03-11-2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

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Friday, November 3 – Thursday, November 9, 2017

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NEWS

PAGE 5

Loy Krathong to be kept traditional

LIFE

PAGE 13

John Gray on his abiding love for Phang Nga Bay

DMCR officials explain the law to a beach worker in Patong on Wednesday (Nov 1). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

BEACH CIGARETTE BAN TO INVOKE B100,000 FINE, 90-DAY ‘GRACE CAMPAIGN’ UNDERWAY Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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fficials from the Phuket office of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) on Wednesday (Nov 1) launched their campaign to inform beachgoers of the ban on smoking cigarettes at Patong Beach that came into effect this week.

The event marked the start of a 90-day amnesty period before DMCR officials will start charging people for breaching Section 17 of the 2015 law

on marine and beach resources management – which means that people caught smoking on Patong Beach after the 90-day amnesty may face a fine of up to B100,000 or even up to one year in jail for a breach of the act.

However, DMCR Director-General Jatuporn Buruspat confirmed to The Phuket News this week that the penalties specified under the new ban will now also be applied to people caught littering or dumping any rubbish on the listed protected beaches.

Local authorities responsible for 24 beaches in 15 provinces met at

the Government Complex Convention Centre in Bangkok on Tuesday (Oct 31) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to confirm their stance on supporting the ramped up penalties available to enforce the smoking ban and the move to prevent litter on the beaches, Director Jatuporn explained.

“November 1 is the first day of the campaign. We are starting by informing people in the Patong area about how this ministerial rule by law will be enforced. Then, after 90 days, we will begin fining people.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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“The law will be enforced properly from February 2018, when officials will fine people who break this law,” Director Jatuporn told The Phuket News.

Mr Jatuporn reiterated that the heavy-handed law was introduced after an inspection of nine square metres by 10 centimetres depth of a section of sand on Patong Beach that yielded an average of 0.76 cigarette ends per square metre.

“This is an estimated average of about 101,058 cigarette ends along the 2.5 kilometre stretch of Patong Beach,” he said...

SPORT

PAGE 32

McDonald on fire as PCC take league title

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Passports revoked in hope of having Yingluck brought to justice > page 7

Ritual brings funeral closure ‘Dok Mai Jan’ ashes scattered into the sea off Phromthep Cape The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket officials on the morning of Oct 27 held a Buddhist ritual for the ashes of the Dok Mai Jan burned in the symbolic ceremony held at Saphan Hin, as part of the nationwide ceremonies for the Royal Cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and scattered them into the sea off Phuket.

The ashes were carried by a five-vessel fleet of Royal Thai Navy ships to the waters off the coast of Phromthep Cape, where they were scattered by officials led by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong.

At 8am Gov Norraphat led a merit-making ceremony at Phuket’s Royal Crematorium replica at Saphan Hin Park where he was joined by other

high-ranking officials and nine Buddhist monks.

At 10am, after completing the Buddhist ritual, Gov Norraphat led officials in removing the ashes of the Dok Mai Jan from the replica and scattering them at Phromthep Cape, the southernmost point of Phuket.

An urn and bags containing the Dok Mai Jan ashes were first taken to the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command base in Cape Panwa, where officials boarded five Navy ships and headed to Phromthep Cape.

Once arriving there, Gov Norraphat led officials in scattering the ashes into the Andaman Sea. In addition, an urn and bags containing more Dok Mai Jan ashes and the Royal NineTiered Umbrella – considered the most sacred and ancient symbolic artefact associated

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong leads the ceremony during which the ‘Dok Mai Jan’ ashes were scattered in the sea off Phromthep Cape. Photo: PR Dept with Thai royalty, also called a chatra, which sat atop the Royal Crematorium replica at Saphan Hin – are be kept in a Royal Temple Mongkol Nimit (Wat Klang) in Phuket Town.

Meanwhile, estimates for the number of people who took part in the Dok Mai Jan

laying ceremonies in Phuket as part of the nationwide commemorative funeral events was revised from 60,000 to 92,000.

Also, the Royal Crematorium replica used in the main Phuket ceremony on Oct 27 will remain at Saphan Hin

until further notice.

“We will leave the late King’s Royal Crematorium replica at Saphan Hin until we receive an official order from Bangkok telling us the next step,” Phuket Public Relations Department Chief Bussaya Chaipeum said.

“The replica is open people for the public to visit and there will be security watching over it until it is removed.

“It is likely that once ordered, the replica will be moved to a temple in Phuket.

However, a time or location has not yet been confirmed,” Ms Bussaya said.

Officials across the island on Monday (Oct 30) removed black-and-white bunting and memorial placards posted in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej following the official mourning period drawing to a close at midnight last

Sunday night (Oct 29).

“Officials are to restore their offices to their premourning state of presentation and flags are to be flown once again at full mast,” Governor Norraphat confirmed at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday.

“Regarding images of the late King, we have to wait for the order from the central government before removing them as they must be removed in accordance with the correct procedures. For now such images can be presented as usual,” Gov Norraphat said.

Mi n ister of P r i me Minister’s Office Aomsin Chewapruek last Friday (Oct 27) noted that the government advised people to wear soft-toned clothing, such as browns and blues, during these first days of the postmourning period.

Beach butt ban gets serious at Patong Continued from page 1 ...Also present to sign the MoU in Bangkok on Tuesd ay wa s Pat ong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup, following her inspection of seven dedicated smoking areas cre-

ated by Patong Municipality for tourists along the Patong boardwalk.

“Patong officials must cooperate with them [the DMCR] on this project. It is our direct responsibility

because it is in our area,” Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News.

“We have three months to inform as many people as we can. We have created seven smoking areas along the Patong beachfront with warning signs and more dedicated smoking areas will be created,” she added.

Phuket DMCR official Patpong Romyen and three other officers on Wednesday began their efforts by informing people who work along Patong Beach, such as jet-ski and parasail operators, as well as food and drink vendors, among others.

“They have to understand this information and inform their own customers about it,” Mr Patpong.

“We will have a total of 18 smoking areas along the beachfront and we will have signs warning people about the law. We will post signs in multiple languages so foreign tourists can learn about the law,” he added.

“Next, we will work together with Patong Municipality to conduct a publicinformation campaign. We will talk with them to come up with the details and action plan next week.” thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Police officer opens fire at petrol station Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Phuket City Police officer has been charged with attempted murder after he fired his gun and shot another man at a petrol station on Thepkrasattri Rd in Srisoonthorn last Saturday afternoon (Oct 27).

Local residents reported the shooting, at a PTT petrol station in Baan Lipon, to Lt Sunan Petchnoo of the Thalang Police at 5.20pm.

Police officers, including Thalang Police Chief Col Somphong Thipapakul and Deputy Superintendent Lt Col Amnuay Kraiwut-Anan arrived at the scene to find Adisak Srisootiyakul, 30, from Phang Nga, on the ground with a gunshot wound to his foot.

Mr Adisak was promptly taken to Thalang Hospital and later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

The shooter, 24-year-old L/ Cpl Ruangrit Jaritngam of the Phuket City Police, was also present at the scene as well as some of his family members.

L/Cpl Ruangrit Jaritngam of the Phuket City Police was taken into custody only after he handed his 9mm semi-automatic pistol to his father. Photo: Thalang Police Police officers spent some time persuading their colleague to hand over his gun to his father and arrested him as soon as the 9mm semi-automatic pistol was no longer in his hands. L/Cpl Ruangrit and his parents were taken to Thalang Police Station.

Thalang Police said that during questioning they learned that L/Cpl Ruangrit was travelling with his parents to receive medical care at Saranrom Hospital in Surat Thani. The family

stopped their car at the petrol station to buy water from the convenience store and that was when L/Cpl Ruangrit “became stressed and shot his pistol at the ground, causing the bullet to ricochet and injure the foot of Mr Adisak who was nearby”.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen along with L/Cpl Ruangrit’s superiors later joined the investigation at Thalang Police Station.

L/Cpl Ruangrit was charged

with attempted murder using firearms, carrying firearms in a public place without a permit and firing a gun in a public place without a permit.

L/Cpl Ruangrit denied the charges and was then released on B50,000 bail.

“The interrogation and other procedures took up to four hours. At a later time, we will conduct another investigation regarding the involvement of his family,” said Thalang Police Chief Col Somphong.

PHUKET NEWS

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Murderer arrested while fleeing island A 26-Y EA R- OLD M A N was arrested at the Phuket Checkpoint early on Tuesday in connection with a murder that had taken place just one and a half hours prior to his arrest.

Police at the checkpoint were put on alert that the man was likely to attempt to flee the island.

A team of officers led by Kathu Deputy Chief Lt Col Chalermchai Hernsawat, Tha Chatchai Deputy Chief Lt Col Nikon Chuthong, Acting Sub-Lt Jeerasak Sangtaworn of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, and Second Lt Somchai Jankaew from the 15th Infantry Division arrested Tanya “Toom” Jinda, 26, from Trang, at the Phuket Checkpoint at 12:30am.

Officers seized from him his Suzuki Smash motorbike and a 21-centimetre knife found tucked into his shoe.

He was taken to Kathu Police Station where he was charged with, and confessed to, murder and carrying a weapon in public without a permit.

The arrest followed Kathu Police being notified by Patong Police at 11:25pm Monday night (Oct 30) that a man named

Police arrested 26-year-old Tanya ‘Toom’ Jinda as he attempted to flee the island.

Photo: Kathu Police Ananchai “Good” Yim-on, 27, from Nonthaburi, had been severely stabbed and was later pronounced dead at Patong Hospital.

Kathu Police reported that the incident happened in front of a rental room in Soi Suealueang in Kathu, and when they arrived at the scene they found pools of blood on the floor. Mr Ananchai had already been transported to hospital.

An eye-witness to the incident told police that Mr Ananchai and Toom had been arguing and fighting. Toom stabbed Mr Ananchai before speeding away on the motorbike.

Kathu Police immediately placed Tha Chatchai Police on alert to look out for Toom as they believed he was going to try to flee the island.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Tour bus driver gets angry on meth Ammonia leak forces area evacuation THE DRIVER OF AN AN Xin Tour Co Ltd bus found to be under the influence of crystal meth (ya ice) after he had a drug-induced dispute with security at the Windmill Viewpoint last Friday (Oct 28) will have his commercial driver’s licence revoked.

Chalong Police arrested the tour bus driver, 35-yearold Suthon Klasamut, after he freaked out at Phuket’s iconic Windmill Viewpoint on Cape Promthep.

He was taken to Chalong Police Station, where he tested positive for drugs.

@thephuketnews

Suthon Klasamut, 35, had just taken a hit of ya ice when he started freaking out at Windmill Viewpoint.

Photo: Kritichai “After seeing the footage of this man’s behaviour and the risk and damage he caused, I can confirm that his commercial driver’s licence will

be revoked by the Transport Office, said Prapai Suangkul of the Phuket Provincial Land Office (PLTO).

Meanwhile, Capt Somkiet Sarasit of the Chalong Police noted, “He was placed under detention at Phuket Provincial Court on Saturday (Oct 28).”

Asked why Suthon acted the way he did, Capt Somkiet said, “There was no reason, except he had just got high.”

Capt Somkiet declined to reveal more details about the case. “We will proceed with our investigation,” he said.

The Phuket News

RESIDENTS LIVING CLOSE TO RAWAI Temple (Wat Sawang Arom) were forced to evacuate their properties on the night of Oct 22 and the following morning when it was revealed that ammonia gas was leaking from a nearby ice and water-making facility.

The factory was temporarily shut down following the incident.

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos was notified of the leak at 9pm.

Rescue workers, civil defence volunteers, firefighters and officials from the Phuket Provincial Defence Office were called to the scene and advised local residents to keep 500 metres away from the area.

Mayor Aroon on Oct 23 confirmed that the situation was under control by 6:40am and that residents were all back in their properties.

Emergency services attend to the scene of the ammonia leak. Photo: Rawai Municipality “About 2,000 litres of ammonia leaked from the factory. We have already contacted the Phuket Provincial Industry Office so they can look into the incident… The factory was temporarily shut down today (Oct 23) so the source of the leak could be identified and fixed,” said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.

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Turn down the volume! obtained permission from police, but if noise is seriously disturbing people, we will assist to regulate it.

As this situation triggered complaints and was disturbing neighbors, the complaint was passed to the Chalong municipal health authorities.

- Cpl Thanoo Glaiput, Chalong Police

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

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QUESTION

I would like to let you know about an incident of “extreme public disturbance” near Chalong Circle recently.

Talad Kaow Ta, a newly opened “market” organised by Arrow Media with many shop booths/spaces for rent opened directly opposite Chalong Police Station on Sept 1.

They have been playing live and recorded music over several of the past weeks, very loud, late into the night.

Despite several complaints to the landowners and even the police, shockingly loud music has had my windows, walls and floor vibrating, buzzing

The maximum noise allowed by law is a Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 90 decibels over an eight-hour period.

Photo: YourBestDigs.com and hissing with the loud base droning, especially well past midnght on Sept 23, and nothing has been done. What else could be done about this?

– AL, Chalong

ANSWER

Chalong Police received the complaint on Sept 23 and it is recorded that police officers

arrived at the scene.

But sometimes police cannot do anything regarding this issue because we don’t have sound-measuring devices to have the evidence to prove the noise created is over the legal limit.

Police are able to grant “permission to use sound”.

This particular market had

We do have a record of the complaint filed regarding this incident. A health official of Chalong Municipality went to the Kaow Ta market to speak to the manager and the manager agreed that the volume of noise would be reduced after 10pm during future events.

If it occurs again, you may directly call the Chalong Municipality on 076 383 775 and we will come to help settle a long-term compromise.

In general, you can call your local municipality to report noise disturbances near or around your residence, and a health division official will come to help and will bring equipment to measure the loudness of the source.

The legal sound limit in Thailand by law is 90 decibels over an eight-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA).

Health officers have the authority to ensure noise does not exceed this limit.

