07-11-2014 by The Phuket News

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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LAST CHANCE FOR JET-SKIS

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NEWS

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Police seize guns and more guns in raids

LIFE

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Phuket’s infant hip hop scene

SURIN BEACH JET-SKIS TOLD: TAKE CARE OR GET BANNED Saran Mitrarat reporter4@classactmedia.co.th

he head of the Phuket Marine Office has threatened to ban jet-skis from Phuket’s beaches after he was shown photographs of jet-ski operators driving recklessly, provided by a reader of The Phuket News. In one photograph a jet-ski opera-

tor can be seen almost coliding with a surfer as he heads at high speed towards the shore. In another, taken moments later, a second jet-ski operator is seen beaching his machine after narrowly missing a group of children. Marine Office Chief Mr Phuriphat Teerakulpisut said, “If jet-ski operators do not follow the rules laid out by officials, there will no longer be jet-skis operating on the beaches,” warned Mr

Phuriphat. “We have already set zoning for jet-skis operating at the beaches. There are 286 jet-skis in total operating on the island, most of which [about 90 per cent] belong to local villagers, not big companies,” he said. The marine chief immediately assigned officers to look into the actions of the jet-ski operators at Surin Beach, ordering them to warn the jetski operators of the consequences if

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Above left, a jet-ski operator with a passenger on board seems not to know he has just missed a surfer. Right, another operator hits the beach after coming through a group of kids. they did not adhere to safety standards and regulations. “If they continue to ignore the regulations, I will have no choice but to ban all jet-ski operators on Surin Beach.” The same, he said, would apply to other beaches. Asked about restrictions on parasailing and other adventurous beach activities, he said the existing laws were very old so they did not take into account modern-day beach activities.

SPORT

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Phuket ready for the Asian Beach Games

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Twists and turns of Phuket’s end-of-rainyseason weather > page 4

62-year-old surrenders after road rage killing A

62-year-old man was arrested for murder this week after shooting a motorcycle taxi driver dead on October 30, in a case of road rage. Called to the scene, police were able to identify the dead man as Chaliao Piyapanikul, 47, from Trang, who was still wearing a motorcycle taxi vest and was lying in a pool of blood. He had died instantly when shot just above the left eyebrow. The shooter, Suwat Saejong, 62, drove away after the killing but later surrendered to police and admitted to shooting Mr Chaliao, he learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. The shooting took place at about 9:30am at a red light at

the Wor Kor intersection on Thepkrassattree Rd, close to Rajabhat University Phuket in front of many witnesses, including the victim’s son,. Police used CCTV footage of the scene to help them identify the shooter. Officers visited a number of motorcycle shops around the island looking for information on the number plate of the bike, and found one shop where staff knew Suwat. They then visited a shooting range near Suwat’s house where they thought he might have practiced shooting, and encountered a friend, Saeree Sae-liu. After watching the CCTV footage and photos of the shooting, and after examining some of the bullet casings left at the scene, Mr Saeree positively

During the re-enactment of the shooting, a police officer plays the part of the victim while Suwat, in blue helmet, shows how he climbed on his bike and calmly rode away. identified Suwat as the shooter. After his surrender on Sunday (November 2) Suwat took

part in a re-enactment of the killing in the place where it happened. He was also taken by police, led by Provincial Commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit, to the banana plantation near the Phuket Finance Bureau, where he dumped his gun, a Glock 9mm, after the shooting. Asked why he shot Mr Chaliao, Suwat explained that

they had got into an argument on the road when Mr Chaliao had tried to overtake him. “I could see there was not enough space to do that, so I said, ‘Are you crazy? You can’t do that.’ “He replied, ‘You’re the one who’s f***ing crazy, not me.” At a red light at the WorKor intersection, Mr Chaliao parked his motorbike and told his son, who was on the back,

to get out of the way. He then walked towards Suwat. Witnesses at the scene told police that Mr Chaliao was known for his temper and had shouted that he was going to “get” Suwat. The latter, witnesses said, told his victim several times, “Don’t get off your bike or I’ll shoot you.” Mr Chaliao apprently did not believe he would. Mr Suwat told police, “I was so angry at that moment that I decided to shoot. Afterwards I went and hid in the banana plantation,” he added. “I am really sorry to have caused this situation – especially right in front of his son,” he said. Asked why he was carrying a gun in public, he answered, “Actually, I love to practice shooting at a shooting range. On that day, I was taking the gun back to my house in Thalang.” Suwat has been charged with murder and with carrying a firearm in public without a licence. Police have denied him bail while he awaits trial.

Dangerous jet-ski operators told, drive safe or be banned Continued from page 1. “Even if we make changes to the laws, they will take a long time to be approved,” he said. Mr Phuriphat conceded that the popularity of jet-ski riding among foreign tourists meant finding a suitable solution that would allow tourists to enjoy adventurous beach sports such as jet-skiing while maintaining safety standards. “The best we can do at this stage is to enforce licensing regulations and give safety advice. All operators of jet-skis, as well as boats and other adventure sport activities, must have licenses,” he stressed. The Marine Office has published brochures advising tourists to always wear life jackets and to keep within speed limits when operating or riding on motor boats and jet skis. “Jet-skis should be ridden between 300 and 800 metres from the shore – away from high waves closer to the shore,” said Mr Phuriphat. New regulations would be issued soon, adding that fully comprehensive insurance cover for boat and jet-ski operators would be among the new stipulations, he said. The warning to jet-ski operators came just

a couple of days after Russian tourist Iliya Muryndin, 29, died after crashing a rented jet-ski into strong waves off Patong Beach. Beach guards raced out in an inflatable dinghy at about noon to help the tourist after he was thrown off the jet-ski. When they reached him they found him still breathing but unconscious from a blow he had received to his right forehead. Back on shore, they rushed him to Patong Hospital. He briefly woke up but then lapsed again into unconsciousness. It was decided, because of his condition, that he should be transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but he died on the way there. Police are gathering information about the victim and investigating the cause of the incident. The family have been informed. Asked whether there would be any changes to rules for tourists in light of the crash, Mr Phuriphat said that the waves at the time were not that high and “it looks like he was driving very hard, trying to challenge himself. “The accident was unusual. No one would want this to happen. We have done our best to get jet-ski operators to educate customers to keep them safe.”

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

PHUKET NEWS

A CULTURE OF GUNS

Police raids see blizzard of weapons seizures

series of arrests have been made this week as part of a police drive against crime in the run-up to the Loy Kratong Festival. Large amounts of weapons have been seized. On Tuesday night (November 4) Kathu police arrested four men for possession of an arsenal of illegal weapons in Patong. Acting on information from an undercover officer that a room in Miengnen Rd in Patong appeared to be used for drug sales and use, police swooped on Tuesday night (November 4). Police arrived to find the room unlocked and, inside, the four suspects smoking hash. Officers searched the room and the suspects. The search revealed more than hashish. It included a .38-calibre homemade pistol, a .38 homemade zip gun, a .22 calibre

revolver, one .45 bullet, eight .38 bullets, two holsters, a sharpened table knife, a kitchen knife with scabbard, and a homemade axe. They also seized a large bamboo bong. The four men, Apisit Maimard, 25, Eakkachai Toe’yo, 28, and Anun Wanjo, 26, all from Nakorn Sri Thammarat, and Damree Mama 24 from Pattani, were arrested on illegal weapons charges and possession of a Category 5 drug. This was not the only haul of guns seized this week. In other cases, the following offenders were arrested: Somchai Yernyong, 41, from Talad Yai – possession of a .357-calibre home-made handgun and one bullet. Charged with unlicensed possession of a firearm and ammunition. Zhang Thamwong, 39, from Laos – possession of a 12-gauge shotgun and nine

Guns, knives and an axe seized on Tuesday (November 4) when police arrested four men in Patong. cartridges, and a homemade 5.56mm handgun with one bullet. Charged with possession of narcotics or sale and

illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He was arrested after Thalang police received a tip off that drugs

were being transported by boat from Phang Nga and were being stored temporarily in the house Zhang was looking

after in Baan Para, Tambon Pa Khlok. Yongyuth Salee, 26, – possession of a homemade pen gun and a .22 bullet. On Monday (November 3) members of a gang led by Kertchai “Bank Arlang” Boonrit were arrested in Phuket Town. Police seized 9mm Chinese-made Norinco pistol, another stainless steel 9mm pistol, three magazines, 46 .38mm bullets, 67 9mm bullets and five 6.35mm bullets. (See story, this page.) More than 22 others were arrested in the last week for having drugs for personal use or sale. A total of 12.18 grams of hashish, an estimated 290 grams of crystal meth (ya ice) and 74 methamphetamine (ya bah) pills were seized, as well as kratom leaves. Eakkapop Thongthap and Darawan Naknakhon

Teacher held for rape of 12yo

The well tattooed Bank Arlang (left) with two of his tough associates and their weapons.

Bad decision: Gang boss pistol-whips wrong guy TEEN GANG LEADER “Bank Arlang” made a mistake on Monday afternoon (November 3) when he threatened a creditor with a gun, ordered him to strip and then pistol-whipped him across the face before kicking him out of his house in Talad Yai. The 15-year-old creditor (name withheld) – who had gone to collect on a debt of B1,000 – promptly went to the police and told them about the incident, mentioning that Bank and five teens were smoking crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) when the beating took place. @thephuketnews

Three hours later police swooped and arrested 24-year-old Bank and five others at the house. They seized Bank’s 9mm Chinese-made Norinco pistol, another stainless steel 9mm pistol, three magazines, 46 .38mm bullets, 67 9mm bullets, five 6.35mm bullets and a bag of ya ice weighing 0.20 grams. They also seized a sword, a walkie-talkie, a pair of handcuffs, three phones and a motorbike they suspect might have been stolen. They are currently checking who the owner is.

Pol Lt Col Somsak Thonggleang said that Bank – real name Kertchai Boonrit – admitted that the guns and ammo belonged to him. He explained that he had them to protect himself because he frequently ends up in altercations with local teenagers. He was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and of a Category 1 drug. Police also took Keittisak Weerachot, 20, Kanawat Thingwai, 19, and three others under the age of 18 to the station for questioning.

