THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com
Friday, September 7 – Thursday, September 13, 2018
Since 2011 / Volume VIII / No. 36
20 Baht
DENGUE WARNING AS INFECTION RATE SPIKES > PAGE 2
A STAR REBORN
NEWS
PAGE 3
Tourist killed as ATV plunges down hillside
LIFE
PAGE 13
Mother Nature helping us to work together
Marine biologist Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat says the coral at Maya Bay is coming back to life. Photo: Thon Thamrongnawasawat
MAYA BAY REEFS COMING BACK TO LIFE, SAYS MARINE EXPERT – BAY REOPENING IN DOUBT Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
C
oral reefs at Phi Phi Island’s Maya Bay are already coming back to life since closing the area to tourists on June 1, says marine biologist Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat. Mr Thon, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, says he has even seen a baby shark in the area. “I am really impressed with the revival of the coral reefs in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park in Krabi province. I even saw a baby shark around this area looking for food. However, the coral reefs still need some time to revive at Maya Bay. “Today we have taken corals to plant at Maya Bay. These coral pieces had been at Yoong Island but they were dislodged by underwater currents,” Dr Thon explained to The Phuket News this past week. “We kept the corals alive at a floating platform beside Phi Phi Don and now they are better and alive. Today
we joined them with the dead coral at Maya Bay,” he said last Thursday (Aug 30). “We took 365 pieces of coral to Maya Bay today and we have planted more than 2,000 pieces in the past but it can’t compare to new coral growing in future. “Everything we have done for the coral today is like an ‘apology’ for being late in protecting them. Also, we were too scared and negative to have thought of saving them,” he added. “We gave our promise that we won’t go back again. There will be no boats at Maya Bay again. All coral will be able to grow up in clear water. Then we will have paradise back. “Then it will show that Phi Phi Island is in the top five beautiful islands in the world. This is our promise,” Dr Thon concluded. Chief of the Hat Nopparat – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Worapoj Lomlim this week was obscure on whether or not boats carrying tourists would be allowed back into the bay after Oct 1, when the four-month closure of the bay initially announced will conclude.
Maya Bay was closed to all visitors from June 1 to allow coral reefs and the local marine ecosystem to recover after years of heavy ‘overtourism’, which saw thousands of tourists visiting the bay each day during the tourism high season. Further, on May 11 this year it was announced that boats taking tourists to visit Phi Phi Island’s renowned Maya Bay would no longer even be able to land or drop anchor at Loh Samah Bay, on the far side of the island, in the latest move to protect the island from environmental damage brought on by overtourism. Instead, a floating pier would be installed so that tourists can disembark tour boats and arrive on the island without causing further harm to the popular island, announced Thanya Nethithammakul, chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. “I just finished meeting with the Protected Area Committee (PAC) yesterday (Sept 4),” Chief Worapoj told The Phuket News on Wednesday. “We are considering asking to defer the re-opening of Maya Bay
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 @thephuketnews
to visitors for another month,” Chief Worapoj said, meaning that, if approved, the bay will re-open to visitors at the earliest on Nov 1. However, Chief Worapoj declined to comment on Dr Thon’s understanding that the bay will remain closed until the corals recover. Chief Worapoj did reconfirm that – if and when the bay reopens – the number of visitors allowed will be limited. “I can’t confirm how many people will be allowed to enter the bay. At the meeting yesterday (on Tuesday), only 300 to 700 visitors a day were proposed in light of research conducted. Regardless, the final decision rests with the Department of National Parks in Bangkok,” Mr Worapoj said. Mr Worapoj’s superiors in Bangkok, however, are not shy in announcing details to the press while leaving Mr Worapoj in the dark. Songtham Suksawang, Director of the DNP’s National Park Office, last Wednesday (Aug 29) announced that progress was being made on rolling out the e-ticketing system to be used to issue tickets for visitors to enter...
SPORT
PAGE 30
Patong White and Blue book places in semis
News 2
PHUKET NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
Maya Bay corals on the road to recovery Continued from page 1 ...the country’s marine parks, including Hat Nopparat – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and its Maya Bay. “There will no longer be walk-in tourists at top marine park destinations soon. The e-tickets will serve as a department tool to control and limit the number of tourists,” Mr Songtham told the Bangkok Post. Mr Songtham explained that three potential vendors for the e-tickets were being considered: 1) 7-Eleven stores, 2) Krungthai Bank, and 3) Siam Commercial Bank. The best Park Chief Worapoj could contribute on the issue on Wednesday was, “We don’t have any conclusion about it yet. Committee members are thinking about it. It needs time to plan it. “We have not set the ticket prices or any requirements yet,” he added.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Phuket Light Rail in service ‘about 2023’, Vice-Gov assures > page 4
Speed trap nets 60
Underpass motorbike rider hits 167km/h The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
The corals replanted in Maya Bay are showing signs of a healthy recovery. Photo: Thon Thamrongnawasawat Asked if there would be any limits on the number of tickets bought by one person, or one company, Mr Worapoj said, “We have not made a decision about it yet.” Meanwhile, Loh Samah Bay on the far side of the island from which visitors can walk to Maya Bay remains closed, as boats cannot make landfall or drop anchor in the bay, and the floating pier to be built remains in the planning stage, Mr Worapoj confirmed on Wednesday.
A
record 60 drivers have been fined for speeding on the bypass road near the Darasamut Underpass, with one motorbike rider clocking a top speed of 167km/h. However, the speeding motorcyclist was not fined because the cameras are set to catch vehicles from front on only – meaning that the licence plates on any motorbikes speeding are not caught on camera. The 60 drivers caught speeding on the section of road past the Big C shopping centre, where motorists exit and enter the underpass, is a record for August, Capt Siripong Suriyan of the Wichit Traffic Police told The Phuket News last Thursday (Aug 30).
Officers check for motorists speeding on the bypass road near the Darasamut Underpass. Photo: Wichit Traffic Police “Because this is a municipal area, by law the speed limit is 80km/h,” he said. “We know most drivers love to drive faster than the speed limit, but if we catch them with our cameras they will have the consequences of naughty drivers,” he added. The cameras connect to a system that can identify the
licence plate of a vehicle and then search the Phuket Land of Transport Office (PLTO) database, with the fine sent automatically to the registered owner of the vehicle, Capt Siripong explained. “We set up the cameras at different locations throughout Wichit every month,” Capt Siripong said, adding, “There
are only two cameras, which we must share with other police stations.” Capt Siripong pointed out, “All 60 fined (in August) were drivers of cars or pickup trucks, not motorbikes.” He explained that no motorbikes were caught speeding because his officers set up the cameras to catch motorists from front on only. “We don’t set up the cameras to catch motorists travelling north towards Samkong because they don’t tend to speed much,” he said, though his officers do set up the cameras to catch motorists front on as they exit the underpass. “And we don’t set up the cameras to catch motorists from behind as they head southbound into the underpass because it is too difficult to turn the camera around and set up the system,” he added.
Dengue warning as deaths hit 65 T H E DI R ECTOR- GE Neral of the Thai Ministry of Health’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has warned for people to take precautions against contracting dengue after two more deaths suspected from dengue in Surin province, while Phuket remains the leading province in the South for infections per capita. Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai last Sunday (Sept 2) pointed out that from Jan 1 to Aug 28 this year, 65 people in Thailand have died from dengue, with 50,079 people across the country having been confirmed as contracting the mosquito-borne disease. Worse, the number of infections nationwide this year is up 50.2% on last year, confirms a DDC report posted last week. The highest affected age range is 10 to 14 years old. Regarding the latest two deaths in Surin province, Dr Suwannachai said that the deaths were currently under investigation. “I have to wait for test results before we confirm the two people died from dengue,” he said. Dr Suwannachai explained that the severity of the illness
The dengue incidence rate across the country has skyrocketed this year. Image: DDC depends on whether a person had previously been infected with dengue. “In the first infection, the symptoms are usually mild, with fever and muscle aches. Symptoms usually get worse when the second infection occurs with different strains. This will cause bleeding and shock,” he explained. According to the latest DDC report, the five provinces with the highest rate of illness per 100,000 people are Nakhon Pathom, Phichit, Mae Hong Son, Phuket and Nakhon Sawan, respectively, making Phuket the fourth-highest in the country for infections per capita. Meanwhile, Phuket still has the highest per capita infection rate in Southern Thailand with 152.16 infections per 100,000 from Jan 1 to Aug 28, followed by Nakhon Sri Thammarat
and Krabi. Phuket has had 594 infections during the period, the DDC noted in its report. “I urge that people, communities and government agencies work together to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, with the emphasis on the ‘three steps of prevention’: 1) Keep the house clean. Do not have areas of dense foliage where mosquitoes like to breed, and clear containers of standing water; 2) Make sure waste containers are not left open; and 3) Keep lids on all water storage vessels so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs there. “Any person with a high fever, headache, aches and pains, or gastrointestinal redness, blood spots, vomiting and abdominal pain must see a doctor as soon as possible,” he added. The Phuket News thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Tourist, 24, dies from injuries in ATV plunge
PHUKET NEWS
3
The ofo bike-share service was launched on Sept 20 last year. Photo: The Phuket News / File
Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
T
he Saudi Arabian tourist who suffered head injuries in an ATV accident last Sunday (Sept 2) has died from his injuries. Muteb Alsahli, 24, was driving an ATV with friends on a track in the hills behind Soi Klumyang, Chalong, when he lost control of the ATV and plunged 10 metres down a steep incline beside the track, coming to rest when the ATV struck a tree. Although initial reports by rescue workers at the scene reported Mr Muteb’s condition as “not serious”, he was next reported in hospital as he had nearly severed his tongue in the impact. “Mr Muteb passed away at Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok today,” Capt Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police confirmed to The Phuket News on Tuesday (Sept 4). “I was notified when seeking an update to his condition this morning,” he said. “Mr Muteb was transferred from Phuket to Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok yesterday (Sept 3) for treatment of several serious cranial injuries, including a cerebral haemorrhage,” Capt Ekkachai explained. When called on Tuesday afternoon, Bangkok Hospital staff told The Phuket
ofo put brakes on bike-share Saudi Arabian tourist Muteb Alsahli, 24, was driving an ATV in the hills behind Chalong when it plunged down a steep slope and hit a tree. Photo: Chalong Municipality rescue workers News that they were unable to comment about the case. Capt Eakkchai, meanwhile, confirmed, “I am leading the team of Tourist Police investigators looking into the case. “The business that rented out the ATVs to Mr Muteb and his companions was only a small business,” he said by phone late Tuesday afternoon. Capt Eakkachai on Wednesday (Sept 5) was able to confirm that the name of the ATV operation was Phuket Paradise Tour.
“We have yet to confirm whether the operation is registered as a tourism business. We are checking that now,” Capt Eakkachai added. “Mr Muteb was on a ATV tour, led by one of the company’s staff members. “He was driving the ATV alone when the accident happened. His friends were driving their own rented ATVs,” he said. Capt Eakkachai also noted, “ATV tour operators should give helmets to riders, but we are still checking whether this is an actual requirement by law.”
Camp ordered to stop using baby elephant as tourist-cash bait A BABY ELEPHANT THAT WAS BEING used as a tourist attraction in Chalong on the road up to the Big Buddha viewpoint is being moved to a corral and is no longer being used as tourist-cash bait. The 3-year-old female baby elephant was shackled in front of the Butterfly & Orchid Garden on Soi Yodsane, causing an outpouring online over the condition the elephant was being kept in – and to much distress of some people, that the elephant was being used as a tourist attraction. In response, the Phuket Livestock Office dispatched officers to ensure the elephant was in good health and not suffering maltreatment. “We sent officers to investigate last week after the complaints were brought to our attention on Aug 19,” Phuket Livestock Chief Surajit Witchuwan told The Phuket News last Friday (Aug 31). “We found that the baby elephant is a female, 3 years old. The poor little elephant was chained up to a pole,” he said. “The owner was using her so that tourist would buy fruit to feed to her,” he added. The baby female elephant is Phuket-born, Mr Surajit noted, adding that she was born at the ATV Seaview camp further along the same road. “Her father is Plai Thip Yiram and her mother is Phang Lun Yiram (same surname noted),” he said. “We ordered the owner of the elephant @thephuketnews
The baby female elephant is no longer shackled in front of the Butterfly & Orchid Garden. Photo: Phuket Provincial Livestock Office to treat her better,” Mr Surajit explained. “The owner is now building a contained area where she can be kept without being under tight restraints. The area is shaded. It is under construction now, but she will be moved there once it is completed,” he added. “The baby elephant won’t be on show beside the road anymore,” he said. “I told owner to take good care of elephant’s health, too. Next, this baby will get its own ID number and microchip when she turns 7 years old,” Mr Surajit added. Tanyaluk Sakoot
THE COMPANY BEHIND Phuket’s first bike-share service, ofo Thailand, has announced that the service has come to an end. The announcement was made in a press release issued by Samantha Suriwon Tng, ofo Thailand’s Head of Ops and Country Lead and shared by Phuket City Development (PKCD). The release stated that ofo China changed its policy of service last Tuesday (Aug 28) and had decided to cancel ofo Thailand on Aug 31. “We would like to thank Phuket City Development (PKCD) who is a good partner and managed all ofo activity in the Phuket Area.
