglar who entered a first-f loor Phuket resort room while a Chinese tourist couple were still sleeping and stole cash and valuables in the early hours of last Sunday morning (Feb 26).

Thalang Police were notified of the break-in, at Supalai Pasak Resort & Spa in Pa Khlok, on Phuket’s east coast, at 10:30am last Sunday.

Officers led by investigator Lt Phetthon Changaid arrived and found the balcony door had been forced open.

Zhang Min, 24, told police that

she and her partner, Lai Gang, 28, went out to Patong at about 11pm and returned to their room at about 1am.

The couple, both from Sichuan, went to sleep and woke the next morning to find a friend staying next door telling them that a bag was on the ledge between the balconies to the two rooms.

A quick check confirmed it was Ms Zhang’s handbag, missing from where it was left on a desk in the room.

The couple reported a watch and Ms Zhang’s purse containing B800 and 1,650 yuan (more than

B8,300), were missing, Lt Phetthon noted in his report.

“We believe this burglar is professional as he chose to rob the room while the couple were still sleeping,” he said.

“Also, we believe the thief approached from the beach side, and that he was familiar with the area,” Lt Phetthon said.

“We have checked the room for evidence and will also check CCTV footage from the area,” he added.

Management at Supalai Pasak Resort & Spa have so since declined to comment.

Eakkapop Thongtub

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Let Patong party all night, says poll

PHUKET NEWS

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The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ore than 75% of respondents to an online poll have called for late trading for bars and nightclubs along Bangla Rd in Patong and more than half of the respondents overall called for late-trading entertainment zones in other areas of Phuket.

The overwhelming call from the public to allow nightlife late trading follows a crackdown early last month that saw scores of revellers in Phuket’s party town kicked out onto the tourist-flooded streets one night, and then bars and nightclubs along Bangla Rd deserted the next.

The raids enforced the current law that bars must close at midnight and nightclubs must close at 1am. These closing times are for venues inside Patong’s “entertainment zone”, which comprises Bangla Rd and extends 50 metres on either side thereof.

Venues elsewhere, depending on their entertainment licence, are supposed to close earlier.

However, just two days later, more than 20 Patong nightlife venue operators filed a petition addressed to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha to extend the closing times for bars and clubs in Patong, and Phuket Governor Chock-

Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park chief Sarayut Tantien (left). Photo: Noppharat TharaMu Ko Phi Phi National Park Facebook

Phi Phi park chief applies for transfer

Respondents to the poll overwhelmingly voted for people to have the right to party in Patong, and elsewhere in selected areas across Phuket, until late. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot chai Dejamornthan made that request official with support from the Phuket Provincial Office.

Gov Chockchai confirmed last week that he has also asked for permission to allow 4am closing on Taina Rd in Karon, home to the only other official “entertainment zone” on the island.

To all this The Phuket News asked readers the simple question, “Should Patong night venues stay open later?”

Hunt continues for wife-burning suspect POLICE ARE CONTINUing their hunt for Somkuan Jongsuk, 50, the ex-husband of a kindergarten cleaner he set on fire in a jealously-fuelled attack last Monday (Feb 20).

Rungruedee Sithibut, a 43-year-old cleaner at Thepkrasattri Municipality Kindergarten in Thalang, suffered burns to her left arm, left shoulder and back. She was taken to Thalang Hospital after the attack at about midday.

Attempts to contact investigating officer Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police this week failed, butThalang Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Anukul Nuket confirmed that Somkuan was still on the run.

“We are still looking for him. We believe he is still in Phuket,” he said.

Asked what charges Som@thephuketnews

The hunt is continuing for 50-year-old Somkuan Jongsuk. Photo: Thalang Police kuan is likely to face once apprehended, Lt Col Anukul said, “At present he will be charged with spousal abuse, however, that charge could change once we receive Ms Rungruedee’s medical report, which shouldn’t take more than 15 days.

“If we find that her injuries are more serious than first believed then we add the charge of aggravated assault,” he said.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

A solid 25% of respondents voted “Yes – but only in the entertainment zone” – but a further 51% voted “Yes – and entertainment zones should be set up in other popular tourist areas”.

Only 18% of respondents voted “No – the current closing times are good enough”, while just 6% of respondents voted “Don’t care – the closing times for bars and nightclubs do not affect my activities/ holiday in Patong”.

Of note, of those who took part in the poll 41% of respondents identified themselves as “Foreign visitors to Phuket”, while 36% identified themselves as “Local expatriate residents”.

Only 23% of respondents identified themselves as Thai nationals.

For the full poll results, visit ThePhuketNews.com and select “Poll” from the “News” menu.

T H E CH I EF OF H AT Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park has requested a transfer after a protest by boat operators against the high entry fees levied on foreign tourists.

Sarayut Tantien cited health reasons for his desire to move to another post, reported the Bangkok Post last Thursday (Feb 23).

The request came after boat operators blocked the entrance to the pier for Phi Phi park sites on Feb 21-22, demanding fees for foreign adults to be slashed by half, from B400 to B200.

Under the system of double-tier pricing, Thais are charged B40 and their children B20.

Mr Sarayut, who has run the park since June 2015, said his health is deteriorating and he needs to make frequent visits to doctors.

Boat operators complained business is falling

because many foreign visitors now consider the difference in entry fees is excessive.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine scientist at Kasetsart University who helped Mr Sarayut develop the park in Krabi, east of Phuket, questioned the stated motive for the rally.

He claimed more tourists are visiting Noppharat Thara Beach and the Phi Phi islands, and the park has increasingly cashed in on entrance fees.

“If the problem is about park fees, it would have occurred years ago. Not now,” he posted on Facebook.

Tunya Netithammakul, Director-General of Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (DNP) on Tuesday (Feb 28) re-affirmed that the Phi Phi park entry fees will remain unchanged, reported Thai PBS. The Phuket News

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

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A 62-Y E A R- O L D BUS driver suffered minor injuries after it was struck by an outof-control six-wheeled truck on Monday (Feb 27).

There were no passengers on board when the accident occurred.

Capt Eakkarat Chartphai from the Wichit Police was informed of the accident, at the Muang Thong Junction on Sakdidet Rd, at 2:30pm.

“When we arrived, the driver was still trapped inside the vehicle. Rescue workers took 20 minutes to get him out using the ‘jaws of life’,” he said.

“The driver, Saman Phansri, suffered only minor injuries and was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Locals powerless after cement lorry snags cables Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he hopper of a cement lorry got caught in electricity cables in Rawai on Monday (Feb 27), bringing down two pylons and leaving a pickup truck damaged and local residents without power for six hours.

Chalong Police were informed of an incident on Soi Samakee, off Saiyuan Rd, in Rawai on Monday afternoon.

Lt Col Khanan Somrak of the Chalong Police together with Supphawat Khunnaluk, a committee member from Chalong Municipality, and officials from the Chalong Provincial Electricity Authority office arrived at the scene to find a cement truck stopped in the middle of the road with a large bundle of cables caught around its hopper at the rear of the vehicle.

Two electricity pylons had been pulled down as a result of the accident and a pickup truck had sustained

The driver of the cement lorry didn’t stop even though he knew cables had got caught on his vehicle. slight damage after one of the pylons fell on top of it.

The drivers of the lorry and pickup where at the scene waiting for police to arrive.

“The driver of the cement truck, Manote Sorsakun, 51, told us that he was driving down the soi and got the hopper caught in overhead cables.

“He continued to drive causing two pylons to fall.

One of the pylons fell on a

parked pickup truck,” explained Col Khanan.

Gonjanart Phithakwongsorn, 41, the driver of the pickup truck, added, “I had parked at the roadside and was sitting in the truck when I heard a load noise. I looked out of the window but didn’t see anything. Suddenly an electricity pylon fell onto my truck so I immediately got out of the truck and ran.”

A n of f icial f rom t he

Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority confirmed that electricity in the nearby area had to be cut while repairs to the pylons and cables were carried out and that nearby properties were without power for six hours.

Mr Manote and Mr Gonjanart were both taken to Chalong Police Station where it was being discussed who would be responsible for the costs of the repairs.

Brit man, 60, hits head Frenchman moved to Bangkok ICU in fall, dies on boat tour A N 18 -Y E A R - O L D French tourist injured in an accident in Krabi that left a mother, daughter and taxi driver dead has been transferred to a hospital in Bangkok to be treated for a brain haemorrhage.

Betrice Brigitte Bureau, 55, and her daughter Victoria, 18, were pronounced dead at the scene after the SUV they were travelling in was slammed head-on by an out-of-control 10-wheeled truck on Phetkasem Rd in Nuea Khlong, south of Krabi Town, on Feb 15.

The 18-year-old and Alain Nicoles Bureau, 52, – Mrs Bureau’s husband and Victoria’s father – were left in critical condition.

Mr Viallet, who suffered serious injuries in the crash, was transferred to Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok on Feb 19, confirmed Lt Col Piroat Chanachai of the Nuea Khlong Police.

Tourist Julien Remy Viallet has been transferred to hospital in Bangkok. Photo: Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue “He is being treated in the hospital’s ICU for a brain haemorrhage,” he said.

Col Piroat also confirmed that Mr Bureau, who was not as seriously injured as first believed, had been released from hospital and returned to France on Feb 20.

“The bodies of Mrs Bureau and her daughter have also been returned to France,” he said, adding that the driver of the 10-wheel truck, Boonlit Sangsaen, 26, has also been released from the hospital.

“Mr Boonlit was released from Krabi Hospital and

came to Nuea Khlong Police Station on Monday (Feb 20),” Col Piroat said.

“He was told that he is charged with reckless driving causing death and injury.

“However, he will not go to court until all the documents from Nuea Khlong Police Station have been sent to the Public Prosecutor, who will draft an indictment to the court and then the court will call Mr Boonlit to attend trial.

“But that will take at least one week to two weeks,” Col Piroat added.

Yutthawat Lekmak

A 60-YEAR-OLD BR ITish man died after falling and hitting his head on a yacht during a visit to Koh Racha Yai last Sunday (Feb 26).

A medical rescue team from a hotel on Koh Racha Yai was notified of the incident that afternoon, informing them that a tourist had fallen down on a yacht and knocked his head, leaving him unconscious.

The rescue team arrived at the boat to find a 60-year-old British national Graham Mark Webb in cardiac arrest.

They administered CPR and contacted the Naval Air Section of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command and requested a helicopter be sent to the area to assist in transporting the man to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

However, the medical team pronounced Mr Webb was dead before the helicopter arrived.

His body was returned to Phuket by boat and transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Rescue workers attend to Mr Webb on the yacht.

Friends of the deceased told police that there were 10 people staying at a hotel on Koh Racha and late that morning they took a yacht trip to Plub Pla Bay for snorkelling.

The group, including the deceased, went snorkelling and the deceased then returned to the boat where he complained of feeling dizzy. He then passed out, knocked his head and fell unconscious so the medical team were called.

Police have confirmed that they will continue to investigate the incident to confirm the cause of death.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

PHUKET NEWS

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Charlie Machin, Court expedites trial Brit 52, nabbed for theft date for Aussie tourist Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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he Phuket Provincial Court this week brought forward the trial date for Australian tourist Thomas Keating, who was previously set to be stuck in Thailand for a further four months awaiting trial.

As of last Friday (Feb 24), the court register showed a trial date of June 23 to hear the evidence against Mr Keating, despite the devastated young Australian already entering a plea of guilty to the court to the charge of reckless driving causing death for the jet-ski accident that killed his girlfriend of two years, Emily Collie.

A court official explained to The Phuket News that although Mr Keating had entered a plea of guilty – the court still must hear the evidence against him and hand down its verdict.

“Presently, Thomas Keating has been released on bail by the court, but his passport is being held by the court and he can’t go out of the Kingdom of Thailand during this time,”

@thephuketnews

Aussie tourist Thomas Keating (in blue shirt) arrives at Karon Police Station on Feb 9. Photo: Premkamon Ketsara the court official said.

“Sorry, we cannot give more information,” the official added.

The official declined to reveal the amount of bail posted to release Mr Keating.

The new trial date now correlates with the understanding explained by Maj Patiwat Yodkwan of the Karon Police last week (Feb 20), when Maj Patiwat confirmed that Mr Keating had presented himself in court on Feb 17 and acknowledged the charge of reckless driving causing death.

“It will still take a further four or five days for the court

to reach a decision in this case against Mr Keating as judges still have to examine all documents and evidence relating to the case,” Maj Patiwat said.

A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade last Friday told The Phuket News, “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian man who has been charged over a jet-ski accident in Thailand, and his family, in line with the Consular Services Charter.”

Mr Keating has expressed “unbearable sorrow” over the

death of Ms Collie.

“This was a tragic accident. However, I take responsibility for what happened,” Keating said in a statement several days after the crash.

“And I have decided that the best thing is to accept a charge of reckless driving leading to death…

“I would like to express my unbearable sorrow at the loss of my soulmate, Emily, who I loved more than anything in this world, as well as my never-ending apologies and condolences to Ian and Sally Collie and the rest of their family.”

POLICE ARE CONDUCTing background checks with the Royal Thai Police, Immigration Police and Interpol into the 52-year-old British man arrested for theft last Thursday (Feb 23).

The checks are being conducted after police learned that the man, identified by a British passport naming him as Charlie Machin, does not have a job or has not been working during his stay on the island.

At just after 1am last Thursday, Lt Col Saard Wongweangjan together with Lt Col Chaiyut Kongkaew of the Cherng Talay Police arrested Machin at a property in Soi Na Koh, Moo 3, Cherng Talay following a tip-off from Russian expat Tatiana Motora, whose house in Cherng Talay had just been robbed.

Using the Track My iPhone app, Ms Motora found that her iPad was at a property in Soi Na Koh. She informed the police, who went and found Machin in the house along with the stolen iPhone.

Police seized as evidence two iPhone 6s, an iPad, a Cannon camera, a MacBook, two brown wallets, four passports, a key chain, an external hard

Machin admitted to a spate of previous break-ins. Photo: Cherng Talay Police disk, a black bag and a Yamaha motorbike.

Lt Col Sakon Krainara, also of the Cherng Talay Police, later confirmed that Machin admitted to stealing the iPhone from Ms Motora and that the other items had been stolen from Kamala, Thalang and Sakoo.

“I want to know his criminal history.” Lt Col Sakonon said Wednesday (Mar 1), Asked whether he believed Machin had been involved in other crimes in Phuket, Lt Col Sakon said, “I don’t know, the island’s police stations work separately so I cannot say at present whether he has been involved in other crimes. This is why we need more information from the RTP.” Eakkapop Thongtub and Tanyaluk Sakoot

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PHUKET NEWS

More than 30 residents gathered at Phang Nga Muang District Police Station on Sept 9, calling for police to test the officer for alcohol. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Policeman dodges jail term for drunk-driving THE POLICE OFFICER charged for a drunk driving crash spree in Phang Nga in September last year has been fined B25,000 and given a two-year suspended sentence.

Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit, who was off-duty at the time, was reeking of alcohol when he left six people injured after his pickup truck crossed Phetkasem Rd and crashed into them – before he fled the scene – outraging local residents in Phang Nga Town.