A TEACHER WAS ARRESTED Tuesday (November 4) for the alleged rape of a 12-yearold girl student at a Phuket school in August. He denies assaulting the child. The parents of the girl told police that their child was raped around 4pm on August 6 while waiting for her ride home in the computer room on the third floor of the school. They said the teacher then drove the girl home. There was a considerable delay before the Phuket Court issued an arrest warrant on October 13 for the 29-yearold teacher from Phang Nga. Yesterday the warrant was finally acted on and the teacher was arrested on a charge of

raping someone under 13 years of age who is not his wife, whether or not the victim was willing. Two versions of the story have emerged. The parents say they were suspicious and questioned the child. After she told them what happened in the computer lab, they then took her straight to the police station. But the teacher, who is a former Thai Judo national team member and teaches physical education at the school, denies rape. He told police that he had found the victim passed out in the computer class, and helped her by massaging her arms – nothing more. “I dropped her off at her

house and told her mother that she was sick and that I had given her a massage to help her recover,” the teacher told police. “But her mother then demanded B150,000 – which I paid, because I didn’t want to lose my job. “After that the father of the girl came to the school and threatened to report me if I did not give him another B100,000. I refused to give it to him so the parents decided to file a report with police, accusing me of rape.” Lt Col Suttichai Tienphoe, chief investigator of Kathu Police, said, “We have hard evidence against him, regardless of his denial. He will remain in custody.”

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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FRI NOVEMBER 7

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The waterspout off Patong lasted about five minutes.

undreds of tourists and residents in/off Phu ket’s premier beach-town were alarmed last Friday when a gigantic waterspout was spotted off the west coast of the island. The “water twister” appeared at around 12:45pm out in the middle of the sea several nautical miles off Patong Beach. It remained in sight from the coast for about five minutes, with several boats nearby, before finally dissipating. The height was reported to be as much as 600 metres, while the diameter was estimated to be as much as 10 meters, spinning anywhere from 20-80 meters per second, and wind speeds of between 100-190 kilometres per hour, but as fast as 225 kph, capable of capsizing small boats. Although tourists and boat-

ers were alarmed and immediately fled from the direction of the waterspout, no reports of injuries or damages have yet been reported. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains that waterspouts are essentially the same as tornadoes, but form over water instead of land. “Waterspouts fall into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts. “Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning. “Fair weather waterspouts

usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. "This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms. "While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward. “By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. "Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little.” It advises that boats anywhere near a waterspout, to get to a safe distance, should move in a direction at 90 degrees to the apparent direction of the waterspout’s travel. Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub

AMCHAM to host marine debate A PANEL OF MARI NE tourism experts and conservationists, including awardwinning dolphin documentary maker Ric O’Barry, will lead a debate titled ‘Phuket’s Marine Tourism – Challenges of Change’ at the Outrigger Laguna Beach Phuket on Friday, November 21. All are welcome to join the debate organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Phuket chapter, as part of its ongoing discussion of how to brand Phuket, in this case as a global marine tourism destination. Special guest speaker Ric O’Barry from The Dolphin Project, the producer of the award-winning documentary The Cove, will be joining the discussions via live video feed to give his views on the dolphinarium planned for Phuket, along with solutions on how to return the captive animals to the wild. Local marine tourism industry experts on the panel include: SKAL President Claude Sauter; Asia Marine owner Vincent Tabuteau; diving expert Por Parusu Komaradat; and conservationist and sea

Award-winning documentary maker and conservationist Ric O’Barry from The Dolphin Project will be joining the debate on the challenges facing Phuket’s marine tourism. Photo: DolphinProject.net. canoe tour inventor John Gray. Topics will cover conservation of marine life, and sustainable tourism, as well as yachting restrictions and pressures on the diving industry. Registration will be at 4pm with the discussion starting at 4.30pm in the Similan Ballroom of the Outrigger, followed by networking and drinks. All are welcome to attend. Admission for non-AmCham members is B100. To sign up for the forum visit amchamthailand.com or contact Khun Orn. Email: eventbooking@amchamthailand.com Tel: 02-254-1041 ext 214. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Guides demand end to illegal competition Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

ocal tour guides gathered at Provincial Hall on Monday morning (November 3) to file a letter of complaint about the lack of progress by authorities to stop foreign tour guides operating illegally on the island. The letter, handed to Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong at a meeting attended by Ministry of Tourism & Sports Phuket Director Santi Pawai, claimed that some foreign tourist guides are operating illegally in Phuket with the support of local officials. The group’s spokesperson, Krich Thepbamrung, said illegal foreign tour guides had been a problem for many years. “The number of illegal tour guides has never dropped. It keeps increasing,” said Mr Krich. “Even some of the big tour companies are hiring them without work permits. There used to be registered Thai tour guides working with the foreign ones in order to avoid trouble

Krich Thembamrung (left) makes a point to Santi Pawai. but now it is even worse. “They [foreign tour guides] are working alone now and they do not get arrested. We have complained about this several times but the companies refuse to listen because they want to save costs,” said Mr Krich. He also accused officials of neglecting their duty. “There are plenty of tour guides standing in front of the airport exit door who are obviously foreigners. They have never been checked for their work permits, even though

everyone knows that only Thai nationals can be tour guides,” he said. “We insist on concrete action and punishment in the near future against illegal foreign guides as well as the officials and companies supporting them,” Mr Krich demanded. Phuket’s Tourism & Sports Ministry Director Santi Pawai said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding a ban on illegal tour guides had already been presented to all local tour companies

with Chinese-, Korean- and Russian-speaking tour guides. “Almost all the companies have agreed to the MOU. There are a few that don’t agree with it but we expect all of them to sign it by December,” Mr Santi told The Phuket News. The Phuket News also spoke with Juan Carlos, 25 from Italy, who worked as an illegal tour guide in Phuket for two years. “The company I worked with was quite big,” he said. “They hired around seven foreigners as “translators” but we were all accompanied by a licensed Thai tour guide.” He said that the foreigners in the company never had to hide while they were working because the company gave work to Thai people and money to the police. “I think it works the same in many countries in the world. It’s a kind of mafia, friends of the friends of the owner, cousins, brothers in law … who are involved in the circle to support the business and make money. Everybody knows everything but nobody cares.”

PHUKET NEWS

B40m approved to complete Phuket AIS boat network THE PROVINCE HAS APproved a further budget of B40 million to complete a project to install an islandwide automatic identification system (AIS) network to identify boats via electronic navigation points across Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga, the Phuket Marine Office Chief revealed on Tuesday (November 4). Phuriphat Teerakulpisut, told The Phuket News during an inspection tour of the Phuket Yacht Control Centre (PYCC) in Chalong that approval of an additional B40 million – on top of two previous allotments of B15 million and B45 million – means 10 more navigation towers can now be added to the 14 existing points in Phuket. The first B15 million paid for three AIS monitoring towers. Another 11 towers were later added, including one each in Krabi and Phang Nga, with an additional B45 million in funding.

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The recent approval of an additional B40 million will allow another 10 towers to be installed, completing the network to monitor boat movements along much of the coastline. “Currently, all foreignf lagged vessels and all boats with a capacity of 25 passengers or more must have AIS units. Speedboat operators have also been requested to install AIS units in their boats,” said Mr Phuriphat. The aim of the AIS network is to prevent boat accidents in Phang Nga Bay by monitoring boats and warning boat crews if they are in danger of a collision. “As well as monitoring boats from the Phuket Yacht Control Centre at Chalong Pier, the AIS network, when it is complete, will also be monitored by the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Police, making it a lot easier to identify and communicate with boats in the bay,” Mr Phuriphat said.

PHUKET NEWS

Tiger boss slams UK news report

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

he CEO of Tiger Kingdom Phuket, Patsara Nittayawimon, has slammed a recent report in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper about the mauling of an Australian tourist, Paul Goudie, on October 21. On October 29, Ms Patsara said that the Daily Telegraph online report, by writer Lee Cobaj, the day after the attack, was wrong on several points. She particularly objected to the Telegraph citing rumours that Tiger Kingdom drugged its animals to keep them docile, and retailing rumours that the facility was connected to local “mafia”. Cobaj wrote, “Rumours … abound that the tigers are drugged to keep them docile,” and “Phuket locals are dismayed by the news but would only speak anonymously, concerned by rumours of Tiger Kingdom’s connections to the island’s mafia families.” Ms Patsara responded, “All the tigers we have here came from Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai.

Phuket prison retains its ‘white prison’ status CEO of Tiger Kingdom, Patsara Nittayawimon, above, and below, Paul Goudie, who has already flown home. It is the only place where we breed our tigers. All the cubs are trained closely by people so they are more tame when around people. “Tiger Kingdom has no involvement with mafia in Phuket, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.” Mr Goudie came out of hospital on October 29, where he was treated for injuries sustained in the attack to both legs and his stomach. He was due to fly home the following day.

A SNAP INSPECTION OF the cells and inmates at Phuket Provincial Prison just after dawn on October 29 revealed no drugs or illegal items, allowing the facility to keep its “white prison” status for another few months. Led by Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong, officials at 6am began their inspection of the 2,870 male and female inmates, their cells, lockers and the infirmary, as well as random drug tests on some of the inmates, all of which were negative. “The facility is drug-free,

and we found no mobile phones or other banned items. None of the inmates tested positive for drugs,” said Gov Nisit. He revealed that the inspections are carried out every two or three months. “The inmates had no idea the inspection was going to happen. We are definitely happy with the results,” he added. Phuket prison has held on to its white prison status since May 2012. The last inspection was on June 9 and also failed to uncover any drugs or contraband.