“We deeply apologise for the decision to stop the service in all areas in Thailand including Phuket province. All ofo bikes will removed from Phuket from today (Aug 28) until August 31,” the statement read. Meanwhile, Phuket City Development (PKCD) has confirmed that the other bikeshare option, Obike, will still be available in Phuket. On Sept 20 last year, ofo launched their bike-sharing service with 1,000 bicycles available for use from 11 locations across Phuket Town. Noppol Toochinda, General Manager of ‘ofo’ Thailand, announced the launch at a press event in Phuket Town. The Phuket News
4
PHUKET NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST
The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.
www.foreca.com
FRI SEP 7
SAT SEP 8
SUN SEP 9
MON SEP 10
TUE SEP 11
WED SEP 12
THU SEP 13
High: +30° Low: +24°
High: +29° Low: +25°
High: +29° Low: +25°
High: +29° Low: +25°
High: +30° Low: +25°
High: +30° Low: +25°
High: +30° Low: +25°
Wind 2 m/s
Wind 2 m/s
Wind 2 m/s
Light rail to be completed by ‘about 2023’, says V/Gov GENERAL MANAGER
Jason Beavan 086 479 7471
gm@classactmedia.co.th
SALES SUPPORT Siriporn (Nok) Seangmas 086 479 7470 sales@classactmedia.co.th
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE Phuket light-rail project will start in 2020 and be completed by ‘about 2023’, Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew told a meeting of officials last week. The startling revelation came at a meeting on Aug 29 called by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which has been entrusted with the B39.4billion project, in order to gain feedback from officials from across the island. “The set up of the publicprivate venture required for the project is currently in the review stage. In 2020, the construction will start. Then the whole project will open for service in 2023, approximately,” V/Gov Thawornwat said. Phase 1 of the project will cover 42 kilometres, from
Wind 2 m/s
Wind 2 m/s
Wind 1 m/s
Wind 2 m/s
Army steps in to clean Surin Beach Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
Construction of the Phuket light-rail project will start in 2020 and be completed by ‘about 2023’, said V/Gov Thawornwat Kongkaew. Phuket International Airport to Chalong Circle. Phase 2 will extend 16km, from the airport turnoff on Thepkrasattri Rd to Tha Noon in Phang Nga. “There will be 24 stations… Nineteen of them will be ground-level stations, one will be elevated and one station will be underground,” V/Gov Thawornwat said without clarifying the discrepancy in the number of stations. The Phuket News
T
he Royal Thai Army has stepped in over the appalling state of Surin Beach, with it piles of rubbish growing higher and litter strewn along the sand, and dilapidated food stalls creating an eyesore for tourists. A contingent of soldiers carried out an inspection of the beach last Tuesday (Aug 28). “We were there with municipal officials because we want to show them, the officials, that we were not impressed about the messy area and the rubbish throughout the area,” Col Santi Sakuntanark, Commander of the 25th Military Circle and the highest-ranking army officer stationed in Phuket, told The
Soldiers from the 25th Military Circle visited Surin Beach last Tuesday afternoon (Aug 28) to speak with local vendors about the appaling state of the beach. Photo: Supplied Phuket News last Wednesday (Aug 29). The beach has become a dumpsite for rubbish left behind by visitors and locals, with more washed ashore by the surging waves of the southwest monsoon. Also, broken concrete has left rusting steel reinforcement bars exposed that visitors may easily be injured by. “We want them to make it clean and neat. I understand they need time for everything they do. I just want to see the result of their working at every beach in the Cherng Talay area,” he added. “I will follow up with them
on this again next week, and will keep following up on this,” Col Santi said. Asked if he had raised the issue with Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief MaAnn Samran, Col Santi simply said, “Everyone knew about this.” Meanwhile, Capt Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police confirmed that a police helicopter landing at Surin Beach last Wednesday was no cause for concern – it was made available for national police deputy commander Pol Gen Rungroj Saengkram. The Phuket News
Kiattisak (Rudy) Deamer 088 754 1371 sales2@classactmedia.co.th
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
PHUKET NEWS
Hospital leaves gauze in mother amid delivery
T
@thephuketnews
The gang of six ‘loan sharks’ as reported by Phuket Provincial Police. Image: Phuket Provincial Police
Police call for reports against loan sharks
Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
he Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has apologised and promised to pay compensation after a doctor at a government hospital left gauze inside a new mother after she had her child delivered by surgery at Thalang Hospital. Health officers visited the woman, 17-year-old Thanchanok ‘Tal’ Salangam, at her home in Srisoonthorn last Wednesday (Aug 29) to make their apology and gave her a gift basket. Ms Thanchanok explained, “I chose to give birth at Thalang Hospital. Afterwards, the doctor told me to stay in hospital for three days to recover, then I was allowed to go home.” However, complications during the birth required the doctor present to stitch a wound closed. “The doctor made another appointment in seven days. I still had pain, but I thought it was normal. I went back after 45 days and a nurse just gave me pills and told me to go home, but still the pain continued. “On Tuesday (Aug 28), the pain was so bad I could not stand or sit. I felt like there was something in my uterus. I went into bathroom and I found a piece of gauze in there. It was black and smelly. “I went back to Thalang Hospital to
5
Thanchanok ‘Tal’ Salangam, 17, with her family and her newborn daughter at their home in Srisoonthorn. show them and for an internal examination, but the doctor just gave antibiotics and told me to go home. The doctor said that nothing else was left inside,” Ms Thanchanok explained. Last Thursday (Aug 30), PPHO Chief Dr Jirapan Taepan told the press, “Ms Tal’s relatives did not file a formal complaint about this, but they wanted Thalang Hospital to realise their mistakes. “My staff visited them at their home and apologised for the incident. Next, I will ensure that Ms Tal receives compensation in accordance with the law.” Dr Jirapan added that standard post-
natal appointments for new mothers at all government hospitals were now to be 30 days after birth, not 45 days. “Thank you to the Tal family for this suggestion. I will improve our procedures for better service and to restore confidence in Thalang Hospital,” he said. Meanwhile, Thalang Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Anukul Nuket confirmed, “The case is now under investigation in order to determine whether it must be considered a matter of negligence or not. “However, for now, I have to wait for the results of a health examination of the victim,” he said.
THE PHUKET PROVINcial Police is calling for any persons who believe they are victims of unscrupulous loan sharks to report them immediately after police with Royal Thai Army soldiers in Phuket took down a loan-shark gang of six on Monday (Sept 3). “Anyone who is debtor of these people, please come to file a complaint and record the details on the 4th floor at Phuket Provincial Police Station, or call 076-212046,” said a release issued by the Phuket Provincial Police. The call follows Col Santi Sakuntanark, Commander of the Royal Thai Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment and the highest-ranking army officer stationed in Phuket, leading a raid at a house in Moo 5, Chalong, at 6:30am on Monday. The raid netted six suspects wanted on a total of 21 arrest warrants issued by
the Phuket Provincial Court. The suspects were named as: Somkiet Boonpeng, 28, from Chanthaburi; Chairat Charnapon, 23, from Trat; Tanakorn Srisuk, 22, from Samut Prakan; Komsan Prayatsap, 23, from Pathum Thani; Teerapon Suwannarat, 29, from Bangkok; and Nipon Nuanwara, 20, from Chathaburi. Nipon was also charged with illegal possession of a Category 5 Drug after he was found with marijuana during the raid, while Somkiet and Chairat admitted to their part in the loan-shark gang, reported police. During the raid, the officers seized 229 loan contracts, 636 business cards emblazoned with Roong Thongkam Ngantun (“Roong Thongkam Budget Loans”), a bankbook, a car and six motorbikes, which police noted were used to collect money and interest payments. Eakkapop Thongtub
Opinion 6
OPINION
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
editor@classactmedia.co.th
EDITORIAL
Losing your Ex-hibitions
CONTACT US
editor@classactmedia.co.th 076 612 550
KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor
CHRIS HUSTED
Executive Editor
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
tipa Ungsulert, an extremely talented oil artist, has just finished setting up her canvases for the Freedom in nature exhibition. It includes works from a collection of artists, as well as another home grown talent, Watcharin Rodnit. The Phuket News implores you to view it… that is, if it were in Phuket. Freedom in nature is exhibiting at the Andaman Art Museum in Krabi. Monthian Yangthong is currently producing on the island a range of painstaking and intricately stunningly linocut works for his solo Magic Field show. Sorry folks, the exhibition is in Bangkok. We have a wealth of artistic residents with highly professional talents. Just take a stroll along Phang Nga Rd in Phuket Town to marvel at the diverse range of styles and quality on display in the
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.
TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT Reporter 091 165 0260 reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
NITAD ‘TAE’ MANEE THANAPONG ‘OAK’ KHAO-AMPHAIPHAN NIRAVIT ‘MOS’ VORAVANITCHA Graphic designers
The Phuket News @thephuketnews ADVERTISING
076 612 550 ext. 605 Fax: 076 612 553 info@classactmedia.co.th thephuketnews.com
99/7 Moo 1 (Billion Plaza), T. Kathu, A. Kathu, Phuket 83120
lacking in cultural centres which educate visitors and provide support for regional talent. The government simply needs to consider and allocate a managed space, and allow the impassioned artists to deliver the rest. A local art gallery will provide a much-needed cultural attraction that doesn’t rely on bright neon lights, or elephants that have raided the fancy dress box. The gallery could include works from guest artists from across the Kingdom, and a public space where our home-grown talent can continue to display their craftsmanship. So come on Pakkapong Tawipat, it’s a great opportunity in your new governing role on Oct 1 to support local skills and leave a lasting legacy by backing plans for a Phuket Art Museum. It’s a win-win.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
New Work Permit rules confirmed by Phuket Employment Office Chief Phuket Opinion: It’s called evolution Aussie jumps bail for assaulting female cabin crew, steals Phuket yacht to sail home Heavy weather warning for Phuket Phuket camp ordered to stop using baby elephant as tourist-cash bait Patong police volunteer chief responds to ‘unilateral dismissal’ Minivan owner, driver face punishment for ‘racetrack’ ride to Phuket HRH Sirivannavari Nariratana visits Phuket Maya Bay coming back to life, says marine expert Army steps in to clean Surin Beach, police helicopter landing ‘for convenience’
Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news
HAVE YOUR SAY
DAVID JACKLIN
Lifestyle Editor
myriad independent, artist-run galleries. There is also The Phuket Art Club who work together as a collective in order to facilitate larger presentation spaces within which to exhibit their works. Their recent exhibition at the Novotel Hotel in Phuket Town was a beautiful collection, and a reminder of the sort of cultural and educational event that the island lacks. They have been campaigning for a dedicated Phuket art gallery for many years without much luck. Dealings with local government on the issue have failed to garner sustained interest. The benefits of having an art gallery for the province for both tourists and local community needs little explanation. With ever bigger sporting and entertainment attractions, we are severely
TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com
The Dirty Solution
A reader’s letter solving the huge traffic problem around Chalong Circle, from Kata to Patong and Kathu to Patong. I’d like to bring to the authorities’ attention that, as they know, there is a half-built dirt road between the new Chalong reservoir connecting with 50 Pi Rd in Patong. This dirt road is only 2,900 metres long and I’ve driven along it several times with both motorbike and off-road car. Lately the road became very dangerous due to rain erosion, but it could be fixed and converted into a smooth drivable road at much cheaper cost compared with the building of new roads. I know the government put this job on the to-do list for many years, but the budget never got approved. I believe the road could solve 10% to 20% of the traffic congestion issue in and out of Patong. Thank you for your attention. Patrick Catellani
Pesky Mosquitoes
Re: Dengue warning reissued as national death toll hits 65
Dengue manifests itself in clusters – with a bit of effort, the local health centres can easily identify the location of these clusters and then tour these neighbourhoods and advise on how to prevent them. It works very well in Singapore, so it can also be done on Phuket. MP Frederik Heard that some Thai experts are working on the vaccine to prevent dengue. One of them is my brother-in-law. Nora A. Phayackaporn
Fast and Furious
Re: Thai man dies in high speed crash, not known if street racing to blame I saw a whole bunch of them racing past on the main road (just past Toyota showroom). They were really fast and dangerous, and I had my son in the car at that time. So tragic this happened! Racing should be done in the appropriate venues. Merlisa Loy