Sometimes the noise is within the legal limit but still causes a disturbance. In cases like this, the official will help to settle a compromise between the complainant and the respondent that the respondent must adhere to.

– Suthep Gaewgaet, Senior General Service Officer, Health Division, Chalong Municipality

‘Wrong pedal’ results in rush-hour wipeout SALES SUPPORT Mantarin (Zara) Klinjun 088 765 5883

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T H E WOM A N W HO drove her car straight out into busy Thepkrasattri Rd in Koh Kaew on Monday morning (Oct 30) – mowing down two motorbikes and taking out two other cars before spinning out-of-control to a stop on the southbound lane – has been charged with reckless driving causing damage and injury, Phuket City Police have confirmed.

The accident happened when a black Honda City exited a side road at speed at about 7am, but failed to stop for the traffic moving northbound along the Phuket’s busiest road during the morning rush hour.

The accident caused traffic delays for more than three hours.

Lt Surachat Thongyai of the Phuket City Police on Tuesday confirmed that four people injured, including those smashed off their motorbikes, were taken to hospital.

“However, the passenger in the black Honda car, who is the sister of the woman who was driving the car, suffered more serious injuries. She was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital. I have yet to receive

The car mowed down two motorbikes and struck two other cars. Image: Courtesy of Rob ‘Doc’ Taylor an update on her condition,” he added.

Lt Surachat said he could not recall the name of the woman who was driving the black Honda as he was away from the case when contacted on Tuesday morning, but he did confirm she was 43 years old and had been charged for the accident.

“The woman was in a state of shock at the scene. She explained that she went to apply the brakes as she approached Thepkrasattri Rd but hit the accelerator instead. When that happened she just froze out of fear as she was nearly instantly in the middle of a serious accident,” Lt Surachat said.

“However, I have yet to question her further to conclude my investigation,” he said.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Phuket urged to hold ‘polite’ Loy Krathong

PHUKET NEWS

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Panida Bunditboworn editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Governor Norrraphat Plodthong this week called on people to make sure that festivities and celebrations for Loy Krathong today (Nov 3) are “polite” and “respectful”.

“The Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed local officials to make sure that celebrations for the Loy Krathong festival are ‘polite’ as the festival is a good tradition of Thailand. Many people will take part in Loy Krathong celebrations,” Gov Norraphat said.

“Government offices and the private sector are allowed to hold normal Loy Kratong celebrations such as local traditional performances but we urge people to preserve good Thai traditions. Loy Krathong Festival this year will be peaceful and safe,” Gov Norraphat added.

The Interior Ministry this week also announced that any persons caught using fireworks, firecrackers or other prohibited items during

@thephuketnews

The Patong Carnival parade, renowned for its stunning costumes and floats, remains a mainstay of the annual festival’s events. Photo: Patong Municipality

A young boy and his family prepare to float their ‘krathongs’. Photo: TPN/file Loy Krathong – including the iconic khom loy “sky lanterns” – without express permission from local authorities face up to three years in prison and a B60,000 fine.

Meanwhile, in Patong, festivities will centre on “Bangla Park” – on Patong Beach near the police box at the end of Bangla Rd – from 2pm until midnight. A parade along Thaweewong Rd (the beach road) will begin at 6:30pm.

On Wednesday (Nov 1), Phuket City Municipality

confirmed that no official festivities will be held at Saphan Hin, the usual locale for such events, but that people would be able to freely float their krathong at the Saphan Hin waterfront.

In Chalong, Loy Krathong celebrations will be held at Chalong Pier from 7pm until midnight. During the day, longtail boat races will be held from 9am to 4:30pm.

Festivities also will be held at Ladthiwanaram Temple (known locally as “Wat Tai”).

In Karon, Loy Krathong celebrations will be held at the traditional site of the Nong Harn Lake, just north of the Karon Circle, from 8pm until 11pm.

In Rawai, no festivities will be held, though people will be welcome to float their krathong, as is tradition, at the tranquil Nai Harn Lake.

In Cherng Talay, Loy Krathong celebrations will be held at the intersection near Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, from 6:30pm.

Carnival expected to bring 50,000 visitors to start high season PAT O N G M AYO R Chalermluck Kebsup estimates that some 50,000 people will attend this year’s Patong Carnival 2017, which began on Wednesday and concludes today (Nov 3).

The 2017 edition of the Patong Carnival, held each year to usher in Phuket’s tourism high season, was launched under the theme “Amazing Patong” with a range of stalls selling food and beverages as well as a

host of cultural activities, sports events and live music entertainment at two stages – one at the southern end of the beach and the other at Loma Park – and seafood and surprises among the main attractions of this year’s festivities.

The carnival extravaganza is aimed at bringing maximum fun and a festival-like atmosphere to the island.

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Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Many butts about it

he widely publicised ban on smoking at Patong Beach, and 19 other popular tourist beaches in Thailand, that came into effect on Wednesday (Nov 1) seems, at face value, to be a worthy measure to reduce the rubbish plaguing Thailand’s beaches.

Before weighing its pros and cons, it is worth noting that discarding a cigarette butt on the beach, or indeed any piece of litter in any public area, has long been and continues to be illegal in Thailand – punishable by a fine of up to B2,000.

However, under this new targeted smoking ban – introduced by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) under Section 17 of the 2015 law on marine and beach resources management – the act of smoking itself has been banned on the 20 named beaches and the law authorises officials to fine wrongdoers up

to B100,000 and/or jail them for up to a year.

However, the DMCR hasn’t totally banned smokers – they will now have to smoke at special locations adjacent to the beaches. The Phuket News has confirmed that 18 such areas have been marked out at Patong Beach and officials have been tasked with informing beach-goers of the new law. It was also confirmed that there is a 90-day amnesty on imposing penalties while signs are posted and the public informed.

All well and good, many observers might say – the case against smoking’s negative effects on personal and public health and its contribution to environmental pollution is well documented.

But many questions remain unanswered: Why overlay this law on existing, synchronous laws? Why now? Why so

narrowly targeted? Why such severe penalties? How strictly will it be enforced? How will its effectiveness be measured?

The DMCR has demonstrated its capriciousness when it comes to enforcing laws under its jurisdiction. For example, the Russian tourist caught feeding fish at Racha Yai Island earlier this year, who spent several nights in jail before being released on a B100,000 bail, only to eventually be fined B1,000.

So, once the amnesty ends, should we expect to see scores of tourists jailed and fined for smoking on Patong Beach? It seems unlikely, considering the damaging implications for the “Amazing Thailand” tourism brand. Or will see just one or two such cases – to remind offenders that it is wiser to settle the matter on the spot, as it where, then to risk their day in court?

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

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Patong entertainment venues to close for Royal Cremation Claims of foreign woman being possessed by Veg Fest goddess Meth-taking bus driver to face charges after lashing out in public Weather alert warns of heavy rains next week 50,000 visitors expected for Patong Carnival Woman charged, says fear drove Phuket rushhour wipeout Bids for Phuket lightrail to open next year Volunteer lifeguards rescue tourist family from rip currents Schedule for Phuket Royal Funeral ceremony Police officer opens fire at Phuket petrol station, faces charges

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HAVE YOUR SAY Gun crazy country

Re: Police officer opens fire at Phuket petrol station, faces multiple charges When I read the list of charges (one charge is attempted murder!) it is unbelievable that this police officer was allowed to pay bail, and now walks around freely.

This person is a danger to society. Who can guarantee that he does not have more guns? He should be locked up until a court decides his punishment or at least in an institution for mentally disturbed people for observation.

Kurt They want to ban foreigners from owning guns. How many gun-related crimes have foreigners committed?

Shwe ..................................................

Retirees seek a sense of security

Re: Phuket Immigration Office chief denies 90-day online reporting issues Once settled, retired and living your life peacefully in the Kingdom, as an expat, I can see being required to notify a change of address. No purpose

to the 90-day report. It makes one feel insecure and not willing to sell foreign assets to live in Thailand. Security is most important as you enter the last phase of life. Especially in a foreign country.

Rich 44 There is nothing wrong with the online application form process. The problem is that nobody from immigration is looking at the applications and processing them.

Sir Burr ..................................................

Yellow brick road

Re: Bids for Phuket lightrail to open next year Build it along the giant electric pylon route – it’s perfect and already cleared and government owned – oh but it’s to be another race track for the taxis to get to the airport. Just no forward thinking here Christy Sweet Trying to reduce traffic congestion by reducing the available road space is crazy. Especially when you consider that this is an inflexible service that will go nowhere near the places where people actually

want/need to go and so nobody will use it.

When you also think about the chaos that the construction of this folly along the middle of some of our busiest roads will cause the whole thing seems like madness.

Why not a fleet of modern buses? They could go everywhere; they would have no impact on the existing road infrastructure; they could be rolled out immediately with no environmental impact at all; and they would cost a tiny fraction of what some ridiculous vanity project like a light rail system would. Why? Simply because politicians, in their fiercely transient positions, like to get their names attached to permanent structures. I don’t think a politicians vanity is worth the billions of baht and years of disruption that this project will cost the taxpayer.

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

No respect at all

Re: Patong taxi driver apologises for challenging police officer to fight “We have a policy for decreasing parking spaces for taxis in Patong, but this has

led to there not being enough parking spaces for the taxis,” says Col Tassanai. Obviously he is not clear on the concept.

The issue is too many taxis, and they still dominate the street-scape with their unruly behaviour, clogging the sidewalk and forcing tourists to walk in the street so they can dodge other unruly taxis on the road… we have no escape from these lowlifes.

This was also a very telling display of what a complete farce the police are, they garner no respect, and really don’t deserve any. It is a hopeless situation that nobody wants to control… inmates running the asylum.

Ben Pendejo ..................................................

Terminal traffic

Re: Problematic Chalong Underpass just a quarter way there The two next coming high seasons (2017-2018 and 20182019) will be a disaster for many businesses around the Chalong Circle area, without forgetting the construction of the new mass transport line, which will terminate not far from Chalong Circle.

Asterix

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

THAILAND NEWS

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‘Fake-Bans’ seized in bust Chinese national detained for harbouring counterfeit goods BANGKOK Bangkok Post

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ontraband brand-name glasses worth over B40 million have been seized in Bangkok and a Chinese national arrested, police said on Tuesday (Oct 31).

China’s Ling Zi Ju was detained on Monday (Oct 30) on suspicion of harbouring the glasses, many of which are counterfeit, they added.

Authorities raided three warehouses he owns in the two districts of Klong San and Pomprap Sattruphai following a tip-off.

The raid was conducted by the Bureau of Intellectual Property Crime which operates under the umbrella of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Authorities seized 210,000 pairs of counterfeit and contra-

The raids filled a lorry with a haul of 210,000 pairs of sunglasses that would be worth more than B40 million if genuine. A Chinese national who is the owner of the warehouses was detained on suspicion of harbouring the glasses. Photo: Supakit Buyam band designer eyeglasses and sunglasses bearing the logos of luxury brands including Prada, Ray-Ban, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry and Oakley.

Search warrants were

issued for the three warehouses after authorities were informed fake glasses were being smuggled and stored there, DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang said at a

press briefing on Monday.

The briefing was also attended by bureau director Pinit Tungsakul and Mala Tangprasert, a representative of Luxottica Group SpA, an

Italian firm that is the registered trademark owner of Ray-Ban. Col Pinit said Mr Ling has been charged with breaching Thailand’s trademark, customs and foreign business acts and may also face money laundering charges.

The DSI said it is expediting efforts to suppress this and similar rackets as Thailand remains on the United States’ Priority Watch List (PWL) for its abuse of intellectual property rights.

Ms Mala urged the DSI to widen the investigation to determine which smuggling routes were used.

Luxottica Group SpA has also sent a letter to Kulit Sombatsiri, director-general of the Customs Department, calling on the agency to investigate the money trail involving the Chinese and other suspects, she said.

In another development, a

smuggling case against Aree Sae-Tang, also known as Jae Kai, will be wrapped up and forwarded to prosecutors next month, officials said.

Ms Aree allegedly smuggled fake goods worth over B30 million into the country.

DSI deputy chief Suriya Singhakamol said her network was raided in February and the investigation showed the illegal goods were smuggled in from China.

Six suspects, including three juristic officers, have been charged with violating the Trademark Act and smuggling prohibited products into the country, officials said.

Lt Col Suriya said investigators were now compiling evidence to determine whether the suspect also laundered money.

Those involved will be summoned for questioning next month, he said.

Army captain to face murder charge SI SA KET A N A R M Y CA P TA I N WAS summoned to meet police in the Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket on Monday (Oct 30) to answer charges that he murdered an education office director.

Capt Supachai Phaso, who is also known as Capt Neng, has been called to acknowledge charges of abduction and premeditated murder leading to the death of Juthaporn Oun-on, 37.

He is to meet Kantharalak district police after DNA extracted from a skull found in a forest in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani was found to match that of Juthaporn.

Capt Supachai is a military officer based in the Warin Chamrap district of Ubon Ratchathani.

Ms Juthaporn, who directed the education office at the tambon

@thephuketnews

Cham administration organisation in Kantharalak district, went missing after dropping off her child at a kindergarten on July 3.

It was reported that police investigators believe Ms Juthaporn and Capt Supachai were together on July 3 shortly before the woman’s disappearance.

Capt Supachai reportedly told police earlier that Ms Juthaporn had asked him to sell her car, a Toyota Vios sedan. However, the signature in the car resale document purporting to be that of Ms Juthaporn may be fake, say police.

Before the murder and abduction charges were pressed against Capt Supachai, he was also reported to have been charged with theft and tampering with documents connected to the resale of the car.

On Aug 11, Maj Gen Suradet Dentham, chief of provincial police in Si Sa Ket, said there was strong

evidence suggesting the army captain sold the car to a businessman against Ms Juthaporn’s will.

According to police investigators, the evidence included the use of a fake registration book for the Toyota Vios when selling the car, which was later repainted. Police added that Capt Supachai claimed Ms Juthaporn owed him money and that she had wired a large sum to his account to pay off the debt.