Bangkok Airways launches four new direct flights BANGKOK AIRWAYS HAS launched four new direct routes connecting with Chiang Mai, one of them direct with Phuket. Starting from October 26 the airline is also now flying from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani in Isan, and Mandalay and Yangon in Myanmar. Ariya Prasarttong-Osoth, the airline’s Vice President for Sales, explained that the decision to launch the new routes was made because

Chiang Mai is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Thailand, attracting a large number of both Thai and foreign tourists, and is also a major commercial city in the North and a gateway to Indochina. “We considered the potential for passenger volume when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) comes into being [at the end of 2015],” she said. “All flights are direct – they do not stop in

Bangkok.” The Chiang Mai-Phuket service is once daily, using an Airbus A320 aircraft with 162 seats. It leaves Phuket for Chiang Mai at 11:30am, landing at 1:40pm, then departs from Chiang Mai for Phuket at 2:20pm, landing at 4:25pm. “The airline is currently offering special web promotion fares on these four new routes. Chiang Mai-Phuket, one way, starts from just B2,290,” Ms Ariya noted. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Arrest heads off shootout between kratom dealers T

wo Kratom agents, armed, were heading for a showdown in Patong when police stepped in and prevented the looming mayhem, it was revealed on October 30. Patong police received a tip-off that Prasit “Kheaw” Panjapol, 34, was dealing in kratom. Undercover officers searched for him, catching up with him on October 28, riding his motorbike on Sirirat Rd. They found no kratom, said Phuket Provincial Commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit, but “officers found a handmade shotgun pistol and three cartridges in his pocket. He told officers that he was going to shoot Sompob “Au” Nuanjun, 30, who was a kratom supplier in Patong.” Prasit explained, “I ordered Kratom leaves from him in the morning, but he didn’t deliver until the afternoon. I was very angry that I had to wait for such a long time. “Moreover, when he arrived he cursed my mother’s name. That made me very angry and and I wanted to kill him,” he added. He was still furious at the media conference on October 30 to announce his arrest. When reporters asked Prasit, “If you had the oppor-

PHUKET NEWS

Man survives 3-floor jump from hospital

Prasit Panjapol, 24, was charged with possession of Kratom leaves with intent to sell, and possession of an unlicensed .32-calibre handgun with 35 bullets, which he wanted to use to shoot Sompob Nuanjun. tunity right now, would you shoot Sompob?” Without hesitation he replied, “Yes!” Sompob, too, is now also in custody. Maj Gen Patchara explained, “We arrested Sompob at his rental room in Soi Kuan Yang Jaroen [on the night of October 29],” “Officers found 10 kilograms of kratom packed in foam boxes which were covered with medical equipment bearing the logo of Patong Hospital. They also found an unlicensed .32-calibre handgun

with 35 bullets.” Sompob confessed to the police that he used to work at Patong Hospital, “But I could make more money selling kratom,” he explained. “I would order kratom leaves by phone from ‘Phinyo’ who lives in Surat Thani, and they would be delivered by bus. Then the leaves would be distributed in Patong.” Sompob was charged with possession of kratom leaves with intent to sell, and possession of an unlicensed gun.

Prasit was charged only with possession of an unlicensed gun. Gen Patchara said he could not be charged with attempted murder “because it had yet to start.” But the general added that the events have inspired him to initiate a crackdown on illegal gun possession in Phuket. “I will call all superintendents in Phuket to give them orders to get on this as soon as possible. We have to do this before the Loy Krathong Festival,” he said.

A PATIENT IN VACHIRA PHUKET Hospital escaped with minor injuries when he jumped from his ward on the third floor of the hospital last Friday afternoon (October 31) in an apparent suicide attempt. Kusoldharm rescuers arrived at the scene to find the highly distressed victim surrounded by relatives trying to restrain him. The man, whose name was not revealed, had suffered a cut lip and scrapes on both arms. Relatives said he had been receiving treatment at the hospital for some time and was “very stressed”. The man was so frantic that rescuers and staff had to use a taser to subdue him before taking him to the emergency room. It still took more half a dozen people to hold him down while his injuries were treated and he was sedated.

New Stoc k

Jason Smedley, 36, was arrested for drug possession in Patong on Monday.

Brit arrested with ice, ganja A BRITISH MAN WAS among seven people arrested for drug possession on Monday (November 3) in Patong. Police led by Lt Col Suthichai Tienpoe arrested Jason Smedley, 36, in his rented room on Pisitkoranee Rd at 3am. A search of the room turned up a bag of pressed hash weighing 5.38 grams, two bags of powdered crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) weighing a total of 0.66 @thephuketnews

grams, a bag of liquid ya ice weighing 0.43 grams and a pipe for smoking the meth. Smedley was charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell and possession of a Category 5 drug (the hashish). On the same morning, police searched the Rasta Bar on Ha Sip Pi Rd, arresting Prasit Onlien, 29, and seizing pressed hashish weighing 3.8 grams. He was charged with possession. In the afternoon officers

caught two groups of Burmese in the act of cooking up kratom leaves. At a rented room on Sainamyen Rd police seized an electric pot with boiled kratom leaves and arrested two Burmese, Wat, 30, and Wen, 31. In another rented room they arrested three Burmese – Aokee, 25, Pan, 28, and Mong, 29 – and seized fresh kratom leaves and a bag of already cooked kratom. The five were charged with possession.

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Northbound traffic is already using the Central underpass.

A New Year gift for drivers: the finished Central underpass OFFICIALS NOW EXPECT to have a New Year gift for the motorists of Phuket: the completion of the long-awaited Darasamut underpass – better known as the Central Festival underpass. On Tuesday (November 4), officials at the monthly Governor’s press briefing said that the underpass is now 86 per cent complete and will be finished by the end of the year. “The wet weather is slowing construction [at Darasamut] and the Cabinet recently decided to extend the contract to March 5 next year,” Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luaedwonghad said. “In this moment, most of the work at the Darasamut underpass is taking place underground with electronic and safety systems being installed, along with resurfacing the roads above. So we expect the project to finish at least two months early,” he added. Asked about penalties that the contractor, Italian Thai, must pay for not completing

to the original sehdule in the contract, he said, “Because the Cabinet approved extension of the contract due to flooding problems causing delays, they will not have to pay any penalties.” The news is not so good for the other underpass being built on the bypass, at the Samkong intersection next to Tesco-Lotus. Mr Samak said that one is 36 per cent complete and is not expected to be finished before the end of June next year. “There were a lot of problems with water pipes and power poles obstructing parts of the project, which slowed down the work. However, at the moment, everything is being done. We can continue our job without problems.” However, neither project will be finished in time for the Asian Beach Games, so the Highways Office and Phuket Provincial Police are to coordinate on solving traffic problems during that period.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Airport immigration boss denies ‘fast track via Ebola line’ Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

m m ig r a t io n p ol ic e strenuously denied on Wednesday (November 5) soliciting bribes from airline passengers for letting them through the newly created lane specifically for people arriving from countries where the deadly Ebola disease is rampant. The denial came after an English couple traveling from Singapore to Phuket on Monday (November 3) told The Phuket News that they were invited to pay a fee to get faster service by going through the Ebola line. “We were waiting in a

line for 10 minutes and I could see it would take us up to an hour [to get to the Immigration desk],” the husband said, under condition of anonymity. “We saw an Immigration officer walking along the long lines asking everyone if they wanted to take a fast lane by paying B100 each.” He said that initially he did not want to pay but after waiting for long, he decided to use the “service”. “Only three of the eight counters were manned, processing people from every country. I told the officer that we wanted to go in the fast lane so he brought me to a desk that

had a big sign saying ‘Ebola Line’. He took B200 from my hand and added them to a big stack of notes that he had taken from previous ‘customers’.” He s a id t h at goi ng through the Ebola line was very fast – it took just a few seconds – and people were joining the fast lane at about one a minute because they were tired of waiting in the main lines. “There were three officers standing at the one desk. “They just opened the passports, stamped them and gave them back to us.” But Lt Col Watcharapol Kanjanakuntorn, Airport

Immigration Deputy Superintendent, insisted that there is no special lane for passengers to jump the queue in return for B100. “There is no fast lane for those who pay a bribe at the airport immigration,” he said. “I do not believe officers put people through the Ebola line. That is a very strict measure to screen people from the affected countries and we cannot mix them together. “We had some reports before [about fast-tracking for bribes] but we have checked and found nothing. “However, I will investigate this once again.”

Minister happy with Asian Beach Games preparations THE MINISTER OF TOURism and Sport Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has declared herself satisfied with preparations for the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket, adding that the games are expected to bring in income from tourism of about B1 billion. Last Friday evening (October 31), Ms Kobkarn led Phuket officials and police on a tour of the facilities for the Games, which will run from November 14 to 23. The tour started at Saphan Hin Stadium in Phuket Town, which will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies, followed by Karon, where trophies will be handed out to winners, and which is also the

Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul inspects the bleachers at one of the event venues on the beach. venue for the beach volleyball competition. Ms Kobkarn said, “It is about 70 per cent complete. There seem to be no problems

and everything will be finished on time.” She forecast the Games would bring in 6,000 people, including 2,700 athletes and 1,700 judges.

The bus lies on its side in the central reservation after crashing off the Phetchkasem Highway.

1 dead as PhuketHaad Yai bus flips A PHUKET-HAAD YAI bus went out of control and flipped over in Pattalung on Tuesday (November 4), killing one passenger and injuring 11 more. The accident took place in rain at 2:45pm on the main Phetchkasem Highway, near Baan Hao Rang. The injured were taken to the nearest hospital Local reporters said this particular stretch of road was notorious for crashes. thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

A colourful high season The 29th annual three-day carnival hits Phuket streets Sarapee Sithamarat editor@classactmedia.co.th

Gorgeous costumes took over the streets.

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colourful street procession on Saturday evening (November 1) marked the start of the 29th annual three-day Phuket Carnival, officially ushering in the island’s tourism high season. Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong led officials in the street procession at 6pm on the beach road in Patong before watching a stage performance on Bangla Rd and a fireworks display by the Royal Thai Navy to honour HM King Bhumibol. The theme of this year’s carnival was “Blissful Beach”, supporting the beach reform which kicked illegal entrepreneurs off the sand and “returned happiness to all people including tourists”. The day’s activities included a chefs’ competition at 4:30pm and stage performances, starting at 8pm, by students from HanRangSee Prachasan in Pattalung, Thai

Entertainment on Bangla Rd in Patong. country singer Tonkao RSiam, Laung Kai and Ko Khai. On Monday (November 3, divers joined in a drive to collect underwater garbage while in the evening there

was a “Jazz International Music” concert featuring Nueng-Jakkawarn from Thailand, Manila Machine from the Philippines, JSFA from South Korea and Bangkokbased Siam Cubano, featuring

Deana Collazo from Cuba and Jun Abe from Japan. During the festival local street food and local craft products from around Thailand were on sale along the beach road.

Opinion 10 OPINION

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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Needing to come down

s the 2014 tourism high season gets into full swing, Phuket continues to reach and excel a number of “heights”. Next week, millions of TV sets around the world will be tuned in to idyllic scenes of Phuket for the highly anticipated Asian Beach Games. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a debate is boiling among stakeholders and residents who contemplate the island’s path of progression, or lack thereof, and whether there is a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. It’s no secret. The island’s population and resulting traffic, residential density and waste production is on the rise, mostly unchecked. By mid year, Phuket’s official population had reached 370,000, registering a mere 2.5 per cent annual increase; however, based on available data of utilities consumption and waste production, it can be extrapolated

editor1@classactmedia.co.th Originally from Canada; BA in Sociology from the University of Birmingham in the UK and an MA in Online/Print Journalism from the University of the Arts in London. Three years experience for Britain’s third-biggest publisher, Immediate Media, as well as Bauer Media and InStyle magazine.

