The Phuket News 05 October 2018

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

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DEATH REPORTED AT ‘PHOENIX’ SALVAGE SITE > PAGE 2

SAFETY STANDARDS

NEWS

New Governor makes promise to the people

LIFE What remains of a large section of the Tribhum attraction at Central Phuket Floresta which burnt to the ground last Saturday (Sept 29). Photo: Chalong Municipality

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Eco event drives sustainable tourism agenda

TRIBHUM STRUCTURE ‘CONFORMED WITH MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS’, SAYS WICHIT OFFICIAL The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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n official from Wichit Municipality involved in the investigation into the fire at the Tribhum attraction at Central Phuket Floresta last Saturday (Sept 29) has confirmed that the structure of the attraction that burnt to the ground did meet the municipality’s required safety standards.

Speaking to The Phuket News on Monday (Oct 1), Kumron Lilert of Wichit Municipality’s Engineering Department said, “The Tribhum attraction did meet with all the required safety standards set out

by municipal regulations.”

Mr Kumron’s comments come despite him also saying that the affected area of the Tribhum attraction, a 3D virtual adventure fantasy walkthrough, which was to officially open in November, burnt to the ground in just 20 minutes.

“The burnt section of the Tribhum attraction was 10 metres high. The fire started at the top of the structure and them moved down towards the ground. The whole of the affected structure was completely burnt in 20 minutes,” he said.

When The Phuket News reporter asked Mr Kumron what materials were used in the burnt out structure,

he confirmed, “The material was fibreglass mixed with other materials. However, I am not yet sure what those other materials were. Right now I cannot make any conclusion.”

The Phuket News also asked Mr Kumron if he knew if paint had been used on the exter ior of the structure for effect. To this he replied, “I don’t know.”

Asked if he thought paint on the exterior of the structure could possibly have led to the fire, he said, “I personally don’t think it led to the fire, but I have no idea.”

Mr Kumron then went on to say that the affected area of the Tribhum attraction would be completely sealed

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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off to anyone other than those involved in the investigation for 30 days.

“Today (Oct 1) we are composing a letter ordering this area be out of bounds. This will come into affect tomorrow (Oct 2). All people other than those involved in the fire investigation will not be able to access this area for 30 days.

“This is because Wichit Municipality and police are conducting a thorough investigation into this incident. We must find out the true cause of the fire together with police,” Mr Kumron said.

From their initial investigation, police last Saturday said sparks coming from welding work still being...

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Investigation now underway

Continued from page 1 ...carried out at the site caused the fire.

Officers attended the scene together with 20 fire engines and it took firefighters only 15 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

There were no reports of any injuries from the incident and evacuation procedures were used to remove customers from the main Cental Phuket Floresta building.

When asked whether reports of police’s initial investigation still stood, Capt Weerachat Srira from the Wichit Police, said, “I can’t tell you any information about this incident. I am working on the investigation now.”

Mr Kumron concluded by saying that the estimated cost of damage caused to the attraction was roughly in the region of B10 million.

Also speaking to The Phuket News on Monday, Central Phuket’s Senior Vice President Wilaiporn Pitimanaaree said, “The fire at the Tribhum attraction area has now been blocked from public entry and Central Phuket is open as usual. Also Central Festival Phuket is open to the public as usual.

“I would like to thank the people who helped Central Phuket by giving notice of the fire,” she said.

“I cannot give much information about the incident as there is an ongoing investigation, and right now the Central board are working to help police with their investigation. I am sure the police will release more information about this incident soon,” she added.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Downpours see Kamala-Patong hit by floods, landslides > page 5

Salvage worker, 37, dies during ‘Phoenix’ recovery

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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t was confirmed on Tuesday that one person died last Saturday during the operation to salvage the Phoenix tour boat which sank on July 5 killing 47 Chinese tourists.

Phuket Public Relations Department Chief Bussaya Chaipeum issued a statement on Tuesday morning (Oct 2) stating that Niphat ‘Joch’ Kludnak, 37, an employee of Spitz Tech Co Ltd died at 12:30pm last Saturday (Sept 29) at the site where the sunken Phoenix now lies on the seabed.

Mr Niphat had been involved in the salvage mission since it began in August.

According to the statement issued

by Ms Bussaya, Mr Niphat was on the rear of a vessel being used in the salvage operation when he fainted and fell into the sea.

Mr Niphat was recovered unconscious from the water and was quickly taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town where he was later pronounced dead.

The body of Mr Niphat has since taken to his home province if Chumphon where funeral rites are underway at Wat Chonlathi Phuesaram.

The statement concluded by saying that the salvage operation

Salvage workers are seen here at the site where the ‘Phoenix’ originally lay on the seabed. Photo: PR Dept was to resume on Thursday (Oct 4) or Friday (Oct 5) depending on weather conditions.

It is planned that the boat will be dragged to an area where the water depth will be around 25 metres where the boat will then be raised to the surface. Once on the surface the boat will then be dragged to the Tha Chin canal.

On Aug 5, the Director-General of the Marine Department, Jirut Wisanjit, announced that a major operation to raise the sunken tour

boat Phoenix off the seabed would be carried out that week.

Speaking at the Phuket Deep Sea Port, Mr Jirut said that plans to raise the Phoenix, which lied at a depth of 45m some 1.5 nautical miles off Koh Hei (Coral Island), were underway after the owner failed to organise its own efforts.

However, poor weather conditions delayed the salvage operation until Sept 21 when it was confirmed

by Ms Bussaya that preparations to raise the Phoenix were in the

final stages.

Then on Sept 24, the Chief of the Phuket Marine Office confirmed that the plan to raise the sunken tour boat Phoenix was to be fully revised after one of the tethers broke while the salvage operators were trying to move the boat underwater – but not actually raise it.

The news to temporarily scrap the plan to raise the Phoenix was revealed by Wiwat Chitchertwong, who is currently the Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office.

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Maya Bay a tourist no-go zone

DNP officials confirm indefinite closure of popular tour destination Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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fficials from the Department of National Parks (DNP) in Bangkok have declared Maya Bay, including Loh Samah Bay, a tourist no-go zone until the marine environment improves to their satisfaction.

The announcement came in a letter from the DNP dated Sept 28 and posted on the Facebook page of Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Thaya Netithammakun on Monday (Oct 1).

Along with the photo was the message, “This is the official notice from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The DNP officials realise the terrible condition of the marine environment at Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay. In view of this, tourism activities were to be banned in Maya Bay from June 1 to September 30.

“However, the DNP have recently found that the Maya

Maya Bay will be completely closed until the marine environment improves to the DNP’s satisfaction. Photo: Cacau & Xande / Flickr Bay marine environment has not been restored sufficiently and are therefore enforcing regulations regarding entry to national parks which were introduced in 2009,” the message read.

It continued, “The closure of Maya Bay was to be extended until Oct 1, and then

further until Nov 1. However, it has now been decided that both Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay be closed for tourism activities until further notice.”

Speaking to The Phuket News on Tuesday (Oct 2), Chief of the Hat NopparatMu Ko Phi Phi National Park

New police commander arrives THE NEW PHUKET PROvincial Police commander arrived in Phuket on Tuesday officially starting his duties at the Phuket Provincial Police Station in the afternoon.

The new commander, Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee, was previously the commander of the Phetchaburi Provincial Police and replaces previous commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen.

Maj Gen Teeraphol confirmed to The Phuket News on Wednesday (Sept 3), “I have talked to Maj Gen Wisan about all Phuket’s issues and passed

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Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee is welcomed at the Phuket Provincial Police Station on Tuesday. Photo: Phuket Provincial Police over all my outstanding case files to him yesterday (Oct 2).”

Maj Gen Teeraphol declined to reveal any specific

issue that he advised Maj Gen Wisan to focus on, but he did say, “It is the same as anywhere, it is the police’s duty to work for the people.

Special issues depended on the subject and situation. But I repeated to him to put his heart into tourism safety.

“Now I have started my new position as Deputy Commander of the Region 8 Police.

I don’t have any specific issue to focus on right now.

All work will come from my commander,” said Maj Gen Teeraphol.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Worapoj Lomlim confirmed, “The closure of Loh Samah and Maya bays was reconsidered again on Sept 25. Many officials including experts from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and others, including in

particular marine biologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat, were involved in this meeting.

The decision they reached was set out in an official letter dated Sept 28.”

He repeated, “Tourist will not be allowed at Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay.” Asked whether tour boats

will be allowed to bring tourists to shore in Loh Samah Bay, he said, “They can only take photos from outside of the buoyed area.”

Asked whether both bays would be closed until the marine environment condition is better, he replied, “Yes, we confirm that is the conclusion.”

The Phuket News then asked when Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay would reopen to tourists. All Mr Worapoj would say was, “I confirm the same as the official notice dated Sept 28. The decision is final. The closure has been extended until the marine environment has been satisfactorily restored.

“Before it reopens we need experts and biologists to analyse the area.

“My original thoughts were that it could not be reopened on Nov 1 this year.

Restoring the marine environment needs to come first,” he said.

“Honestly, this national park has never been closed like this for 20 years. It is now time to save the area,” he added.

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A BRITISH TOURIST who was reported missing after getting separated from his friends at Promthep Cape on Monday was found safe and well 40 minutes after the report was filed.

At 7pm on Monday (Oct 1), officials from Rawai Municipality received a report from the Narenthorn Centre that a tourist had gone missing at Phromthep Cape.

A team from the Rawai Municipal Department of Disaster Prevention and

Mitigation (DDPM) were sent to look for the missing man and found him 40 minutes later.

Rawai Municipal DDPM officials said that the man was a British national named only as Bryan. He had gone to Promthep Cape with four friend but somehow became separated from the group.

After finding Bryan the rescue team reunited him with his friends, who then made their way back to their accommodation in Patong.

