The Phuket News 04 January 2019 by The Phuket News

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LAYAN LOCKOUT

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LIFE

One of the gates that once allowed access to Layan Beach is now chain-locked to prevent trespassers. Photo: The Phuket News

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Start New Year right with selfaffirmations

PUBLIC ACCESS DENIED AMID SUPREME COURT WRANGLE FOR B10BN BEACHFRONT LAND The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

aAnn Samran, Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) is advising people to keep clear and not enter any gates installed at properties along the Layan beachfront while the Supreme Court hears an appeal by five people claiming to own the land in question. The Supreme Court last held a hearing on the appeals late last month, but has yet to rule on any of the appeals, he said. “Gates have been installed and locked to prevent public access to

several properties along the beachfront. The gates remain there because there is nothing I can do while the appeals are being heard in court,” Mr MaAnn told The Phuket News. “If I do anything to them, I might be sued later for destruction of private property,” he added. Mr MaAnn warned that people who cross land that is now gated may be sued for trespass. “Some of the plots have businesses on them and allow people onto the land, but others do not. “If the owner (sic) allows people and even vehicles onto the land, you will be fine, but if they do not, it would be better to simply avoid crossing that

piece of land,” he said. “There are many other ways to get to the beach. It would be best to use them,” he added. However, without direct access from the road the only access is by walking along the beach either from Sirinath National Park at the north, or hiking 1.5 kilometres along the sand from the south. Mr MaAnn told The Phuket News that he was unable to identify exactly which of the 16 plots along the Layan-Leypang beachfront were being claimed by appeal, or the people who were claiming to own the land, or even how much of the land was being claimed.

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“I can’t remember,” he said. The 16 plots, claimed and occupied by mostly tourism-businesses such as beachfront restaurants, were all declared state land by the Supreme Court as far back as Nov 1, 2017. Within two weeks, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Chief Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang and DSI Deputy Chief Lt Col Prawut Wongsrinil made the trip to Phuket in person to oversee the posting of public notices physically on the plots to inform the public that the Supreme Court had ruled that the plots were government land and that any persons found encroaching on it would face criminal legal action…

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All small boats are banned from leaving shore during the heavy warning period. Image: TMD

Heavy rain warning for the weekend PH U K ET A N D OTH ER provinces along the Andaman Coast have been issued a we at he r wa r n i ng, w it h torrential downpours and waves reaching up to three metres high forecast this weekend, with up to 70% of the island expected to be hit with heavy rain. T h a i Met e orolog ical Department (TMD) issued the warning for Phuket on Wednesday morning (Jan 2), following a general warning for all of Southern Thailand on Tuesday. All small boats are banned from leaving shore during the heavy warning period, Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong confirmed with a written notice on Wednesday (Jan 2). “Regarding reports of Tropical Storm Pabuk, small boats must not leave port on Jan 3-5,” Mr Wiwat said in his notice.

“All things for (marine) safety must be in order. Boat captains must check their boats and the safety equipment on board, including life jackets, for any emergency. “Also, all boat operators must follow weather reports closely,” he added. Tropical storm Pabuk is over the lower South China Sea, located at latitude 6.0 degrees north, longitude 108.0 degrees east, with maximum sustained winds of 65km/h, the TMD noted in its warning. “The storm was moving west at a speed of 10km/h through the tip of Indochina and expected to reach the lower Gulf by 2-3 January 2019. “By 3-5 January 2019, it will affect the South with more rain and some torrential downpours. People should beware of the severe conditions,” the warning noted. The Phuket News

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Cannabis, kratom now approved for medicinal use > page 7

Six dead in New Year road-safety campaign

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

huket concluded the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for New Year 2019 with six dead and 53 injured in 55 accidents reported during the holiday week from last Thursday (Dec 27) through Wednesday this week (Jan 2). Among the road fatalities during the week was a one-month-old baby girl, Nalinipha Taophet, who died from injuries sustained when the white Honda Brio she was travelling in struck a truck and trailer from behind and spun across Thepkrasattri Rd at about 7:30am last Saturday (Dec 29). The car came to rest after colliding with another car travelling on the road. Nalinipha was being held in her mother’s arms on the back seat of the car when the accident happened. Also among the fatalities was an American, named by police as Stephen Thomas Dammit, 39, who died from internal injuries after the motorbike he was riding collided with a passenger van on the coastal road to Promthep Cape at the southern end of

One-month-old baby girl Nalinipha Taophet died after the white Honda Brio she was being carried in struck the back of a truck and trailer and spun out of control in Thalang last Saturday (Dec 29). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Phuket at 11am last Sunday (Dec 30). Another foreigner, Ruslan Chinokaev, 44, whose nationality was not noted in the report by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), was injured during the seven days. Mr Ruslan suffered serious head injuries when a motorbike being driven by Ekkapong Hiran, 27, crossed into the oncoming lane on a curve in Kata and collided with the motorbike being driven by Mr Chinokaev. Mr Ekkapong was rushed

to Dibuk Hospital and then transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket Town, but later pronounced dead from his injuries. Mr Ruslan was taken to Patong Hospital and then transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, the DDPM noted. Meanwhile, police reported issuing 7,602 fines for moving violations during the seven days, as follows: • 226 fined for operating an unsafe/illegally modified motorcycle; • 560 fined for not wearing

seatbelts; • 2,106 fined for driving without a licence; • 125 fined for speeding; • 353 fined for running a red light; • 347 fined for ghost driving (driving opposite traffic flow); • 207 fined for dangerously cutting off other motorists in traffic; • 243 fined for using mobile phones whilst driving; • 162 arrested for drunk driving; and • 3,273 fined for not wearing helmets.

Layan beach blocked amid B10bn land wrangle Continued from page 1 ...The land, covering some 178 rai, occupies three kilometres of the most unspoilt beachfront land in Phuket and was estimated by the DSI to be worth more than B10 billion. However, none of the operators of the businesses along the Layan-Leypang beachfront complied with the Supreme Court order, despite the DSI’s threat of legal action. By February last year Lt Col Montree Bunyayothin, Director of the DSI’s Bureau of Natural Resources, led a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall where he gave the businesses operators until March 5, 2018 to vacate the land or face having their buildings demolished. The businesses stayed, and none of the buildings were demolished. Instead they all remain there today, still serving tourists. A ll t he t h reat s by of f icials throughout the year didn’t even stop one real estate agent in Phuket from

A gate stands open at one plot on the Layan beachfront. Photo: The Phuket News posting an advertisement to sell an undisclosed area of the land for B3.6bn. Mr MaAnn said that locally the matter was now in the hands of the Legal Execution Department. “I can’t be sure what to do next until the Phuket Provincial Prosecutor and Thalang District Chief instruct me through official documents,” he said.

“The best I know is that the Legal Execution Department told me that this case (sic) is still being heard in the court and the details (of the claims to owning the land) are still being checked. “I will have my legal division (of the Cherng Talay OrBorTor) issue a formal request for more details. I need it all to be clearer,” he added. thephuketnews

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Police ramp up security after Songkhla bombings The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

olice across Phuket were ordered to ramp up security inspections and to report any suspicious activities during the New Year holidays in the wake of the two co-ordinated bombings at Samila Beach in Songkhla last Wednesday night (Dec 25). Provincial Police Region 9 had already ruled out the possibility that two bomb attacks in Songkhla, more than 460 kilometres from Phuket, were politically motivated and said that investigators were looking at other possible motives, including a conflict among groups of local tourism operators. No tourists were injured in the bombings as the devices were detonated hours after tourists had left the area, though the iconic Mermaid statue suffered damage by having the tail blown off. Regardless, officers across the island have been ordered to increase their vigilance for any potentially similar incidents in Phuket, Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, told The Phuket News last Friday (Dec 28). Before his posting to Region 8 Police earlier this year, Gen Teeraphol had for years served as Phuket’s top-ranking police officer as Phuket Provincial Police Commander.

Police in Patong stop and check a vehicle on Dec 27. Photo: Patong Police Region 8 Police, although headquartered in Mai Khao at the northern tip of Phuket, also covers the Southern Thailand provinces of Chumphon, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Ranong, Krabi, Surat Thani and Phang Nga. “We held an urgent video conference of all the provincial police commanders in Region 8 immediately after the bombings,” Gen Teeraphol said. “We repeated to all the provincial police commanders for their officers to be especially vigilant and to immediately report anything suspicious or unusual, and to stay in constant communication with other officers in the region,” he explained. “Officers are to be especially vigilant

in specifically checking for war weapons at check points, and when checking CCTV footage of public areas,” Gen Teeraphol said. “We also invite reports from the public, who we urge to also be especially vigilant in their own communities. If you see anything (odd or suspicious), please inform the police quickly,” he added. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee was not available to answer questions from The Phuket News at the time of calling All three Deputy Commanders of the Phuket Provincial Police declined to comment, saying that only Gen Wisan had authority to comment on the issue.

Yanui’s future still up in the air

THE CROCODILE CAUGHT OFFSHORE from Layan Beach, on Phuket’s west coast, in July remains held at the marine life research centre in Thalang while officials still wait for instructions on where to have the reptile moved, or released, to. Phuket Fisheries Chief Kowit Kao-ian confirmed to The Phuket News that his office still has yet to receive official notice of what to do with the crocodile, which was snared by the ‘Kraithong Lumnamtapi’ team of experts from the Department of Fisheries in Surat Thani brought in to especially to catch the reptile after it had scared tourists as it moved from one popular tourist beach to another – starting at Yanui Beach, then Nai Harn Beach in the south, then moving northward along Phuket’s west coast. The ‘Kraithong Lumnamtapi’ team trapped the female croc in nets near the rocks off Koh Kata, just offshore from Layan Beach, at about 5:30am on July 29. After a wait of nearly two months, DNA tests confirmed that the crocodile, which local carers have dubbed “Yanui” after the southern Phuket beach where the croc was first spotted, is a saltwater species. The confirmation, which came on Sept 18, was needed so that officials could determine whether the crocodile should be released back into the wild, or kept in captivity. However, as of December 21, nearly five months later, no information on whether the officials in Bangkok tasked with deciding Yanui’s future have made any progress in making that decision has been forthcoming. As of early November, Phuket Fisheries Chief Kowit was still waiting. He still waits. @thephuketnews

Nearly five months after confirming the crocodile is a saltwater species, officials in Bangkok still have yet to decide on what to do with it. Photo: Phuket Fisheries Dept “I am still waiting for an answer from our central office in Bangkok. I have to wait for them to decide what happens before I can do anything,” he told The Phuket News. “I have no idea why it is taking so long,” he added. Meanwhile, Chief Kowit is happy to report that Yanui is in good health in the “temporary” enclosure at the marine life research centre at Baan Laem Sai in Mai Khao, at the northern end of the island. “She is still healthy. Her weight is normal. Officials feed her three chickens per week, which is now usual,” he said. Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET NEWS

Dawn raid nets 500kg of kratom, four cars seized A RAID BY ANTI-NARcotics officers in Phuket before dawn last Thursday (Dec 27) netted 500 kilograms of kratom and seven suspects, and saw four cars seized. The total value of the items seized wEre estimated to be worth B3 million, Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai announced at a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) staged a stakeout near the Hong Yok Bamrung School in Mai Khao. The officers had been told that four vehicles – a black Isuzu pickup registered in Rayong, a black Toyota Fortuner registered in Bangkok, a white Honda Jazz registered in Phuket, and a bronze Toyota Yaris registered in Songkhla – were being used to smuggle kratom into Phuket from Sadao in Songkhla province, which borders Malaysia. The vehicles were to arrive in Phuket some time between 4am and 6am. True to the information provided by their informant, the officers on the stakeout saw the four vehicles arrive at 5am, and followed the cars to a house in Soi Khoktanod 2.

The raid before dawn netted 500kg of kratom, seven suspects, two cars and an SUV and a pickup truck. At 5:30am the officers moved in and arrested the driver of the Isuzu pickup, Niras Jaeka, 27. They then entered the house and arrested six more suspects, identified as: Ms Prapawadee Sa-ngiam, 34; Mr Thawatchai Chabharp, 23; Mr Bakareeya Waehama, 23; Mr Jaran Wongkha, 49; Ms Khemwika Wongkha, 30; and Ms Nidanuch Manrato, 29. In the house, the officers found 45 plastic bags containing a total of 450kg of kratom. Five more bags were still on the front seat in the Isuzu pickup All suspects were taken to Cherng Talay Police Station and charged with possession of a Category 5 drug with intent to sell. Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

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Handling waste at Kamala QUESTIONS & ANSWERS The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

QUESTION

GENERAL MANAGER

Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

gm@classactmedia.co.th

I am a tourist and I recently saw some different coloured bins at Kamala Beach and wondered what the different coloured bins are for? Is it for separating recyclable waste? If so, is trash separated at the point of disposal, and hence disposed of properly for recycling? What happens to the waste put into these bins? Does the local council have a way of recycling waste, or at least making sure it gets to the right people who can recycle it? – Kendra, from USA

ANSWER

The Kamala Tambon Administration Organisation

General waste is incinerated at Saphan Hin, but recyclables are sold to local people to make a living. (OrBorTor) uses bins of three different colours for the public to dispose of their general litter. Green bins are for general waste such as food, yellow bins are for recyclable waste such as plastic bottles or even something that could be sold, and red bins are for “hazardous materials”, which includes batteries, paint cans, fluorescent light tubes and so on. We have a lot of these

throughout Kamala subdistrict, about 120 bins in total. We provide one green bin for every three to five households in the area for residents to use together, while yellow bins are placed in front of Kamala Mosque and in front of houses of community leaders and local environmental officers in every village in Kamala. Red bins we have placed in public park areas and in front

of the 30th Rajaprajanugroh School Phuket. We empty the bins twice a day: once in the morning to collect the waste put in the bins during the night, and again late in the afternoon to collect the waste put in the bins in the daytime. Waste from the red and green bins is taken to the solidwaste separation and disposal facility at Saphan Hin. There, waste from the green bins will

be incinerated and the waste from the red bins will be stored until there is enough material to economically transport it to a facility outside Bangkok for safe disposal there. Waste from the yellow bins is sold to local people who collect recyclable waste, and they sell it on to a larger merchant dealing in recyclable waste. The money raised, only about B200-B300 a month, is donated to a local temple or mosque. We do have an area behind Kamala OrBorTor office where some waste is stored. This is usually for burying items like discarded old sofas or branches of trees that we cut in the Kamala area. – Somsak Chaochang, Chief of the Health Division, Kamala Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor).

