The Phuket News 03 August 2018

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

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NEWS

PAGE 3

Beach-touring crocodile finally caught at Layan

LIFE

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Living with our obessseion with the smartphone

One of the boys points to where 11-year-old Supat ‘Petch’ Jampathong was swept away.

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

DEADLY RIP CURRENTS RETURN TO KILL ONE TOURIST AND AN 11-YEAR-OLD BOY IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS Eakkapop Thongtub reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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hile officials this week launched a major offensive to scour the west coast to catch a rogue crocodile before anyone was attacked by the predator (see page 3), Phuket’s annual deadly surf returned to claim two more lives – one a tourist, the other an 11-year-old boy.

Lifeguards recovered the body of 11-year-old Supat ‘Petch’ Jampathong on Wednesday morning (Aug 1) after

local residents spotted his body among the waves near Sakoo Police Station.

Supat, a student at Wat Mongkolwararam School, was one of six friends playing in the shore break at Nai Yang Beach on Monday (July 30) when they were overpowered by large waves and started being dragged away from the beach.

The boys were playing in kneedeep water when they were overpowered by the strong surf.

Two of the five other boys were rescued by a local surfer, Norwegian national Terje Tonnessen, 37. The

other three scrambled to shore by themselves.

Supat was swept away by the deadly rip current.

The incident, yet to be recognised by provincial officials, raises grave questions about the ability of lifeguards at the beach to carry out any form of rescue of people caught up in dangerous surf or deadly rip currents at the beach.

Red flags were posted along the entire length of Nai Yang Beach after it became known that Supat had been swept away from shore by a rip.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Local residents and beachgoers confident of staying safe while in the water quickly launched a search for the boy, while lifeguards stayed on shore. The Phuket News has yet to confirm exactly how well trained the lifeguards are to carry out a surf rescue, their skill at swimming in strong surf and whether they had any equipment at all to safely carry out a surf rescue without endangering themselves.

The search on Monday failed to find Supat, and continued on Tuesday, with Navy rescue teams, local…

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After 15 years, busy Phuket road is finally bestowed a name > page 4

Patong bar raided over slayings Owner on the run, wanted for Chonburi double murder Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Patong bar owner wanted in connection with the double slaying of two young people in Chonburi on Sunday has evaded arrest after police on Tuesday night (July 31) raided his bar on Bangla Rd, in the heart of Patong’s nightlife district.

Officers from the Patong Police, military personnel from the Royal Thai Army Region 5 and local officials raided the Pum Pui bar in search of the 39-year-old owner Panya ‘Sia Auan’ Yingdang.

Panya is wanted on murder charges after the Pattaya Court on Tuesday approved a warrant for his arrest for the murder of Paveena Namuang, 20, and Anantachai Jaritrum, 21.

Miss Paveena and Mr Anantachai were shot dead by assailants who opened fire on their car in a parking lot at the popular Khao Chee Chan

Police raided the ‘Pum Pui’ bar on Bangla Rd in Patong on Tuesday night in the hope of catching the owner, 39-year-old Panya ‘Sia Auan’ Yingdang, who is wanted for murder. Photo: Patong Police (Buddha Mountain) in the Sattahip District of Chonburi province on Sunday (July 29).

A total of seven shots were fired into their vehicle, killing both of them.

The Pattaya Court on Tuesday

also issued arrest warrants for Jeerasak Unaiban and Sayant Srisook in connection with the double murder.

Police and the armed military personnel arrived at the Pum Pui bar to find the bar filled with tourists and a host of coyote dancers,

reported the Patong Police.

The bar had more than 30 “staff” present at the time of the raid.

During a search of the premises, Jarupak Nantana, 29, identified herself as the manager.

As the business was found to be operating without a licence, Ms Jarupak was taken to Patong Police Station and charged accordingly.

It was not explained how the authorities had failed to notice that a bar in the heart of Patong’s busiest nightlife street had been overlooked and managed to keep trading without a licence.

Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee explained to the press that Panya operated two night venues in Patong, the other being ‘The Night Pub’, which Ms Jarupak explained was already closed due to lack of customers at this time of year.

Police are in the process of obtaining warrants to search two houses in Patong that Panya owns.

Officers had already staked out

both houses, but they were ‘silent’, Col Anothai said.

Investigators pointed to jealousy as a possible motive after they found out that Miss Paveena worked at an entertainment venue run by Panya in Phuket, and that “she was his favourite”, reported the Bangkok Post.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Chalermkiat Srivorakhan said investigators were still uncertain who had pulled the trigger.

A pickup truck bearing Phuket number plates and later confirmed to be registered to Panya was found abandoned on a road in Muang District in Sa Kaeo province earlier on Wednesday (Aug 1). The location of the vehicle supports the police’s theory that Panya was trying to flee to Cambodia.

Before last Sunday, Panya was already involved in shooting dead a Thai man in the staircase of an apartment building in Patong which was used as a residence for staff from the Pum Pui bar in November last year.

Deadly waves claim two more lives Continued from page 1 …officials and residents, and even members of the Surin Bangtao Surf Lifesaving Club trained as Ocean Lifeguards by the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA), concluded fruitless.

Local officials set up floodlights on the beach on Tuesday evening as a precaution as volunteers kept watch overnight. However, hopes were already fading for the survival of young Supat, with people placing incense sticks in the sand at the beach amid their prayers.

On Wednesday, Supat’s body was taken to Thalang Hospital before being handed over to his family so that they may hold a funeral for their child.

The death of young Supat followed that of an Indian tourist who was swept away by a deadly rip current at Karon Beach last Wednesday (July 25).

The tourist, 33-year-old Gaurav Mann, was swept away while swimming with friends in front of the Nong Harn Lake area, where his body washed ashore two days later (Friday, July 27).

The area where Mr Mann disappeared was marked with

Lifeguards remain on shore at Nai Yang Beach as bystanders scour the surf for Supat. Screengrab: Eakkapop Thongtub red flags indicating that it was too dangerous to enter the water at that area, and no lifeguards were stationed at that section of the beach at that time.

The nearest lifeguard managed to pull Mr Mann’s friends to safety, but not before Mr Mann had been pulled far from the beach.

The two deaths follows repeated warnings by the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA), which has issued a blanket warning for all beaches in Phuket except at Patong and Nai Harn due the lack of trained lifeguards and the lack of rescue equipment provided by local authorities.

Of note, just last week The Phuket News reported the

trained lifeguards at Nai Harn successfully rescuing no less than 18 people from the surf – including 10 Russians and four Chinese – in a single day and at Patong Beach, where trained, qualified lifeguards patrol, The Phuket News has yet to receive a single report of a life-threatening incident of a swimmer in danger this year.

Regarding dangerous surf conditions along the west coast, a special warning was issued for a dangerous steep bank on the shore line at Surin Beach that catches unsuspecting tourists unaware.

“Beachgoers who lose their footing can be swept out by large, angry waves,” ISLA cautioned in a notice. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Crocodile’s beach tour ends after 11-day hunt

PHUKET NEWS

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Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he crocodile that eluded capture for 11 days after it was spotted off Yanui Beach in Rawai on the evening of July 18, and at Nai Harn Beach the next day, was caught early last Sunday morning (July 29) near rocks on Koh Kata, just offshore from Layan Beach.

The crocodile was snared in nets by the ‘Kraithong Lumnamtapi’ team of experts from the Department of Fisheries in Surat Thani, brought to Phuket especially to catch the reptile, at about 5:30am.

The crocodile, which some reports have named as “Yanui”, is a female measuring about 2.3 metres long and weighing about 150 kilograms.

Leading up to the catch, the crocodile was first spotted at about 4am, leading to the chase, Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong explained at a press conference last Sunday morning.

The search teams included municipality officials, local rescue units and local fishermen, but it was the Kraithong team that finally chased the croc to near the rocks off Koh Kata, where they snared it in a double-layered net.

After the croc became tangled in the net, the team took about 15 minutes to have it under control, Gov Norraphat said.

The crocodile was subsequently taken to the Coastal

The donations centre has been set up at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town. Photo: PR Dept

Phuket called to rally donations for Laos flood victims

The elusive crocodile was caught before dawn last Sunday.

Photos: PR Dept / Eakkapop Thongtub Aquaculture Research and Development Center Region 5 (Phuket) in Mai Khao.

Officials will conduct a DNA test to determine the exact species of crocodile, Gov Norraphat said.

Fisheries officials will also continue their investigations in the hope of determining where the crocodile was trying to go, the Governor added.

Fisheries Dept officials also have been ordered to scour the island for any rogue crocodiles still in the wild.

Of note, the mixed-breed crocodile “Leypang” was caught in the same area in September last year as ‘Yanui’ last Sunday – at Leypang Beach, right next to Layan and Bang Tao Beaches.

Leypang is now kept at Phuket Zoo. The crocodile ‘Yanui’ has

not been microchipped, Gov Norraphat confirmed, but added that officials still believe that the crocodile had escaped captivity from a person who was keeping it illegally and had not notified authorities.

There are currently only five entities registered to keep crocodiles in captivity on the island, one zoo and five crocodile shows, he said.

Meanwhile, Gov Norraphat has ordered that people have until Aug 10 to register any crocodiles they may be keeping.

After that deadline, any persons found keeping crocodiles in captivity illegally will face the law, Gov Norraphat cautioned.

Village chiefs and local residents have been asked to report any unusual areas or pens that villagers may have,

and for any persons regularly buying unusual amounts of raw food for such animals, such as chickens.

Rewards will be offered to people who give information that lead to arrests, he said.

Any persons found illegally keeping crocodiles in captivity face a fine of up to B10,000 or up to one year in jail, Gov Norraphat warned.

Police on alert for suspects in pub shooting PHUKET POLICE ARE ON ALERT for two men wanted for shooting a man point blank in the head outside a nightclub in Ranong Province on July 22.

Col Akanit Danpitaksarn, a Deputy Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, confirmed to The Phuket News that all police on the island have been alerted to be on the lookout for the two men.

The suspects were named as Phoomporn Chartpranom, 48, and Kriangsak Pianchai, 35.

The men are wanted for shooting dead Theprit Sae-aong, 35, in front of Zeed Pub in Ranong Town.

In CCTV video footage, Theprit is arguing with Kriangsak, then Phoomporn is seen walking up to Theprit and shooting him once point blank in the head.

The weapon used for the killing was confirmed as a 9mm handgun.

“We are looking for these guys. All police have been alerted, and Phang Nga @thephuketnews

In CCTV video footage, Theprit is arguing with Kriangsak, then Phoomporn is seen walking up to Theprit and shooting him once point blank in the head. Photo: Post Today Police have also already been informed in case these men attempt to come to Phuket,” Col Akanit said.

“For us, we are keeping a special eye out at Phuket International Airport as we believe they might at-

tempt to board a flight from here.

“Also, we are investigating their connections in Phuket, including friends or any other associates they might have here,” he added.

The Phuket News

THE PHUKET PROVINcial Office has set up a centre to receive donations for victims of the floods in Laos.

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong on Tuesday (July 31) explained that the flood situation in Attapeu and Champasak provinces of Laos caused the collapse of the Sapien-Senam Noi Dam. “This has caused damage to property and caused many people to suffer,” he said.

“Therefore, to reduce the suffering of people, we would like to support and help the victims because Thailand and Laos are neighbours,” Gov Norraphat added.

A centre for receiving donations has been set up at the Phuket Provincial

Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) located on the first floor at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town.

The centre is open during official government office hours, from 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays.

People are invited to donate money or emergency supplies for flood victims, including tents, blankets, clothes, medicines, dried and canned foods and so on.

For more details about donating items, call 076218444.

Monetary donations can be made by transfer to the “Send Thai Hearts to Laos” account at the Krung Thai Bank, Account Number: 067-0-12886-4.

The Phuket News

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PHUKET NEWS

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Last orders, please The Mitsubishi Strada pickup truck had serious damage to its front and left side.

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Man, 22, dies in speed crash A 22-YEAR-OLD THAI man died early Tuesday morning (July 31) after crashing his pickup truck on Thepkrasattri Rd in Srisoonthorn.

Capt Warawut Sensob of the Thalang Police was informed at 12:30am that a pickup truck had crashed on the nourthbound side of Thepkrasattri Rd close to the Esso petrol station in Moo 8, Srisoonthorn, in Thalang.

The d r iver Ying yong Thongaon, 22, from Phatthalung, had sustained wounds to his face and neck, and serious wounds to his chest. He did not have a pulse.

Rescue workers performed CPR at the scene before taking Mr Yingyong to Thalang Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Officers believe that Mr Yingyong fell asleep whilst driving the vehicle, but said they would investigate further to find the true cause of the accident. Eakkapop Thongtub

Drinking session with buddy turns deadly Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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olice have arrested a man who stabbed his drinking buddy, killing him, outside a grocery store in Baan Don, in central Phuket, last Friday night (July 27).

Police were called to the scene, across from the fresh market in Baan Don, in Moo 4, Thepkrasattri, in Thalang, just after 8pm.

The officers along with Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived to find Kittisak Chukun, 41, from Hat Yai in Songkhla, unconscious and unresponsive on the ground.

He had been stabbed twice, and was confirmed dead on arrival by doctors at Thalang Hospital.

Police through questioning witnesses and checking CCTV tracked the suspect, who was seen fleeing on his Honda motorbike, to a house in Moo 5, Rassada, where they arrested Pongphan Piowpong, 36, registered as living in Phuket.

The two men were known to locals and were sitting in front of the shop, which was

Pongphan Piowpong, 36, with police at the scene of the stabbing. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub closed at the time, when they started arguing.

The argument turned lethal when Pongphan stabbed Kittsak and fled.

At 10am last Saturday (July 28), officers led by Thalang Police Deputy Superintended Lt Col Anukul Nuket brought

Pongphan to the scene where he threw the knife used in the stabbing into the canal at a bridge near Baan Ya in Thalang.

Police reported that Phongphan had confessed to the stabbing and said that he was drunk at the time.