ATV Enquiry
Re: Saudi Arabian tourist dies from injuries in Phuket ATV plunge
Capt Eakkachai also noted, “ATV tour operators should give helmets to riders, but we are still checking whether this is an actual requirement by law.” Well of course not, the safety of tourists is not important, we already know that! Malczx7r It doesn’t matter how small the business is. How is it that these pieces of junk ATVs are allowed on roads? I’ve taken visitors to Big Buddha and these things are swerving all over the road. Was the ATV checked for a mechanical failure? Did it have a proper seat belt with shoulder straps? Insurance? Of course not. They allow locals to do anything they want without any regulations. Timothy
Show Pony
Re: Governor lowers boom on Phuket tour boat safety The only thing Thailand has done in response to the Phoenix disaster is mount and tacky and tasteless public relations campaign. The only people fooled by this absurd dog and pony show is the Thai officials themselves. The end
result, this place remains as dangerous as ever. Ben Pendejo
Empty Room
Re: Phuket shows strong at PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards Why? What have they done other than build more overpriced cookie-cutter boxes in an already over saturated market? Further damaging both the environment and the economy? How about awards for the government for proper regulation of the new-build property market? Before Phuket is nothing but a big empty housing estate. CaptainJack69
Colourful News
Re: Phuket Opinion: It’s called evolution Nothing wrong with a little colourful language when appropriate if the comment is sensible, usually acceptable for mature-minded adults. It appears some have very thin skin. Perhaps they should stop reading and posting comments if so easily offended! Give the rest of us a break from the usual mindless rhetoric. Pauly44
Have an opinion? Comment on stories at thephuketnews.com thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
THAILAND NEWS
7
The Shih Tzu crime sidekick
‘Dog-carrying thieves’ apprehended after 15-year spree of robberies BANGKOK Bangkok Post
A
couple dubbed the ‘dog-carrying thieves’ brought a newlybought Shih Tzu with them when they recently appeared at the Provincial Police Region 1 headquarters in Bangkok. Police arrested them last Thursday (Aug 30), ending their 15-year spree of robberies which had seen the duo make off with more than B20 million worth of stolen goods and cash. The couple had become notorious for using their pet dog as a decoy while a knack for forging ID cards had seen them evade the law until investigators found them at a rented house on Phahonyothin 52 Rd in the capital. Thiyata Bunrueang, 38, who accompanied her husband Aphichat, 42, to the Provincial Police Region 1, held a Shih Tzu in her arms but said it was not the one taken with them on their “shopping” trips. “More than 50 victims have complained to police
@thephuketnews
Police allege Aphichat Bunrueang, 42, (holding dog) and spouse Thiyata, 38, ran a lucrative crime operation for 15 years before they were arrested. Photo: Screengrab via YouTube / This Morning about their crimes – about 10 robberies a month on average over 15 years,” said Lt Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, chief of Provincial Police Region 1. It was a Shih Tzu, named Tua Lek (little one), which was the key to their rouse, according to investigators. The couple took the pet
dog with them when they went to a target shop. They pretended to be customers asking questions about products and, sometimes, placed many orders. The dog was simply left to sniff around, run about and explore the store. “This was to distract the
attention of the shop owner,” Lt Gen Suwat said. “When the dog caught the victim’s attention or they became busy packing goods for the couple, the suspects quickly snatched valuables and suddenly left.” Such a trick was employed for the last time on Aug 7 when
the pair, together with Tua Lek, went to an agricultural equipment store in Pathum Thani. “In just a short time, they made off with up to B400,000 in assets,” Lt Gen Suwat said. “The couple have already confessed to the crimes,” said deputy national police chief Gen Chaloemkiat Siworakhan, who was present during the press conference. Investigators found that the dog was indeed not the first method of distraction the pair had employed. In the beginning, they had used their daughter to similar effect, earning them a previous soubriquet of the ‘child-cradling thieves’. “However, when their d aug hter g rew up, they switched to lovely little pet dogs. “At this stage, we will not take legal action against their daughter,” Gen Chaloemkiat said.” Police admitted it took a long time to nab the pair due to their adeptness at forging identity documents and changing their address. The couple used identity
cards taken from “people with faces similar to them” to acquire cars and rent houses, Lt Gen Suwat said. Reportedly Aphichat’s wife, also known as Usa Kasemmani, used the proceeds of their crimes to undergo cosmetic surgery, which further made her difficult to apprehend. According to media reports, she also liked to show off her lavish lifestyle together with her Shih Tzu sidekick on social media. A check on their backgrounds found Aphichat and his wife were wanted under a total of 14 arrest warrants, but investigators had failed to even come close to catching the pair until late last month. However, on Aug 27, following a tip-off, police seized assets and documents believed to belong to the suspects. The items – 18 identity cards, 10 ATM and credit cards, 55 mobile phones, 55 brandname bags, various types of jewellery, one pistol and two cars – were found at a luxury house in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district.
THAILAND NEWS
8
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Mulling visa restrictions
Number of Thai sex workers in Taiwan jumps during waiver program BANGKOK Bangkok Post
T
aiwan is considering driving down visafree entries for Thais from six times to twice a year after the number of Thai women discovered working in the sex trade in the territory jumped during the visa waiver program’s introduction two years ago. According to the Taiwan News website, Minister Without Portfolio Chang Jing-sen convened a cross-departmental meeting last Friday (Aug 31) to review visa policy with regard to Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei. The report said that the number of arrivals from the three countries to Taiwan jumped by 410,000 over the past two years and that there were more cases of sex work reportedly involving those nationals. Taiwan media reported in April a Thai national who had visited Taiwan multiple times to provide sex services in the country had tested positive
Six Thai women caught working in the sex trade by Taiwan authorities are seen here at the National Immigration Agency. Photo: Taiwan Central News Agency via Bangkok Post for HIV, possibly infecting hundreds of clients, according to local police. To address the matter, Mr Chang said the government is considering reducing the number of visa-free visits for
individuals from those nations. The stiffened measures are likely to be enforced on Aug 1 next year if given the nod from parliament, according to Radio Taiwan International. Citing immigration author-
ity figures, the website said 309 Thai women were found to have provided sex services in Taiwan last year, a big jump from 18 the year before. Only three Thai women committed such an offence there in 2015. In June, Taiwan decided to extend the trial period for the visa-free privileges from Aug 1 this year to July 31 next year, but reduced each stay to a maximum of 14 days, as opposed to 30 days when the program started in 2016. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said, “Taiwan has the right to grant the visa or impose the number of days for it,” while a source at the Thai labour ministry said officers are keeping track of the reports. The source said Taiwanese authorities are in the process of considering reducing the number of visa-free entries as part of measures to tackle an upturn in prostitution offences
committed by travellers from Asean countries. The proposal may have been raised by the Taiwanese foreign ministry but it has not yet been officially announced, the source said, adding there is still no information when the measure will be forwarded to the parliament for consideration. Meanwhile, Chotika Chotsirimethakorn, a sales executive at Mira Travel Agency, said she did not think the visa policy change will have a significant impact on the number of Thais travelling to Taiwan. “According to the news, the visa-free entry for Thais will not be completely abolished, and there are very few genuine tourists who would wish to visit Taiwan more than two times a year anyway,” she said. However, if Taiwan was to completely stop offering visafree entry to Thai passport
holders, she said the impact could be huge as Taiwan is now the fourth most visited destination in Asia by Thai tourists, after Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. “The number of Thais travelling to Taiwan could drop by 50% if Taiwan follows through with its plan to end the program,” she said. A well-informed Thai source, who has been living in Taiwan for more than a decade, told the Bangkok Post that in addition to the problem of prostitution, she has seen many Thai workers in the country fall into illegal drug habits, which also spread to local communities. This is one of the reasons that, presently, foreign workers in Taiwan are very closely monitored by the state, according to the source. The decision to alter the terms of entry for Asean nationals may also have been politically motivated, the source said. Last Tuesday (Aug 28), Thailand announced a new policy stipulating that Taiwanese people who wish to visit Thailand can only apply for visas via a single agency authorised by the Thai government which charges about B500 more than the present channels for granting entry. Many Taiwanese people were upset with this, the source said. This move also drove the Taiwanese opposition party to attack the one-sided nature of the current travel arrangements between the two countries. Although Thailand officials quickly moved to scrap the policy the following day, saying the visa system would remain unchanged, it may have prompted the Taiwan government to rethink visa-free entry for Thais, the source said.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
ASIA NEWS
9
India’s billion-dollar battle World’s biggest statue to be outdone by effigy to Hindu warrior king INDIA Rajesh Joshi
T
he world’s biggest statue is rising in a remote corner of India to honour an independence hero but it could quickly be outdone by a monument to a Hindu warrior king in the sea off Mumbai. In a burst of nationalist fervour, around US$1 billion (B32.743bn) is being spent on the two giant effigies, each more than twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. A 182-metre-high tribute to independence icon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat state will be the first to dwarf the Spring Temple Buddha in China, currently the world’s biggest statue at 128m in height. Pick-axes are also swinging for a 212-metre-high likeness of 17th-century king Chhatrapati Shivaji, resplendent on a horse and brandishing a sword, which should dominate the Mumbai shoreline from 2021. An army of 2,500 workers – including several hundred Chinese labourers – is toiling around the clock to put 5,000 squares of bronze cladding on the figure of Patel so it can be ready for inauguration on October 31 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 29.9-billion-rupee (B14.079bn) ‘Statue of Unity’ overlooking the isolated Sardar Sarovar Dam is a pet project of Modi. He has predicted it will attract “hordes” of tourists, as the Statue of Liberty does in New York. Visitors will be able to access a viewing gallery 153m up – about chest height on the huge standing figure. But they will have to travel 250 kilometres from the state’s main city of Allahabad to get there.
@thephuketnews
This photo taken on Aug 25 shows the under-construction ‘Statue of Unity’, a monument dedicated to Indian independence leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, overlooking the Sardar Sarovar Dam near Vadodara in India’s western Gujarat state. Photo: Sam Panthaky / AFP
There is also a political motive to the mega project, with India heading into a campaign for a national election early next year. Patel was deputy to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru after independence in 1947 and Modi’s nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party says his name has been unfairly overshadowed by the dominant Nehru dynasty. Patel became known as the ‘Iron Man of India’ by persuading – through talks and a hint of force – some 550 princely states to become part of India after independence from Britain in 1947. He died three years later. Many Hindu nationalists feel it was a slight when Patel was asked to step aside to let the secular Nehru become the country’s first leader. “Every Indian regrets Sardar Patel did not become the first prime minister,” Modi said while campaigning in 2013. “Modi has used Patel’s
legacy a lot in his election campaigns,” said Ghanshyam Shah, a former professor of class politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. “He is very likely to use the Statue of Unity during the upcoming campaign but I am worried about how it will influence voters,” Shah added. The opposition Congress party says that a plan to change the Nehru Memorial museum in New Delhi into a centre devoted to all of India’s prime ministers is another bid to taint Nehru’s name. In 2016, Modi laid the foundation stone in Maharashtra state for the statue of Shivaji, a hero of the 80 million strong Marathi community based in the state. Hindu nationalists have also adopted Shivaji, who made his name battling the Muslim Mughal empire. Critics say the 36-billion-rupee (B16.863bn) statue is a way of winning Marathi votes in next year’s election.