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T

he new Phuket Governor, Phakaphong Tavipatana, arrived in Phuket on Monday morning (Oct 1) to take up his new position as the leading government official on the island.

Governor Phakaphong’s first port of call was at 7am when he visited Heroines’ Monument in Thalang, where he was warmly received by a host of high-ranking Phuket officials, to pay homage to and bestow blessings from the spirits of the islands’ historical saviours for his new post in Phuket.

This was followed by visits to a number of the island’s cultural hotspots including Tha Rua Shrine, Wat Chalong and the Phuket City Pillar Shrine in Thalang.

During a speech at 11am on Monday at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town, Governor Phakaphong promised

New Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana give s his speech at Phuket Provincial Hall following his arrival on the island. Photo: PR Dept that he is ready to serve the people of Phuket and said he will try his best to solve the island’s complicated problems.

The speech was witnessed by a number of high-ranking local government officials and

local media.

“It is a great opportunity for me to take on the position of the Governor of Phuket. I am ready to serve the people of Phuket, this is my promise to you all,” Gov Phakaphong said.

“If anyone has any suggestions then please let me know.

This is especially the case for hotel entrepreneurs as I want us to solve problems together.

If the people of Phuket have any problems, I am willing to listen and figure them out.

I am willing to lead Phuket to be sustainable and stable.

“I do not have a specific policy for my work here but I must and will respond to government policies because Phuket is one of the country’s most important provinces which raises a high level of income every year.

“Also, Phuket has some complicated problems as it is a world tourism destination. I will focus urgently on marine safety and trying to resolve the island’s traffic issues including the light rail system and the Patong tunnel.

“We will also work on making Phuket a Smart City,” he added.

There was however no mention from Governor Phakaphong on the issue of beach safety and lifeguards. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Kamala and Patong hit by floods, landslides

PHUKET NEWS

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The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ollowing tor rential downpours on Tuesday (Oct 2), which seriously affected Patong and Kamala, new Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana went to inspect the worst hit area on the Patong – Kamala road (route 4233).

Governor Phakaphong ordered relevant government officials to quickly check the damage caused and provide assistance to any persons affected by the floods.

Officials from the Patong Municipal Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Patong Municipality and the Kamala Sub-district Administrative Organisation, or OrBorTor, and related departments took machinery to repair sections of route 4233 where landslides had occurred.

Officials later confirmed that the road reopened to all traffic but motorists were advised to drive with caution.

Chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket office (DDPM),

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The injured crew member was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital. Photo: Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command

Navy vessel sent to assist injured cargo ship crew member The bridge in front of the Wyndham resort on the Kamala – Patong road was broken on the surface but was said to still be stable. Photo: Hanuman Chasamorn Prapan Kanprasang, told The Phuket News on Tuesday afternoon, “There were many points which suffered from flooding and landslides. However, I am not yet able to give an exact figure of how many locations were affected. We are still checking now.

“We know that there were some landslides near the U Zenmaya Phuket resort, an area of 15sqm. I ordered ho-

tel staff to move any guests that could be affected by this as there is a risk of the land sliding further.

“Hotel guests in danger have been moved to another part of the resort already,” he said.

“There are also a further three points in Kamala which need monitoring as they are still at risk of landslide and flooding.

“The bridge in front of the Wyndham resort on the Kamala – Patong road is broken on the surface but it is still stable. Motorbikes and cars can still pass but buses and big vehicles are not allowed to use this road.

“I have assig ned t he Phuket Provincial Public Works Office to check and figure out this part the bridge,” he added.

A V ESSEL FROM T H E Cape Panwa-based Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command was sent out to an area close to Koh Mai Thon last Saturday (Sept 29) to help a crew member of a Chinese cargo ship who had suffered injuries after falling from the bridge of the boat.

The Operation Centre of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command was informed by the BKK RCC that a crew member of the Chinese-registered Ever Progress cargo ship had suffered injuries when he fell from the bridge onto the deck of the vessel.

The message was received from the captain of the Ever Progress Tao Zeyang.

At 8am last Saturday, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command Vice Admiral Somnuk Preampramot ordered the Tor 233 Navy vessel to go out to assist.

The Tor 233 arrived at Koh Mai Thon where it provided first aid to the injured crew member before transferring him back to Phuket and on to Vachira Phuket Hospital where he required further medical treatment.

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Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

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EDITORIAL

Stand up and be counted

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CHRIS HUSTED

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

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

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

A

fter years of local groups raising environmental issues, and the efforts of many individuals across the island to clean up our beaches, it seems that the tide is finally changing with the much needed, but rather tardy support from local government officials and the tourism authorities to address a sustainability program and future for Phuket’s groaning land mass and reefs.

Last week saw the first major forum on sustainable tourism hosted by the Phuket Hotels Association (PHA). The PHA, which is a consortium of 65 hotels across the island, joined ranks to form Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST) over three years ago, and as a more powerful group have dragged government departments and corporate businesses into the debate and pushed for scalable

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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in recent years sadly leads to a lack of enthusiasm from a number of small and family run tourism businesses and hotels to take appropriate action. Let’s be honest, it’s the small businesses that get hit hardest financially by bringing in ecological and sustainable alternatives to current practices. Margins are smaller, and they are cynical unless they see working examples and support by the industry leaders and policy makers. And this independent sector of the industry is absolutely critical to have on board to reach a tipping point in the attitudes of both locals and tourists to hold a personal responsibility and even individual pride in their own recycling efforts and footprint as a consumer.

Everyone needs to be involved, at every beach and in every room on the island if we’re to stand a fighting chance.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Australian man shoots self in head at Phuket shooting range Welding sparks causes Central Phuket Floresta attraction fire Phuket expat sets house on fire, attempts to climb wind turbine in suicide bid Warning issued after 30 tourists stung by jellyfish at Patong Beach Phuket shooting range victim dies of wounds Phuket Opinion: A New Hope Phuket beach drowning deaths double in wake of lifeguard contract failure Two dead as motorbike slams power pole on Phuket’s bypass road Land rental extended for Club Med Phuket Drug use eclipses Full Moon party

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HAVE YOUR SAY

DAVID JACKLIN

Lifestyle Editor

and sustainable solutions.

In July this year the island hosted a Coastal Marine Conservation event including practices and workshops with hoteliers and conservation groups such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Core to the IUCN’s work with industries in Thailand is the Bio-Diversity Network Alliance (B-DNA), which is a multi-stakeholder platform, bringing companies together to protect life below water and on land in line with the region’s specific biodiversity.

All of this positive activity critically needs the ongoing support and promotion by the Thai authorities. A committed strategy and incentive program needs to permeate from local level and education through to wider industry practices and enforcements.

The rather blasé approach

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

Warning system

Re: Mass burials to begin as Indonesia toll tops 800 Thailand didn’t learn from their own tsunami disaster that killed 10s of thousands, so don’t expect them to learn from this disaster either. Forget the tsunami warning system.

I’ve never heard it being tested.

They can’t even maintain their traffic cameras to fine you.

Would be curious as to what the deadbeats at the Disaster Department do all day every day. Maybe rent jet-skis?

BenPendejo I would suspect the Thai buoys do not get any maintenance, as we have seen in the past. Previously Thailand has not paid the fees for the satellite link... fail. The buoys do not bring in the baht, so are neglected, like so many things.

Rorri_2

Land of riles

Re: Chinese choose other options for Golden Week Yes, the problems listed do affect the numbers. But, they fail to mention how Thailand looks down upon prepackaged Chinese tourists. They also failed to mention how western

tourism dropped greatly when it appeared they were no longer welcome a few years ago. Will the Chinese go where they are welcomed, as the western tourists did?

Foot

Phoenix fatality

Re: One dead in ‘Phoenix’ salvage operation First respect for Mr Niphat, RIP. This so-called salvage operation is not real. Proven to be a three month ‘try operation’ by people without knowledge of salvage. Simply a disaster over a disaster. Now with loss of life of an employee. A salvage operation of a small Thai vessel, taking already three months? And it is still 45 metres deep. And stick to that dragging operation? Idiots.

Kurt

Check point

Re: 300 join ‘We Love Andaman’ clean-up in Phuket That’s good news, but why don’t they do something to stop the rubbish getting into the sea? Watch out volunteers, you may be asked to show your work permit. Thailand was once a beautiful place which had clean sea water

everywhere, and no fly tipping.

Over the years more and more people are coming here, and the whole country is getting dirtier on both land and sea.

Nothing gets done to treat the increase in sewage, so it just gets pumped, or in some cases dumped straight into the sea from places right on the shore line. Thailand has no thought of the future.

Doneit

Up and down side

Re: Phuket Opinion: A New Hope Ph it sa nu lok seem s a strange place to find a governor for Phuket. It’s probably about as far away from the sea as is possible in Thailand, and as beaches dominate so much of Phuket and its tourism it doesn’t seem he will have any experience. Maybe that’s a good thing, who knows?

With all the issues as listed in the article I wish him well.

As Yazz once said, “The only way is Up!” Discover Thainess At present the Rawai Tambon is completely cut off from the rest of the island because of the works at Chalong circle

and lack of alternative roads.

All the businesses around this area are losing a lot of money and tourists. Will the new Governor do something for the incoming season?

Fedepar

Sparks fly

Re: Welding sparks causes Central Phuket Floresta attraction fire First the windows, now this. Shoppers should be on guard walking through that new central building. It was obviously rushed to open for the greedy developers to start making money with many shortcuts taken. It’s still a construction site, like the airport underpass. One northbound lane open while all manner of construction continues around it. Very dangerous.

Pauly44

Formula snooze

Re: Hamilton beats Bottas in Russia Wow! There was an actual on-track pass for the lead. First time in years. And, even if it was by design. F1 is fast and beautiful, but, there is no real racing for positions.