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EDITORIAL

that Phuket is home to as much as three times its registered population at any given time, with the sum of people dwelling here, and using resources, rising 7-10 per cent annually. The number of new cars piling onto the roads is also alarming, with nearly half a million new vehicles registered on the island over the past 15 years (See Life page 3). Considering this, and the lack of clear policy (and budget allocation) to expand and improve public transport and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, the “quality of life” outlook remains grim for some time to come. Sure, billions in hardearned tax revenue have been allocated to “state of the art” highway infrastructure (once the underpasses at Central and Tesco are finished, similar projects are due to begin at Chalong circle and Bang Ku junction near Koh Kaew).

While such projects will no doubt result in economic benefits for some – particularly the handful of property developers and retailers who successfully lobbied for such projects – what about the rest of the island? There are hundreds of thousands of residents who would like to take a (safely regulated) public bus or train to work, or peacefully walk their kids to school; tourists who would rather not spend their holiday snapping selfies from a tour bus or van stuck in a traffic jam; as well as cyclists, runners and power-walkers who don’t want to put their life at risk each time they engage in neighbourhood work-outs. Sir Isaac Newton once suggested that everything that goes up, must eventually come down. For the sake of Phuket’s future, we certainly hope his theory proves true, and soon at that.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

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Phuket Weather: 600 -metre -tall waterspout spotted off Patong Beach Thailand Travel: Toasted on Koh Tao: Part 2 DNA test for Koh Tao AC Bar owner’s son Phuket road rage shooter re-enacts killing ‘Future richest man in world’ back in Phuket – in handcuffs VIDEO: Phuket motorbike taxi driver shot dead ‘in road rage’ Phuket road rage shooter ‘has been identified’ Russian tourist dies after jet-ski crash in Phuket Phuket road rage shooter ‘will be caught soon’ – police Pirate Bay founder arrested in Nong Khai

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Blinded by bricks, toilet waste

Re: POLL: Improving safety and security in Phuket Cars, bikes, buses and trucks need more safety inspections ... When riding a motorbike I see dump trucks with bricks falling out the back and buses with black smog, bad brakes and toilet waste coming into my face, almost blinding me too. Kevin Payaso

‘Value’ and ‘worth’ not the same thing

Re: Phuket land prices ‘have tripled in past 10 years’ Land ‘asking’ prices may have risen three-fold, but has the volume of sales? Agogohome

We all need guns to survive in Phuket

Re: Phuket gang leader pistol-whips wrong guy Looks a delightful young man. He has a right to arm himself and protect himself from pesky teenagers. Maybe we should all be so armed in case some 14-year-old looks at us the

wrong way.

Steve Carter

Legal competition to heat up next year Re: Phuket guides demand action against illegal competition Can’t wait to see what happens after the 2015 ASEAN agreement comes in to force, when eight neighbouring countries’ nationals will be allowed to work here Agogohome These Thai tour guides simply don’t acknowledge their own deficiencies. The fact is that most, if not all, are not proficient in the languages required. It’s about time someone told them the truth and stopped treating them as if protective parents. Let them grow up and face the real world. Rorii

Safety once again sidelined by profit

Re: Russian tourist dies after jet-ski crash in Phuket If the waves were that big then the jet skies should not have been rented out! Again,

tourism safety does NOT come before tourist money!When will people come before profit? Chazwolf

Thanks for all the free downloads

Re: Pirate Bay founder arrested in Nong Khai Grateful for his contributions to a free society that places people over profit. Josh Daley

Need to sort out jetski license situation

Re: Phuket marine chief threatens jet-ski ban By law, all jet-ski drivers must have a valid boat driving licence, but this is not the case with all tourists renting jet-skis. Therefore jet-ski operators should bear the full responsibility to rent jet-skis to non-certified boat driving customers and all boat insurance companies should put the pressure on jet-ski operators to refuse to cover boat accidents in these cases. As they are making business with tourists, the jet-ski and para sailing operators should each have a TAT licence and at least one guide registered

with the TAT Office in order to deal legally with foreigners willing to sign up for a ride. The law also requires that they give honest and proper information to each of their customers about the dangers of these activities. Charlie

A shallow showing

Re: Hundreds of police in Phuket show of strength It’s hard to understand the lack of any thinking … Most tourists around Soi Bangla who saw the parade will be gone before the promoted events take place. Rorii

Arctic dog not cut out for Phuket clime

Re: Pets: Breed of the month: Samoyed Dear Phuketerians, please never bring a Samoyed dog to Thailand! I have had one here for some years and brought him with me from Germany to Phuket. Samoyed dogs were used in Siberia as sledge dogs ... in Thailand they suffer like hell because of the heat and humidity. Phuket Dog Resort

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THAILAND NEWS 11

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Deep South villagers armed to quell unrest A

uthorities in the southernmost border provinces of the kingdom have distributed hundreds of assault rifles to village volunteers in the insurgency-battered region, in a move seemingly at odds with a pledge to find peace to a decade-long conflict within a year. Violence in Thailand’s Muslim-majority South has left thousands dead –the majority civilians –since 2004 across the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala, which were annexed more than a century ago by Thailand. In response to a recent slew of shootings and bomb attacks on civilian “soft” targets, Thailand has vowed to protect locals while it seeks a firm date for a fresh round of peace talks with the publicityshy but ruthless rebels. Some 2,700 Heckler & Koch HK33 assault rifles have been distributed over the past two months to volunteers in the region, according to a spokesman for the Internal Operations

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Thai special police stop vehicles at a checkpoint in Thailand’s restive southern province of Narathiwat on November 4, 2014. Thai authorities have distributed hundreds of assault rifles to village volunteers in the insurgency-battered South, in a move seemingly at odds with a pledge to find peace to a decadelong conflict within a year. AFP PHOTO / Madaree Tohlala Security Command (ISOC). “They need weapons for self-defence... they can’t fight with just wooden sticks,” ISOC spokesman Colonel Banphot Phunphien told reporters. “They are for security volunteers... who are stationed at provincial halls, district offices. They will also protect governors and district chiefs,” he said, adding the majority of the weapons have gone to local Muslim villagers.

Authorities have doled out weapons before to Buddhist and Muslim villagers to protect remote hamlets from near-daily shootings. But rights groups have expressed fears that arming local volunteers promotes vigilantism in a region already scored by violence, suspicion and impunity for civilian deaths. Several rounds of peace talks with some rebel groups came unstuck during the wider

political crisis in Bangkok, which resulted in a May coup. The ruling junta has since loudly trailed its efforts to reboot the talks, which will be facilitated by neighbouring Malaysia, where many of the rebel leaders are believed to be holed-up. General Prawit Wongsuwan, defence minister and deputy prime minister, told reporters on Monday that Thailand is targeting peace

within a year. But a source close to the peace talks told reporters that the timeline is unrealistic, with rebels still irked by Thailand’s failure to respond to five demands they laid out in the last round of discussions –including for a level of political and cultural autonomy as well as an amnesty. While several rebel leaders are ready to re-engage with Thailand “this time around they might go at a slower pace”. “Besides the current Thai government is temporary therefore nothing can be achieved in one year,” the source added, requesting anonymity. Antipathy to the Thai state runs deep in the culturally distinct deep south, with rights groups and activists accusing Thai security forces of severe rights abuses –including killings of civilians since May’s coup. Locals also accuse Thailand of railroading their culture and in so doing galvanising support for the rebellion. AFP

PM: Don’t report news on old PM THAILAND’S JUNTA LEADer on November 3 threatened to tighten controls of the media unless they stop “presenting news” about former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, after photographs of the billionaire cuddling a panda went viral. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup as prime minister and lives abroad to avoid jail for a corruption conviction, sits at the epicentre of Thailand’s near decade-long political rupture. His sister Yingluck was also booted out of office as premier by a controversial court ruling just before the military again seized power in May. Thaksin is loathed by the Bangkok elite and their royalist supporters in the army and judiciary. But the family are adored in their northern heartlands, who have elected Shinawatra-led or aligned governments to power in every poll since 2001.

12 ASIA NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Trade rivalries, tensions high ahead of Beijing APEC summit

eaders of more than half the world’s economy gather in Beijing this week for the annual APEC forum, with China and the US pushing rival trade agreements as a week-long series of international summits gets under way. Chinese President Xi Jinping, hosting his biggest international gathering since assuming office nearly two years ago, welcomes representatives including US President Barack Obama, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which starts with ministerial meetings on Friday before the main summit on Monday and Tuesday, accounts for more than 50 percent of global gross domestic product, 44 percent of world trade and 40 percent of the Earth’s population. In the 25 years since it was set up it has long pushed free trade among its members -- with mixed success

BALL IN CHINA’S COURT: Chinese officials will have ‘home court advantage’ for the 2014 APEC summit, to host world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The above photo was taken during a Chinese state visit to the US in 2009. in the face of bilateral deals, protectionist tendencies, and the vagaries of global World Trade Organization negotiations -- and three competing concepts will vie for dominance in Beijing. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), pushed by Washington and seen as part of its much-touted “pivot” to Asia after years leading wars

in Afghanistan and Iraq, is being discussed by 12 APEC nations including the US, Japan and Australia, but market access disagreements between Washington and Tokyo are a particular hurdle. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) champions the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),

which would bring together ASEAN and six countries with which it has FTAs, including China, Japan and India. And a broader Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), raised in 2006 by APEC leaders and currently seen as a way to eventually bridge the other two, has been embraced by China. “We don’t want to see (the) TPP rich man’s club going off in that direction and RCEP going off in this direction,” Alan Bollard, APEC executive director and former head of New Zealand’s central bank, told AFP. “We want to see them converging.” Wang Shouwen, an assistant minister of commerce, told reporters Tuesday that China “hopes concrete measures will be taken to make progress

towards the realisation of the FTAAP” at APEC, specifically seeking an “early date” for a timetable to implement a roadmap for the deal. “There is no such issue as blocking or clash,” he insisted. But Chinese analysts are suspicious that TPP-driving Washington wants to thwart FTAAP because of Beijing’s interest in it. “It is natural that the US would show less enthusiasm in pushing forward FTAAP whose establishment will inevitably offset the impact of Trans-Pacific Partnership,” Bai Ming, of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told China’s Global Times newspaper Tuesday.

More than trade

Consensus-based APEC, whose members are as diverse as the United States and Papua New Guinea, was once the main venue for pan-Pacific summits. But it will be followed immediately by the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Myanmar, and then the G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia. Key countries such as the United States, China, Japan, Australia and Indonesia belong to all three groups, but the rise of the EAS and the upgrading of the G-20 to a summit-level event in 2008 amid the strains of the global financial crisis have taken some of the lustre off APEC.