Po n g p h a n h a s b e e n charged with murder and carrying a weapon (a knife) in a public place, and may yet be charged with attempting to conceal evidence.

Police have yet to reveal exactly what the argument was over.

After 15 years, busy road gets name Q&A QUESTION

I have lived here for years and the road from Dowroong Intersection to Chao Fa West Rd has never had a name. When the road was built, about 15 years ago, I had read that no one was authorised to give the road a name as it forms the boundary between Phuket Town and Wichit. Is that still correct?

I ask because this road has come up in the news recently, and as far as I know the road still has not got a name – but Google Maps now calls this road in Thai “Chao Fa Suan Luang Rd” (sorry, my best guess translation).

I went looking for a street sign to find the actual name of the road, but I couldn’t see any signs anywhere along the

The street sign, nearly obscured by road signs.

Photo: S. Bunchoocheep entire length of the road.

This road has been there for way more than a decade.

Surely it has a name by now.

What is it? If for any reason it still does not have a name, why?

– Tilde Chimbote, Chalong

ANSWER

This road was originally the responsibility of Phuket City Municipality. But after many years of nothing being done,

responsibility for the road was eventually handed over to Wichit Municipality.

Phuket City Municipality did hold a contest about three years ago for local people to choose what to call the road, and the name “Chao Fa Suan Luang Rd” was chosen.

There are road signs on this road now. We installed them about a year ago.* One of the signs is on the corner of Chao Fa East Rd and the other one is located near the bridge, where the slip road joins Chao Fa Suan Luang Rd. – Sayan Kongphat, officer, Engineering Division, Wichit Municipality. * The Phuket News notes that Google Maps shows an image capture of the road taken in October last year where the road signs are still not present. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

PHUKET NEWS

5

Thai military takes the helm

Isoc steps in over marine tour safety for ‘stability of the country’ The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), which serves as the political arm of the Thai military, on Tuesday (July 31) stepped in and formally became involved in improving tour boat safety in Phuket.

The move follows the deaths of 47 Chinese tourists in a single disaster as the Phoenix tour boat, carrying 89 tourists on board, capsized in a strong storm squall off Koh Hei, south of Phuket, on July 5.

At a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall chaired by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong on Tuesday it was explained that Isoc will set up guidelines for action to organise tourism businesses in Phuket “for stability of the country”.

Present were R/Adm Boworn Mattawanukul, Deputy Director of the Isoc branch in Phuket, as well as Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok, Phuket Provincial Police Com-

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong (right) conduc t s his inspection at Chalong Pier on Monday (July 30).

Photo: PR Dept mander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipcharoen, the heads of every relevant government agency in Phuket and representatives of tour businesses and operators of the major tour boat piers in Phuket.

Governor Norraphat explained, “The Phuket branch of Isoc has set guidelines for any businesses involved in tourism to follow for stability of the country.

“This is to control, correct, and rehabilitate the situation in Phuket and to ensure the safety and security of Phuket residents.

“It also provides a way for tour operators, tour guides, and tourists to ensure confidence and results in the campaign, and to develop and supervise tour and travel businesses in Phuket,” Governor Norraphat said.

Chinese tourist arrivals flatline YUTHASAK SUPAKORN, GOVERNOR of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), will head to China this month to try to stem the fallout from the Phoenix boat disaster off Phuket on July 5, which killed 47 Chinese tourists.

The tragedy has devastated the number of bookings from Mainland China, with the number of Chinese arrivals in July up only 0.04% year-on-year after a 20% rise in June, Mr Yuthasak said.

While the TAT is maintaining its arrivals projection from China at 10 million this year, Mr Yuthasak said he would fly to Beijing in mid-August to discuss improving safety and security measures, particularly in marine tourism, with top officials from the China National Tourism Administration and the Culture Ministry, reported the Bangkok Post.

China has become the largest source market for Thailand’s tourism industry and is projected to contribute B200 billion in revenue this year.

During the first five months, Chinese tourists already generated B100bn thanks to the rise in independent travellers, who spend more, on average, than those coming in groups.

The TAT also plans to ask tourism authorities and operators in China to help strengthen and restore two-way travel between Thailand and China, as well as take part in joint marketing campaigns.

Mr Yuthasak expressed hope that Chinese tourist numbers would return to normal during the Golden Week holidays (Oct 1-7).

He said he would push for the establishment of a national tourism safety centre to oversee and manage crises more efficiently.

The establishment of that body is pending @thephuketnews

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supakorn will fly to China this month in the hope of restoring tourists’ confidence. Photo: TAT approval from the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

Mr Yuthasak’s announcement follows a report by state news agency National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) claiming that Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung had announced that Phuket’s tourism had “recovered to normal”.

The report, posted last Tuesday (July 24), stated that V/Gov Prakob said that as of July 23 the number of tourists had increased by 7%, compared to last year.

“The southern province has called upon all tour operators to implement maximum safety measures, and is in the process of installing more CCTV cameras to ensure the tourists’ safety,” the report quoted V/Gov Prakob as saying.

He added that the police is now working on the case to prosecute nominee firms involved with illegal tour operators.

The Phuket News

After the announcement, the heads of relevant agencies and other people present were taken on an inspection of all major piers on the island, both government and private, that are used to provide boat trips for tourists.

The inspection on Tuesday followed a personal inspection of Chalong Pier by Governor Norraphat and Vice Admiral Somnuk Preampramot, Com-

mander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, on Monday (July 30).

During that inspection Governor Norraphat explained that 24 major tour boat piers in Phuket had been inspected by officials, who had been assigned into three teams in order to conduct the inspections quickly and thoroughly.

R/Adm Boworn and his team inspected the piers in Thalang, in the northern half of the island.

Phuket Provincial Office Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Sakchai Kunanawatchaidej lead the team to inspect the piers within Muang District (Phuket Town, Chalong, Rawai, Kata and Karon), with the exception of the piers in the Tah Jeen Canal area in Rassada (north of Phuket Town), which includes the busy Rassada Pier, and which were left to Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok and his team to inspect.

“However, the inspections by the three teams found many piers that need to be improved,” Gov Norraphat said today.

He subsequently today ordered for every tour boat pier to have CCTV installed and to post signs to inform tourists of the marine safety guidelines, and for all tour boats to be checked to ensure the equipment on board and the crew meet safety regulations.

“From now on, every pier will have staff from the relevant agencies on hand to check the boats before allowing the boats to depart,” he said.

“The equipment inside boats and the equipment on board must be ready to use. The passengers must be checked and we must have some record to identify them by face, including information such as their names, nationalities, their place of accommodation and their destination.”

“Tour guides must be checked in accordance with the law,” he added.

“This is to enhance the standard of tourism in Phuket, a world-class tourist attraction, as well as to create the security and confidence among tourists,” he said.

Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

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

MATTHEW POND

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

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TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

Catching a sightseeing croc 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

T

he island is renowned for its warm welcome to overseas visitors.

But as you all know, there has been one amphibian tourist of late that has been received with a little less enthusiasm.

Apparently crocs like to warm up a little by sunbathing on the beach just like us. And whilst there’s enough leatheryskinned humans around to make the traveller feel quite at home, I bet it didn’t have to pay B250 for a sun lounger.

Our intrepid reptile has been wreaking havoc for the authorities, and seemed to be enjoying a game of cat-andmouse as it disappeared and remerged along our coastline to foil the ‘protection and surveillance’ capture efforts for so long. And finally, on Sunday (July 29) after an 11-day search, the elusive beast was cornered.

Well it certainly took a while, and a more proactive approach

may need to be considered for future situations of this nature.

We’ve all been intrigued by where our saltwater celebrity came from. Experts have informed us that this variety can be found around Myanmar or Sumatra, and whilst they can cover great distances in search of food, it’s a difficult journey.

They should try getting through immigration.

The other possibility is that it is an escapee from a local farm or other feeding place.

This is apparently more likely as they are hybrids of both fresh water and saltwater, and don’t have quite so far to travel to reap a little havoc.

The authorities had been setting steel cage traps and chicken bait, but these appeared not to be to our friend’s taste. Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew informed us that, “This is the best way to catch the crocodile

and to maintain the image of tourism in Phuket”. With all the recent events Phuket tourism is indeed in desperate need of some positive PR, so the caged animal could just do the trick.

Even an appearance from Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong early last week didn’t lure the beast for a handy publicity shot. Nope, he had other interests on the agenda.

But rest easy everyone, the reprobate reptile is caught, the drama is over. But here’s a plan should a sequel be in the offing.

The Department of Fisheries measured the croc to be about 2.3 metres long, and it was finally caught by net and hand.

Really? So why the big fuss? Next time let’s just all head down to our local beach with an unwanted pet or relative, a net, some chain mail gloves and solve this slippery shenanigans before it literally gets out of hand.

Phuket Law: Royal Decree blows work permits wide open Phuket croc caught after 11-day hunt 35 foreigners nabbed for visa offences Five children rescued from Phuket surf, one missing Indian tourist missing, swept out to sea from Phuket beach Phuket Police on alert for suspects in Ranong slaying Body washes ashore Karon Beach Phuket’s tourism situation ‘back to normal’, says V/Gov Search for Phuket croc turns to Bang Tao estuaries, reward offered Phuket drinking session turns deadly as man stabs drinking buddy in heated argument

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY

DAVID JACKLIN

Lifestyle Editor

EDITORIAL

Jailhouse Croc

Re: Phuket croc caught after 11-day hunt I love this... “Fisheries officials will continue their investigations in the hope of determining where the crocodile was trying to go.”

What are they going to do?.. interrogate it until it talks? Do they think it had some kind of itinerary, like it heard of a great place to go from other crocs? I’d say north Layan would be a great place for a croc.

BenPendejo

Zoo Outcry

Re: Phuket Zoo under fire over animal conditions Can you please tell me what is happening to the animals trapped in unsuitable Pata Zoo with no good nutrition no mental stimuli no sunshine no fresh air no comfort in their cages and who all display apathy depression and who are all going insane due to horrendous conditions they are forced to endure. Thailand is a beautiful country with beautiful people do not tarnish your country with this evil.

Issitlinda

I can’t think of anywhere worse for an animal to end up than Phuket Zoo. CaptainJack69

Track your Tourist

Re: Tourists should have insurance, forum told I agree 100% with the compulsory insurance. But the tracking GPS bracelets will be unworkable because each tourist will need to be registered on arrival with data about passport number and name, hotels, tours and so on… and manpower will be lacking or will cost money either from the government agencies or from the tourism industry.

Also, tracking GPS bracelets do not work underwater; so those tourists who will be drowning on beaches, snorkeling or diving will be off the radar and some may remove their tracking GPS bracelets during their holiday for whatever reason.

For the moment no country around the world are using tracking GPS bracelets even North Korea, China or Russia… So, why Thailand first?

Asterix Thailand is such an unsafe

country, far behind what foreign tourists can imagine, road wise, sea wise, beach wise.

Therefore a compulsory holiday health insurance should become the norm.

Including juridical back-up in cases where Thai officials are found to have clearly failed in doing their safety duties.

Kurt

Back to the norm

Re: Phuket’s tourism situation ‘back to normal’, says V/Gov Real change must start in Bangkok and filter down to the ‘illegal tour operators’.

In other words, the root of the problem is at the top where actual law enforcement is simply not executed.

‘Back to normal’ otherwise means nothing substantial will happen.

Galong

Beach Safety

Re: Five children rescued from Phuket surf, one missing Why didn’t the lifeguards save them? We all know that there are now lifeguards on every beach, it’s official, the

Governor stated it!

Malczx7r Maybe the Chief should have told the Governor that his lifeguard policy has cost the life of a young Thai boy… maybe then the Governor will do something about the lifeguard situation on Phuket’s dangerous beaches. Maybe he will take action now that it involved a Thai kid, since he obviously hasn’t been too concerned about losing Chinese tourists.

I feel bad for the kid’s family.

BenPendejo

Intrusive media

Re: Foreign media’s Wild Boar interviews come under fire Child prtoection laws, which are similar to laws anywhere in the world have been broken by irresponsible media. They are aware of their responsibility under treaties to which Thailand is a signatory.

They are there for a purpose which is the care and protection of vulnerable people, who are not adults and incapable of making adult decisions, which is recognised in law as is pointed out in the article.

Jor12

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

7

Dad sees foul play in death Father turns to CSD to investigate daughter’s suspicious ‘fall’ AYUTTHAYA Bangkok Post

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he father of a teenage girl who died in suspicious circumstances turned to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Monday (July 30) for help in investigating what has until now been billed as an accident.

Nareekan Yawiratch, 19, died on July 19 in Bang Pa-in district of Ayutthaya province after apparently accepting a ride home from an entertainment venue in an articulated lorry.

The driver, Surapol Darakham, told police she suddenly jumped out of the vehicle while he was driving and struck her head and was killed during the fall.

Bang Pa-in Police recorded her death as an accident but charged the 23-year-old trucker for “detaining her”, according to Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, a lawyer representing the family of the deceased.

An autopsy carried out later showed the cause of death to be a traumatic blow to the back of her skull by a blunt object, which appears to contradict Surapol’s claim.

Sirinart Robrum, 18, who works at the entertainment venue and in-

Relatives of Nareekan Yawiratch are shown taking an empty coffin and funeral portrait to the office of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Monday (July 30) to draw attention to the case as they demand a thorough probe. Photo: Chanat Katanyu vited Ms Nareekan there that night, was questioned but not charged.

The lawyer said the victim’s father, Subin Yawiratch, had found “convincing” evidence of foul play.

Joined by another relative, the two men presented this to the CSD, Mr Atchariya said.

They filed a new complaint

with the CSD accusing Surapol, Ms Sirinart and an 18-year-old male known as ‘Top’ of colluding to cause her death.

Mr Atchariya said he had run a background check on Ms Sirinart and discovered she had a history of luring young women into positions where they could be sexually

Mozambican fugitive deported BANGKOK THAILAND HAS EXTRAdited a Mozambican fugitive wanted for a string of kidnaps for ransom and murders, police said Wednesday (Aug 1), as a crackdown deepens on foreign gangsters using the country as a bolt-hole.