Foot

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

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Govt tries to woo Chinese

Suggested measures include double entry visas over six-month period BANGKOK Bangkok Post

T

he government is stepping up efforts to woo back Chinese tourists following a series of recent negative incidents.

One of the measures suggested by the Tourism and Sports Minister, Weerasak Kowsurat, for cabinet approval, is granting Chinese tourists double entry visas over a six-month period.

Mr Weerasak was speaking on Monday (Oct 1) after he met representatives from private tourism organisations and travel agencies to discuss the recent drop in numbers of Chinese tourists and strategies to draw them back to Thailand ahead of the high season.

He said the private sector has voiced concerns that foreign visitors, especially from China, might not visit this year due to several recent accidents.

On July 5, the Phoenix tourist boat capsized off Phuket, killing 47 Chinese passengers.

On Sept 20, a Chinese woman was found dead at the popular Ton Nga Chang waterfall in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district, in a case police are treating as murder.

@thephuketnews

Don Mueang airport holds an event to welcome Chinese tourists. Photo: Bangkok Post / File A week later, a video went viral of a Chinese tourist quarrelling with a security guard, who was seen to throw a punch at them, at Don Mueang airport.

The latest case prompted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to offer an apology for the incident and promise to send a letter to the tourist himself via the Chinese embassy.

According to Chinese news website CGTN, the attack took place after the Chinese traveller

refused to pay B2,300 for a fasttrack service, which the tourist believed was unreasonable. Chinese travellers are usually required to pay B2,000 for a visa on arrival.

Referring to the incident at Don Mueang airport, Mr Weerasak conceded Thailand’s image has been tested and it is now the time for all relevant agencies to improve, particularly the arrivals sections of airports, since many millions of foreign tourists come to Thailand every year.

“Systematic efforts must be made to ward off the problem of extra fees levied on arriving visitors,” he said, referring to rumours of bribes being accepted by officials to expedite procedures.

“The guard who attacked the Chinese tourist has already been suspended from duty and the Chinese authorities have been informed,” he said.

Gen Prayut meanwhile urged public and state officials to refrain from sharing the video of the airport

guard attacking the Chinese tourist, saying that this would only be detrimental to the country’s image.

Referring to reports of bribes during the process of issuing visas on arrival, he said Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, the newly appointed Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner, has stepped in to tackle the problem.

“I have given an instruction that those who commit this offence must be fired immediately,” said Gen Prayut.

Maj Gen Surachate said officers will also bust brokers who have been accused of collecting extra fees from tour groups in addition to visa charges.

‘No Tips’ signboards will be installed in various spots at the airport, he said, insisting his bureau has no practice of collecting extra fees from travellers.

He admitted that in the past, tour agents bringing Chinese tourists into the country collected so-called tips, in addition to visa fees, and gave them to the IB officers.

The tips were given as returns for facilitating the visa process without unnecessary delays, he said.

He said he had ordered bureau officers not to take such tips any more.

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THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Victim Kittisak Suksalee points to suspect Jakawat Samanukorn, 37, during the arrest in Pathum Thani province on Monday on charges of using forged bank notes to pay for goods he ordered online. Photo: Suthon Pongpao

Man purchased goods with forged notes for resale online AYUTTHAYA A 37-YEAR-OLD MAN has been arrested in Pathum Thani on charges of forging B1,000 banknotes and using them to buy goods that were later resold for real money.

Col Kantapong Nilkham, chief of the Bang Ban Police Station, said on Tuesday (Oct 2) that Jakawat Samanukorn of Pathum Thani’s Muang district was detained in the parking lot of a Big C store in Pathum Thani on Monday

(Oct 1) and confessed to the crime during interrogation overnight.

Before the arrest, victim Kittisak Suksalee, 37 of Ayutthaya’s Bang Ban district, told police that Jakawat ordered two drones he was selling online for B14,000. They arranged to meet at Wat Muang Wan in Bang Ban for delivery.

The suspect arrived in a pickup truck without a licence plate, paid with 14 B1,000 banknotes and quickly left.

Later, Mr Kittisak discovered

he had been paid with fake banknotes.

A few hours later the suspect offered the drones for sale on Facebook. Detectives placed an order and then arrested him in a sting operation.

According to Col Kantaong, Jakawat confessed that he forged banknotes with a high-quality photocopier and had used them to buy many products online. He later resold the goods, ensuring he was paid with real money.

Bangkok Post

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

NLA member Somchai Sawaengkan is spearheading a bill that would allow tmarijuana and kratom to be grown for medical research purposes. Photo: via Bangkok Post

Weed and kratom bill ‘likely to be passed’, say NLA BANGKOK Bangkok Post

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bill that would allow two narcotic plants, marijuana and kratom (Mitragyna speciose), to be grown for medical research purposes has been submitted to the Secretariat of the Senate, Somchai Sawaengkan, a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), said last Friday (Sept 28).

The bill, a draft amendment to the Narcotics Act BE 2522, will then be published on the NLA’s website for 15 days before a sufficient number of public hearings are held. After that, the assembly will begin deliberating it, said Mr Somchai, one of 42 NLA members who proposed the bill.

They came up with the idea after studies proved the medicinal properties of marijuana extracts and their potential to assist certain cancer treatments, he said.

According to the bill, permission can be granted to state agencies who request permission to grow and use

marijuana, a Type-2 narcotic, or kratom (Type 5), for a medical research project or other types of research, he said.

Ministries, government departments, local administrative organisations, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Red Cross Society, Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, certain transport operators and medical professionals will be eligible to submit such requests, he said.

Medical professionals include doctors, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians and Thai traditional medicine practitioners, he said.

Only those medical professionals residing in Thailand will be eligible to submit a request to grow and use marijuana and kratom, and they must have not before been sentenced in any criminal cases associated with narcotics, stimulants or narcotic vapours, he said.

They must also not have had their professional licences revoked, be persons of unsound mind, or be physically or mentally incapacitated, Mr Somchai said.

Requests can be submitted

to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) for consideration.

NLA members supporting the bill include Jet Sirathanon, Sanit Aksonkaeo, Yutthana Thapcharoen, Gen Somjet Bunthanom and Thawisak Sutkawathin.

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai also expressed his support for the bill, saying the draft would likely be passed into law.

Earlier last week, the GPO said it would start clinical trials of marijuana soon as a preliminary step to producing medicines for four diseases.

The trial project will use 100 kilograms of confiscated marijuana provided by the ONCB, the state agency overseeing the current crackdown on narcotics, the GPO said. It will build a special greenhouse to grow the premium-grade cannabis.

The oil extracted from these plants will be used to develop medicines for epilepsy and peripheral nephropathy, and others aimed at reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy and morphine substitutes.

thephuketnews

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Langham adds to portfolio Splash Beach Resort positioned to become a family favourite TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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angham Hospitality G r ou p h a s a d d e d Splash Beach Resort, Mai K hao Phu ket to its growing portfolio of hotels and resorts.

Located at Mai K hao Beach, the resort is situated at the northwest coast of Phuket. It is par t of the Sirinart National Park where no motorised water sports are allowed.

The proper ty has 615 rooms, suites, penthouses and villas to suit any holiday accommodation preference.

The resort offers practical, functional and comfortable lodging to young, fun-loving families.

Phuket’s only integrated resort on Mai Khao Beach, a moder n fun water park complex, Splash Ju ngle Water park, is set within the resor t. Guests can enjoy thrilling rides such as Boomerango, a reverse free fall off a vertical wall;

Phuket’s only integrated resort, a modern fun waterpark complex, Splash Jungle Waterpark, is set within the grounds of Splash Beach Resort, Mai Khao Phuket. Photo: Supplied a six level wave pool, and an aqua play pool for younger children. Those who prefer less of an adrenaline rush can opt to relax and f loat through the 335-metre lazy river. The resort also has a sandy pool with direct access to the beach.

“We are excited to add

the fun and exciting Splash Beach Resort, Mai Khao Phuket to our portfolio of hotels and resorts. Delivering upbeat, friendly and ‘can-do’ service, every guest will leave the resort with a holiday filled with unforgettable, happy memories,” says Simon Manning, Chief Sales and

Marketing Officer, Langham Hospitality Group.

By the end of 2018, the resort will have a Kids Zone.

The three storey interactive playground will include a movie theatre, giant slides, t re e a nd rock cl i mbi ng activities where toddlers, young children and teenagers

can have fun without getting wet. To add to the fun, there will be a themed train buggy to take the little VIPs around the resort.

Not only just entertaining the children, educating them is also a focus at Splash Beach Resort. In support of the gibbon rehabilitation project in Phuket, Splash Beach Resort is proud to introduce Gibby the gibbon, the resor t’s friendly and lovable mascot who will be on site to entertain and create awareness of this endangered primate species and emphasize the importance to rehabilitate them so they will not become extinct.

Another key feature of the resort is the 1,000 square metre pillar-less convention centre, the largest singlestructure conference facility on Phuket. The convention centre can flexibly cater to all types of events, weddings and meetings. The facility can seat 1,000 guests theatre style and cater up to 1,300 guests for a standing cocktail reception.

“A s P h u k e t ’s o n l y integrated resort on Mai

Khao Beach that has a water theme park and an upcoming kids club, we also have the largest conference centre with the widest range of accommodation options.

Splash Beach Resort, Mai Khao Phuket really is for ever yone – f rom you ng families, couples seeking a destination wedding to a great incentive and meetings venue,” says John O’Shea, Managing Director, Splash Beach Resort, Mai Khao Phuket.

There is also a spa in the resort with pampering options for guests looking to relax and rejuvenate.

Catering to the discerning palates of today’s travellers, the resort will have three dining options to choose from, including Thai (Baan Thai), The Splash Kitchen, an interactive all-day dining restaurant and a destination bar on site for casual drinks and nibbles.

T here is also a T hai cook i ng school where guests can learn how to cook authentic Thai cuisine at the resort.