Fuelling the fervour, the government announced last week that the word Maharaj, or king, had been added to the title of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. “The BJP has been appropriating icons for some
time,” said Sudha Pai of the Indian Council of Social Science Research. “Patel has been used to wipe out the Nehru legacy. The BJP wants to change the way history is perceived and show that the right wing
was as important in India’s freedom struggle.” Preliminary work has started on the controversial project – with a museum, park and helipad – on reclaimed land two kilometres out to sea. Environmentalists and thousands of fishing workers oppose the statue because of the threat to fishing stocks. The price of the monument is certain to rise, analysts say and the state government has already changed the design to bring down costs. How it will eventually look and when it will be finished remains in doubt. India’s statue politics often fall victim to “hard economic reality”, according to Badra Narayan, a professor at the Pant Social Science Institute in Allahabad. An overrun is inevitable, according to I.C. Rao, head of a Mumbai citizens’ group, who has questioned the cost and safety of the Shivaji design. He said finishing the statue on time, would be “an impossibility even for the Trojans”. AFP
10 WORLD NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
The sweet taste of success
One Syrian man’s journey from Guantanamo Bay prison to pastries URUGUAY Mauricio Rabuffetti
A
hmed Ahjam spent more than 12 years in the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects, but now he has seen a dream come true by starting a business in the country that welcomed him when the nightmare ended. ‘Ahmed Ahjam. Arab gastronomy’, reads a sign marking the small food stand that Ahjam has opened in Uruguay’s capital with help from city hall. He mainly sells sweets. Ahjam, 41 and born in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, arrived here in 2014 along with six other prisoners from Guantanamo under an accord signed by the United States and Uruguay. Washington was seeking countries willing to accept such inmates so it could move to empty the facility for terror suspects that was notorious for mistreating prisoners. Ahjam was one of the roughly 780 people sent to Guantanamo prison
Syrian Ahmed Adnan Ahjam, a former Guantanamo inmate, greets a customer during the opening of his Arab gastronomy shop at the Montevideo Farmers Market, in Montevideo, Uruguay. Photo: AFP since 2002. His stand has small chalkboards advertising some of his wares: baklava, the sesame paste tahini or Uruguayanstyle candy. Ahjam now aims to make a new life in Uruguay thanks to this undertaking he be-
gan by selling his treats on Facebook. “For me it is a dream come true. It is very important in my new life. I am very grateful to the Uruguayans who are close to me. I am going to work very hard,” Ahjam told reporters as he inaugurated
his stand. He declined to take questions. US Department of Defense officials believe he fought US and Coalition forces in the Tora Bora mountain cave complex in Afghanistan used by late Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
He f led bombardment before being captured by Pakistani authorities. According to Department of Defense records, he was handed over to US authorities in the Afghan city of Kandahar in January 2002 and incarcerated at Guantanamo from June 14, 2002. Many of the assertions in the records are contested by former Guantanamo detainees and their lawyers and cannot be independently verified. His is a success story that comes out of an integration initiative that has had its ups and downs here. Uruguay took in the Guantanamo prisoners in exchange for economic aid that grows smaller and smaller over time. These men had trouble integrating into Uruguayan society and finding work. One of them left several times, only to come back, until he managed to depart definitively this year. But Ahjam seeks just the opposite: he wants to remain in the country that welcomed him. “It is highly symbolic that
someone who is a refugee finds an alternative way to live, a productive thing to do. Everyone deserves an opportunity,” said Montevideo Mayor Daniel Martinez, who was at the opening of the food stand. Ahjam’s store, which also serves coffee and juices, is located in the Montevideo Farmers Market, which used to be a wholesale venue but underwent a makeover to feature food stands, cultural exhibits and shops. His project was developed with help from a city agency called Cedel. “In Syria he was a jeweller. These are different markets and times now, and in wanting to live in Uruguay and develop himself here, he thinks the cuisine of his country could be a way to make a living,” said Veronica de Gregorio, who runs one of the departments at Cedel. “He is not in the program because he is a former prisoner at Guantanamo but rather because he has entrepreneurial spirit,” she added. AFP
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
BUSINESS NEWS 11
Property ‘all stars’ honoured Phuket shows strong at PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
T
hailand’s finest developers dazzled at the 13th annual PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2018, the most-prestigious and longest-running property awards progam, held last Friday evening (Aug 31) at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection hotel in Bangkok. Leading the list of winners was AP (Thailand) Public Company Limited, which took home seven golden trophies and was crowned the Best Developer of the year. Phuket put in a strong showing, with Boat Pattana Co Ltd winning the Best Boutique Developer award, besting All Inspire Development Public Company Limited, Altitude Development Co Ltd, Habitat Group Co Ltd and Mana Patanakarn Co Ltd, which were all Highly Commended in the category. Botanica Luxury Villas by Botanica Luxury Phuket Co Ltd won Best Villa Development (Phuket) and Highly Commended recognition in the Best Housing Architectural Design (Resort) category. Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay
AP (Thailand) Public Company Limited won seven awards at the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2018, including Best Developer. Resort by Apex Development Public Company Limited won Best Hotel Development, Best Hotel Architectural Design and Best Housing Landscape Architectural Design (Resort) awards. The Residences at Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay by Apex Development Public Company Limited won Best Condo Development (Phuket) and Highly Commended recognition in the Best Mixed Use Development category. Mai Khao Beach Condotel by Thai Business Development Company Group and Utopia Naiharn by
Utopia Naiharn Co Ltd both Highly Commended in the category, while in the Special Awards category, Mai Khao Beach Condotel by Thai Business Development Company Group won Highly Commended recognition for Best Universal Design Development. Regarding the top accolade of the night, the independent panel of judges noted in their handing down of the awards, “AP Thailand has been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in real estate development for nearly three decades, offering 15 sub-brands to serve
Thailand hits top 10 for global visitors TOURISM THAILAND CONTINUED to position itself as a destination for travellers to visit by staying in the top 10 in the latest report by the UN travel agency. With 35.4 million visitors in 2017, the Kingdom dropped one spot from ninth in 2016 to 10th last year, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) said in its recently released tourism highlights. France remained the most popular destination, with 86.9mn travellers, while Spain overtook the United States as the second most-visited destination when it recorded 81.8mn international arrivals, compared with 75.9mn in the US. The top three countries enjoying the most spending from visitors were unchanged, led by the US ($210 billion), Spain ($68bn) and France ($60.7bn). The Tourism and Sports Ministry projected 38mn visitors this year, about 11mn from China. The country reached halfway of the target when more than 19mn arrived in the first six months. @thephuketnews
The ministry expected a drop of Chinese tourists last month in the wake of the Phoenix boat tragedy in Phuket in July that killed 47 travellers from China. China dominated global
tourism last year with plenty of money to splash out. They spent almost $258bn last year, accounting for almost one-fifth of the world’s total spending of $1.3 trillion. Bangkok Post
various segments, from lifestyle development to home office projects. “Over the years it has partnered and collaborated with foreign investment, brokerage, design, and property management firms to ensure the delivery of top-notch customer service and for its various corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to be implemented successfully.” In addition to receiving praise for CSR initiatives, this year’s Best Developer was recognised for its outstanding efforts in Sustainable Development, and also collected the new Special Recognition for Design and Construction. Other big victors include former Best Developer titleholder Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), earning six gongs out of seven nominations, including the new awards for Special Recognition for Customer Care and Special Recognition for Building Communities. MQDC’s joint venture with One.Six Development for The Strand also received an award. The judging panel wanted to acknowledge the potential growth of niche segments, allowing several other categories to debut this year, including Best Senior Living Development, Best Home Office Development, and Best Co Working
Space Development. In addition, the judges awarded the categories for Special Recognition for Community Retail, Special Recognition for Smart Home Development (two winners), and Special Recognition for Public Facility (three winners). The event’s official charity partner presented the Raks Thai Special Recognition for Community Projects Award to Areeya Property Public Company Limited for promoting workers’ rights, CSR and sustainable development. It was one of two awards not chosen by the judging panel. The other was for the 2018 Real Estate Personality of the Year, presented by the editors of PropertyGuru Property Report to a pioneer of large-scale and master-planned mixed-use communities, Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi, Group CEO of Frasers Property Limited TCC Assets (Thailand). Joined by more than 620 guests – the largest attendance in the awards’ history – the black-tie gala ceremony was keynoted by respected speaker Ministry of Commerce Deputy Permanent Secretary Prayoth Benyasut. For details visit AsiaPropertyAwards. com/thailand-property-awards.
12 BUSINESS NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Property fund fees draw fire Real estate Fund Manager fee models flamed for lack of clarity
There is currently no consistent way to measure the fees and costs in the private fund management industry, a factor that is causing frustration among investors. Photo: JLL
standard definitions. ANREV and its sister organisations have made a lot of progress in driving transparency and standardisation,” he says. As well as helping investors compare fees and costs of individual vehicles, the TGER aims to foster greater consistency of terminology across geographic regions, to create more standardised technical descriptions and definitions of the fees and costs being charged. The TGER proposal was jointly developed by the INREV, ANREV, NCREIF and PREA industry associations.
of Funds Advisory – Asia Pacific at JLL. A slight difference in fee structure can make all the difference, he says. “For example, in opportunistic funds it makes a big difference how carry is being charged – deal-by-deal or fully back-ended, preferred return hurdle, catch-up or no catch-up”. Investors generally have a good understanding of sponsors’ target returns but, in practice, the differences from gross to net can be substantial
Fee model complexity At present, the level of fees charged typically depend on whether the strategy is core, value-add or opportunistic. For core open-end funds, base fees are typically charged according to NAV, with incentive fees related to the performance of the assets rarely a part of the package. If incentive fees are applied, typically they are linked to net operating income growth. For value-add and opportunistic strategies, most of
INVESTMENT Martijn van Eldik
O
paque fee arrangements have become a big source of frustration for investors looking at private equity real estate funds. In the private fund management industry, there is currently no consistent way to measure the fees and costs. And the way in which fees are calculated varies drastically from fund to fund, depending on an array of fee structures, methodologies and points of reference that differ across geographies. It’s a long-standing issue. But lately, frustrations have grown, in large part because real estate investors in hunt for yield are moving further up the risk curve and into new jurisdictions. “A difference in fee structures and a lack of transparency in methodologies amongst different fund managers can be a real headache for investors, making it difficult to accurately compare offerings,” says Martijn van Eldik, Head
due to how and what fees are being charged. “It is not just manager fees, but also all the other costs that impact gross to net return,” says van Eldik. A possible solution The industry has taken note. Plans are afoot for a globallyconsistent measure for real estate investment vehicle fees and costs. The proposed total global expense ratio (TGER) aims to enable investors to make easier and more accurate comparisons across
products – regardless of the vehicle domicile, structure and management activities – and so help their decision making. An initial consultation period on the TGER closed in June, so it will be some time before there is significant further progress. But there is widespread industry support for this approach. “The investor community is definitely interested, and I believe more general partners are moving towards using
the base fees are charged during the commitment period for closed-end funds, and subsequently on invested capital. Charging acquisition and/or disposition fees when a property is bought or sold is getting less common, but does still exist. “Incentive fees are still highly relevant for opportunistic strategies, as well as for value-add,” notes van Eldik. “It is fair to say that these days incentive fees are not being charged deal-by-deal anymore, but most are pooled and back-ended.” The lack of common practices around for which fees are charged, and when, is a source of confusion for investors. Investors would prefer more transparency and consistency on the gross to net spread. This would give them better likefor-like comparisons. To do this, a clear total expense ratio will be crucial, says van Eldik. Particularly for more high risk strategies where alignment between the investor and the team that will execute the strategy and delivers returns is crucial.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Phuket cuisine set for Michelin stardom
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
15
Therapy dogs helping our children read
17
SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM The natural phenomena of entrainment
Photo: Tyler Quick - Unsplash David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th
I
t was in Paris, 1666, that Christiaan Huygens, the Dutch physicist, became rather baffled. Huygens had invented the pendulum grandfather clock, along with a wide range of classic mechanics and mathematical physics formula for which he would become renowned. But his attention had turned to a surprising observation on the behaviour of two swinging pendulums. Despite being set off at different times and independent motion, within a period the pendulum synchronised with each other. Subsequent experiments duplicated the same phenomena. Huygens at the time described the effect as ‘odd sympathy’. On further study of this seemingly unrelated behavioural correspondence, it has become know as ‘Entrainment’. Entrainment describes the tendency for one entity to resonate synchronously with another in response to a dominant frequency of vibration. On further exploration, entrainment is an integral natural phenomena which can be observed at all levels of our physical world and in the behaviour of its inhabitants. And we have to begin at a quantum physics level to understand how this works. Everything in the universe is made up of particles or waves that vibrate like strings at different frequencies. Quantum physicists describe everything in the universe as vibrating. Particles resonate together to create a united front that is matter. Within this atomic vibrational chorus resonating @thephuketnews
particles will communicate with, and influence each other. The result is an intelligent synchronisation of behaviour across entities. But why is this beneficial? According to further scientific study, entrainment exists for the purpose of conserving energy. This phenomena appears because it takes less energy to work in harmony with surrounding elements than to work against them. And whilst the behaviour begins at a particle level, examples can be far more sophisticated from the biological and pharmacological, to the psychological and sociological. At a higher level further up the existence chain, plants and animals become synchronised due to such diverse stimuli as light, sound, temperature and even social activity. These environmental cues are called zeitgebers (German for timegiver). Light is the easiest cue to observe. We are entrained to a 24-hour lightdark cycle provided by the precise daily signal caused by the rotation of the Earth. Subtle fluctuations in temperature can effect behaviour in animal groups. Lizards are so sensitive to this cue that they can entrain to temperature cycles with a change of less than 1°C. Social cues from other organisms in the same environment can also act as zeitgebers. Human volunteers kept in constant dark with 24-hour feeding and sleep patterns stay entrained to the 24hour cycle. Submariners entrain to an 18 hour day as they tend to operate a three x six hour watch system. But there are far more sophisticated
and wonderful examples of entrainment in nature. Animals regularly synchronise their breeding cycles and sleep patterns. Let’s take our daily menace, the humble mosquito. Mosquitos alter their wing-beat frequency in response to the flight tone of others nearby. Within seconds a scourge of mosquitos will have closely matching wing-beat frequencies, if not completely synchronised. Fireflies will flash their light emissions at the same time. This beautiful phenomena was described in 1935 by Hugh M. Smith, a biologist from Washington USA, in the journal Science. “Imagine a tenth of a mile of river front with an unbroken line of Sonnerati trees with fireflies on every leaf flashing in synchronism, the trees at the ends of the line acting in perfect union with those around. Between flashes the trees are in complete darkness.” Fish and flocks of birds have highly synchronised movements in an attempt to reduce energy expenditure. In addition to this Dr Matz Larsson PhD believes that synchronisation of group movements in nature may improve hearing perception. Sounds produced due to movement seem to be used by schooling fish as an aid to staying in formation and avoiding collisions. Bird and bat flocks are also noted to display the same behaviour, enabling them to hear predators more easily and to coordinate their flight patterns. Higher up the food chain still, entrainment continues to weave its magic spell. Women who spend a lot of time together observe a synchronisation of their menstrual cycles. Close social
groups have also been observed to dress and think similarly. Entrainment is at work when people tend to assimilate the mood of the surrounding environment. In a room full of unknown people laughing, the entrants spirits will inevitably lift due to social homogenisation. It has also been recorded that two people having a good conversation together can elicit synchronous oscillations in their brain waves. The beat of a drum has a similar effect, and most notably why it has been used as a device for unison since the early history of social man. By listening to a steady drum beat our brain wave patterns change from beta to alpha waves. The effect is to sedate the left hemisphere of the brain, which would normally get distracted by external events, and this aids humans to connect with the more intuitive side of the brain. People moving together in a busy space will begin to walk in time with each other. And this behaviour has even highlighted some amusing examples of architectural flaws. When the London Millennium Footbridge (a steel suspension bridge) opened in 2000, the entrainment of people walking in step sent a ripple of resonant waves through the structure that made it sway so significantly that it resulted in expensive restructuring to prevent its sympathetic movement that was aligned with its passengers. Just think of the possibilities. If we all take our beach spades down to the Chalong circle, perhaps those dormant industrial excavators will whir back into life and start digging alongside us.