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Mr Sayan had the cobra in hand within minutes after arriving at the home. Photo: Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation

Snake wranglers snare cobra bare-handed RESCUE WORKERS FROM the Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation captured with their bare hands a cobra measuring 1.5 meters long at a house in Chalong on Boxing Day evening (Dec 26). The rescue foundation’s chief, Sayan Thammaphan, was called to the house, in Soi Pramote near Chalong Circle, at 5pm. “The woman called us after she saw the cobra outside the house near where she washes her dishes,” Mr Sayan explained. Mr Sayan had the cobra in hand within minutes after arriving at the home. The snake was 1.5 metres long and weighed about two kilograms, he said.

“It was easy to catch because it was still trying to swallow a rat,” Mr Sayan said. “We will take the snake into the Nakkerd Hills (between Chalong and KataKaron) and release it into the wild there,” he added. Mr Sayan urged people not experienced in handling snakes not to attempt to catch snakes found in or around their homes by themselves. “Anyone who wants my help can just call me at 0813670537,” Mr Sayan said. The Phuket News notes that the Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation is based on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong, and mainly operates in the Chalong area. The Phuket News thephuketnews

Opinion 6

OPINION

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

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Lifestyle Editor

editor1@classactmedia.co.th Twenty years experience in the I n t e r n a t i o n a l m e d i a m a r ke t , creating content for Paramount Pictures, Mar vel and the BBC. Having previously lived on the island, David returned to cover regional lifestyle and cultural stories. He originates from the UK.

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EDITORIAL

The year of living feebly

et’s face it, 2018 wasn’t a great year for Phuket. We ended the last high season with the island overrun with tour buses brimmed with Chinese tourists on so-called “zero-baht tours”, jamming the roads and piers, but business operators finally admitting that some independent Chinese travellers were finally arriving free from the package tours. Then the Patong wastewater crisis hit, never to be clearly explained whether the issue had ever been resolved and government water-test results somehow coming up with “nothing abnormal” though the beachwater colour proved otherwise. Then the quickly forgotten Viking Cave tour boat explosion at Phi Phi saw a fireball scorch 19 Chinese tourists on board, prompting another order to improve marine safety to fall on ever-deaf ears. That

came just before the low season kicked in and the Phoenix committed the unspeakable – killing 47 Chinese tourists in Thailand’s worst maritime incident on record. And this in the era of instant social media posts, when photos and videos of the disaster were worldwide long before Thai authorities could contain the online outbreak – but once the curtain of silence was dropped on the media contain it they did, while spurring no confidence at all in the official response to the calamity. The disaster was blamed for the huge fall in the number of tourists coming to Thailand, but truth be told, the hordes were already not coming, as Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat explained at a meeting in Bangkok to which all Provincial Governors and heads of relevant departments were called.

Now we have Patong entertainment business operators complaining that the nightlife industry is suffering heavily without the tourist numbers. In this latest episode, the Phuket TAT office did refute that tourist numbers had fallen drastically, but also oddly declined to note how many arrive at Phuket airport and then head off-island to other less-developed areas, a fact the TAT has been happy to point out for years. Looking back is the only way to look forward and at this stage there are very few signs that those currently entrusted with Phuket’s tourism situation are going to do anything different. If things are going to get better we’re just going to have to do it ourselves, just the way the island’s tourism industry was first founded. So bring on 2019, and let’s get to it.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Where is everybody? Patong businesses suffering ‘worst high season in 10 years’ Phuket Opinion: So where the bloody hell are you? Phuket Police ready for Seven Days of Danger for New Year 2019 Haze hits Bangkok Phuket beach croc’s future still up in the air Russian, Estonian first casualties of Phuket’s Seven Days of Danger New Year road-safety campaign Patong beach road to close for New Year party No ‘Light Up Phuket’ to be held as part of annual Patong Tsunami Memorial Indian tourists heading to Phuket airport in van slammed by BMW Phuket Excise Chief denies alcohol sales tax jump, warns of possible ‘fake officials’

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY By the numbers

Re: Thailand records 7.5% growth in visitor arrivals Not buying it... After nearly two decades here. I have never seen the island this empty at this time of year EVER... And I seem to share that observation with many many other local expats and well as Thais and business owners… Kevin Stephen Gibson Businesses that adapt to the new tourism demographics are thriving. Those still waiting for our Western Euros to come back are not. Nothing great or easy ever lasts forever. KFC inside Junceylon does 800+ orders per day. Subway and Burger King next door are empty. Tailor shops are empty. Nanai Rd is a ghost town at 9pm. Think about it. Winfield Re: Patong beach road to close for New Year party No wonder it’s quiet there, they are pricing themselves out of the market. Not cheap at all anymore now. Marcel De Wit Only places in Bangla Rd. The rest is still good prices

which is why Bangla is very quiet and other bars away are great and doing well. It’s just that so many people only know Bangla Rd and do not know anywhere else. But away from Bangla are bars (where many from Bangla a few years ago have moved away) that are great and busy. Simon Lomas Re: Where is everybody? Patong businesses suffering ‘worst high season in 10 years’ In Chalong, Nai Harn, Kata, Karon, are hotels with only 50-60% occupancy during Xmas-New Year! They call it High Season. Kurt Having previously lived in Phuket for 10 years, having many friends in business there, I would never even consider running a business there, too many nightmare stories way too risky on so many levels, I know full well exactly how the place runs and just how fake many of the expats are running businesses there, say anything to spin the reality to make it sound good when in reality its anything but Pauly44

Re: Phuket Opinion: So where the bloody hell are you? Patong’s shift to a more family oriented market is nothing new, it’s been getting less ‘Bangla-Rd-centred’ for over a decade. The current slump in business however only started this September. The slump has been felt all across Phuket, but now it seems Patong is struggling more than elsewhere to recover. CaptainJack69

Speed freaks

Re: Phuket Police ready for Seven Days of Danger for New Year 2019 “Phuket has a high rate of deaths and injuries from road accidents because it is a tourist destination”… err, no… actually it has a high rate of accidents because people drive crazy and the police do very little to prevent it. Malczx7r

Using some very uncommon sense

Re: Indian tourists heading to Phuket airport in van slammed by BMW We use many minivan suppliers for airport transfers.

They are told in advance, that if we get one single complaint from a guest regarding speeding/unsafe driving, there will be no second warning, and we will never hire them again. And we dont wait for guests to complain - we ask them. It works. If everyone adopts the same system & policy, the ratbag drivers will soon be out of business. Winfield

Lights go out for tsunami memories

Re: No ‘Light Up Phuket’ to be held as part of annual Patong Tsunami Memorial event Only a matter of time before it’s cancelled completely. Bad for business. Never mind respect for those that perished on that dreadful day. Patrick Bailey

Breathe easy

Re: Medical cannabis, kratom bill passed by NLA So maybe now the police can spend more time on crime prevention instead of losing their time arresting citizens who had a spliff. Peter Jacops

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Thai farmers giddy over medical marijuana law NATIONWIDE AFP

hai farmers welcomed a new law allowing cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes last Wednesday (Dec 26), in an Asian first that promises an economic bonanza but also fears that foreign companies could reap the rewards. Thailand’s National Assembly passed a bill on Christmas Day legalising the use of marijuana and kratom – a traditional herb – for research and medical use. The move is a significant step for a region that levies harsh sentences for drug violations. It would also allow for the production, import and export of marijuana. The bill, which still outlaws recreational use and has strict limits on the amount an individual can carry, requires royal assent to come into law, said National Assembly member Jet Sirathronont. The National Farmers Council of Thailand praised the law as providing a “new

@thephuketnews

A researcher at the Royal Agricultural Station Pangda in Chiang Mai shows how cannabis sativa, or hemp, is harvested for medicinal use. Photo: Bangkok Post economic crop” to help farmers diversify their production. “I expect Thailand can make B100 billion a year (US$3.07bn) from growing cannabis and selling the raw material and cannabis oil,” chairman Prapat Panyachartrak told AFP. But some fear foreign companies and pharmaceutical giants are in pole position to scoop up valuable patents to produce the medical cannabis and extracts. Those holding the patents could stop Thai universities and government agencies from

conducting research, warned Witoon Liamchamroon, director of BioThai, a network of agricultural activists, farmers and academics. The Commerce Ministry had promised to “revoke” the petitions of foreign companies, he said, “but so far, we checked and there is no revocation.” Long time cannabis activist Buntoon Niyamabhra called on the government to cancel patent applications from foreign multinationals. “Otherwise Thai people will not get any benefits… as the patent law is retroactive

once the new law takes effect,” he told AFP. Thailand has a long history with cannabis. Marijuana was once classified as a traditional herb before it was re-categorised as a narcotic in the 1970s – which prohibited its production, consumption, sale and possession. It remains readily available despite high penalties for those caught smoking it. But Buntoon, who founded the Network of Cannabis Users in Thailand in 2013, said marijuana was once used in more than 100 formulas of Thai traditional medicine. “I have used cannabis for more than 50 years,” he told AFP. “Cigarettes and whisky are more harmful to your health.” Several nations have embraced the use of medicinal cannabis, including Canada, Australia, Israel, and more than half the states in the US. US-based Grand View Research has estimated the global market for medical marijuana could reach US$55.8bn by 2025.

THAILAND NEWS

Prisoner electrocuted in botched jailbreak SURAT THANI A THAI PRISONER DIED early last Tuesday (December 25) after being electrocuted by high-voltage barbed wire as he attempted to escape, police said. Wiwat Aksorsom, 32, broke free from his cell just after midnight along with two other prisoners and tried to scale the six-metre (20-ft) walls of his prison in southern Surat Thani province. But he accidentally touched the electrified barbed wire cresting the prison walls killing him instantly, Colonel Wanchai Palawan, superintendent of Chaiya district police, told AFP. “Prison officials found his body on the wall after he was electrocuted,” he said. Wiwat had been arrested in possession of 38 methamphetamine tablets, and was remanded in custody while pending police investigation. The two other prisoners, who were also jailed for drug offences, made it through without making contact with the fatal wiring. But one was re-arrested after breaking his arm as he

One inmate, Jirayu Leekpai, was found alive inside an underground drain just 30 metres from the wall of the prison. Photo: Bangkok Post landed on the other side of the wall, while the other was found hours later in a police search around the perimetre. “They said they are homesick,” Wanchai added. T h a i pr ison s a re al l equipped with high-voltage electrical fencing to serve as a deterrent to escaping prisoners. Most facilities are also massively overcrowded in a country which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world due to harsh penalties for drug offences. Those push small-time drug dealers and users, including women, behind bars for long periods. Authorities are mulling ways to ease overcrowding including the widespread use of electronic ankle tags. AFP

THAILAND NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

NACC flamed over Prawit case

Deputy premier cleared of claims he falsely declared his wealth BANGKOK Bangkok Post

he National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found itself in the hot seat after it cleared Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon of wrongdoing in the luxury watch scandal, ruling by a majority vote that he did not make a false asset declaration. Addressing a press conference yesterday afternoon (Dec 27), NACC Secretary-General Worawit Sookboon said the commission ruled 5:3 there were no grounds to accusations that the deputy premier falsely declared his wealth when he did not include 22 luxury watches and rings in his list of assets. NACC chairman Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, who is a former close aide of Gen Prawit, excused himself from the meeting in which Gen Prawit was the sole item on agenda. The probe was launched when Gen Prawit was spotted wearing a platinum Richard Mille RM 029 valued at about B2.5 million, and a diamond ring at a Government House event on Dec 4, 2017. These