More than 30 residents gathered at Phang Nga Muang District Police Station that night, Sept 9, calling for police to test the officer for alcohol and ensure justice was served.

On Sept 29, Lt Dusit Phongphan, an inspector with the Phang Nga Muang District Police, confirmed that the station had finally received the

BAC test results from Phang Nga Hospital after more than two weeks, and they confirmed that Sub Lt Thanom’s alcohol level was more than 50mg at the time of the incident.

Speaking to The Phuket News last Thursday (Feb 23), Phang Nga City Police Chief Col Suwat Kaewprom said, “Sub Lt Thanom was found guilty of drunk driving by Phang Nga Provincial Court and fined B25,000. He was also given a two-year suspended sentence.

“Sub Lt Thanom also paid compensation to all of the six people injured in the incident.”

Col Suwat also confirmed that Sub Lt Thanom was still in full police employment.

However he has yet to be disciplined as per police disciplinary procedures.

Yutthawat Lekmak

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

1,000 venues register to become legal hotels Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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he island gained six more legal hotels this week as Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan handed out hotel licenses to operators whose properties were previously providing tourist accommodations for periods of 30 days or less, in breach of the Hotel Act. The cer tif icates were handed out at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday (Feb 28).

“Today we have six more legal hotels. Before we had 425 legal hotels and now we have 431, but there are about 200 more (illegal) hotels to go,” Gov Chockchai said.

“We will strictly check on all 431 legally registered hotels to ensure they do not release wastewater into the sea or public water sources, that they preserve the environment, do not exploit customers and they pay taxes on time,” he added.

Gov Chockchai pointed out that bringing illegal hotels into fold is another way to reduce the opportunity for

Hotels becoming legal reduced the chance of being exploited by corrupt officials, Gov Chockchai said. Photo: PR Dept corruption by officials.

“This helps to reduce the problem of corruption in Phuket. Also, tourists will be more secure and they will be more confident in staying at Phuket hotels,” Gov Chockchai added.

“Moreover, local administrative offices can collect taxes from legal hotels for developing local areas,” he noted.

Governor Chockchai last week revealed that the amnesty for businesses that had

previously been illegally offering tourist property rentals for periods of less than 30 days had encouraged more than 1,000 such venues to register their intention to become legal hotels.

The amnesty, which ended on Jan 31, was part of a government drive to clean up the illegal tourist property rental market.

Last Thursday (Feb 22), he said, “The time to register is up, and I will not extended the deadline anymore.”

“A total of 1,007 venues have registered to become legal hotels. A further 200 venues said they would no longer offer rentals for periods of less than 30 days.

“If any operators still want to register to become legal hotels, they must apply individually and their application will be considered case by case,” he added.

Gov Chockchai also reiterated that allowing currently illegal hotels to become legal will take time.

BBC journalist fights defamation BBC SOUTHEAST ASIA correspondent Jonathan Head faces up to five years in a Thai jail after a local lawyer brought a criminal defamation case against him over an investigation into fraud in Phuket.

T he prosecution was sparked by a September 2015 report by Mr Head that highlighted at how two foreign retirees were scammed out of their properties in Phuket.

Mr Head appeared in Phuket Provincial Court last Thursday (Feb 23) alongside one of the retirees, British national Ian Rance, who is a joint defendant in the prosecution, to enter their plea.

The man bringing the prosecution is Pratuan Thanarak, a Phuket lawyer who featured in the BBC report looking at how Mr Rance lost lucrative properties.

Mr Rance retired to Phuket in 2001, married a local woman with whom he had three children and bought what he said were some $1.2 million (more than B40mn) worth of properties.

Under Thai law foreigners cannot own land. But many get around that provision by placing properties in the name of

Jonathan Head has long been under political attack for alleged sympathies with the red shirts, but now has become embroiled in a defamation lawsuit. Photo courtesy of BBC a company they own or with locals they trust, reported AFP. In 2010 Mr Rance discovered his wife had forged his signature to remove him as director and sell the properties with the help of a network of money lenders and property agents on the island.

She was jailed for four years over the scam.

Mr Head reported that Pratuan, the lawyer, admitted to notarising Rance’s signature without him being present.

Mr Pratuan filed a defamation case alleging the reports caused him to be “defamed, insulted or hated”, according to a copy of the complaint seen

by AFP. Mr Rance and Mr Head face one charge of criminal defamation, which carries up

to two years in jail. Head faces an additional charge under Thailand’s Computer Crimes Act, which has a five-year maximum jail penalty.

Mr Head has had to surrender his passport to the court leaving him unable to work across Asia as he fights what is likely to be a two-year court battle.

Rights groups say the case is the latest example of how Thailand’s broad defamation and computer crime laws shut down investigative journalism and make it difficult to expose wrongdoing in a country where corruption is endemic.

In a statement, the BBC said it “stands by its journalism” and that they “intend to clear the name of our correspondent”.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Gypsies under fire Villagers fight court-sanctioned demolitions More than 200 Phuket sea gypsies prevented courtordered evictions in Rawai. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

Suthicha Sirirat editor@classactmedia.co.th

M

ore than 200 sea gypsies massed in front of a task force of about 50 officials, including police and civil defense volunteers, last Thursday (Feb 23) to prevent the Supreme Court-approved demolition of two ramshackle homes made of tin.

The 50-strong task force arrived at 10:30am, led by Chanothai Su kphen and Theerasak Eeadchoothong, both legal experts from the Legal Execution Department Phuket office. Also present were Lt Col Parinya Tanthasuwan of the Chalong Police and district provincial officials Their mission: to demolish the tin-shack homes of Mahren and Arnan Bangjak, as ordered by the Supreme Court on Oct 21, 2016.

The Bangjak brothers did not present themselves during the stand-off. However, the sea gypsy community stepped in to prevent the demolitions on their behalf.

Suthep Mookdee, 71, a

retired Sgt Maj First Class of the Royal Thai Army, explained that he and his younger brother, Thawee Mookdee, allowed Mr Mahren and Mr Arnan to rent the land to live on.

Mr Suthep owns the land registered under Chanote land title deed No 92823. Mr Thawee, a former Sub-Lieutenant in the Army, owns land the registered under Chanote deed No 92822.

The Supreme Court has upheld both men’s claims.

“The rental contract was renewed year by year until 2009, when I wanted to use

the land. I asked Mr Mahren and Mr Arnan to move out from the area, but they stayed on the land,” Mr Suthep said.

“We fought in court for seven years, until the Supreme Court ruled against them in March 2016. The court ordered them to remove the two houses from the two plots by Oct 21, 2016. At that time the nation was still in the 100 days of mourning, so the demolition was postponed until today,” he said.

“The title deed that I hold is legal. I inherited it from my parents. If this demolition order is ignored or obstructed,

Beach, coral reef cleanup nets 382kg of garbage A BEACH AND UNDERwater cleanup last weekend netted 382kg of garbage from a coral reef off Karon Beach.

Leading the cleanup, held on Saturday (Feb 25), was led by Sopon Thongdee, the Bangkok-based Deputy Director-General of Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

Joining Mr Sopon was DMCR Phu ket Di rector Watcharin Thinglang and Kasem Sukwaree, director of the DMCR Phuket’s Natural Resources and Environment Office, along with Capt Boworn Phromgaewngam, Deputy Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Phuket branch.

Collecting the garbage were local conservationists and volunteers from the local dive community as well as students from Phuket schools who scoured the sand to collect washed-up waste.

“Most garbage collected was found near the coral reef off Laem Sai, and most of that garbage was fishing equipment, such as seine nets and ropes,” Mr Sopon said. @thephuketnews

The cleanup netted 382kg of garbage from the Karon Beach and the coral reef just offshore. Photo: DMCR “Garbage in the sea is a problem that need to be fixed.

The national government sees this problem as a national waste problem,” he added.

“Thailand is sixth in the world for the most garbage in the sea. More than a million tons of garbage per year is released into the sea in Thailand. For plastic garbage, we cannot identify exactly where it comes from,” Mr Sopon said.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ordered the DMCR to take responsibility for this problem, so we have launched a ‘sea

garbage management’ project under our five year budget for 2017-2021.

“The project focuses in tourism areas where there are lots of garbage in the sea that affects the local ecosystem,” Mr Sopon added.

The cleanup in Karon last Saturday followed a mass of f loating waste nicknamed “garbage island”, weighing an estimated 100 tons, found floating off Chumphon earlier last month. Marine officials vowed to take action to clean that mess up, too.

Eakkapop Thongtub

we will follow the law. If the law cannot take any action, the title deed is useless,” Mr Suthep added.

Satuern Mookdee, another younger brother of Mr Suthep and also the head of the Rawai Cultural Council, spoke loudly of his brothers’ rights to the land.

“If the demolition is not completed today, I will keep going by use of the law. I will report to police all sea gypsies who are on my brothers’ land to face charges of trespass and I will report this to the Prime Minister and to the court,” he threatened.

PHUKET NEWS

7

Heroines Festival returns this week

THE TWO-WEEK THAO T he pk a ssat r i a nd T ha o Srisoonthon Festival will return this weekend, starting from Saturday (Mar 4) and continuing to Mar 18, celebrating the defeat of Burmese marauders attempting to take Phuket in 1785.

The annual event will feature many activities, including a seminar on the history of Thalang, historical sporting competitions, a ceremony honouring Phuket’s famed heroines Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn, who led the defense of Phuket, and much more.

Phuket Vice Governor Snith Srivihok explained, “The objective of the festival which is held every year, is to honour the history of Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn so the younger generations can be thankful and pay respect to them and to those who sacrificed their lives for the land on which we live today.”

Among the events will be the traditional re-enactment of key events leading up the decisive battle which was fought and won in near Thalang Town.

Among the events will be the traditional re-enactment of key events leading up the decisive battle fought and won in near Thalang Town.

“We wants local residents to join the festival. This year I will not be in the historical play,” said Vice Governor Snith.

Key events during the festival: • March 4 – Mass blessings by monks for the two heroines at Wat Thepwanaram • March 5 – Mini Marathon along a historical trail at Phuket Historical Park.

• March 12 - Worship of ancestors and Thalang warriors at Wat Muang Komaraphat, starting at 9am • March 13 – Wreath-laying ceremony at the Heroines Monument, starting at 9:09am • March 13-15 – Light and sound show and the historical play at the Phuket Historical Park from 6:30pm to 11pm.

Benyada Soongyai

Opinion 8

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Patong’s naked soul laid bare

T

he overwhelming call by respondents in a recent online poll by The Phuket News to allow late trading by bars and nightlife venues along Bangla Rd in Patong (see page 4) has made plain what visitors to Phuket want – and expect – when they visit our fair shores.

Patong, and especially Bangla Rd, is an adult playground and the world has long known it. It beggars belief that any tourists would venture into that realm and be offended by gyrating dancers and “good time girls”.

These would have to be tourists who don’t know what Google or Bing does... and would likely be surprised by what their own government would write in, say, a travel advisory for Somalia. The odds are remote.

Over the past two weeks the debate has raged over the

merits of “Sin City” Pattaya since the UK’s Mirror labelled it “the sex capital of the world”.

One great headline quip simply responded: “Tell us what we don’t know”.

Throughout that furore, it seems the authorities in Bangkok have been struggling to admit that the national ethos supports a “no harm, no foul” policy. Good luck to them in that.

It seems this “no harm, no foul” approach is understood by any visitor to Phuket and also simply presumed by our island’s leading authorities – and kudos to them, including Governor Chockchai, for steaming ahead with the request for late trading without dallying over what is plainly an economically driven attraction.

Yet, Patong is much more than the Bangla bars and shows.

Many people come to Patong do not venture down the street;

once is enough for such tourists and that is their choice.

Likewise, Bangla is an attraction, and not just for sex tourists. We are entering that time of year when families from the Middle East take a stroll down the bustling street just to see “how the other half play”. There are shows that do not appeal to all, and these families just walk on by. No harm, no foul.

However, this is not to say all the dark arguments against prostitution should be overlooked for the sake of scoring baht. Human trafficking, drug debt traps and loan sharks can make this a dark world. Yet that fight belongs against those evils. Not against “Prime-Time Patong”.

The poll results are clear – 75% respondents say they support late trading for Bangla bars and nightclubs – so if you don’t like it, just don’t go.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Phuket puts sun loungers back on Patong Beach Two motorists face charges for road rage incident in Phuket Brit, 52, arrested for theft in Phuket Russian tourist borrows B100k to post bail for feeding fish off Phuket BBC journalist faces five years jail for Thailand reporting Graft panel mulls death penalty deal Phuket court sets June date for Aussie tourist Keating’s trial Phuket Governor looks to extend nightlife closing times at Karon Beach Let Patong party all night, say Phuket pollsters Man shot in head in heart of Phuket Town

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Want vs. Need

Re: Phuket puts sun loungers back on Patong Beach No one can deny tourists want sun loungers. The problem is, no one can deny the unabashed greed of Thai beach vendors.

Without proper control the loungers will soon spread back out across every square inch of sand. What steps is Gen Pornsak taking to regulate the number and density of loungers?

CaptainJack69 Wow! They have finally figured out that Phuket has lost millions, or even billions, with the anti-tourism campaign of the last three years.

Now, do it the right way.

Licence, control how many, and charge a fee to all suppliers and vendors. Use fees for upkeep, maintenance, and police patrols. Eliminate the 10% zones completely. Allow beach side nightclubs and high season bars and attractions.

Change closing times to 4am all across Phuket.

Advertise this new tourist friendly attitude worldwide during the upcoming low season. The tourists will return

and make Phuket prosperous, once again.

Foot ...................................................

Shout it from the rooftops

Re: Phuket Opinion: Anticorruption claims adding insult to injury The media is finally growing some balls. As individuals we do not have access to the people who can make a change, but the media is wide spread and widely read.

An article like this, needs to make its way to all foreign, and national, media as well as the foreign embassies, this would hopefully highlight the level of corruption, the lack of a governor wanting to change things and a degree of protection for the media involved.

Rorii

street, as they have betrayed their position as someone the public should be able to trust Kangaloowest This has been going on for years in the provinces but why are they only sacked?

Why aren’t they charged with drug trafficking and locked up in prison?

Phuket Corruption ...................................................

Justice is blind

Re: Drunk driving Phang Nga policeman fined B25,000, given 2 year suspended sentence 25,000! Lucky he wasn’t feeding bread to fish or he’d have got 100,000 fine!

Malczx7r

Re: Bangkok police sacked over sales of seized drugs

At least he wasn’t caught feeding bread to some fish...... now that really is a horrendous crime and I’m sure his sentence would not have been suspended in that instance.

Bazgunner ...................................................

How about jail time and hefty fines, for selling drugs, rather than just losing their jobs?

Their sentence should be even harsher than a person off the

Re: BBC journalist faces five years jail for Thailand reporting This is not really a “ Phuket”

...................................................

Foxes guarding the henhouse

Culture shock

issue. The Thai defamation laws are extremely broad, and have been for a very long time.

By Western standards they do severely limit what we think of as free speech.

They have also long been used to stif le the press. It might be helpful to keep in mind that the vast majority of defamation cases are filed

by Thai citizens against other Thai citizens - politicians, of course, do this all the time.