Russian arrivals could hit 1.7mn TOURISM BOT H T H E TOU R ISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Russia’s Ambassador to Thailand Kirill Barsky expect twelve-month tourist arrivals from Russia to come within touching distance of their all-time high.

Foreign arrivals statistics for the first eight months of the year, released earlier this month by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), delivered strong supports to the claims that the ongoing revival in the Russian market is as stable as before and total arrivals in 2018 can surpass last year’s results, which ranked as the third largest ever.

According to MoTS, Russian arrivals during the first eight months totalled 950,765 visitors (up 14.65% year-onyear), securing Russia’s position as the largest of Thailand’s tourism source markets among non-Asian countries.

To put it in the context, in January-August 2017 the Land of Smiles welcomed 829,274 travellers from Russia and only 651,830 during the same period of 2016.

With the average pace of some 50,000 arrivals per month

The highest number of Russian tourist arrivals came in 2013. Officials say arrivals could come close to that in 2018. during the so-called green season, Russian arrivals are to hit 1mn in one month. The targets to beat are last year’s 1.35mn, while the all-time high is 1.74mn.

Phuket has been and still remains the main destination for Russian travellers, explained Anoma Wongyai, now Director of the TAT Moscow Office and Director of the TAT office in Phuket for years before.

“Phuket is a main destination for these tourists. Of the 1.3mn Russian tourists who travelled to Thailand last year, 800,000 visited Phuket,” Ms Anoma said.

According to Ms Anoma, TAT officials have set a target 1.5mn visitors from Russian as their goal for this year.

“Russia is our top tourism

source market in the European zone, and Russian tourists generate the second-most income for Thailand after the Chinese,” Ms Anoma added.

Meanwhile, Mr Barsky believes that his compatriots can come to the Kingdom in even bigger numbers.

“We keep beating all the records in terms of tourism exchange. Some 1.35mn Russian nationals visited the Kingdom in 2017, up 23% compared to 2016. Provided that during the first seven months of this year – i.e. even before the beginning of the high season – Thailand already welcomed 900,000 of our citizens, I leave open the possibility of the final number reaching 1.6-1.7mn tourists”, Mr Barsky said.

Anton Makhrov thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

In search of premium sushi and sashimi

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

13

Finding balance in our body

14

#fight4Phuket

Sustainable tourism event promises positive change David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

As an association we have a target to remove all single-use plastics across Phuket Hotels Association members by 2020.

@thephuketnews

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ravel and tourism have grown immensely and will continue to do so. The travel industry is in a new paradigm where it must be controlled and not just promoted.

Examples of extreme environmental degradation, overcrowding, and public outcry among residents are emerging across the world as a tourism backlash.

However, an increased awareness of travellers, businesses and governments together can work to scale sustainable solutions. In Phuket, as well as other destinations in Thailand and the region, the industry now has a choice. Either exacerbate the negative effects of tourism and risk losing market share, or leverage the opportunity for tourism to contribute to sustainable development, environmental protection, and collective impact for its local communities.

There is a ground swell of support for the latter option, most recently displayed last Monday (Sept 24) at the PHIST Forum 2018 held at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa Phuket. The Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST) is a consortium brought together by The Phuket Hotels Association (PHA), which is a non-profit organisation with over 60 member hotels and resorts who have joined together to promote Phuket as a destination whilst overseeing best practices for environmental conservation and sustainable tourism.

PHIST is a significant and innovative event, rallying over 500 delegates from the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss environmental sustainability and community benefit.

Throughout the day the exhibit hall offered attendees a mix of short expert panels and quick topical talks, covering areas of destination development, ocean health and impacts, corporate hotel sustainability, community tourism, and global trends on sustainability and mass tourism.

In addition, longer, technical workshops and roundtables were held to convene the wider audience of hotel staff. The event attracted speakers from international organisations and their regional representatives, but all focusing their discussion on how to apply best practice and opportunity within Phuket.

The day explored the challenges and opportunities for hotels to turn the negative into a positive, and was supported by a number of sectors including the Thai Hotels Association, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the US Embassy and corporate industries such as major hotel chains and the Central Group.

Anthony Lark, President of the PHA, opened the press conference detailing his own experience of environmental change from his 31 years on the island, and the negative impact and challenges that come with population and tourism growth. No longer are our surrounding seas teeming with healthy coral reefs, nor turtles laying eggs on our beaches.

The PHA was formed three years ago, bringing together the major hotel groups and family run hotels on the island who wished to make a difference by sharing best practices for sustainable tourism. The growth of the PHA brought together corporate, government, non-government organisations (NGOs) and environmental groups into the campaign to ensure a positive impact on Phuket’s future.

Why ‘now’ is the right time for PHIST?

Anthony Lark, President, PHA

“The time should have been yesterday. The airline and hotel industry use more plastics than most, and we have to change the way we use them. By a coalition of strategic partners we can take our learnings across the community, employ teachers to bring in a green curriculum and change peoples’ mindsets.”

Bernhard Bohnenberger, President, Six Senses Hotels

“We’ve been driving a sustainability campaign for 10 years. It’s only in the past year that it has been taken seriously by wider industry and media. It’s high time to reverse impact trends. We’ve seen some fantastic results in regeneration of our marine environments. We need to ride on that tide to do our best to influence the community and our guests.”

What can companies do to support sustainability?

Wilaiporn Pitimanaaree, SVP, Central Pattana Public Company

“Central is in the retail business, so we use a lot of plastic. We have been driving a ‘no plastic’ campaign across our Tops supermarkets and our 33 Central malls. The campaign had not been working well in some areas, so we introduced a ‘Green Checkout’ in the supermarket with no plastic bags. And...

Continued on page 12

12 ENVIRONMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

From left: Maggie Lee (WWF), Dr Marissa Jablonski (US Embassy), Dr Steve Newman (Banyan Tree) and Anshuman Saikia (IUCN).

Continued... all our cashiers are being trained to ask our customers on whether they want a plastic bag. We had been using 1.5 million bags per month. That has now been reduced by 30%, and our aim is to reach 50%. Phuket is the leading province in the kingdom with these initiatives, where both Thai and international people gather together.”

What role does education play and who do we educate?

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, VP & Environmental Chair, Thai Hotels Association

“Policy makers and ministers need to be educated. They often do not understand the importance of sustainability. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) finally reached out and we have joint initiatives launching next year with the Thai Hotels Association.”

From left: Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi (Thai Hotels Association), Bernhard Bohnenberger (Six Senses Hotels), Wilaiporn Pitimanaaree, (Central Pattana Public Company) and Anthony Lark (Phuket Hotels Association).

Bernhard Bohnenberger, President, Six Senses Hotels “We introduced a sustainability manager at every resort. There are

commercial benefits to good sustainability management including making returns for our investment. The manager is interacting with local communities in terms of beach clean-ups, the benefits of compost and recycling.

We also engage with schools. It is essential that these engagements are inspirational, fun and enjoyable. We must provide information and examples where children ‘go into it with their heart’.”

How important is working together to create a sustainable future?

Anthony Lark, President, PHA

“We need to make a dent in people’s mindset. Forming a strong coalition of like-minded people is imperative.

Together we have a voice to make an impact and be a vehicle which continues to carry this message. Collectively we can also collect and track critical data to ensure we are making an impact. As an association we have a target to remove all single-use plastics across PHA members by 2020.”

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, VP & Environmental Chair, Thai Hotels Association

“The knowledge sharing of best practices on sustainability within the chain hotels are informing local hotels.

We must inspire Thai hotels to change.”

The PHIST event certainly put on a display of muscle on this critical topic, with major stakeholders, who have the power to change Phuket’s sustainable future, firmly standing behind the cause. Let’s hope key events such as this do inform and educate smaller industries and individuals that major efforts are being made, and that complacency on the issue is no longer acceptable.

There is certainly a powerful momentum brewing behind the cause, but there’s a long way to go, as highlighted

by David Barrett from The Slate, Phuket, who reminded us all of Kermit the Frog’s plight...

“It isn’t easy being green.”

PHIST is co-organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks led

by Managing Director Bill Barnett and Greenview CEO Eric Ricaurte. Sponsorship and endorsement is from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Thai Hotel Association, Central Phuket, BMW, Blue Tree Phuket, C9 Hotelworks, Greenview, AmCham, QUO and Delivering Asia Communications. phist.phukethotelsassociation.com Join the campaign: #fight4Phuket

The next generation supporting an environmentally friendly future. thephuketnews

DINING 13

Sashimi at sunset THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Review of Hansha @ The Nai Harn THE CULINARY DETECTIVE Chris Watson chriswatsonth@gmail.com

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s I meander along the country lanes through Nai Harn I am reminded on this rather drizzly evening of my homeland, and the spectacular landscape that is the Mull of Kintyre.

Arriving at The Nai Harn is an experience in itself; this historic lodging has been refurbished and sympathetically restored to its rightful place as a Phuket icon. Its heritage carefully preserved as a reminder of the golden age of hospitality, whilst also brought up-to-date.

Smartly uniformed staff greet and direct me to an elevator which transports me to Hansha, the hotel’s latest venture into Japanese Sushi and Sashimi. Located in Reflections, an ocean fronted rooftop terrace lounge, the views demand a short pause to fully savour; perched atop the cliffs and looking out across the Andaman sea.

I am warmly welcomed by Executive Chef Mark, a fellow Brit from south of the border who introduces me to Chef Arnu, who has gained extensive experience in several highly rated Japanese restaurants in Bangkok. Having joined the hotel many years ago, he has now, at Hansha, found his true passion.

Arnu recommends me to dine Omakase, (priced at B3,750 net); this directly translates to ‘I leave it up to you’, enabling the Chef to serve the best of the day’s catch. The almost exclusively Japanese sashimi grade quality fish is regularly flown in direct from Tsukiji market in Tokyo. A la carte options are available, as are value for money sashimi and sushi platters, refreshing salads, Chef’s signature innovative Maki alongside the more traditional for those less adventurous.