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon wearing one of the expensive watches. Photo: Chanat Katanyu via Bangkok Post items and other watches which came to light later were omitted from Gen Prawit’s assets declaration to the NACC. Gen Prawit claimed the luxury watches belonged to friends and were all returned. Mana Nimit mongkol, Secretary-General of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, said the NACC failed to show transparency in investigating the case. It did not say what the charges were and initially declared Gen Prawit did not evade asset declaration. It was only after reporters asked whether

he could be violating the law about accepting a gift of over B3,000 that the NACC said it was another issue. “It was like ‘Catch me if you can’, then the NACC will speak out,” he said. He also questioned the investigation process and conclusions of the NACC. “We can ask whether the laws contained loopholes for the asset declaration requirement. In that case, the laws need to be amended,” he said, adding that he wanted to see the individual verdict report of the five NACC members

who cleared Gen Prawit of wrongdoing, and the three members who only said there was not enough evidence. “In the justice procedure, the defendants can say anything but it depends on whether police seek to find the truth or not. Likewise, today we have to look into how the NACC works. But for the defendant, society has judged him already,” Mr Mana said. The ruling was also denounced by rights activist Thicha Nanakorn who demanded Gen Prawit’s resignation after

the scandal broke and stepped up calls for the NACC to speed up the long-delayed probe. “This unscrupulous act by the NACC and the political office-holder will go down in history. It may look like a win win, but it is a defeat,” she wrote on Facebook after the ruling was made. The former member of the now-dissolved National Reform Council also launched an online campaign in which 81,000 people signed a petition calling on Gen Prawit to quit. According to Mr Worawit, the NACC investigators sought clarification from Gen Prawit on four occasions and were told those watches had been borrowed from a close friend, Patthawat Suksriwong, and returned. The rings were given to him by his parents and some were considered lucky charms. In its probe, the NACC sought information from various sources including local dealers of luxury brand watches, the Customs Department, the Foreign Ministry, and from overseas luxury watch manufacturers. The NACC found that Mr Patthawat, now deceased, was a wealthy businessman and a collector of luxury watches

and the number of watches in his possession exceeded the 22 items under investigation. Based on interviews, Mr Patthawat lent luxury watches to his old friends from Saint Gabriel’s College, including Gen Prawit, and other groups of friends and he also offered financial help to those in need, he said. At Mr Patthawat’s residence, the NACC found 20 luxury watches and a warranty for another watch that Gen Prawit was seen wearing in the pictures shared by the media. The investigators found Mr Patthawat bought one from a dealer overseas and two from other people. The NACC could not find purchase documents for the remaining watches and with dealers overseas refusing to give information the agency could not verify the origin of the rest. Under the Civil and Commerce Code, the 21 luxury watches found at Mr Patthawat’s residence were assumed to belong to Mr Patthawat. So the NACC concluded he lent the 21 watches to Gen Prawit. As for the 22nd watch, the NACC assumed that Gen Prawit had also borrowed it from Mr Patthawat.

Pollution Control sets sights on making plastic illegal NATIONWIDE THAILAND IS LOOKING TO ban the use of very thin single-use plastic bags in 2022, followed by single-use plastic glasses and straws three years later, according to plans drafted by the Pollution Control Department. It is also looking to reduce the use of thicker plastic bags, such as those given out by department stores, by 70% over the next 20 years and

ban plastic bottle tops and toxic chemicals found in plastics used for food containers. The measures are part of efforts to curb the increasing use of throwaway plastic and hopefully reduce the dumping of plastic waste into the sea. They also form part of an action plan drafted by a sub-committee on plastic waste management chaired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s permanent secretary covering 2018- 2037.

Wijarn Simachaya, the permanent secretary, said the panel gives a clear direction on how to reduce plastic consumption in the country, especially single-use plastic bags. It is estimated that the country produces 3.2 million tonnes of plastic waste per year. “This plan is in line with the government’s 20-year national strategy plan (2018-2037) for domestic plastic waste management. It is also in line with global Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030 to create a better

environment,” he said. The action plan, approved by the sub-committee on Dec 25, will be forwarded to the National Environment Board before going before the Cabinet. According to the Pollution Control Department Thailand produces 4.4 billion plastic water bottles per year, 60% of which are sealed with plastic caps. EU countries aim to introduce a total ban on throw away plastics in 2021, due to concern about critical

Thailand is looking to ban the use of very thin single-use plastic bags in 2022, said the Pollution Control Department. Photo: Bangkok Post damage to marine ecological systems caused by marine debris. Bangkok Post

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BUSINESS NEWS

Russians race to Thailand Kingdom tops international destinations for New Year holidays TOURISM Anton Makhrov news@novostiphuketa.com

hailand will be the most popular foreign destination for Russian travellers this New Year festive season, the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) has revealed. Russian’s own Sochi is the most popular domestic destination. Thailand’s beaches and Sochi’s ski resorts competed fiercely for Russian travellers this New Year festive season, being the top destinations of choice for tourists from European and Asian parts of the country respectively, said Maya Lomidze, the Executive Director of ATOR, whose members include Russian tourism powerhouses Biblio Globus, Coral Travel, Natalie Tours, Pegas Touristik and more. Ms Lomidze shared the information at a recent tourism forum named “Tourism results of 2018, trends in New Year demand from Russians, forecasts for 2019”. “The geographic factor plays an important role here as Thailand and China remain destinations number one for the regions of Siberian Federal District and the Far Eastern Federal

Thailand is Russia’s destination of choice for the New Year 2019 festive period. Photo: Tatsuya Fukata / Flickr District. Sochi is the place of choice for the residents of Ural Federal District and Central Feeral District. This results into having two major winter destinations”, RIA Novosti quoted Ms Lomidze as saying. According to Ms Lomidze, Thailand and Sochi are “elbowing each other and share the first place” on the list of destinations most preferred by Russian tourists. Ms Lomidze believes that in the future it will be reasonable to treat Western Russian and Eastern Rus-

sian as separate tourism sub-markets due to the difference of tourists’ preferences. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand reported in December 1.27 million Russian arrivals in the first 11 months of the year, up 10.33% from the same period of the previous year. In November alone, Thailand welcomed 166,249 visitors from Russia, up 1.76% year-on-year. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have set a target 1.5mn visitors from Russia as their goal for

Online payment underway for taxes TAXATION THE CUSTOMS DEPARTment is offering bill payment services through online banking, counter service and bank branches to create more convenience for taxpayers and comply with the national e-payment strategy. With the new bill payment service, taxpayers no longer need to visit the Customs Department to pay taxes, said Director-General Krisada Chinavicharana. The tax-collecting department last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the country’s four largest banks – Bangkok Bank (BBL), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), Kasikornbank (KBank) and Krungthai Bank (KTB) – to enable taxpayers to pay bills through the banks’ online and branch channels. The deal is part of efforts to move the Customs Department towards fully electronic payments. The department recently joined hands with state-owned KTB to launch Krungthai Logistics Card, enabling shippers to pay customs taxes and fees on both exports and imports, cargo fees for Thai @thephuketnews

The Customs Department is offering bill payment services through online banking. Photo: Bangkok Post Airways International and Bangkok Flight Services, and port fees for the Port Authority of Thailand and privately owned ports. Holders of the card, which must be tied to savings, current or overdraft accounts, can make payments by swiping the card through electronic data capture terminals. The card will be available from mid-2019. Just 2% of the department’s taxes and fees are paid by cash, while e-payments account for 55% and cashier’s cheques make up the rest. The new payment channels will lower tax payments by cashier’s cheques and reduce taxpayers’ operating costs.

Chaiyut Kumkun, a customs spokesman, said the MoU will improve Thailand’s Ease of Doing Business score, as rated by the World Bank, and lower the need for face-to-face meetings between shippers and customs officials, making shipping more transparent. At the moment, goods discharge is the only process under customs procedures that is not fully electronic, as such products require inspection by customs officials. Customs collected B19 billion during the first two months of fiscal 2019, surpassing the target by 10%. The department aims to collect B100 billion in tax revenue this fiscal year. Bangkok Post

the whole of 2018, as revealed by Anoma Wongyai, a Phuket native who is currently Director of the TAT Moscow Office and who previously served as the Director of the TAT office in Phuket. The TAT announced on Christmas Day that Thailand had recorded 7.5% growth in visitor arrivals for January-November 2018. Thailand received 34,431,489 international visitors, up by 7.53% over the same period of last year, generating an estimated B1.8 billion in tourism revenue, up by 9.79%. The highlight of the results was the fact that seven countries – China, Malaysia, South Korea, Lao PDR Japan, India and Russia – have already generated more than one million visitor arrivals, and three more countries – USA, Vietnam and Singapore – were set to follow suit when the full year 2018 results were tabulated. Commenting on the performance, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, “We are overjoyed to have this result in the last quarter of 2018. The 35mn visitor target is now set to be met. It is a tribute to the cooperation and creativity of the entire Thai travel and tourism industry to ensure that it remains our primary sector for job creation,

distribution of income nationwide, and contribution to cultural, heritage and environmental preservation.” For January-November 2018, all regions grew well except the Middle East and Oceania. Visitors from East Asia totalled 23.62mn (+9.21%), Europe 5.91mn (+4.03%), the Americas 1.41mn (+3.70%), South Asia 1.77mn (+11.32%), Oceania 838,713 (-1.40%), the Middle East 683,420 (-6.24%), and Africa 174,565 (+9.63%). East Asian visitor arrivals comprised the biggest market share of all visitors. A total of 23.62mn or 68% were from East Asian countries. Apart from China (9.69mn), the other top sources of arrivals were Malaysia (3.56mn), South Korea (1.62mn), Lao PDR (1.59mn) and Japan (1.5mn). The Asean countries in total generated over 9.17mn arrivals, with growth by Malaysia (+15.52%), the Philippines (+12.63%), Indonesia (+11.52%), Vietnam (+10.18%), Cambodia (+4.59%), Lao PDR. (+4.48%), Singapore (+3.73%), and Myanmar (+0.68%). Out of everyone, only the country of Brunei showed a decline (-3.89%). European visitors were up 4.03% to 5.91mn. Behind Russia, the UK was the second-highest source market with a total of 877,502.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

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A worker walks at a construction site in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok. Photo: Patipat Janthong

Bridging the wealth chasm Market economics, policies achieving little for low-end growth ECONOMICS Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Komsan Tortermvasana & Pathom Sangwongwanich

lthough the militaryled government has rolled out a raft of stimulus and relief measures to shore up the grassroots economy, spending and indebtedness among the underprivileged are still rampant. Adding to the poor’s predicament is Thailand’s social inequality, which continues to worsen. Credit Suisse’s 2018 Global Wealth Databook reported growing social inequality here, with 1% or about 500,000 of the richest Thais controlling 66.9% of the nation’s wealth. The country’s GDP growth is on track to rise this year, but the recovery has been uneven as export and service sector tycoons have mostly reaped the benefits, while the agricultural sector, where grassroots workers are employed, has yet to experience robust growth. “Farm income has actually receded the past several years, while this year’s farm income grew marginally. Crop prices for white rice, rubber and palm oil are still not good,” said Amonthep Chawla, head of research at CIMB Thai Bank. “A vicious cycle of volatile farm prices will continue to occur if the government does not help in creating value-added farm products to sustain [farmers’] income growth.” Nominal farm income rose by 3.9% year-on-year in October after a 4% contraction

logged the previous month, the Bank of Thailand reported. Agriculture prices declined for three straight quarters this year, falling by 12.2% in the first quarter, 5.9% in the second and 3.3% in the third. SUPERFICIAL MEASURES The Prayut Chan-o-cha government has spent B400-500 billion for cash handouts and welfare for the poor since taking over in 2014, but state expenditure for national social assistance schemes is too small and not directed to those who are really in need, said Somchai Jitsuchon, research director for inclusive development at the Thailand Development Research Institute. Social expenditure for OECD countries averages 20% of GDP, but Thailand’s is 7.8%, Mr Somchai said. The government needs to pump an additional B350bn into its social budget to raise the ratio to 10%, he said. To fund this amount, the government should slash the country’s defence budget, let the private sector play a leading role in driving the economy to save on economic stimulus spending and raise the value-added tax (VAT) and taxes imposed on assets, Mr Somchai said. If the poor are affected by a VAT hike, the government can direct incremental tax revenue towards solving the problem, he said. Although handouts empower the poor to better tailor solutions for their own problems, it does not tackle the root problems of structural inequality and poverty, Mr