Yoga 14 HEALTH
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 Connecting your body with the breath and calming the mind. Photo: Iskandarchehtae
...is not a dirty word LET’S GET BENT Kim White kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com
M
ention the word ‘yoga’ to many and they envision a group of tie-dyed bohemians, chanting in unison while perched in peculiar body contortions. However, in this modern age, yoga has become an easily accessible past time, featured in many gyms, health centres and online wellness sites. Although there are many modern day slants on the practice of yoga, the true art of yoga is all about union. I like to educate people on the varying ways this union can be integrated into an average, daily lifestyle. Our modern existence has created the idea of looking outward for validation with the use of social media to tally up the success of your life based on likes and comments. All this external concentration has created a society of people that lack true introspection and a deep understanding and relationship with themselves. When we understand and accept ourselves, we are more capable of understanding and accepting others. Looking inward and creating a stronger union with your own body and mind is at the forefront of the
A practitioner in shoulderstand (sarvangasana).
No matter your skill or flexibility level, there is a yoga practice for you. practice of yoga. There are really only three things needed for yoga and all of them reside with you. 1. Your body 2. Your breath 3. A desire for positive change (mind) Yoga allows the practitioner to feel more connected to themselves by practicing a series of movements that creates better mobility, the breath is the ‘investigator’ during this practice. It lets the practitioner know where tension resides. Much like water flowing through a tunnel. When the tunnel is clear the water flows easy, when there is debris in the tunnel the water becomes trapped. The desire for change is the motivation to continue, much like the action of removing the debris from the tunnel will create a smoother flow. If no action is performed in both of these scenarios there will eventually be a build up that leads to a messy catastrophe. While the body is improving physically, the simplified, focused attention on feeling the breath through these movements allows the mind to soften away from busy distractions. As the mind softens away from busy thought and is directed to concentrating on feeling the breath through the body, it changes pace. Busy thought is associated with the frontal lobe and busy beta brainwaves. Relaxed thought is associated with the centre of the head and creates alpha brainwaves. Tension and nervousness disappear as your brain’s thought process is calmed down, your mind becomes clearer, the mood-regulating hormone serotonin gets released and your emotions cool down. Doesn’t this all sound amazing and desirable? The best part is that no matter your skill or flexibility level, there is a yoga practice for you. Whether you are in a group class or at home by yourself, the moment you step onto the yoga mat, the only person you are competing against and concentrating on is yourself. A yoga practice is about connecting your body with the breath and calming the mind through this process, this can be achieved by everyone. No matter how simple or advanced your movements
are, the moment you start to move is the moment you make positive change to your health and wellbeing. It is not dependent on the quality of your yoga mat, the brand of clothes you wear or the intensity of your practice. Yoga is for everyone. Some of my best students have been ‘meat and three veg’ men who have never owned a ‘magic happens’ sticker or bought a cleansing crystal in their life. What makes a good student is their commitment to keeping a routine and the effort that goes into maintaining it. Progress happens through practice. Yoga is not a scary, dirty word, it is the cleanest, happiest word and practice you can insert into your daily life. Don’t take my word for it, try it out for yourself. I look forward to sharing the practice of yoga with you each month. Happy stretching. Metta, Kim oxo 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 and retreats across the island. www.mindbodyyogaystem.com Call +66 862 769 174 thephuketnews
DINING 15
The spice of life THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Phuket food culture poised for stardom Phuket Town at night is usually filled with locals and tourists enjoying regional and international delicacies. Photo: TAT
Tourism Authority of Thailand
O
ne of the best things about Phuket is its food culture. For visitors who think they know southern Thai cuisine by sampling Thai classics and street food snacks at the beach, it is time to be schooled local style: fresh seafood, strong fiery spices, pungent fermented flavours, farm-to-table crunchy vegetables, and slow-cooked stewed meats. Perhaps the least well-known and understood of Thailand’s regional cuisine, southern Thai food is characterised by its spice and sharpness. Just like the North, southern Thai cuisine has been heavily influenced by the culinary preferences of its neighbours, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. Phuket’s cuisine and local food (so-called Baba Peranakan food) is the combination of many cultural food habits, whether they be Chinese, Malay or Thai. Some Phuket local food tastes sweet; such as, Chinese Hakka cuisine, but it can also be highly spiced like in either Thai or Malay cuisine. A large Muslim populace and tasty halal food, along with a plethora of fishing fleets, influence southern Thai cuisine. It is based heavily around seafood, meats and the use of lots of lemongrass, tamarind and kaffir lime leaf for flavouring. Staples include Kaeng Tai Pla (fermented fish curry), Kaeng Som Pla (hot and sour fish soup), and Kua Kling (dry fried meat curry). Phuket’s food culture is woven into the tapestry of traditional local daily life, which is based around hearty meals shared with the family. Breakfast The most important meal of the day, breakfast, is a time when Phuket residents wake up and smell the coffee, literally. Strong, bitter beans produce a fragrant brew strong enough to wake the dead. Phuket’s people are known to drink dark roast old-school coffee served with sweetened condensed milk or with
@thephuketnews
Dim sum breakfast at Kookhawn restaurant. Photo: TAT pure fresh milk. This time-honoured morning ritual is usually accompanied by dishes that showcase Phuket’s culinary diversity. Dim sum (influenced by Chinese immigrants) includes steamed dumplings, fish, bean curd, Bak Kut Teh (pork spare rib soup), and Misua noodles. Roti topped with fried egg and served with a variety of curry flavours (chicken, beef and fish) (Malay influenced). Lunch A Phuket lunch is a time to get one’s noodle fix for a midday energy boost. Chinese and Malay flavours again entice the palate with local favourites Mee Hokkien (Chinese Malay noodle fare) and Phuket-style Mee Hoon rice vermicelli noodles. A traditional Phuket lunch is never complete without tucking into the island’s local dessert favourite OAew (shaved ice with sweet toppings and jelly). High Tea This very local twist on the British tradition shares only the time of day. Residents enjoy Mee Hun Ba Chang (rice vermicelli noodles) with pork spare rib soup, one of Phuket’s most iconic dishes. This is served with pork satay and spring rolls, or just with noodles. Dinner This the biggest and most important meal of the day where family members eat together and share their stories about Phuket and the world.
Not unlike any other cities in Southern Thailand, Phuket’s locals tend to prefer strong flavoured dishes for the evening meal, either very spicy, very sour or very sweet. Many of the dishes ooze the deep yellow colour and strong scent of turmeric. Its unique flavour is used to tame strong fish flavours and other seafood that the province is famed for. Favourite dishes include Pla Sai Thot Kamin (deep fried fish with fresh turmeric), Moo Hong (stewed pork belly with herbs), Nap Chup Yam (chilli paste), Nam Phrik Kung Siap (shrimp chilli paste), Mee Hun Kaeng Pu (rice
noodles with curried crab), Loba (deep fried stewed-pig’s head) and Yam Pak Kut (spicy fern salad). It goes without saying that foodies searching for good Thai food in Phuket don’t have to look far. And recognition about Phuket’s food culture is about to go international with possible accolades expected in the upcoming Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga 2019 edition that is expected to be released at the end of this year. Phuket’s distinctive cuisine is finally on the International map.
16 HISTORY
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Duals with the Dutch The Honourable East India Company in Siam HISTORY OF PHUKET Colin Mackay
In truth, the local natives couldn’t really tell the difference between the Dutch and the English.
I
n late December 1600, as the winter dark fell over the drizzling, grim but bustling streets of London, passersby may have heard a cheer emanate from the lamp-lit windows of a building in Leadenhall St. Inside were some of the city’s leading lords and merchants who had just agreed to form a joint stock trading company for undertaking eastern trade, the Honourable East India Company or HEIC, which was given a monopoly by the king over all eastern trade. The HEIC started by trading in India; in 1612 it dispatched the ship, The Globe, armed with a gilded letter from King James I of the United Kingdom to try to open trade with Siam and the Malay Peninsula. The Globe first called in at Patani, where they were “met with an honourable reception from the queen and the people, but with some distaste from the Dutch.” The clearly enamoured English scribe from The Globe described the queen of Patani as “tall of person and full of majestie… having in all the Indes not scene any lyke her.” He reported that Patani was a most flourishing port with some 500 foreigners; Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Dutch were already living there and the port was “resorted to by ships from Surat, Goa, the Coromandel coast… and junks from China and Japan.” The queen of Patani agreed to a trade compact with the English, who noted, “after much running, toyling and giving of gifts, wee got leave to build a pack house hard by the Dutch house.” The Globe then sailed on north to Ayutthaya. Peter Floris, a Dutchman who was left in charge of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie; VOC) trade factory in Patani, later reported “the strangest robberye” in their newly built palm-leaf-thatched pack house. “Being all of us in the house above 15 persons sleeping, Mr. Lucas and I in a bedde aparte lying close together, having a great black dogge lying under my cabine, my trunke standing at my feete, being no greater space between the bedde and coffer butt that onely the lidde might shut and open, yet notwithstanding all this and a lamp burning, thieves forced the padlock of the chest and stole [all the cash] and dyvers other things such as appareill, linen and my rapier which had at leaste 25 Rupies in silver upon it.” The robbery, however, may have just been a fiction concocted to cover the HEIC employees for having sold the goods themselves to pay for their drinking, gambling and womanising – not an uncommon occurrence amongst the somewhat dissolute HEIC factors in the East.
When The Globe arrived off Paknam fort at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the ship’s scribe tells us, “the native shabandhar [customs officer] of the port came down… mainly with an eye to a personal present”. These were duly given and the ship was allowed into the Chao Phraya River. After off-loading the ship’s cannon at the fort of Bangkok down river from Ayutthaya, as was customary for any visiting ship, the crew sailed and rowed the ship upriver to Ayutthaya. They were given an audience with King Songtham and presented him with the letter from King James I. The Siamese king gave the English permission to build a factory in Ayutthaya plus the right to trade in Siam’s peninsular ports. At this point the main trade article the Europeans wanted was pepper and it was Patani, Ligor and Keddah, not Phuket, which were the main pepper ports in the peninsula. The Anglo-Dutch Naval War By the early 17th century the English and Dutch were moving towards war in Europe over herring fisheries and there was also much ill feeling between the two communities in the East. In 1615 one Dutchman reported that “the English in… Siam are very ill behaved”, describing them as “a rude and ungoverned nation, given to drunkenness and abusing of women, quarrelling, fighting and such like”. In 1619 the VOC governor, Jan Pieterszoon Cohen, venomously wrote that the English factors in Siam were so poor “they had to sell their whores” to pay for food. The English in Siam on the other hand reported back that the Hollanders “endeavoured by all possible means to wrong and hurt the English by their vigorous lying scorpion tongues” and that “if we could hear but one true word proceed out of a Dutchman’s mouth I would think one amongst a thousand honest”. As Anglo-Dutch relations worsened the VOC, under the combative Cohen,
attacked and took over the factories recently established by the English in the Spice Islands and then tortured and killed many of the English prisoners taken there in what is known as the “Amboyna Massacre”. In 1618 in retribution for this Dutch “insolence” theHEIC declared war on the VOC and in 1619 an HEIC fleet attacked Jakarta, chasing out the Dutch fleet. Then off the Malay Peninsula they captured the richly laden VOC trade ship the Black Lion. An HEIC captain, John Jourdain, was sent to the Malay Peninsula from India with two warships, the Hound and the Sampson, designed to reinforce the HEIC defences in the region. These two HEIC warships arrived and were moored in Patani roads when a full VOC naval division of three large men-o’-war with over 800 men was suddenly sighted approaching the harbour. Jourdain, the English commander, decided not to sail his two smaller ships out to sea and attempt to flee because “he disdained to appear to have run before his enemy, as his doing so might have damaged, in the opinion of the natives, the reputation his nation had established for courage, so he determined therefore to fight them in full view of the town”. In truth the local natives couldn’t really tell the difference between the Dutch and the English. Patani was treated to five hours of entertainment as the two fleets battled it out in full sight of the enraptured local spectators on shore. True to Jourdain’s word, the two English ships never moved from their anchors. The bigger Dutch ships simply blew the two smaller English ships apart with broadside after broadside, killing over 50 English sailors and wounding many more. Adapted with kind permission from the book ‘A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region’ by Colin Mackay. Available from good bookshops and Amazon.com. Order the softcover 2nd edition directly at: www.historyofphuket.com thephuketnews
COMMUNITY 17
The child listener THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
A furry solution to developing literacy in children, and it needs your help!