I begin with an artfully presented sashimi salad containing delicate chunks of Hamachi, salmon, tuna and octopus, bathed in a piquant miso dressing, accentuating the freshness of the fish. The quality of the fish is exceptional, the

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Hansha at The Nai Harn. flesh melting in the mouth. This is followed with a glistening Fine de Claire oyster topped with fresh ginger and mirin, the latter adding mild acidity to balance the richness of the stunning oyster.

I am delighted to discover that Mark has chosen to serve Hebridean salmon, 100 % Scottish and the heir to ancestral bloodline stretching back a millennium.

The cold and stormy weather enables them to become firmer, offering a distinctive fresh and succulent taste.

I am keen to try this product and select an a la carte dish of salmon, ponzu and jalapeno. The plate arrives, pretty as a picture and I can now say, without any nationalistic bias, that this salmon is truly very special indeed.

Arnu now serves me with expertly formed sushi. Precision carved slivers of Hokkaido scallop, kingfish topped with foie gras, and a brightly shimmering shard of tuna topped with fresh ginger and spring onion.

The rice, with which they are lovingly bonded, is a premium imported Sasanishiki rice from Sendai. The grain and texture of the rice, world class and Arnu elevates it even more with a hint of yuzu.

The vegetables are also imported; fresh root wasabi, yuzu, mirin, rice wine vinegars, soy and shin-shoga no amazu-zuki or Japanese pickled ginger to the uninitiated.

A welcome comforting miso soup brought my meal to a close.

However, Arnu would not let me leave

Chef Arnu with Japanese delights. without experiencing a dessert from the tempting selection.

I am brought a green tea crème brulee with homemade vanilla ice cream. It is again a lesson in art and I feel guilty to eat it; well almost! A crunchy layer of sugar on top of a warm, smooth and tasty green tea custard blends perfectly with a chilled yet creamy vanilla ice cream.

As I bid farewell, the Scottish inclement weather continuing to prevail, I reflect on a truly authentic evening. The bar is cosy, requires reservations and is

only open evenings, Friday to Tuesday.

However, for those Phuketians seeking an experience evoking the essence of Japanese cuisine, with premium sushi and sashimi, book your counter seats at Hansha, you will not be disappointed!

Chris is a former Michelin Guide Inspector who following an international career in hospitality spanning 30 years in both the Middle East and Asia. He has now settled in Thailand and will contribute a monthly restaurant column.

14 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Balanced stretching The yin & yang of yoga - ‘doing’ and ‘supporting’ muscles LET’S GET BENT Kim White kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com

It is important to nurture both aspects of our body, we want to find balance.

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his month, I want to talk to you about the different types of muscles we have in the body, the different ways to stretch them and when it is best to stretch each of the groups.

This sort of discussion can get quite technical and intricate, but we don’t want to go down that rabbit hole. I am going to explain these topics to you in simple language that will give you a better idea of how flexibility works in your body. In very basic terms we have ‘doing muscles’ and ‘supporting muscles’ and each play an important role in the body.

Lets look at the ‘doing’ muscles first. We can also call these doing groups ‘Phasic’ muscles. These are the muscles that are predominately used for active movement - pushing, pulling, kicking, lifting etc.

These muscles are big and dense and have the consistency much like a piece of steak. I am not sure about you but if I tried to pull apart a piece of steak, I would have to be using all the brute strength I could muster. This strong force and active way of stretching has a yang energy.

Yang energy is strong and powerful and quite masculine in its nature. Yoga classes such as Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga focus on these bigger, stronger groups of muscles. The best time to stretch these denser, more powerful muscles is before active exercise to prepare the muscles for elastic movements.

That said, anytime of day is also suitable for yoga, but if you are going to prepare the body for physical exercise, then this stronger way of stretching is best performed beforehand.

Here are some great benefits of yang style stretching: • Reduced muscle tension.

• Increased range of movement in the joints.

• Enhanced muscular coordination.

• Increased circulation of the blood to various parts of the body.

• Increased energy levels (resulting from increased circulation).

Now lets talk about stretching the supporting muscles, this is the yin to our yang. These muscles are more often described as tissues and this is due to their consistency. Connective tissues are thinner and more elastic than the phasic muscles. They are the support system to the skeleton, they hold the bones together and join the bigger muscles to the bones.

Where most of this ‘joining’ is happening is at the joints. So this style of stretching focuses more on joint mobility and postural alignment. Along with the connective tissues is our fascia.

Fascia is a net-like tissue that sits under the skin and on top of the muscles and covers our entire body. I like to explain it much like the sheet on your bed. When you make a bed with fresh sheets, the sheets are straight, wrin-

kle free and sitting quite smoothly on the bed. However as soon as you sit on the bed or move around on top of the sheets, there is a wrinkle or a crease.

Our body’s fascia is similar, every time we carry a heavy object for long periods, sprain or injure ourselves or slump and hunch for long periods of time on a regular basis, the sheet of your body gets pulled out of shape.

Imagine if you never made your bed again, the sheet on your bed would be smooshed and crumpled down the back of your mattress, never to be seen again.

The same thing happens with the supporting tissues of the body. They are squashed, trapped, and crumpled together and this changes the way you stand, walk and hold your body. All these tight, trapped tissues make you feel like you are wearing pants and a shirt that are about three sizes too small. Your movements become smaller and limited.

The yin style of stretching is like remaking your bed. The stretches open up your range of movement again and your body feels a release from joint tension. Yoga classes such as Yin & Restorative Yoga focus on the connective tissue. If you practice yoga along side

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Yang posture. other forms of exercise, then this style of yoga is best performed after exercise when you are ready to relax and rest the muscles.

Here are some amazing benefits of yin style of stretching: • Calms and balances the mind and body.

• Reduces stress and anxiety.

• Increases circulation.

• Improves flexibility.

• Releases fascia & improves joint mobility.

• Balances the internal organs and improves the flow of chi or prana.

@thephuketnews

HEALTH 15

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Yin yang posture.

It is important to nurture both aspects of our body, we want to find balance.

If you imagine that yin and yang are the two ends of a long piece of wood... if you just hold the wood at just one end, the other end drags in the dirt and becomes a burden for the journey ahead. But if you carry the long piece of wood in the centre, both sides are perfectly balanced and the journey becomes easier.

Happy stretching.

Metta, Kim oxo

Yin posture.

Kim White Yoga One of the main motivations that drives Kim to teach yoga is her desire to keep true, real yoga alive; the propagation of yoga for yoga. She strives to achieve this through teaching and helping people fall in love with yoga everyday. She gives you her yoga mind and yoga heart to guide anyone wishing to traverse the beautiful journey that is yoga. Teaching group classes, private classes, yoga intensives & retreats across the island. www.mindbodyyogaystem.com Call +66862769174

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Max Chin (2nd right), GM The Boathouse Phuket, and team.

Luc (left) and Bart.

From left: Tony, Michael and Richard.

Simon (left) and Bart.

WELCOME TO OCTOBER… LET THE ‘FEASTIVAL OF INDULGENCE’ BEGIN! Over 100 invited guests enjoyed an early taste of things to come last Friday (Sept 28) for the launch night of the upcoming month-long Feastival of Indulgence at The Boathouse. The Feastival sees a range of different events running across the whole month of October, including brunches and culinary guest presentations.

Members of the Rotary Club presenting children with the dinner trays.

The children were eager to try out their gift. Anyone missing any hubcaps recently?

ROTARY CLUB OF PATONG BEACH PROVIDE TRAYS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL Last week, Wat Suwankiriwong School at Patong Beach held a Food Tray Ceremony, and showed their appreciation to the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, who raised funds to pay for 300 food trays for the Primary School Children.

P-REA key members meet before the talk.

From left: Kongsak Khoopongsakorn (Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter), Boon Yongsakul (Phuket Real Estate Association) and Bhummikitti Ruktaengam (Phuket Tourist Association).

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE EXPLORES TRENDS IN 2019 The Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA) presented the ‘Phuket Tourism & Property Trend in 2019’ event, which was held at the Dara Threatre, Dara Hotel, last Friday (Sept 28).

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018 The new Governor pays homage at the Heroines’ Monument.

Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana is ready to serve the people of Phuket.

THE ISLAND’S NEW GOVERNOR HEADS TO THE HEROINES’ MONUMENT New Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana arrived on the island on Monday morning (Oct 1) to take up the position of the highest ranking government official on the island.

His first port of call was to Heroines’ Monument in Thalang, where he was warmly received by a host of high-ranking Phuket officials, to pay homage to and bestow blessings from the spirits of the islands’ historical saviours for his new post in Phuket.

From left: Martin, Kireene and Richard.

From left: Pam, Michael, Boon and Fred.

CANAPÉS AND BEVERAGES BY THE WATERSIDE AT PHUKET BOAT LAGOON Phuket Boat Lagoon, together with BB&B Wine, Whisgars Tasting Room and Le Winch Restaurant hosted a food and beverage tasting event last Wednesday (Sept 26).

Wonderful canapés from Le Winch were served during the evening.

Chef Mario Fraschini and team.

From left: Sue Utmann, Chef Mario and Raisa Sheludkina.

ARRIVAL OF NEW CHEF MARKS CHANGES AT DA MAURIZIO BEACH SIDE Da Maurizio Bar Ristorante introduced their new chef, Mario Fraschini, last Tuesday (Sept 25), who has joined the well-trained team and brings a wealth of experience.

Chef Mario will be offering some new and exciting ideas and dishes to the well-established venue.

A morning of team colours and music at the Primary Cross Country.

Poised for victory...

On your marks...