Somchai said. Athiphat Muthitacharoen, an economics lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said the government’s social measures are superficial and done without systematic analysis, hurting fiscal discipline in the long run. He criticised the government’s VAT payback scheme for welfare smartcard holders as contradictory, as cardholders’ maximum income is set at B8,000 a month, while they need to spend about B10,000 a month to get the ceiling B500 VAT return. The government is offering a B86.9bn splurge to low-income earners and the elderly in the hope that the giveaway will help with living costs and boost the domestic economy. Social inequality in Thailand has grown during the past three years from large investment projects and concessions given to major businesses, said Anusorn Tamajai, dean and assistant professor at Rangsit University’s faculty of economics. Although the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects have benefits, they need to be adjusted to prevent an adverse impact on local communities and the environment, Mr Anusorn said. One consequence of EEC projects is that villagers have lost their livelihoods and speculation in land in EEC areas is so severe that small and medium-sized businesses cannot afford land resources, he said. “Land grabs by large foreign capitalists, especially in special economic zones and

provinces that are central to the EEC, as well as unclear land information systems will make land reclamation a more serious issue in the future,” Mr Anusorn said. “Land ownership may affect the use of resources, which the state may have problems controlling. Land reclamation has occurred in many Latin American and African countries and has created imbalances and serious disparities in some.” ADDRESSING INEQUALITY Since 2001, successive governments have allocated a combined sum of more than B1 trillion to alleviate poverty in Thailand, with half of this amount attributed to the contentious rice-pledging scheme implemented by the Yingluck Shinawatra regime. The main criteria for identifying low-income earners in Thailand is set at an annual income of below B30,000. Narumon Pinyosinwat, vice-minister for finance, said Thailand’s poverty problem must be examined from two angles: the number of people living below the poverty line and income inequality. The government has rolled out measures aimed at addressing poverty, though many perceive them to be populist policies, Ms Narumon said. For social inequality, the government introduced the inheritance tax and the land and buildings tax, with the latter passed on the National Legislative Assembly’s third hearing, she said. Thailand’s economic structure is a liberalised capitalist

system, and it’s difficult to enlarge state ownership of businesses or raise taxes to generate higher income, then use the revenue for social security, Ms Narumon said. However, Thailand can help the poor through a social impact fund and social impact bonds, which many countries have begun to adopt. A social impact fund uses private sector funds for projects aimed at addressing the poor’s plight. Corporations can receive a tax privilege for participating in this programme. For social impact bonds, the government issues them to raise funds from the private sector to help with social projects. The private sector would be key in overseeing project success. RECOVERY OUT OF SIGHT Despite a tranche of relief measures, low-income households remain mired in indebtedness because any money earned is mostly used to service debt, Mr Amonthep said. Thailand’s household debt rose to B12.3trn, or 77.6% of GDP, in the year’s second quarter, up from the first quarter’s B12.1trn, according to Bank of Thailand data. Enhancing employment opportunities, upgrading skill development and providing digital literacy are Mr Amonthep’s recommendations to develop the grassroots economy and increase income among poor households. “Education is the [ultimate] long-term solution to solve the grassroots economic problem,” he said. “The gov-

ernment seems to want to address long-term problems, but it also has short-term priorities.” Adisak Sukumvitaya, board chairman of Singer Thailand, a leading network of direct sales marketers that offers service loans and leasing for consumers, said private consumption in the country has been slowing this year relative to 2017, mainly due to falling crop prices and declining tourism business. The two sectors account for more than 60% of employment in businesses and services. “Consumer spending in the overall market has been declining for years, but 2018 has been the hardest,” Mr Adisak said. He said the decline in consumer spending has created more risk for loan and leasing repayment, meaning loan providers must strictly monitor and manage borrowers. Failure in proper loan management could cause an increase in non-performing loans in lenders’ portfolios. Mr Adisak said he has no idea whether the overall economy, especially private consumption, will recover after the scheduled election in February 2019 because consumer spending may take time to bounce back after the formation of a new government. “It’s too early to believe that private consumption will recover after the election,” he said. “I think businesses may have to be more cautious instead.” Bangkok Post thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Life’s a dream with the Thai lottery

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Start your New Year off the right way

STAYING WITH THE QUIRKS There’s always something for the more adventurous travellers David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

hai seniors, aged 60 and older, are Airbnb’s most active users. Usage of the home rental site Airbnb has rapidly increased among Thai seniors, leading them to be the most active users in the world, ac-

cording to Airbnb’s analytics. Senior guests from Thailand have increased usage by 62% in the past year, while senior hosts earned almost 300 million baht in 2017. Thai seniors are also considered the most loved hosts compared with other age groups as represented by Airbnb’s rating system. “Perhaps it’s no surprise we’re seeing such strong growth in this demo-

Unique Cobb Cottage (Mayne Island, Canada) This petite, hand-sculpted cottage home is made of entirely natural, earthen materials and provides a welcome and warm retreat surrounded by gardens, sheep and orchards. Mindful of the environment, and to save guests from having to rent a car, host Alexis also goes out of her way to provide transportation for her guests during their trip.

Underground Hygge (Orondo, WA, USA) Nestled in a hillside along the Columbia River Gorge is Kristie’s one-of-a-kind hobbit hole home, a home that would inspire anyone to take off for their next incredible journey. Every nook and cranny of the dwelling was built out of sustainable materials so that guests can enjoy warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer.

AirShip (Scottish Highlands, UK) Situated a stone’s throw away from the waters of the Sound of Mull, host Amanda’s aluminum pod features all the amenities of a full home. With stunning views from throughout this work of art, including a stargazing station at night, guests at the AirShip experience a truly unique environment in which to relax and unwind. @thephuketnews

graphic,” said Greg Greeley, president of homes at Airbnb. “Seniors are healthier and wealthier than they’ve ever been, and tend to take more and longer trips than other age groups.” Thailand also has the highest proportion of senior guests using Airbnb, followed by Japan and the US. The top trending destinations for these guests are Rawai and Kathu

in Phuket followed by areas all along Chiang Mai. With such an interest in Airbnb’s offering, perhaps local citizens may be interested to spread their wings further afield in more adventurous home stays. Below is a selection of six quintessentially quirky listings around the world that provide a more unusual experience for the intrepid traveller.

Here Be Dragons (Westhall, UK) For this home in the English countryside, it’s all in the name. Perched on top of this award-winning home’s chimney sits a larger-than-life dragon sculpture greeting you as you come up the drive. Host Jo says the property’s name “Here Be Dragons” has become shorthand for that which is fascinating and unexplored – and her eclectic, colourful home is the exact uncharted territory you’ll want to discover.

Sleep in a Plane (SaintMichel-Chef-Chef, France) For those looking to take their travels to new heights, you can book your own private plane in the heart of western France. This accommodation comes complete with a double bed and a living room in the cabin, and everyone gets a chance to sit in the cockpit, which has been converted into a bathroom with a view.

Tatami Room (Osaka, Japan) Built by host Mariko’s grandparents more than 70 years ago, this traditional, multi-generational Japanese home provides a time capsule experience for guests to enjoy and savour. Mariko provides thoughtful touches for her guests to enjoy, from maps and local suggestions, to bikes to ride, to little snacks and small gifts for guests throughout their stay.

12 CULTURE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Luck or divine intervention? Photo: Dylan Nolte.

All in a dream

Thailand’s lottery obsession can be a nightmare Andrew Biggs

Personal assistants apparently have pressing chores to attend to in the early morning, which explains why his 9am start time progressively gets later and later.

e appeared out of nowhere. My personal assistant. He was dressed in his work uniform. I don’t know where he came from but he ran towards me. As he neared, he smiled and crouched down right before me. He must have been about a metre away from my face. He didn’t say a word, just kept beaming at me. With a flourish he brought his right hand up and displayed, prominently, the number four. Then, not a few seconds later, he raised a single ring finger. One. Four. One. Forty-one? That was when I woke up. I’d forgotten about that dream until midday when my personal assistant waltzed into our office. Personal assistants apparently have pressing chores to attend to in the early morning, which explains why his 9am start time progressively gets later and later. It was lunchtime and I was sitting with my accountant and general manager, both older Thai women, enjoying some mid-priced pad kaprao kai dao. The maid was somewhere off in the background with a mop.

It could be you. My personal assistant sat down with us. “I had a dream about you last night,” I said. “Really?” he asked. His eyebrows fluttered and he leaned forward. “Was it… erotic?” It was a perfect moment to teach English vocabulary such as “nauseous” but instead I said, “You came right up to me and flashed a number at me with your fingers.” The synchronised clink of two sets of cutlery was only superseded in volume by the rush of air as the office maid swooped over. It takes a lot for Thais to stop eating, but apparently I’d just precipitated that. “What number?” the personal assistant, accountant, general manager and maid asked in perfect unison. “That’s the thing,” I said. “I don’t know if it was two separate numbers, or a combination of… “ “What number!?” the personal as-

sistant, accountant, general manager and maid asked again. Only this time there was something threatening in their collective voice. Eight eyes peered at me with arched eyebrows in a curious tableau. “Forty-one,” I said. If this were a cartoon, those four staffers would speed off in a puff of smoke like Wile E. Coyote. But they had questions. “Are you sure about the number?” my accountant asked. “Are you sure it wasn’t the other way around?” my general manager asked. “Well the four was very clear,” I said. “You used your four fingers and hid your thumb. It was a sideways four. But then your single finger was upright.” “Which finger did I use for the one?” “Your ring finger. Or perhaps it was your middle finger.” I said that to add a little levity to what was descending into a serious discussion, but it didn’t work. thephuketnews

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CULTURE 13

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019 You don’t happen to have a 41 in there by any chance, do you?

Hmm... now where’s that damn 41?

Is this a sign? But which one? Photo: Pop Zebra

Did it catch my lottery number? Photo: Tran Phu “No! I would never use my middle finger in front of your face like that!” my personal assistant said. I appreciated his loyalty, though he cleverly omitted which digit he would employ had my back been turned. Before 1pm my four staff each had made their surreptitious phone calls to put money on number 41 for the next national lottery draw. Here in Thailand, life revolves around the 1st and the 16th of every month. On the next 1st or 16th switch on Channel 11, NBT, and you’ll find one of the country’s top-rating TV shows despite it going to air in the graveyard time slot of mid-afternoon. It’s the Government Lottery Office draw. It features a row of six pretty girls with identical outfits, lining up in front of plastic bubbles filled with bouncing balls to draw one out each, then solemnly hold the numbers up to the camera. Don’t for a moment think the numbers are random. This is Thailand, @thephuketnews

where everything is predetermined, including the lottery, and it is every Thai’s mission in life to tap into the supernatural world to know what’s coming up number-wise. That’s why number 41 was so important to know. Lucky lottery numbers are often found in dreams. They can also be found in temple trees, too, deformed animals, strange-shaped fruit and plants the shape of everything from fairies to phalluses. Some of the richest monks in Thailand have accumulated their wealth from dropping candle wax into water, chanting something incomprehensible, then proclaiming what numbers are “holy” for the upcoming draw. It is a national obsession. Every two weeks a total of 74 million lottery tickets are sold in this country. There are more lottery tickets circulating in any given fortnight than there are people in Thailand. That’s just the legal lottery. There is a whole industry known as the “underground lottery” that some estimate to be even bigger than the official one. It certainly is in my office. The odds are dismal and in the seller’s favour. For example, supposing I gambled B100 on number 41 coming up. (“Coming up” here means it is the last two digits of the winning six-digit number). There are 100 different combinations of two-digit numbers that could come up. In a perfect world my winning should be 10,000. It’s not. It’s more like B6,500, since underground lottery bookies give you odds of 65 to 1. That night I found a (legal) ticket vendor with 41 at the end and bought three of them. Sad, I know, but when in Rome… The winning ticket for the draw on Oct 1 was 452643. See those last two numbers? Forty-three! The maid was excited. “That’s so close to 41!” she announced the following morning. “You may as well be 99 away,” I said. “It’s a sign. Maybe next draw it’ll be even closer!” she said. Despite the failure to find a bridge between my dream and instant wealth, my personal assistant was enjoying being the centre of attention. He swanned around the office with his shoulders back, proud to have infiltrated the boss’s dreams. “If you win first prize, you will need to give me a cut,” he told me. “Dream on,” I said. “Get it?” The winning ticket on Oct 16 was 200515. “Your cut is zero,” I said. “Did you notice that?” my maid said.

“What’s four plus one?” “Five,” said the accountant, who is good at such sums. “Now look at the last number of that winning number. It’s five!” “That’s ridiculous,” I said. In late October I bought another ticket ending in 41. I couldn’t help it. The winning ticket on Nov 1 was 149840. Now my maid was writhing on the newly-mopped floor. “We’re getting closer and closer!” she chortled. No we’re not. The only thing we were closing in on was insanity. I wish I’d never opened my big mouth. I wish that back on that first day, I’d laughed and said yes, personal assistant, it was an erotic dream and

now let’s get on with our lives. My office is now obsessed with number 41. So, too, is my personal assistant’s home village, located deep in the jungles of Buri Ram, where all the farmers are betting on number 41. I will have to continue buying tickets ending in 41. I’m in this too deep now. To continue is madness. If I stop, I just know 41 is going to come up. I am angry with my personal assistant. I’m angry at him for coming into my dreams and flashing that four and one at me. Couldn’t he have just stayed away from me and my slumber? And the most intriguing question of all – if the dream wasn’t about the lottery, then what on earth was it about? Bangkok Post

14 TRAVEL

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Bicycling with an Angle The great outdoors with two wheels and a collapsible rod BLAZING SADDLES Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com

I quickly realised that the most efficient way to get from one pool to the next on these rivers and streams was by a bicycle with fat tires

y passion for cycling arrived at about the same time as my passion for trout fishing, when I was a slip of a lad of 10 summers or so. I was lucky enough to find myself growing up in a family of keen anglers and spent many happy boyhood hours with my grandfather, father and sundry Scottish uncles trying to entice trout onto the end of a line and subsequently into a frying pan. Most weekends, my father, grandfather and I fished on a stream in Worcestershire, while long holidays were spent at a family cottage of my Scottish mother in Banffshire, a few miles from the mighty Spey, one of Britain’s greatest salmon rivers, where I was lucky enough to land my first grilse when I was just 10. I quickly realised that the most efficient way to get from one pool to the next on these rivers and streams was by a bicycle with fat tires (I don’t think we called them “mountain bikes” until much later). This mode of combining cycling and fishing has remained one of my most enduring passions, and the days I’ve spent enjoying this simple activity remain among the happiest of my life. There’s something primal about being outdoors all day in beautiful riverside surroundings, pursuing an elusive quarry and expending abundant energy in clean fresh air. So, when I moved to live in Phuket 12 years ago, I looked for a place where I could follow this passion and discovered the pleasures of Khao Sok National Park.