I too would like to see freer speech in Thailand, but as I am a guest here I do hesitate to criticise. I would observe however that the whole notion of freedom of speech is simply not valued in this culture as highly as it is in the West, whereas conversely the importance of polite speech is valued much more highly here than it is in the west.

It is actually a criminal act to denigrate someone publicly here, whereas in the West one would have to file a civil action and proved damages. I don’t think any part the defamation law, or the enforcement of it, is based on “image”. It is just a very long standing part of the culture.

Ematt

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Packed prisons need urgent reform: study NATIONWIDE AFP

T

hai prisons are massively overcrowded with some inmates forced to sleep sideways, a rights group said on Tuesday (Feb 28), urging reform in a country with the world’s sixth largest jail population.

The kingdom’s worst facilities are five times over their capacity, with inmates forced to sleep on their sides or lay their legs over one another, according to the report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

Successive governments have done “very little” to tackle the overcrowding, said FIDH’s Southeast Asia director Andrea Giorgetta, adding that food, sanitation and medical care are also woefully inadequate.

With 425 prisoners for every 100,000 people, Thailand has the tenth highest incarceration rate in the world and the highest in Southeast Asia.

The booming prison popu-

Prisoners are evacuated from Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok during heavy flooding in 2011.

Photo: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP lation is largely a result of harsh anti-drug laws from a war on narcotics launched more than a decade ago.

Possession of a few methamphetamine pills (ya bah) can earn a suspect a decade in jail.

The ruling junta, which seized power in 2014, admits that hardline laws have failed to stem addiction rates.

Rehabilitation for smalltime dealers or users is gaining ground as an alternative to jail, although there has yet to be a formal policy shift.

As of January more than 70% of Thailand’s prisoners were serving time for drug-

related offences, according to figures obtained by FIDH. The proportion is even higher among the 39,000 female prisoners in Thailand, which jails more women per capita than any other nation.

“We are working on it... the structure of our drug laws must be reformed so that offences are decriminalised,” the Permanent-Secretary of Thailand’s Justice Ministry, Charnchao Chaiyanukij, said.

Authorities are also seeking to spread the inmate population more evenly across the country’s jails, he added, stressing that not all facilities

Koh Tao murder pair lose appeal SURAT THANI THE APPEAL COURT ON Wednesday (Mar 1) upheld the death sentence handed down to two Myanmar migrants for the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao in 2014.

The Appeal Court rejected the case presented by lawyers representing Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, who used the mishandling of evidence by police, including images and documents, to argue for a reversal of the judgement.

The Criminal Court con-

@thephuketnews

Zaw Lin (left) and Win Zaw Htun seen at the prison in Koh Samui on Oct 4, 2014.

Photo: Supapong Chaolan victed and sentenced them to death on Dec 24, 2015.

The process leading to the indictment of the two migrants had been completed, according to the Appeal Court ruling

read out in Koh Samui court on Wednesday.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were not present for the hearing. They are serving their sentence in Bang Kwang Prison in Nonthaburi.

Theerawut Prammahant, the Deputy Prosecutor for Koh Samui, heard the ruling on their behalf.

The two were sentenced for the murder of backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the island in Surat Thani province on Sept 15, 2014.

Bangkok Post

are overcrowded.

The report also noted growing restrictions on access to prisons, stricter visitor regulations and the increased use of secretive military barracks to detain prisoners since the junta came to power.

The junta has outlawed protests since 2014 and detained hundreds of civilians at military bases for expressing political opinions.

Particular alarm has been raised over a detention site in Bangkok’s 11th Army Circle, a barracks where two people have died in custody and several have alleged torture.

THAILAND NEWS

9

Tourists hurt as bull elephant tries to mate with female AYUTTHAYA THREE JAPANESE TOURists and a mahout were hurt when a bull elephant giving rides at a tourist attraction suddenly tried to mate with a female on Tuesday (Feb 28).

The two terrified women passengers, and the mahout, fell from the animal’s back to ground. A third tourist, who was taking photos nearby, was also injured.

The two Japanse were riding on a 20-year-old male elephant, known as Doraemon, with mahout Chainarong Phorkaew at the Ayothaya Elephant Village when the incident occurred around 11am.

Doraemon’s behaviour changed when it saw a young cow elephant, known as Wassana, walking nearby. He lunged quickly toward her and tried to mount her. She rejected his advances.

The male elephant then charged into the female, causing the two women and the mahout to tumble to the ground. A Japanese man taking photos nearby was also

Doraemon, 20, likes to flirt with female elephants at Ayothaya Elephant Village.

Photo: Sunthon Pongpao knocked to the ground.

The three tourists suffered bruising to their bodies, and the mahout a broken leg.

All were taken quickly to a hospital and later discharged.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District Chief Somsak Charoenpaithoon led a team of livestock officials and police to the scene.

Mahouts said Doraemon is not a vicious elephant and was not in rut when the incident occurred.

However, he is very flirtatious and often approaches female elephants and attempts to mate with them. The young cow elephant, Wassana, is a newcomer at the kraal.

Bangkok Post

10 THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Pol Maj fired for encroachment NAKHON RATCHASIMA Bangkok Post

T

he Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, Maj Gen Pongdech Prommichit, has been dismissed from the police force for alleged encroachment in a forest reserve in Wang Nam Khieo district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, pending investigation.

The alleged offence is related to a case of forest encroachment against former Deputy National Police Chief Jumpol Manmai.

The dismissal order, which took effect last Sunday (Feb 26), was signed by Gen Thammasak Vicharaya, an adviser to the Royal Thai Police, on behalf of the National Police Chief.

The order says Maj Gen Pongdech, a former Deputy Chief of Nakhon Ratchasima Police, has been accused of a serious disciplinary violation and forest encroachment, as set out in a complaint filed

Former Deputy National Police Chief Jumpol Manmai and his dismissal order. Photo: Post Today with Wang Nam Khieo Police on Feb 6.

According to the complaint, from Dec 17, 2003 to Feb 6, 2017, Maj Gen Pongdech encroached on a forest reserve near Ban Sombunsuk in tambon Thai Samakkhi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Wang Nam Khieo district.

The offence was in violation of the Forest Act, National Park Act, Forest Reserve Act and Environment Quality Promotion and Protection Act. Under the regulations of the Police Commission, a committee has been set up to conduct a disciplinary investigation into Maj Gen

Pongdechs actions, according to the order.

Maj Gen Pongdech can file a petition contesting the dismissal order with the Police Commission within 30 days.

Previously, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) said a complaint was lodged the same day with Wang Nam Khieo Police

against three suspects – Gen Jumpol, Maj Gen Pongdech and the Maj Gen’s girlfriend Chayanis Pisitwanich – and follows a raid on Feb 6 on the roughly 13 rai compound which accommodates six houses, suspected of being the holiday homes of Gen Jumpol.

According to the RTP, Ms Chayanis, who is a former Deputy Chief of tambon Thai Samakkhi Administration Organisation, and Maj Gen Pongdech, both of whom allegedly occupied the land illegally, sold the plot to Gen Jumpol.

In another development, the Thung Pho kamnan (subdistrict head) and his wife have been charged with encroaching on Thap Lan National Park in Prachin Buri’s Na Di district, police said.

A combined team of more than 100 police officers, military officers and national park officials led by Col Arun Wachirasrisukanya, Superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Monday (Feb 27) sealed off Thap Lan National Park for

an inspection.

The search was ordered

by CSD Commander Suthin Sapmuang.

Col Arun said police investigators were tipped off by officials from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Plant Conservation that Wirat Sirirak, kamnan of tambon Thung Pho, allegedly encroached on the national park and built houses.

Authorities found three houses believed to belong to Mr Wirat in the area.

Cassava and eucalyptus trees were also found planted on the encroached land, police said.

Col Arun said officials met Mr Wirat’s wife Ketsarin Sisongkram and five migrant workers but did not meet Mr Wirat during the search.

Ms Ketsarin told investigators that Mr Wirat had left the house for Chanthaburi last Friday (Feb 24).

The five migrant workers were found legally registered to work in the country, with Mr Wirat listed as their employer, according to police.

10-day probe set in death of bear dropped by helicopter NAKHON RATCHASIMA WILDLIFE OFFICIALS EXPect to take 10 days to finish their probe into the death of an Asian black bear which fell from a helicopter while being transported for release into a jungle, deep in Khao Yai National Park.

“We want the investigation to be conducted in a way to prevent such a thing happening again,” said Wirat Chatuphon, Chief of the Prachin Buri-based Protected Area Regional Office 1.

The bear, which was unconscious and held in a net hung outside the helicopter, fell when the copter

lost altitude after flying into an air pocket due to a bad weather while it was over the forest, he said.

An initial investigation found the net detached from a faulty ring.

The accident occurred in the middle of last month.

The bear, weighing 80-90 kilograms, had been earlier caught by wildlife officials after it was found to have disturbed villagers living near the park last year.

The officials devised a careful plan to release the bear back into the forest, Mr Wirat said, adding the bear was tagged with a tracking device for study purposes.

Transport of the animal by car would have been more convenient, but in this case a helicopter was

Photo supplied by the Protected Area Regional Office 1 in Prachin Buri shows the bear rigged and slung from its Bell helicopter. used as the bear had to be taken deep into a forest to avoid further confrontations with villagers, he said.

Mr Wirat said he does not want see society rush to point the finger

of blame at anybody.

“If everyone keeps looking for people to find fault with, officials will be discouraged and eventually will dare not do any work,” he said.

The accident also caused the

officials to become upset, he said.

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is planning to release another wild bear back into its natural habitat.

The 80kg bear was captured while it was eating banana stalks in a plantation in a local market in Prachantakham municipality in Prachin Buri.

The bear is being treated at Pa Chong Klam Bon wildlife breeding centre in Sa Kaeo province’s Watthana Nakhon district after veterinarians detected parasites in its blood, Mr Wirat said.

Officials will release the bear after the treatment has finished, he said.

Bangkok Post

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

@thephuketnews

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

12 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

The miracle tree-top baby

Modest celebrity who cast spotlight on impoverished country MOZAMBIQUE AFP

R

osita Mabuiango’s birth in a tree above swirling waters 17 years ago thrust her into instant stardom, drawing global attention to the worst floods to hit Mozambique in recent memory.

The images of Rosita draped in dirty linen, moments after she and her mother were hoisted to safety by a helicopter, touched the world, helping raise funds for tens of thousands of flood victims.

But these days, the teenager doesn’t consider herself special.

“I’m normal, it’s just a different way of being born,” she says with a broad smile.

Rosita was born on March 1, 2000, four days after her marooned mother clambered into a tree to escape deadly floods ripping through southern Mozambique.

“I think it’s God who chose that I be born that way,” the soft-spoken Rosita said, her gaze lowered as she sat

Rosita Mabuiango, who 17 years ago was born in a tree during floods in Mozambique in 2000, sits in her lounge in Maputo. Photo: John Wessels/AFP on a cream sofa at her godmother’s house in the capital, Maputo.

Tor rential f loods had forced a heavily pregnant Carolina Chirindza and other family members into a tree with no food or water.

Clinging onto tree branch-

es, Chirindza – previously named in the media as Sofia Pedro – also went into labour.

Her mother-in-law held a capulana – a long sarong – under her to catch the baby and prevent it from falling into the muddy, crocodile-infested flood waters.

The baby was named Rosita, after Chirindza’s mother-in-law.

“I was not prepared for this, but that’s what God wanted,” Chirindza, 39, said while sitting outside her house in Chibuto, a city 280 kilometres northeast of Maputo.

A journalist witnessed her and the newly-born baby being winched away by a South African defence forces helicopter just after the birth.

Af ter landing on d r y ground, the exhausted mother cuddled her daughter in drenched linen.

As Rosita approaches her th 17 birthday, her mother said their survival was a “miracle for sure”. “ Ye s it ch a nge d my life, because now I have a house, I also have a job,” said Chirindza, speaking in front of a three-bedroom house donated to the family by the local municipality.

She was also given a post as cleaner by the district administrator, lifting her out of

dire poverty.

Four and a half months after she was born, Rosita and her mother travelled to Washington to lobby the US Congress for expanded aid to help tens of thousands of Mozambicans affected by the catastrophe.

Rosita’s tree-top birth helped cast the spotlight on an impoverished country overwhelmed by floods. Nearly 800 people died in the disaster.

She became a rallying point for securing millions of dollars in international aid, both to help those affected and to improve flood protection schemes that have prevented a repeat of the huge death toll.

A plaque has been erected on the mafureira, or natal mahogany tree, where she was born.

But Rosita is relieved that public attention on her has faded and that she enjoys a normal life, focusing on her schoolwork.

She wants to study petrochemical engineering – a

strategic career choice with the recent discovery of gas reserves off the coast of Mozambique.

When not studying, she plays football at her Catholic school and for local junior clubs.

Rosita owes her love of football to her brother Benedito – who was aged four when she was born and was also trapped in the tree for four days strapped to his mother’s back.

Sporting a short curly haircut, she proudly says that she is taking classes in Tang Soo Do – a Korean type of self-defensive martial art.

Rosita’s dramatic birth also attracted a deluge of personal gifts that led to friction in her family.

Neighbours say her father, Salvador Mabuiango, is estranged from the family after selling some gifts and even trying to sell a portion of the land on which the family house is built.

A court eventually stripped him of his parental rights.

During school term, Rosita lives in Maputo with her godmother, Ruth Valera, a leading Mozambican fashion designer.

Valera, 49, had been in Lisbon for a fashion show when Rosita was born.

Three weeks later she returned home and was asked by a Cabinet minister to become godmother to the baby.

“It was amazing. I didn’t even know if it was a boy or a girl,” Valera said.

“Why I was chosen – it’s God, because I’m not a relative, the thing just happened like that.

“This year we will have a normal birthday party with a cake and she will invite her mother, brother and friends from school, but next year we plan a big celebration for her 18th.”

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS 13

Rolls-Royce style in Phuket New showroom opens with Ghost, Wraith models on display LUXURY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

R

olls-Royce opened a new boutique showroom in Phuket last Friday (Feb 24), heralding a new era of motor travel on the island.

The new facilit y was opened by Paul Harris, Asia Pacific Regional Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, at a grand opening attended by customers, VIP guests, celebrities and the media at the showroom on the bypass road, outside Phuket Town.

The 280-square-metre showroom provides space for two Rolls-Royce motor cars, an atelier style customer configuration area including colour and trim samples, and a unique lounge area.

“This is now the third Rolls-Royce facility in Thailand, underlining yet again the resilience of the country’s economy and appetite for super-luxury,” Mr Harris said.

“We have observed that Phuket is increasingly a home and resort destination for a sizeable group of successful individuals from Thailand and other countries.

Phuket’s economic growth and development make it an attractive location for us to have a presence.

“Rolls-Royce complements a burgeoning luxury sector

A two-door Rolls-Royce Wraith GT and a four-door Ghost feature proudly in the new showroom. Photo: Rolls-Royce on the island, with cars like the two-door Wraith GT and Dawn convertible, designed for a more casual and social experience,” he added.

Sunthornpan Dhechatech, General Manager for RollsRoyce Motor Cars Phuket, noted, “The investment in our new boutique showroom has grown from our successful business partnership with Rolls-Royce in Thailand.