Ms Juthaporn’s family held a religious rite for her last Sunday (Oct 29), as they waited for her remains to be returned from the forensic science lab so they can hold a proper funeral ceremony.

Laem Oun-on, Ms Juthaporn’s mother, said the rite was organised at the family’s new house which was under construction in Ban Cham Meng of tambon Sao Thong Chai in Kantharalak district. She said the new house had been financed by their

Murder victim Juthaporn Oun-on (left) and chief suspect Supachai ‘Captain Neng’ Phaso. Photos: Bangkok Post – file daughter and the family planned to enshrine her ashes there as a tribute.

Ms Laem said earlier that her daughter came to her in a dream and disclosed her body was lying in a forest near the helicopter pad of a local military base. The area is in tambon Doam Pradit of Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani.

The family went to the spot the next morning and found the skull, some hair, a molar and a wrist watch.

Ms Laem reportedly recognised the watch as belonging to her daughter and alerted police.

Ms Laem said she was happy that she had finally found her daughter’s body after more than three months of searching but felt distraught at the same time.

Maj Gen Suradet has ordered local police to be meticulous in collecting evidence.

Bangkok Post

THAILAND NEWS

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Yingluck’s passports revoked

Move part of attempts to bring former PM back to serve jail term BANGKOK Bangkok Post

T

he Foreign Ministry has cancelled all four passports known to be held by Yingluck Shinawatra after the fugitive former prime minister failed to appeal a Supreme Court’s ruling against her within 30 days.

The move is a part of police attempts to bring the former prime minister back to serve a jail term after the ruling in her trial over her government’s rice-pledging scheme.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks on Monday (Oct 30) confirmed the revocation of the Thai passports of the former prime minister.

Details of the decision were unveiled earlier by deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.

Gen Sr ivara said the ministry had voided four passports belonging to the absconded former prime minister recently. These were two diplomatic passports and two

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has all Thai passports revoked by the Foreign Ministry last Wednesday (Oct 25). Photo: Bangkok Post / file photo ordinary passports, he added.

The ministry’s decision followed a request by police who are trying to limit her ability travel and put pressure on her to come back to serve her sentence.

The police moved to request the revocation of Yin-

gluck’s passports after she failed to make an appeal to the assembly of the Supreme Court judges within 30 days of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions’ ruling to jail her.

The court sentenced her

on Sept 27 to five years in jail for failing to stop false and corrupt government-togovernment rice sales under the scheme. The ruling was made in absentia as Yingluck fled the country before the judgement.

The deadline for the for-

mer prime minister to file an appeal expired last Friday (Oct 27).

Yingluck’s lawyer Norawit Lalaeng earlier said the former premier has not contacted him since she failed to turn up to hear the court ruling on Aug 25.

The court rescheduled the reading of the ruling for Sept 27, which she also failed to attend.

Her whereabouts remain unconfirmed so far, and police have enlisted Interpol’s assistance in their attempts to locate her.

Yingluck reportedly fled to Dubai before travelling to London, where she is believed to have sought political asylum.

W hen reached by the Bangkok Post for comment, the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Thailand Brian Davidson said, “I haven’t heard of that and I have no comment on that; however, the Thai government has the authority over the passports of any Thai nationals.”

He also denied knowledge of Yingluck’s whereabouts.

Somkid Chuakong, a former Pheu Thai Party MP for Ubon Ratchathani, said he understood the passports were revoked according to regulations, but thought it would be unlikely to affect the Pheu Thai Party as Yingluck would probably not travel during this period.

Yingluck will be maintaining a low profile and is only likely to come out to say something when the National Council for Peace and Order allows political activities again, he said.

Pheu Thai sources say they believe that Yingluck will emerge “one day” to explain the reasons behind her decision to flee.

“She will definitely appear to make those issues clear when an appropriate time comes,” a source in the party said, adding that it is thought she will speak publicly once she has had her asylum status confirmed.

It was reported that Yingluck has sought political asylum in UK but it has not been confirmed whether her request has been granted.

Japanese otter smuggler arrested BANGKOK A JA PA N ESE WOM A N aged 22 was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 10 baby otters out of the country.

She claimed she did so out of sympathy with the animals.

Don Muang Police questioned Kaede Yamaguchi on Tuesday (Oct 31) after she had been arrested with the animals in her suitcase in the departure terminal of Don Mueang airport at about 10:15pm last Sunday (Oct 29).

The arrest followed her

The 10 baby otters seized from the suspect. Photo: Royal Thai Police request at an AirAsia X checkin counter to load the black suitcase aboard flight XJ600 destined for Narita. Wildlife officials at the airport found the 10 otters in a basket hidden in the suitcase.

Capt Kiatiphum Papinwat,

deputy inspector of the Don Muang Police Station, said the Japanese woman was a fourthyear university student in Japan.

She arrived in Thailand last Friday (Oct 27).

The officer quoted her as saying she sympathised with the baby otters that a vendor placed for sale at the Chatuchak market so she bought 10 of them at B1,000 each. She said she intended to raise them in Japan and was unaware it was illegal.

She was charged with unauthorised possession of protected wildlife.

Bangkok Post

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

ASIA NEWS

9

Just what the doctor ordered

Clowns putting smiles on the faces of Rohingya child refugees BANGLADESH Shafiqul Alam

T

he Rohingya boys and girls shrieked with delight as the clowns juggled hoops and somersaulted, their red-nosed antics provoking a sound rarely heard in the world’s largest refugee camp – children’s laughter.

The clowns have been providing much-needed levity in the crowded Bangladesh camps, where hundreds of thousands of traumatised Rohingya children spend long days in bleak and difficult conditions.

Mohammad Noor lives with his mother and three siblings in a makeshift shanty in the teeming Kutupalong camp, where a lack of food and water means a constant struggle to survive.

The 10-year-old fled Myanmar in October after his father was killed in brutal violence by the army that the United Nations has likened to ethnic cleansing.

The impromptu circus in a dusty clearing is a welcome

@thephuketnews

Theatre groups in Bangladesh have a record of using ‘drama therapy’ to lift spirits in the most depressing of circumstances. Photo: Tauseef Mustafa / AFP distraction from the horror at home.

“It is hilarious. I have never seen anything like it.

My friends and I were just laughing and laughing,” he said, as a quartet of painted clowns performed skits before a huge gathered crowd.

Theatre groups in Bangladesh have a record of using “drama therapy” to lift spirits in the most depressing of circumstances.

One troupe performed for the survivors of a factory collapse in 2013 that killed 1,100 garment workers, while another hosted shows in a small village in Bangladesh’s south that lost nearly 50 children in a tragic road accident.

In the Rohingya camps, where many lie sick or injured mourning the death of family and loss of their homelands, laughter is sorely needed.

“Our sole aim is to bring

laughter to the Rohingya,” said Rina Akter Putul, a veteran acrobat and the lone female member of the group.

“Making people laugh is a tough job, especially for those who lost their parents in the conflict.”

The UN estimates 60% of the more than 600,000 refugees to arrive in Bangladesh since late August are children.

Many crossed the border

alone from their villages in Myanmar’s wester nmost Rakhine State after their parents were murdered and communities driven out by state-sanctioned violence.

Charities on the ground say children are in dire need of emotional and mental support after enduring such trauma on their difficult journeys.

“I am sure our show will live in their memory for some time. It won’t erase their scars, but it will boost their confidence,” said Faker Ali, an acrobat who has worked in drama therapy for more than two decades.

But it’s not just the children who benefit from the visiting performers.

Among the spectators who flocked to a recent show were countless elderly Rohingya refugees, clapping and smiling as the acrobats whirred rings and bars.

Life has been a gruelling quest to survive for older generations of the stateless Muslim minority. Many have escaped past pogroms in Rakhine and lost family and friends in bitter cycles of

ethnic violence.

Rohingya are a reviled minority in Myanmar and are denied citizenship, education and opportunity by the Buddhist-majority government that regards them as illegal outsiders.

Most have enjoyed few if any luxuries in their lives – making the circus performance all the more thrilling.

“We hardly have any fun,” said Nesar Ahmed, 38. Even during major Islamic festivals and weddings, there is little in the way of entertainment, he added.

“Life in Arakan (Rakhine) is grim,” Khairul Amin, a 63-year-old grandfather, said as a boisterous crowd, young and old, jostled to meet the visiting clowns.

“There is no television and no cinema or theatre.

And there is this constant fear you’ll be killed or arrested by the military.”

Seated for the show with her youngest child on her lap, Rehana smiled and laughed, saying: “Never in my life have I seen such fun.”

AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Johannesburg’s cable warfare Theft of underground treasure reaches unprecedented scale SOUTH AFRICA Béatrice Debut

T

unnels coursing through the bowels of the earth under Johannesburg contain precious treasure – copper cables that are being stripped out and smuggled as far away as Asia.

As in many other parts of the world, copper cable theft is not new in South Africa, but lately it has reached an unprecedented scale.

A recent brazen theft knocked out power and plunged the central business district of Johannesburg, the economic hub, into darkness, largely paralysing business for 10 straight days.

It is estimated that nearly half of the power outages in the city are caused by cable theft.

“In 2004, about 4% of all outages were due to cable theft, and now it is 40 (%),” said Louis Pieterse, a director of the City Power utility company.

Last month’s raid saw 32 kilometres of cables being ripped out, stolen or damaged, leaving the city with a

City Power contractors climb into a tunnel that runs underneath the city of Johannesburg as they replace electric copper cabling which was stolen by criminals.

Photo: Tadeu Andre / AFP 45-million-rand (B106.36mn) bill in repairs.

The damage was so severe that it took two-and-half days before technicians could safely navigate down the hot and smoky underground tunnels.

The burglary tactics are shockingly dangerous. Thieves set fire to a portion of the cables, triggering a short circuit which trips the power and allows them to tear the rest down and cart it away.

Cables thieves work for

“sophisticated gangs” and “mafias”, according to metal expert Rens Bindeman.

They have organised themselves into networks of metal spotters, cutters, transporters and even run an informal “training centre” near Johannesburg.

While stolen copper was traditionally sold to scrap metal dealers for recycling, now the gangs also operate from remote farms, equipped with coppermelting plants.

The cables are melted into ingots before they are shipped for export, making it virtually impossible for authorities to differentiate them from legitimately mined and processed copper.

“There is a new trend.

They are getting sophisticated.

They melt it into ingots,” said Bindeman.

It appears that the ebb and flow in copper cable heists are tied to the international commodity prices.

Official market prices surged 60% in the last 18 months to reach almost $7,000 (B232,820) a tonne.

The stolen copper is usually trafficked to China and India for manufacturing electronic components.

In Johannesburg, a small tunnel still reeks of burnt copper as electricians in gloves and rubber boots struggle to unfurl new rolls of cabling and restore power.

To clamp down on the pervasive thefts, city authorities plan to seal the manholes leading to the tunnels and install smoke detectors – at a cost of five million rand (B11.8mn).

Eventually, the city also plans to replace copper with less valuable aluminium.

“The criminals who steal our copper cable sabotage our economy,” said Johannesburg’s Mayor Herman Mashaba.

Businesses had no choice but to hire generators.

“It is catastrophic,” said laundromat owner Godfrey Gonese, who lost a third of his monthly revenue due to the 10-day blackout.

A nearby internet cafe had

to double fees to make up for the cost of running the generator and the result was “most of our customers have run away,” said owner Bright Assim.

A 100,000-rand (B236,031) bounty for anyone with information about the copper burglars quickly yielded results.

In just two days, 22 people had been arrested – among them foreign nationals from India and Cameroon.

To try to stop the thefts, Johannesburg metro police in September created a specialised copper crime-busting unit.

But the war against copper theft is being short-circuited by corruption.

In a suspected bribery case captured on video and released on social media recently, policemen were seen receiving cash and driving off from a metal scrap yard.

“We suspect that officials in the city are involved, contractors as well, because they have maps of the tunnels running underneath the city, and police also,” said Lucky Sindane, spokesman of the police forensic and investigation unit.

AFP

Anne Frank train name condemned GERMANY PLANS BY GERMANY’S national rail provider to name a train after Jewish diarist Anne Frank came under fire this week, with a foundation saying it “caused new pain” to those who experienced deportations.

“The (train’s) naming is controversial,” the Anne Frank Foundation said of the plans

by Deutsche Bahn.

“A combination of Anne Frank and a train conjures up the image of persecution of Jews and deportations during World War II,” the Amsterdambased foundation said in a statement.

Frank and her family hid in a secret annexe in Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands during the Second World War. They evaded capture and deportation until they were possibly betrayed in August 1944 and Anne and her sister were sent to Bergen-Belsen where they died in early 1945.

The rail company had asked for suggestions of who to dedicate their new ICE high-speed trains to.

A jury including two historians chose Frank from a shortlist of 25 names, out of a

Deutsche Bahn had asked the public for suggestions of people worthy of having an ICE high-speed trains named after them. Photo: Tobias Schwarz / AFP total of 19,000 proposals for candidates.

The suggestions included former German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer as well as Hans and Sophie Scholl, two German students who were executed by the Nazis for their role in the resistance.

Iris Eberl, an MP in the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, tweeted “naming a train after Anne Frank is callous” in reference to Frank’s deportation by rail.

Berlin-based Deutsche Bahn said the move was “in no way intended to damage the memory of Anne Frank”.

“Rather, the DB, conscious of its historical responsibility,

decided to keep the name of Anne Frank alive,” it said in a statement.

“The DB profusely apologises if anybody’s feelings were hurt,” it added, saying suggestions “came from DB customers and committed citizens”.

The company will “take seriously the concern currently expressed by the public and will hold internal discussions, with the blessing of Jewish organisations,” it said.

Written during her time in hiding, Anne Frank’s diary is one of the most famous testimonies of the war and one of the most famous diaries of all time.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Tour East taps Expedia source

Global travel giant launches ‘Local Expert’ program in Phuket TOURISM Don Ross

T

our East has gained access to Expedia Local Expert’s program reaching out to more than one million Expedia customers visiting Phuket and Bangkok to offer them in-destination services.