Baz cycling from the entrance of the stunning national park. There were rumours that the mighty Mahseer, renowned as the world’s fiercest fighting fish could be caught in the remoter headwaters of the Sok River and so it was that I recently drove up there on a sweltering day with a mountain bike strapped onto my bike rack. As we approached the park some three hours north of the Sarasin Bridge, it was like re-awakening into another universe. We knew we were in for something special when the scenery became at first dramatic and then simply breathtaking, with huge limestone cliffs rising sheer from the verdant rainforest floor and towering majestically skywards above us. At a well-marked left turn off Highway 401 we found the little road to one of the world’s oldest and most pristine natural rainforests: Khao Sok National Park. Upon arrival we unloaded the bikes and pedaled past the Visitor Centre at the park’s entrance and across the bridge and followed the trail along the left-hand fork of the Sok River as it climbed a steep hill into the body of indigenous rain forest. This is definitely mountain biking territory and the trail abounds in steep, often rocky climbs and descents. You share the path with a bipedal tribal ape known as Homo Sapiens, not to mention the elephant, tiger, leopard, gibbons, barking deer, Malay sun bears and scaly anteaters that have also been spotted here at various times. This is not exactly your common-or-garden Phuket ride to the local SuperCheap! We rode the seven kilometres out to a deep shaded pool under overhanging trees. As I assembled my rod, I couldn’t help but notice a couple of yellow and black snakes, peacefully asleep among the branches. I cast both spinners and flies using the collapsible rod that I’d stowed in my backpack as I wadded the tumbling waters. After a couple of hours working the various pools along this section of the river I had tempted only a single

I think we might need to order takeaway tonight.

minnow-sized fish, which was about the same size as my spinner itself. Perhaps he was trying to mate with it! Despite my absence of luck with attracting a mighty Mahseer, we enjoyed the most wonderful day of outdoor activity in an environment of stunning beauty. Frankly, a fish would have been a bonus to an already perfect day of cycling with an angle. To show you that this method of fishing really does produce results, I’ve included a picture of a lovely rainbow trout I caught in New Zealand’s Tongararo River by cycling with an angle earlier this year. Tight lines!

I’ve caught one! Honest. Er,... but it wasn’t on this continent.

thephuketnews

PEOPLE 15

WRITE NOW THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Meet the Phuket Island Writers

PWG’s three published books

PEOPLE OF PHUKET Jill N. Wells

hat do you get when you mix multiple nationalities and personalities on a paradise island and a boatload of creative ideas? For one eclectic (or someone may say eccentric) band of scribes, it is The Phuket Writers’ Group (PWG). PWG is a rather small group, on Facebook it shows merely 24 members. Past and present members include authors from Romania, Russia, Germany, Serbia, Indonesia, China, Finland, Thailand, South Africa, as well as Canada, US, UK and Australia. According to PWG chairman Paul, “People in Phuket come and go. The aim of our small group is to collaborate, to encourage, and to inspire each other to write. All you need is the spark of an idea and the effort to stick with it. Our main achievement has been to publish three books in four years, which is practically the speed of light – especially since running a writers group is much like herding cats.” PWG’s founder, Anne O’Connell, a Canadian writer established this group in 2014 when she moved to Phuket and didn’t find any similar group to get involved. She says, “Once our group began to gel, it also became a social gathering and eventually a ‘foodie’ group as well. PWG combined three of my favourite things: writing, good friends and good food.” For Anne, she shared her writings and got solid, constructive feedback. She could also share her experience and expertise as a long-time writer and editor. It was a win-win. When the group decided to publish its first anthology, it became a wonderful group project where everyone pitched in toward the goal. For some PWG members it was their first time being published. It was very rewarding. “Over the years, with sincere and passionate peer support, some members have published their own books. Monthly collaboration resulted in three selfpublished anthologies in English.” Paul tells me, “Volume I in 2014: An Anthology of Short Stories, Volume II in 2016: All over The Map short stories from the Phuket Island Writers, and Volume III in 2018: Observations on Modern Life with themes on love, death, music, food, and health.” Tales are both fiction and non-fiction. Each story is filled with emotions and introspection that will keep you turning the pages. I hope that if books do have the power to bring people together, this one may work its magic. More important than the books is how their members are inspired from this group. Carol Taylor, a lovely British lady, an @thephuketnews

Members of the Phuket Writers Group. early member of PWG, told me, “I met great people and PWG gave me the inspiration to believe in myself and write.” Over the monthly meetings, Carol received a lot great encouraging peer feedback. “I loved the writing exercises we did at each meeting and the round-robin feedback. It gave me confidence in my writing skills. And publishing the books was a great idea and again gave us local writers a platform.” Though she moved to northern Thailand, she keeps her habit of writing. “Currently, I have a successful blog whose readership is growing, a regular weekly cooking column. My novel is in progress and I have a cookery book soon to be published this year.” Carol believes success is to find the right thing to do and stick to it. “If it wasn't for the group's encouragement I would not be writing today. I would encourage anyone who loves to write to join a group like PWG. You’ll find a great mix of people with various skills who are happy to help and encourage you to become a better writer.” During monthly meetings, PWG discuss subjects like writing styles, genres, plot creating, character designing and building, to how to choose a publishing agent. They do rotation writing practice, appointed subject writing, theme writing, distillation/reduction writing (write the same story with 500 words, then reduce to 100, 50, until 10 words). One could never imagine where an idea may lead. They also share and recommend books which change each member’s reading outlook. AL Seth is an energetic Phuketian. He says, “I joined PWG to find likeminded aspiring writers and I got exactly that. I've spent over 10 years writing short stories, poetry and finished writing a novel alone. When I found out PWG exists (through Facebook search), I immediately jumped at the opportunity and was accepted right away.” AL says, “Being a PWG member quite literally changed my life. Having met fellow writers from all walks of life, I fell into great company, each of whom has great stories to tell, factual and fictitious. I found a real home among the PWG members. For the first time in my writing career, I found validation in my writing in the form of constructive criticism from my peers.” After being a member for nearly two years, AL says he benefited greatly from PWG. “Writing, critiquing, discussions, exchange of ideas, blogging, presenting writing techniques, experimenting with

Great tales and encouraging peer feedback at PWG get-togethers.

themes and circumstances, challenging a writing genre, to name a few... each of which has allowed us to experiment and sharpen our writing and storytelling skills. There is no right or wrong answer, just a series of improvements within your own voice.” AL says “By presenting my Lovecraftian-horror stories to PWG and receiving critiques, I discovered where I could improve. I wouldn’t have improved without PWG. I owe them so much.” AL went back to university in 2017, but being a prominent member of PWG, AL has never been more confident in experimenting with his writing. He believes it’s never too late to start writing

and every moment is the right moment to write. After all, as Mark Twain once said, “Writing is easy. All you have to do is to cross out the wrong words.” Upon joining PWG, all members like to ask the new blood whether they can cook. Once a year, all members have a wonderful potluck to share and celebrate. New members are always welcome at the monthly meetings. Contact them: Phuketpenandpan@ gmail.com All three of their books are available on Amazon.

16 HEALTH

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Affirming your successful life LET’S GET BENT

Kim White kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com

Self-affirmations serve as part of the psychological immune system, repeating these statements make ourselves feel better.

ello and Happy New Year! It blows my mind how fast last year went. Did you achieve everything that you set out to do last year? This month I want to share with you the practice of affirmations, which are an awesome way to start a new year. These tips will send you off, head-first into 2019 – the best year of your life! So what are affirmations? Affirmations are a great way to become more in tune with your own thoughts and allow you to think about your moral and social conduct in relation to how we interact with the world. Self-affirmations are positive, present tense, short statements that you tell yourselves in order to create a self-change and a great, simple way to alter our beliefs about ourselves to be more positive. Self-affirmations serve as part of the psychological immune system, repeating these statements make ourselves feel better. They can have a significant impact on our overall quality of life. Regular affirmations allow us to become more in tune with our thoughts and the way we think about our self in general. When we are conscious of our attitudes towards the self, we can make an effort to eliminate negative thoughts and habits. When we become more aware

TURNING POINTS Expat Mental Wellness Advice

rescription Drugs Today it seems we cannot open a paper or turn on the TV without hearing about the drug epidemic. Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, or whatever new a lethal substance that’s popular seem to dominate the headlines. In Thailand, rarely does a week go by that we don’t read about another huge drug bust of millions dollars’ worth of drugs. However, one type of drug problem that comprises about 1/3 of addiction cases is often the most underreported; that of prescription drug addiction. The types or category of prescription drugs most widely abused may differ from country to country. In the U.S. and the U.K. Opiates, such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Demerol are widely abused. In Scandinavia seda-

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

tives and tranquilizers are the preferred pharmaceutical drug, while in South America, amphetamine based drugs, such as Ritalin, are problematic. Thailand has strict controls over medical grade pain killers and stimulants, but anti-anxiety medications classified as benzodiazepine (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc… ) are the number one addicted prescription drug type. Although benzodiazepine are controlled substances and are supposed to only be prescribed by licensed psychiatrists, they can be found everywhere from clinics, to under the counter pharmacies, to card tables on the sidewalks of Sukhumvit in Bangkok. Benzodiazepine are often used for anxiety reduction, sleep aid and general relaxation. However, sometimes a person may be using mul-

tiple versions of the same drug category for different reasons; creating amplified results. While all addictive drugs involve a measure of detox or withdrawal when stopped, Benzodiazepine literally remap the neuropathways and rapid detox can be life threatening, resulting in stroke, seizures or heart attack. A “benzo” taper involves slowly decreasing the dosage to reduce complications possibly lasting a year or more. Detoxing from prescription pain killers is a briefer but still dangerous endeavor. It is strongly suggested that the stopping of chronic use of any prescription drug be approached with caution and under medical supervision. If you feel you have a problem with prescription drugs, please contact a doctor or addiction specialist.

Craig Gagnon, Clinical Director of Miracles Asia, an Addiction & Mental Wellness Centre in Phuket. www.miraclesasia.com or email info@miraclesasia.com or call 076 529 510.

The more you practice the more you notice what aspects of your life are most important to you. of ourselves, we are able to be mindful of surrounding ourselves with positive things and people. The more you practice the more you notice what aspects of your life are most important to you as well as things that may be limiting your happiness. The benefits of daily affirmations 1. You become aware of your daily thoughts and words, reducing the risk of letting negativity seep in. 2. You notice more synchronicities in your life, which serves to encourage and motivate you to keep up the practice. 3. Daily affirmations not only help keep you surrounded by the things you want in your life but they help bring about more blessings and gifts. 4. A daily practice helps to keep the small things in perspective. In this high-speed world you can easily lose sight of how large the small things really are. When healthy you may forget to think of how much you appreciate it. A simple morning affirmation sentence of “I am healthy” can go a long way. 5. A recent study showed that optimistic people have healthier hearts, and affirmations help you to stay positive. 6. As you continue this practice, others take note and you begin to help those around you without even trying. This, in turn, helps keep you focused 7. Daily affirmations keep you in a constant state of gratitude. My advice is to use a Mala bead string, which has 108 beads, when repeating your affirmation. Each bead is a breath and each bead is also one repeat of your affirmation. The mind is most open and optimal at the first stages of waking up and also at the final stages before going to sleep. I have my Mala beads next to my bed and do a string of affirmations first thing when I wake up to start the day and also last thing at night before I sleep. You can also wrap the Mala beads around your wrist or carry them with you during the day and work with the

Keeping it simple. affirmations at any time of the day you choose also. The more you repeat these positive phrases to yourself the deeper they will start to take effect on your life. I suggest keeping a particular affirmation for a minimum period of one month. These affirmations can be created to help anything – overeating, shyness, bad attitude, laziness, fears and doubts. You can create your own but I have also given you some here as an example as an affirmation needs to be short enough to repeat easily, positive and in the present tense as if it is already happening. 1. I am calm and relaxed in every situation. 2. My body id healthy my mind is focused. 3. My good health and energy are the rewards for the nourishing food I choose to eat. 4. Today I act from love instead of fear. 5. I am a do-er, I take action and get things accomplished. 6. Money flows into my life abundantly. Create an affirmation that sets your 2019 year off in the direction you want to be going. I look forward to sharing this amazing year with you. Happy stretching! Metta Kim oxo thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Tre at Banyan Tree

Chef Kreaton elevates and innovates with local produce

An idyllic setting for fine dining.