President of China, Xi Jinping along with first lady at the 2013 summit..

APEC 2014, Beijing China Members are called “economies” instead of countries because of the presence of Taiwan, known as Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong, which is referred to as Hong Kong, China. APEC members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. One practical achievement is the APEC Business Travel Card, which allows businesspeople visa-free entry and fast track immigration processing at airports in participating economies. The summit also serves as a venue for leaders to meet on a bilateral basis and some, such as Obama this year, schedule separate official or state visits to the host country. The Philippines will host the 2015 summit.

DPK uranium plant in operation NUCLEAR-ARMED NORTH Korea has started operating a new plant inside its uranium enrichment complex, boosting its capacity to generate fuel that could be used to make atomic weapons, a report said Wednesday (November 5). “Infrared cameras used by South Korean and US intelligence authorities have detected heat that was emitted when gas centrifuges in the new plant began operating,” the Joongang Ilbo daily quoted an unnamed official in charge of handling North Korean intelligence. The North started building the new facility inside the Yongbyon nuclear complex in 2012 and began operating it recently after completing construction, the report said. “We have to monitor a little longer to see if the new plant started producing (enriched

A satelite image of the Yongbyon Nuclear Facility’s main reactor. uranium) at full blast but it is our assessment that it is running,” the newspaper cited the source as saying. A defence ministry official told reporters it could not comment on “any matters of intelligence”. In August, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said satellite

images of Yongbyon suggested continued production at the centrifuge plant of the North’s main nuclear complex. Pyongyang says the plant is dedicated to producing low-enriched uranium for an under-construction Light Water Reactor (LWR), but experts suspect that the final goal is weapons-grade uranium. Previous imagery showed the centrifuge building had doubled in size, and the US think tank said it was likely that this year had seen the installation of centrifuge cascades inside the new section. Overall, the latest images, combined with procurement data obtained by ISIS, suggest that North Korea “is emphasising the production of weapon-grade plutonium as well as enriched uranium for its nuclear weapons program,” the report said. AFP thephuketnews

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WORLD NEWS 13

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Hope, dismay in Burkina’s burned-out Bobo-Dioulasso A

t a roundabout in the centre of Burkina Faso’s second city of Bobo-Dioulasso, a statue of the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi now stands alone, watching over an endless stream of backfiring motorbikes. Kadhafi’s likeness once stood alongside that of Burkina’s long-standing president Blaise Compaore, but some of the protesters that helped end his 27-year rule last week came along and tore it down. From his small kiosk in front of Place Blaise-Kadhafi, Sibre Yameogo watched on Thursday (October 30) as the huge bronze statue was pushed over by a group of young men with their bare hands. There was great joy when it fell, he says, “and they kept hitting the statue with their sticks afterwards.” An hour later, city authorities came to recover the toppled effigy, leaving Kadhafi solo in his sunglasses and Bedouin headdress to look over Place Blaise-Kadhafi.

Kadhafi’s likeness once stood alongside that of Burkina’s long-standing president Blaise Compaore, but some of the protesters that helped end his 27-year rule last week helped topple his statue.

HIGH HOPES: The scene at a market in Burkina Faso’s second city, Bobo-Dioulasso.

The town of Bobo-Dioulasso has seen a spasm of violence over the past week, mirroring events in the capital Ougadougou, some 400 kilometres (250 miles) away. “We watch what is happening there. Then it comes here,” said Adama Salou, a 28-year-old local. Just as the parliament build-

ing was stormed and set ablaze in Ougadougou, so the town hall in Bobo-Dioulasso was set on fire. The burned-out shells of two cars lie in the approach to the house of mayor Salia Sano, which has also been gutted by fire. “When the people came on Thursday, they burned

everything,” says Sano’s son, Hamed, a 37-year-old scrap merchant. “These guys came for political reasons, but the next day the looters arrived.” Worse than disaster It looks as though a hurricane has torn through the court complex in central Bobo. Half a dozen buildings and many more vehicles are blackened wrecks.

“I was on the frontline -- people didn’t agree with burning down the courthouse,” said Adama Salou, who works in a hotel. “But the delinquents had their way.” One employee surveyed the mess and the grey remains of hundreds of documents blowing in the wind. “If there was a word stron-

ger than disaster...” she said. “Specific places were targeted: the prosecutor’s office, the district court. “They have only hurt themselves. Now, it will be impossible to get anything. The courthouse is closed.” Calm returned on Saturday, a day after Compaore fled the country, but not for long. With the military announcing it had taken power, there were fresh protests on Sunday. “People were panicking a little with the military not wanting to give up power,” said one local, Alexandre Bayala, 38. “We wonder if the army is going to work for the people or not.” Meanwhile, the site of the town hall has become a playground for children, who laugh and play among the ruins. One is picking through the rubble looking for scrap to sell, but all he turns up are a few bits of copper wire and a couple of plastic boxes. “There’s nothing left,” he says. “They destroyed everything.” AFP

UN to ‘eliminate statelessness within decade’ Pirate Bay fugitive TEN MILLION PEOPLE worldwide have no nationality, leaving them in a devastating legal limbo, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday (November 4), launching a campaign to eradicate statelessness within a decade. “Every 10 minutes a new stateless person is born,” UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres told reporters in Geneva, describing the situation as “absolutely unacceptable” and “an anomaly in the 21st century.” With its “I Belong” campaign, UNHCR aims to highlight the “devastating life-long consequences of statelessness” and push countries to rectify their laws to ensure no person is denied a nationality. “Often they are excluded from cradle to grave, being denied a legal identity when they are born, access to education, health care, marriage and job opportunities during their lifetime and even the dignity of an official burial and a death certificate when they die,” the agency said in its report. “Statelessness makes people feel like their very existence is a crime,” Guterres said. People can become stateless due to a range of reasons, like discrimination based on ethnic@thephuketnews

Villagers fleeing the village of Kibati during the 2008 NordKivu conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photo: Julien Harneis ity, religion or gender, or when a nation state falls apart. War and conflict also often make it difficult to register births. The report does not count the case of the Palestinians, since the UN General Assembly had recognised the State of Palestine, Guterres said. The problem for many of the 4.5 million of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and the millions more living as refugees around the world is that the State of Palestine has yet to approve its nationality laws, he said, insisting that this “very specific situation” required a “political solution”. The largest number of stateless people are to be found

in Myanmar, which denies citizenship to some one million Rohingya Muslims, according to Guterres. Myanmar considers the Rohingya illegal migrants from Bangladesh, which in turn considers the ones who cross the border illegal migrants from Myanmar. In both countries, the group viewed by the UN as one of the world’s most persecuted peoples faces widespread restrictions, including curbs on movement, education and marriage. When nation states break apart, people are often also left in limbo, with more than 600,000 people for instance still left stateless after the

disintegration of the Soviet Union more than 20 years ago. In situations of war, conflict and turmoil, it also often becomes difficult to register births, especially among refugees, leaving them stateless. A full 70 percent of babies born to Syrian refugees in neighbouring Lebanon and Jordan have for instance not received legal birth certificates, Guterres said. A number of countries, including Iran and Qatar, also deny women the right to pass their nationality on to their children on an equal basis with men, “a situation that can create chains of statelessness that span generations,” UNHCR warned. Statelessness is inhuman The world’s perhaps most famous stateless person was Albert Einstein, who remained stateless from 1896, when he renounced his German citizenship, until 1901, when he became Swiss. In an open letter, Guterres, UNHCR special envoy and Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Nobel Peace Prize laureates Shirin Ebadi and Desmond Tutu and others described what living without a nationality can mean.

captured in Thailand THE SWEDISH CO-FOUNDer of file-sharing website The Pirate Bay was arrested by Nong Khai immigration police on Monday (November 3) after jumping bail in Europe. Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, 30, on Friday (October 31) was sentenced at a Copenhagen district court a day after he was found guilty of “hacking and aggravated vandalism”. The prosecutor had requested a six-year jail term for Warg, and two years for his co-defendant, a 21-year-old Dane, who received a six-month sentence instead. The court in Frederiksberg, in central Denmark, said Warg’s “piracy was systematic, intensive and long-term”. “In addition, significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information were downloaded,” the court said. The court said they hacked into the Danish systems of IT giant CSC and illegally downloaded police files and social security information between February and August 2012. Warg had denied all charges saying that his computer had been used remotely to carry out the attacks, but the court

Co-founder of The Pirate Bay file-sharing website, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, 27, in Stockholm on February 16, 2009 dismissed his claim. Warg was handed over to Denmark in November 2013 from Sweden, where he was serving a one-year sentence for hacking into the computer systems of contractors working for the national tax authority. The Pirate Bay, which Warg created with another computer nerd in 2003, has evolved into one of the most visited sites for sharing copyrighted works. In 2009, Warg was sentenced to one year in jail and ordered to pay criminal damages to the music and film industry for his part in founding the website. Bangkok Post

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Enter the labour referee Tippaya Moonmanee Duensing Kippen

LABOUR LAW SECRETS PART VIII

hen there is a dispute between an employer and an employee that cannot be settled informally in Thailand, one of the parties may consider taking the issue to Thailand’s special Labour Court. The court was set up under the Labor Court Establishment and Procedure Act of 1979 to resolve employment-related disputes. The Labor Court has jurisdiction over disputes involving the following: Employment contracts. Wrongful acts between employers and employees in connection with a labor dispute or in connection with the performance of work under an employment agreement. Appeals against a decision of a member of the Labour Relations Committee or the Minister of the Interior (where 1 or 2 above were first submitted to such Committee or Minister instead of going directly to the Labor Court). By far the most common case filed in Labor Court is by an employee against a former employer. Under Thai law, the potential “remedies” to which such employee may be entitled (assuming such employee has not committed what the law considers to be a wrongful act against such former employer) are as follows: Unpaid salary for work time completed: It should be noted that if an employer does

Photo by Fort Sam Houston MWR not pay any such outstanding amount without reasonable cause within seven days of the due date, interest at the rate of 15 per cent a year will be applicable, compounded every seven days. Unpaid holiday pay: If the employer terminates the employment contract or the employee resigns, the employer must pay the employee’s unpaid wages for any annual leave due to the employee at the time of employment termination. Payment in lieu of notice: The employer must give the employee a notice to terminate the contract at or before any time of payment to take effect at the following time of payment. However, if the employer wishes the employee to stop working immediately without violating any law, he can do so by paying the employer’s

wages as if he works until the end of the notice period mentioned above. Severance pay: Severance pay is compensation that is paid to a qualified employee who has worked for a period of duration of his employment. This ranges from 30 days’ pay for people employed between 120 days and a year to 300 days’ pay for those empoloyed for 10 year or more. Unfair Dismissal Compensation. Apart from the rights mentioned above, if an employee believes that his termination of employment contract is unfair, he may also request to the Labor Court consider awarding him this additional remedy available under the Act. The Act does not explicitly define what type of termination qualifies as “unfair” but the fol-

lowing decisions by the Labor Court in cases awarding and denying such unfair termination remedy are instructive: Cases where the Labor did grant the unfair termination remedy: An employee was fired because her husband was working for a competing company. An employee worked as a technician who needed a professional license to lawfully do his work. His license expired and the employer fired him. The employee was able to prove that many of his colleague’s licenses had also expired, yet only he was terminated. An employer’s annual business profit decreased in comparison with previous years (note: the employer was still profitable) so it reduced expenses and costs by terminating some of its employees.