Russell D Russell info@k9pointacademy.com
O
ver the last few years, once a week during term time, a number of rather furry, four legged tutors arrive at the British International School, Phuket ready for class. Yes, dogs. These dogs are certified Therapy Dogs from Therapy Dogs Phuket, and their job is to help create a learning environment for children to help improve and develop their reading skills. This program is becoming so successful, that we need more dogs and handler teams. Many children naturally enjoy reading and need little encouragement, but if they are struggling their confidence can quickly diminish – and with it their motivation. Children who are struggling to read, for whatever reason, need to build confidence and rediscover a motivation for reading. And whilst they may feel self-conscious reading to an adult or peer, they are usually very comfortable reading to a therapy dog as they know that the dogs will not judge them. So our dog becomes a reassuring, uncritical audience who will not
@thephuketnews
Dogs can have a significant improvement on our children’s reading skills.
mind if mistakes are made. For more experienced or capable readers, they can experiment with intonation and ‘voices’, knowing that the dog will respond positively – building fluency and confidence, which further develops comprehension in readers. Reading to a dog can create a helpful balance, supporting literacy activities which may seem less appealing to a child. Children with dyslexia, for example, need focused support to develop their understanding of the
alphabetic code (how speech sounds correspond to spelling choices). But this needs to be balanced with activities which support independent reading and social enjoyment, or the child can become demotivated. Sharing a good book with a dog enables children to apply their reading skills in a positive and enjoyable way. Studies on canine-assisted reading programs have found results for improvements in oral reading fluency and accuracy, along with significant
increases in engaged reading time and significant improvements in reading skills, such as the ability to explain, describe, analyse, and infer. Closer to home at BISP, they have a range of ‘success’ stories, with a number of children showing marked improvement - not just in their reading skills, but also their general love of reading, and all round confidence. Therapy Dogs Phuket (TDP), which run the Waggin’ Tail Tutor program, is an offshoot of Therapy Dogs International which is dedicated to regulating, testing, and the registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers. TDP works closely with Canine Point Academy, the only organisation in Thailand that can certify Therapy Dogs. As well as their continuing program at British International School, Phuket, TDP have been requested at other schools here in Phuket - and as such, need to recruit more dogs and handler teams to join. So if you and your dog could commit to once a week, or once a month, then please get in touch! THERAPY DOGS PHUKET Call on - 091 654 1960 www.therapydogsphuket.com
18 ISLAND SCENE
The team from Utopia, Phuket.
Thai Business Development Company Group and Jason (GM, Class Act Media).
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
James (Vertigo Video Productions) and Stuart (Thai Business Development Company Group).
It’s a family affair with Botanica Villas, Phuket.
13TH PROPERTYGURU THAILAND PROPERTY AWARDS HELD IN BANGKOK On Friday (Aug 31) over 600 of Thailand’s top property personalities gathered for the gala dinner at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok to celebrate the 13th PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards.
The ladies dress to impress.
The gents also looking sharp.
M BEACH CLUB CELEBRATE THEIR LAUNCH PARTY ON MAI KHAO BEACH Over 200 who’s who of Phuket enjoyed the launch of M Beach Club last Saturday night (Sept 1), the newest beachside food and beverage outlet on Mai Khao Beach.
The athletes prepare for action.
Cheerleaders Thai Style.
MARRIOTT HOTELS GET TOGETHER FOR ANNUAL ‘ANDAMAN SPORTS DAY’ On Friday (Aug 24), approximately 500 associates from nine Marriott properties in Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak competed in a series of sporting competitions, including soccer, running, badminton, sepak takraw, beach volleyball, chairball and table tennis. Each hotel had a team of cheerleaders to motivate the athletes before the games began, and medals were awarded to the winners. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Poised at the start of the race through Khao Phra Thaew protected forest area.
As if running 15km through a jungle terrain isn’t enough...
ISLAND SCENE 19
Runners pace themselves for the gruelling task ahead.
Luke and Beth Mckenzie, King and Queen of the Mountain (winners of 15 km).
ATHLETES DOMINATE THANYAPURA’S KING OF THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUN Over 1,000 participants came together to tackle the fourth annual King of the Mountain Trail Run on Sunday (Sept 2). The event was organised by Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort. Athletes travelled from other parts of Thailand and beyond to master Khao Phra Thaew National Park’s breathtaking mountainous terrain.
Suchana Chaloemtoem, Satnam and Sam Sethi.
Raymond and Lala.
INTERNATIONS NETWORKING EVENT AT THE WHISGARS TASTING ROOM Over 30 new and long-term expats enjoyed networking, good snacks and drinks at the monthly Internations event, held this time at Whisgars Tasting Room Phuket, Phuket Boat Lagoon, on Saturday (Aug 25).
The PHA are dedicated to a greener and single-use plastic-free future.
Meeporn Oeawpanich, Dr Marissa Jablonski, Chomluck Banlursakkul and Natcha Trirattrakul.
PHUKET HOTELS ASSOCIATION HOST ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP SERIES Last Wednesday (Aug 29), the Phuket Hotels Association held their last in a series of workshops with Dr Marissa Jablonski at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra. The association will continue to make greener choices to ensure the aim is met of going plastic straw and water bottles free by 2019. @thephuketnews
20 EVENTS
FRI
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
7 SEP Charcoal Friday Charcoal BBQ at Bedega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal 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.
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.
SAT
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.
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
MON
10 SEP
8 SEP All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, great variety, vibrant flavours. Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com, 081 891 4381.
All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
WED
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.
SUN
9 SEP
12 SEP
Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamp or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht. Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.
7 SEP - Phuket Sundowners hosted by AustCham
Sala Wednesday nights ribs, beats, brews.
Taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings at the Boat Lagoon, the Phuket Sundowners offers a chance to enjoy an evening on the docks with the resting vessels, while networking with like-minded people from the business community. Prior to the Sundowners, we will hold a Panel Discussion on the “The expectations of the Phuket Hotel and Tourism industries from the Phuket marine industry, and vice versa”, with panel details to be released shortly.
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. DJQ 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.
Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.
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
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRI
14 SEP
PBS #5 A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBS is all about. 086 479 7471, www. facebook.com/events/262593664371287/
SAT
EVENTS 21
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 with his new show “The Opinionater”. Come and see why Carlin has been chosen as one of Stewart Lee’s ten best comedians ever. “Announcing the arrival of a new comedy original” Herald Singapore’s hilarious and only openly gay comedian Sam See along with Britain’s Graham Whistler come to Phuket at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach as part of Stand Up Asia’s monthly comedy tour. They brought Doug Stanhope and Bill Bailey to Thailand and promise to bring the best international comedians to Phuket every month. Tickets on the door 600 baht or else buy your (limited) early bird tickets now for only 350 baht. www.ticketflap.com/stephencarlin-phuket Marriott Resort Phuket, Merlin Beach
THU
Thailand Yachting Symposium from 16:00 - 18:00 at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel Bangkok. The 2 hour conference will include panel sessions by speakers from the public and private sectors, with the aim to growing boating in Thailand. It is FREE to attend and followed by a networking cocktail party. Limited seats, register at www.oceanmarinapattayaboatshow.com/symposium.
SAT
6 OCT
20 SEP All you can eat Thai Tapas menu
15 SEP
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, event@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext. 318.
YOU WANNA ROCK?? Head over to our famous Rock night at Two Chefs Karon on the 15th of September. Live music starts at 8pm until late. Chef Daniel our Executive Head Chef will be doing his signature “Rock night” Burger, PRICE: UP TO YOU! (We leave the price up to our dear customers for this special burger, on this special night! Make your reservations NOW, at:karon@ twochefs.com or call:076-286479.
MON
17 SEP
PIWC - September luncheon September lunch will be held at Little Paris in Boat Avenue. 11.30am for 12.00noon. 700 baht members and 850 baht for guests. info@piwc-phuket.com
DJ SANDY RIVERA / KINGS OF TOMORROW at Level One @ Dream Beach Club
MON
The Alternative Comedy Experience and fresh from his critically acclaimed run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Stephen Carlin returns to South East Asia
@thephuketnews
WED
An array of unlimited tapas-size table serving of travelers’ and locals’ favorite Thai dishes, Kantok is the perfect place to devour the best of the best Thai cuisine at once, from mouth-watering appetizers and savor soup of Phuket specialties and soul satisfying desserts. Only THB 750-net per person. Serving daily from 11am-11pm. Reservations, Kantok Restaurant, Burasari Phuket, 076 292 929.
28 NOV Sunset Social Everyday from 5 p.m to 6 p.m. 50% off on selected drinks. Reservations, XANA Beach Club, 076 358 500.
Join us for this intimate event featuring an exclusive DJ set by one of the most highly regarded DJs & producers of his generation. Sandy Rivera will be best known for the seminal classic ‘Finally’, a record that stands as one of the finest vocal house records ever made. Limited VIP tickets and packages available. For VIP Tickets & Reservations - 098 048 3500 or reservations@dreambeachclub.com
Stephen Carlin - Phuket
EVERY DAY
24 SEP
Thailand Yachting Symposium - Bangkok Ocean Property, organisers of the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show, invite you to join the inaugural
18th Architect & Hotelex Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition. All types of construction materials from floors to roof 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
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, event@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext 318.
DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON
22 TIME OUT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What was Renaissance artist Michelangelo’s family name? 2. In which part of the body would you find the sartorius muscle, sometimes called ‘the tailor’s muscle‘? 3. In 1852, Elisha Otis invented a safety device for which type of transportation? 4. What is the Japanese name for Japan? 5. Which stock market, the second-largest exchange in the world, is located at One Liberty Plaza, New York? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Easy
Across “the Troubles” 1. Press down 57. Head, for short 5. Makes known 58. Glittery stone 9. Burst 61. Seasonal hiree, 14. Wind up on stage? e.g. 15. Overabundance 66. Off-limits 16. Adagio and 67. Paraphernalia allegro 68. Sets 17. Titles for some 69. Rework bosses 70. Perceive 20. ___ top hat 71. Lackawanna’s 21. Bar order lake 22. Get down 23. Aromatic flowers Down 27. Grps. 1. Garb 28. Losing come-out 2. Risk prison roll in craps 3. Flat 30. Guiding light 4. Pet ___ 32. Subatomic 5. ___ Khan particles 6. Malicious 34. ___ ear 7. Piña colada 35. Orthodox Jew ingredient 39. Construction job 8. Prize head 9. Deer sir? 43. Pizarro’s conquest 10. Dowel 44. Note 11. African chieftain 45. Member of a 12. Wooden wedge Bantu people 13. Light rains 46. Ancient Greeks 18. Bring in the 50. Soupçon sheaves 51. A Spice Girl 19. Crow’s ___ 54. Comics publisher 24. University mil. 56. Grp. involved in group
25. Medley 26. Braided cordage 27. Spinachlike plant 28. Dwelling: var. 29. Dog-eared 31. “I see!” 33. Gold record 36. Vegas game 37. Shred 38. Defeat decisively 40. Telesthesia 41. Just so 42. It helps you get a leg up 47. Winged 48. Sack 49. Palm starch 51. Brightly colored bird 52. Companion of Artemis 53. Latin dance 55. Suit material 57. Hot stuff 59. Sub station? 60. Gael’s tongue 62. ___ art 63. Scale notes 64. High pitched sound 65. Ironic
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Buonarroti; 2); Thigh or upper leg; 3) Vertical lift, or elevator; 4) Nippon or Hihon; 5) Nasdaq
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
1
single mouthful of krill consumed by a blue whale has as many calories as an average person consumes in roughly 180 days.
7
percent of all US households don’t have a bank account.
70
percent of millionaires in the US don’t consider themselves ‘wealthy’.