THE CULINARY DETECTIVE Chris Watson chriswatsonth@gmail.com

anyan Tree, located in Laguna, is a truly spectacular resort with several highly- rated restaurants, beach frontage, and surrounding saltwater lakes. Tre, its flagship restaurant, will probably be less known to you and tonight, it’s my destination for dinner. I jump on-board a buggy and make my way through pristine grounds of luxury pool villas looking out across manicured lawns and traverse quaint wooden bridges as we head to this paragon of fine dining. Arriving, I am greeted and accompanied through a charming lounge to the restaurant. The vista is breathtaking. I pause to fully digest the scene; all tables are afforded picture postcard views over an expanse of water towards warmly lit villas dotted along the banks of the lake. In the early evening, the lake is enveloped with an ethereal glow. Located in an attractive wooden Thai pavilion one can dine, semi-indoors or below the stars on an outside terrace at the water’s edge. This is a venue that screams romance! Presented with the menus, I am greeted by Chef Kreaton Cutajar, who helpfully explains that his style has a western foundation, however ingredients are wherever possible locally-sourced. This philosophy supports Banyan Tree’s core company commitment to protecting and sustaining the environments in which they operate. The goal, to generate the lowest possible carbon footprint. An admirable philosophy in this age of global warming and amid the critical need to take more care of our environ-

Chef Kreaton Cutajar @thephuketnews

ment for future generations. As I discuss my selections with Chef Kreaton, I discover he is half Maltese and half British; in fact, from Essex. He arrived at Tre from renowned restaurants across the globe and has worked with several celebrity chefs including the infamous Gordon Ramsay. A choice of home-made breads arrives with the typical butter, oil and balsamic offerings, however accompanied more unusually by an eye-popping beetroot dip. Whilst the bright purple colour is self-evident, this humble healthy vegetable has been elevated. Both the smooth texture and earthy flavour of this puree is quite incredible. Following this, an amuse bouche is brought to the table; yet another surprise. A traditional egg box, labelled free range of course, contains simple eggs filled with a punchy chawanmushi egg custard. It is at this point that I realise I am in for a real treat! I have chosen to begin with two starters, the first, home-made agnolotti, half-moon shaped pasta containing taleggio cheese in a sauce of truffle butter and dusted with pecorino cheese. The delicate parcels are perfectly cooked with a hint of bite and the filling gives a pleasant fruity tang to the dish. The pasta is coated in a buttery sauce and the cheesy topping gives the dish a slight saltiness which cuts through the richness of the butter. I follow this with scallops artfully presented with Chiang Mai turnip and a crunchy tonka bean granola adding texture. Truly an excellent beginning. Should I return soon, a somewhat rhetorical question, I would have no difficulty in choosing other appetisers which equally tempt. There is a Thai blue river prawn served with textures of corn or perhaps an heirloom tomato salad with avocado and caviar. They both sound absolutely lush! A picture-perfect palate cleanser is brought to the table as I await the main event, however I will keep this to myself so those of you who visit may enjoy the simply stellar surprise! Main courses follow of a 72-hour braised Wagyu brisket on a bed of polenta with burnt onions and black tea. I opt for side dishes of a truffle potato puree with a decadent texture and crunchy Thai asparagus; this a perfect foil to the wonderfully unctuous beef which literally melts in the mouth. This is a subliminal dish. Other main dishes, I am confident could also deliver the desired flavour bomb. Earlier, I almost took the plunge for a black cod in a rich and powerful dashi broth or a signature Phuket lobster with Thai ginger. I make yet another mental note that I must return.

Tre has in the past closed during the summer-months however I am informed that the management are considering remaining open throughout the year; in case they don’t, heed my recommendation and make a reservation soonest. Leave room for dessert as they are both highly innovative and inspiring. They range from a Longan flower honey dish married with Chiang Mai almonds to a white chocolate confection scented with Thai dill. The attentive staff advise me that my chariot awaits and as I depart, reflect on my quite special evening. There’s clearly no holding this (half) Essex boy back; Tre is his proverbial Ford Sierra Cosworth X4i and should you dine here, which I recommend you do, I have no doubt you will have an elegant experience, whilst traveling at the culinary equivalent of 100 miles per

Wagyu Brisket - A taste sensation. hour. This is good food! The combination of Chef Kreaton and Tre is a recipe for success. Chris is a former Michelin Guide Inspector who, following an international career in hospitality spanning 30 years in both the Middle East and Asia, has now settled in Thailand and will contribute a monthly restaurant column.

18 ISLAND SCENE

dozen lucky listeners won amazing prizes during Phuket Live Radio 89.5's 'The 12 Working Days of Christmas Giveaway!'. All they had to do was listen to 'Good Morning Phuket, 'Afternoons

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

with Donna' and 'Drive on Live' every weekday from December 10-25 and answer a simple question about the island! A huge, festive thank you to all the sponsors of the Giveaway â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

now becoming a Phuket tradition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and congratulations to all the winners. Here are some of the winners as they came to the Class Act Media offices to collect their prizes in the days before Christmas.

Suzanne won a celebration dinner for 10 people to enjoy 'Shabo Q' at Panache Restaurant at Angsana Villas Resort Phuket.

Malin won a Sunday Brunch for two and two nights' stay in a Sky Pool Suite for two adults, inclusive daily breakfast, at The Dream Hotel.

Yoonjin won a XANA Sunday Brunch for two, food and free-flow soft drink package. Stuart won a Sunday Brunch voucher for 2 persons at Cosmo restaurant at The Nai Harn.

Viktoriya won a New Year's Eve feast at Firefly restaurant at The Pavilions.

Candice won a B5,000 voucher to use at Breeze Spa at the Amari Phuket.

Adam won Sunday Brunch for two at the Banyan Tree Phuket.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

ISLAND SCENE 19

THE GIFT IS IN THE GIVING!

host of guests from hotels and other businesses who have worked with Class Act Media throughout the year stopped by our

Banyan Tree, Cassia & Banyan Tree Spa proved three’s definitely not crowd.

Hotel Clover delivered Seasons’s Greeetings in person.

Le Meridien were all smiles to stop by.

Marriott Merlin Beach were in for an environmentally-friendly Christmas.

Phuket Boat Lagoon dropped us a hint with some healthy goodies.

@thephuketnews

offices to wish us a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We thank you all, and wish one and all a very Merry Festive Season and a safe New Year!

The Angsana team stopped by with a basket of goodies.

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa dropped in, too.

LTU Aviation Services landed in time to give deliver their season’s greetings.

Marriott Nai Yang made the New Year run-up special.

Sala Phuket said it with a smile. Thank you!

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ported seafood with exceptional Lobsters dishes, Japaneses starters, mouth-watering meats, Asian wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings. Explore our latest brunch version with the Mixology beverage package by Wynn, 4th Thailand Best Bartender from Diageo World Class 2018. Every Sunday from 12.00 - 15.30. Prices start from THB 2,800 net per person. Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@ banyantree.com, 076 372 400.

4 JAN

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

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

SUN

6 JAN

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

MON

7 JAN

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

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

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

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-late performed by our famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - RESERVE your table now online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/ TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht.Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.

Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavourbursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com

WED

9 JAN

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

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch The Banyan Tree Brunch experience offers a generous selection of live fresh, local and im-

Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket. com or call 076 338 888.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

THU

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

10 JAN

ebration of yachting and all things luxury. There will be live radio seminars, exotic car parades and activities for all the family to enjoy, including a painting competition from Elephant Parade where you can win prizes.

FRI

SUN

13 JAN

EVERY DAY

11 JAN

RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70s & 80s Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Flambé 300g Australian grass-fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY B495. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY B95. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at www. TwoChefs.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook/TwoChefsThailand. Come for the food, stay for the fun! Reservations: Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076 330 065, Kata Beach 076 333 370, Karon 076 286 479 or Patong 076 344 914.

TREVOR LOCK IN PHUKET

Boat Lagoon Weekend 11-12 January 2019 Beat & Bite. Music & Food & Fun. From 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm. at Lagoon Quay. พบกับงานแสดง

ดนตรี อาหาร และความสนุกหลากหลายรูปแบบ ทีง่ านโบ๊ ทลากูนวีคเอนด์ Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket Boat Lagoon.

SAT

Announcing STANDUP ASIA’s next show featuring British, Malaysian, and South African comedian. Do not miss TREVOR LOCK (UK) with special guest RIZAL VAN GEYZEL (Malaysia) and host DUSTIN MOORE (South Africa). Tickets are on sale now from 350 THB (limited early bird), 600 THB (show only), 950 THB (burger, 2 beverages & show), or 1400 THB for VIP tickets, which includes free-flow drinks, meet & greet with the comedians, and the best seats in the house. Get your tickets today on TicketFlap: www.ticketflap.com/phuketcomedy-trevorlock Magic Rock, Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket.

SAT

Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant Spoil yourself with seafood set from noon – 10 pm every day! Come and crack open some crab legs, grilled mussels, peel some prawns, rock lobsters, sip some spicy tom yam soup and toast to your perfect night at this beachfront restaurant in Patong overlooking the sea (sunset) views. Start from THB 450. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impia Resort Patong, patong@impiana.com, 076 340 138.

26 JAN

12 JAN

PAPA Event 2019

Raw Movement is the Key to Vitality @ Outrigger Laguna Are you a Movement Machine?

Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous 2019 Held at Royal Phuket Marina from 10-13 of January, the THAILAND YACHT SHOW AND RENDEZVOUS combines all three of the island’s previous boat shows to create the definitive cel-

@thephuketnews

Come and join us for a dynamic physical and educational experience that will give you the Know How To Look and Feel Your Best! Your Team has a combined 50 of professional experience and are passionate about the carrying the message.The team includes Craig Burton- Nutrition, Thomas Engberts -Physiotherapist, and Rob Morgan and Optimal Strength and Performance Coach. Your ticket includes two action packed training sessions , all meals the Highlight being a BBQ dinner on the Beach, plus all Master Classes. Price 9500b Contact Darren 061 251 9768 darrenscherbain@gmail.com

On the 26th of January 2019 the PAPA will host Instruments for Orphans Live at the Underwood Art Factory to raise funds for the Instruments for Orphans drive. It start at 7pm and will feature the best and cutest students from PAPA, The Young Musicians Collective, JamStart and special guest AndreaH. For information email papa@ legendmusic.net

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

ZUMA returns to Anantara Layan Award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant, ZUMA, returns for a third season to the beachfront at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort between 15 December 2018 and 15 February 2019. For more information and bookings, please call + 66 (0) 7631 7200 or email zuma@ anantara.com

22 TIME OUT

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Where was Elvis Presley born? 2. What was the first civilian supersonic plane in the world called? 3. Which is the smallest planet in the Solar System? 4. What is generally considered to be the average human body temperature? 5. Which five countries share a border with Slovakia? Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. High school subject 5. Half of an old radio duo 9. Swamplike 14. Coiffure 15. Pine away 16. Sprang up 17. Downturn in stocks 18. South African Dutch 19. Jewish calendar month 20. Glimpses of childhood perhaps 23. Cleo’s undoing 24. Bygone greeting 25. Limestone 28. Put on hold 30. Made a physics law 32. Before medical or historic 33. Use a clothes line? 35. Perfect 37. Vivid recall 40. Force units 41. Appetizer 42. Modern 43. Fellows 44. Reddish brown 48. A slow passage in a musical piece 51. Make a selection

52. Opposite of WSW 53. Bring up an old scandal, perhaps 57. Build on 59. Latoya’s brother 60. Fujairah bigwig 61. Troy beauty 62. “I’ll second that” 63. Scale for Ravi 64. Gulf 65. Rabbit look-alike 66. Pubs Down 1. Light cotton fabric used for draperies 2. New 3. ___ l’oeil 4. A Pueblo people 5. Normal! 6. Yukon denizen 7. Crude group? 8. Dry 9. ___ Popular 10. Architectural projection 11. Tattler 12. Gov. admin office 13. Appetite 21. Groups of warships

22. ___ de guerre 26. Cafeteria carrier 27. An oily fish 29. Put on 30. Black and white whales 31. Song of praise 34. Backgammon equipment 35. Attribute 36. Acts 37. Sized up 38. Deep down 39. Headset 40. Evidence 43. Dig up 45. Deck figure 46. Banner 47. Bright fish 49. Famous tech billionaire 50. Enduring symbols, var. 51. “Animal House” role 54. Kings Peak state 55. Cotton type 56. Italian composer, Jacopo 57. I found out! 58. Society girl

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Tupelo, Mississippi; 2) The Tupolev Tu-144; 3) Mercury; 4) 37°C; 5) Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

states in the US have a 40-hour, minimum wage work week that pays enough to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

2.5

days is spent every year by the average American looking for misplaced items.

dollars in your pocket and no debt makes you wealthier than 15% of American households.

11,415

Morning sky at Rawai. Photo: Jeffrey Ephreim Villanueva Villegas Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

sharks are killed every hour by human activities, according to a study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

43 billion

US dollars worth of unopened, edible food is thrown out in the US every year. Source: Uberfacts

This week in history Jan 4, 1948 Burma gains its independence from the United Kingdom becoming an independent republic, named the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu its first Prime Minister. Jan 5, 1066 Edward the Confessor, one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England, dies childless, sparking a succession crisis that eventually leads to the Norman conquest of England.

Jan 6, 1929 Mother Teresa arrives in Calcutta, India, to begin her work among India’s poorest and sick people.

Jan 9, 2007 Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the original iPhone – the first smartphone model designed and marketed by Apple Inc, colloquially known as the “iPhone 2G” after 2008 – at a Macworld keynote in San Francisco. (Photo: AFP)

Jan 7, 2015 Two gunmen commit mass murder at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, shooting 12 people execution style, and wounding 11 others.

Steve Jobs and the first iPhone.

Jan 8, 1297 François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, leads his men to capture

the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco, establishing his family as the rulers of Monaco.

Jan 10, 49 BC Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon river, in northeastern Italy, just south of Ravenna, signalling the start of civil war. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Jobs

International Sales Support

APR is an international company dealing with customers in Asia and Australia, as well as decorative surface suppliers from Europe. Asia Pacific Representatives Ltd are looking for: • Sales Support staff for decorative products • Age: 20-35 years • Thai National • Excellent English language skills required • Knowledge of Microsoft office • Comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Excel • Office location: Phuket – Chalong Tasks will include: - Project tracking and follow up - Communication with international suppliers and customers - Understanding of our products and services Please submit your resume and recent photo jobs@apr-pfleiderer.com @thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

Website operator

Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: S i a m . s e r e n i t y. t h @ g m a i l . c o m , 0874178715.