BRIGHT COLOURS AND BIG SMILES AT THE BISP PRIMARY CROSS COUNTRY This year’s BISP Primary Cross Country 2018 event was very well received by students, teachers, staff and parents. There were many fantastic runs, with one new record set this year by Zoe in the Year 3 Girls’ division, who shaved 2 seconds off the previous record to set a new time to beat of 3:51. Artem came within one second of the school record for Year 4 Boys and Conor was only 4 seconds off the Year 5 Boys’ record. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

5 OCT

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.

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

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

broiler with the unique sear and smokiness only charcoal could deliver. Starting from THB 1,200++. Reservations, Bodega & Grill, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

and fashion of the 80s, 90s & beyond. Let us take you back in time as our resident DJs drop iconic tracks and remixes – think Wham, Madonna, Queen, Spice Girls, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Kool & The Gang, De La Soul, Run DMC...the list goes on! Have fun in the sun with huge pool inflatables, disco balls, giant Rubik’s cubes and be entertained with our sexy Club Tropicana dancers and live musicians all day. **Selected Dream drinks from THB 80++ **Poolside bites from THB 198++ Get your groove on for some Saturday Pool Party Fun at Dream Beach Club! Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 35000

New Zealand Cuisine Showcase

SAT

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

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.

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

Celebrate the arrival of New Zealand’s award-wining 2016 Schubert vintages in collaboration with Global Wines paired with exotic native cuisine prepared by new Executive Chef Ryan Arboleda. Price at THB 1,000 Net per person, includes free flow grape beverages paired with a selection of Kiwi cuisine. 6.30 PM - 8.30 PM. Firefly Pool & Restaurant at The Pavilions Phuket, firefly.phuket@pavilionshotels.com, 076 317 600.

6 OCT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Oktoberfest 2018 The German Festival. Saturday 6th October 2018, from 3 pm. - 9 pm. Drinks + Food + Music Festival. Free Entry.Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket Boat Lagoon, events@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext. 318.

SUN

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.

7 OCT

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.

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet An Italian Evening

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/

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

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.

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

MON

8 OCT

All you can eat BBQ night Charcoal Friday

CLUB TROPICANA 80’s & 90’s Retro Pool Party!

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood

Charcoal BBQ at Bodega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal

Join us for our brand new retro style pool party, every Saturday where we take you back in time with music

Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket

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.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TUE

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

9 OCT

SAT

20 OCT

TUE

6 NOV

tiles. Hotel supplies and home decoration items.

See the latest breakthroughs in construction technology, interior design and building maintenance.

Learn how to design a smarthome for multi-milliondollar project IPTV, 4G Internet, IP Phone, Mobile phone, CCTV and other high-tech devices. PIC Phuket, 076 217199.

FRI

7 DEC

Saddle Up To Two Chefs Get some good old wild, wild west experience with Two Chefs Bar & Grill’s Wild West Country Night at Two Chefs Kata Center on the 20th of October 2018.

Live music starts at 8pm until late. Indulge in our All You Can Eat Chef’s Special Southern Fried Chicken for only THB395 per person. Make your reservations NOW! Call 076-330-065.

Martin Mor + Guests, Phuket After a successful career as a circus performer, Martin Mor turned his attention on the unsuspecting comedy circuit where he has excelled for 30 years. In April 2016 Martin was part of a team that set the world record for the highest altitude comedy show by performing at 5300m/17600ft at Mount Everest base-camp.

“Extremely funny,” Peter Kay. “Martin is the act that has influenced me the most, the UK comedy circuit would not be the same without him,” Frankie Boyle.

“Off beat, unusual, outrageous,” Time Out. “He wore us out with laughter… Irrepressible exuberance,” The Scotsman. Leo Kearse is an award winning live comedian (Scottish Comedian of the Year, UK Pun Champion), performing standup at the best clubs in the UK and abroad. He is the co-creator of the hit show Hate ‘n’ Live, which has improvising comedians “hating on” topics suggested by the audience - Whose Line Is It Anyway? Meets Room 101. Tickets - 600 baht for show, with dinner 1,200 baht or VIP 1,400 baht. www. ticketflap.com/martinmor-phuket For all comedy info on the island visit FB: PhuketComedy Magic Rock, Marriott Resort Phuket, Merlin Beach

WED

10 OCT

SUN

21 OCT

Melbourne Cup 2018 Brunch On Tuesday 6th November watch The Race That Stops The Nation at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. From 9am to 2pm enjoy this elegant fundraiser with five hours of free flow food and beverages, Fashions on the Field, amazing prizes and much more.

Book now with Donna Toon at lunch@classactmedia. co.th Tel: 0812 702 180.

SAT

10 NOV Christmas Market Date: 7th & 8th December 2018 from 6 pm. - 10 pm.

“Booths available” rate 2 days/1,000 THB.phuket Boat Lagoon, phuket Boat Lagoon, events@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext 318.

EVERY DAY

The 14th Mai Khao Marine Turtle Fun Run The 14th Mai Khao Marine Turtle Fun Run and Half Marathon 2018 The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation will host its annual fundraising sports event which will be taking place on Sunday, October 21, 5.30 am – 8.30 am, Phuket Gateway. There are a 3km family run, a 5km fun run, a 10km mini marathon, a 21km half marathon; and a VIP run for all distance. Walk-in registration at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, October 1-10, from 10am to 5pm. Follow us on the social media channel https://www.facebook.com/maikhaomarineturtle­ foundation Contact Aorn Silla­pasathit­­wong at: info@ maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org, Tel: 076 338 040.

SAT

27 OCT

2018 Colour Fun Run Gather up your friends or gear up solo for this vibrant race. The Colour Fun Run takes place annually and combines sport with family fun, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join in on this fantastic and colourful day out. Tickets for this event sell very fast, so book now to avoid disappointment. Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort, events@thanyapura.com, 076 336 000.

WED

28 NOV

Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews 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

Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant

Better Together 2018 Fun Run 6km and Mini-Marathon 12km on October 27, 5.30 - 11.00am at Bang Ward Dam. Register online now! Bang Ward Dam, 083-505-5235.

18th Architect & Hotelex Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition.

All types of construction materials from floors to roof

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

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. In The Simpsons, which nearby town does Springfield have a fierce rivalry with?

2. The Palace of the Lost City is a luxurious hotel complex in which luxury resort?

3. Lewis Allan Reed is better known by which name?

4. At 70 metres long, 50cm tall and dated to the 11th century, the Bayeux Tapestry features which astronomical phenomenon?

5. Which Spanish monarchs of 15th century sponsored the first voyage of Christopher Columbus?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. Peel off 5. African capital 10. Give off, as light 14. Engine sound 15. Risk taker 16. Church part 17. “The Snowy Day” author ___ Jack Keats 18. Low life?

19. Certain surgeon’s “patient” 20. Prague locale 23. Ascetic holy man 24. Inferior 25. Encountered 27. Hitchcockian 31. Bleat 34. “Helvetia” In Latin 39. Pearl Mosque locale 41. Little green man 42. Gym site 43. ___ diplomacy 46. Kitchen spray 47. The ‘new’ ketchup 48. Deviation 50. Largest wood sorrel 55. Monetary coins of Iran 59. European monarchy

61. Japanese rice wine 63. Back tooth 64. Jeer 65. Long, long time 66. Administer oil-ceremonial 67. Faithful and true 68. Fly, e.g.

69. The out crowd 70. Domed portable tent

28. Freeway exit 29. Ancient Andean 30. Dutch export 31. Low voice 32. Eastern poohbah 33. Husk 35. Neighbor of Mo. 36. Windsor, for one 37. Last letter 38. A deadly sin 40. Fire starter 44. Checker, Down perhaps 1. Details 45. Bring home the 2. Exclamation of bacon joy 3. Goofed 49. Unsteady 4. A dram 51. Individual 5. Jewish month essence 6. Caravan beast 52. Freetown 7. Brunch serving currency unit 8. “Concentration” 53. Goldbrick puzzle 54. Scandinavian 9. Ishmael’s people poet 10. Wholly 56.

“Farewell, mon 11. Wine press ami” residue 57. ___ pneumonia 12. “___ fallen ...”

13. Start of a giggle 58. Refine, as metal 59. Hawaiian strings 21. Colors 22. Goatish glance 60. T’s off 61. Chucklehead 26. “___ the night 62. “Act your ___!” before ...”

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Shelbyville; 2) Sun City, South Africa; 3) Lou Reed (musical artist); 4) Halley’s Comet; 5) Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1

in every 30 million lobsters is yellow.

2

percent of the world’s population only has green eyes, scientists have estimated.

37

percent of British workers think their jobs are meaningless.

70

cents Is all that legendary singer Billie Holiday had in the bank when she passed away, but she had $750 taped to her leg.

59.2 million

dollars each year would be saved in avoided robberies in the US by a three-week extension of Daylight Saving Time.

Source: Uberfacts

Koh Khai Nai, the arrival. Photo: Jeffrey Ephreim Villanueva Villegas Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history Oct 5, 1607 Assassins sent by Pope Paul V attempt to kill Venetian statesman and scientist Paolo Sarpi, who survives 15 stiletto thrusts.

Oct 6, 1976 Massacre of students gathering at Thammasat University in Bangkok to protest the return of ex-dictator Thanom, by a coalition of rightwing paramilitary and government forces, triggering the return of the military to government.

Oct 7, 1959 U.S.S.R. probe Luna 3 transmits the first ever photographs of the far side of the Moon. (See photo.)

Oct 8, 1978 Australia’s Ken Warby sets the current world water speed record of 317.6mph (511km/h) at Blowering Dam, Australia. There have only been two official attempts to break Ken Warby’s record, both attempts resulting in the death of the driver.

to incite a revolution in Bolivia.