600
Sunset at Koh Siray. Photo: Jeffrey Ephreim Villanueva Villegas
places in Australia are named after the emu.
Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
24 million
This week in history
US households have bank accounts, but rely on services like pawn shops and payday loans for their credit and cash needs. Source: Uberfacts
Sept 7, 1776 Ezra Lee makes the world’s first submarine attack in the Turtle, attempting to attach a time bomb to the hull of HMS Eagle in New York Harbor. Sept 8, 1504 Michelangelo’s David is unveiled in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Sept 9, 1947 First case of a computer bug being
found: A moth lodges in a relay of a Harvard Mark II computer at Harvard University. Sept 10, 1960 At the Summer Olympics in Rome, Abebe Bikila becomes the first sub-Saharan African to win a gold medal, winning the marathon in bare feet. Sept 11, 1609 Henry Hudson discovers Manhattan Island and the indigenous
tionally accepted date for the Battle of Marathon. The Athenians and their Plataean allies, defeat the first Persian invasion force of Greece.
‘David’ by Michelangelo. Image: CC people living there. Sept 12, 490 BC Battle of Marathon: The conven-
Sept 13, 1971 Chairman Mao Zedong’s second in command and successor Marshal Lin Biao flees the People’s Republic of China after the failure of an alleged coup. His plane crashes in Mongolia, killing all onboard. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Jobs
@thephuketnews
CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
CLASSIFIEDS 25
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Trades & Services
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
ADVERTISING SERVICES
CLEANING SERVICES
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
MARINE SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
MARINE SERVICES
MARINE SERVICES
MARINE SERVICES
@thephuketnews
26 CLASSIFIEDS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Trades & Services
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
classifieds@thephuketnews.com
MOVING SERVICES
POOL SERVICES
PROPERTY SERVICES
OTHER
TRAINING
ADVERTISE HERE
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
CLASSIFIEDS 27
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Buy & Sell
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
JOBS 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
NT Live-in housekeeper wanted GE R ULive-in housekeep wanted for house in Kata. Must understand English and love dogs. Excellent conditions. 31/3 Soi Plukjae Kata Phuket. Contact: Lillian Dinic: lil@ladolcevitare. com.au or call 080 690 5248. GE UR
NT
Bar staff wanted
Blondie Bar 2 at Otop Market Patong requires Bar Staff. Thai nationals only. Good salary and room provided. Phone Mick: 081 087 6114.
BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320
250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234- FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH. N GE
TS
AL
E
Boat For Sale
72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arranged. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com
UR
BUSINESS FOR SALE RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
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.
Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). E L ZERO Debts/Leases/Loans etc. Low Overheads, Hi-Margins, SA Astounding Health Opportunity NT E Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales). Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: RG U ASEA Launching Phuket! U.S Revolutionary Health product ZERO COMPETITION … ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job and opportunity. Monday August 27th 6.30pm Chanalai Pymt 20-30hpw) + Monthly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Hillside Resort, Soi 24 Patak Rd, Karon Beach. International Profits Dist. Genuine + Rare business opp – serious enquispeakers along with Dr Ray Dixon Australia. Please register ries only please. 2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, for free presentation (Thai translated). Drraydixon@hotmail. PHUKET, MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime). com, 0624488838. UR
GE
N
A TS
LE
SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE
Totally renovated, Italian design and furniture, all-new imported kitchen and bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden and 40 rooftop. Pablo: 080 143 5541. info@dedos-restaurant.com
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE
Hyundai Veloster TURBO
Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000km, 850,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tyres with only 6,000km, all options. m.arnskjold@ gmail.com, 083-6351440 ENG / 084-3058363 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. UR
GE
S NT
AL
E
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.
@thephuketnews
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE G UR
T EN
RE
NT
CARS FOR RENT
We offer car rental at affordable prices. Monthly from B10,000. Daily from B400. Call us and find out what we offer. B10,000 monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2, T Paklok, A Thalang, 83110 Phuket. Contact: stigisaan@gmail.com, 084 847 4377.
HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing
We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair!Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu, office@tcm-asia.com, 086-9439834,076-385081.
MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Multistrada 2012
2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com, 081-734-8309.
OTHER Hotel Laundry Services
Exceptional commercial laundry services in Patong. Increased capabilities are allowing us to expand to support 500 additional rooms.Competitive, Chonticha, Patong, candkservicespatong@gmail.com, 0991658538.
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.
PROPERTY FOR SALE 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
28 CLASSIFIEDS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Buy & Sell
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
PROPERTY FOR SALE PROPERTY FOR SALE 5 bedrooms family home
BEAUTIFUL 5 BEDROOMS HOME CENTRALLY LOCATED | 2 MINS FROM BIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL | 10 MINS TO PHUKET TOWN | 15 MINS TO CENTRAL FESTIVAL | 15 MINS TO SURIN BEACH | SECURE GATED CHILD FRIENDLY COMMUNTIY | ALL GROUNDS IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED 19.8M, Abby, Woodlands estate, Koh Kaew , Phuket, abby.barnhurst@icloud.com, +66 840896521.
4 Pool villas - 1 Rai for sale
Reduced price from 32.9 MB to 24MB (only 6 MB for 1 villa). Bali-Thai Style pool villa 3 bed, 3 bath. Located Pasak, Bangtao beach, Phuket. More info: (+66) 96-8956392,(+66) 94-282-2893 or Umaphorn.fg@gmail.com
Land & House for sale
Villa 225sqm. incl. 75sqm terraces on Freehold Chanote Land: 1 to 6 rai on SUKORN ISLAND, Trang province. Price THB 7,150,000 - THB 15,250,000. Owner, Koh Sukorn, Trang province, ddsukorn@gmail.com, 081 537 1957.
New Modern Villa – 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina
200 sqm, land 500 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, swimming pool, close to UWCT school. Including: pool/garden/wifi/TV.SAT/services. Google map: tiny.cc/ deltaho. Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. 65,000/ month, Alain, 57/3 Moo 3 Soi Ban Bang Pae, T. Pa Khlok, T. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Email: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.
RPM owner direct
Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel. New Jacuzzi. Views to lake, mountain, marina, pool, etc. Completely furnished to a high standard, toothbrush only required. Owner leaving Thailand. Priced at 16MB for quick sale. Contact Brian (Owner): 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com RoyalPhuketMarina Condos.com
80m2 freehold condo in Patong
Freehold 80m2, 2-bedroom apartment in quiet condo with swimming pool in Patong. Ideal investment in most active tourist area in Phuket. B5.9 million. Contact Michel GUILLIEN, Andaman Beach Suites, Unit 1604, Patong, Phuket. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.
5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai
3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. THB19,750,000. Contact Mrs Simpson by email: thaivillaonline@gmail.com or call 084 447 7248. More info at: thaivillaonline.com
Unique Investment Opportunity
Unique investment opportunity Not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www. thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com
COMMUNITY
PROPERTY FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE Luxury Villa
With private boat morning and jacuzzi. Email paradise11@mac.com for pictures, plans and price.
PROPERTY FOR RENT
Kamala Condo
Modern fully furnished 2B/R, 2 bathroom condo , 90 SM, min 3 months. Quite & secure. Wifi&cable TV included. 4 condos in this building. Small garden.12,000, bkeenan2010@hotmail.com, 084 716 0502.
Ready 01/07/2018
Penthouse for Sale
432.44 SQM Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at the Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities: Two tennis courts, 10 x 24-metre swimming pool, fitness & game room, restaurant, parking. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.
Rent. The Heritages Suites, nice 2 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, Jacuzzi, 160sqm. Modern furnished. Lease long term (minimum 1 year). Parking, pool, fitness. Close KIS, Lotus. 39,000 per month, Owner, Kathu, Thai 089 552 9303 / Eng 093 717 9343.
Pool Villa For Rent PhangNga
4-Bed Pool villa nearby Natai beach. Surrounded by nature. North of Phuket, 25 mins from airport. Idea for retired/long term stay family. Yupadee: miakcg@yahoo.com, 081 926 3286.
PROPERTY WANTED Looking for property in Laguna
Willing to sell or rent your property in the Laguna area? Please contact me: raisa@ rl-property.com or +66(0) 81 737 1687 (you can use Viber, Whats App or Line) raisa@rl-property.com thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
SPORT 29
Hotting up at top of RPL
Four teams tied for Division A lead, only game difference separates them comeback by the hosts saw the match tied going into the beerleg. The hard times continue for Orange Bar, who narrowly missed an opening victory to the season, losing to Tropical Sands on the deciding frame of the beerleg.
POOL Barry Craig & Richard Hearne
A
fter six weeks of play, the Rawai Pool L eag ue ha s fou r teams vying the top position of Division A, each on 15 points. A four point game difference is all that separates leaders Mango Bar and fourth-placed White Hart. Division A’s big game this week was Mango Bar’s visit to Shot Bar. Kevin came from behind for Mango after going in-off in the first frame and managed to secure a 1-2 win against Luke. Despite it being his birthday, Gregg decided to gift victory to home side’s Pan by going in-off twice with only a couple of balls to go. Harry drew the game back to level pegging at the conclusion of the singles. In the end, Shot Bar were undone with defeat in both doubles, with the beerleg providing little consolation. This match leaves both teams level at the top of Division A. Masaya Bar hosted Black
Katie from Spot Bar seen here playing against Stefan of Pita in Division A. Photo: Supplied Sheep with the home team succumbing to a 1-6 loss at the hands of the visitors. Rainier’s victory over Ricky was a bright spot for Masaya, but the remaining games went to Black Sheep who now sit level at the top with three other league leaders. Also leaping to the top is White Hart who emphatically beat Freedom Bar, with a romping 7-0 victory in a match marred by disagreements over league rules. Meanwhile, a long-stand-
ing rivalry – albeit friendly and competitive – between captains of Future and Black Pearl bars continued this week. Friendly goading in the leadup to the match by Barry and Dave made their fixture one to look forward to. In the end, the tie was settled by Future Bar who crushed their guests winning all four singles games. The doubles and beerleg were tighter games, but Future Bar kept their unbeaten home record intact running out 6-1 winners on the night.
LPT on its way to break record TRIATHLON
WITH LESS THAN THREE months to celebrating its 25th year as Asia’s longest-standing triathlon race, Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) 2018 is on track to once again break its participant record this November. “As of today, we have more than 25% growth in registered participants when compared to the same period last year. This is the athlete number from individual race, standard-distance alone,” said Prapa Hemmin, Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s Event Director and Director of Destination Marketing and Corporate Events of Laguna Phuket. “Last year, we had nearly 2,000 participants joining the LPT and the Charity Fun Run. This year, we expect to welcome at least 3,500 runners and triathletes to join LPT’s 25th anniversary celebration over the weekend of November 17-18. Thanks to all for joining us!” The award-winning race’s 25th annual edition will take place on Sunday November 18, comprising signature race distance of 1.8km swim, 50km bike and 12km run. For the first time in the @thephuketnews
Pro triathletes from around the world at the 2017 LPT race start. Photo: Supplied
Race of Legends’ 25-year history, the 2018 LPT will introduce ‘25 for 25 Sprint’ an inaugural Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s sprint distance of 25km swim, bike and run combined. Athletes registered for the 25th Laguna Phuket Triathlon who are 25 years old in 2018 (born on 1 January – 31 December 1993) also get additional 5% discount on entry fee. Back by popular demand, the 25th LPT will once again feature a ‘Charity Fun Run’ with a theme ‘Run for Fun, Run for Kids’. Comprising 5km and 10km run and introducing 2km distance for junior runners, the Charity Fun Run will take place on Saturday November 17’s late afternoon and weave through the resort’s tropical parkland scenery and raise funds for LPT’s charity partner.