Thai Yoga Instructor

Position available now - Full Time Position - 24 Yoga Classes per month. Wellness Skills - Certificated to teach various Yoga Styles. Additional Health Skills i.e. Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, etc. - Assist with Yoga Class inquires and Retreat health consultations. English Speaking - Thai National only 25,000 to 30,000. Kenneth Miller 0866041333. www.ccshideaway.com/ wellness.htm

Need a governess/ nanny

A family needs a nanny for a special needs child. The ideal candidate will have a background in teaching and varied methods of promoting learning in a fun way. Working 6 days per week. English speaker essential. Celina teacherphuket@gmail. com

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OTHER

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYachtAgency.com, 081-894 -3234 (French/English), 086-2690808 (Thai/English).

Riviera sport fishing boat

Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42â&#x20AC;? Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel. 9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@ crone.net.au

Boat Rinker 290

Rinker 290 with trailer Continental 2017, engine Volvo Penta, Under warranty includes all standard equipment, less then 100 hours used. More information in link: clc. la/07hDmA 3,990,000, +66-97-175-00-96.

N GE

BUSINESS FOR SALE Golden Business Opportunity

Brand new two story massage shop for UR sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. 1.2 Million THB ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_lek55@hotmail.com, 099 362 7979.

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Toyota Soluna - cheap!

FURNITURE T EN

NEW, LUXURY 2-UNIT

LEATHER SOFA Year 2000, under 200,000km, recently URG BOUGHT IN SB DESIGN SQUARE changed battery, checked engine - all PHUKET. LUXURY KELVIN GIORMANI works. Has dents and scratches but SOFA. PERFECT, NEVER USED. PAID PRICE B67,500/ starts every time and goes from A to B. 0836012526. UNIT TOTAL B135,000 NOW B50,000/UNIT TOTAL Toyota GT 2013 - FT86 B100,000. W2.30m D1.65m H65-90cm. 0930914502. GT Brembo brake system. Adjustable MOTORBIKES FOR SALE suspension, remote auto adjust w/ te controls. Performance exhaust. 2Din Pioneer Ducati Multistrada 2012 AVH-X8850BT sound system. Audison speakers. Wheels 2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condiADV7.1SL. 1 Piece forged. 2 mil. Or best offer..., Dan Miles, tion. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maindanmilesmedia@gmail.com, 065 621 5541, Thai 091 165 9332 tained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank Amazing Deal! bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com, 081-734-8309. 2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 PROPERTY FOR SALE Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic Single story home for sale insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 1 on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket. It is kept in great living room, 2 cars parking space. Fully condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 465,000 furnished, Jacuzzi, walk-in wardrobes, garden and THB. Adam 091 016 1167. E L swimming pool with Sala. Can do more build-in. Sunny, A TS 2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab N sunny@transinco.eu, 0823775555. GE UR 78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. House for Sale/Rent Looks and feels like a new car, treated like Fully furnished with swimming pool, 3 beda baby by its single owner. Engine clean rooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168. rooms, Large entertainment area. Convenient location close to major shopping center and international schools. Easy access to airport. Long term lease 65,000 includes pool +garden services. Negotiable Price, Bea, Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu, l.thumwong@gmail.com, 098 194 9351 and 097 352 4114.

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Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE GE UR

Bkk urban living near BTS

NEW 2 bedrooms for sale: Noble Ploenchit Condominium Next to BTS Ploenchit Station, Walk to Central Embassy & Central Chidlom Dept Store. 2 bedrooms, 85 Sqm, corner unit, high fl, unblock View, fully fitted wardrobe & kitchen, aircon, bathrooms Facility: beautiful swimming pool & common area, gym, sauna 23,500,000, Jitsarn, jitsarn@yahoo.com, 0859776301.

Lovely Pool Villa, Nai Harn

Prime location, 4 bedrooms, large garden and pool, 764 sqm, Chanote title, double garage. Great family home or investment property. Motivated seller. 12,500,000, Dean, dmuir@exotiq. com, 0857932667.

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@gmail. com, 66870608400.

Villa Mission Heights big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@gmail.com, 0870608400.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Penthouse for sale

432.44 sqm Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities. See beachsuites.com/ gallery. No brokers please. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662. T EN

Villa in Boat Lagoon Marina

5 bedroom, pre-school place in walking disU tance, 10mins to BISP, 30mins to UWC and HeadStart. Must Sell, Pls contact for price. Pen, pen@ mindproperties.net, +66 (0) 874658883. RG

T EN

House for Sale or Rent, Rawai

Cape Lam Promthep, Rawai - Nature area, beside sea. Swimming. Very quiet, just live and enjoy your life. If you want to make money perfect for building Rental Homes or Healing or Mediation center - Chanote land is not the way to go. We can’t own anything here with Thai wife unless stay together a long time and can take everything so best to Rent Land and have contract with a Thai. - All houses this area some WORTH MILLIONS OF EUROS ARE ON, “ LAND RENTED FROM GOVERNMENT,” FOR APPROXIMATELY 1000 BAHT A YEAR FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT. “You can Sell your Right to Occupy to others,” – this is LEGAL - Same as Crown Land in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and America, but still hasn’t stopped people from building expensive homes and title can be up graded with time - 12 million baht sale or 30,000 baht rent (one year rent in advance) - Almost 3 rai BESIDE THE SEA ( Zoned Yellow) CAN BUILD MULTIPLE HOMES, Healing or Meditation Center - TWO HOUSES, One large house 2 bedrooms and 2 bath, 2 decks, One Small House 1 bedroom and 1 bath 1 deck 12million or 30,000 month Andy, capt_canada42@yahoo.com, 091 823 2271.

GE UR

BKK condo by Chaophya River

The Water Mark: Luxurious living by the majestic river “Chaophya”, the river of the King. Located on Charoen Nakhon Road. Beautiful, spacious condo 283.6 Sqm. / 4 bedrooms / high floor (52nd floor) /panoramic view of the city & river / fully fitted to highest standard Facility: swimming pool by the river, gym, sauna 40,500,000-, Jitsarn, jitsarn@yahoo.com, 0859776301.

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote

Private location in prestige area. Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.

Hot sale! Pool villa Naiharn

A lovely fully furnished pool villa in a secured estate in Naiharn, 5 minutes drive to Naiharn beach and 10 minutes drive to Kata. Freehold. 455 sqm of land. Sold fully furnished and equipped (solid teak furniture and high quality equipment). phukethomecareservice@gmail.com, 0638394973.

1 Bed Condo in Laguna

Exquisite Property meets Luxury Area in the Heart of Phuket. Welcome to the Ocean Sands, an upcoming hotel development located close to the Laguna Area, one of Phuket’s most luxury and trending areas. Comprising a total of 213 keys ranging from our signature 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite up to our well-appointed Family Suite, this exquisite property equipped with large swimming pools around central simulated beach and five-star standard facilities will become a new enjoyment for lifestyle living. Invest with us and elevate your lifestyle, be a part of the Ocean Sands. phuket@thairesidential.com, 0872699206. UR

T EN

House for sale

Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road. 082 377 5555.

GE UR

HOT PRICE - SURIN BEACH

PENTHOUSE

Stunning ocean & sunset views over Patong bay-2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms fully furnished with car park & pool 121sqm+. Email for more details penthousedicw@gmail.com

Unique Investment Opportunity

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

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT GE UR

3 B/R, Duplex, 170 sq/m. Shared pool, three decks, fully furnished. 400 meters from Surin Beach. Great Condition. Must sell jgstryker@ gmail.com 5,699,000, 0836450097

5-Bed Pool Villa 1.2 Rai Rawai

Villa with 4 beds, open-plan living area, western kitchen. Separate 1-bed guest suite. Separate workshop and laundry. Pool 11mx5m, large private garden, residential area. www.thaivillaonline.com Price - B15,750,000. 0844477247.

Beach Front Land

3 B/R Surin Duplex

400m from Surin Beach, fully furnished. Shared pool, 3 bathroom, and two decks/ salas. 38k per/month jgstryker@gmail.com 0836450097.

* 128 meter of white sand beach frontage * amazing views * 9 Rai , Secure Nor Sor 3 Kor tittle * located on Koh Yao Yai * 20 minutes boat drive from Phuket * public road with water and electricity * ideal for high-end development * ready to build * sale direct by owner *ONLY 11.9 Mill. Baht / Rai Email : montha_phuket@ yahoo.com Tel: 095 014 7888. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

SPORT 29

A year of missed chances Thailand’s War Elephants fail to capitalise on a slew of opportunities FOOTBALL Hanif Hassan

or Thai football, the year 2018 came to an end in the same dreary way it started and there wasn’t much to cherish in between as well. The year ushered in an ominous warning for the Thais of what lies ahead and the country’s football fans were rewarded for their unwavering love for the War Elephants with heartbreaks on most occasions. The three straight losses that led to a humiliating firstround exit at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China where regional foes Malaysia and Vietnam grossly outperformed the Thais were just the beginning. It resulted in the sacking of Zoran Jankovic, a trusted lieutenant of current national team manager Milovan Rajevac, as the youth team coach but it didn’t bring much respite. Here is a look at how the Thai national teams fared in 2018. Golden silver The Thais were the favourites to retain the prestigious King’s Cup trophy but were denied by Slovakia, who won the final at Rajamangala National Stadium 3-2 in March. Coach Rajevac said he was proud of the way his team played in the title match. “I am very much proud of my team. Look at the Fifa rankings, Slovakia are 100 places higher than Thailand. We were inferior to Slovakia in every department but the players fought to the best of their ability for the fans,” Rajevac said after the match. “We caused them trouble. The silver medal is like a gold medal.” Thailand entered the final after beating a depleted Gabon side missing their star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of English Premier League club Arsenal. After a goalless draw in regulation with Gabon, Thailand were lifted by goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan, who made a couple of spectacular saves in the penalty shoot-out, which the hosts won 4-2. Women power The Thai women’s team were accorded a warm welcome in April after their heroic run at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 earned them the fourth spot in Jordan and a World Cup berth. Although Thailand’s cam@thephuketnews

Thailand finished second at the King’s Cup.

Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac paign at the Amman tournament ended in a 3-1 loss to mighty China in the third-place play-off, their coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian rated it as a “success”. Later, the Chaba Kaew have been drawn in a tough group for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup first round battles. The official draw for the finals in Paris this month placed Thailand in Group F along with defending champions the United States, European giants Sweden and first-timers Chile. Dragons’ bite The Chinese came over to test the mettle of the Thais in a friendly game in June and Wu Lei scored twice as the clinical Dragons got the better of the War Elephants 2-0 on a soggy Rajamangala National Stadium pitch. The hosts had more possession but China were much sharper up front as Wu was on target in each half. It was a big test for both Thailand and Rajevac, as the veteran Serbian coach had been brought in by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) with the particular aim of improving the team’s performance against Asian big guns. Jakarta debacle The Thais went to the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia with high hopes but were eliminated in the group stage. The first-round exit of the men’s U23 team in Jakarta came about after 1-1 draws with Qatar and Bangladesh and a 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan in the last round-robin game. The Asian Games debacle stirred up a hornet’s nest and the sacking of Worrawoot Srimaka, the man who oversaw the War Elephants’ failure, followed. T h e p u bl ic cl a m o u r stemmed from a string of lacklustre performances by a clueless lot of mediocre players and exposed the dearth of tal-

Pisan Jundilok and Somyot Poompunmuang in Russia.

Thailand shone at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Thailand takes on Bangladesh at the Asian Games.

Buriram’s Suchao Nutnum lifts Thai League 1 trophy.

ent that is currently hampering the growth of football in the country.

an ultimatum to deliver at next month’s AFC Asian Cup or pack his bags.

Farewell to goalkeeper The month of October provided a couple of bright spots for the Thai national squad. A trip to Hong Kong yielded a 1-0 win over Hong Kong in an away friendly, and it was followed by a victory by the same scoreline against a “stronger” Trinidad and Tobago in Suphan Buri. Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool wrapped up his epic international career in Thailand’s 1-0 victory over fancied Trinidad and Tobago. Thailand’s Japan-based stars Theerathon Bunmathan, Teerasil Dangda and Chanathip Songkrasin played in Sinthaweechai’s testimonial.

Shining stars Despite all the setbacks, there were some encouraging developments as well. Crafty playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin became the first Thai ever to be named among the best 11 of the Japanese league this season. The year also saw the emergence of a talented forward in young Supachai Chaided, giving Thailand the hope of finding a successor to prolific

striker Teerasil Dangda. Moreover, the men’s team ended the year ranked 118th in the world, that is 12 places better than the spot they had managed in 2017.