Momade Assif Abdul Satar entered Thailand three years ago shortly after being freed on parole from a Mozambique jail for the 2000 gangland-style murder of an investigative journalist in the capital Maputo.

Interpol issued a ‘red notice’, or a non-binding arrest warrant, after allegations Satar continued to run a ransomkidnap business across Mozambique and South Africa from overseas.

The gang snatched wealthy executives and charged up to $3 million (B99.57mn) for their release.

Media reports in Mozambique and South Africa say a number of those kidnapped were later murdered.

Satar, who was arrested in Bangkok last week, may have entered Thailand on a fake passport and then set up a front company to obtain a visa, the Deputy Commissioner of @thephuketnews

Tourist police interview fugitive Momade Assif Abdul Satar. Photo: Screengrab via Tourist Police video Thailand’s tourist police said.

“He was extradited at midnight (Tuesday) on a flight to Kenya,” for onward travel to Mozambique, Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn said.

“We will not allow foreign criminals to use Thailand as base for their operations,” Maj Gen Surachate added.

Satar is the latest in a mounting tally of foreign criminals found hiding out in Thailand, as the country tries to banish its reputation as a bolt-hole for bad guys.

Maj Gen Surachate, popularly known by his nickname ‘Big Joke’, has launched a high-profile clean-up campaign called Operation X-Ray Outlaw.

In near-nightly round-ups around 2,000 foreigners have been arrested – including drug dealers and prostitutes as well as visa overstayers in Thailand’s tourist hotspots.

Tourism is a cornerstone of the Thai economy and the kingdom expects to welcome over 36 million people this year.

But with borders to several neighbouring countries it struggles to keep tabs on the volume of people coming in and out, including people posing as tourists who then overstay.

Police concede there are gaps in the system, exploited by organised crime networks including human traffickers and drug gangs who have long used the kingdom as a base.

But Thai authorities are tightening up border security and plan to introduce new face and iris scanning technology at its borders in the coming months.

“Once we do that suspects will not come here,” Maj Gen Surachate added.

AFP

abused by men, in a similar manner to this case.

The fact that Ms Sirinart invited Ms Nareekan out that night but then left quickly with her friend while arranging for Ms Nareekan to leave with the lorry driver put her in the position of matchmaker, said Mr Atchariya.

Pieces of evidence Mr Subin and the lawyer submitted to the CSD include a voice recording of Ms Nareekan before she died, a record of her GPS location before she died, and messages on her Line app account that she had sent to her friends.

All indicated that his daughter might not have died in an accident.

The GPS location matched one of the locations where the lorry had stopped for more than seven minutes, Mr Atchariya said.

Police already had all the evidence but the case has not gone anywhere, Mr Subin said, adding he was not even summoned to give an account of what happened.

The father said he learnt his daughter had moved in with Ms Sirinart shortly before she died.

While checking the evidence, the CSD received a surprise visit from deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.

He was briefed about the case before venturing to the location where Ms Nareekan was found dead in Bang Pa-in.

“Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon is paying special attention to this case and has ordered me to look into the details,” Gen Srivara said.

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Thailand’s ‘Indiana Jones’ divers Scouring the bed of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river for sunken treasure BANGKOK Sippachai Kunnuwong

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neeling before his homemade metal scuba helmet, Bhoomin Samang prays for good fortune before he dives into the day's work – scouring the bed of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river for sunken treasure.

The 62-year-old is part of a small community known as Thailand's ‘Indiana Jones’ divers, who brave the inky-black underworld of the trash-filled waterway in search of coins, china, jewellery and scrap metal.

“We look for old coins, sometimes we are hired to find lost objects in the river,” says Bhoomin, a veteran diver who has been scouring the river for 30 years.

Sometimes the find is more macabre – the divers have stumbled across skulls and skeletons as they feel their

Bhoomin Samang emerges from a dive from the bottom of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river to hunt for sunken treasure.

Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP way along the river bed in total darkness.

“If you’re afraid of ghosts, you can’t go in because you can’t see anything. But we’re used to it,” he explains.

Trained foreign and Thai Navy SEAL divers were recently at the centre of global attention for their daring res-

cue of 12 boys and their coach from a waterlogged cave in northern Thailand.

But the ‘Indiana Jones’ divers use more makeshift equipment and operate under the radar in the middle of the country’s urban metropolis.

Wearing shorts and T-shirt, Bhoomin jumps off his motor-

ised skiff into a river strewn with city sewage and debris.

He is able to breathe thanks to the boxy helmet that weighs around 20 kilograms, and is hooked up to a rubber tube that connects to an air tank aboard the boat.

The tank pumps oxygen into the helmet to keep water out, allowing the most experienced divers to drop down to 30 metres below the surface.

After 15 minutes underwater, Bhoomin resurfaces with a cotton bag stuffed with mud.

He pans it out on a metal dish, revealing several 200-year-old copper and bullet coins with pictures of 19th century Thai kings Rama IV and V on them – artefacts divers call “regulars”.

The coins trace the history of the Thai capital’s lively waterfront, whose traditional stilted homes are increasingly being knocked down for development.

“In the old days we lived

on rafts and had f loating markets. Villagers lost their jewellery and money in the river,” he said.

An unfinished small Buddhist amulet was also hidden inside the mud.

The divers can turn a decent profit. Selling a few copper coins can make them some 500 baht – nearly twice Thailand’s daily minimum wage.

If lucky, a piece of jewellery or a rare coin in good condition can be sold for up to $300 (B9,957) at Bangkok’s antique markets, while their loot is fattened out by scrap metal.

But the divers’ fate is in limbo as urban development threatens their riverside community, which stands on weathered wooden stilts.

Bangkok officials have ordered the families to relocate away from the river as part of the junta government’s gentrification plan for the city.

The divers fear that without direct access to the river, up to “90%” of them will lose their livelihoods.

But that’s not their only tension with the law – taking artefacts is technically prohibited and can be punished with fines or jail time.

Bhoomin, however, defends the trade, saying divers only go for the small stuff.

“We don’t take big artefacts like Buddha statues... (if officials really want something), they can go down there and take it,” says Bhoomin, who dips into a box of salvaged spectacles and sunglasses whenever he needs them.

Then again, the lure of something special is always just around the river bend.

“We don’t know what we will find or where we will go today, said 29-year-old Somsak Ongsaard, another diver. “It’s exciting.”

AFP

Khao San ban to be enforced Government requests Britain BANGKOK to extradite ex-PM Yingluck STREET VENDORS ON Khao San Rd, a major tourist destination, on Tuesday (July 31) asked City Hall to overturn a district office order banning them from the footpaths from Wednesday (Aug 1), but the city administration refused.

More than 100 street vendors converged on City Hall to submit their request in a letter to Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang.

They asked for the rescission of the order issued by Phra Nakhon district office.

The regulation banning hawkers from Khao San footpaths from Aug 1 will affect

Vendors gather to ask the governor to rescind the footpath ban. Photo: Theerayut Boonsirirungruang 200 vending stalls.

The vendors argued that setting up vending stalls on the road surface may cause a danger to them and to tourists if it rained. The road would be flooded.

They said the district office had notified them of the footpath ban only one week in advance.

Gen Aswin received the group’s letter and assigned his deputy Sakonthee Phatthiyakul to talk with them.

After the meeting, Mr Sakonthee said the BMA would allow the order regulating vending on Khao San Rd to be implemented as planned.

Vendors would be cleared from the footpaths, which would be returned to pedestrians, the deputy Bangkok governor said.

The BMA had already arranged with the Metropolitan Police Bureau for the daily closure of Khao San Rd to vehicles from 6pm until midnight, to allow hawkers to trade on the road surface, he said.

Bangkok Post

BANGKOK T H E G OV E R N M E N T has sought the extradition of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from Britain, where she is believed to have been based since fleeing Thailand last year to avoid a jail sentence.

Last Saturday (July 28), Yingluck was seen in a video clip posted on Instagram in which she said that she is now living in Covent Garden in London’s West End. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Tuesday (July 31) confirmed the government has sought the extradition of Yingluck.

It was a normal procedure by the police, the attorney-general and the Foreign Ministry which were duty-bound to seek extradition, said Gen Prayut.

“The government has completed its legal steps.

Whether the extradition will happen or not depends on the other country’s decision,” the prime minister said.

Mr Don said the request

Fugitive ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra, with a Facebook fan on a London street where she now resides.

Photo: Social media via Bangkok Post was a normal action by law and he did not know about its details because the procedural step did not need to reach the policymakers’ level.

The foreign minister also said that the movement had nothing to do with Gen Prayut’s recent visit to England.

“The Embassy, upon instruction of the Royal Thai Government and in accordance with the above mentioned Treaty, hereby requests the extradition of Miss Yingluck Shinawatra, a Thai citizen, believed to reside within the United Kingdom,” read a letter dated July 5 and submitted to the

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, referring to a 1911 extradition treaty.

The BBC Thai website reported in May that Yingluck obtained a multipleentry visa from Britain.

Yingluck, who was prime minister from 2011 until she was ousted by Thailand’s Constitutional Court shortly before a coup in 2014, fled abroad in August last year amid a criminal court case against her.

The following month she was sentenced in absentia to five years in jail for mishandling a rice subsidy project that caused massive losses.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

ASIA NEWS

9

Buskers take a final bow Hong Kong’s street performers put on final show before shutdown HONG KONG AFP

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he rumbustious street perfor mers who have long claimed one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping districts as their informal stage took their final bow last Sunday night (July 29) after local authorities caved to noise complaints over their legendary cacophony.

Under the glow of Mong Kok’s famous neon signs, buskers have been entertaining crowds – and irking neighbours – for nearly two decades in Sai Yeung Choi St South, an area which has been regularly closed to traffic to make way for pedestrians and performers since 2000.

Over the years, a motley line-up including an acrobat in his 60s performing stunts to Michael Jackson and karaoke bands surrounded by fans clapping along on plastic stools gave ear-splitting shows to tinny music blasted from amplifiers.

Drawing cheers and consternation equally, the street performers have received 320 noise complaints in just the first half of the year, according to police, with local media reporting 1,200 complaints last year.

The pedestrian zone will be fully abolished and reopen to traffic

@thephuketnews

A juggler performs a headstand in front of crowds at the pedestrian zone of Sai Yeung Choi St South in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Photo: Philip Fong / AFP starting on Aug 4.

But while some will be relieved that the plug is being pulled, others fear authorities are killing off the city’s vibrant street culture with over-regulation.

Just next to the freestyle performance area, official attempts in 2016 to remove unlicensed hawkers

triggered some of the city’s worst clashes for decades as protesters used the occasion to express their anger towards Hong Kong’s dwindling autonomy.

Ahead of the shutdown of the busking zone, bands in glittery outfits, elderly men and women dancing the cha-cha, and ‘singing aunties’

from mainland China – who have joined the pack over the years to the displeasure of some locals – came out over the weekend.

The pedestrianised strip’s last days have also attracted higherprofile entertainers like actor Bobby Yip, who visited last Saturday (July 28) and was instantly recognisable

with his blunt bowl-cut hair.

“This is like a nightclub for ordinary people... I hope the government will support this street culture,” Yip told local newspaper Apple Daily.

But residents and shopkeepers nearby say the constant cacophony has given them a headache, at times literally.

“It does create trouble in our daily lives, including disturbing my son’s study,” Gabriel Wai, who lives in the area, told the South China Morning Post.

The local district council passed a motion in May to scrap the zone.

WiFi Band, who have performed in the area for the last few years, say the group might relocate to Causeway Bay’s Times Square or Tsim Sha Tsui – also busy commercial districts thronged with tourists and shoppers.

Drummer Miss Cheng from the band told local news site HK01 that she was sad about the busker community’s dissolution as performers could get more interactive with the audience in Mong Kok. “Perhaps we would only bring guitars (over there), because transportation is less convenient, plus you can’t be as loud,” she said of the new locations.

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Henna losing its allure

Water crisis dramatically impacts production of Tunisia’s ‘red gold’ TUNISIA Karouther Larbi

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n and around the Tunisian coastal city of Gabes, henna has long been a key driver of the economy – so much so that the plant is known as ‘red gold’.

But a water crisis and changing consumer habits are making farmers think twice about planting henna shrubs, despite their coveted leaves that have for centuries been ground down to paint nails, tint hair and ink temporary tattoos, especially for weddings.

“Gabes is dying because of the lack of water,” says farmer Houcine Akrout, as he digs intricate channels around his green plants to maximise water flow in the early morning sunlight.

Akrout is hard at work, because the local water supply will today run from a canal onto his land – a rare thing nowadays, due to government rationing.

Urbanisation and rapidly rising demand for water from industry and agriculture have put immense pressure on Tunisia’s water reserves, according to the World Bank.

A bride shows her henna painted hands, the day before her wedding in Gabes town, in southeastern Tunisia. Photo: Mourad Mjaied / AFP And a 2016 study of Tunisia’s water services funded by Sweden’s government found that losses from the irrigation network reach 40 to 50%.

For farmers like Akrout, that means waiting 15 to 20 days for access to the water supply.

“It’s very long for the henna plant which needs lots of water,” he says.

The situation is so bad he has uprooted most of his henna shrubs and replaced them with pomegranate trees – a much less thirsty species.

“Henna does not make me any money,” he says. “It

isn’t profitable any more and I need to live and support my family.”

When it comes, the water supply costs 2.8 dinars (B36.59) per hour.

In mid-summer, the wait can reach up to 40 days, admits Amel Ghiloufi, head of the region’s plants department at the agriculture ministry.

And pollution of the water supply from a chemical plant has seen farmers abandon land in the oasis on the Mediterranean coast in recent decades.

The water crisis is having a dramatic impact on henna output.

Only 645 tons of the plant were harvested in the Gabes region in 2016/17 – down 20% from the previous season, Ghiloufi says.