An employee was gambling outside of working hours. The employer’s work regulations stated that the penalty for such would be a decrease in wages, but instead the employer terminated the employee. An employer changed an employee’s terms of employment without the employee’s consent. An employer was responsible for, or failed to remedy, the employee’s work environment being hostile to the employee. An employer terminated an employee because the employee refused to accept a cut in pay and/or benefits.

Cases where the Labor did not grant the unfair termination remedy: An employee did not pass probation. Termination was pursuant to retirement as required by the employer’s official work regulations. An employer was not profitable for several years. The employer took several steps to try to become profitable (e.g., provided for voluntary employee resignation) but such measures were not successful and the employer remained unprofitable. Eventually, the employer then let go some employees to save the business. Diensing Kippen is an international law firm specialising in business transaction and dispute resolution matters, with offices in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand, and affiliated offices in 45 other countries. Visit them at duensingkippen.com

Sheraton returning to Phuket THE SHERATON NAME, which disappeared from Phuket when the Sheraton Laguna became the Angsana Resort, will return to Phuket in 2018. That’s the date set for the opening of the Sheraton Phuket Kalim Beach Resort.

The 230-room resort will have a mix of private villas and guests rooms on a hillside. The resort will also have 310 square metres of function space, a spa, three restaurants, two pools and a gym. Sawit Ket roj, M D of

Phuket Advance Development Ltd, the resort owner, said, “The signing is testament to [our] confidence in the Thai tourism industry. We are delighted to partner with Starwood Hotels to bring Sheraton back to Phuket.”

Etihad launches Phuket flights ETIHAD AIRWAYS, THE national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has begun daily non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, the airline’s second destination in Thailand. The inaugural f light – EY430 – left Abu Dhabi International Airport at 8.40am local time on October 26 and touched down at 6pm the same day at Phuket International Airport. The flight was welcomed by a water cannon salute, a gathering of dignitaries and airline representatives, and a performance by traditional Thai dancers. Flights take off from Abu Dhabi at 8:40am each day, reaching Phuket at 6pm. The return flight takes off at 8:25pm, landing in Abu Dhabi at 00:25 the following day. The service uses an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “The new Phuket route is a natural expansion of our Thai network [the airline already flies to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi] and a strong addition to our portfolio of leisure destinations, such as the Seychelles, Maldives and Sri Lanka. “With attractive departure and arrival times and seamless connections from more than 25 cities across the Arabian Gulf and Europe, the new services will contribute greatly to the growth of tourism to the region. “Holidaymakers from the UAE and GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council countries] as well as from key European markets including London, Milan, Munich and Paris will now have enhanced travel options to the island destination and enjoy Etihad Airways’ award-winning service along the way.” Phuket is one of 10 new routes launched or to be launched by Etihad Airways in 2014. Bookings can be made through the airline’s website at etihad.com thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Thai firm nominee loopholes targeted F

oreign business chambers and embassies have expressed concern about a government proposal to restrict foreign control over joint-venture companies in Thailand. In an internal briefing document circulated among foreign embassies and seen by the Bangkok Post on Sunday (November 2), fears are raised about possible amendments to the Foreign Business Act (FBA), which governs the activities of foreign businesses in Thailand. The amendments, which the document says are being proposed by the Commerce Ministry’s Business Development Department (BDD), propose closing loopholes that allow Thai nominees to be used by foreign companies. According to the document, one embassy believes the initiative is being pushed by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) as a means to benefit local businesses who are afraid of competition from foreign companies,. “The minister of commerce is planning to present this amendment and it appears that the PM [Gen Prayuth ChanOcha] might be supportive as well,” the document says. Chatchai Mongkolvisadkaiwon, who chairs the TCC’s trade in services and investment policy committee, confirmed that Thai businesses have requested an amendment to the FBA to limit foreigners having the majority say in company boards, mainly in the service sector. “There has been an attempt by many [Thai business] associations, but it would not be easy to pass as a law in the current context of liberalisation,” he told the Bangkok Post on Sunday (November 2). Currently, Thai nationals need to hold more than 50 per cent of stock in a joint

venture for it to qualify as a local company. However, the FBA does not prohibit foreigners from making up the majority of the board of directors. It also does not prohibit them having different classes of shares with different voting rights. This means that in some instances a company may be registered as Thai even though foreign interests control it. Mr Chatchai said allowing foreigners to determine the policy of the company may harm the interests of Thai shareholders. “Business operators are afraid that it will be a case of the big fish eating the small fish,” he said. The document also raises the prospect of removing restrictions on some industries that are currently off-limits to non-Thais, which could appease some foreign companies. The Commerce Ministry is expected to organise a public hearing for foreign and local chambers of commerce and businesses in the next few weeks, before finalising the draft amendment at the end of this year, the document said. The law could be passed as early as next year. Business Development Department director-general Pongpun Gearaviriyapun confirmed the Commerce Ministry is pushing to amend the FBA, and added that the first meeting with foreign and local business groups would be held this week. She said a key proposal would be to classify a company as “foreign” even if foreigners hold only 49 per cent of the shares but have control of the board and “company direction”. When asked if foreign investment would suffer if the changes went ahead, she said the government would have to offer other incentives, such as tax breaks, to offset any negative impact. David Lyman, a former

David Lyman predicts dire consequences for foreign investment into Thailand. chairman and founder of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, said that if the proposal was adopted there would be dire consequences for Thailand’s foreign investment environment and the economy in general. “The stated policy of the government is to rebuild confidence in the country and to expand Thailand’s reach and GDP, not to contract them, which would indeed happen,” Mr Lyman said. He said any inkling that the government and local business organisations were seriously contemplating amending the FBA to further limit foreign ownership and control of Thai enterprises will “scare the hell out of both existing investors and those contemplating investing in this country. Questions concerning the proposals were raised with deputy prime minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula at a meeting last week by American businesses, a participant said. However, MR Pridiyathorn, also the economic adviser to the NCPO, said that while he proposed the changes seven years ago as Finance Minister, it was not on the agenda this time, as “he had learned his lesson”. Despite MR Pridiyathorn’s

Land prices ‘tripled in past 10 years’ LAND PRICES IN PHUKET have tripled in the past 10 years with prices along Patong Beach being the highest, at an estimated B180 million baht per rai, or B112,500 per square metre, according to the Agency for Real Estate Affairs Co (AREA). AREA CEO Sophon Pornchokechai said that a continuous survey of land prices in Phuket during the past 10 years showed land prices have increased rapidly and steadily. @thephuketnews

He said that prices in Phuket increased by an average of 14 per cent a year, and by 32 per cent a year in the past two years, mainly due to the tourism industry. Land along Ao Prao and Ao Po saw the highest increases during the past 10 years, with rises of 400 per cent. In 2004, land in those areas sold at B2 million a rai but now fetches B10 million. In Patong prices of land close to the beach rose in the

10 years from B40 million a rai to around B180 million today, an increase of 350 per cent, or 16 per cent a year. The survey also showed that the tsunami which struck the island at the end of 2004 had no impact whatsoever on land prices. Mr Sophon predicted that land prices in Phuket would continue to rise steadily but the rise may slow due to the political situation and the resulting drop in tourists. Thai PBS

apparent reluctance to back the proposal, the BDD seems prepared to push ahead with the changes. BD Director-general Pongpun Gearaviriyapun said that if the amendment is approved, Thai-foreign-owned businesses would be given time to comply with the changes. “We are focusing on improving the standard of existing businesses and those contemplating investing in the country so that they are consistent with current global trade practices and in preparation for the launch of the Asean Economic Community at the end of 2015,” she said. The move is being backed solidly by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) whose vice-president, Pornsin Patcharintanakul, said, ‘’If we are able to control the nominees of foreign business in Thailand, local businesses will benefit greatly. The change could also be an instrument to help deal with corruption in the business sector,’’ he added. Bangkok Post

BUSINESS NEWS 15

Top economist to speak at BCCT Phuket dinner WORLD BANK SENIOR Economist for Thailand, Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, is to head a discussion on the Asean Economic Community (AEC) during a dinner hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand at the Amari Phuket Resort & Spa on Friday, November 14. An accomplished author and public speaker, Dr Kirida is a recognised voice in Thailand’s economic and business circles. She appears regularly in Thai and English media, speaking on current economic issues in Thailand and East Asia. Specialising in macroeconomic and fiscal management global practice, Dr Kirida is based at the East Asia and Pacific Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit of the World Bank’s Bangkok office. While based at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC in 2010, Dr Kirisa worked on regional issues in East Asia and authored a paper on estimating remittance trends in South Asia. Her work on Thailand includes monitoring and assessing the country’s economic developments, the investment climate, competitiveness, and

Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr. reforms in the public sector. Since 2003 she has been the main author of the World Bank’s bi-annual Thailand Economic Monitor. The dinner will be from 6.30 to 8.30pm and costs B850 per person, including a threecourse dinner and soft drinks. Other beverages will cost B100 (net) per glass. Class Act Media is proud to be sponsoring this event. To book a seat for the dinner go to http://tinyurl.com/ BCCTdinner

16 WEIRD NEWS

THE BIG LIST Great (Animal) Escapes Animals want freedom and this lot do their best Houdini impersonations to get it. Though, sometimes it doesn’t work out as planned.