Expedia recently signed an agreement with Tour East Thailand that creates a partnership with the inbound tour company and allows it to sell tours and transfers, ultimately in all major tourist destinations in Thailand.

It’s the first agreement of its kind outside of the US where Expedia launched its “Local Experts” program in 2013 that acts as a concierge for travellers booked through Expedia.

Tour East Thailand’s Business Development Manager Nick Critelli explained, “This is B2C [Business-to-Customer] reaching out to Expedia customers who book just flights and hotels and then travel to Thailand.

A Tour East branch operating as an Expedia Local Expert has opened at the Banana Walk shopping arcade in Patong.

“Expedia Local Expert allows us to build an activity itinerary for travellers with an insider’s perspective…

This includes organising a wide range of activities such as ground services, tours and excursions, restaurant bookings, attraction tickets and promotion of retail outlets.”

Tour East adopts Expedia branding for its outlets and shops, even down to staff uniforms and signage at courtesy desks in hotels.

“It gives us the ability to use the Expedia Local Expert

[ELE] brand to open branded, tour counters, service centres and shops… In Phuket, we have already opened a ELE store in Banana Walk on Patong Beach,” Mr Critelli explained.

“We have staff in Expedia uniforms visiting clients, leaving welcome packs, selling our activities and working with hotels to open desks.

“The passengers that we can now serve come from all brands of the Expedia group including Hotels.com, AirAsia and Wotif… Tour East is the

Govt to seize long-idle bank accounts FINANCE THE FI NANCE MI NIStry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has drafted a bill providing for the transfer of money from people’s bank accounts left idle for 10 years or longer to the government coffers.

A source at the FPO said the draft is complete and the office is gathering public opinions, as required by the constitution.

The bill was aimed at making use for the public interest of money left idle in accounts with

@thephuketnews

Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) Direc tor Suwich Rojanawanich. Photo: NNT banks and specialised financial institutions for a long time, at least 10 years. It would cover deposits in savings and current accounts, money in Thai and other currencies, held in the names of people living in the country and abroad.

If passed, the legislation would require financial institutions to look for long idle accounts three months before the end of each calendar year and warn the owners or their heirs to reactivate the account by the end of the year.

If the money is not claimed, financial institutions will be required to transfer it to an account of the ComptrollerGeneral’s Department. Account owners or their heirs would be able to reclaim the money later on presentation of appropriate identification.

Bangkok Post

exclusive partner in Thailand for this new business.”

Designated Expedia Local Experts gain immediate access to all Expedia customers once they book a hotel, or flight, to a destination. It allows them to send a welcome greeting, or call them to offer additional in-destination services, or provide information.

In the US, many hotels outsource their concierge services to ELE representatives who earn commission off any in-destination products they sell. In Thailand, Tour East

will staff hotel courtesy desks to serve Expedia clients.

A check of Expedia’s booking website shows the in-destination content offered

by ELE is filed under “Things to Do”.

In Samui, most of the tours and attractions bookable under “Things to Do” are products offered by Tour East. Just one product showed on the first page from another local Samui attraction company Expedia Local Expert Vice President and General Manager Eric David said, “We are extremely excited to introduce it in Thailand as we continue to expand our global footprint. We have been conducting business with Tour East Thailand, the market leader in the tourism sector in Asia for the past few years, and believe they are the right partner to run this program starting in Phuket and Bangkok.”

He reaffirmed Tour East Thailand’s exclusive role would include offering hospitality hours and full service concierge desks throughout Expedia’s hotel network.

“While there may be several companies providing transfer and activity services to our guests, Tour East Thailand will remain our sole and exclusive in destination operator,” Mr David explained.

Today’s independent travellers book flights and hotels online and as Expedia expands bookable content to in-destination tours it needs a local expert on the ground.

“Things to Do” is a lucrative sector of travel that so far has been largely beyond the reach of OTAs, but that is now changing as they expand to inclusive holidays.

For inbound tour operators that are seeing their group tours from Europe decline, they can recover business through program such as Expedia Local Expert by offering in-destination service, either online, or face-to-face once the independent traveller arrives.

This article reprinted with k ind permission of Don Ross, Managing Editor of TTR Weekly. Email donr@ ttreport.com

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Beyond the banking barrier

How to choose the right investment vehicles for the long run ducing product; they do not grow in value. If you are employed, then you probably do not need income from your investments.

When chosen well a bond can be a relatively safe asset and produce a higher level of income than a fixed-deposit account. Make sure you seek professional advice from someone who understands the fixed interest market.

PERSONAL FINANCE Wiliam Frisby

A

s an expat living in Phuket, you will more than likely have savings in a bank account back home, in Thailand or both.

Saving into a bank account is the simplest and easiest way to accumulate and protect your wealth.

For short-term needs such as shopping and holidays, banks are the best place to put our money. But what about our longer-term goals like buying a house, retirement or our children’s education?

Is the bank the best place for your money?

Bank interest rates are there just to track inflation and protect our spending power over time as goods and services rise in value. It may appear that our money is going up in value, but it isn’t. What $100 can buy today will be roughly equal to what $200 can buy in 10 years’ time.

In fact, if interest rates

Keeping your money in a bank is a prime option for short-term needs, but other investment vehicles are much better suited for gaining long-term yields. Photo: ADwarf stay at their current low levels then your bank savings will buy less in 10 years time than they can today.

Is a Fixed Term Deposit a solution?

Expats in Phuket may choose to use Asian banks for savings as they appear to offer better returns than banks back home.

Typically, a fixed-term deposit is used to provide a safe return over a short period, such as one year. However, this still has the same problem that your money will likely only track inflation and will not be growing.

can be very dangerous; currencies can swing massively overnight, and any growth that has been accumulated can be wiped out in seconds. Only invest in foreign currencies if you intend to spend the money in that currency.

Currency Movement Investing in foreign currencies

Bonds Bonds are an income-pro-

Where do we invest for goals over five years long?

Invest in companies, otherwise known as equities, but always take a minimum of a five-year time horizon as markets are unpredictable over the short-term. Over the long-term equities will always provide you with the best return compared to cash and bonds. The S&P 500, an American index which tracks the growth of the 500 largest companies in the US, has grown by over 90% in the last five years.

Be aware that investing in the index will give you all of the up and all of the down of the markets. Your return will

be, by definition, average.

Another option is a mutual fund, which also invests in companies but has a single manager, or team, making the investments decisions.

However, not all mutual fund managers are equal; most do not beat the index. There are only a select few who for decades have shown that they can grow their assets by more than the market. Make sure you, or your advisor, has a criteria for choosing the correct investment managers.

If you are not an experienced investor then always speak to a financial professional. A personal advisor can take you through all the steps necessary to find something that suits you and your family. An advisor should try and build a lifelong relationship with you, always doing what is best for your situation.

William Frisby of Hampton Bridge, is a British expat who has been advising clients in the Far East for the past 10 years. To contact him write to wfrisby@hampton-bridge.com and quote The Phuket News.

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort scores excellence award HOSPITALITY T H E OU T R IG GER LAguna Phuket Beach Resort has won the “Best Resort (Service Excellence) – Asia Pacific” Award at the 2017 Travel Weekly Asia Reader’s Choice Awards.

Rory Campbell, the Area Director for Sales and Marketing for Outrigger Resorts in Thailand, received the award on Oct 23 at a ceremony at the Imperial Ballroom of the Mandarin Orchard Singapore. The audience comprised more than 100 international travel industry leaders and influencers.

Forty-six awards were presented across 10 categories.

The nominations and winners were voted by Travel Weekly Asia’s readers – a group made up of professionals from different spectra within the travel industry.

Robert Sullivan, President of the Travel Group, Northstar Travel Group, said, “The Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards are the most influential ranking of travel suppliers in the Asia-Pacific

Rory Campbell, Area Director for Sales and Marketing for Outrigger Resorts in Thailand, receives the award from Irene Chua of Travel Weekly Asia on behalf of hosts at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. Photo: Supplied region. Past award recipients have served as inspiration for the industry. I am pleased that this year’s winners continue to raise the bar in their areas of expertise.”

Irene Chua, Group Publisher of Travel Weekly Asia, added: “Having a reward that honours achievement is a fitting recognition and acknowledgement of the flying stars within the travel industry.

We salute brilliance to give the winner a duly deserved accolade in the hope that it will motivate continued progress.”

After the awards ceremony, Mr Campbell said,

“The award is dedicated to all the hosts at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort who work hard to please our multi-cultural guests from all around the world.”

Some 315 hosts (staff) at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort help guests ‘Escape Ordinary’ by providing attentive service and a unique range of Outrigger Signature Experiences reflecting the best of destination Phuket and Thai culture. The hosts’ service ethic is also apparent to MICE visitors meeting at the Similan Ballroom event space.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Skål members get set for a groovy charity party

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

14

KIS to hold its first ever Fun Run this month

15

MODERN CAVEMAN John ‘The Caveman’ Gray has been leading sea kayaking tours in Phang Nga Bay and beyond for over a quarter of a century.

Iconic local environmentalist John Gray joins Baz for a meal while they float on the waters of Phang Nga Bay Baz Daniel

J

ohn Gray is a giant of a man, both in reputation and personal stature. He’s affectionately known as “The Caveman” for his pioneering work in bringing the adventure sport of sea kayaking to the caves, lagoons and hongs of Phang Nga Bay. Alternatively, you’ll hear him teasingly called Ling Yai, literally “Big Monkey” in Thai. He’s certainly big (close to two metres tall and weighing 110 kilos) and indeed he is rather hairy and even aged 72, John still has great strength and dexterity, so the monkey moniker is pretty apposite!

There have been endless documentaries and films made about his exploits and his passionate stance on environmental protection. The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, National Geographic Magazine, all the big names have come calling upon the Andaman and the Cavemen’s door to seek out and promote this larger-than-life personality and his amazing kayaking adventures.

John hails from Southern California and had an extraordinary upbringing being totally immersed in environmentalism and adventure from an early age.

John’s parents met on a Sierra Club outing, and his mother was tremendously important in John’s early life.

“She was the greatest influence on my life and was truly a visionary. We were a sixth-generation Los Angeles family and I remember when I was about five that our house was the local @thephuketnews

drop-off point for the Audubon Society. It was a menagerie full of birds and abandoned or damaged animals. Ma would lavish tender care on all the animals and teach us about them at the same time. My love of nature comes directly from her.”

John’s mother was also a very forward looking free thinker with strong egalitarian principles.

“When I was 12, Ma said I was old enough to go “religion shopping’. She took me around, Sunday after Sunday, to all the churches in the neighbourhood. She helped me understand what each religion had to offer and believed, and then left it up to me to decide for myself.”

“So what religion are you now, 50odd years later?” I asked.

John laughed mischievously, “Oh, a bit of a humanist, with a dash of agnostic and a side sauce of Buddhism.”

John is currently celebrating 27 incredible years of promoting sea kayaking and environmentalism in the Andaman region and I wanted to sit down and have a meal with him not only to focus on his remarkable achievements, but also to hear his views on the future of Phuket and the Andaman region.

Having been friends for over 20 years, I should have known better than to expect John to join me at a dinner table and actually sit still talking for a couple of hours.

“I’ll book you onto one our tours into Phang Nga Bay in a couple of days and we can do some kayaking together,” said the irascible monkey.

“The article’s called; ‘A meal with John Gray’”, I bleated lamely, “what about the meal bit?”

“Every tour includes lunch and dinner on the waves and the food’s better than most restaurants,” said John. And so the die was cast!

John Gray Sea Canoe is presently doing terrific business and on the particular steamy weekday that I went out they were running three full boats with over 120 paying guests on board. Both the company and John personally get rave reviews on Trip Advisor and John’s large Thai staff have all been with him for many years.

Out on the waves, amidst the stunning 260-million-year-old limestone karst topography of Phang Nga Bay, you can quickly see why. John’s hulking white-bearded presence makes him a magnet for every tourist and he greets them all with heartfelt friendliness and enthusiasm. He talks about his incredible life of worldwide adventures, kayaking, and environmentalism in a thoroughly engaging and light-hearted way and you cannot help but be charmed.

His Thai staff clearly adore their eccentric boss and tease him relentlessly in an easy-going and affectionate relationship.

“When and why did you come to Thailand to follow your environmental and sea kayaking passion?” I asked.

“I dipped my first paddle into the turbid waters of Phang Nga Bay in 1989,” he said.

“In the mid-80s I became aware of the dangers to our planet caused by

Southeast Asia’s ‘Tiger Economies’ with their huge annual growth rates coupled with a lack of environmental awareness.

When I discovered the fabulous cave systems and karst eco-sphere of Phang Nga Bay, I realised that I could piggy-back on the rising boom in tourism to promote my passions for sea kayaking while also raising environmental consciousness.”

As we cruised back towards Phuket after a wonderful day of kayaking among the hauntingly beautiful ancient karsts and hongs I asked John his opinion of the future of this magical realm.

“I would say that great strides have been made in understanding and protecting this special place. While I still collect and carry bags full of plastic waste back to shore every trip, most of the tourist operators these days do understand that keeping this environment clean is their meal ticket to prosperity.

“The really big news is that after many years of lobbying, Unesco are going to make Phang Nga Bay, down to the Malaysian border, the world’s single biggest World Heritage Site. That will bring huge worldwide publicity, increased visitation, and, I hope, strict enforcement of best environmental practices that global fame and scrutiny engender.”

Back on dry land on my way home I reflected on the unique experience this day and this very special man had brought me. As much as his beloved Phang Nga Bay is a living treasure, so too John Gray is a living treasure of Phuket.

We are very lucky to have him here.

14 EVENTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Peace, love and party!

Skål members set to get groovy at gala charity fundraiser for 2017 The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

Be as elaborate as you like, or just stick a flower behind your ear and a peace sign around your neck, and share in the peace and love that will abound.

U

nleash your inner hippie this November at the Skål Phuket Charity Event being held on Saturday, November 25 at 7pm until midnight at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort.