For 2nd annual LPT Charity Fun Run in 2018, Laguna Phuket Triathlon is partnering with Children First Fund (CFF), established in 2017 to support underprivileged children in Phuket. Aiming at fulfilling its mission in ‘Nourishing Hearts, Inspiring Dreams’, Children First Fund (CFF) has provided monthly sustenance and nutritional necessity support for more than 400 children in seven orphanages in Phuket throughout the year 2017. In 2018, CFF has continued its support to underprivileged children in Phuket. Registration for 25th Laguna Phuket Triathlon, inaugural ‘25 For 25 Sprint’ sprint-distance triathlon and 2nd LPT Charity Fun Run is available at www. lagunaphukettri.com until November 11 (or until sold-out). The Phuket News
Pita Bar played host to Spot Bar, the only majority female team in the top Division. Season newcomer Katie put in a superb singles performance to upset an in-form Stefan. However, Pita’s players made light work of the remaining games, cruising to a 6-1 home win with relative ease. Orange Bar saw opportunities to get their first win of the season come and go. Playing away to Tropical Sands, the visitors went 2-3 ahead after the first doubles leg, but a
Division B leader’s settle in Last week’s joint leaders Stor and Roses bars were billed as the main event in Division B with both having five straight wins each. Ying gave the visitors an early lead in the singles, but Roses’ Noom, Kevin and Mike claimed points in the remaining three singles games. The home side looked to be on cruise control, but Stor’s Nick and Mike brought them back into contention with a good opening doubles win, and trailing only 3-2 going into the final doubles leg. Ultimately, Roses Bar were too strong and closed out the match to finish with a fine 5-2 victory and a clear lead at the top of Division B. Black Bull managed a fine victory against Moonlight Bar, winning 6-1 with only Naty
able to prevent the whitewash in a close game with Franck. It was mixed fortunes for the two Islander teams in close games on Monday (Sept 3). Islander A welcomed White Hart BBQ. Neither team were able to open more than a onegame lead, and the match was decided in the final frame of the beerleg. White Hart BBQ nicked a hard-fought and welldeserved victory. Meanwhile, Islander B had an altogether easier match, seeing off their hosts Kilt’n Haggis with a 2-4 scoreline going into the beerleg. Kilt’n Haggis managed to pull back the beerleg, but it was too little too late, and this loss sees them drop to fourth in Division B. In the other two games, O’s Bar managed their first win of the season despite going 0-2 down early on against the girls from Pink Sheep. The hosts steadied their nerves and won the five remaining games to come out on top. The last game of the night also saw a 5-2 home victory, with Baroque Bar beating visiting Stoned Crab team in a fun match at the Laguna complex.
30 SPORT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Semi-final berths claimed
Blues and Whites claim their places in C&C Marine league semis CRICKET Neil Quail
C
&C Marine league semi-final berths were up for grabs last Sunday (Sept 2) at the ACG, where Patong Blue needed a win against Goan Panthers to finish top of the table in the morning game, while Easy Living hoped to capitalise on last week’s tremendous performance in their afternoon encounter with second placed Patong White. It was an emotional outing for Patong Blue who played their final game under the captaincy of Alex Runhaar, but a steely determination to secure one last victory was evident as he accompanied Shad Wahid to open the Blue’s batting. Goa’s opening bowlers, Arun Viridkar and Prem Salikineni, restricted the score to just 42 runs after six overs before two loose overs by Mayur Deuskar and Ravi Naik rushed the Blues to 84 in the ninth over, when Shad (36) relinquished his wicket, clean
bowled by Vijay Virdikar as the 10-over break approached. On resumption, Rishi Sadaranghani joined Runhaar to blast 21 off 12 before Vijay struck again in the 13th over sending Rishi back to the clubhouse with the score on 117. The arrival of Muhammad Ahmed Virk (Ali) to the crease, however, also heralded a decisive turn in scoring, with a devastating 60 runs scored by the new batsman off just 20 deliveries, including seven 6s, before retiring, allowing Manish Sadaranghani to accompany Runhaar for the last over, with the departing skipper carrying his bat to end his last game for Patong by scoring a commendable 67 not out off 57, and helping his team reach a total of 215 off 20 overs. Chasing an intimidating total, Goa needed to keep in touch with Patong’s run rate and not lose early wickets, with Ravi and Mayur given the opening tasks. And to both strategies they adhered valiantly, reaching the ninth over on the same score as their opponents (84), but having
Patong White’s Adam Drew (far right) celebrates Alicia Niemand’s (far left) first catch in her maiden Phuket cricket match during Patong White’s win over Easy Living CC. Photo: Michael Way the advantage of not losing any wickets. With both objectives seemingly in hand, Ravi (36) lost focus in the 10th over yielding a catch to the tight bowling of Roshan Jay, bringing a new addition to Panther’s and Phuket cricket in the form of Savio (24) to the middle. Unfortunately, Goan’s batsmen could not continue matching the run rate despite a couple of promising overs, eventually finishing on 152, and conceding a 63 run victory for Patong Blue – the win also securing the Blues as league leaders.
In the day’s second match, a new look Patong White faced Easy Living CC, with both teams fielding women for the first time in this competition. Batting first, Easy Living looked to Anthony DuPont and Paul Evans to build a base, but it took just three balls for Patong’s Jason Robertson to supply the early breakthrough when his delivery caught the top edge of DuPont’s bat giving the bowler a straightforward catch. The new partnership of Evans and Martin Hill (11) lasted less than two overs before a resurgent Robertson unleashed an unplayable delivery to down all three of Evans’ stumps, inviting Rachna Sharma to begin her maiden innings. Following the loss of two early wickets and with only 10 runs on the board, the two sports coaches applied their experiences and brought the score to 50 off 10 overs, before JG De Swardt ended Hill’s efforts with his maiden Phuket wicket. Adam Drew immediately impacted on the game taking a brace of wickets in his first over with the ball – the highlight being a superb diving catch by Alicia Niemand to remove Suki, and then a fine grab by Anthony Van Blerk to dismiss Alex DuPont (5).
C&C MARINE CRICKET LEAGUE 2018 Team Patong Blue
P 8
W 6
L 2
D 0
PTS 24
NRR +2.64
Patong White
8
6
2
0
24
+1.41
Kashmiri CC
7
4
2
1
18
+0.65
Goan Panthers
8
2
6
0
8
-0.72
Easy Living CC
7
0
6
1
2
-3.97
*As of September 3, 2018 Sunday, September 9, 2018 10 a.m. - Easy Living C.C. v Kashmiri C.C.
Niemand then took her maiden Phuket wicket, her f lighted ball teasing Tony Donovan into a mistimed shot allowing the ball to trickle off his foot and onto the stumps. With the score at 90, Sharma, who was joined by Delano Buchner – also playing his first cricket match on Phuket – finally lost her wicket in the 16th over with an unbeaten 16 runs, leaving Buchner as last man standing. The South African continued to strike the ball well, but his efforts continually found fielders curbing any scoring opportunities until his dismissal in the 17th over and the score on 94. In reply, consummate batting performances from Patong’s opening pair ensured Easy Living’s total was chased down efficiently, with the only disappointment coming from both De Swardt and Ned Symonds running out of overs before a half-century could be
reached, scoring 42 and 45 not out, respectively, but giving Patong an eight-wicket victory. Having played their league quota of eight games, both Patong teams and Goan Panthers await the concluding league fixture between Kashmiri CC and Easy Living, scheduled to be played on Sunday (Sept 9). Regardless of the result, Patong Blue finish top, with Patong White in second place, Kashmiri CC in third and Goan Panthers in fourth. As such, the semi-finals will see Patong Blue play Goan Panthers and Patong White against Kashmiri CC on Sept 16 at the ACG, with the grand final and fourth place play-off now brought forward to Sept 23. Phuket cricket is always looking for new players, sponsors and teams. Please contact us via the Phuket Cricket Group or ACG Facebook pages, or e-mail Jason@acgphket.com for more information.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
SPORT 31
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
More to come despite Chelsea's perfect start FOOTBALL
MAIN SPONSOR
The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90 minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for September 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend atAngus O'Tool's Karon Beach.
Ian Winrow
EPL PREDICTIONS
M
aurizio Sarri believes there is far more to come from his Chelsea side despite making it four wins from his first four Premier League matches in charge with a 2-0 home defeat of Bournemouth last Saturday (Sept 1). Sarri had warned in preseason that his new side could face a difficult start as the players adapted to his new ideas, having been hired just a month before the campaign got underway. But there are few signs of any teething problems as goals from Pedro Rodriguez and Eden Hazard in the final 19 minutes maintained the Blues’ perfect start and ensured they head into the international break positioned among the leaders at the top of the table. Sarri understandably declared himself satisfied so far but made it clear he expects to see signs of further improvement. “At the moment I’m very happy with my players,” he said. “I’m really very happy to have 12 points from four matches, but I always think we can do more. We can improve. Especially in the performance.” Victory over Eddie Howe’s side, who were unbeaten in their opening three games, means expectations are inevitably beginning to rise at Stamford Bridge after last season’s disappointing fifthplaced finish. But the Italian showed he was not about to get carried away when it was put to him that on four of the previous
MONTHLY STANDINGS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
OVERALL STANDINGS
Marisa S 7 stafsulaiman 7 Ajax Amsterdam 6 aquamarine 6 chris goodhand 6
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Smiley Bar 28 adamrosindale 27 Fitz 27 stafsulaiman 27 Ajax Amsterdam 26
English Premier League 2017 - 2018 Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri gestures from the touchline during their match against Newcastle United at St James' Park on August 26. Photo: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP
16 17 18 19
five occasions Chelsea have started the season with four wins, they went on to win the title. “I think that now, for us, it’s better to think about the next match,” he said, before offering perspective by pointing out exactly how far Chelsea had finished behind champions Manchester City last season. “The gap at the beginning was 30 points. I think it’s very difficult to recover this gap in only one season. “I’m very happy with the four matches, but I think only, starting from now, about the next match. Not until the end of the season.” One of those to shine most under Sarri so far is left-back Marcos Alonso, and he played a prominent
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS
part in both Chelsea goals. The Spaniard exchanged passes with Pedro for the opener before repeating the feat with Hazard to set up the Belgian’s 85th minute strike. Sarri is in no doubt over Alonso’s value in the attacking third, endorsing him as one of the best left-backs in Europe. But the former Napoli boss believes Alonso could go on to become the best in the world in his position should he improve his defensive qualities. “Alonso, at the moment, this position at left-back is maybe the best in Europe,” said the head coach. “His physical qualities are at a top level, I think. He’s doing very well in the offensive phase. But I also think he
Run #1701: Saturday Sept 8 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Singha, No Hope Location: Thanyapura Directions: Continue north from the traffic lights in the centre of Thalang for approx 2.4 kilometres and approximately 300 metres before the Old Airport Road Traffic lights take the U turn (No HHH sign) and come back towards Thalang for 400m (NO U-Turn at the lights allowed). Turn left at the HHH sign and head east for 2.8km. Turn right just before the pylons (HHH sign) and the laager site is in the date palms. Park in the date palms, NOT in the vegetable garden by the pylon. HHH truck will be marked. Cars with low grounding park on the road. Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 2:30pm Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 3pm More info: phuket-hhh.com
@thephuketnews
MONTHLY SPONSOR
can improve in the defensive phase. If he improves that, he could be the best left-back in the world.” Bournemouth claimed a sensational 3-0 win on their previous visit to Stamford Bridge. But Howe believes Chelsea are a very different proposition this season. “I think they’ll improve as the season goes on,” said the Bournemouth manager. “Maurizio has a very distinct way of playing, really difficult to play against. “We prepared well and tried to nullify their threats as well as we could, tried to make it difficult for the individual talents to hurt us. The game was in the balance up to that first goal.” AFP
20
Liverpool Chelsea Watford Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur Bournemouth Everton Leicester City Arsenal Manchester United Wolverhampton Southampton Fulham Brighton Crystal Palace Cardiff City Huddersfield Town Newcastle United Burnley West Ham United
MP
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 3 3 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 2 2 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 4
9 10 9 11 9 6 7 6 8 6 4 4 7 5 3 2 2 3 3 2
1 3 3 3 4 5 6 5 8 7 5 4 9 7 6 5 10 6 9 10
+8 +7 +6 +8 +5 +1 +1 +1 0 -1 -1 0 -2 -2 -3 -3 -8 -3 -6 -8
12 12 12 10 9 7 6 6 6 6 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 1 1 0
Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change
SPORT
START STOP
EVENT
TEAMS / INFO Melbourne v. Geelong
Fri 7th Sept Aussie Rules 16:35
19:30
AFL
Rugby League 16:30
18:30
NRL
Storm v. Rabbitohs
01:00
Test Match 5, The Oval
England v. India, Day 1
19:10
21:10
Currie Cup
Griquas v. Bulls
21:15
23:15
Currie Cup
Lions v. Cheetahs
14:30
16:30
Rugby Championship
New Zealand v. Argentina
17:00
19:00
Rugby Championship
Australia v. South Africa
23:00
01:00
UEFA Nations League
Switzerland v. Iceland
20:00
22:00
UEFA Nations League
Northern Ireland v. Bosnia
Cricket
17:00
Sat 8th Sept Rugby Union
Soccer
00:00
02:00
UEFA Nations League
Finland v. Hungary
Aussie Rules 13:00
16:00
AFL
Sydney Swans v. GWS Giants
16:30
19:30
AFL
West Coast Eagles v. Collingwood
Rugby League 14:30
16:30
NRL
Penrith Panthers v. NZ Warriors
16:30
18:30
NRL
Roosters v. Sharks
17:00
01:00
Test Match 5, The Oval
England v. India, Day 2
Cricket
Sun 9th Sept Rugby Union
21:00
23:00
Gallagher Premiership
Sale v. Worcester
Soccer
20:00
22:00
UEFA Nations League
Ukraine v. Slovakia
23:00
01:00
UEFA Nations League
Bulgaria v. Norway
23:00
01:00
UEFA Nations League
Denmark v. Wales
17:00
01:00
Test Match 5, The Oval
England v India, Day 3
Cricket
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
thephuketnews