Mex panther: In July 1902, a Mexican panther escaped from his cage behind the puma house at the Bronx Zoo. The worst part? This happened at noon, in front of panicked women and children who were having a picnic nearby. Newspapers at the time reported that, since everyone fled so quickly, the panther posed no threat since it began to feast on the abandoned picnic lunches. One headline read: “He eats sandwiches and ham for lunch, balks at pie”. The panther then jumped into the Bronx River and swam away before getting caught days later. Juan-a get out: A brown bear named Juan at the Berlin Zoo made headlines around the world when he escaped from his habitat in 2004. Workers learned that he rode across a moat using a log for a raft and then scaled a wall. He wasn’t done yet as he scared zoo-goers while he wandered around the playground. Juan rode the merry-go-round and went down the slide. Zookeepers distracted Juan by placing a bicycle nearby. As he inspected it, Juan was shot with a tranquiliser gun and carried back to his habitat. LA’s problem: Reggie the alligator has had a semi-interesting life. He lived for several years in the backyard pool of a residential home just outside Los Angeles. Seeing as the alligator grew to over two metres, they decided to get rid of him by dumping Reggie in an urban lake inside the city in 2005 – this became LA’s problem. The city spent two years and over US$180,000 to capture him. The LA Zoo took Reggie in but he escaped from his habitat in the first week after he scaled a 1.5 metre wall. He was later found.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Man parks plane at pub in Australia A

man who taxied his light plane down a street in Australia and parked it at a pub while he went inside for a beer was being questioned last Monday (November 3) by police, who were not amused. Locals in Newman, Western Australia, were stunned when they saw the wingless Beechcraft two-seater aircraft chugging down the main drag of the mining town in the Pilbara region, before pulling up at the local watering hole. “On the way back through town... here’s a plane parked outside the Purple Pub,” Newman resident Beau Woolcock told ABC radio. “Even more special was seeing one

Happy feet: A small African penguin wandered out of her icecovered pool at the Münster Zoo in Western Germany back in January 2011. Somehow, she waddled into the lions’ den inside the zoo as the animals dozed nearby. A zoo-goer spotted the three-month old penguin strolling down the icy corridor just outside of the lion’s enclosure. Eventually, the penguin was captured and sent back to its habitat after a zookeeper lured it with a trail of herrings.

of the local coppers poking his head in the door of the plane looking like he was asking for a licence.” While the incident quickly became the talk of the town, police did not see the funny side. “It was a pretty stupid thing to do,” Newman police sergeant Mark McKenzie told reporters, saying the propeller was running and it needed

to be steered by foot pedals. It was not clear why it had no wings. “Kids were coming home from school. It could have been very ugly. All he needed was one gust of wind ... because without the wings, it’s not stable. “People think it was a bit of a laugh but it was very dangerous and we’re not very happy with it.” The West Australian newspaper said staff at the pub had dubbed the man a “legend” for his casual arrival. Police said they were investigating whether he had committed an offence, given the plane did not leave the ground or cause any traffic accidents and the man passed a breath-test at the scene. AFP

Arrested twice in one night, once as a zombie CATHERINE BUTLER OF New York state was arrested twice in three hours – let that sank in. Police first arrested Butler at 2am last Tuesday (October 28) for driving while introxicated (DWI) as she was on her way home from a Halloween party. The 26-year-old was wearing zombie makeup at the

time of her arrest and a friend had to come to the station to take her home. Just three hours later, Butler was again caught swerving around a local road in Gates, New York and arrested for the second time. Again, she was charged with a DWI. Albeit this time she was not wearing her zombie costume.

Do not pass go – At first glance, Micah Dailey’s mugshot looks like an ordinary post-arrest photo. But check out this 20-year-old’s T-shirt. Dailey was arrested last Tuesday (October 28) in Florida on possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges. “It had an element of humour to it,” said Sgt. Scott Lineberger about the ironic T-shirt and photo. Dailey did not collect $200 and did not pass “Go”.

Two metre snake terrorises Nicaraguan bus T H E R E H AV E BE E N snakes on a plane, and now there are snakes – or at least one very big one – on a bus. Passengers had a nasty surprise on a Nicaraguan bus last Monday (November

Too many: In September 2011, Terry Thompson, owner of the Muskingham Country Animal Farm in Ohio, released all of his exotic animals before he shot and killed himself. The tragedy worsened when sheriff’s deputies shot 49 out of the 56 animals, including 17 lions, six black bears, a baboon, 18 bengal tigers, two grizzly bears, three mountain lions, and two wolves, among others. One of the monkeys was eaten by a tiger and a wolf was killed after getting hit by a car. Three leopards, one grizzly bear, and two monkeys were left caged inside the home and were sent to the Columbus Zoo.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

3) when they discovered they were traveling with a boa constrictor that was two metres long, local television reported. The bus made a sudden stop when the reptile was discovered and passengers

hailed “the boa hero” – a member of the public – who tamed the snake by holding its head firmly in his hands for several hours. An animal expert arrived on the scene four hours later, got the snake

into a container and took it to a local zoo. “If you find one of these animals, do not be alarmed,” said hero Francisco Garcia, saying the snakes are harmless unless attacked. AFP

Corinthians till I die – and beyond FA NS OF BR A ZI LI A N giants Corinthians will be able to show their allegiance for eternity after the club confirmed plans to open a dedicated cemetery for their supporters. Up to 70,000 plots will be available for fans in the “Corinthians Forever” graveyard due to open in 2015, the club announced. The vast complex will also be the final resting place of legendary figures from the club’s history. The cemetery will also include function rooms, landscaped gardens, a restaurant and a lake and nature reserve,

said Ricardo Polito, chief executive of the company in charge of the construction. Plots will cost between 4,500 and 7,800 reais (between US$1,870 and US$3,240) depending on the area of the

complex selected and proximity to club idols who will also be laid to rest at the site. The remains of up to 100 recognized figures from Corinthians history will be moved to the cemetery, club officials

said. Corinthians are one of the most famous names in Brazilian football, winning five national titles in their 104-year history, one Copa Libertadores and two FIFA Club World Cups. AFP thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Pesticide-free vegetable garden

A journey east to beloved Borneo

THE MAN IN CHARGE

Governor Nisit outlines his priorities > Page 6

An Urak Lawoi mother and child. Photo: Gerd Seyffert

@thephuketnews

2 COMMUNITY

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Young talent at the Boathouse

Fundraising Xtremely fun!

n November 2, Jungle Xtrem Adventures Park hosted the Family Xtrem charity event to raise funds to purchase necessary construction materials to help rebuild Barnhem Muang Mai school, a safehouse for needy students in Thalang. The fundraising event was the first of many, with another one planned for February 1, 2015. The event featured a fun marathon, which was contested by six teams, drawing a large crowd of spectators. Some participants showed their sup-

port by purchasing raffle tickets, others by bringing clothes and food to donate. Each marathon team consisted of three members, who all had to pass a series of tests: The first involved a race to the top of the hill in the jungle, the way marked with multicoloured balloons. The second part involved manoeuvring in a huge children’s zone (large net) to collect colorful balls in a basket, which was followed by the third station, a zip line activity. Participants also visited a local goat farm, which had several goat calves, some just two weeks old! Guests enjoyed feeding them milk. The

pasteurised milk was also on sale. Raffle prizes included tickets to Jungle Xtrem Adventures Park and Radenska water for third prize; The second tier prize included a children’s bicycle provided by Jungle Xtrem Adventures Park, as well as a voucher for B15,000 in advertising from The Phuket News. The top prize was a large fridge, sponsored by Phuket Consulting. After the marathon, all participants relaxed in the cafeteria at the top of the hill where they enjoyed the breathtaking views and a selection of tasty tropical fruits.

wenty four talented Thai and foreig n artists will be showcasing their work at an exhibition held at the Boathouse in Kata on November 8. There will be a total of 48 pictures on show and the exhibition will run for 30 days. The exhibition will be open to everyone and is a great opportunity for students to learn and develop their art skills further. The purpose is to raise money to buy art materials for Ban Bangthong School. The children are no longer able to use the art equipment and materials due to wear and tear, so they hope to raise enough money to resolve this problem. The Young Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce (YEC) and Rotary Club of Sino Phuket, also supported the cause by kindly donating B30,000. For any enquiries please contact contractrotary@ gmail.com or 076 213155 to reserve a seat.

Pattaya to Phuket by golf cart

nt 4 ou 01 sc v 2 Di th No 0 % 15

1 ire p Ex

Located 500 m From Jungceylon

n March 2015 a World First and Guinness World Record attempt to drive an electric golf cart from Pattaya, on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard to Phuket on Thailand’s West Coast, will take place. Led by Graham Haslam and Mark Cameron, the world record attempt will raise money for the Thai children’s education charity Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation. The “standard” electric golf cart selected will include some modifications, namely solar panels which will help to increase the power per charge by 20 per cent, giving the cart a range per charge of approximately 85 kilometres. The route from Pattaya to Phuket is expected to take 24 days. The intrepid cart drivers will raise funds by stopping to play in some of Thailand’s most famous golf courses, with the final round to be played at Laguna Phuket. “The journey from Pattaya to Phuket will take approximately 24 days, travelling 1,200 kilometres through nine provinces,” said Haslam. “While we expect the journey to be challenging,

tiring and fun, the main aim is to draw attention to the foundation.” Should the golf cart start to fall behind schedule, Phuket-based racing driver Dylan Young may be called in to make up lost time. There will be no problem recognising the pair should they be at a golf course near you as their clothing has been sponsored by GOT shirts and Loud Mouth golf apparel. Among others, Fox Sports Asia and Golf Channel Thailand will be airing the footage of the trip and highlighting the experiences of the journey. The journey will conclude with a Gala fundraising event at the Phuket Hard Rock Café where the drive

will be recognised by Guinness World Records as a new world record. All proceeds will go to Phuket Has Been Good To Us, a Thai-registered charity established in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami. The money raised will enable them to continue to expand their much needed English education programme that provides free English lessons to more than 1,000 underprivileged Thai children aged three to 18 in three government schools in Phuket. For more information on how to join Gaylin, Tai Pan night club and sponsor this exciting world record attempt, please contact graham@ phukethasbeengoodtous.org. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