“Working closely with Rolls-Royce’s Asia Pacific Regional Office, we are adopting a contemporary, lifestyle luxury approach consistent with our customers’ way of

AoT ready to spend B220bn on airports AIRLINES AIRPORTS OF THAILAND (AoT) has allocated a budget of B220 billion to improve six airports under its management.

The National News Bureau of Thailand quoted AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn as saying that the AoT executive board had approved the mid-term airports development budget of B220bn for its six AoT-operated airports until 2025.

The airports are: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in North Thailand and Hat Yai and Phuket in the South.

AoT will need to present to the Ministry of Transport its detailed plans that will also @thephuketnews

Plans for expansion must be presented to the Ministry of Transport by June 2018.

Photo: AoT require Thai Cabinet approval before work can begin.

The first development plans will concentrate on upgrades at Hat Yai and Chiang Mai airports to be presented to the Ministry of Transport

by August.

A plan to further renovate Don Mueang Airport should be ready by November 2017, and a plan for expansion at Chiang Rai and Phuket airports by June 2018.

TTR Weekly

life in Phuket. The new showroom also serves as a regional focal point for customers in nearby provinces.”

Designed to aid customers in the creative process of commissioning a Rolls-Royce motor car, the showroom allows customers to use their imaginations and mix and match woods, leather or select from a palette of 44,000 different colours, noted a company release issued on Monday (Feb 27).

“The Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme allows customers to personalise anything from a treadplate or headrests

with their initials to more complex accessories such as a picnic set or luggage that is designed for their exact needs.

Customers have been known to use wood from their own orchard or to specify their own personal paints,” the release added.

The authorised RollsRoyce Motor Cars dealer in Thailand is operated by Millionaire Auto (Thailand) Co Ltd, under the holding company Master Group Corporation (Asia).

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Boutique Showroom in Phuket complements two

other facilities in Bangkok: a showroom on Rama III Rd and a boutique studio located at Siam Paragon luxury shopping mall.

T haila nd is t he on ly Southeast Asian countr y to have three Rolls-Royce facilities. With Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Phuket, the brand is present in 30 locations across the Asia-Pacific region outside of China.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is the world’s leading producer of bespoke, super-luxury goods. All cars are hand-built by master craftspeople at the home of Rolls-Royce in

Goodwood, England.

Despite a challenging worldwide backdrop in 2016, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars posted its second highest sales in the marque’s 113-year history.

Global sales were up 6% on 2015, with Asia Pacific sales up 5%. 4,011 Rolls-Royces were delivered to customers worldwide.

Rolls-Royce motor cars are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Testament to their status as elite modes of transport, every new Rolls-Royce is protected by a four-year unlimited mileage warranty (excluding tyres and glass).

Service and maintenance is covered by a Rolls-Royce service package and 24-hour roadside assistance for the first four years, regardless of mileage (excluding commercially-registered vehicles).

Rolls-Royce Provenance, the company’s approved programme for its pre-owned cars, offers a minimu m 24-month warranty, fully inclusive servicing and 24hour roadside assistance.

The 2017 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars product range comprises four vehicles in two classes: the four-door Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase; and the two-door Wraith and the Dawn.

Rolls-Royce cars vary in price as they are built to order, and often include bespoke elements.

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

China reels under debt

Easy credit policy to stave off housing bubble fuels fears instead ECONOMICS Julien Girault

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hinese ban ks lent more money in January alone than the annual GDP of South Africa, as borrowers rushed to take advantage of government policies intended to stimulate the economy with easy credit.

But the free-for-all has had unintended consequences, creating a tottering tower of unsustainable debt, with Beijing now trying to tighten monetary policy and reduce access to credit without bringing the entire edifice crashing down.

Chinese debt exceeded 270% of the country’s GDP by the end of 2016, stoked by multiple interest rate cuts as well as the growth of the unregulated “shadow finance” credit sector which involves lending to already indebted companies.

Thanks in part to the easy credit, China’s economy – a key driver of global growth – expanded by 6.7% last year, with a construction boom and

increased public spending on infrastructure.

But the world’s second largest economy is now saddled with an unwieldy debt load, Andrew Fennell of ratings agency Fitch said in January, adding that “China’s stable growth reflects stimulus, not sustainability”.

Risk of a hard landing Standard & Poor’s also warned that “reliance on credit-fuelled growth poses the downside risk of a hard landing for the economy”.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the country’s central bank, helped stimulate the outof-control lending with multiple interest rate cuts between the end of 2014 and 2016, lowering the cost of credit.

The abundance of cheap cash has had unexpected consequences: the cost of garlic jumped 80% last year on speculation, investors poured money into bitcoin and real estate prices in some parts of the country have gone through the roof.

Last year, the average price

Women look at new residential developments in Chongqing China. The IMF says the sector is facing an oversupply problem that threatens the overall economy. Photo: AFP per square metre jumped 14% in Beijing, 38% in Nanjing and a staggering 49% in the southern city of Shenzhen.

At the same time, empty apartment buildings have mushroomed across other cities where builders are struggling to find clients willing to invest in their speculative ventures.

The “monetary policy has only inflated the real estate bubble,” economist Zhong Pengrong, CEO of Shiye, said.

“If the market collapses, the

risk is immense,” he added.

Although a dozen municipalities have recently tightened rules on apartment purchases, overheating persists, with home loans accounting for a record one-third of bank lending in January.

Mixed signals on policy Hamstrung by the need to prop up growth while also reining in speculation, the PBOC has sent mixed signals on monetary policy. It injected additional

liquidity into the financial system before the Lunar New Year, when demand for cash is traditionally strong. Then in early February, the bank raised short-term rates in the money market by 10 basis points for the first time in four years.

Societe Generale analyst Wei Yao said the bank was attempting a precarious balancing act.

“The high debt level and the previously hasty expansion of banks’ balance sheets make the financial system vulnerable to too abrupt a change,” she said. “The tightening cannot be too harsh.”

Authorities are also worried about the intensifying risk of corporate defaults, particularly in the unregulated “shadow finance” sector that covers loans to heavily indebted manufacturers and property developers.

Social financing – a broad measure of credit including that offered by non-bank entities – soared to 3.740 trillion yuan (B19.013trn) in January, double that in December, according to the PBOC. These unregulated schemes

include company-to-company lending, which jumped 20% in 2016 to $1.92 trillion (B67.046trn), according to data firm CEIC. Commercial banks have traditionally been reluctant to loan money to small and medium-sized businesses, regardless of interest rate cuts, leaving owners with little choice but to turn to “shadow financiers” to quench their thirst for liquidity.

A jump in interest rates is unlikely to affect demand for this kind of lending, meaning there is no immediate solution in sight for the problem.

Under these conditions, analysts say, it will likely take a long time to get China’s debt monster under control as the country attempts to re-balance its economy.

“China economy is a bit like a high-speed train,” Zhang Fayu, economist and manager for assets management firm Million Tons Capital in Shanghai, said “It must slow down well in advance before turning.”

AFP

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Major gaff at Oscars, but ‘Moonlight’ shines

17

A cut-throat battle with merciless Malay pirates

18

FARMING FOR FLAVOUR

Trisara’s PRU restaurant is perfecting its locally-sourced food philosophy in Phuket > P20 @thephuketnews

Different cuts of Pak Chong baby lamb, deep-fried sun choke, raw celery, lamb jus, onion three ways and local goat cheese.

16 ENVIRONMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

An Irrawaddy river dolphin is seen jumping in the water near Mandalay, Myanmar. Photo: AFP

Irrawaddy dolphins on the brink Caroline Henshaw

Fishermen say the greatest danger comes from rogue gangs who are wiping out river life in their quest for easy money.

T

ears fill Maung Lay’s eyes as he describes losing the dolphin he knew since his childhood, the latest casualty of a battle against pollution and electro-fishing that may see the species disappear in Myanmar. Loved for generations for corralling the catch into fishermen’s nets, the “smiling” Irrawaddy dolphins are being killed in record numbers by rogue gangs who use car batteries to stun aquatic life. The illegal technique now threatens to wipe out the dolphins and the tourist bonanza they promise.

Maung Lay’s dolphin, known as Thar Gyi Ma, was found washed up on the banks of the river in November. When locals cut her body open, they found she was pregnant.

“She is irreplaceable because she’s like my own parents. I’m heartbroken,” the 55-year-old said inside his bamboo hut, in a small village a few hours by boat from Mandalay.

“I laid wreaths and flowers for her by the river.”

Irrawaddy dolphins can be found in rivers, lakes and seas across southern Asia, from the northwest Bay of

In Laos, the Irrawaddy dolphin was declared ‘functionally extinct’ by the World Wildlife Fund in October 2016. Photo: AFP

Bengal, in India, to the south of Indonesia. On this stretch of river in Myanmar the animals have developed a deep bond with local fishermen, who they work with in a generations-old partnership that has become the stuff of local folklore.

With careful choreography, locals call the animals using a throaty purr, splashing their oars and tapping on the side of the boat. The dolphins signal they are ready to begin with a flick of a fin, before driving the fish towards the fishermen’s boats where they are scooped up by waiting nets.

Maung Lay said he had spent more than 30 years fishing with one group of seven dolphins, led by Thar Gyi Ma. “I’m sorry for the great loss because she’s the leader of her group,” he said sorrowfully.

“The others are not skilled like her.”

In neighbouring Laos, the Irrawaddy dolphin was declared “functionally extinct” by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in October 2016 after just three individuals were counted during their latest survey.

“There is now little hope for a reversal of the situation,” the WWF said.

In Myanmar, officials say there only 62 Irrawaddy dolphins thought to be left, after a record three were killed last year.

“We lost the highest number of dolphins (in 2016),” said Jaw Kar, the deputy head of Mandalay’s fishery department.

He blamed pollution from mining upriver in Kachin state, where chemicalheavy gold prospecting has boomed since the former military government stepped down in 2011. Run-off from agricultural fertilisers is also thought to be poisoning the water.

But fishermen say the greatest danger comes from rogue gangs who are wiping out river life in their quest for easy money. Initially these electro-fisherman used small batteries attached to wire wound around bamboo poles to shock fish within a close radius, a cheap and effective way to bolster their catch. Now

locals say they have moved on to using car batteries, high-voltage transformers and trawling nets.

“Even a big buffalo couldn’t stand such an electric shock,” said fisherman Thein San Min, 26, who lives in another village on the river’s edge.

Electro-fishing around Mandalay is punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine of 200,000 kyat (B5,096) – a small fortune for local villagers. But conservationists say there is little they can do to stop the fishing gangs, who attack anyone daring to venture into their territory. Villagers refused to take us to where the electro-fishermen live citing safety concerns.

For Irrawaddy locals, losing the dolphins is not just about destroying traditions from their past – it threatens their future. With fish stocks plummeting there are hopes eco-tourism will prove a lifeline to bolster meagre incomes.

Visitor numbers have soared in the five years since the end of military rule and authorities are hoping to lure as many as 7.5 million people a year to Myanmar by 2019.

Wildlife Conservation Society ecotourism manager Thant Zin has set up a dolphin-watching program to attract tourists, which he believes will provide an incentive for locals to protect the animals and their habitat. He is training villagers from a string of Irrawaddy villages in cooking, hospitality and environmentally responsible guiding.

“This is a very important business for the community,” he said.

But some fishermen fear the electrofishing gangs may already have destroyed the special bond that existed between man and beast.

“Dolphins in the Irrawaddy river used to appear wherever we called them,” Thein San Min said.

“We worry because they won’t come close to us, although we coax them. It seems now we will have to watch them from far away.”

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT 17

Moonlight shines at Oscars Frankie Taggart

Here are the winners in key categories for the 89th Academy Awards:

C

oming-of-age drama Moonlight won the coveted best picture statuette at Sunday’s Oscars, but the evening ended in chaos as La La Land – already the winner of six prizes – was first mistakenly handed the award.

Until the final minute, the film industry’s biggest night had run smoothly, and was marked by plenty of political statements, mainly jabs at President Donald Trump, and lighthearted jokes from host Jimmy Kimmel.

But the epic stumble on the final award was the nightmare Hollywood ending no one wanted to see.

Tinseltown legends Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, stars of 1967 crime classic Bonnie and Clyde, were meant to give the best picture Oscar to Barry Jenkins’s film, but she mistakenly called it for Damien Chazelle’s musical.

Scenes of confusion and embarrassment followed after the La La Land crew – already on stage and delivering speeches – suddenly realised the mistake and announced themselves that Moonlight had actually won, prompting Beatty to mumble apologies.

Moonlight was a shock winner for best picture, after Chazelle’s runaway favourite La La Land – a modern take on the all-singing, all-dancing Golden Age of Tinseltown’s studio system – had taken six prizes for best director, actress, score, song, production design and cinematography.

“I noticed the commotion and thought something was strange. And then I was speechless by the result,” Jenkins, who won earlier for best adapted screenplay, said backstage.

“I’ve watched the Academy Awards before and have never seen that happen before.”

Starring Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali – who bagged the first of the movie’s three Oscars – Moonlight tells the life story of a young AfricanAmerican struggling to find his place as he grows up poor in Miami. The film has won plaudits as a vital portrait of contemporary African-American life and is praised in equal measure as a moving meditation on identity, family, friendship and love.

It beat seven other films besides La La Land – including alien thriller Arrival and family dramas Manchester by the Sea and Fences – for best picture honours.

Despite the stunning finish, sure to go down as one of the worst moments in Oscars history, the overall winner of the night was still La La Land. Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as an aspiring actress and a struggling jazz musician who fall in love in Los Angeles, it has charmed critics the world over and returned more than 10 times its $30 million budget.

“This was a movie about love and I was lucky enough to fall in love while making it,” said Chazelle, 32, the youngest filmmaker by several months ever to win a best directing Oscar.

The gala began without incident – Justin Timberlake crooned some upbeat music. Kimmel then wasted no time putting the A-list audience in a political frame of mind.

“This broadcast is being watched live @thephuketnews

Writer/director Barry Jenkins (left) and writer Tarell Alvin McCraney pose with their Oscars. Photo: AFP

Emma Stone won for Best Actress. Photo: AFP by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us,” joked the 49-year-old Kimmel.

The late-night comedian quipped that Trump, who pulled off a political upset win with his campaign that targeted immigration, had taken the heat off Hollywood and its annual gala.

“I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?

That’s gone, thanks to him,” Kimmel said.

This year’s nominees have reflected a push by the Academy to reward diversity after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy of the past two years that prompted calls for a boycott of the annual bash.

Ali won the best supporting actor prize for his turn as a drug dealer with a heart in Moonlight while fellow AfricanAmerican Viola Davis took the supporting actress statuette for her work in Fences.

The most intriguing race was for best actor, which for weeks looked like a lock for Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck, but the 41-year-old had to fend off a late surge by Denzel Washington (Fences) to take the trophy.

Stone bagged her first statuette in the best actress category despite a late push from Isabelle Huppert, already a Golden Globe winner for edgy raperevenge thriller Elle.

Manchester went into the evening with six nominations but came away with only Affleck’s win and a best original screenplay statuette for Kenneth Lonergan, who also directed the film.

The Oscars is the highlight of the Tinseltown calendar, and wraps up two months of glittering prize galas. This awards season, the popping of champagne corks has been muted by the tense political situation in the United States.