Oct 10, 1897 German chemist Felix Hoffmann discovers an improved way of synthesising acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

Oct 9, 1967 A day after being captured, Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara is executed for attempting

Oct 11, 1972 A race riot occurs on the US Navy aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk off the coast of Vietnam during Operation Linebacker.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS 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: Siam.serenity.th@gmail.com, 0874178715. @thephuketnews

Teacher wanted for child

Native English qualified teacher needed for child 5yo with autism. Speech, ABA, occupational therapists will have priority.

High salary, flexible working hours. European nations only. ksenia, dcondosale@ gmail.com

CHINESE SALES MANAGER WANTED

Art House Development Co., Ltd. Looking for Chinese sales manager, good communication skills, native Chinese speaker. For more details please contact. Tel: 089 594 6888. Email: info@arthouse.asia

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

OTHER

OTHER

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

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

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Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arranged. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

@thephuketnews

@thephuketnews

BUSINESS FOR SALE RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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 42’ 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

The Phuket News

Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). ZERO Debts/Leases/Loans etc.

Low Overheads, Hi-Margins, Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales).

Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: ZERO COMPETITION …

ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job Pymt 20-30hpw) + Monthly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Profits Dist. Genuine + Rare business opp – serious enquiries only please.

2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, PHUKET, MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime).

BUSINESS FOR SALE Chalong Boatbuilding Business

Boatbuilding business with 300sqm Office + 300sqm Workshop/Store.

Chanote 0.5rai. 30ft Speedboat plus moulds for more production. 16,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130, simonj@cscoms.com, +66878832542.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

Hyundai Veloster TURBO

Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000 km, Price from new 1,749,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tires, all options. Now just 850,000THB. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 0843058363 TH

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Amazing Deal!

2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket.

It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 495,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000.

Call 081 427 5168.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

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

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE House Lots on Coconut Island!

230-300 sq.m. 1.4-1.9 million baht. New Chanote titles.

Government road. Electricity. 200 METRES TO OCEAN !! Financing available. Tel. 095-068-1672chrisfisherii@ 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

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Mulstristrada 2012

081-734-8309

2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com,

OTHER Hotel Laundry Sevices

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

Competitive, Chonticha, Patong. candk servicespatong@gmail.com, 0991658538.

POOL TABLES AMAZING DEAL NOT TO BE MISSED!

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

SERVICES One to one and family therapy

Young Minds Phuket is now fully set up and is offering one to one therapy, family and parenting support and support to schools. www.youngmindsphuket.com 0992382783.

Property Phuket Law

Properties hot deal for sell & buy, legal Advisor & Litigation Nationwide, accounting, visa, work permit, 083 599 4514, 087 014 9736,095 325 5654.

SERVICES GE UR

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Inked Machine™ Tattoo

Good morning to all of you. Today I present the “ Machine Tattoo". This tattoo shop is located in Patong. When you are at the roundabout of Patong Beach, take a right and walk the beach. After 300 meters, you will find the Inked Machine Tattoo on your right at the entrance of the self ‘mor watthana’ (Watthana Clinic Soi’). You will be very made welcome and enjoy the cleanliness of the place (everything is new), but above all the quality of the tattoos that are made; traditional bamboo or machine (Demographer) – all your tattoo ideas will be satisfied. A team of several professional tattoo artists are waiting for you, the atmosphere is very nice and you will have a good time getting tattooed while listening to music. On Site you can buy T-shirts and other products in the image of the shop. The prices are very correct so do not hesitate to visit the site to make a beautiful tattoo during your stay on the island of Phuket.

For more information and details, I invite you to contact them and they will answer all your questions. I sincerely recommend it. Facebook : @InkedMachine.PhuketTattooStudio Instagram : Inked_Machine_Tattoo Soi Mor Watthana Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83150.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

House for rent

A sea view house in the garden on the mountain at Ao Makham. 2 bedrooms. Porntip, piranunt@icloud.com, 086 996 7535.

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT

ENDLESS POTENTIAL

12.5 rai walled w/ auto gate, water pound & transformer.

4200m2 slab, 9 Bed, 11 Bath, swim pool, ideal for school, detox, sport center 300,000 baht per month. lionel01@hotmail.com (66) 081 821 4064.

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. contact only via email picharly@gmail.com

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

3 bed, 31/2 bath, 330 sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite area, 2km Mission Hills golf, 6km UWC, 8km airport. owner finance. Only email please: picharly@ gmail.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

SPORT 29

Nov date set for Colour Fun Run FUN RUN

Members of the Cruzeiro Soccer School take part in a futsal match at the BISP gymnasium. Photo: Supllied

Cruzeiro SS to host first futsal league at BISP FUTSAL The Phuket News editor3@thephuketnews.com

C

ruzeiro Soccer Schools, with its roots and coaches from Brazil, are set to host a Saturday Futsal League from October 27 to December 1 2018 at British International School, Phuket.

The age groups will be U9/U11 and U13/U15. There will be four teams per age group with Brazilian futsal team names.

Cruzeiro Soccer Schools encourage all schools to attend this enjoyable event where children can develop their skills while playing with new team members in a futsal environment.

Futsal is a small-sided format of football. It can be played with five players on each team and it is a more

@thephuketnews

intense version of the 11-aside game.

It is usually played on a hard surface instead of grass or artificial grass (astroturf).

The size of the pitch and goals are smaller and a size 4 ball is used instead of a size 5. The game is very dynamic and it is a fantastic way to develop some aspects of the game such as: decision-making, first touch and ball mastery.

Futsal was developed in Brazil around the 1940s by the Young Men’s Christian Association (better known as the ‘YMCA’) of São Paulo, due to the lack of available football fields.

The ‘Liga Nacional de Futsal’ is the premier futsal league in Brazil, and was created in 1996. This year, it runs from the March 6 to December 3.

Falcão is a Brazilian futsal player known for his flashy

and potent dribbling skills as well as his powerful, accurate left foot. He is also the world’s all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international matches.

He was named ‘Best Player of the World’ four times (2004, 2006, 2011 and 2012) and won the FIFA Futsal World Cup Golden Boot in 2004 and the Golden Ball in 2004 and 2008.

Cruzeiro Soccer Schools are currently accepting registration. For more information on the league and to register, please email cruzeirosoccerschools@gmail.com. The closing date for registration is the October 12. The cost is B3,000 which includes a Brazilian club kit, participation medal and six weeks of futsal.

With the rainy season in full swing, outdoor football games and practices are often cancelled. For this season, indoor futsal is a great alternative, so please join them.

GAT H E R U P YOU R friends or gear up solo for the vibrant Thanyapura Colour Fun Run, which is set to return from 4pm-8pm on November 10 at the Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort.

The 1.5km and 4km Colour Fun Run takes place annually and combines sport with family fun, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join in on this fantastic and colourful day out.

Tickets for this event, which also included 500 grams of coloured powder, sunglasses T-shirt and refreshment, sell very fast, so book now to avoid disappointment.

The date for race kit collection has been set for Friday November 9 from 10am-6pm at Thanyapura.

Phuket’s most colourful fun run is set to make its return on November 10. Photo: Supplied Terms and Conditions •Open category / No age group / No time chip •All participants will receive a medal at the finish line •Entry is non-refundable •Registration closes on Wednesday October 25 •Pre-Registration is complete when the full payment is received and registration form has been filled out •For participants who want to change your information, you can change before October 25. After this day, the system is closed for any updates.

ITINERARY Date

Time

Details

Venue

Friday Nov 9

10am–6pm

Race kit collection

Lawn at the Lounge Registration desk

Saturday Nov 10

3pm–4pm

Race registration

4pm–4:30pm

Opening Speech and warm-up

Start Arch at Gate 3

4:30pm

Race start for 4 km

Start Arch at Gate 3

4:40pm

Race start for 1.5 km

Start Arch at Gate 3

5pm

First finisher Lucky draws and costume contest Entertainment

Finish Line

5:30pm–6:30pm 6:30pm–8pm

Stage Stage

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Black Sheep remain at top Week nine of RPL sees little change in table positions POOL Barry Craig

T

he Rawai Pool League entered its ninth week of the season on Monday (Oct 1), with the weeks big game in Division A being Black Sheep against a strong Pita Bar side.

Black Sheep’s Nanni and Goh got the home side off to a strong start with victories over Flob and Grant, the latter suffering from a fatigued cueing hand. Pita Bar finished the singles strongly, with Super Ding winning convincingly with an off-the-pace Taka and Stefan, using his usual tactical nous, beating Riky.

In the doubles, the winning and losing roles were reversed as Flob carried Grant to victory in their leg.

With the game in the balance on the beerleg, Pita Bar weren’t able to produce an

upset to prevent Black Sheep winning 4-3.

Black Pearl hosted Shot Bar in another game that went right to the wire. It was blow for blow the whole match with Black Pearl’s Dave upping his game after being inspired by Poland’s victory in the Volleyball World Championship the previous night. Shot Bar’s Harry also produced a high level performance and was able to captain his team to a 3-4 victory.

Orange Bar were looking for their first win of the season, whilst Mango Bar were looking to retain second place in the league. It was a juicy performance by both teams in the singles, but Mango Bar managed to put the squeeze on their opponents in the last leg with Pierre and Thong staging an incredible black ball fight.

Mango’s Thong came out the sweeter making the score 1-3. With Orange Bar now ripe

for the taking, Mango Bar went on to win both doubles and the beerleg to quash the home side with a convincing 1-6 victory Tropical Sands were on the receiving end of a White Hart 0-7 whitewash. Despite Johnny’s best banter, Dum was, like most of us, unable to understand him. Dum proceeded to produce one of White Hart’s seven 0-2 victories for a perfect score to put them joint second in the table.

Freedom Bar hosted Spot Bar in the third game of the night to go down to the deciding beerleg. Eddy and Dao were once again on form for the visitors but, to rallying cries of Freedom, Tom’s team won a hard fought 4-3 victory.