But other factors, including a labour shortage, are also driving the long-term decline.

And it’s not only supply side pressures that undermine the market – demand for local henna is also falling, as people opt for foreign alternatives.

Over the centuries, henna leaves have been dried and reduced to a fine powder before being mixed with water, to create the paste coveted by people in Africa, the Middle

East and Asia.

The paste is used to colour hair, palms of hands, arms and feet with simple patterns that last for a month or so.

But the process can be messy and people don’t always want to keep the art work for that long.

So imports of a treated version of henna from Sudan, Yemen and India are increasingly popular, with added chemicals limiting penetration of the skin and making it easy to wash from hands.

Ahead of weddings, the ready-to-use dye is handed out in decorated boxes to guests at bachelorette parties.

The processed imported versions are taking over from the local product.

And while once popular as a grandmother’s remedy for anything from migraines to skin problems, younger people are more sceptical of henna’s healing powers.

But for Ghiloufi the only way “to revive the sector is to break new ground”, by promoting henna’s natural benefits and diversifying into new markets.

In the capital Tunis, shampoos based on the plant have begun to find their way into health stores.

Only a few entrepreneurs sell Tunisian henna abroad – and they do so without state support – so exports are minimal, despite the “good quality” produced by Gabe’s farmers, says Ghiloufi.

In Jara, the main tourist market in the centre of Gabes, huge stalls overf low with henna and incense – but the streets are empty.

Traders complain that the trickle of tourists is not enough to compensate for locals’ disinterest.

“Henna is sold all the year round. Our market was always full of clients who come from all over Tunisia!” says 85-yearold Hassen Mrabet, who has been growing and selling henna for half a century.

“Now sales are limited to the wedding season in July and August,” he adds.

Another trader bemoans the rising popularity of other beauty products and treatments, as lifestyles change.

New forms of “dye and manicures have replaced henna today”, according to 49-yearold Ismail.

“Tunisians have changed their habits and turned their backs on their traditions; henna is out of fashion.”

AFP

‘Heaven-guided’ underground maze proves Armenian tourist draw ARMENIA WHEN TOSYA GHARIbyan asked her husband to dig a basement under their house to store potatoes, she had little idea the underground labyrinth he would eventually produce would prove to be one of Armenia’s major tourist draws.

Their one-storey house in the village of Arinj outside the

capital Yerevan may not look like much but today it brings in visitors from all over the globe after a 23-year labour of love by Tosya’s late husband, Levon Arakelyan.

They come to see a twisting network of subterranean caves and tunnels known as ‘Master Levon’s divine underground’.

In the cold and quiet, Tosya leads tourists through

corridors that connect seven chambers adorned with Romanesque columns and ornaments like those on the facades of mediaeval Armenian churches.

“Once he started digging, it was impossible to stop him,” she said of the project that began in 1985. “I wrangled with him a lot, but he became obsessed with his plan.”

A builder by training, Lev-

on would toil for 18 hours a day – only pausing to take a quick nap and then rush back to the cave, confident that he was being guided “by heaven”.

“He never drew up plans and used to tell us that he sees in his dreams what to do next,” his widow said.

Over more than two decades he hammered out the 280-square-metre space, 21 metres deep into strata of volcanic rocks – only using hand tools.

“My primary childhood recollection is the loud knock of my father’s hammer heard at night from the cave,” said his 44-year-old daughter Araksya.

At the start he had to break through a surface layer of black basalt, but at the depth of a few metres Levon reached much softer tufa stone and the work progressed.

He pulled out 600 truckloads of rocks and earth, using only hand-held buckets.

Levon died in 2008 at the age of 67 from a heart attack after destroying the last wall that separated two tunnels.

A decade on from the

A visitor walks through part of a network of subterranean caves and tunnels known as ‘Master Levon’s divine underground’ in the village of Arinj outside the capital Yerevan. Photo: Karen Minasyan / AFP project’s completion, Tosya also runs a small museum commemorating her husband’s work in the village of some 6,000 people.

The underground complex has several analogues in the world.

An eccentric man named Willia m Hen r y ‘Bu r ro’ Schmidt spent more than three decades digging a halfa-mile tunnel to transport gold through a granite mountain in California, beginning his work in the early 1900s during the state’s gold rush.

In Ethiopia a man named Aba Defar began carving churches on a mountainside after claiming divine inspiration from years of dreams.

Today the Armenian cave features prominently in travel brochures, regularly drawing bus loads of visitors.

Milad, a 29-year-old Iranian tourist, called the maze an “amazing place”.

He said it made him realise just how “boundless the spiritual and physical capabilities of a person can be”.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Before the bubble bursts

Property prices ‘too high’ says survey, spurs call for intervention PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he Consumer Sentiment Survey for the first half of 2018, conducted by leading Thailand property portal DDproperty, has revealed that most people think property prices in Thailand are too expensive – and combined with the current economic downturn, consumers’ satisfaction with the real estate climate has declined.

The survey, which polled over 1,000 people, also found that consumers want the Thai government to issue new measures to support people in purchasing property and that the real estate market should keep an eye on the increasingly important Millennial demographic.

The DDproperty Consumer Sentiment Survey H1 2018 found that 70% of the survey’s participants thought that current properties are expensive or overpriced, while 61% also thought that the economy is not performing well, leading to dissatisfaction with the Thai real estate climate.

Due to such factors, real estate consumer satisfaction during the first half of 2018 dropped to 57%, which is down from 61% on H2 2017 and also down from a high of 68% three years ago.

With less purchasing power, 61% of those surveyed agreed that the government has not been doing enough to make housing affordable.

The top response to counter the problem was to regulate prices of newly developed properties by developers. Image: DDproperty.com Respondents suggested that the government should provide more support for home buyers by, first, regulating prices of newly launched properties by developers (69%); second, providing more subsidies to first time home buyers (62%); and third, regulating supply of all property types (45%).

However, 83% of consumers in the survey expect real estate prices to increase within one to five years.

As for buying intentions, 41% are planning to buy a home within six months, up from 36% in the H2 2017 survey.

Kamolpat Swaengkit, Country Manager for DDproperty, commented, “DDproperty’s Consumer Sentiment Survey has focussed on

consumer demand for housing, and it’s clear that it still exists.

“However, pricing appears to be the main barrier to buying, especially for first time buyers who are often new jobbers wanting to create a family but have low purchasing power. These first-time buyers, however, will need to make purchase decisions soon as property prices continue to trend upwards, which will make entry into the market even more difficult.”

Moreover, 36% of respondents indicated that Outer Bangkok is their preferred location to purchase.

Twenty-six percent intend to buy in the new Central Business District (CBD), which includes Ratchada, Ladprao, and Rama 9 areas, while

15% are interested in the Mid-Inner Sukhumvit area (Phrakanong, Onnut, and Udomsuk). With regards to property type, 58% said they are likely to purchase a single-detached house while 55% said they were likely to buy a condominium.

A total of 95% of respondents are looking to buy properties priced no higher than B5 million, whereas 48% prefer a price of less than B1mn, and 35% are looking at the B2-3mn price range.

The key factors that influence buyers’ decisions, aside from price, are firstly, the location (95%); secondly, infrastructure and available amenities (69%); and, thirdly the safety and security of the local area (64%).

Millennials to play increasing role The survey also looked into the real estate potential of Millennials (18-34 years old) as a group. This group is expected to inf luence socio-economic change in the next 10 years and the survey found that 50% of Millennials are currently living with their parents.

Of this group, the top five reasons for not moving out are: want to stay to take care of their parents, do not have enough savings to buy their own home, were not yet married, the family home is still big enough to stay in together, and they preferred to save their own money rather than buy a property.

However, 45% of Millennials still living with their parents plan to move out by the age of 35, and around 65% already have a monthly savings strategy to help them buy their own property in the future.

“DDproperty’s Consumer Sentiment Survey indicates that Millennials are expected to become a large group of real estate buyers in the near future as many are currently living with their parents,” said Ms Kamolpat.

“At the same time, a large number are already planning to move out and have a savings plan and are looking forward to a home of their own in the future. Our research shows their budget will be B1-4mn, so maybe real estate developers should consider catering more for this demographic and price bracket in the future” she added.

Central Pattana COO keynote speaker at AustCham event RETAIL THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI Chamber of Commerce (AustCham), in collaboration with Partner Chambers, will host Pakorn Partanapat, Chief Operating Officer of Central Pattana PCL (CPN), as keynote speaker

@thephuketnews

at a Members Briefing on “Central’s Retail Developments and Opportunities in Phuket”.

The one-hour briefing will be held from 5pm on Wednesday, Aug 15, at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra in Phuket Town, before the Phuket Sundowners networking event from 6pm-9pm at the Estrela

Sky Lounge.

Mr Pakorn will present on Central Phuket’s new luxury wing ‘Floresta’ due to open in September 2018, and what the expansion can mean for other businesses on the island.

Mr Pakorn was appointed CPN’s COO on Jan 3 last year.

Before joining Central Group,

Mr Pakorn already had extensive experience in developing new financial businesses and products, and is noted for his expertise in managing and operating retail banking for nearly 30 years.

Specifically, his last position before switching industries to retail to CPN was Senior

Executive Vice President of Kasikornbank, Head of Retail Business Division and Service Networks Division.

To register or for more information about the event, email Khun Joy at kattika@ austchamthailand.com or call 02-2100216.

The Phuket News

Pakorn Partanapat, Chief Operating Officer of Central Pattana PCL (CPN).

12 BUSINESS NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Shaking a green Phist

Phuket spotlight turns to green for sustainable tourism event CSR The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Phuket Hotels Association has announced a new annual international forum called PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), which will be held on the island for the first time in September to support the region’s hospitality industry in its fight for a sustainable future.

The PHIST Forum 2018 will take place on Monday, Sept 24 at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and is co-organised by C9 Hotelworks and Greenview, respected consultants to the regional hospitality industry.

The innovative eco-focused event will bring together Southeast Asia’s key tourism and hospitality stakeholders – particularly those operating in island destinations – to explore solutions to Southeast Asia’s most pressing environmental issues.

“Island tourism in Southeast Asia is at a critical juncture; we simply cannot continue overlooking the impacts,” said Eric Ricaurte, Founder & CEO of Greenview.

“Risks are real and sustainability must be the driving force behind

MAIN: The eco-focused event will bring together Southeast Asia’s key tourism and hospitality stakeholders, particularly those operating in island destinations, to explore solutions to most pressing environmental issues. LEFT: Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Resorts. Photos: Supplied future growth. But how do we change and adapt to the challenges we face, then catalyse solutions across the region? Education is the key and PHIST will create a forum for positive action,” he added.

The PHIST forum is of particular relevance to hotels in tourist island hotspots such Phuket, Bali, Boracay and Koh Samui, as well as up-andcoming destinations like Phu Quoc.

The program will feature a series of expert panels, themed talks, technical workshops and roundtable discussions covering topics such as sustainable operations, destination development, ocean health, corporate sustainability,

community tourism, and effective responses to over-tourism.

The event is expecting 500 delegates from around the Asia region, raising awareness and driving change within the industry. Due to the importance of the topics, all the sessions will be free to attend.

“Environmental destruction is a crisis without borders and the hospitality industry needs to collaborate, find answers, and come up with a regional action plan,” said Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks.

“We can literally use PHIST to fight for our sustainable survival,”

Mr Barnett added.

In line with the organisation’s solutions-oriented approach, the Phuket Hotels Association will use PHIST 2018 as an opportunity to showcase its ‘People.Planet.Phuket’ campaign, which aims to educate local island communities and visitors about the importance of the ‘Three Rs’ – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The campaign brings together 70+ member hotels in an education initiative targeting Phuket’s schools, designed to promote environmental protection and support. The community-based program uses specially created anime characters,

including ‘The Phist’, a school teacher-turned-superhero who fights and defeats polluting enemies like plastic straws, plastic bottles and oil waste in the ocean.

“Sustainability is the most vital issue facing the tourism and hospitality industries across Southeast Asia in the 21st century. Action must be taken now to ensure the future viability of destinations in this beautiful region.

Through PHIST, we aim to provide hoteliers and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools they need to face the challenges,” said Anthony Lark, President of the Phuket Hotels Association.

PHIST is supported by major tourism organisations, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thailand Convention and Events Bureau (TCEB) as well as the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) and the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham).

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong will open the event, and high-level speakers will include Neil Jacobs; Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures; Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks; and Eric Ricaurte, founder & CEO of Greenview, sustainability consultants for the hospitality industry.

‘Tourists should have insurance’ TOURISM T R AV EL I NSU R A NCE should be mandatory for visitors to Thailand to ease the burden on the tourist compensation fund, a seminar was told last week.

The proposal was among various suggestions raised at a seminar on July 25 organised by a National Legislative Assembly committee on religion, culture and tourism in a bid to attract Chinese tourists back to the country.

Chinese tourist arrivals dwindled sharply after the Phoenix tourist boat disaster off Phuket on July 5 that killed 47 Chinese tourists. An 11-day search ended after the final body, pinned underneath the Phoenix, was recovered from the sea bed.

Another boat, the Serenata, also sank during the same storm, but no casualties were reported.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) previously reported that after the Phoenix disaster many Chinese tourists cancelled their plans to visit Phuket and other resort destinations such as Krabi, Phang Nga and Koh Samui.

“Chinese tourists have

Tourism Minister Weerasak backs the call for all tourists to have insurance. Photo: Karnjana Karnjanatawe cancelled bookings made for July, August and September,” said ATTA President Vichit Prakobkosol.

“The cancellations have damaged the tourism business on the Andaman coast.”

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat told the seminar that travel insurance is necessary for tourists and travel insurance policies should provide a wide range of coverage for common hazards as well as types of travel and sports with an element of risk such as mountain climbing and scuba diving.

“Safety cannot be comprised,” the minister said, adding any tour company who fails to comply with safety rules would face the consequences.

Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary of tourism

and sports, said the boat accident in Phuket was a tragedy.