Trump’s controversial (and now halted) travel ban led Iranian director Asghar Farhadi to opt out of attending – but a statement from Farhadi was read when his The Salesman was named best foreign language film.

Casey Affleck won the Best Actor Oscar. Photo: AFP Kimmel made mention of Trump’s retort that Streep was “highly overrated” – by recalling her record 20 nominations, and urging everyone to offer her a standing ovation. The audience willingly obliged.

AFP

Best picture: Moonlight Best director: Damien Chazelle, La La Land Best actor: Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea Best actress: Emma Stone, La La Land Best supporting actor: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight Best supporting actress: Viola Davis, Fences Best original screenplay: Manchester by the Sea - Kenneth Lonergan Best adapted screenplay: Moonlight - Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney Best foreign language film: The Salesman (Iran) Best animated feature: Zootopia Best documentary feature: OJ: Made in America Best cinematography: La La Land - Linus Sandgren Best original score: La La Land - Justin Hurwitz Best original song: ‘City of Stars’ from La La Land Best cinematography: La La Land Best visual effects: The Jungle Book

18 HISTORY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Pirates of the Andaman The swashbuckling tale of the Lizzie Webber’s battle with Malay pirates

F

Colin Mackay

or hundreds of years, the waters surrounding Phuket were infested with ruthless pirates.

The fortunes and prominence of bands of pirates variously from Japan, Sulawesi and Malaya waxed and waned over the years – but throughout the era they were extremely treacherous waters for a lone ship to pass through.

We are left one epic account of an attack by an Illanun (Malay) pirate squadron against a lone British ship in 1863. The ship was the Singaporebased coastal trading brig, the Lizzie Webber; she carried 12 six-pounder cannons for her defense and was captained by John Ross Northwood assisted by the chief officer Mr Simpson and a local Malay crew. On one of his trading trips to Borneo, Captain Northwood had taken his English wife and four-year-old son with him on the ship.

In Borneo he loaded passengers and, amongst other cargo, a large box of gold and silver coins from some local merchants to take back to bank for them in Singapore. Word of this valuable cargo must have got out, as one day in port a Malay “trader” came aboard the Lizzie Webber, but “never came down to business”.

Instead he seemed suspiciously curious about the ship’s cannons. Kassim, Northwood’s faithful Malay first mate, later heard that the visitor had actually been Si Rahman, a renowned Illanun pirate chief.

The Lizzie Webber set sail that evening but by the next morning she found herself becalmed in a listless sea near Labuan Island. Then eight Illanun war prows were spotted approaching in the far distance, their oars pacing swiftly through the bright morning sea.

Captain Northwood knew he had no chance of running from the pirates so he must fight his ship… the men beat to quarters, the cannons were run out and rifles and cutlasses served to the crew. Captain Northwood hurried below to find his wife. She knew as well as he the fate that would await her if the pirates carried the ship, he handed her a revolver telling her to shoot both her son and herself if the pirates carried the ship… The pirate squadron swept down on their prey, each prahu pulling some forty oars or more. The pirates were several hundred strong and had they gone straight to work, the fate of the Lizzie

With a full complement of oarsmen, Illanun pirate prahus could outpace most sailing ships.

Webber would have been settled within half an hour. That fortunately is not the native way of doing things… instead the leading pirate prahu came within easy hailing distance.

Amidship on the lead prahu was a raised platform. Si Rahman, the pirate chief, stood up on it, resplendent in a scarlet coat. He shouted across that they needed some tobacco and asked if they could come aboard. Captain Northwood shouted back that he knew pirates when he saw them and, if the prahus did not “sheer off”, he would open fire. Si Rahman advised Northwood to give up his ship without a useless fight, as he himself was “kabal” (one who had undergone magic) and wore a magic charm which rendered him invulnerable to shot or steel. At this point, without being ordered, Northwood’s Malay first mate, Kassim, fired his gun at Si Rahman.

And thus commenced the action… The crew kept up a rapid fire which greatly disconcerted the pirates… her twelve pounders were each loaded with round shot and a canvas bag of bullets rammed home on top of it which made a very effective charge at short range… The pirates who mounted a number of light guns, replied vigorously… The roar of the guns and the constant rattle of the musketry made a terrific din, above which rose the yell of the pirates.

Within a few minutes after the action commenced, Mr Simpson (the chief officer) was carried below badly wounded with three native sailors in the same condition. In the absence of any surgeon, Mrs Northwood had to attend as best she could to the wounded. Her son Johnnie, who so far from being frightened by the din of battle, made frantic attempts to escape to the upper deck to see what “papa was doing”.

In the meantime Captain Northwood fought his ship for all he was worth. His great object was to bring down Si Rahman, who exhibited the most extraordinary daring – possessed as he was of the idea that his magic charm would preserve him from all danger.

He stood on his platform, like a scarlet demon, directing the attack and constantly exposed to a rattling fire and somehow nothing could touch him… scores of shots were directed at Si Rahman without hurting [him]. The man was perfectly aware of the unavailing

attempts to bring him down and openly rejoiced in the strength of his magic charm. It really seemed as if the charm was working to some purpose.

After three hours of desperate struggle there came a lull. Captain Northwood went round his decks and saw that the heated 12 pounders were sponged out and ready for further service and the small arms reloaded. Barely had he completed his round when the pirate vessels swept down upon them again under the full pressure of their swift oars.

Si Rahman’s plan of battle was now evident… what he should have done some hours before, that is throwing his hundreds of men on the deck of the Lizzie Webber and leave cold steel to do the rest. Northwood saw the coming on-rush with the blackest despair.

How could he hope with his scanty crew to withstand the onslaught of some hundreds of desperate Illanun pirates?

He had half a mind to rush below and after dispatching his wife and child to blow up the magazine… he watched the shots from his starboard guns flying harmlessly over the approaching prahus which lay so low in the water that it was impossible to depress the muzzles of the cannons sufficiently to hit them. Si Rahman’s own prahu, by far the best manned, drew rapidly ahead of the rest and was almost alongside the brig when Northwood saw Kassim about to fire his twelve pounder again…

Northwood shouted “don’t fire over the prahu”, but Kassim showed that he had driven the wedge beneath the cannon’s breech as far as it would go and could depress the gun muzzle no further. Looking round with hunted desperation in his eyes, Northwood saw a mast spar lying on the deck. Bending down he put forth the whole of his great strength and lifting the gun carriage bodily, he got Kassim and another sailor to roll the spar beneath it. Then taking a hasty look along the sights, he fired. … dire yells arose from the pirate prahu while shouts of joy rang from the deck of the Lizzie Webber.

What Northwood saw when he looked over his bulwarks was a pile of wreckage in place of the famous platform on which Si Rahman had so recklessly displayed his scarlet coat. As for Si Rahman himself, a scarlet patch in the water swirling around the sinking prahu suffi-

A fearsome Illanun pirate with his weapons. ciently accounted for the fiery Illanun Chief. His magic charm had failed him at the critical moment.

The pirate fleet still hung around the brig, their boats could pull much faster than she could sail and it was clear that the foe was only waiting for darkness to deliver his final attack. It was a grim and hopeless prospect, but the breeze was freshening all the time.

As the Lizzie Webber began to slip though the water, the pirates, thirsting for revenge and plunder, closed on her again under the rays of the evening sun. Once more the firing raged hotly on both sides…

Then Mrs Northwood appeared to tell her husband there were only six more kegs of gunpowder… This would just allow her guns to fire one more round apiece, with some to spare for the muskets… suddenly he [Northwood] altered his tactics… down went his helm, he spilled his sails and before the pirates could comprehend his move, he was sailing through their fleet firing his last broadsides. One of the prahus was caught at a disadvantage and springing to the wheel Northwood altered the Lizzie Webber’s course again… next minute there was tremendous crash as the keel of the brig rode over the wreck of the prahu. Some of the pirates were shot as they swam away, others with the usual agility of natives managed to climb up the ship’s chains in an endeavor to reach the deck but were promptly cut down.

Then came the sudden darkness of the tropics and in its welcome obscurity the Lizzie Webber’s sails filled and bore her to safety.

The author of this stirring passage was John Dillon Ross, the fouryear-old “Johnny” in this story.

Adapted with kind permission from the book ‘A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region’ by Colin Mackay. Available from good bookshops and Amazon.com. Order the softcover 2nd edition directly at: www.historyofphuket.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 19

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

A history of helping

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he Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) is going stronger than ever this year, continuing its unwavering support for the education of underprivileged children in The Club’s Phuket.

With the club’s stellar fundraising effirst big forts again ably demonstrated with the fundraiser recent “Fire and Ice” gala dinner, now is was held in 1989 – also a perfect time to remember one of the club’s longstanding members, who has helped shape the PIWC a gala ball in grand as it provides hope and help for scores of families on style. Since then, the island. every year the PIWC Mrs Linda Cumming has been an incredible contributor to the PIWC for close to 27 years now. Many holds a big fundyears back, the Cumming family sold their business raiser to keep the and decided a fun way to spend the next few years scholarship program would be to sail around the world wherever the winds took them. This epic seafaring adventure saw them going. eventually end up making their home here in Phuket.

The Cummings subsequently started a computer company in Phuket and dedicated a large part of their lives to building that business over the years. They garnered much success surfing the first wave of the internet revolution – helping hotels to use the power and convenience of internet booking systems to increase their customer base and drive up their occupancy rates.

Linda has been part of the Phuket International Women’s Club virtually from the beginning and she is a font of knowledge about the “old days” of the club and also about how Phuket has changed over the years.

Linda with some of the PIWC ladies at a recent get-together.

She has served as secre-

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

@thephuketnews

tary, treasurer and also president for a stint of over six years. Reminiscing about the club back then, Linda said it was interesting to note that things have actually not changed as much as people might think.

The club was started to promote friendship amongst women on this island, but it was not long before the members of the group decided that much good work could be done in the community as well. Helping school children became a priority and by providing books and musical instruments, for instance, the club helped many of the island’s underfunded schools.

Today the club’s aims remain similar but with an increased focus on sponsoring individual children throughout their education. But even from the earliest days the club has worked closely with the schools to identify where the help could given where it was most needed.

Linda recalls how club members originally met in each other’s homes over a “potluck” lunch. The club’s first big fundraiser was held in 1989 – a gala ball in grand style. Since then, every year the PIWC holds a big fundraiser to keep its scholarship program going.

The knowledge and experience of long-time members of the PIWC like Linda are essential to its strength and vibrancy. In turn, new members continually bring fresh ideas and forge new friendships as the club grows and evolves.

Linda Cumming has been involved in the PIWC for nearly 27 years. Photo: Natchaya Sittiprasert Anyone interested in joining the PIWC should get in contact with the committee member who specialises in membership. Her name is Dianne Buerger and her email address is rdbuerger@gmail.com or please phone her on 085-5791905 to find out more about the Club and its activities.

In addition, the regular coffee morning, which is held on the second Thursday of every month at Starbucks in Central Festival Phuket, is a very welcoming place to just turn up and meet others in a very informal and friendly environment.

20 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Savouring the soil

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

The 600-rai ‘Pru Jampa’ farm is dedicated to providing fresh produce for the kitchen at PRU. Mark Knowles editor1@classactmedia.co.th

D

espite its huge influence over global foodie culture in the last few years, the concept of farm-to-table dining – where every ingredient on the menu has been sourced ethically, sustainably and usually within less than 100 miles of the restaurant – has been slow to catch on in Thailand.

Chef Jimmy Ophorst of Trisara’s PRU restaurant has big plans to change the situation, and after tasting his new farm-to-table inspired menu, I believe the future looks bright.

“I grew up in Holland in a farmer’s village, so I know a little bit about farming, and you know if you’ve grown it yourself, and know where it’s coming from, then you know how good it tastes,” he said.

PRU announced its new locallysourced menu just two months ago, but Chef Jimmy says it has been more than a year in the making, and there is still much work to do.

“We opened two months ago but the process really began last February. Because we only use 100% local ingredients, the process of sourcing everything has taken about a year,” he says.

“This is the first time we’ve done something like this here, I worked together with our F&B Director Quentin Fougreroux and we wanted to have something new, something that we don’t really have in Thailand,” he adds.

If you have any doubt about Chef Jimmy’s passion for the concept, or of Trisara’s commitment, consider “Pru

The farm’s free-range chickens supply fresh eggs.

Jampa” – the 600-rai farm in northeastern Phuket dedicated to providing fresh organic produce exclusively for PRU’s kitchen.

“It’s a lot of land, but we are not using it all at the moment. Right now we are using about 10-rai but we are planning to make it bigger and bigger,” he says.

“So far we have eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, Thai herbs, ginger – the regular stuff. Then we also have our own free-range chickens to use their eggs in our restaurant,” he explains, warming to his subject.

“In the future we are planning to have lambs, cows, everything! So we can have milk for making our own cheese and much more... the restaurant is really in its beginning, as is the farm,” Chef Jimmy says enthusiastically.

Inevitably, the newly established farm can’t supply everything needed for a top-level chef to really have some fun in the kitchen, so working with local suppliers of meat, seafood and vegetables is also central to PRU’s philosophy.

For now, produce unavailable from “Pru Jampa” farm is sourced from local markets and suppliers, which draw in produce from Phuket and its surrounding regions.

For example, the yogurt and butter is made with fresh milk from cows in Krabi, with no added sugars or preservatives. Locally grown pineapples and nuts are sourced from both the north and south of the island. All the seafood, including deep-sea crabs, Phuket lobsters, tiger prawns and black crabs are wild-caught in the waters surrounding the island.

“We are working with a fisherman from the Phuket harbour, so he goes out about three or four nights a week to catch the fish for us. All the seafood we use is wild, we don’t use any farmed seafood, because we want to keep it all natural,” he says.

“In the future, we plan to take around 85% of our vegetables from the farm and for the other 15% we still want to work with local farmers, because that’s very important to us too.”

“Well that all sounds great,” I hear

The earthy tones of the dining room add to the relaxing and intimate dining experience.

Chiang Mai quail. you say, “but what about the food?”

As you might expect, with this much effort and care taken before the ingredients even reach the kitchen, the pressure is on for Chef Jimmy to deliver, and he does, in spades.

There is a choice of several set-menus with varying numbers of dishes to suit your appetite, and naturally, each dish is expertly paired with fine wines from across the globe – so far PRU’s only omission from its locally-sourced philosophy – and in this writer’s humble opinion, a quite forgivable one.

In many ways the key to the food’s success is its simplicity – dishes like “Carrots cooked in the soil they came from, fermented carrot juice and cured egg yolk from the farm” make the humble carrot the champion of the dish, and succeeds in enhancing the vegetable’s earthy, subtle flavour.

Another highlight was the “Textures of organic celery, all-spice ice cream and Andaman nut crumble”, again, the unassuming celery manages to surprise and delight you when combined with the other, stronger ingredients.

Carrots cooked in the soil they came from.

Yellow Tail Hamachi tartar.

As you might have gathered, many of the dishes don’t have meat, but somehow, this doesn’t even really occur to you, as you are dazzled by the array of flavours and textures Chef Jimmy conjures on the plate. That being said, the “Different cuts of Pak Chong baby lamb, deep fried sun choke, raw celery, lamb jus, onion three ways and local goat cheese” was equally delicious.