Major heartbreak The 2018 Suzuki Cup, the Southeast Asian football championship, was supposed to be the War Elephants’ chance to provide a balm for the suffering fans and they were the hot favourites to retain the crown. The script unfolded in an unexpected manner and tens of thousands of Thai fans were left staring into the dark in disbelief at Rajamangala National Stadium earlier this month when Malaysia pulled off a 2-2 draw to eliminate the Thais at the semi-final stage on the basis of away goals. Adisak Kraisorn missed an injury-time penalty to let Malaysia off the hook. Thailand had held Malaysia to a scoreless draw in the semi-final first leg in Kuala Lumpur. What disappointed the fans the most was the docile way in which the region’s undoubted kings of football let the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of the Asean title slip from their hands. Rajevac’s overly defensive tactics were derided across all forms of media and the veteran Serb has been served

Friends turn foes In a development which is witnessed rarely in the Thai sports circles, Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompunmuang sacked the governing body’s secretary-general, his “good friend” Pisan Jundilok. As the ruling became effective on Nov 1, Pol Lt Gen Pisan

accused Pol Gen Somyot and his associates of mismanagement and called on the Sports Authority of Thailand to look into the matter. Somyot hit back, saying he had performed his duty in a straightforward manner. He added that Pisan was fired because a large number of member clubs were not happy with his performance. Pisan claims he and Somyot are still friends. Domestic scene Buriram United comfortably retained the Thai League 1 title with a record 87 points. However, their aim to sweep three major crowns was dashed when they suffered a shock loss to Bangkok Glass in the League Cup semi-finals and were beaten by Chiang Rai United in the FA Cup final. Chiang Rai were Cup kings as they also won the League Cup. Fallen giants Bangkok Glass and Police Tero, formerly BEC Tero, were relegated from Thai League 1 along with Ubon UMT, Navy and Air Force Central.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Catching the Giant Snakehead

Brave the jungle at Cheow Lan to land over-protective predator FISH THE EXOTIC

f you are looking for a break from saltwater fishing or freshwater stocked lakes and want to fish in a stunning natural environment, then why not try wild freshwater fishing in Cheow Lan Lake. Ratchaprapha Dam Reservoir, as it is also called, is located in the centre of Khao Sok National Park. The huge 160-square-kilometre lake was created when the dam was built to generate an electricity source in 1987. The scenery is breathtaking with picturesque jungle covered mountains surrounding the lake. The dense rainforest provides a home for some amazing wildlife. If you have a keen eye it is possible to see wild elephants, otters, monkeys, bears and countless bird species. A two- or three-day trip is suggested as it’s a two-hour car ride from Phuket airport and then a lengthy boat ride

Accurate casting is paramount to catching these fish. Repeated casts to the same target until the fish finally reaches a breaking point can make all the difference. to prime fishing areas, which does not make a one-day trip worthwhile. Local accommodation is available ranging from very basic Thai-style bamboo huts to a recently added air-conditioned bungalow resort. Fishing is always from longtail boats piloted by local guides who know the waters like the back of their

hands. There are no hydrographic maps here and local knowledge is essential as you definitely wouldn’t want to get lost amongst the many islands. Lure fishing using top water baits to structure or balls of fry is probably the most exciting and productive method. The snakehead guard their fry with a vengeance and will have no qualms attack-

ing a lure that they think is a predator trying to devour their young. Accurate casting is paramount to catching these fish. Repeated casts to the same target until the fish finally reaches a breaking point can make all the difference. Toman as they are also called put up an extremely strong and acrobatic fight and will test any medium to

heavy action bait casting or spinning equipment. If you are lucky enough to subdue one of these brutes then a word of caution when removing hooks from these fish as they have no qualm about taking a chunk out of your hand or a finger. A Boga grip and long nose pliers are a must. A nother sought-af ter predator caught on a variety of lures is the Hampala barb, or more aptly named Jungle perch. They also take top water baits but will take crank baits spoons or just about any minnow imitating lure. A good fishing fact to remember is that 90% of fish come from 10% of the water fished makes fishing with a knowledgeable guide essential. I would strongly recommend contacting Neil Robinson http://www.fishing-khaolak. com who has fished these waters for years if you would like to put the odds in your favour. This vast area is truly a lure fisherman’s paradise and should not be overlooked by any serious lure casting enthusiast or nature lover.

If you have questions about fishing in and around Phuket please feel free to contact us by email and we will do our best to help you with an accurate answer or direct you to another reliable source. By Mike Bailey, Exotic Fishing Thailand Co Ltd Email; exoticfishingthailand@gmail. com Telephone; English 0883799377 or Thai 0811995922 facebook; h t t p s ://w w w.f a c e b o o k . com/E xotic-Fishing-Thailand-427820143951674/ Website; www.exoticfishingthailand.com

SEA Games to host five tennis events TENNIS ORGANISERS OF THE NEXT YEAR’S SEA Games in the Philippines have agreed to restore the number of tennis gold medals to five, Kitsombat Euammongkol, Ppresident of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT), confirmed last week. The hosts left out the discipline altogether from the initial list of preferred sports for the Games, but later reversed the decision, agreeing only to stage the men and women’s singles and mixed doubles events at the biennial tournament scheduled for Nov 30-Dec 11. After a recent meeting between the SEA Games member nations and David Haggerty, President of the International Tennis Federation, an agreement was reached that the Games will feature five events: the men’s singles, doubles; women’s singles, doubles; and mixed doubles events. The team competition was dropped from the list. Kitsombat said he told Antonio Cablitas, President of the Philippines Tennis Association, that tennis has five events at the Asian and Olympic Games with no team contests, so the SEA Games should follow suit. “I told him the SEA Games should follow the Olympic and Asian Games’ standards. The team event has been scrapped because we agree that it takes too much time and that could take its toll on the athletes,” Kitsombat explained.

Kitsombat Euammongkol, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT). “We should focus more on protecting the athletes and try to keep them fit for the showcase singles events,” he added. At the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia in 2017, Thailand won four gold medals, with only the men’s singles title missing from the haul, besides also claiming two silver and three bronze medals.\ Jirat Navasirisomboon won silver in the men’s singles, while Luksika Kumkhum won gold in the women’s singles. Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana won gold in the men’s doubles, and Nicha Lertpitaksinchai and Peangtarn Plipuech won gold in the women’s doubles, with Nicha Lertpitaksinchai and Sanchai Ratiwatana winning gold in the mixed doubles. Bangkok Post thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Five things that have gone wrong for Manchester City FOOTBALL AFP

Four competitions take their toll Even for a squad as deep as City’s, English football’s unique combination of a packed festive period and an extra cup competition can stretch resources.

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MONTHLY SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for January 2019 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach.

EPL PREDICTIONS (AS OF DEC 28)

nglish champions Manchester City slumped to a third shock defeat in four Premier League games at Leicester on Boxing Day to slip to third in the table and several points adrift of unbeaten leaders Liverpool. Just a few weeks ago City seemed unstoppable as they started their title defence with a 15-game unbeaten run. However, a 2-0 reverse at Chelsea has sparked a run of three defeats in 18 days as Crystal Palace and Leicester both came from behind to hand Liverpool a huge advantage in the title race. Here’s a looks at what has caused City’s sudden collapse: Fernandinho irreplaceable City coped admirably in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence for most of the campaign through injury thanks to an array of creative midfielders, but have badly missed Fernandinho’s ability to play the more destructive role in midfield in the last two games. The 33-year-old Brazilian had started every league game until Palace’s visit and is the one player in City’s squad without a natural replacement. Pep Guardiola tried to sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho from Napoli in the summer as cover for Fernandinho.

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MONTHLY STANDINGS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

Griffsbar 40 tommy42 38 fazza 37 Fitz 37 LateStart 37

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

fazza 115 Smiley Bar 115 giggs 114 Griffsbar 113 Fitz 112

English Premier League 2018 - 2019

Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell (left) beats Manchester City’s Danilo to the ball during their Premier League match on December 26. Photo: AFP Since December 13, City played five matches including three Premier League games, one Champions League match and a League Cup tie. And the injuries have piled up, with De Bruyne and David Silva missing several weeks, while Sergio Aguero hasn’t started due to injury. Missing Mendy Left-back has also been a problem position, even as City enjoyed great success last season, due to Benjamin Mendy’s knee troubles. The Frenchman’s return to fitness and form in the early weeks of the season promised to give City an extra dimension to their attack, but he’s been sidelined again since early November. Fabian Delph, a central midfielder by trade, has filled in at left-back, but is now facing a three-match ban after being sent off at Leicester.

Defending the Premier League difficult Guardiola won three consecutive league titles at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but retaining the English title has proved impossible for any team in the past decade. A Manchester United side containing Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were the last to do it in 2008/09. City’s record haul of 100 points last season led many to believe they would buck that trend, but it’s proving tougher than expected. Can City chase? The question remains whether a Guardiola side can chase down a title rival to win the league in the manner Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United made routine in the 1990s. In most of Guardiola’s seven title triumphs, his Barca, Bayern and City sides have been well in front by this stage

of the season. “We have to find an explanation,” said Bernardo Silva. “It’s mathematically possible, but we have to be almost perfect from now.”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Team

Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Manchester City Chelsea Arsenal Manchester United Leicester City Everton West Ham United Watford Wolverhampton Bournemouth Brighton Crystal Palace Newcastle United Southampton Cardiff City Burnley Fulham Huddersfield Town

MP 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

16 15 14 12 11 9 8 7 8 8 7 8 6 5 4 3 4 3 2 2

D 3 0 2 4 5 5 4 6 3 3 5 2 4 4 5 6 3 3 5 4

0 4 3 3 3 5 7 6 8 8 7 9 9 10 10 10 12 13 12 13

43 42 51 37 41 37 24 31 27 26 20 27 21 17 14 20 18 17 17 12

7 18 15 16 25 31 22 29 28 27 22 33 27 25 26 35 38 41 43 34

+36 +24 +36 +21 +16 +6 +2 +2 -1 -1 -2 -6 -6 -8 -12 -15 -20 -24 -26 -22

Pts 51 45 44 40 38 32 28 27 27 27 26 26 22 19 17 15 15 12 11 10

Premier League table and prediction competition scores correct at time of going to press, before Dec 29 matches.

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Man City Premier League hopes take a stumble > p31

CHAMPION IN OUR MIDST Long-term Phuket resident has sights firmly set on World Masters Championships

Long-term Phuket resident and gold medallist Michele Hossack has her sights set firmly on the World Masters Championships in Toronto 2020. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

ATHLETICS Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

ollowing on from her success at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships held at the southern Spanish city of Malaga from September 4-16, Michele Hossack, a long-term Phuket resident, now has her sights firmly set on her next competition, the World Masters Championships in Toronto 2020. On September 8, over 200 athletes from 101 countries gathered in Malaga for the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships, and to accommodate the large number of athletes competing and the number events taking place, four tracks were needed as well as out-of-stadia courses for cross country, half marathon and road walks. As for the ages of competitors, the oldest man competing was a 102-year-old Italian and the oldest woman, who was also 102, represented India.

But Michele was there to compete for Australia in three individual events – 300m hurdles, and the 400m and 200m sprints – and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Michele made the finals in both the 400m, where she finished fourth, and the 200m, where she finished sixth place. In the relays the teams placed just outside the medals in both events. But it was in the finals of her main event, the 300m hurdles, where Michele surpassed all expectation. She led the field from the start, winning a gold medal and the title of World Champion. Her time of 49.49 seconds was a new Australian age group record. In a recent interview with The Phuket News, Michele revealed that she competed internationally for Northern Ireland throughout the late 70s and was a member of the British Junior squad for the 400m hurdles in the early 80s. “But when I finished university in 1982 I met an Aussie surfer and spent the next 20 years sailing around the world (on a 32-ft sail-

boat) and had two babies along the way,” she said. “In my late forties while training for a triathlon with my teenage daughter in Phuket, I was approached and asked to represent Phuket at the upcoming Thailand Masters Athletics Championships. Since then I have competed in the Thai masters, the Singapore masters, Indonesian masters, Japanese masters and Australian masters’ competitions. “I have also represented Australia in Oceania masters, Asian masters and three World Championships,” Michele remarked. But then Michelle revealed that in 2017 she completely tore two of the tendons attaching to her right hamstring. “So I missed the whole of last year, making my achievements in Malaga this year so much sweeter! “I competed in three events (plus relays) and performed well in all three but excelled in the 300m hurdles where I ran a [personal best] and set another new Australian record,” she said.

Right now Michele is back to basic fitness training with three to four weights sessions per week, building up her gluteus and hamstrings mostly. “I also try to go for a 5km run around Bang Wad Dam two-three times per week, plus running with the Phuket Hash House Harriers most Saturdays. I still do one track session each week working on speed or speed endurance. I also like to cycle or paddle board at least once weekly,” she said. But Michele says her main problem with training here in Phuket is that she has no one to train with and no coach. “Over the 10 years that I have been involved with masters’ athletics I have had to come to terms with the fact that I do it on my own or I move to a different country. “Lack of competition is perhaps my main challenge as I sometimes go into a world championship having only competed twice that year. And every competition I do, I have to travel to, which always involves airfares and hotels, making the

whole endeavour a very expensive one,” she says. Michele says another huge challenge here is the weather and the facilities. “I am extremely fortunate in having the use of the track at Surakul Stadium. I keep some hurdles and a set of starting blocks in the back of my car, but I have no access to high jump mats, a workable long jump pit or throwing facilities, so I cannot train for multi events (heptathlon).” Of course, there’s also the problem of the rainy season! “The main northern hemisphere athletics season is June, July, August, and September… our wet season. “Two years ago, in 2016, the rain was torrential. I went into the world championships in Perth, Australia, knowing that my preparation was not nearly as good as it should have been as the track had been flooded most days,” Michele explains. “Add to that the fact that my previous competition was in the Asian championships in Singapore in May, I was ill prepared to perform well.” thephuketnews