The government’s tourist compensation fund has been heavily depleted as it has already paid out about B60 million in total to the Phoenix boat victims and the families of the deceased, on top of insurance firm claims.

Mr Pongpanu said he agreed travel insurance is necessary to cover risks because the tourist fund has to shoulder the burden of looking after all tourists visiting the country. The fund is in danger of collapsing if similar major accidents occur with many people killed and injured, he said.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yutthasak Suphason echoed his view, saying travel insurance would help ease concerns about compensation payment burdens.

The Tourism Ministry reported that more than 35 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year, spending more than B1.8 trillion.

Of them, almost 10mn were Chinese, who spent over B500 billion.

Three million Chinese visited Phuket, spending about B150bn.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

A perfectly chilled Sunday brunch

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

14

HARBINGER OF DOOM

Talkin’ about all that jazz

17

A paradigm shift in our relationship with technology

Our obsession with the smartphone. Photo: Gian Cescon David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

A

hh, technology. The dreamy 1950s paradise view of technology’s glorious future.

Obedient humanoid robots rushing around on our behalf, doing the housework and chores, whilst the liberated owner whiled away the hours barking commands at these industrious tin cans and indulging in virtual entertainment.

Hold on a minute. What happened to this processor-driven paradise? In stark contrast to this euphoric ideal our workload has exponentially expanded and our time has been entirely usurped by the use of modern technology in both the home and workspace. The slave has become the master.

Try to re-imagine the pace of life before the advent of the internet and email. Exactly what did we do all day in the office whilst awaiting a response from a client by letter? For the truly impatient there was the type, print, scan and fax paraphernalia, only to then sit until we were good-and-ready in an ‘In Tray’ somewhere. Fast forward a mere 25 years, and now it’s standard practice to expect dozens of communications each day from the ‘always on’ client.

Each one requesting the most minutiae @thephuketnews

A sign of the times. Photo: Jens Johnsson of changes, and then another demanding to change it back, that entertain our Machiavellian overlords.

If the advent of the PC and operating system weren’t enough, there has perhaps been an even more powerful paradigm shift in the way we now use and interact with technology. Like an incurable and highly contagious virus, it has literally infected every minute of our waking lives.

If we trace this ‘technology enhanced lifestyle’ trend back to its origin, a jury would take no time to identify the culprit. The culpit, as it happens, is a genius. The culprit, as it happens, is an English industrial designer. It also happens that I met him once for a business meeting.

The man in question is Sir Jony Ive, Chief Design Officer at Apple. When Ive joined the then struggling computer manufacturer in 1992, he set about an entirely new approach to both product and user design which dramatically changed the direction and fortunes of the company.

Jony Ive was the inventor of the iMac, which was followed by the iPod. And here an irreversible path was laid. The iPod evolved rapidly into the iPhone, which, I am suggesting, changed the human relationship with technology forever. If the smartphone is our demanding new master, then like Frankenstein’s monster, they would all acknowledge and seek their creator, Sir Jony Ive. Sounds dramatic perhaps, but let’s look at the facts.

Worldwide we currently have over 2.5 billion smartphone users.

In a 2017 study, almost half of all respondents to a global online survey claimed that they spent five or more hours per day on their smartphone.

That’s a day and a half of every week.

The UK telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, did a recent national study which revealed that 37% of adults and 60% of teens admitted that they are highly addicted to their smartphone. A figure set to rise significantly as those teens becomes adults. And with the advent of the ‘Internet of Things’ the next

generation will consider using their smartphone device to control almost every aspect of their life, including the majority of their social engagement, as the norm.

Jony Ive is an affable, but highly focused mastermind. To him, all he sees is design, both good and bad, and it comes far ahead of any commercial or social considerations. He informed me that he never user-tests his own product design. An incredible claim considering he’s CDO of the world’s largest technology company. For him, it was his job, and his job alone to get it right.

The accountable perfectionist for sure.

At our meeting he was physically disturbed by a poorly designed conference phone that happened to be located on a nearby table, and he simply couldn’t continue our conversation until he had removed it from sight.

It makes you wonder what this man considers when he sees such extensive overuse of his product by the minions every time he steps foot in any public arena? Does Mr Ive have restless nights pondering the digital monster he has created?

History may prove that I had a rather charming and amiable encounter with the most unintentional harbinger of our doom.

Life seemed far easier when Apple and Blackberry were humble fruits.

14 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Sunday Service New Zealand Lamb Cutlet, Roasted Vegetables and Pesto.

Spanish Chorizo and Duck Egg, Bacon and Potato.

Chocolate Mousse.

Prepare for a divine afternoon at the Coast Beach Club David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

W

e all love an idyllic environment on a Sunday afternoon, a relaxed and slow affair, where friends and family can gather for great food and entertainment to see you through the weekend finale.

I think I’ve found it, and its name is ‘Coast’, a beach club and pool-side eatery within the Centara Grand Beach Resort

complex.

Centara Grand is situated on the northern road from the Karon roundabout. Once you drop off the road into the complex you enter a secluded world.

The resort sits below the natural amphitheatre of the forested hillside of North Karon on one side, and its beachfront on other. An instantly calming microcosm to while away any given Sunday.

And they’ve clearly worked hard to create an inviting environment. The seating options and wide open space gives the feel of a private pool party, and an ideal scenario for a long afternoon with family or

Coast Beach Club Courtyard. friends. Also included with Sunday brunch, and here’s another big win, is a day pass to access the water park and pools with use of sun beds and towels.

Coast has a chilled house DJ dishing out the tunes by the pool, whilst Chef Julien Robic dishes out the culinary delights via a brave à la carte menu that totally works in situ with the setting and style.

The menu is served from midday, and consists of an all-you-caneat menu, where you choose dishes one at a time ’til the final tune drops at 3pm.

The menu presented as tapasstyle small plates, but in reality they are anything but.

It is dominated with a Mediterranean theme, with flavours of rocket, parmesan and chorizo.

What’s incredible is the carefully crafted dish selection and balance that can suit all tastes that is to Chef Robic’s accolade. It’s wide ranging and provides pleasing combinations for kids to adults with relaxing ease.

With such a set-up, the service level across the Coast eating terrace needs to be highly attentive, and it was. I was thoroughly looked after throughout.

So, to the menu.

If you fancy kicking things off with a breakfast dish, the very hearty Spanish Chorizo and Duck Egg, Bacon and Potato plate will be just your thing. Simply put, it’s everything you crave for in a cooked breakfast crafted within the small plate.

I followed this up with the Seafood Risotto with White Truffle Oil. This comprised of a scallop, squid and prawns with mushroom medley served in a light sauce with dill. To top this off it’s a citrus number, with lemon peel giving this a refreshing bite.

After a suitable rest I went for the New Zealand Lamb Cutlet, Roasted Vegetables and Pesto.

Ordering the cutlet rare, it was carefully cooked and presented.

There’s a strong black pepper flavour here, but this is to my personal taste. The vegetables supported with a pleasing mix of courgette, asparagus, carrot and onion served in a light pesto sauce.

Despite the good portions, you’ll find room when you look over the dessert options.

The Crème Brûlée Orange was fresh and had a light crisp top, breaking through to the creamy

custard base hidden beneath. I was unsure of the Orange combination, but this is smartly delivered as a gentle addition to the brûlée that works.

Finally I just had to taste the Chocolate Mousse. This thickly textured, rich mousse is served within its own chocolate edible cup. The accompanying peanut biscotti is a very pleasant touch.

All-in-all, Sunday brunch at Coast is a win on every count. The venue, the atmosphere, the service and the menu selection is super smart and understanding of what a Sunday crowd are after. Most of all, just relax and let their great staff do the rest. Put away your Sunday best. Flip-flops and swimwear are gospel.

The Sunday Brunch menu at Coast is B990 per person, or B1,190 with soft drinks and B1,490 with free flow of a selection of fine beverages.

Coast Beach Club and Bistro is location at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, 683 Karon Beach, Patak Road, Karon.

Website - http://www.coast-beachclub.com/phuket/ Telephone number - 076 201 234. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EXPLORE 15

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Haadson Resort cottages beside the lagoon.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Oxygenated ride along the pine beach BLAZING SADDLES Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com

T

he so-called Green Season is upon us in Phuket, a marketer’s name for the rainy season if ever I heard one! Do those marketing Johnnies really think that by not mentioning the dreaded words “rainy, monsoon, wet” and so on that they can fool everyone into believing that we don’t get just the occasional drenching at this time of year?

In fact, this season is a great one for cyclists, when cooler cloudy weather dominates and the opportunities for clean, green, well-oxygenated riding abound.

Sadly, that is not the case on the busy, traffic-clogged and polluted main roads around Phuket itself.

The recent World Health Organization bombshell that a full 90% of the world’s population are breathing air that is actually damaging their health is very worrying. What a sad inditement of the last 300-year, post-Industrial Revolution, history of our species!

In Phuket we are blessed with natural forces, such as cleansing sea winds which ameliorate the effects of gathering air pollution, but any island cyclist will tell you that our ever-busier roads are not only very dangerous, but also that the air quality is getting progressively worse.

With this in mind, I headed off the island seeking clean, green, fresh air cycling and stumbled upon a superb little hideaway north of Khao Lak named Haadson Resort. To get there you just turn left off the main Highway 4 road running north to Ranong at the signs for Bangsak Beach, 10 kilometres south of Takuapa Town, and you can’t miss it.

The resort sits in beautiful, dense greenery, astride a number of cool, natural lagoons right on the perfect golden sands of Bangsak Beach. Here a combination of chlorophyll, oxygen and ozone-laden sea breezes engulf the cyclist, providing health-inducing, fresh-air riding conditions that cannot be bettered.

The ‘Haad’ in the name Haadson is derived from the Thai word for sandy beach, “haad-sai”, and the ‘son’ is derived from the Thai word for pine tree, “tonson”. So the name of the resort translates as ‘Pine Beach’ and there couldn’t be a more appropriate name for this lovely little treasure of a hideaway.

Haadson Resort is located in a natural setting of 48 rai of landscaped jungle and access is from the beachfront promenade, where Bangsak Beach offers the longest stretch of sand in Khao Lak, stretching from Pakarang Cape northwards to Thap-Tawan Cape. Ideal for quiet, fresh-air cycling.

With just 49 rooms deeply integrated into abundant nature and verdancy, the resort complements the @thephuketnews

natural environment and offers a truly unique setting.

My own cottage was right beside a lagoon, with a stunning balcony overlooking the greenery and placid waters… ideal for post-cycling relaxation.

The restaurant serves reasonably-priced, delicious fare and the spa is situated amongst the trees, filled with birdsong, and offers superb treatments for cyclists’ weary legs and backs.

This region provides an abundance of leafy, quiet rides around the backroads, but my favourite was a mountain bike trip along the hard-packed beach sand at the edge of the crashing spume, as sunset approached. I rode north from Haadson for several leg-pummeling kilometres past the Ban

Tap-Tawan headland and along the lovely, empty beach sands towards Takuapa.

Cycling on sand of course burns over 50% more calories than on hard roads and the fresh sea air is negatively-charged which helps neutralise our bodies’ damaging free radicals, while enhancing our ability to absorb oxygen. The crashing waves also produce ozone, which quickly dissociates releasing high levels of oxygen – a bonus for riders with low energy or chronic infections.

The sunset was truly spectacular and sitting at a little ramshackle beachside bar with a cold postride drink, it seemed to last forever.

It was truly an amazing end to an amazing ride and literally a breath of fresh air!

The pine-lined road of Bangsak beach.

Haadson Resort 30/1 Moo 7, BangMuang, Takuapa, Phanga Nga, 82190 Thailand T: +66 (0)76 406 450 M: +66 (0)86 378 2565 E: info@haadsonresort.com Bookings & Reservations E: rsvn@haadsonresort.com

16 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Book lover’s haven Bookhemian Cafe in Old Phuket Town JAMIE’S PHUKET Jamie Monk

I

was looking back at some older photos from the years 2002 2007. Sixteen years ago, old Phuket Town was certainly not ready for tourism. The old town streets looked rather dirty and there was really not much in the way of cafes and restaurants.

I think things started to change about 2006, and there were plans made to remove overhead cables, the old town festival gained popularity in 2009, streets such as Thalang Rd and Soi Rommanee got a facelift and restaurants started to open in the area. But

Hidden gem on Thalang Rd.

the streets still had a good mix of local businesses, homes, old buildings and some tourism.

Thalang Rd now is quite busy during the day. A lot of people taking photos and maybe one too many souvenir shops mixed with places like old printers, hardware shops, the old herb shop, Muslim roti shops... and quite a few cafes and restaurants too.

Bookhemian has been open for quite a few years now, located about halfway along Thalang Rd – and it’s got aircon!

You’d not find any aircon cafes here 10 years ago. There are a few now, such as Kopitiam and Eleven Two. I remember the first time I went to Bookhemian, they had a book built into the large door handle, sandwiched between two thick slices of clear glass… and the book was ‘100 Years of Solitude’, one of my favourites.

Inside there are several different rooms, books lining the walls, it’s quiet and cool. ‘Cool’ because of the aircon and because it’s arty.

The front room in Bookhemian is not a big place. Only a few small tables here, plus there’s a table outside the front door.

The room at the back is very artistically designed. The tables all have old

Artistic design of the back room.

printing press letters under the glass.

A nice nod to the couple of old printing shops along Thalang Rd. There are stairs that lead to an elevated exhibition space where local painters can hang works.

I have only come here for a drink. I’ve been several times with the kids. My daughter loves the lime and honey soda.

You can also get a beer or coffee here.

And cake too of course!

Bookhemian Cafe is located at 61 Thalang Rd in Phuket Town.

Tel: 098 090 0657 https://www.facebook.com/bookhemian/ Jamie Monk works at liveaboard dive specialists Sunrise Divers. For more information call: 084 626 4646 or visit: sunrise-divers.com. You can read more about Phuket on Jamie’s Phuket Blog http://www.jamiesphuketblog.com/

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PEOPLE 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Heart of the matter

Jeffrey Sevilla talks Jazz David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

Jazz is a feeling, an open music. It’s a neverending idea that goes on and on.