I could go on about the other menu items, but why spoil the fun? Its far better to book a table and take the ride for yourself. All I can add is that I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future at this remarkable restaurant.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 21

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Death cometh to us all ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM

Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

W

esterners who delve into Buddhism often have a common criticism of the religion – that it does not really tell them much about life after death. I feel this is a fair criticism as Buddha did invest much of His time teaching us to examine our lives as they are. It is true that Theravada Buddhists focus heavily on living better lives so as to escape the cycle of rebirth on their own.

However, there are practitioners other than just Theravada Buddhists and they have some very distinct ideas about the afterworld. I cannot endorse those ideas because they predominantly come from ancient Tibetan Buddhism and I am not a Tibetan Buddhist. But, I can tell you about them.

Legend holds that an Indian mystic named Padma-Sambhava introduced Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century.

The story goes that Sambhava knew that the Tibetans of the time were not yet ready to hear of Buddhism so he hid his texts far away to be discovered at a later date. Centuries later, a 15-year-old boy named Karma Lingpa was mountain climbing and happened upon the texts as he summitted the mountain.

Although we Westerners would not be privy to the teachings of the texts until their translation in 1927, they would commonly become known among academics as The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

The ancient writings vividly described the afterworld.

Theravada Buddhists – at least as I have been personally taught – focus on finding Enlightenment and Nirvana through an examination of self. In other words, we try to get to even by making our lives better. These ancient Tibetan texts work quite differently.

The texts are written to aid an enlightened monk in directing a dead man’s soul away from hell even if the man deserves to go there. In a much more complicated way, they are somewhat like the Catholic last rites.

According to the texts, upon dying one will immediately see a bright light which marks the start of the soul’s departure from the body. Devout Buddhists will recognise this as the process of death or, more aptly, seeking rebirth.

Someone increasingly afflicted with evil karma is much less able to see this and begins a process of spiritual testing that can last for weeks.

In this time, the bright light of death is experienced by all sentient beings.

Those that have lived an evil life may perish quickly because they may fall into hell or human suffering with ease. But, should the spirit linger, he eventually sees that he is dead and tries to comfort his crying family – all to no avail.

The wise monk reciting ancient Tibetan chants is calling to the spirit, trying to ease his suffering. Being bound by bad karma, the spirit will linger long enough to see the “clear light” break into an array of dazzling, brilliant, vivacious colours and dull, scary, unpleasant colours. @thephuketnews

A mural depicting Buddhist Hell.

The Lord of Death consults a man’s karmic ledger, as depicted in Thailand’s Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden.

The monk tries to lead the spirit to one of five happy realms, but should the spirit stumble here, he will fall into hell or the World of Unhappy Spirits.

Now the halo light of the Five Orders of Dhyani Buddhas pervade the universe, dotted by the Lights of the Six Lokas.

The spirit must choose between following a brilliant light and following a dim light. Still confused, the Lights of the Union of the Four Wisdoms arrive. Fortytwo deities come to shine and majestic orbs of turquoise appear, each encircled by orbiting globes of radiating light.

If the spirit is not saved by the eighth day, they are now trapped in the Wheel of Ignorance and are confronted by the 58 flame-enhaloed, blood-drinking deities of wrath. The deities are terrifying.

Some hold skulls dripping with blood, others axes, wheels, dead corpses, flaming gods, skull-bowls, intestines, fangs, skeletons, knives, arrows, iron chains, and many other horrors.

False prophets and defrocked monks fall into misery. The spirit wants to flee to his relatives but is blocked by his own anger and lust. He tries to lie about his bad karma but the Lord of Death has a ledger of his life’s karmic accounting and consults the Mirror of Karma. He directs an evil genius and a good genius to count up the spirit’s karma with black and white pebbles.

Failing the test, the Lord of Death instructs his minions to hack the spirit to pieces... but the spirit cannot die because he’s dead already. So, he endures horrible torture and then the Lord of Death has him sewn back together only to be hacked apart over-and-over again. He has a noose around his neck, is dragged about by the Lord of Death, and has his organs extracted again and again.

The light of Six Sangsaric Lokas illuminate the path away from pain, but bad karma prevents the soul from choosing the path. Thus, the soul arrives at the hall of wombs. Here the spirit can go to any rebirth – happy or sad – and is pursued by many tormenting furies. The monk reading the texts must try to draw the spirit away from a making a bad choice as he is distracted by visions of sex. But, if the monk fails, then the soul falls into unconsciousness at the time when the sperm meets the ovum and finds himself reborn as a dog.

If the monk succeeds, however, then he manages to close the doors of the hall of wombs. If the spirit has managed to avoid the wailings of hell, he might be given the chance to be reborn into a

good life serving the public and obeying Buddha’s commands. He can choose to live that life or to transfer his spirit into Buddhahood but, if he chooses the hard life of piety on earth, then even the most rotten of wombs is transformed into a celestial paradise; pending his rebirth.

A bad spirit who made the wrong choice is confronted by 80,000 evil sprites that traverse the skies and evil ghosts known as Pretas who live in space. The Tibetan Book of the Dead concludes by explaining that, if it is properly read and if its prayers are properly recited, then even the lowest of souls has the opportunity for salvation or a better rebirth.

I now end this dark article on a happy note. There is an old lamaic tradition that states that Sacred Texts should stand alone before human beings, free of human aggrandisement. To that end, we’ll never know who it was who transcribed Padma Sambhava’s teachings for us because the scribe did not record his name. The scribe’s final words were: “Let virtue and goodness be perfected in every way.”

Now those are some words to live by... before you die.

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.

22 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan and Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Theerapol Thipcharoen.

Patrik Nilsson, President of Asia Pacific for Aston Martin.

Martin Holmes (centre) of Lee Marine, and his family.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Wayne Milgate, George Ibrahim and Rolf Jansson.

ULTRA-LUXURY CAR BRANDS CRUISE INTO MGC-ASIA AUTOPLEX PHUKET MGC-Asia Autoplex, a flagship showroom for ultra-luxury cars, celebrated its Grand Opening last Friday, Feb 24. The showroom was filled with VIPs, models and luxury cars from BMW, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Mini, and also features an Azimut Yachts Lounge. Several regional presidents representing the luxury auto-makers spoke about the excellent potential for growth in Phuket's luxury car market. Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan also gave a speech welcoming this latest addition to the island's rapidly expanding luxury lifestyle sector.

LOCAL CLUBS MARK 112TH BIRTHDAY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL Local Rotary clubs marked the 112th anniversary of the foundation of the international service organisation last week with a three-day event at Limelight shopping mall in Phuket Town from Feb 23-25. During the event were free health checks for young children and the elderly, as well as a blood donation drive for the Red Cross. Members also gave away motorbike helmets to children and undertook many other charitable activities.

The presidents of six local Rotary Clubs donate helmets to local schoolchildren during the celebrations.

Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort staff, led by General Manager Rudolf Borgesius (3rd from left), presents marine biologist Hirun Kanghae with the donation. Also present for the occasion are Central Festival Phuket GM Thanamet Pongpornkulapak (4th from left) and Marketing Manager Supreeya Jitrawiparat.

LE MÉRIDIEN PHUKET BUOYS PHUKET SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION EFFORTS Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort recently presented its annual contribution of almost B70,000 to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre’s sea turtle conservation program.

Biologist Hirun Kanghae accepted the donation on behalf of the centre. The presentation was held during a marine life conservation seminar hosted by Central Festival Phuket as part of its anniversary celebrations. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

From left: Andy and Chef Daniel.

From left: Florian Collin, Gabriel Cardona and Toon Mayavee.

From left: Roland Bleszynski, Pete Atkinson, Darin Limsuansub and Daojai Tanommuang.

From left: Michael Brereton and Benny Joyner

AQUILA LUXURY VILLA SOARS INTO THE MARKET WITH GRAND OPENING PARTY The Aquila, a deluxe seven-bedroom villa with breathtaking ocean views at Kamala recently held its exclusive Grand Opening party. The villa’s motto “Where eagles rest” arises from the name “Aquila”, the ancient Latin word for eagle. Guests enjoyed drinks and canapes while they toured the villa, taking in the fabulous sea views.

Six of Phuket’s best chefs prepared sumptuous local cuisine.

Former Thai PM Chuan Leekpai was the Guest of Honour at the event.

Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana (right) congratulates one of the six top chefs.

TOP CHEFS SHOWCASE PHUKET’S LEGENDARY CUISINE AT BLUE ELEPHANT Phuket City Municipality recently held its ‘Chef Charity Phuket Legendary Cuisine 2017’ gastronomy event on Feb 26, 2017 at the renowned Blue Elephant restaurant in Phuket Town. Each chef taking part in the event created a unique menu showcasing Phuket’s cuisine, which has been internationally recognised by Unesco. Proceeds raised from the event will be used to to support projects that assist disadvantaged children in Phuket.

Kanokpan ‘Kwan’ Pranveerapaiboon (5th from right), Real Estate Managing Director for the Attitude Club, poses with members of the local press during the event.

ATTITUDE BRINGS POSITIVE BOOST FOR SATURDAYS RESIDENCE LAUNCH PARTY The Attitude Club launched its newest boutique condo development – Saturdays Residence – last Friday, Feb 24. The modern stylish condo features art installations from local street artists as well as a cafe and a roof-top garden with magnificent ocean views. Saturdays Residence is a premium condominium in the Saiyuan area near Nai Harn Beach. It was also recently awarded – Highly Recommended Best Condo Development (Phuket) 2016 – at the Thailand Property Awards. @thephuketnews

24 EVENTS

FRI

3 MAR

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

4 MAR

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN at Two Chefs!!! www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286479 Patong 076-344-914.

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

Friday is Wine & Tapas night at Cape Sienna Hotel Kamala

Pink Party XANA Beach Club 5th Anniversary. THB 300 including a complimentary glass of special selected drink. Wear pink and get free entrance. 8PM till late. Reservations, 076 358 500.

Exploring the secret recipes of “Orgy of Mushrooms” and “Chocolate Orange Tart” by renowned Chef Sean Connolly at Market Place starting at 12 noon. Price: THB 900++. The price includes all cooking ingredients and materials. Reservations, Angsana Laguna Phuket, FBReservation-LagunaPhuket@angsana. com 076 358 500 #8938.

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

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

THB 999.-++ @Lobby Terrace (Weather permiting) from 19:00 – 22:00 hrs. The most amazing and delicious BBQ at Kata Beach Join us for this culinary extravaganza where ‘Authentic’ Thai dishes (and some

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 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.

All you can eat BBQ night

WED

8 MAR

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.

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch 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.

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.

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.

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Thai Seafood and Meat BBQ

Ride 4 Kids Hua Hin to Phuket, 835 KMS in 6 Days. 3 charities, 1 mission. Donations accepted at www.ride4kids.co

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.

5 MAR

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach

Proceeds go to Children First Fund for orphanages in Phuket. Friday March 3 Pop-up Dinners at Laguna Phuket Hotels Saturday March 4 Food & Music Festival at Canal Village - Free entry and Charity Gala Dinner at Latitude Marquee Sunday March 5 Supper Sunday Brunch at XANA Beach Club. Ticket for Charity Gala Dinner available from Feb 1 at Laguna Phuket Hotel: B3,000/person or B28,000 for table of ten. For tickets and more info please contact Laguna Phuket.

Proudly sponsored by Live 89.5 and Khao Phuket.

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Beach, Kata Center, Karon and Patong! Indulge ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes.

Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - 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.

Cooking Class with Celebrity Australian Chef Sean Connolly

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.

Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival 2017 Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival 2017.

6 MAR

Sunday Roast All Day All Night

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.

MON

western items)are served ‘buffet’ style. Our Chef will arrange truly 100% fresh seafood from our fisherman and also prime meats for this special event… We are very confident you will love this event. Reservations, Nook Dee - Kata Beach 076 688 888.

SAT

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

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.

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON Super Sunday Brunch The first ever Sunday Brunch created by the 5 leading executive chefs of the Laguna Phuket Resorts and special award winning guest Chef Sean Connelly to be hosted at Xana Beach Club! 25% of the brunch price will be donated to the children First Fund. Reservations, XANA Beach Club, info@xanabeachclub. com, 076 358 500.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

WED

8 MAR

EVENTS 25

Evil Eddie Richards at Vinyl Cafe

International Women’s Day at Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach In celebration of International Women’s Day come and join Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach on Wednesday 8th March for a lunch starting at 12pm with a specially created menu for the event. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made and to call for changes, 10% of proceeds will go to Yaowawit Orphanage, where 120 girls and boys ranging from 3 to 18 years old are living. For all enquiries, menus and bookings please call 076 303 700 or email h7235-fb1@accor.com

THU

9 MAR

Meet & Greet Monthly Coffee New members are encouraged to join our monthly Meet & Greet Coffee Morning to find 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. 10.30 - 12.00 hrs @Starbucks Central Festival.

SAT

Vinyl Cafe is proud to present what will be a night of exceptional Underground House Music. Once again Vinyl Cafe Phuket brings a stella line up to the people of Phuket. Expect an evening of aural excellence to get your mind thinking and your body moving. We welcome back the legend that is Evil Eddie Richards to our humble homestead. Joining Eddie for this very special night will be two stalwarts of the London Underground scene, Vinyl resident Funky MP and Simon Atkinson of Positive Sound System. From 9pm till late.

Free Entry. Vinyl Cafe - 23/14 Chao Fa East Road, Muang, Phuket.

THU

16 MAR

Annual General Meeting 2017 & March Luncheon Annual General Meeting followed by lunch at Le Meridien Beach Resort & Spa in Patong on 16th March 2017. Both functions will be held at Wang Warin restaurant. We will be also electing a committee for the 2017/2018 year. If you would like to join our committee please contact Lyn on e-mail : lyncarthew@hotmail. com. For more information please contact info@piwcphuket.com. Annual General Meeting starts at 10:00 am Registration for lunch starts at 11:30 am.

FRI

17 MAR

11 MAR

Come and celebrate the finish of this epic journey with the riders and support crew for Ride 4 Kids, kicking off with sunset drinks at 6pm. Free flow selected beverages from 6pm - 9pm as well as delicious Metzos tapas and grill all for 2,500 THB per person. For tickets, please contact Ride 4 Kids Facebook page. Silent Auction prizes up for grabs all in support of The Good Shepherd, Phuket Has Been Good To Us and Outrigger’s Share for Change. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

SUN

19 MAR

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.

FRI

31 MAR

EVERY DAY

All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam 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.

Reggae Night

Exclusive Six-course Degustation Dinner by Will Holland

Ride 4 Kids Coming Home Party

Boat Lagoon Weekend Beats & Bites & Music & Food & Fun. พบกันงานแสดงดนตรี อาหาร และความสนุกหลายรูปแบบ ทีง่ านโบ๊ทลากูนวีคเอนด์ 17-18 March 2017. From 6.00pm till 10.00pm at Lagoon Quay.

Phuket Boat Lagoon 076 239 055.