Come dressed in your hippiest and coolest clothes to stand a chance to win a prize for the best costume. Be as elaborate as you like, or just stick a flower behind your ear and a peace sign around your neck, and share in the peace and love that will abound.

The evening starts with a reception where there will be a welcome drink, traditional Thai dancing from children at the Baan Tha Kaow School on Koh Yao Noi and an opportunity to try some free samples from their sponsors. This will be followed by a magnificent buffet laid on by the Hilton and accompanied by free flow drinks from the sponsors.

Making a special appearance this year are the Phuket Skål Dancers who will once again amaze you with a special routine based on the “Flower Power” theme of the evening – it’s bound to be absolutely “Hair” raising!

Throughout the evening there will be opportunities to donate to supported charities through a raffle, silent auction and main auction, so come along and get ready to bid. You can see what prizes have been donated on their Facebook Page: facebook.com/SkalPhuket. And if you would like to donate a prize then please email: rewards@wotzonrewards.com. This year they are also accepting bids on the auction prizes from people unable to come but would still like to offer support. More information on how to do this on the Facebook page.

This year, the charities that Skål Phuket will be supporting include the Pimali Foundation – the aim of the PIMALI project is to assist underprivileged youth and orphans, aged 17 and older, who have finished their compulsory schooling in Thailand. The aid will involve providing them with basic practical hotel training for one year, in order to secure a professional future for them in the hospitality industry, as well as provide financial independence. The program also includes placement in a suitable hotel for practical experience as part of their training with a view to them being employed there at the end of the placement.

The theme for the Skål Phuket Charity Event in 2015 was ‘Grease’.

They will also be supporting the Pascal Frei Charity Fund for the Baan Tha Kaow School on Koh Yao Noi. This is a state school based on Ko Yao Noi – an island near Phuket where they have their annual weekend away. Their help here is practical and aimed at improving the atmosphere that the children can learn in.

Previous funding has been used for the rebuilding of the dining area and this year they will be building new toilets for both boys and girls.

Last but not least, they will also be supporting the PIWC Scholarship Fund.

The Phuket International Women’s Club provides funding for under-privileged children in the Phuket and Phang Nga region from kindergarten to university.

Currently there are over 200 children receiving scholarships with 700-plus scholarships granted since its inception in 1990.

Skål is a professional organisation of

tourism leaders around the world promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest. They meet every third Thursday at a different venue each month.

So go and party with them, have a great time, support local charities and unleash your inner hippie!

Tickets are B3,500 on the door but can be purchased in advance for B2,750 from committee members or online at: phuketticketmaster.com. For more info please email: contact@skalphuket.org The Phuket News and Live 89.5 are proud media sponsors of this event.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CHARITY 15

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

The inaugural KIS Fun Run 2017 will help raise money for breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment.

KIS kids to run for a good cause Get involved in the KIS Fun Run to help in the fight against breast cancer The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

The KIS Fun Run will bring the whole school community together to participate in an enjoyable and healthy sporting activity – all while raising money for a good cause.

@thephuketnews

K

ajonkiet International School (KIS) takes pride in fostering a positive and supportive school community. In recent years KIS has supported numerous local and national charitable causes and initiatives. In that spirit, this coming November 18 will see the school hold its inaugural KIS Fun Run to raise money for breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment. The KIS Fun Run will bring the whole school community together to participate in an enjoyable and healthy sporting activity – all while raising money for a good cause.

The first ever KIS Fun Run will kick off early in the morning on Saturday, November 18 at King Rama 9 Park (“Suan Luang”) in Phuket Town and there will be three distances to participate in: 800 metres, 2km and 4km. Money raised from the event will be donated to the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation – a non-profit organisation that aims to save the lives of breast cancer sufferers through providing a cohesive “Prevent, Cure and Care” approach. The foundation is also committed to increasing awareness of breast cancer and educating the public on the importance of regular screening to ensure the early detection of breast cancer.

The foundation has been granted Royal Patronage from Queen Sirikit as she wishes the foundation to be a sanctuary for all Thai women by providing care and support to breast cancer patients. We have all been blessed with the support, guidance, friendship and love from mothers, aunts, sisters, wives and close female friends, so contributing to a cause which might well benefit the women in our lives is certainly a worthwhile one. Creating awareness of the symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of early and regular screening for all adult women is an important way of reducing the dangers posed by the disease.

Kajonkiet International School (KIS) Phuket, as a community that places great value in the promotion

of civic responsibility and community contribution, always encourages its students to participate in any event that affords them the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons and contribute to the wider community.

KIS would like to thank everyone in advance for their help and support.

Maybe it’s time to dust off your running shoes and to join this worthy initiative? If you are not a runner, then by all means, walk the course. Just remember your donation can save lives!

If you would like to support this

worth cause, please consider making a donation through the school’s charity account: Bangkok Bank – account name: Kajonkiet International School Phuket. Account Number: 264-450206-0. Swift code: BKKBTHBK and please send the slip to the school by email to: ip@kajonkietsuksa.ac.th.

For more information please contact KIS Marketing Manager Cheepy Thamrongthanayot on: 091 034 0240 or by email to: acheep_kisp@kajonkietsuka. ac.th

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EDUCATION 17

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Student wellbeing is integral to student achievement in schools.

Developing student wellbeing Strengthening student resilience supports academic achievement EDUCATION CORNER Richard Stockings

The key to improving student wellbeing is to raise awareness and start new conversations.”

Richard Stockings.

@thephuketnews

A

s teachers of children and young people our core business is to ensure students are able to access the quality learning opportunities at our school on a daily basis in a safe and supportive environment. There is a growing wealth of research and evidence that tells us that student wellbeing is integral to student achievement in schools. This means strengthening and supporting their mental, social and physical wellbeing.

The latest research, which measures happiness and wellbeing, makes strong claims about the dangers to young people, and indeed adults, of low wellbeing. There is a growing bank of research, which demonstrates high links to low mood, depression, accidental deaths and suicide rates of young people who have experienced poor wellbeing.

A wellbeing framework aims to develop the resilience skills needed to help young people cope in today’s frenetic society.

At BISP, like many other schools around the world, a wellbeing program has been introduced to address some of the challenges students face as they make the journey through high school. A focus on mental wellbeing through mindfulness, grit, determination and resilience is being implemented to ensure students understand how to manage their stress and the importance of failure in order to learn. The development of a “Relate” program emphasises positive relationships and tackles unkind behaviours. Coaching systems, where students are allocated mentors to intervene with academic or emotional needs, are used to support students in achieving their potential. In order for students to thrive physically it is vital to educate on sleep, diet and addictive tendencies to help students shine in all areas of their lives.

Schools like BISP have understood that wellbeing is essential for its key stakeholders to thrive. Working together with students, teachers and parents a whole community can begin the process of prioritising its

Coaching support.

A focus on mental wellbeing through determination. mental, social and physical health. The key to improving student wellbeing is to raise awareness and start new conversations. It is about creating strategies and initiatives which focus on ways to support the wellness of students first and foremost. Once this

Positive relationships. shift occurs students are then in an environment where their academic potential can flourish.

Richard Stockings is Head of Student Wellbeing at the British International School, Phuket

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

PHUKET’S PIWC LADIES DINE IN STYLE AT THE HILTON PHUKET ARCADIA Members of the Phuket International Women’s Club enjoyed some lovely sunny weather for their October luncheon event held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa in Karon on Oct 19. New members are encouraged to join the PIWC’s Meet & Greet Coffee Morning and monthly luncheon events. For details, visit piwc-phuket.com.

Keynote speaker Jazon Edouard and Inspired Phuketians host Able Wanamakok.

Next month’s speaker Dr Sanguan Kunaporn (left) chats with a guest before the talk.

PURSUING HAPPINESS AT SKYE LAKE CLUB'S INSPIRED PHUKETIANS At this month’s Inspired Phuketians event on Oct 29, Headstart International School Founder and CEO Jazon Edouard spoke on the topic of “The Pursuit of Happiness”. Jazon shared insights with the audience from his personal journey in pursuit of happiness. Held monthly at the Skye Lake Club in Cherng Talay and open to the public, Inspired Phuketians provides an opportunity for well-lived people to share their life experiences with a wider audience. Inspired Phuketians is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

Live 89.5’s Jason Wilder with Baba Beach Club Entertainment Executive Victoria Kroon.

BABA BEACH CLUB GETS THE PARTY STARTED WITH A VISIT TO LIVE 89.5 These smiling guests look to be succeeding in their own pursuit of happiness.

Baba Beach Club Entertainment Executive Victoria Kroon dropped by Live 89.5 on Oct 30 to spread the word about their first party set to take place on Nov 4. The party will kick off at sunset with a live electro-pop set – so make sure you get there before the sun goes down! thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Volunteers at the ready to aid the public during the Royal Cremation ceremonies in Phuket.

Staff from Angsana’s bakery department had a very busy day.

VOLUNTEERS PREPARE AND SERVE COOKIES DURING ROYAL FUNERAL Angsana Laguna Phuket associates joined together to bake, pack and serve 1,000 sets of biscuits for distribution during the ceremonies in Phuket for the Royal Cremation of the late King Rama 9. Staff from several hotel departments volunteered to distribute the cookies and drinking water bottles to the public on October 26.

The kids from Holland House enjoying a sunny day.

Lots of happy faces at the Tree House Kids Club.

ANGSANA VISITS LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHARITIES TO COOK UP A STORM Staff and management from Angsana Laguna Phuket recently visited the Child-Watch Phuket Foundation’s Tree House Kids Club (Oct 9) and Holland House (Oct 16) to cook up a storm for the children there. Michal Zitek, Area General Manager and Figen Bulut, Hotel Manager, led Angsana staff and guests during the activities as part of Angsana Laguna Phuket’s “Stay for Good: Feeding Communities Together 2017” CSR project.

SGS staff demonstrate to Headstart’s PE team how to bandage an injury correctly.

PEA team members donned makeup to add extra authenticity to the fire drill.

PHUKET PROVINCIAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY CONDUCTS FIRE DRILL The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Patong Office conducted an ‘Office fire drill’ on Oct 20 as part of their regular preparedness training. Joining the drill were Patong Police, Kusoldharm rescue workers, Patong Hospital staff and DDPM officers.

HeadStart PE staff give the thumbs up to the first aid training course by SGS.

HEADSTART PE TEAM BRUSH UP ON FIRST AID WITH SGS The PEA team cheer another succesfully conducted fire drill exercise. @thephuketnews

The Physical Education team at HeadStart International School, Phuket undertook a first aid training session conducted by Siam Guardian Services (SGS) on October 27.

20 EVENTS

FRI

3 NOV

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SUN

5 NOV

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar

Mussels night @ Shakers

7 NOV Tom Rhodes Live Comedy In Phuket

Dinner - Rotary Club Patong The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites guests and prospective members to enjoy dinner, drinks and a good time with the RCPB. The event starts at 6:30. Please visit www.rotarypatong.org for additional information.

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

1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

TUE

4th Annual Diwali Event Love & Light at Bollywood Phuket restaurant from 6:30pm till late, signature welcome drink, snacks, scrumptious buffet, music, dance and entertainment B699 per person. For reservations call: 088 760 1148 or 081 892 9208.

Melbourne Cup 2017 in Phuket Watch the race that stops a nation! The Good Shepherd and Phuket Has Been Good To Us are hosting the Melbourne Cup 2017 here on the island, from 9am till 2pm. Five hours free flow food and beverages, Fashions on the Field and win amazing prizes! For more information, please contact info@phukethasbeengoodtous.org

Gourmet Food Festival Best of the Best Paresa is proud to present an evening of culinary and musical excellence with Seven Top Chefs presenting Seven courses while the pop-opera band Fivera preform. Funds raised will be donated to the Phuket Hotels Association Education Scholarship and Training fund, Kamala Green Club and Barnhem House. Starts at 6:30pm for a sunset reception, dress code: Island Elegance. Reservations call: 076 302 000 ext 1001.

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

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD-www.twochefs.com

SAT

4 NOV

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

XANA’s Sunday Brunch Spend quality time with friends and family enjoying a one of a kind Sunday brunch on a perfect day of sunshine by the sea at XANA Beach Club. Every Sunday from 12pm to 3:30pm. Prices from 1,850++THB. Reservations: XANA Beach Club, info@xanabeachclub. com or 076 358 500.

WED

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

MON

6 NOV

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6pm – 11pm: All you can eat BBQ ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.

One night only at Two Chefs Kata Center November 12. Our famous band will be playing all your favorite Beatles hits all night long. Don’t forget to try Phukets BEST Sunday Roast – ALL YOU CAN EAT only B395.

Live music, amazing food, great beverages, prizes and a night of immense fun. Sit back and relax or get up and dance to your favorite Beatles songs. Come for the FOOD stay for the FUN. Reservation or highly recommended. You can book your table by phoning: 076 330065 or go on www.twochefs.com/reservation/

SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS

The 4th Thanyapura Phuket Classic Cycling Race

ALL YOU CAN EAT! GRILLED AUSTRALIAN RIB EYE STEAK, TERIYAKI MARINATED CHICKEN AND GRILLED TIGER PRAWNS WITH BBQ SAUCE, RED WINE SAUCE AND BEARNAISE SAUCE CEASAR SALAD AND HERB SAUTEED POTATOES. ONLY 495 BAHT. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. WWW.twochefs.com Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Kata Center 076-330-065. Reservations, TWO CHEFS KARON – PATONG – KATA CENTER

The largest cycling competition on the island! The exciting and competitive race takes riders to two different distances: the 45km and the advanced 106km. Cycle through Northern Phuket’s lush jungles, mountains, scenic roads, and exotic coastlines. thanyapura.com 076 336 000. การแข่งขันจักรยาน ธัญญปุระ ภูเก็ต คลาสสิค ไซคลิง่ ครัง้

THU

9 NOV

PIWC - Meet & Greet Monthly Coffee

Phuket Palate: Episode 2 Chalong Bay and Firefly have joined together for the 2nd Episode of Phuket Palate. Starting at 7pm, join us at Chalong Bay Distillery as we explore the delicious flavours that Chef Belinda from The Pavilions Phuket has to offer. 1,100 THB includes a welcome drink, canapés, starters, mains and dessert. To make a booking 093 583 7322 or contact@chalongbayrum.com

WHERE: Starbucks @ Central Festival. WHEN: 2nd Thursday of each month from 10:30am to Noon.