F

or live music lovers on the island, Music Matter in Phuket Town has been a must-go jazz institution for over 18 years. It has also been home to the ‘Music Matter Collective’, a group of highly talented professional musicians, regularly converging at the venue to free style and improvise with like-minded muses.

The location for these melodious gatherings is a wonderful little venue in Phuket Town on Chanacharoen Rd. Unassuming and charming, as all great and welcoming hangouts should be.

The owners of the club, both of which are musical talents to behold, are Jeffrey Sevilla and Kae Mongkronkaew.

I went along for the notorious Wednesday night Jazz Jam (July 25) to speak with Jeffrey about his passion for the art of Jazz, and inspiration with Kae to create a focal point for its practice.

Music Matter has a thriving underground reputation, why is the Wednesday night ‘Jazz Jam’ so popular?

“It’s a place to learn to play jazz that’s open to all that want to learn. You can join the house musicians and improvise together. Jazz is a feeling, an open music. It’s a never-ending idea that goes on and on.”

“The venue plays a wide variety of styles including be bop, swing, latin, free jazz and blues.”

How did Music Matter start out?

“I came to Phuket from the Philippines as a professional musician in 1998. After playing covers at various hotels my jazz interests were inspired by a colleague and bass player called Romeo. I learnt a wide jazz repertoire. Then I met Kae, and we initially opened an ice cream shop in Phuket Town. All of my friends used to come round to jam, and soon this interest took over from the ices.

Music Matter was born. It was the right place and the right time.”

How much influence came from your musical background in the Philippines?

“We have a strong connection with Spanish music and public performance through serenades.

It’s already in our tradition. I was also strongly influenced by American Jazz. I used to tune in to the American Forces radio.”

Kae takes the stage.

Daisy smashing it. @thephuketnews

Do you have a favourite live jazz performance?

“The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, who played in Phuket in 2007. It was the level of musicianship on stage. The tight communication between all the musicians, and yet the understanding and connection between the players and the audience was so open and incredible.”

And as I wrapped up the interview around 10pm, the jazz musicians and their aficionados were just beginning to arrive.

Within minutes the space was alive with flamboyant charac-

Jeffrey at home with the keys. ters and cool notes. The players take turns jamming on the small stage, moving between styles and instruments as the direction takes them. The level of musicianship is incredible. Drummers, keyboard players, guitarists of all creeds and musical connections bouncing off each other into the night.

Kae comes on stage to take the vocal lead, and suddenly we’re transported back to New York City 1940s clubland,

her tonal control and poignant delivery conjuring the ghosts of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

Later in the evening, an English saxophone player called Daisy Megee took the helm, riffing off the backdrop of a stunning keyboard, drum, guitar trio with brooding and sophisticated tenor melodies.

If music is a matter, here is where it manifests.

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

STAND UP ASIA BRING TOP AUSTRALIAN COMIC TO HEADLINE EVENT Last Sunday eve (July 29) saw a great night of comedy at the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach with Greg Fleet along with fellow Australian comedians Matt Wharf and Shayne Hunter, and even Phuket’s own Joey Lee taking the mic for a set. Plenty of belly laughs and a few shockers along the way. Don’t miss Stand Up Asia’s next comedy event on the island in September. Keep an eye out for it and book early!

Shayne Hunter did a fine job on hosting duties.

Greg Fleet telling us how it is.

The comics hang out with the organisers Neil Sutton (3rd from left) and Matt Bennett (2nd right), MD, Magic Rock Pte Ltd.

Cindy, Marion and Bettina left with a grin.

The crowds gathered through the afternoon.

Marci Monti leads the opening beat.

THE CALL OF THE DRUM LURES 70 TO THE CIRCLE’S 6TH ANNIVERARY On a rather blustery Sunday afternoon (July 29) on Nai Harn beach a rhythmic throng gathered for the 6th Anniversary of the Phuket Drum Circle, where Marco Monti and his tribe of drummers and movers & shakers laid down the beats and danced throughout the day. The weather did prompt proceedings to move inside to Yoonique for the second half.

Seriously...

It's dying wish was to have a selfie taken.

AMERICAN COMPETITIVE EATER MAKES QUICK WORK OF ‘THE BEHEMOTH’ Joey Chestnut, an American competitive eater who was holidaying on the island, heard about The Behemoth… a 5kg burger at The Drunken Leprechaun, the biggest in Thailand!

Basically a cow in a bun. So last Thursday (July 26) at 8:30pm, to the amazement and shock of onlookers, the beast went down in 20 minutes. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong lights a candle as part of the mass meritmaking ceremony to honour HM The King.

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and his wife Ms Sudawan.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Monks lead the mass prayer as part of the merit-making ceremony.

The island’s leading officials joined the event.

PHUKET MAKES MERIT TO HONOUR HM THE KING ON HIS 66TH BIRTHDAY Merit making to honour His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on his 66th birthday (July 28) began at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town last Friday night and continued with a full ceremony at Phuket Rajabhat University the following morning. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong led the mass ceremony to honour HM The King. Joining the Governor were an entire host of the island’s top-ranking officials, as well as leading business and community figures along with local residents and students.

The commanding officer officially opening the party.

The Phuket PR Chief held a winning ticket in the lucky draw.

First one on the dance floor wins a prize.

Members of the press attending the event.

PRESS PARTY HELD BY THE ROYAL THAI NAVY THIRD AREA COMMAND The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, based at Cape Panwa on the southeastern tip of the island, last Wednesday (July 25) held a party to thank all the Phuket press for their valued support throughout the past year. Vice-Admiral Somnuk Prempramote, the Royal Thai Navy Region 3 Commander, and a range of high-ranking Navy commanders also joined the celebratory event at the navy base meeting room. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

3 AUG

SAT

4 AUG

Mussels night @ Shakers

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

shire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch - Only July and August

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, 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. www.twochefs.com

An Italian Evening Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.

SUN

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites!

Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.

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

Come for the FOOD - RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

5 AUG

Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s

Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550. Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/

The Banyan Tree Brunch experience offers a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exceptional Lobsters dishes, Japaneses starters, mouth-watering meats, Asian wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree Brunch has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12.00 - 15.30, Prices start from THB 2,800 net per person. **Come 4 pay 2 so 50% off or come 2 and get 25% off. Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – York-

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

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

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

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

MON

6 AUG

All you can eat BBQ night

vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY B495.

Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY B95. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at www.

TwoChefs.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook/ TwoChefsThailand. Come for the food, stay for the fun! Reservations: Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076 330 065, Kata Beach 076 333 370, Karon 076 286 479 or Patong 076 344 914.

FRI

Estrela Sky Lounge, while networking with old and new friends in the business community.executivedirector@austchamthailand.com

THU

SUN

2 SEP

16 AUG

10 AUG

2018 King of the Mountain Phuket Trail Run The King of the Mountain Trial Run is hugely popular amongst both locals and visitors to the island. The route takes its runners along steep hilly terrain and past beautiful waterfalls within the Khao Phra National Park that surrounds Thanyapura. With a choice of 3 distances (4km fun run, 8km trail and 15km trail), there is something for everyone at this event. Please contact for more details. events@thanyapura.com, 076 336 000.

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

EVERY DAY Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018

PBS #4

Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, great variety, vibrant flavours. Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

THU

9 AUG

PBS is a relaxed and informal networking meeting held every month. A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet.

Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBS is all about. The Aug, 2018 meeting will be held in Kathu. Exact location can be found on our FB page - https://www.facebook.com/ phuketbusinesssundowners/

WED

The Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 ceremony will be announcing the first ever People’s Choice Award for “Best Developer Thailand 2018” and this is the first award to be voted by the public! The special People’s Choice Award winner along with winners from other categories will be revealed at the big event on August 16th, 2018. Another addition for 2018 is the launch of Thailand’s Best Real Estate Agencies presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. The Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 are organised by Dot Property Group, Southeast Asia’s largest property portal network. For more information, please visit www. dotpropertyawards.com

SAT

18 AUG All you can eat Thai Tapas menu An array of unlimited tapas-size table serving of travelers’ and locals’ favorite Thai dishes, Kantok is the perfect place to devour the best of the best Thai cuisine at once, from mouth-watering appetizers and savor soup of Phuket specialties and soul satisfying desserts. Only THB 750-net per person. Serving daily from 11am-11pm. Reservations, Kantok Restaurant, Burasari Phuket, 076 292 929.

15 AUG

Phuket Sundowners - August 2018 RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70S & 80S Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Flambé 300g Australian grass-fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted

@thephuketnews

AustCham Thailand, in collaboration with AMCHAM, BCCT, Franco-Thai and NTCC, and the Australian Alumni, is delighted to invite members and guests to join our Phuket Sundowners to be held on Wednesday 15th August, 2018, at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra. Novotel Phuket Phokeethra is located in the heart of Phuket Town and we will be enjoying a panoramic view of Phuket at the

PIWC Annual couple dinner The annual PIWC couples’ evening will be held at Mom Tri’s Wok Gallery on the 18 August 6.30pm for 7.00pm.

Cost is 800 baht per person, guests are welcome. info@piwc-phuket.com

22 TIME OUT

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Particularly associated with WWI, which man’s name became slang for a common soldier in the British Army?

2. What was the name of the main site for British codebreakers during World War II? And which two German ciphers were the most important to be broken?

3. What does the acronym AIDS stand for?

4. Jo Calderone is a fictional male alter-ego created in 2010 by which pop star?

5. London’s The Shard was designed by which architect?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. ___ Hall 6. Rocker Hagen 10. Calumet 14. Skylit courts 15. Camera diaphragm 16. “___ Cheatin’ Heart” 17. Does an about-face 20. Ward-heeler 21. “___ the Planet of the Apes” 22. Pilothouse abbr.

23. Broad sashes 24. Sinus of Valsalva locale 28. Jiltee of myth 30. ___ scale 32. UPS, for one 36. Poet Swenson 37. Counter to “Ignore the testimony you just heard” (with “You”) 42. Opposite of hence 43. Shape 44. Signs of life 47. Kind of change 51. Artillery burst 52. Bank deposit 55. Headlight setting 56. Like Radio City Music Hall 59. Flag 60. Boast

64. Sea World attraction 65. Disparage 66. Set straight 67. Orchard item 68. Mass number 69. Sprays, in a way

26. Cousin of a canvasback 27. Organic radical 29. N.Y. minutes?

30. Outlet 31. Proof word 33. Short distance 34. Some Olympians, Down nowadays 1. Tammany Hall 35. Chess tactic leader 37. Street fleet 2. Odorless gas 38. Uttar Pradesh city 3. Located the source 39. “O Sanctissima,” of e.g.

4. Grunt 40. Of long duration, 5. Hound in Scotland 6. Japanese41. Dude American 45. Blockbuster 3D 7. Best Actor of 1990 flick 8. Supreme Court 46. Conservative count 48. Loathsome 9. Floating, perhaps 49. Yes ender 10. End of a comedy 50. Corrects group 52. Truth ___ 11. Marker letters 53. Some kind of a 12. Bit of nut paronomasia 54. Then’s partner 13. James Whitcomb 57. Nonsense Riley’s “___ I 58. As expected Went Mad” 59. National park 18. Dwindle acronym 19. Antares, for one 60. Zenith 23. Home to Mount 61. Vein contents Konahuanui 62. Root vegetable 25. Coleridge work 63. ___ power

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Tommy Atkins; 2) Bletchley Park. Enigma, and Lorenz; 3) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; 4) Lady Gaga; 5) Renzo Piano

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1.3

and 1.4 hours a week, by Japanese and Slovenian men respectively, are the most that men anywhere in world spend on doing housework, according to a recent study.

46

percent more often do speakers laugh more than their audience – other than at standup comedy – a recent study revealed.

100

toxic gases are released by lithium batteries found in products such as smartphones and tablets when they get too hot.

45,379

people in the United States have a last name that starts with their first name – more than 25% of those are John Johnson.

500,000 feral and stray cats are estimated to be roaming New York City.

Source: Uberfacts

Three Bays Viewpoint. Photo: Gabe Tourney Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history Aug 3, 1492 Christopher Columbus sets sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, in the hope of reaching the East Indies (South and Southeast Asia) by sailing westward.

Aug 4, 1693 Date traditionally ascribed to Dom Perignon’s invention of Champagne; it is not clear whether he actually invented Champagne, however, he has been credited as an innovator who developed

Aug 7, 1970 Ivory Coast becomes independent from France.

the techniques used to perfect sparkling wine.

Aug 5, 1926 Harry Houdini performs his greatest feat, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.

Aug 6, 1991 Tim Berners-Lee releases files describing his idea for the World Wide Web, which later debuts as a publicly available service on

Tim Berners-Lee. the Internet. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 for his pioneering work. (Photo: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation)

Aug 8, 1908 Wilbur Wright makes his first flight at Le Mans, France. It is the Wright Brothers’ first public flight.

Aug 9, 1173 Construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa begins; it will take two centuries to complete.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

OTHER

ADVERTISE HERE

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CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS NT Live-in housekeeper wanted GE R ULive-in housekeep wanted for house in Kata. Must understand English and love dogs. Excellent conditions. 31/3 Soi Plukjae Kata Phuket. Contact: Lillian Dinic: lil@ladolcevitare. com.au or call 080 690 5248.

GE UR

NT

Bar staff wanted

Blondie Bar 2 at Otop Market Patong requires Bar Staff. Thai nationals only.

Good salary and room provided. Phone Mick: 081 087 6114.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

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

S NT

AL

E

Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son).

Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arrange. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

UR

BUSINESS FOR SALE UR

G

T EN

SA

LE

SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

Totally renovated, Italian design and furniture, all-new imported kitchen and bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden and 40 rooftop. Pablo: 080 143 5541. info@dedos-restaurant.com @thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

Hyundai Veloster TURBO

Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000km, Price from new 1,749,000 THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tyres with only 6,000km, all options. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 084-3058363 TH.