Will Holland opened his highly acclaimed restaurant “Coast” less than 3 years ago right on the shoreline of Pembrokeshire in the South of Wales. Holland gained his Michelin star before the age of 30 in the fine dining La Becasse in Ludlow. Diners can expect modern British cuisine with freshly caught fish, imported seafood and meat and vegetables from local farmers. 4,750 THB Net. Limited tables only, package for 2 nights accommodation available including dinner. Advance reservations are recommended.Reservations, Cosmo Restaurant, The Nai Harn Phuket fbreservation@thenaiharn.com, 076 380 200.

Come feel alright with us on March 31st 2017 at Two Chefs Kata Beach! Our Famous House Band will be performing all of your favorite Reggae songs from 9pm until late. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes, food and fun all night long! RESERVE Now. www.twochefs.comTwo Chefs Kata Center, 076 333 370.

SAT

1 APR

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay 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.

Pop Up 3 at Latitude with Angsana Happy St.Patricks Day

Full Moon Party Volume 8 at XANA Beach Club THB 300 including a complimentary drink. Reservations, XANA Beach Club.

@thephuketnews

Don’t miss out on March 17th 2017 at Two Chefs Karon for our St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Join us for a memorable evening! Indulge in Irish Beef Stew for Only 395 Baht. Our Famous House Band will be performing a U2 Acoustic Tribute with all of your favorite songs from 9pm until late. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes, food and fun all night long! RESERVE Now www.twochefs.com Two Chefs Karon, 076 286 479.

On Saturday 1st April, for one night only, 20 of the best restaurants in Phuket will Pop Up at Latitude in Laguna in support of Phuket Has Been Good To Us! For only 2,500 THB try signature dishes from each of the amazing chefs and enjoy all night free flow from our 7 beverage sponsors. The evening will also feature fantastic silent auction prizes, great music, dancing, and more! Don’t miss Phuket’s best foodie event of the year! To book: info@phukethasbeengoodtous.org or 076-278-146 Proudly sponsored by Live89.5.

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

26 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which novel is the story of the gentle knight and his servant Sancho Panza?

2. In which year did George V become king and Halley’s Comet return?

3. Which American road is also known as the Will Rogers Highway?

4. What type of pastry is used for profiteroles?

5. The deficiency of which vitamin is associated with the disease Rickets?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Across 1. Fashioned anew 7. Borderline 11. Econ. statistic 14. Alias 15. Civil service ___ 16. Written promise 17. Rainforest flyers 20. Biblical verb suffix 21. Cant and eight follower 22. Holds 23. Ball girls 25. Stephen of “Michael Collins” 27. Exasperate 28. ___-time low 30. 32 pieces plus board 35. Calm 37. Historic periods 38. Chinese “way” 39. Common lawn covering 43. Joanne Woodward Oscar-winning role 44. McCarthy novel, with “The” 45. Jollity 46. Communicating, in a way 49. File folder feature 50. Bean 51. Audience

54. Garden soil 57. Nudibranch 61. ___ Master’s Voice 63. Play title word 64. Agricultural pests 67. Star of Asian soccer, Shinji ___ 68. Highlander 69. Boy in Britain 70. Recipe amt.

71. Hypothetical substance 72. Gets rid of .

Down 1. Brought down: var.

2. Matrikin 3. Stored 4. Cuckoo bird 5. Newton fraction 6. Smoldering fragment 7. Copy cats?

8. Prez 9. Most resinous 10. Blocks up 11. Demoiselle 12. Junction point 13. It may be sour 18. Low digit 19. Day to remember 24. Moravian, e.g.

26. Land 29. Caustic chemical 31. Word with before or back 32. Ships’ sides 33. Far ___ 34. Nonsense 35. Profess 36. Bulgarian moolah 37. Like some piano keys 40. Judicature 41. Clock std.

42. Omani money 47. M.I.T. part 48. Study of eggs 52. “So it’s you!”

53. Go through 55. ___ defeat 56. He took two tablets 57. Aberdeen native 58. Time immemorial 59. Crowning 60. Popular TV show 62. Ill-gotten gains 65. Wych or white 66. Words of honor?

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 1) Don Quixote; 2); 1910; 3) Route 66; 4) Choux; 5) Vitamin D

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history March 3, 1991 An amateur video captures the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers.

15

points is how much men’s IQ dips while multitasking, while women’s IQs drop just five points, according to a study.

March 4, 1351 Ramathibodi becomes King of Siam.

17,000

March 5, 1616 Nicolaus Copernicus’s book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres is added to the Index of Forbidden Books 73 years after it was first published.

65,000

March 6, 1946 Ho Chi Minh signs an agreement with France which recognises Vietnam as an autonomous state in the Indochinese Federation and the French Union.

400

US dollars is all it costs to make just one Oscar statuette.

kidney transplants are conducted in US hopsitals every year.

people in Japan are more than 100 years old.

March 7, 321 AD Emperor Constantine I decrees that the dies Solis Invicti (sun-day) is the day of rest in the Empire.

6.4 billion US dollars were made by JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo on ATM and overdraft fees alone in 2016.

Source: Uberfacts

March 8, 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, carrying a total of 239 people, disappears en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Digging deep at the Phuket Volleyball Open. Photo by Rick Nuffer Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

March 9, 1959 The Barbie doll makes its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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Jobs

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Jobs

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Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

EDUCATION

FISHING SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

IMMIGRATION SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MOVING SERVICES

OTHER

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

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

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

TRAINING

HOME DECORATION

ADVERTISE HERE

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The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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 13.5m., width 3.4m. Capacity 45 pax + 3 crew. Front seats. Good condition. Incl 3 Honda engines. B1,800,000. 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.

Boating deal of the year: 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)

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

Steel boat for sale

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES OUTSOURCE COMPANY FOR SALE

126 skilled employees, 3 buildings included, with a net profit of 17 million THB per year. Easy to manage, ideal for foreign investment. Contact us for details.

Besa, 081 891 5932.

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.

Price reduced for quick sale

No, not a bar or guesthouse, but a manufacturing business for wooden window blinds.

All the machinery and inventory of parts to be up and running in a matter of days. A very successful business in Phuket for over eight years. Price reduced to 2 mil Baht. Owner will partially finance. lamsden@phuketemail.com 081 487 4812. @thephuketnews

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant set up for sale

CAR FOR SALE n r ge

t sa

le

Honda Jazz 2009

A fully equipped restaurant in the highly U 1500cc Auto sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna.

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

Looking for investor / partner

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

Narin, narinpga@gmail.com 081 826 9390.

CAR FOR SALE Nissan Teana Sport Series 250

One owner, September 2010, only 45,850km. Excellent conditions, truly remarkable engine, looking new, parked indoor, regularly serviced, never a problem. Please call for a view and a road test. 640,000, gfq46@mac.com 081 978 6800.

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.

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.

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

Life Time Family Membership

Blue Canyon: 750,000 THB includes 140,000 transfer fee.

Loch Palms: 425,000 THB includes 72,000 transfer fee.

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

MOVING SERVICES Looking for a 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.

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REAL ESTATE SERVICES Phuket real estate tour

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

WEBSITES, IT For Sale: hoteldealsphuket.com

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE Condominium for sale

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@ sunny-property.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.

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

Pool Villa Mission Heights

Villa with salt pool, 330sqm, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 900sqm chanote, owner finance, near mission hill golf 2km. 6km PIA, 8km airport. Call 087 060 8400. B16.9 million. Charly, Mission Heights, picharly@gmail.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.

COMMUNITY

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.

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. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Buy&Sell

PROPERTY FOR SALE HERE IS THE FUTURE. 17 RAI FOR SALE

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

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

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

Land for sale in Saku - Phuket

1 to 5 Rai. Chanote. 10 mins 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.

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. Somjit, aadmo@btinternet.com 081 979 1945.

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. B4.9 mil. o.n.o. Contact Randy. 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

Ten Room Villa for sale

With 5 Rai land. 5 sleeping rooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 balconies, 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. @thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Apartment Country Golf Club House

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

House for Sale

House at Land and House for sale. 2-storey with 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, balcony, jacuzzi, library, laundry. Near kids’ 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

PROPERTY FOR RENT Amazing 5 Bed/Bath Villa Rawai

Stunning 5 Bed Pool Villa quiet and private location. Quality furn and fully equipped. Beautiful lounge/kitchen, very spacious with great pool. 90000 Baht per month, bricothailand@hotmail.com 081 271 7092.

Central Patong Condo for rent

1 bedroom fully furnished ground floor apartment 65 s.q.m. central Patong.

For rent long or short term. For more details email ianscondo21@gmail.com

House for rent.

Nr Wat Chalong

3 Bed/4 baths house in quiet estate.

Available from April 1st to Oct 31st. email me or phone me, Paul, for photos and full details. 25,000 pcm, PAUL WHITTALL, Phuket Private Lagoon, Chao Faa West Road, Chalong, pwhittall@aol.com 093 793 4258.

Karon Beach House for rent

96 sqm. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 40 sqm. living room. Long lease only, B18,000, Narumon, naruchai@gmx.de 082 576 6162.

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 B4.5 Million Negotiable Rent 25K Per Month Fully furnished or 20K per month unfurnished. 081 9686 051.

PROPERTY FOR RENT PRIME LAND+BLDG @CHALONG PIER

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

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

Vassana Residence. Rawai

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

Kata Western Apartment

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

1 month minimum, 1 year lease starting B20,000/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 10,000-15,000 per month; 54.5 sqm – THB 15,000-20,000 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 etc. 8,000 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

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

FRIDAY,FEBRUARY 24, 2017

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AFFORDABLE POOL VILLA, Kamala 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 170 sqm

4,995,000 THB

This property is exceptionally well priced, located in a desirable location with easy access to shops, restaurants and other amenities, quietly situated in a gated community,

WELL PRICED MOUNTAIN VIEW APARTMENT, Kamala 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 210 sqm

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

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

Corner unit maximizing privacy. Good common area facilities

4,900,000 THB

with 2 common pools and 2 fitness rooms.

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

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.

6,500,000 THB

B e in st Su Va rin lue

7,000,000 THB

FREEHOLD CONDO 800M FROM KAMALA BEACH, Kamala

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 99.9 sqm

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

Studio, 1 bathroom, 27 sqm

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.

2,700,000 THB

R e Pr duc ic ed e

12,500,000 THB

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

FREEHOLD CONDO, Surin

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

3,900,000 THB

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.

LAND PLOT WITH SEA VIEW Nor Sor 3 Gor Title, 767 Sqm

A prime piece of land situated on the hillside overlooking Kamala bay.

Reasonably flat land with sealed driveway access and power onsite.

5,900,000 THB

thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

PROPERTY 35

Call us today to schedule a viewing or visit Thailand’s leading online marketplace to seach 1,000s of properties in Phuket and all other major locations across Thailand - go to FazWaz.com

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.

5 BEDROOM POOL VILLA WITH VAST MOUNTAIN VIEW, Rawai 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 800 sqm

15,499,000 THB

A 3 - story villa with spectacular panoramic view that will give you 800 sqm of generous space amongst lush vegetation.

STUNNING VILLA SURROUNDED BY LUSH PLANTATION, Kamala 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 750 spm

This exquisite 6 bedroom pool villa with large indoor and outdoor living spaces even features a games room. Located in a peaceful

15,000,000 THB

neighbourhood with easy access to local eateries and shops.

IMPRESSIVE SEA VIEW APARTMENT, Ao Po 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 110 sqm

Situated in a quiet 32 apartment complex. Large terrace with a spectacular sea view with surrounding islands as a calming

7,500,000 THB

backdrop. Well-managed estate.

FREEHOLD 3-BED DUPLEX, Bang Tao 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 232.8 sqm

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 129 sqm

A stunning and modern 2 bedroom condo overlooking Kalim

freehold title. Great location by between main shopping amenities and

Bay with easy commute to Patong and Kamala. Great onsite facilities,

Bang Tao Beach with the new Catch Beach Club a few minutes away.

including a restaurant and shuttle bus services.

10,000,000 THB

R e Pr duc ic ed e

9,800,000 THB

Unique opportunity to own a townhouse style condominium under a

SPACIOUS PANORAMIC SEA VIEW CONDOMINIUM, Kalim

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

35,000,000 THB

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!

@thephuketnews

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

36 SPORT

T4 League Leaders Two successive wins leave Phuket on top FOOTBALL Matt Pond editor3@thephuketnews.com

A

2-0 win at home over Yala United last Saturday (Feb 25) has left Phuket FC as lone leaders of Thai League 4 (T4) being the only team to have picked up maximum points so far this season.

Despite being only two games into the 2017 season, fans will take a lot of positives from the fact that the Andaman Dragon has picked up all six points available, and even more so that they have managed to score seven goals and kept clean sheets in those games.

Last Saturday’s game was set for a 6pm kick-off.

However, despite the club advertising the fact they are sponsored by Bangkok Hospital, kick-off was delayed as no ambulances were on site.

Football Association of Thailand rules stipulate that there must be two ambulances at all league games.

The first ambulance pulled

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

1

Phuket FC

2

2

0

0

7

0

7

6

2

Chumpon FC

2

1

1

0

2

1

1

4

3

Satun Utd

2

1

1

0

2

1

1

4

4

Pattani FC

2

0

2

0

2

2

0

2

5

Phatthalung FC

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

6

Surat Thani City

2

0

1

1

2

3

-1

1

7

Hat Yai FC

2

0

1

1

1

2

-1

1

8

Yala Utd

2

0

1

1

1

3

-2

1

9

Sungaipadee FC

1

0

0

1

0

5

-5

0

Thai League 4 results Saturday Feb 25 Phuket FC

2-0

Yala United

Hat Yai FC

1–1

Pattani FC

Sunday Feb 26

Phuket FC’s Cameroonian striker Elvis Job (11) opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the game. Photo: Puvadon Kosol Klabpadung into Surakul Stadium shortly before 6:20pm, a second and even a third then arrived shortly after.

But it was just four minutes into the game when Phuket’s Cameroonian striker Elvis Job (11) opened the scoring for the Dragon after slotting home nicely from just inside Yala’s penalty area.

But around 15 minutes

before half-time, Phuket suffered what could be a big blow for them this season.

Ivorian defender Hamed De Silci Diarrassouba was taken out badly by a Yala player and had to be stretchered off.

The team’s physiotherapists were hoping the injury would not be serious, however, after giving first aid

for around 15 minutes an ambulance was called pitchside and Diarrassouba taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

It was later announced Diarrassouba had suffered a broken ankle, an injury that will leave him out of action for at least three months.

Phuket’s second goal came about midway through the second half from Natthapoom

Satun United

1- 1

Suratthani City FC

Phatthalung

1–1

Chumphon FC

Maya (7). His goal follows on from a hat-trick last weekend in the season opener against Sungaipadee FC and leaves him as the league’s top-scorer on four goals.

The result leaves Phuket two points clear at the top of the table going into week three this coming weekend.

The team will travel south to Pattani FC for a game on

Saturday (Mar 4) with kickoff set for 4:15pm. Pattani currently sit at 4th in the league table on two points following two draws in their season openers.

Phuket next retur n to Surakul Stadium on March 18 when they are set to play Chumphon who currently sit 2nd in the league on four points.