WHAT: New members are encouraged to join our monthly Meet & Greet Coffee Morning to find out more about our organization. For more information, please contact: Joan Watson at: imm@loxinfo.co.th or Renate Hirte at: hirtefamily@hotmail.com or visit: piwcphuket.com/meet-greet/

All you can eat BBQ night

SUN

12 NOV

THE BEATLES ARE BACK!

Phuket Palate: Episode 2

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

“Tom Rhodes is one of the best stand-ups...”– JIMMY CARR “A mostly natural intellect with a knack for reporting the harsh realities of life with a dark and absurdly optimistic cynicism.” – THE NEW YORK TIMES Nov 9th, the legendary TOM RHODES, a truly international comedian with over 30 years in the game as a stand-up comes to tour in Thailand with his Phuket stop. Where else but Underwood Art Factory with The Comedy Club Bangkok! With countless TV appearances on Comedy Central NBC, The Daily Show, Netflix and much more with regular podcasts with BILL BURR and JOE ROGAN. Tom has a career that not only includes stand-up specials, a sitcom, a travel show, a late-night talk show, his critically acclaimed podcast Tom Rhodes Radio, as well as being a travel writer for the Huffington Post. Come see a true legend joined by special guests! Tickets just 600 baht in advance or 800 baht on the door for our lovely audience!

Comedy Club, Underwood Art Factory: 095 721 9563.

8 NOV

We Remember Lek Charity 8-Ball Tournament All Proceeds for Lek’s Mother and her Daughter. Charity 8-Ball Pool Tournament. Starts at 2pm. Live Music - Raffles. Entry fee: 250 Baht. Registration with Popeye at Freedom Bar. With nice prizes. Organized by: Angie’s Hair & Beauty and Freedom Bar Rawai. For more information email: hamuenst@yahoo.de

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

ที่ 4 กลับมาอีกครัง้ ! การแข่งขันทีต่ น่ื เต้นและท้าทาย ด้วยระยะทาง 45 กิโลเมตร และ 106 กิโลเมตร บนเส้นทางธรรมชาติ และถนนทีส่ วยงามทางตอนเหนือของ จังหวัดภูเก็ต

SAT

18 NOV

Laguna Phuket Triathlon Carnival of multisport fun and tri-related activities at Laguna Phuket. Join us for 24th Laguna Phuket Triathlon on 19 Nov, featuring 1.8K swim, 50K bike and 12K run through spectacular tropical scenery and “LPT Charity Fun Run” (5K & 10K) on 18 Nov to celebrate Laguna Phuket’s 30th anniversary! Take in the excitement of the experience and rub shoulders with the pros at the race and social event. info@lagunaphukettri.com, 076362300 ext. 1404.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

18 NOV

SAT

25 NOV

SKAL Phuket presents - FLOWER POWER KIS FUN RUN 2017 – Running against breast cancer!

Kajonkiet International School (KIS) is holding its first KIS Fun Run 2017 on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the King Rama 9 Park (Suan-Luang-Ror-Kao) at 7am. The funds raised will be donated to Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. Visit: facebook.com/events/100314884064012/

MON

20 NOV

Free Ocean Lifeguard Training – International Certificate FREE three-day course in open water lifesaving (Ocean Lifeguarding) conducted by the International Surf Lifesaving Association. Classes at Surin and Bangtao Beach. Successful students will receive certification as an ISLA International Lifeguard – recognized in 24 countries. Sign up by clicking “Going” on FB. Register early and arrive early – spaces are filling fast. More info at: https://www.islasurf.org/certification/ freeoceanlifeguardtraining@gmail.com

WED

22 NOV

Sportfishing Tournament Phuket Sportfishing Tournament at Chalong bay Phuket. Start date 22-25 November 2017. Walter, Chalong Bay Phuket, walter.d@chsmokehouse.com, 087-270-0812.

THU

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

23 NOV

SKAL International Phuket & South Thailand invite all to attend their yearly charity dinner, to be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa in Karon, from 7pm till late. Tickets pre-paid at THB 2,750 or at the door THB 3,500 include welcome drink, dinner and free flow drinks. Book your tickets now at phuketticketmaster.com

Living in Phuket 2017 Now in its 2nd year (19th for its Bangkok sister), “Living in Phuket” is an annual event set up to help Phuket’s many expats and their families connect with the services that will make their life on the island easier. The event focuses on introducing new comers to social and volunteer opportunities, lifestyle, travel and hospitality services, education, establishments, specialised relations and more. The event will take place in the King Carl Gustaf conference room of the the Bangkok Hospital Phuket (1st floor) from 9am-6pm. And it’s absolutely FREE! Register now at: livinginphuket.org

SUN

26 NOV

Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand 2017 - Distances: 1.9km Swim, 90km Bike, 21km Run (8½ hours cut off time). Categories: Professional, Asian Elites, Age Group (male/ female), Relay (male/ female/ mixed). ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman-70.3/ thailand.aspx NEW for 2017: Sunrise Sprint 2017 – Distances: 750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run. Categories: Age Group (male/ female), Relay (male/ female/ mixed). ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ ironman-70.3/thailand/sunrise-sprint.aspx.

FRI

8 DEC

Phukethon 2017 Mark your calendar for the Phukethon 2017 weekend.

Asia’s major international marathon festival for the first time ever in Phuket, the running paradise island and pearl of the Andaman. Registration is now open. Go to phukethon.com. Get running with the Super Early Bird rate! Limited spaces. Experience the 3-day festival December 08-10, 2017. See you at Phukethon 2017!

Register NOW! Phukethon, Saphan Hin, Phuket, 080 214 6950 or 080 287 6515.

SAT

9 DEC

CHEF PABLO’S DEGUSTATION MENU 950.Thanyapura’s Colour Fun Run Thanyapura’s Colour Fun Run returns to Phuket!

Gather your friends or gear up solo for the race through the jungle. We’ll see you “Colour Runners” all coloured up at the finish line! The race is open to all age groups and limited to 1,000 participants. Medals and complimentary meals are awarded to all finishers.

For more details facebook.com/Thanyapura.

Celebrating our Thailand Tatler’s BEST Restaurants Award: Come and indulge in a succulent 5 course tasting menu including Foie Gras, pumpkin soup, Alaska Scallop, slow cooked Duck breast & Baba au Rhum. Offer valid until end of November. “Grape juice” pairing available! Reservations and full menu: dedosrestaurant.com 076 325 182 - 8 Lagoon Rd., Laguna, Cherng Talay.

EVERY DAY La Gritta’s Discovery Menu The Language of Art The Pavilions Art & Culture Foundation is introducing a collective of Phuket Artists – Map Abdy, Peter Child, Marlene Jacopin, Isara Thaothong, Adriano Trapani, John & Zachary Underwood and Mr Zen. Open daily from 11am till 11pm at Firefly till November 30, 2017.

For more information call: 076 317 603.

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

INSPIRED PHUKETIAN Dr Samguan Kunaporn Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show Free Entry! Come and join the fun at the annual Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show 2017 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club. Discover top brand yachts, water sports products, properties, hotels, international schools, marine products & services, food & drink, and much more.

Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya. 038-237-427 Mobile. 095-041-7789. fuangfa@oceanproperty.co.th

@thephuketnews

Speech title – Opportunity. Held monthly, and open to the public, this event gives an opportunity for well-lived people to share their life experiences. Inspired by the famous TED Talks, it’s a great way for people to really connect with authentic ideas that will benefit their well-being and happiness in general. All of the speakers are chosen because of their ability to share an idea that connects with and inspires people. Limited to 55 seats only and priced at B350/pax/net including one drink and pass around canapé. Register now by email to: sales@skyelakeclub.com. Skye Lake Club, Cherng Talay.

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay Mana Smokehouse Traditional American BBQ/smoked and slow roasted, along with TEX MEX tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas etc etc. Open 7 days a week, all day dining. Best ribs in town. At the front of BEST WESTERN Patong Beach.

Promotion everyday i.e 399B all you can eat A La Carte, Mondays come 4 pay 3, Live music. Heart of Patong. Free parking. Reservation, 076-360-220.

Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. Phuket Night Market @690 THB++, Thai & International buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++, Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++ The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, rimtalay@amari.com, 076 340106-14 #8027.

22 TIME OUT

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What is the full first name of the puppet Punch of the medieval Punch & Judy puppet show fame?

2. Which Hollywood movie did David Radcliffe appear in before he starred in the hit Harry Potter series?

3. Clint Eastwood was mayor of which Californian town?

4. In nature, cocksfoot and Yorkshire fog are types of which plant?

5. In fashion, what kind of garment is a baldric?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

Across 48. It’s recorded at 1. Ambush Wimbledon 5. Criticism 56. At the end 9. Band on a heraldic 57. Cry out shield 58. 4,840 square 14. Atlas stat yards 15. Punjabi princess 59. “Likewise” 16. Sesame Street 60. Nose (out) grouch 61. Impending 17. Statistics calculation 62. Boat type 18. Vampire author Rice 63. Fax, say 19. Grammar topic 64. Wired 20. Baseball card statistic Down 23. ___nic route 1. Doorpost 24. Farm area 2. Common fertilizer 25. Ferment compound 29. Assurance 3. Type of ball 31. “Big Bang Theory” 4. Breathe heavily character 5. Country with a blue, 34. Disentangle white and red flag 35. Church area 6. Actress, Jessica 36. Baja bread ______ 37. NFL statistic 7. Tolstoy’s Karenina 40. New York’s ___ 8. Capital on the Canal Dnieper 41. Operatic song 9. Last quarter 42. Michigan lake 10. School 43. Swedish rug composition 44. Delicious bar 11. Slang for heroin 45. Serfs in the Middle 12. Wizard Ages 13. Heir’s sound-alike 46. Fawn’s parent 21. Balearic ____ 47. Migration 22. End of poly? formation?

25. Purchaser

26. Consisting of one element 27. Band 28. Shore slapper 29. Eye-related 30. Like the Owl and the Pussycat 31. Taking it back to the old-school?

32. Scarf 33. Long ___ 35. Big do 36. One of the Fab Four 38. Goes with oohed 39. Ovation 44. Cavity 45. Walked alongside one’s master 46. River-mouth feature 47. Winning gesture 48. Annoyance 49. Liver dish 50. Must pay 51. Grow dim 52. Direction pointer 53. Decorated, as a cake 54. Outcropping 55. Real spooky 56. Licenses, for example

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Punchinello; 2) The Tailor of Panama; 3) Carmel; 4) Grasses; 5) Belt (or sash)

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history

1

Nov 3, 1952 Sputnik program: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2. On board is the first animal to enter orbit, a dog named Laika.

6

Nov 4, 1922 In Egypt, British archaeologist Howard Car ter and his men find the entrance to Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. (Photo: Carsten Frenzl)

in every 18 men has a third nipple.

inches is how much the Eiffel Tower can shrink due to cold weather.

23.2

Nov 5, 2007 Android mobile operating system is unveiled by Google.

per cent of songs in the Billboard Hot 100 so far in the 2010s have had a one-word title, an all-time high.

Nov 6, 1999 Australian republic referendum: Australians vote to keep the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, as their head of state.

14,000 tons of sunscreen are discharged into coral reefs each year, and a drop of it contains enough oxybenzone to disrupt coral growth.

Nov 7, 1908 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are reportedly killed in San Vicente, Bolivia.

Nov 8, 1895 While experimenting with electricity, Wilhelm Röntgen discovers the X-ray.

127 billion

T-shirts could be made with the current amount of cotton already stockpiled in the world.

Source: Uberfacts

Just another Phuket beach sunset. Photo by Fernando Eloy Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Nov 9, 1979 Nuclear false alarm: The NORAD computers and the Alternate National Military Command Center in Fort Ritchie, Maryland detected purported massive Soviet nuclear strike. After reviewing the raw data from satellites and checking the early-warning radars, the alert is cancelled.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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Jobs

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Trades & Services ADVERTISING SERVICES

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CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

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MARINE SERVICES

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ADVERTISE HERE

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

BUSINESSES FOR SALE n r ge

t sa

le

Business for Sale

RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN CHALONG U For rent/sale. Fully equipped & operational, 50 seats Chaofa East road, 400m from Haiyek Traffic Circle. Contact: shchalong@gmail.com

New Salon for SALE

Stylish brand new salon with all equipment and stock for sale at Bang Tao Tinlay Market with all furniture and fixtures. Contact through email at: naveenmarapana@gmail.com or call 080 370 6131 – Kunal, 081 899 0919 –Chin.

SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

Totally renovated, Italian design & furniture, all-new imported kitchen & bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden, 40 rooftop. 080 143 5541 Pablo.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Tenancy of Clubhouse for sale

Tenant required for already established Bar and Clubhouse in the Thalang area of Phuket. The prospective tenant should have previous chef/catering experience and want to establish their own style of management and expertise in building up their business.

The owner of the venue is extending and refurbishing the current building to include a new kitchen space and secondary bar with an extra seating area.

The tenancy is for sale for 3-million Thai Baht and includes newly fitted commercial kitchen plus new and existing furniture.

Flexible lease terms based on a 3+3 year agreement are available. Existing catering needs of the venue will have to be considered when reviewing the business options. Expressions of interest along with current resume and contact details should be sent to: info@jandgroup.com

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Long Tail Boat For Sale

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

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

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat.

New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com 080 695 3933.

CAR FOR SALE 2014 Nissan Juke For Sale

2014 Nissan Juke, one owner, full history, leather interior, rear sensors, climate control. Perfect Phuket runabout, only 82000km. 530,000, soiana56030@gmail.com, 0950 924 729

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

Dear Pet Seekers

We do flat roof waterproofing with 20-year warranty by installing quality three layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Email: office@tcm-asia. com. Call: 086-9439834 or 076-385081.