The final A division fixture took place at Future Bar. Masaya Bar, looking very strong in the last couple of weeks, came and played very well, but Otis and Chaiya put

Barry Craig, Future Bar’s captain, playing in his match against Masaya Bar. Future Bar won out 6-1 despite Barry’s singles loss. Photo: Michi Von Hamburg

the Future Bar team into an early lead.

Jackie was unlucky against Future’s Wayne when she cleared up only to see the cue ball follow the 8 ball into the same pocket. Wayne played cagily in the next frame to put Future Bar 3-0 ahead.

Masaya’s Marcus got his team a well deserved point, clearing up both frames after errors by Barry, but the doubles and beerleg went the way of the home side to give them a 6-1 victory to the cheers of the home crowd.

In Division B, Roses Bar maintained their perfect record of nine wins without defeat against bottom of the table O’s Bar in fine style. However, the upset of the night was Noom’s loss to O’s Jim. But with Roses’ Mr Consistent, Mike, an unusually nervy

Sergey and a clinical Kevin, beating Uncle John, Bruce and O respectively, and following through with both doubles and the beerleg, they completed a sportsmanly and fun night with a 6-1 victory.

Stor Bar, despite being only 2-2 after the singles, had the stamina to produce a high-level of play throughout the rest of their game with Baroque Bar to win 5-2 and stay in second place in the table.

Black Bull popped next door to Islander A for a fun night. Only Andy M was able to stop the Black Bull’s charge to a 2-5 victory with Rab the star player on the night. Other 2-5 victories were at White Hart BBQ, where Stoned Crab are starting to climb sideways up the table and at Moonlight Bar where the gracious Andy captained his Islander B side

to a fine victory.

Pink Sheep completed their second 4-3 win in succession on the closest fought of the B Division ties against Kilt’n Haggis. Aey and Noi won their singles for Pink Sheep, but glamour couple, Graham and Alisa, made the scores all square winning for the away side.

Pink Sheep, being a little wary of the Haggis after hearing what the Scottish delicacy was made of, dominated the doubles to win the game, despite losing the beer leg.

For fixtures, rankings and match scores please visit the official Rawai Pool League website at http://www.rawaipool-league.com (or http://rawai.pl for quick access). Even better, come and watch or join in the fun every Monday.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

SPORT 31

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Lewis’ Russian victory soured by team orders BOX OF NEUTRALS

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ewis Hamilton may have extended his already comfortable championship lead over Sebastian Vettel to a commanding 50 points with victory at the Russian Grand Prix, but he wasn’t happy about it.

The Briton had been the second-best Mercedes driver all weekend. Valtteri Bottas, always a strong performer at the Sochi Autodrom, had qualified on pole and comfortably controlled the first stint of the race, putting him on track to record his first victory of the season.

The only problem was that Bottas wasn’t in the championship fight.

With Vettel starting from third and threatening not only Hamilton’s finishing position but Bottas’s victory, the question of which Mercedes driver would be allowed to win the race given the title equation was asked almost immediately after qualifying.

Mercedes revealed its answer on lap 25. Bottas was ordered to move aside for his teammate, who swept into the lead and went on to take the chequered flag.

But where celebrations should have been expected for Hamilton’s 70th F1 victory there was only melancholy.

“It’s actually quite a difficult day,” Hamilton said, the conflict in his face obvious.

“Usually you would be just elated, but I can understand how difficult it is for Valtteri – he did a fantastic job today and he deserved to win.

“It’s never, ever in my

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Winner Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton and second placed Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas seen here during the podium ceremony for the Formula One Russian Grand Prix. Photo: Andrej Isakovik / AFP whole life been the way I’ve wanted to win a race.”

Bottas, utterly downcast for having what should have been an easy win taken away from him, acknowledged the awkwardness of the result.

“A difficult day,” he mused.

“Obviously a good result for us as a team – we got the maximum points – but personally, as everyone saw, it was quite a difficult race.”

The call was publicly divisive, but as Bottas correctly summarised post-race, it was a grand prix strategy designed only to benefit the team and its campaign to win its fifth consecutive constructorsdrivers championship double.

The difference to Hamilton’s points total may have been negligible – the difference between first and second is seven points – but there was a threat, even if only minor, to Mercedes’s one-two finish had the call not been made to switch drivers.

A strategy error had briefly lost Hamilton second place to Vettel at his first pit stop on lap 14, and though he was able to take the position back just two laps later, he damaged his rear-left tyre in the process, creating a weakness for Vet-

tel to exploit late in the race.

Switching Bottas into the defensive therefore not only pushed Hamilton even closer to a surely inevitable fifth world championship, it also ensured Vettel was kept at bay to secure the best result for the team.

“Somebody needs to be the baddie sometimes, and it’s me today,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said. “What do I opt for: to be the baddie on Sunday evening, or do I want to be the idiot in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season?”

That big-picture thinking was more important to Mercedes than Bottas winning a race that would prove either a footnote in his teammate’s championship-winning season or a potential own-goal should some catastrophe befall Hamilton’s title charge.

As a result, Vettel’s imposing 50-point deficit is seemingly insurmountable, but with what is forecast to be a typhoon-affected Japanese Grand Prix next on Sunday (Oct 7), the German is taking the dying days of the season one race at a time.

“I still believe in our chances,” he said. “Who knows – it takes one DNF

(non-finish for Hamilton) and then all of a sudden things look different.”

But after Mercedes’s most complete result since May’s Spanish Grand Prix, it would be a brave person to bet on anyone but Hamilton sealing the deal in the last five races of the 2018 season.

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

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018

Set the date in your diary for island’s colourful run > p29

BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy keeper signs pro contract with Benfica Former BISP Cruzeiro Academy goalkeeper Pedro Haveisen de Souza gives the thumbs-up after signing his pro contract. Photo: Benfica Academy

FOOTBALL

Pedro signs his pro contract with Benfica. Photo: Benfica Academy

Matt Pond editor3@thephuketnews.com

I

t’s certainly been a long time coming, and I for one, having seen the talent they have, am surprised that it hasn’t happened sooner, but finally a player brought through the ranks of the British International School, Phuket Cruzeiro Football Academy has signed a pro contract with a big-named club from Portugal.

Brazilian goalkeeper Pedro Haveisen de Souza recently signed a professional contract with Portuguese side Sport Lisboa e Benfica aged just 15 and is now playing for the club’s Under 17 squad as their first choice keeper.

Pedro was invited to sign for Benfica’s academy last year and prior to his departure from BISP he spoke to The Phuket News about his time with the Cruzeiro Academy here in Phuket.

“I was with the Cruzeiro Academy in Brazil, but was invited here to Phuket by the Head Coach Jonathas Candido two years ago,” he said.

Asked why he was invited here to Phuket by Coach Jonathas, Pedro explained, “Coach Jonathas was looking to bring in some Brazilian players to the academy here in Phuket on scholarships. He used to train my brother in Brazil and

Pedro seen here with BISP Cruzeiro Academy goalkeeping coach Fred Bragaglia. Photo: Supplied he remembered me.

“He contacted my parents and advised them of what was available here in Phuket, we sat down and discussed it and decided that it would be the best thing for me to move here to Phuket.”

Talking about his experience with the academy here in Phuket, Pedro said that it was good because he had Coach Jonathas with him and also goalkeeping coach Fred Bragaglia, who he had worked with in Brazil.

“It was really nice to have these people here to support me because when I first came here I didn’t know anybody and it was a new country for me. They were always here to support me,” Pedro said.

Pedro initially thought it would be hard to make that change from Brazil to Thailand, but he actually adapted

pretty well.

“All the people here were great and really helped me to settle in. The move wasn’t as bad as I had thought it was going to be,” he said.

When asked how he was noticed by Benfica, Pedro explained that his father knew someone who worked with a lot of players from Cruzeiro in Brazil and managed to set up trials for Pedro with the club.

“I went to Benfica for trials and they really liked me, so asked me to return again. I went back for a week of trials and they offered me a place at their academy.”

But the move to Benfica wasn’t as daunting to Pedro as when he moved to Phuket.

“It will be another big change, obviously, and I will be away from my parents again, but at least this time around I will already be

able to speak the language – Pedro’s English skills were minimal prior to his arrival at BISP – and the culture is similar to that of Brazil,” he said.

“The most difficult thing for me will be that I won’t know anyone,” he added.

Speaking to The Phuket News after learning about his academy’s first pro signing, Coach Jonathas said, “This is something really, really big not only for us here at the BISP Cruzeiro Academy but also for the Cruzeiro club because the last Brazilian goalkeeper to play for Benfica was Ederson Moraes who now plays for Manchester City in the Premier League.”

“For some reason Benfica seem to really like Brazilian goalkeepers and Pedro is now someone that they see as having huge potential to join

the main squad when he’s old enough,” he explained.

But Coach Jonathas had no doubt about Pedro’s ability. “Pedro was a goalkeeper for Cruzeiro from the age of 10 or possibly younger, and he went all the way through.

When he arrived with us I already knew him from the club because I worked with him there. He always showed a great attitude and great talent to be a goalkeeper,” he said.

Jonathas then explained that the main reason Pedro was brought to Phuket was to learn English.

“His parents really wanted him to go to America, however, during his time here he impressed and now he has missed that step of going to America and has gone straight to Benfica.”

And Jonathas knows what Pedro can achieve as a goal-

keeper and didn’t hold back when saying so. “He is a world-class keeper and is a name to look out for in the future.”

But when asked whether Pedro was good enough to play for the Brazilian national team, Jonathas explained that this was where Pedro had somewhat of a dilemma.

“Pedro has dual nationality, he’s both Brazilian and Portuguese. So at some point he will have to make that decision as to who he wants to play for. However, he already represented Brazil at a national level when he was 12, so it might well be that his decision is already made.

But saying that, as he is now based in Portugal that might now sway his decision.”

We will have to watch this space to see what Pedro’s decision will be. thephuketnews