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

3,000 set for 10 mile run

SPORT 37

Big turnout expected for third edition of annual race

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

ATHLETICS Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

A

round 3,000 fun-runners and athletes are expected to descend upon Thanyapura Phuket on Sunday, March 19 to participate in the 3rd edition of the Supersports 10 Mile International Run. This annual race will take runners through Phuket’s beautiful lush settings and back roads on the island’s northern point, and is inspired by track and field’s earliest days in ancient Greece, when Olympians measured contested races in feet and miles.

This method gives runners a chance to achieve a personal best over another distance.

This challenging race is open to runners of all ages and will feature four running distances and categories: • The signature 10 mile run includes five age categories starting from age 15 • The 5 mile run is open to

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Runners set off from the start line in the inaugural event in 2015.

Photo: supersports.co.th participants aged 12 and older • The 2 mile open run for runners of all ages • 500 metre fun run for young runners up to 12 years old The day’s first competitors will kick-off the run at 6am and the award ceremony is set for 7:30am.

Competitors of the 5 and 10 mile races will receive a

race kit which includes a Tshirt and BiB number, and a commemorative medal at the end of the ceremony. The top three finishers of the 10 and 5 mile categories will be awarded a trophy.

The top three overall Thai and international winners of the 10 mile run are rewarded cash prizes.

The total prize pool is

valued at B110,000.

Registration fee starts at: • B450 for the fun run (B400 for teams) • B450 for 2 mile run (B400 for teams) • B500 for 5 mile run (B450 for teams) • B600 for 10 mile run (B550 for teams) Interested persons are encouraged to register online

at www.supersports.co.th or www.thanyapura.com or by events@thanyapura.com for more information.

This year’s sponsors include New Balance, Johnson Health Tech (Thailand), Krungthai Card Public Co. Ltd (KTC), Family Mart, 89.75 Radio Tr ip, Khao Phuket, Anda Focus and The Phuket News.

Run: #1622 Saturday March 4 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: J.C., Little Buddha (VH) Location: Kathu - In front of J.C.’s house Directions: Coming from Patong, turn right into the soi beside the Family Mart at the bottom of hill on the Kathu side, just before the divided roadway begins. Wind in about 500 metres and when reaching the T-junction turn right. Continue on for 300m and then turn left at the abandoned elephant camp on your right.

Coming from Chalong, head towards Patong, go beyond the Kathu Go-Kart track make a left turn at the end of the divided roadway onto the soi beside the Family Mart and continue as above.

Bus Pickup Schedule: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:45pm Pato ng @ E x p at H ote l : 3:15pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four things we learned in the Premier League I n last weekend’s Premier League action, week 26 in the fixtures tables, leaders Chelsea underlined their title credentials by brushing aside Swansea, while Harry Kane showcased his predatory finishing

FOOTBALL

AFP

Kane is able for ruthless Spurs

Frustrated by their surprise midweek Europa League exit against Gent, Tottenham took their frustrations out on Stoke as Harry Kane once again demonstrated his lethal finishing. After scoring a crucial own goal in the Gent upset, Kane was back on form with a first half treble at White Hart Lane. Kane blitzed Stoke with goals in the 14th, 32nd and 37th minutes to notch his third hat-trick in his last nine appearances.

Kane has 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions since the start of 2017 and 22 goals in all competitions this season, the third consecutive campaign in which he has surpassed

Harry Kane shoots to score his third goal against Stoke. Photo: Olly Greenwood/AFP 20 goals. Dele Alli got Tottenham’s fourth, set up

by Kane inevitably, as they moved up to second place.

Allardyce still a firefighter

Sam Allardyce is known for helping teams avoid relegation from the Premier League but even the former England manager’s reputation as a football escapologist appeared to be wearing thin at Crystal Palace. However, a first home league win for the Eagles under Allardyce – a 1-0 success against fellow drop rivals Middlesbrough last Saturday (Feb 25), has turned the battle at the bottom into a “seven-team league” in his words. For all his outward bluster, it is Allardyce’s ability to remain composed in a battle to beat the drop that may prove vital

No wobble for nerveless Chelsea

Rocked by Fernando Llorente’s unexpected equaliser on the stroke of half-time, Chelsea were suddenly facing the first serious test of their mettle for months – their response was emphatic and no doubt dispiriting to their title rivals. After a disappointing draw with Burnley in their previous outing, the runaway leaders looked shocked to be pegged back after dominating the first half at Stamford Bridge last Sunday (Feb 26). Cesc Fabregas had marked his 300th Premier League appearance with a cool finish in the 19th minute, but Llorente’s header after sloppy marking from Victor Moses raised questions about Chelsea’s focus. But if Antonio Conte was worried that a lack of pressure from their top four

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 February 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Walkabout Sports Bar in Karon.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

Aays 19 bazerb 19 toptipster 19 carst 18 giggs 18

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

carst 148 scottkip 148 The Red Card Gang 147 Sidwell Guduka 146 zestrealestate 145

English Premier League 2016 - 2017

Cesc Fabregas celebrates scoring the opening goal in what was his 300th appearance in the Premier League. Photo: Glyn Kirk/AFP challengers had dimmed his players’ desire, he need not have fretted. Pedro restored Chelsea’s lead after a sustained spell of pressure and Diego Costa wrapped up his side’s 17th win in their last 20 league games to put them 10 points clear at the top with 12 games remaining.

Team

MP W

D

L

F

A

GD

1

Chelsea

26

20

3

3

55

19

36

Pts 63

2

Tottenham Hotspur

26

15

8

3

50

18

32

53

3

Manchester City

25

16

4

5

51

29

22

52

4

Arsenal

25

15

5

5

54

28

26

50

5

Liverpool

26

14

7

5

55

33

22

49

6

Manchester United

25

13

9

3

38

21

17

48

7

Everton

26

12

8

6

42

27

15

44

8

West Brom

26

11

7

8

36

32

4

40

9

West Ham United

26

9

6

11

35

44

-9

33

10

Stoke City

26

8

8

10

30

40

-10

32

11

Burnley

26

9

4

13

28

37

-9

31

12

Watford

26

8

7

11

30

43

-13

31

13

Southampton

25

8

6

11

28

31

-3

30

14

Bournemouth

26

7

5

14

36

51

-15

26

15

Leicester City

26

6

6

14

27

44

-17

24

16

Swansea City

26

7

3

16

32

57

-25

24

17

Middlesbrough

26

4

10

12

19

28

-9

22

18

Crystal Palace

26

6

4

16

33

46

-13

22

19

Hull City

26

5

6

15

23

50

-27

21

20

Sunderland

26

5

4

17

24

48

-24

19

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

To Hull and back

Big Sam celebrates big win for Crystal Palace at home to Boro. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP to Palace’s hopes of remaining in the top flight – he did his best to calm anxious Palace fans by writing in his program notes that the Eagles were “not up to the stage of must-win games just yet”.

Date

Time

Match

Stadium

Sat Mar 4

4:15pm

Pattani FC vs Phuket FC

Central Stadium

Sat Mar 18

6pm

Phuket FC vs Chumphon 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 City 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

for second placed Tottenham and Crystal Palace secured a priceless win in the relegation dogfight.

Here are four things we learned in the Premier League last weekend:

MONTHLY SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

Leading 1-0 with just 18 minutes left against a Burnley side who had taken only one away league point all season, it looked like Hull were on course to secure a valuable win in their fight for survival. Tom Huddlestone’s penalty, awarded for Michael Keane’s handball, had put Marco Silva’s team on the verge of a third successive home win in the Premier League for the first win in their history. But Burnley were fuelled by a sense of injustice over the spot-kick, which they felt shouldn’t have been given because Hull’s Harry Maguire pushed Keane towards the ball.

Hull City manager Marco Silva. Photo: AFP And fittingly it was Keane who made amends when he blasted in the equaliser four minutes later. In the blink of an eye, the Tigers dropped from 16th in the provisional table back down to 19th.

SPORT

START STOP

Friday March 3 Cricket 20:30 Rugby Union 13:35 Rugby League 16:00 18:00 Aussie Rules 15:30 Saturday March 4 Rugby Union 13:30 15:40 17:50 20:00 22:10 00:30 Soccer 19:30 22:00 00:30 Soccer 22:00 22:00 22:00 Cricket 10:00 Sunday March 5 Rugby Union 21:55 Rugby League 12:00 Soccer 20:30 23:00 Cricket 10:30 Cricket 20:30

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

02:00 15:35 18:00 20:00 18:30

ODI1 - North Sound Super Rugby NRL NRL AFL

West Indies v. England Chiefs v. Blues Rabbitohs v. Tigers Bulldogs v. Storm (D) GWS Giants v. Sydney Swans

15:30 17:40 19:50 22:00 00:10 02:30 21:30 00:00 02:30 00:00 00:00 00:00 19:00

Super Rugby Super Rugby Super Rugby Super Rugby Super Rugby Super Rugby EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL Test No 2 - Bangalore

Highlanders v. Crusaders Brumbies v. Sharks Sunwolves v. Kings Lions v. Waratahs Stormers v. Jaguares Cheetahs v. Bulls Man United v. Bournemouth Leicester v. Hull Liverpool v. Arsenal Watford v. Southampton Stoke v. Middlesbrough West Bromwich v. Crystal Palace India v. Australia - Day 1

23:50 14:00 22:30 01:00 19:00 02:00

Aviva Premiership NRL EPL EPL Test No 2 - Bangalore ODI2 - North Sound

Worcester v. Bristol Sea Eagles v. Eels Tottenham v. Everton Sunderland v. Man City India v. Australia - Day 2 West Indies v. England

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

Two straight wins leave Phuket FC top of T4 > page 36

THE CASEY RETURNS

Island’s mainstream media blamed for misreporting on island’s missing softball legend

Softball’s missing legend Casey Kilbane was back in full swing last weekend.

Photo: Anisa Van Der Laan

SOFTBALL Jared Spindel

T

he big question heading into last Saturday’s softball action was whether Casey “The Casey” Kilbane would return to Phuket Softball following his unexplained absence the week prior.

The suspense was shortlived, as The Casey was seen ‘rushin’ to the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) early.

“No ‘stallin’ for me, I’m eager to ‘put in’ some practice, as my slump ‘must go’,” said a possibly hammered and sickly looking The Casey.

Asked to explain the previ-

ous week’s absence, he maundered on about the decision not being his, but that of a previous administration of some sort. He then tweeted aspersions against the ‘mainstream media’, stating that he had in fact been at the game the previous week and had hit homeruns like nobody had ever seen.

Half of Phuket Softball then mindlessly chanted his name and elected him a team captain.

Last Saturday’s (Feb 25) first game did not go as The Casey had hoped, as for the first six innings the True North Trudeaus achieved a complete and total shutdown of runs on the scoreboard, taking a

big league 11-0 lead into the seventh and final frame.

The Yankees managed to spoil the shutout with a solitary run in the seventh, but still lost by a final score of 11-1. The Yankees then celebrated their tremendous victory with their many tremendous fans who caused a tremendous six-block lineup at the tremendous ACG bar, according to senior Yankees’ official John Barron.

In the second game, Mel “Boobs” Galarneau captained a squad against Robby “De Belgian” De Vylder. The captains unfortunately gave their teams names that are not suitable for publication.

Nevertheless, the story of

the game was that the big aggressive bats of Galarneau’s squad repeatedly smashed balls deep into the gap, taking a 6-4 victory over De Vylder’s squad, which choked under pressure and several times squirted away a lead.

Notable players last Saturday were Nai, who made playing second base look ngai (falling tone); centre fielder Marcus “Warrick Brown” Rogers, who misjudged a line drive early on but fulfilled his subsequent guarantee that he wouldn’t get fooled again; and Brooks “Was Here” Bebon, whose suffocating defence helped his team hang in the game.

The games also saw the

debut of two new players. One was a German catcher/third baseman, whose name was not recorded by the softball correspondent, so let’s go with Dieter Sprockets. Herr Sprockets wasn’t an experienced softball player, but he did exhibit the savvy of a veteran catcher by inducing a pop up after telling an easily amused batter to “get to the chopper” prior to his swing.

The other player to debut was Eric “Kirby Phuket” Haeg, whose home state of Minnesota was the proud home to the world’s largest ball of twine between 1979 and 1994 according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and still through to

this day according to the fine residents of Darwin, Minnesota – not them good for nothing cheaters in Cawker City, Kansas.

The next games, tomorrow (Mar 4), beginning at midday at the Alan Cooke Ground.

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.

Patong go top in T20 league with easy win over ICC CRICKET LAST SUNDAY (FEB 26) SAW the fourth round of the C&C Marine 2017 T20 tournament at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) between Island Cricket Club (ICC) and Patong Cricket Club (PCC).

ICC went into Sunday’s game winless, so they were hoping to pick up points so they wouldn’t drift too far from the league’s other teams who had all picked up at least one win apiece so far in the current season. But PCC had other ideas and walked away with their second win of the season meaning they replaced Phuket Cricket Group at the top of the table on run rate.

Ahead of start of play, PCC skipper Seemant Raju won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Batsmen S Ullah and R Naik opened for ICC, however, they could not have got off to a worse start when Ullah (0) was caught after facing just one delivery, and Naik (1) followed him back to the clubhouse when he was trapped LBW nine balls later.

With the early departure of the openers, batsman B Dessai and H Singh looked to consolidate the innings. Both batsman managed to take ICC to the 4th over before Singh (4) edged one behind off the bowling of Kohler.

This brought Singh to the crease, and under immense pressure to ebb the steady flow of wickets and get a respectable score on the board.

However, in the 6th over, wicket keeper Van Blerk got his second catch of the day off the bowling of Kohler, dismissing Dessai for

Kohler, bowling for Patong Cricket Club, clean bowls Harry Singh from ICC. Photo: Michael Way 12 runs.

Things went from bad to worse for ICC when Singh was clean bowled for a duck. At this stage in the 7th over, ICC were five wickets down with just 44 runs on the board, and PCC were looking to bowl ICC out before the drinks break.

S Kandolkar (10) and A Virdikar (12) provided some resistance, however, neither could produce an innings of any substance as newcomer

J Robertson had Kandolkar caught

by Kohler and trapped Virdikar LBW soon after the drinks break.

S Kumar (5) and Skipper P Borkar (6) couldn’t add much to the total and in the 14th over, the last wicket of S Singh (4) fell leaving M Khan not out on three runs.

ICC had been bowled out setting Patong a meager 78 runs to chase.

Patong opened with in-form batsmen S Hamilton and B Arnold.

Hamilton, the recipient of last weeks Man of the Match award wasted no time in going into attack mode.

Opening partner Arnold was happy holding up one end leaving Hamilton to enjoy some “buffet” bowling from ICC. The Patong openers took the game to the 10 over drinks break, however, in the 11th over, ICC managed a breakthrough as Arnold lost

his wicket, clean bowled by Kumar.

This brought P Morton to the crease needing 33 runs to win. Hamilton continued his onslaught and together with Morton, successfully chased down the target of 78 runs in the 14th over leaving Hamilton (43) and Moreton (11) not out.

Patong won the match by nine wickets.

This Sunday (Mar 5) sees PCG take on ACG with start time set for 11am.

For further information about cricket on Phuket, visit the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) web-site at www.phuketcricket.com or e-mail the PCG committee at phuketcricketgroup@gmail.com. New players are always welcome & would be well received by the current teams on the island.

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