I have two great dogs looking for a home.

According to a Vet, 7.5 years old. I’ll update their shots. Please see pictures, both are great dogs. I’m leaving the country. Contact Chris 087-884-8972.

TechWorX Projects

PERSONAL SERVICES

TechWorX Projects now offer a full Electrical Contractor service. This complements our existing offerings of AV, IT, Home Automation, Home Cinema and Security systems. If you are planning a new build or renovation please contact us for a free consultation. Daragh, 393/8 moo 1 Srisoonthorn road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, daragh@techworx.asia, 084 443 9863.

MEMBERSHIPS Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. 400,000 baht, the Loch Palm transfer fee of 72,000 baht will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. sales@joydive.asia

Lifetime Family Membership

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

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

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

Phuket Country Club Golf Membership

Phuket Country Club Family Golf Lifetime membership for Sale. 2 courses, 9 & 18 hole course, Seller will pay 60,000 baht transfer fee, the buyer pays 380,000 Thai baht. Contact Chris - 087-884-8972

MOVING SERVICES Looking for a Moving Company?

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

PETS, BOARDING

Rawai Custom Tailor store

Rawai Tailor – Ladies and Gents custom Tailor Store. Serving local and international clients for the past 10 years, get a free shirt for each suit ordered, fully air conditioned, clean environment, friendly staff, parking space, quality materials, good workmanship and money back guarantee. Located within walking distance from major hotels in Rawai, opposite Sea Shell Museum on Viset road in Rawai. Visit us for free consultation, no obligation to buy. www.RawaiTailor.com Thomas Ghimiray, 158/2, Moo 2, Viset Road, Rawai, Phuket. info@RawaiTailor. com, +6681-415-4883.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Property in Phuket!

Looking to buy property in Phuket?

International Property Advisory (IPA) can help! Give us a call today on 076 604 260/ 098 064 4408/ 080 886 9660 Email : info@ipa. black , utopia@ipa.black Website : www.ipaphuket.com.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Chatta Real Estate

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Chattha Real Estate and Professional Rental Management in Phuket. SELL-BUY-RENT-MANAGEMENT-MAINTENACE-GAURANTEED RENTAL. Inquire NOW! www.chattha.asia, 076-636-244, 090-179-6635.

Chanapa, Chattha Real Estate Co., Ltd., info@chattha.asia

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Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE 4 bedroom house

House for sale (Acacia) @ 88 Land & House Koh Kaew. 185sqm, land 280sqm. Corner location. 4 bdr/3 bth. 7.9M only. Partially furnished. Contact : ar.alex. riva@gmail.com or 084 456 5279.

Sankamphaeng – Chiangmai

7 rai (more than 1 ha.) for sale.

Have a look! This is chanote land and ready to transfer immediately.

From the highway nearby. It is 15 min to the airport. All facilities available. Promenada Shopping Center nearby with the international restaurants.

Absolutely quiet. Beautiful nature with many trees.

Perfect to build a hotel or 20 family size homes or 120 condos. Phone Kay: 0869180458 (Thai/Eng).

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, Mrs Simpson, thaivillaonline@ gmail.com, 0844477248. thaivillaonline.com

Royal Place Condo For Sell

Royal Place Condo is located at the center of Phuket Town, opposite the Tesco Lotus, close to international school, 3 minutes to Big C and Phuket International Hospital, 4 Minutes to Central Festival. 45SQM, 5th floor, Corner Room, 2 balconies, 1 bedroom, 1 living room. Before price 2,800,000 Now Available for 2,250,000. Harry: h.jabary@ gmail.com, 084 249 0526.

Apartment for sale or rent

60 Sqm. 1 bedroom + 1 bathroom and kitchen/living room. Rooftop pool and restaurant. See website Absolute Bangla Suite for photos.

Absolutely quiet. Terje Hoff, Absolute Bangla Suite, sfrkata37@gmail.com

Property for Sale/Rent

Ocean View Kata.Fully furnished 1 bedroom condo 44.2.s.q.m. view over Kata bay.Minimum 1 month.For details e-mail ianscondo21@gmail.com Ian, , ianscondo21@gmail.com

Land: 3 Rai close to Monument

Land for sale in Phuket. 3 Rai close to Monument Thepkrasattri Thalang.

Perfect for apartments. Contact Thai/ English 093 619 2323. 12,000,000, supaku1013@hotmail. com, 093 619 2323.

House for Sale in Karon

House for sale the price is negotiable.

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Karon with a salt water pool. Great opportunity to buy in a good location where houses rarely come up for sale. Good as an investment or a place to call home. 16,000,000 Baht, ณริศรา โคทส์, g-a-coatesy@outlook. com, 063-541-5642.

1 BRM UNITS FOR SALE

Spacious, modern 90sqm luxury European style apartments in a Golf Resort for sale. For further information please contact 062-019-1421. 4.9 Million THB, Bruno, Golf Resort, brunohaag@yahoo.com

PROPERTY FOR RENT Phuket Dream Home

“The Dream” 5 mins to Laguna Phuket Ocean. Very big house, 300 square meters, land 500 square meters. Rent or buy, or both. Available November 3, 2017 to January 15, 2018. Paul, Cherng Talay, Phuket: 085 795 5159.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 4 bedroom house in Chalong

4 king bedrooms (one with ensuite, the others with dedicated bathrooms), 5 bathrooms (1 with a bath, the other showers), Living room, Morning room (lounge/diner), 2 studies, Home cinema, 7 seater, DVD/CD library, 2 carports, 3 separate entrances (+ 5 French windows, a total of 8 exits).

Property is at the end of a quiet soi near Big Buddha, no passing traffic. It overlooks a stream and jungle. The garden is 12 years old with bananas, papayas, mulberry bushes, cherry bushes, flowering plants and shrubs and several palm trees. There are frequent bird visitors…2 birdbaths. Just a few minutes drive from Tesco and Villa/Home Pro on Chao Fa West. Only 12 min drive to Central or big Tesco/Big C/Makro. 16.9MB (negotiable). Area of the site: 137.9 square wah (approx 560 square metres). To view, call 081 415 5522 or email m.allen.phuket@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT Apartments for rent

Apartments 1, 2, 3 Bedroom, swimming pool, Free WiFi, Cable TV. Near Loch Palm Golf Club Terrace. Email: Golflandview@gmx.de.

Handy location near Loch Palm Golf Club Terrace. 081-891-6632.

Kata Beach Apartment for rent

For rent long term (min 1 year). Kata beach nice-clean Apartment 68sqm.

One bedroom close to the indoor pool. B20.000 per month (exclusive electric). For visit tel/sms: 064 532 3637 or email villaonroof@gmail.com

Rawai Naiharn with spa pool

Unique Thai style home, open plan, close to beach and shops, AC, 3-bedroom 2-bathroom with spa pool, must see! Eng: 090 867 4849 Thai: 081 081 9875.

House for Sale/Rent

Locate Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu. Fully furniture with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms. Large entertainment area. Very convenient location. Close to BIS, Headstart School, shopping centre, Central, Tesco Lotus, 10 min to Patong beach. Easy access to the Airport. Long term lease 65,000/month including pool + garden service. Sale 13.5 millions baht (negotiable). Khun Bea, Loch Palm Kathu, I.thumwong@gmail.com 098 194 9351. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

SPORT 29

Phuket ready for Ironman 70.3

1,500 athletes to descend upon island for second edition TRIATHLON The Phuket News editor3@thephuketnews.com

H

aving hosted triathlons for more than 20 years, Phuket is in an enviable position as the leading triathlon destination in South East Asia and the island is set to bolster its sports tourism credentials further when it hosts the 2017 Foremost Ironman 70.3 Thailand, Sunrise Sprint and Foremost Ironkids Thailand on November 25 and 26.

“Ironman is a global triathlon brand that is famous for organising world-class events, and we’re very proud the organisers have chosen to host Thailand’s only Ironman event in Phuket for the second year. Approximately 1,500 triathletes from more than 60 countries will be taking part and it is events like this that really help the island economy and the local communities in which they take place,” said Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong.

An established sports in-

Government officials, event organisers and sponsors seen here at a press conference for the Ironman 70.3 Thailand event held at Thanyaura on Wednesday (Nov 1). frastructure, quality roads and idyllic beaches are just some of the reasons Phuket has become a triathlon mecca, welcoming thousands of triathletes from around the world each year to train and compete. What is often overlooked, however, is the island-wide support which is essential to the success of such events, from local government to local communities.

“Phuket is well developed for triathlons and there is a lot of experience on the island in

this area. The island’s reputation for hosting spectacular triathlons spreads far and wide, making it a popular destination with triathletes the world over.

“What is even more important is the engagement of the local community. The local community and authorities have been very supportive throughout and with less than one month to go, we are excited to see all this hard work pay off and for Phuket to host another Foremost Ironman

Making his mark in US soccer FOOTBALL

JASON FRIED, A FORmer-student and high performance college athlete at British International School, Phuket (BISP) is now making his mark in the schoolsporting arena in the United States of America.

Jason trained at BISP for two years prior to his move to the US, and after completing his stint with the BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy, he is now doing a post graduate year in South Kent School in Connecticut where he was recruited by those involved with the school’s football program.

“Jason had come to us through the Cruzeiro Academy in Chicago, and after trials he decided to train at BISP. He showed a lot of determination and desire to improve under guidance of the ‘Cruzeiro Philosophy’,” said BISP Head Football Coach Jonathas Candido.

“He’s developed a strong foundation over the years and has a great future ahead in football – he’s playing with the Football National Cham@thephuketnews

Jason (right) is now doing a post graduate year in South Kent School in Connecticut. Photo: David Spagnolo pions in America,” Coach Candido added proudly.

“Jason’s experience as a student and athlete at BISP was very important in preparing him for the upcoming challenges he would face in sports and education.”

The school’s football team is currently ranked number one in the entire country in prep school football, and have been national champions for the past two years. Of their

last 45 games, their team has managed to win 44 games in total. This year, the school team has a 9-0 record, with 39 goals scored and five goals conceded.

Jason currently plays centre-midfield like he did at BISP, and the South Kent team, similar to his Cruzeiro football team, has managed to recruit high-level players from 13 countries.

Zohaib Sikander

70.3 Thailand,” said Ms Dittaya Curtz, Project Manager, Sunrise Events (Thailand) Ltd. The four-day event stars with registration and the Ironman Expo, with racing starting on Saturday Nov 25 with the Foremost Ironkids Thailand which will see almost 300 kids aged six to 14 years old compete in varying swim / bike / run distances at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort. This will be followed on Sunday 26 with the Foremost Ironman

70.3 Thailand (1.9 kilometre swim / 90km bike / 21.1km run) and the Sunrise Sprint (750 metre swim/ 20km bike/ 5km run).

Following the one-loop 1.9km open-water swim in the waters off Bang Tao Beach, athletes embark on the 90km bike, which for this year is a new and exciting route, taking competitors through Cherng Talay and along the island’s west coast and Nai Thon hills to the Northern tip of the island, where competitors will turn around and race back along the east coast before cutting across the island and finishing at the beachfront transition where they will begin the run.

The two-loop 21.1km run course is alongside Bang Tao and Layan beachfronts making for a scenic finale with the finish chute at Angsana Laguna Phuket.

“All the relevant island authorities have been working closely with the organisers to make sure the event is successful. We have engaged with local communities along the route and together with

the police the bike course has been designed so that the necessary road closures will have minimal impact on island residents and marshalls will be all along the course to ensure safety for the participants,” added Gov Norraphat.

For the almost 1,500 agegroup triathletes taking part, thirty age-group qualifying slots are available for the 2018 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii and thirty age-group qualifying slots for the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in South Africa, while the male and female Professionals will compete for a US$15,000 (approx. B500,000) prize purse.

“This is our second year of hosting the Foremost Ironman 70.3 Thailand in Phuket and the support we have had from residents, authorities and athletes has been fantastic. I would like to thank everyone and encourage island residents to come and see the race on Sunday 26 November,” concluded Ms Dittaya.

The Phuket News is proud media sponsor of this event.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Hamilton takes fourth title

Despite no podium place, Brit cruises to championship win BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

H

amilton didn’t need so much as a podium at the Mexican Grand Prix to claim his fourth drivers championship, but even this relatively modest goal seemed unachievable after the first lap.

The Briton aced his start, joining Ferrari title rival Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen in a three-way fight into the first turn, but by the time they reached turn three both Hamilton and Vettel were limping back to the pits with damage while Verstappen streaked into the distance.

Hamilton lay last with diffuser damage. Vettel, one place ahead, sniffed an opportunity, even if the scent was only faint. Like a hot k nife th rough but ter he scythed through the field, knowing only second place could prolong the title fight another round. By lap 30 he had breached the top 10,

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates before the crowd after winning his fourth Formula One world title despite finishing the Mexican Grand Prix in ninth place.

Photo: Yuri Cortez / AFP leaving Hamilton to be lapped by runaway leader Max Verstappen.

Then another lifeline: on lap 31 Brendon Hartley parked his Toro Rosso by the side of the track, his engine billowing dirty smoke. Race control triggered a virtual safety car, and both Vettel and Hamilton dived into the pits for fresh tyres.

Emerging eighth and with 39 laps to go, Vettel set fastest lap after fastest lap as he bore down on Valtteri Bottas in second place. After 15 laps he was up to fourth behind only Bottas and his Ferrari teammate, Kimi Räikkönen.

But Hamilton too was moving at renewed pace, and the Briton knew ninth place would be enough to cover

Vettel finishing runner-up.

By lap 56 he was duelling old rival Fernando Alonso for the vital position, and though the Spaniard was unyielding for 10 laps, on lap 69 Lewis forced the issue and captured his two precious points.

In the end it was more than enough – Vettel could go no further than fourth, the gap to Räikkönen and Bottas too

big to recover.