Amazing Deal!

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

Only 495,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

UR

N GE

TS

AL

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission.

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

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT G UR

T EN

RE

NT

CARS FOR RENT

We offer car rental at affordable prices.

Monthly from B10,000. Daily from B400.

Call us and find out what we offer. B10,000 monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2, T Paklok, A Thalang, 83110 Phuket. Contact: stigisaan@gmail.com, 084 847 4377.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

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

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE For Sale

New set of Kasco G7 golf clubs RH R FLEX. Driver 10.5°, 3 Wood 15°, U4 Hybrid 19°, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P, S irons. Milled head putter. 11 clubs, 4 head covers, graphite shafts except putter. B25,000. Bob Mather, Kathu. Contact: bobmather_4@ hotmail.com, 095 549 2748.

OTHER Commercial Laundry Services

Exceptional commercial laundry services in Patong. Increased capabilities are allowing us to expand to support 500 additional rooms.

Competitive, Chonticha, Patong, candkservicespatong@ gmail.com, 0991658538.

Accountancy,Bookkeeping,Tax

Accountancy, Bookkeeping, Australian Taxation, GST, VAT, Business Advisory Anabel Da Silva, PO Box 161, Palmyra, Western Australia, 6957, anabel@dasilva-accounting.com, +61 40 400 6236.

POOL TABLES AMAZING DEAL NOT TO BE MISSED!

Like new English Riley Pool Table for sale.

Measures 320cm long by 170cm, comes with six pool cues and cue rack as well as game counter. Pick up in Chalong no delivery. Only 50,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

Rasson Victory 2 Pro Tounament

Style is forever! The Victory Tournament 9 ft. pool table is a tournament-style, high-quality pool table designed with commercial and private use in mind, slate bed. B228,000.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES CHATTHA Property and Rental Management Service in Phuket

Our services: Housekeeping, Garden, Swimming Pool, Maintenance and Repair. www.chatthamanagement. com office: 076 636 244 or mobile: 090 179 6635.

Chattha Management.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE PROPERTY FOR SALE 5 bedrooms family home

BEAUTIFUL 5 BEDROOMS HOME CENTRALLY LOCATED | 2 MINS FROM BIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL | 10 MINS TO PHUKET TOWN | 15 MINS TO CENTRAL FESTIVAL | 15 MINS TO SURIN BEACH | SECURE GATED CHILD FRIENDLY COMMUNTIY | ALL GROUNDS IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED 19.8M, Abby, Woodlands estate, Koh Kaew , Phuket, abby.barnhurst@icloud.com, +66 840896521.

4 Pool villas - 1 Rai for sale

Reduced price from 32.9 MB to 24MB (only 6 MB for 1 villa). Bali-Thai Style pool villa 3 bed, 3 bath. Located Pasak, Bangtao beach, Phuket. More info: (+66) 96-8956392,(+66) 94-282-2893 or Umaphorn.fg@gmail.com

Land & House for sale

Villa 225sqm. incl. 75sqm terraces on Freehold Chanote Land: 1 to 6 rai on SUKORN ISLAND, Trang province. Price THB 7,150,000 - THB 15,250,000. Owner, Koh Sukorn, Trang province, ddsukorn@gmail.com, 081 537 1957.

New Modern Villa – 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina

200 sqm, land 500 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, swimming pool, close to UWCT school. Including: pool/garden/wifi/TV.SAT/services. Google map: tiny.cc/ deltaho. Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. 65,000/ month, Alain, 57/3 Moo 3 Soi Ban Bang Pae, T. Pa Khlok, T. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Email: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.

RPM owner direct

Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm.

Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel. New Jacuzzi. Views to lake, mountain, marina, pool, etc. Completely furnished to a high standard, toothbrush only required. Owner leaving Thailand. Priced at 16MB for quick sale. Contact Brian (Owner): 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com RoyalPhuketMarina Condos.com

80m2 freehold condo in Patong

Freehold 80m2, 2-bedroom apartment in quiet condo with swimming pool in Patong. Ideal investment in most active tourist area in Phuket. B5.9 million. Contact Michel GUILLIEN, Andaman Beach Suites, Unit 1604, Patong, Phuket. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.

5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai

3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. THB19,750,000. Contact Mrs Simpson by email: thaivillaonline@gmail.com or call 084 447 7248. More info at: thaivillaonline.com

Unique Investment Opportunity

Unique investment opportunity Not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www. thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE Luxury Villa

With private boat morning and jacuzzi.

Email paradise11@mac.com for pictures, plans and price.

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Kamala Condo

Modern fully furnished 2B/R, 2 bathroom condo , 90 SM, min 3 months. Quite & secure. Wifi&cable TV included. 4 condos in this building. Small garden.12,000, bkeenan2010@hotmail.com, 084 716 0502.

Ready 01/07/2018

Penthouse for Sale

432.44 SQM Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city.

Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at the Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand.

Condo Facilities: Two tennis courts, 10 x 24-metre swimming pool, fitness & game room, restaurant, parking. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

Rent. The Heritages Suites, nice 2 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, Jacuzzi, 160sqm. Modern furnished. Lease long term (minimum 1 year). Parking, pool, fitness. Close KIS, Lotus. 39,000 per month, Owner, Kathu, Thai 089 552 9303 / Eng 093 717 9343.

Pool Villa For Rent PhangNga

4-Bed Pool villa nearby Natai beach. Surrounded by nature. North of Phuket, 25 mins from airport. Idea for retired/long term stay family. Yupadee: miakcg@yahoo.com, 081 926 3286.

PROPERTY WANTED Looking for property in Laguna

Willing to sell or rent your property in the Laguna area? Please contact me: raisa@ rl-property.com or +66(0) 81 737 1687 (you can use Viber, Whats App or Line) raisa@rl-property.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

SPORT 29

It’s all down to paddle fitness

Paddling could take your surfing fitness to the next level Hayden Rhodes

M

ost of us agree that the best surfing fitness is to catch as many waves as possible.

However, even if you surf a few times per week, are there specific surfing exercises that can give you the fitness edge?

Spending time on paddling or swim drills may seem counter productive, yet doing so could help take your surfing fitness to the next level.

Think about it…

Michael Phelps cross trained extensively with strength and conditioning work, yet most of his speed, power and endurance came from technical practice in the water.

Tour De France cyclists incorporate indoor cycling on rollers or wind trainers into their training. Why? Because the controlled environment allows for better concentration and targeting specific fitness

To improve surfing fitness, paddle power and lung function it is best to train in environments that allow us to specifically develop those abilities. In other words – in the water.

Photo: Screengrab via Surf Training Secrets - YouTube components and technique.

Also because of the law of specificity. Cyclists must cycle.

Surfers must paddle.

How about other sports?

Lebron James conditions himself off court, yet most of his training is in the environment he competes.

Roger Federer wouldn’t train in the gym without training on a tennis court where he plays.

All athletes must adhere to the laws of sport science, es-

pecially the law of specificity.

The same is true for surfers.

To improve surfing fitness, paddle power and lung function it is best to train in environments that allow us to specifically develop those abilities. In other words – in the water.

While strength training and conditioning can support surfing fitness, lets work out priorities based on sport science.

Predicting another maritime tragedy FISHING

CAST AWAY Jimmy Stewart info@fishinginphuket.com

HI SHIPMATES, AS YOU may recall, last month I wrote about the stupidity of many tourists and the greed of numerous boat operators, little realising I was predicting yet another maritime tragedy.

Condolences to all those left behind and shame on “all those” who turned a blind eye to the conditions, which were all too obvious and predicted well in advance.

If I can go from “pirate to prophet” so easily, those responsible for public safety at sea, and in general, should have the authority to act on behalf of public safety, and if they already have this power and not acted, be replaced immediately with people who actually know what they are doing.

Does anyone remember the chain across the pier to stop access for parking, when the buses had to drive up and reverse down the pier? So how about the same thing for extreme weather conditions and @thephuketnews

This is what happens to carbon fibre rods when struck by lightning (above). Jimmy’s late pal ‘Chook’ one of the fishermen who also lost their lives in the storm (far right). no buses? If you remember the crazy chain idea, how about the concrete “mooring buoy” blocks which actually sunk a dive boat, lost their buoys and had to be moved. And now this catastrophe.

Unfortunately, Thailand being what it is, unless there is a fundamental change in the Thai psyche and therefore their approach to problems, or lack thereof, we will continue to hear this tragic lament!

Although it sounds like an oxymoron, I have been told there is a word in the Thai dictionary for “logic” which I have spent many years coming to terms with, now unfortunately and belatedly, I have to add “responsibility” and “accountability” to my list of words that don’t travel comfortably or accurately across the borders into Thailand, causing

all sorts of things to fall short of “internationally accepted” standards, which would be the solution to many of their difficulties.

Going out to sea from Chalong, a Russian tourist asked a friend of mine, while pointing at the windmill on the hill, “What’s that?”. Without blinking and with a deadpan face, Colin said, “Oh that’s the air-con for Nai Harn Beach, it keeps the tourists cool.”

This month’s pic is what happens to carbon fibre rods when struck by lightning. The second photo is of my late pal “Chook”, one of the fishermen who also lost their lives in the storm. RIP Chook.

As usual, tight lines to all – when we eventually manage to get out.

Jimmy - fishinginphuket.com

1) To improve the skill-set of any sport – specific neurological pathways from brain to body must be established.

In other words; specific sport related skills must be practised. Priority #1: When there is surf – go surf.

2) Paddling is the base of all ocean surfing and is a skill that can be improved.

It doesn’t matter how many squats or Yoga poses you can do if you can’t paddle efficiently or suffer from poor

paddle power. Priority #2: Develop better paddle power and muscular-skeletal capacity with surf specific swim and paddling drills.

3) Functional movement patterns on land will impact your ability to move better in the surf. Priority #3: Include strength and flexibility conditioning into your surfing training.

I’m the first to agree that functional conditioning and fitness programs do carry over into better performance, truckloads of power and less injuries. I also believe specificity is fundamental to better sport performance.

So… the low down…

Even if you surf all the time, surf training in the pool or ocean to improve lung function and paddle power will improve your A game.

However, just doing long paddles is not going to cut it.

Aim to mix up your training with sport specific intensities that carry over into surfing.

As a surfer you can benefit from improving your paddling efficiency, power and endurance with sport specific swim

drills. This is especially true for beginners or out of shape surfers; if a fitter surfer can out-paddle you – they will catch more waves than you.

It’s that simple.

FREE BONUS: Fitness training in the pool or gym will help you feel stronger physically, yet more importantly you will benefit from a stronger mental edge too.

And many surfers will say the mental edge is the priority.

Stay focused and do what you have to do.

Remember, surfing is your medicine – so be at your best.

For speaking engagements or private performance coaching to improve your surfing, health and fitness contact Hayden at info@surftrainingsecrets.com If you would like a personal 90 Min strategic coaching call, contact me.

Hayden Rhodes (Club Manager of Phukets Finest Health Club) is the creator of Surf Training Secrets. If you love surfing or snowboarding and want to get surf fit fast and build a body to last, go visit SurfTrainingSecrets.com

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Lewis takes midseason lead Mercedes driver goes into break 24 points clear of rival Vettel BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

W

hen it rains, it pou r s, a nd after two victories slipped through Ferrari’s hands in the soaking German and Hungarian rains, Sebastian Vettel will be hoping for a drought in the second half of the season.

The final pair of races before Formula One’s midseason break flipped the championship equation. Before the Hockenheim-Budapest double-header Vettel led title rival Lewis Hamilton by eight points. His Ferrari team, in possession of the fastest car on the grid, led Mercedes by 20.

Vettel was set for a commanding home-race victory from pole position over Hamilton, who had spent the race recovering from his 14th-place starting position.

Hamilton said he’d prayed after his qualifying disaster, and perhaps the Sunday shower was the response. Not only is the Briton a dab hand

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, last Sunday (July 29). Photo: Andrej Isakovic / AFP in the wet, but Vettel, just 16 laps from the finish, slid off the track and into the barriers, handing Lewis victory.

The German was sanguine in the aftermath, however, knowing the next round in Budapest would suit his car better than the Mercedes – so long as it remained dry.

Friday practice was hot and sunny, conditions in which Ferrari excelled and Mercedes struggled. With Sunday’s fore-

cast much the same, Vettel’s optimism looked well placed.

But on Saturday dark clouds rolled over the circuit and the heavens thundered opened. Heavy rain drenched the track, washing away Ferrari’s advantage and handing Hamilton a spectacular halfsecond qualifying margin over Kimi Raikkonen, the faster of the two Ferrari drivers, in third place.

The Hungaroring is a nar-

row and twisty circuit around which overtaking is difficult.

Last season this characteristic saved Vettel, who won despite steering arm problems dramatically slowing him down.

This season, however, even in the warm conditions that favoured his car, the circuit would prove Vettel’s enemy.

He swept around his teammate into third place on the first lap, and Ferrari tactically used Raikkonen to lure Valt-

teri Bottas, then in second, to make an early pit stop, allowing Vettel to challenge Hamilton directly.

Hamilton, on the delicate ultrasoft tyre, was forced to stop on lap 25, leaving Vettel’s soft-shod Ferrari in the lead, but Hamilton’s pace after the stop ensured he would keep the lead after Vettel’s tyre change.

However, Vettel would end the race on the fastest tyre, giving him a second chance to squeeze Hamilton – but it was this plan that the narrow Budapest circuit bit hard.

The Ferrari driver’s progress slowed as he navigated around lapped traffic on his in-lap. At the same time Bottas was putting the hammer down, and when Vettel emerged from pit lane after a slow stop, the Finn had jumped Vettel for second place.

Vettel’s new tyres were squandered behind Bottas, who obstinately defended until lap 65, when his 50-lap-old tyres finally gave in. Vettel and Raikkonen sliced past him into second and third, but it was too late to challenge Hamilton, who cruised to the chequered flag.

Two races transformed Vettel’s eight-point title advantage into a 24-point deficit, and Ferrari now trailed Mercedes by 10 points.

“What a beautiful day,” Hamilton said. “We came here knowing that the Ferrari would be real quick this weekend, but to come out with these points, we’ll definitely take that as a bonus.”

Vettel, chastened by the defeat, said second was the best he could achieve after qualifying fourth.

“We were a little bit out of position for the speed we had,” he said. “It was a tough race.”

The fortune reversal across the last four races will give Ferrari and Mercedes much to consider during the midseason shutdown.

With the smallest errors producing significant swings, efforts are sure to be doubled and redoubled when Formula One resumes at the end of August for the Belgian Grand Prix.

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

Teams claw back points as Caddy Shack have free week POOL TWO TEAMS FROM THE Patong Pool League (PPL) are now just three points adrift of Caddy Shack after the league leaders had their free week last week due to an uneven number of teams contesting for this season’s title.

Both Kwans Birdie Club and Natalie Bar got within reach of Caddy Shack following wins in round nine of the Patong Pool League, sponsored by Thailand

Pool Tables, Genius 2 Garden and Restaurant and Tualek Whisky, played last Thursday (July 26).

Natalie Bar, who were some 12 points off the league leaders after week eight of the league, managed to get within three points of Caddy Shack following a big 9-3 away win over Simon & Oils.

Natalie Bar started the game strong with Andy, Peter, Natalie and Napoli all winning their singles and doubles games.

Simon & Oils struggled to

find answers against last year’s runners-up and even lost the beerleg in three sets giving Natalie Bar a comfortable 9-3 victory.

Kwans Birdie Team were playing away to Ting Tong Bar and Mike, Mike E and Se from the Birdie Team all won their singles and doubles games.

However, so did Nic and Ian playing for Ting Tong Bar. It was a closely-fought match throughout the singles, but in the doubles Kwans Birdie Team took the lead and won

the beerleg in two sets and the game with a score of 7-4.

Meanwhile, lower down the table, Red Light Bar played away to Kiki Sports Bar and it was an all-French affair with both bar owners hailing from the Republic.

Kiki’s star player William was back in action and he made his point by winning his singles and doubles games, but Kiki himself also won both games.

For Red Light, Oye and Andy won both their singles and doubles games meaning the game was to be decided in the beerleg, which ended up being a three-setter won by Kiki Sports Bar. However, both teams had to be happy with a 6-6 at the end of the night.

Elsewhere, Happy End Bar played home to Martin Swiss with Teacher Tak, Andy, Oye and Andy 2 all winning their singles and doubles games for Happy End. Happy End had a comfortable 7-2 lead ahead of the beerleg and what could go wrong?

Martin Swiss was not willing to walk away without winning the beerleg, and Happy End didn’t have such a ‘happy end’ as they lost the beerleg in two

Martin is owner of Martin Swiss Guesthouse and has been playing pool for many years. Martin loves to snooker his opponents if he needs to win a game. Photo: Supplied sets. However, Happy End still walked away with a 7-4 win.

Last but by no means least, Genius played at home against Wombat with the ladies from Genius suffering slightly after having a late night battling in the Patong-Rawai Challenge the day before.

However, Nong Fern recovered miraculously and won her singles and doubles games as did Ken, both playing for the Genius team. Frank playing for Wombat won his singles and doubles too.

The beerleg was again a three-setter, which was eventually won by Genius giving them a good 8-4 win over their opponents.

Matt Pond

LEAGUE STANDINGS Caddy Shack

61

Kwans Birdie Club

58

Natalie

58

Kiki Sports

47

Simon & Oil’s

47

Genius

46

Happy End

44

Wombat

43

Red Light

41

Martin Swiss

39

Ting Tong

36

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

SPORT 31

Moody Mourinho on US tour

Manager’s carping raises questions over team’s morale FOOTBALL Pirate Irwin

J

ose Mourinho’s constant carping and foul mood during Manchester United’s increasingly tortuous tour of the United States is raising questions about team morale and title hopes just over a week away from the start of the new Premier League season.

Unlike rivals Liverpool and champions Manchester City, two Premier League contenders whose pre-season has included solid preparations and astute transfers, Manchester United watchers see nothing to celebrate as the 55-year-old Portuguese manager prepares for his third term at Old Trafford.

The days when Mourinho used to poke fun at journalists with a twinkle in his eye during press conferences appear long gone, replaced by a litany of complaints as seen following the side’s 4-1 humbling by Liverpool last Saturday (July 28) in their latest outing on the US tour.

Bookmakers are now taking bets on Mourinho becom-

Manager Jose Mourinho of Manchester United paces the sideline during the International Champions Cup 2018 match against AC Milan on July 25. Photo: Victor Decolongon / AFP ing the first Premier League manager to be sacked or leave his post this season.

Reports reaching home from the US tour depict players too nervous to talk openly about what they think, with the Daily Telegraph and The Sun claiming those in the squad feel they are “treading on eggshells”.

The Sun cites one case of an unnamed player in a panic asking the TV channel he gave an interview to erase an

answer he gave them.

“It’s understood the piece of content in question wasn’t even contentious and could be considered ‘on message’ from a club point of view – but it is a measure of the tension being felt on a troubled tour,” remarked the Manchester Evening News.

Mourinho has a history of targeting specific players on occasion and Ivorian central defender Eric Bailly has been in his firing line in

the United States.

“I don’t think he is a great leader,” Mourinho said of Bailly while adding that newly-appointed captain Antonio Valencia’s physical preparation was below expectations.

“His condition was not good when he was back,” he said after the player returned to the squad from holiday.

He was more critical of French striker Anthony Martial, who he said should have returned to the US tour after

going home to be with his girlfriend when she gave birth to a baby boy in Paris.

Mourinho’s position was in stark contrast to England manager Gareth Southgate’s much-praised decision to allow Fabian Delph to leave the World Cup finals to be with his wife at the birth of their child.

Mourinho – who having guided United to Europa League and League Cup success in his first season – delivered nothing last term.

Critics suggest he is caught in a repetitive pattern seen at previous clubs where his reign turned sour in the third season.

It happened twice at Chelsea where he was sacked in the middle of his third campaign in his second spell there, and it also happened at Real Madrid.

However, Mourinho’s biggest cause for complaint – that he has not been given the money for the signings he wanted – has won some sympathy, even from the Manchester United board despite reportedly strained relations with Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman.

Thus far he has bought three players including Bra-

zilian international Fred, but Mourinho is keen to have two new faces in the squad come the opening match with Leicester on Friday week.

Ironically one of those targets is Leicester’s England centre-back Harry Maguire, though the 2016 champions’ wealthy Thai owners feel they do not have to sell, particularly having accrued a club record £60 million (B2.63 billion) for the sale of Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City.

Relations between Woodward and Mourinho may not be great but there is no suggestion the former wants the latter out, having last January secured his signature on a new contract to June 2020 with the option of a further year.

However, with Mourinho still preferring to live in the luxurious Lowry Hotel – where a suite costs over £800 (B34,828) a night – rather than buy a more permanent home, and now that his trusted number two Rui Faria, seen as a reliable sounding board as to his mood swings, is no longer at United, many are suggesting the third season curse could prevail again.

AFP

English refs to show cards to badly-behaved managers FOOTBALL

In the coming season, referees will be able to show red and yellow cards to coaching staff in England's top professional competitions, except the Premier League. Photo: AFP

ENGLISH FOOTBALL INTENDS to start punishing managers who behave badly on the sidelines as severely as players on the field, the Football Association (FA) said on Tuesday (July 31).

In the coming season, referees will be able to show red and yellow cards to coaching staff in England’s top professional competitions, with the exception of the Premier League, as part of a pilot project based on the FA’s existing “technical area

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

code of conduct”.

In the top flight, managers will not be shown cards but receive verbal warnings.

Like cards for players, the warnings will be totted up and could lead to match bans.

What the FA calls “stage one warnings” will be issued for inappropriate language or gestures “which are an obvious show of dissent or an attempt to influence the decisions of the match officials”. These include kicking or throwing water bottles or clothing, sarcastic clapping or waving imaginary cards.

Run #1696: Saturday Aug 4 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: J.C. Murkury, Rampant Rabbit Location: Kathu - Tessaban One School near Phuket Tin Mining Museum Directions: If coming from Patong, go over the hill to Kathu and turn left at the Caltex traffic lights. Follow the road and turn left after passing the traffic lights to Kathu waterfall. Follow the road around LPGC, the school/laager site is on the right before you get to the Tin Mining Museum.

From the southern part of the island head north and after the bypass road turn left towards British International School (BIS).

Go past BIS on your right and follow the road towards LPGC. The school/ laager site is on the left just after the Tin Mining Museum.

We have permission to use the car parking area only, not any buildings. Anyone littering will be hung drawn and quartered.

Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

@thephuketnews

Managers who receive four warnings will be banned for one match, eight warnings will result in a twomatch ban, 12 warnings will bring a three-match ban and 16 will lead to a misconduct charge.

Unlike cards for players, the warnings will not, in most cases, be wiped out after a fixed number of games.

Shaun Harvey, the chief executive of the English Football League which runs the three divisions below the Premier League, said on Tuesday that rules for behaviour in the dugout or technical area are not new, but

the idea is to make the disciplinary procedure clearer to fans.

Referees have long been able to banish badly-behaved managers, but now a red card will make clear what is happening.

“We thought it should add to the clarity and hopefully better behaviour in the technical areas,” said Harvey.

Harvey said that the referee can, if necessary, caution a team’s entire coaching staff.

“This is not about creating a drama. It is about making sure behaviour doesn’t decline further.”

AFP

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

Paddle fitness is an important part of surf fitness > p29

THE FINAL MAJOR

US$10.5 million prize purse up for grabs at US PGA Championship Tiger Woods, seen here playing at the 147th Open Golf Championship, is one of only five players to ever win the golfing ‘Grand Slam’. Photo: Glyn Kirk / AFP

GOLF Martin Platts

T

he last golfing Major of the year, the US PGA Championship, is to be played from Aug 9-12 with a prize purse of US$10.5 million (B349.65mn) up for grabs.

The PGA Championship is generally played on a parkland course and there is no real rotation system in place to decide at which golf course in America it will be played. However, this year Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri has the honour of hosting.

What is a parkland golf course?

As golf courses progressed from the early 20th century and went more inland, these golf courses where called parkland golf courses because they had trees that looked like they came from country parks.

The course also has lush rough, fairways and greens all manicured with plenty of water, be it natural or man-made.

The Bellerive CC course is some 7,547 yards long with a par of 71.

About the PGA Championship This Major was established in 1916 when participating professional golfers played for US$500 (equivalent to about B383,500 today) prize money and a diamond-studded gold medal donated by Rodman Wanamaker.

Today, the winning golfer will receive a

cheque for US$1.8mn (B59.94mn) and the Wanamaker Trophy.

Qualification to play in the PGA generally comes down to the top 100 players in the world with other exemptions making up a field of 156 players.

The original format for the PGA Championship was match play, sometimes lasting seven days with over 200 holes having been played to decide the winner. However, in 1957 the format was changed to what is still the standard of the day; a four-day 72-stroke play event.

Who runs the PGA Championship?

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America) was founded in 1916 by Rodman Wanamaker. Today the PGA of America has 29,000 professional golf members.

The PGA of America’s mission statement is: “The PGA of America’s undertaking is to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.”

As a crossover of the PGA Tour, established due to unrest of its tournament players in 1968 as to how the PGA Championship was run, the PGA of America stopped running tour events and the tournament players’ division took over professional events in America, which then become known as the ‘PGA Tour’, fully installed by 1975.

To this day having two separate bodies was seen as the right way to go, the PGA Tour has grown in stature and has become

the best tour for professional golfers to play in the world with its lucrative first prize of a million dollars plus.

However, charity has a symbiotic relationship with the tour and to date the tour has given US$2.3 billion (B76.59bn), hence the event’s sponsor is very happy to be a part of the PGA Tour.

Even though the PGA of America kept their independence to take care of their own professional golf members, and the PGA Tour became established itself to take care of their tournament players members, the PGA of America still controls the PGA Championship.

What’s a golfer remembered for?

With all four golfing Majors now in play, what a professional golfer is going to be remembered for is how many Majors he has won.

To start the ball rolling you first need to win a Major. This in itself seems to create massive pressure on a professional golfer.

There are players, now and in the past, who were good enough, so we thought, but have ended up with a tag around their neck – ‘best player never to have won a Major’.

Therefore, winning a Major gives you kudos in the game, your endorsements go up and can be worth around US$30mn plus (B999mn) for your first Major title.

Once you become a multiple-Major winner financially you are home and dry.

If you want to be firmly established in the history books, winning all four majors is

what you are after, showing that you can handle the pressure and that you can also win playing on different types of courses.

Winning all four in one year hasn’t been achieved as yet but the next best thing is to have won all four majors over your golfing career, this is called the ‘Grand Slam’.

Only five golfers have achieved this; Gene Sarazen (USA), Ben Hogan (USA), Gary Player (SA), Jack Nicklaus (USA), and Tiger Woods (USA), the latter two having won them three times over.

Incidentally, Gary Player completed his Grand Slam at Bellerive CC in 1965 winning the US Open here.

In this year’s PGA Championship at Bellerive, Jordan Spieth is the only player in the field that requires this Major to complete this monumental task of becoming a Grand Slam golfer.

We will watch with interest to see if he has a favourable outcome.

Next year the PGA Championship will be brought forward to May, thus all four majors will run over four consecutive months; Masters in April, PGA Championship in May, US Open in June and The Open in July.

Happy golfing to all!

Martin Platts (British) P.G.A., Director of the Golf Guru International Golf Academy, has been involved in competitive golf for 40 years, 30 as a professional. He has coached players of all levels from beginners to Ryder Cup tour professionals. Visit TheGolfGuru.com thephuketnews