“Mamma mia,” he said exasperatedly on team radio.

“It’s a little bit too much.”

Hamilton and Mercedes had bested Vettel and Ferrari.

Lewis was a four-time world champion.

“Obviously that’s not the kind of race that I want,” Hamilton said. “But I never gave up, and I guess that’s what really important.

“I was like ‘I’m not going to give up… I’m still going to give it everything so that when I cross the line I can be proud of myself’. And I definitely am.

“A big thank you to my family, my team – Mercedes has been incredible for the last five years and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

Vettel, having come painfully close to achieving Ferrari’s first drivers title in a decade, cut a sorely dejected figure in the paddock.

“It’s disappointing obviously,” he said. “But it’s not that important. What we have done today is more important – what Lewis has done is a superb job all year round, and

he deserves to win the title.

“Congratulations to him.

It’s not about anyone else today; it’s about him. It’s his day.”

Ferrari will take solace in the fact that the 2017 season was more competitive than the premature ends of both championships suggest. Had it not been for a combination of critical driver error on Vettel’s part and catastrophic mechanical failures in the space of three weekends in Asia, the Italian team would be eyeing the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Now the team will be forced to rebuild for a 2018 season likely to be only more competitive than this first year back in contention, and it will do so with the spectre of lost opportunity hanging heavy over Maranello.

“Overall they’re just the better bunch,” Vettel admitted.

No further summary is necessary.

Don’t forget to tune in to Live89.5 each and every Saturday from 9am for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four things we learned in the Premier League M FOOTBALL

AFP

anchester City notched their eighth successive Premier League win to maintain their five-point cushion at the top of the table as Manchester United stayed in touch with a hard-fought win against Tottenham Hotspur.

The defeat for Mauricio Pochettino’s

City must guard against complacency

Manchester City have made the best ever start to a Premier League season after 10 games, collecting 28 points with a frightening goal difference of plus 29. They remain five points clear of the chasing pack Pep Guardiola gestures after their 3-2 win over West as West Brom’s Tony Bromwich Albion. Compla- Pulis looks on during the cency could be their greatest match with Manchesenemy – sloppy defending for ter City. Photo: Lindsey the second goal gave West Parnaby / AFP Brom late hope, which better sides could take advantage of. Pep Guardiola will be well aware of the need to avoid such pitfalls after they fell away in the league last year and ended up trophyless. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested City could have the title sewn up by January but Guardiola is not falling into the trap. “Have you ever known a team win the title in January?

Me neither. No. Totally unrealistic? Definitely,” he said.

Leicester turmoil reaps rewards

Who said stability breeds success? Leicester City had a poor start to the season under Craig Shakespeare, who earlier this month paid the price for the team’s struggles. Since then the side – under caretaker boss Leicester City manager Claude Puel (right) gesMichael Appleton and now new tures as he substitutes boss Claude Puel – have beaten Jamie Vardy during their Swansea City and Everton in match against Everton. the league and cruised into Photo: Paul Ellis / AFP the League Cup quarter-finals with victory against Leeds United. Leicester looked back to their title-winning best at home to Everton last Sunday (Oct 29), with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez linking up to devastating effect and Demarai Gray making life difficult for the beleaguered Merseyside club. Puel admitted it was a fairytale start. “I want to say thanks to our fantastic fans for their warm welcome. It was a day that was perfect but it’s just the beginning I hope of something,” he said.

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1657: Saturday Nov 4 Run Start Time: 3:30pm Hares: Singha, No Hope Location: Thanyapura Directions: Continue north from the traffic lights in the centre of Thalang for approx 2.4 kilometres. Approx 300 metres before the Old Airport Road traffic lights make the U-turn (No HHH sign) and come back towards Thalang for 400m (No U-Turn at the lights allowed). Turn left at the HHH sign and head east for 2.8 km. Turn right just before the pylons (HHH sign) and the laager is in the date palms. Park in the date palms, NOT in the vegetable garden by the pylon. HHH truck will be marked.

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

@thephuketnews

third-placed team means they are already eight points off the pace and have Chelsea and Arsenal breathing down their necks after their London rivals both won.

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

MAIN SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a Sri Panwa one bedroom luxury private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 120 minute spa treatment for two persons. Total prize value: B123,000 The monthly competition winner for November 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Walkabout Sports Bar in Karon.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

1.

2.

3.

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5.

Liverpool’s hard slog?

Liverpool won 3-0 at home to Huddersfield but the result did little to allay fears that the club are treading water under Jurgen Klopp as a title challenge looks a distant dream. For all his charm, Klopp talks a better game than Jurgen Klopp (right) his team can consistently deliver arrives for the Liveron the pitch. While blessed with pool’s game against attacking riches, the Anfield Huddersfield Town. club have been found wanting Photo: Paul Ellis / AFP defensively. With his team already 12 points adrift of Manchester City, even the upbeat Klopp realises there is disquiet on the terraces and with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti presently out of a job he knows a top-class replacement is available. “It’s a big relief to be honest because the pressure was there,” Klopp said after the Huddersfield win. “There is no doubt about that. The second one (goal) after a set-piece felt like Christmas.” He will hope for many more Christmases before December 25, otherwise his present may not be one he wished for.

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT START STOP Friday November 3 Rugby League 16:00 18:00 Saturday November 4 Rugby Union 22:00 23:50 Rugby Union 20:00 22:00 Rugby Union 22:00 23:55 Rugby League 11:00 13:00 13:30 15:30 16:00 18:00 Soccer 19:30 21:30 22:00 00:00 22:00 00:00 22:00 00:00 22:00 00:00 00:30 02:30 Cricket 19:30 23:30 Sunday November 5 Rugby Union 21:45 23:50 Rugby League 13:00 15:00 15:30 17:30 Soccer 19:00 21:00 21:15 23:15 23:30 01:30 23:20 01:20

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

World Cup - Canberra

Australia v France

Anglo-Welsh Cup, Rd 1 Guinness Pro 14 Autumn Internationals World Cup - Christchurch World Cup - Hamilton World Cup - Sydney EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL T20 - Delhi

Leicester v. Gloucester Southern Kings v. Ulster Barbarians v. New Zealand New Zealand v Scotland Samoa v Tonga England v Lebanon Stoke v. Leicester Newcastle v. Bournemouth Southampton v. Burnley Huddersfield v. West Bromwich Swansea v. Brighton West Ham v. Liverpool India v. New Zealand

Anglo-Welsh Cup, Rd 1 World Cup – Townsville World Cup - Townsville EPL EPL EPL EPL

Saracens v Harlequins Italy v. USA Fiji v. Wales Tottenham v. Crystal Palace Man City v. Arsenal Chelsea v. Man United Everton v. Watford

OVERALL STANDINGS

adamrosindale 20 lufc 19 poonchai 18 TC 18 diggersd 17

Mourinho’s case for the defence

Jose Mourinho came in for criticism after setting out his Man United side to contain Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month. Pundits suggested he should have freed his attackers to probe Liverpool’s United’s Romelu Lukaku vulnerable defence but he was takes a shot at goal durhappy to come away with a ing their game against 0-0 draw. Needing to bounce Tottenham Hotspur. back after a shock defeat by Photo: Oli Scarff / AFP Huddersfield Town, Mourinho hosted Tottenham at Old Trafford last Saturday (Oct 28).

United, who won 1-0 thanks to a late Anthony Martial strike, showed more ambition on their own turf but still struggled to create many goalscoring chances. But they have now kept a clean sheet in each of their opening five home league games for the first time since 2007-08. The United boss praised his players. “Today, every ball looked like the last ball of their careers,” he said.

MONTHLY SPONSOR

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lufc 57 TC 57 adamrosindale 56 diggersd 55 celticpride 54

English Premier League 2017 - 2018 Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Manchester City

10

9

1

0

35

6

+29

28

2

Manchester United

10

7

2

1

23

4

+19

23

3

Tottenham Hotspur

10

6

2

2

19

7

+12

20

4

Chelsea

10

6

1

3

18

10

+8

19

5

Arsenal

10

6

1

3

19

13

+6

19

6

Liverpool

10

4

4

2

17

16

+1

16

7

Burnley

10

4

4

2

9

9

0

16

8

Watford

10

4

3

3

15

18

-3

15

9

Newcastle United

10

4

2

4

10

9

+1

14

10

Southampton

10

3

4

3

9

10

-1

13

11

Leicester City

10

3

3

4

14

14

0

12

12

Brighton and Hove

10

3

3

4

10

11

-1

12

13

Huddersfield Town

10

3

3

4

7

13

-6

12

14

Stoke City

10

3

2

5

11

20

-9

11

15

West Brom

10

2

4

4

9

13

-4

10

16

West Ham United

10

2

3

5

10

19

-9

9

17

Swansea City

10

2

2

6

7

12

-5

8

18

Everton

10

2

2

6

7

20

-13

8

19

Bournemouth

10

2

1

7

6

14

-8

7

20

Crystal Palace

10

1

1

8

4

21

-17

4

Premier League fixtures Saturday November 4 Match

Time in Thailand

Stoke

vs

Leicester

7:30pm

Huddersfield

vs

West Brom

10pm

Newcastle

vs

Bournemouth

10pm

Southampton

vs

Burnley

10pm

Swansea

vs

Brighton

10pm

Sunday November 5 Match

Time in Thailand

West Ham

vs

Liverpool

Spurs

vs

Crystal Palace

Man City

vs

Arsenal

9:15pm

Chelsea

vs

Man Utd

11:30pm

Everton

vs

Watford

11:30pm

12:30am 7pm

Sport A PCC RAMPAGE THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Phuket to host second Ironman 70.3 Thailand > p29

Patong Cricket Club outshine Phuket Stars to take Madras Café 30 Over Cricket League title

A boundary and 50 up for Man of the Match Hico McDonald – 80 not out, three wickets, five catches. Photo: Michael Way

CRICKET Justin Robertson

L

ast Sunday (Oct 29) saw the culmination of the Madras Café 30 Over Cricket League between table toppers Patong Cricket Club (PCC) and the Phuket Stars, played at the majestic Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).

However, the final, between the two best teams on the island, soon became a oneman show with PCC’s Hico McDonald playing out what has to be the game of his life.

McDonald scored an unbeaten 80 runs to help PCC

post a respectable 177 for six in their 30 overs. Then, when he got a chance to bowl, he managed to take three crucial wickets.

But McDonald’s most impressive display came in the field where he took a catch that will be remembered by the island’s cricketing fraternity for years to come.

He charged some forty yards around the boundary and managed to take a fulllength diving catch to dismiss the ever-dangerous P Jha. And just for good measure, McDonald went on to take two further sublime catches in the following over to dismiss A

McMillan and Sameer, thus completely ripping the heart out of the Phuket Stars and see Patong on their way to an emphatic 88-run victory as the Stars were dismissed for just 99 runs.

The final also saw more runs from “The Iceman”, M Kohler, who capped off his excellent season with 31 characteristically destructive runs.

And there was also a welcome return to the field for PCC Captain and Phuket cricket stalwart S Raju, who returned to the field and chipped in with an excellent catch as a reserve fielder, three months after some health problems

had put him out of action.

PCC started off slowly in the league, losing their first two games, but they fought back gallantly and fully deserved this victory.

The after-match prize ceremony saw McDonald take home the Batsman of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament awards.

With Jha runner-up in both categories. The island’s Best Bowler award went to Island Cricket Club’s R Naik, with S Bhattacharya taking home the runner-up prize.

The prestigious Spirit of Cricket award went to PCC veteran N Quail for

his long-standing service to cricket on the island, and single-handedly igniting a new drive for junior cricket, and to be fair to him, just being an all-round great asset to his team, friends, and cricket on the island.

The Madras Café 30 Over Cricket League is now over, but that doesn’t mean that the island’s cricket scene comes to a halt, as over the next three weekends the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) and the ACG will welcome three touring sides; the British Club of Bangkok (BCBKK), ANZA and the Singapore Cricket Club.

The next three Saturdays will see select PCG teams taking the three visiting teams on with 11am starting times and with this Sunday (Nov 5) also seeing the BCBKK take on the Village Cricket Club at noon.

Cricket on the island is still growing and is always looking for new players, teams, and sponsors. If you would like to get involved or know more, please contact the Phuket Cricket Group through Facebook or by email at phuketcricketgroup@gmail.com or check out the website at www. phuketcricket.com

Woods announces return to action this month GOLF TIGER WOODS WILL MAKE his latest return from long-term injury at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas next month, the former world number one confirmed on Monday (Oct 30).

The 14-time major champion has not played since February after a recurrence of back problems which forced him to miss the 2015-2016 season.

“I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge,” said Woods, who also made

his last comeback at the tournament in Albany which benefits his charity foundation.

Woods is included in an 18-man field which features many of world golf’s elite, including world number one Dustin Johnson and world number two Jordan Spieth.

Woods has not played a competitive round since firing a 77 in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

Woods withdrew from the event the next day and underwent another back operation in April, his fourth back surgery in all, that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Since then Woods has posted videos during his battle to regain fitness, most recently footage of him firing a “stinger” shot with a long iron.

During his latest injury lay-off, Woods served as a US team assistant captain at the Presidents Cup last month where said he was uncertain if he would ever return to competitive golf.

The golf superstar has also battled demons in his private life, and was arrested for driving under the influence in May after being found asleep in his Mercedes-Benz by the side of the road near his home in Florida.

Woods, who was found to have

five drugs including the powerful opioid hydrocodone in his system, later revealed he underwent professional treatment to help him manage his medications.

Woods last week pleaded guilty to reckless driving following the May incident.

Under a plea agreement reached in Palm Beach County, north of Miami, Woods will avoid jail time unless he commits major violations of his probation.

The plea deal requires Woods to spend a year on probation, pay a $250 (B8,285) fine, perform 50 hours community service and complete

Captain’s assistant Tiger Woods of the US Team walks during fourball matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 29. Photo: Cliff Hawkins / AFP “DUI school”.

Woods has not won any event since the 2013 World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.

AFP thephuketnews