How the island’s vehicles are changing

WISE WHEELS Richard Jones richard@pixy.asia

he number of new cars registered in Phuket is poised to surpass the number of new motorcycles for the first time in the island’s history. This is just one of many insights garnered from free downloadable data on the official government website of The Department of Land Transportation office in Phuket. Digging into the new vehicle registration numbers for Phuket since 2000, I’ve compiled what I hope are some interesting statistics for Phuket and how those reflect some wider changes that are happening on the island. Anyone who’s tried to find a parking spot in Central Festival on a Saturday afternoon should be aware of the dominance of the Toyota brand in Phuket. In the car market we can see Toyota has consistently outperformed the competition since they overtook Honda in 2004, and in the pickup truck market, Toyota surpassed its chief rival Isuzu for the first time in 2012. There were on average 20 new Toyotas registered in Phuket each day in 2013. While the number of cars has been steadily growing year-on-year, in the pickup truck market – for which Thailand is one of the world leaders – new registrations have been comparably stagnant over the last 13 years. In 2000, pickup trucks represented more than 50 per cent of all the car/truck registrations in Phuket, compare that to last year and the number has fallen to less than 16 per cent. Since a peak in 2006, new motorcycle registrations in Phuket have been declining and are now at a similar level to 10 years ago. For big bikes – motorcycles with engine sizes greater than 150cc – the story is quite different however. Over the last few years there’s been a large increase in the number of new big bike registrations. Last year big bikes represented over 11 per cent of all new motorcycles registered in Phuket, up from almost nothing in 2000. Looking at the brands available to us in Phuket, the dominance of the Asian manufacturers is quite apparent. In the car market, Asian brands account for almost 90 per cent of all @thephuketnews

The graphs highlight recent motoring trends on the island. More graphs to be published online. new car registrations in Phuket and that hasn’t changed much over the last 13 years. One thing to note is that US manufacturers have more than doubled their marketshare since 2000, while their European rivals’ marketshare has decreased slightly during the same period. Other events that have affected Phuket are also visible in the data. The effects of the government’s first car policy in 2012 are clearly apparent resulting in almost double the number of new car registrations in a single year. Then there’s a general slump in overall new vehicle registrations in 2009 which may be an effect of the global financial crisis.

Now when you’re stuck at that junction surrounded by red-plated new cars watching the digits count down from 180 seconds, you have some numbers to ponder. Over the last 13 years, 417,223 new vehicles have been registered in Phuket and the number of new vehicles registered each year is now three times greater than back in 2000. Has the island’s infrastructure kept up with the pace? All data was supplied from dlt.go.th website. Richard Jones is the Managing Director of BuyCar24 and can be contacted through www.buycar24.com

MOTORING 3

4 EDUCATION

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ROAD TO GREEN VALUES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Dalia Hilmi editor1@classactmedia.co.th

huket International Academy Day School (PIA) held an “Adopt-our-road” event at their school in Thalang on Friday October 31 to help and encourage their students to keep the environment clean. The idea derived in North America back in the 80s, where members of the public would adopt a road and make it their responsibility to clean it. It incorporates the exact same principles that a typical beach clean up does in this part of the world. So some of the staff, in particular James Forsythe, CAS coordinator, thought it would be a great concept to introduce this to their school and they hope to do it every few months. They conducted a road clean up of their own soi that began at Thepkasattri Rd and ended at the school driveway. The students from grades one to 11 were organised into the school house colours. There were around five groups, each responsible for different sections of the road and their task was to pick up all the trash and sort it as best as possible, identifying things that can be reused. PIA enlisted the support of the local Or Bor Tor to remove all trash and dis-

On the road again – students from Phuket International Academy clean up garbage around the school. pose of it in a responsible manner. Around 18 staff from Thanyapura also joined in and helped transport the kids and staff along the soi. The school’s main belief is that by teaching the kids at a young age to preserve the environment, by keeping it clean, then hopefully they will continue to do so as they grow up. Many problems exist today because people don’t recognise the difference they can make if they contribute to society. If children don’t learn the importance from

a young age, they will not respect the values later on life. “It was really great to see all the students and staff taking action and doing something about the environment. Kids learn from a young age,” Kim Minnaar, marketing manager of PIA said. “The biggest lesson is trying to teach the kids so it will continue through generations. Some parents actually pushed for this event,” she explained.

New experiences for Yokohama students in Phuket

“I

n Yokohama they couldn’t trek through the jungle, snorkel off coral reefs, or work with children in a Burmese labour camp.” I’m sitting in the gazebo behind the BISP sports hall talking with Dennis Stanworth, Head of Academics at Yokohama International School (YIS), about their recent Field Studies Week to Phuket, which ran from 19 to 24 October. “Two years ago we developed our Global Citizen Diploma to help establish a model of community and global perspective,” says Mr Stanworth. “Although

it consists of three core and eight extended elements, it’s not about numbers – rather it’s about personal achievements, passions and goals.” At YIS, for one week a year, all students from Grade 6 through 11 undergo a field experience – either in Japan or elsewhere, “We take students outside of their comfort zones by finding unique opportunities – such as bringing them to Phuket.” The Field Studies Week to Phuket involved 29 students from Grade 9 (equivalent to Year 10 at BISP), with three chaperones, led by Mr Stanworth. Organised by Patrick du

The kids from Yokohama are being taken outside their comfort zone. Preez, who also runs BISP’s popular Summer Camps, the YIS students ate in the refectory, rode in the school buses, and stayed in the boarding houses. “The Yokohama International School field trip

to BISP has grown over the last three years, and Pat du Preez has done an excellent job putting together a varied itinerary,” says Mr Stanworth, who reveals another strong connection between BISP and YIS.

“I’ve been at YIS for 35 years, and was with [BISP Headmaster] Neil Richards when he was the Headmaster in Yokohama. We worked very closely together, and Mr Richards was always coming up with new ideas.” Back to the Field Studies Week, Mr Stanworth continues: “The nature of this trip is truly remarkable. The kids are on the go all of the time, with downtime spent curating their experiences on their own blogs – with parents at home avidly following what’s going on. “These students often have no idea of how to paint a wall or brush a floor. Do-

ing these things gives them a chance to reflect on their experiences and think ‘wow’. “It helps create a culture that is not all about receiving but also about giving. Ultimately it’s all about personal reflection, sustaining commitment, and having an experience that will be indelibly marked on their minds.” – Simon Ostheimer To find out how your school can hold a camp or other activity at British International School, Phuket, contact Ann Prasittipornkul: bussayap@ bisphuket.ac.th

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ENVIRONMENT 5

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

‘Somboon’ means sufficient

BISP chief gardener shows off school’s sustainable veggie garden HAPPY HABITAT Steven Layne editor3@classactmedia.co.th

We wanted to offer something that all staff members could get involved in, have a hand in and participate, even if only for a brief period here and there out of their busy days.

No chemical pesticides are used in the BISP veggie garden, and much of the compost and fertilizer are produced on site, at the school’s nursery.

side from being a model for international education and sports academies, the British International School Phuket (BISP), is also setting the bar high with its community sustainability projects. Complementing the success of its waste sorting, reduction and recycling initiatives, the school also boasts its own “chemical free” vegetable garden, which not only supplements the veggie needs of the school’s canteen, but also expand to the kitchens of employees, students and their parents, as well as to ordinary residents in the neighboring community of Koh Kaew. Established about five years ago under the school’s “BISP Por Pieng” initiative (BISP Self Sufficiency), the garden project is overseen by Somboon Wichitsarat, the Building & Grounds Manager at BISP. Somboon – whose name literally means ‘healthy’, ‘wholesome’ and ‘sufficient’ – explained that the garden was established with several objectives: The first to create an activity that could facilitate unity and collaboration among staff throughout the school. “We wanted to offer something that all staff members could get involved in, have a hand in and participate, even if only for a brief period here and there out of their busy days,” Mr Whichitsarat said. Moreover, the garden was to provide an opportunity for staff to be more active. “When [gardening] out in the sun, you can work up a sweat, pulling weeds, planting and harvesting. It’s a kind of exercise.” Somboon explained that the garden was also created partially in response to the sluggish economy. “We want our staff, students and parents to be more self-sustainable, and growing vegetables is a great way to do this.” Another objective, he continues, was to create integration among the school’s various departments – teaching faculty, cleaning staff, maintenance and teachers alike. And a fifth, and perhaps most practical objective, was to offer the school and its staff access to healthy vegetables at low base prices. “The veggies are popular among staff, and also supplement the school’s kitchen.” Mr Somboon notes that the vegetable garden spans about one rai, and is divided into four modular “phases” which are constantly rotated through several lots. The first phase, he notes, is for perennial vegetables that you plant and can continuously harvest for years, without replanting. Two plants regularly grown in this phase include “Pak Waan” (its name literally the “sweet

Located at Boat Avenue, in front of Villa Market in Cherngtalay. Open daily from 11am to 11pm serving International Tapas, Mains and Thai Food. Kao Soi every Friday anytime. Live music in the evening. Draft beverages, a variety of coffees and healthy juices available.

Tel 076-324 500 for reservations. @thephuketnews

vegetable”, and of the Scientific species of Melientha suavis) as well as Asparagus (Nor Mai Farang in Thai). The second phase, he continues, is for small annuals and biennials that yield edible produce; namely, tomatoes, eggplants, corn, ginger and lemongrass. The third phase is for leafy greens – the favourites being “Puck Boong” (in English water spinich or water morning glory, or for you Science nerds, Ipomoea aquatica), Chinese cabbages (Pakkad Khao or Brassica pekinensis, and Gwaang Toong or Brassica chinensis), Amaranth (Puck Khom) and various common local varieties of Basil (sweet, holy and hoary). The fourth phase is for beans, peas, seeds, gourds, melons and pumpkins. “In between all the phase plots, we plant supplemental yield-producing plants, namely “Prick Kee Noo” [spicy Thai chili variety of Capsicum annuum] as well as “Makeua Phroh” [Thai eggplants of the Solanum xanthocarpum species].” Somboon explains that the various phases of produce – especially the annuals and biennials that need to be replanted frequently – are not planted on the same plot continuously, and grown on rotation so as to take advantage of “polyculture” nutrient conditioning of soil. On financial yields, Somboon estimates that the garden earns on average between B4,000-5,000 monthly. But this does not include the value of the vegetables/produce supplied to the school kitchen/canteen. “The most common vegetable we supply to the school is ‘Puck Boong’ [water spinach]. One lot is about 60 kilogrammes and that’s enough for two meals for the whole school. Other than that, we also supply the kitchen with common kitchen herbs – sweet basil and

lemongrass, for example. The kitchen also sources leafy greens regularly.” Asked what veggies are most popular among staff, he replied without hesitation “Common kitchen herbs and leafy greens – krapao [holy basil] prick [chili] and dakrai [lemongrass]. Whenever we announce a new harvest – for greens, veggies, corn, you name it – staff always reserve their share, and we always sell out. Our prices are generally cheaper than at the local market, and we don’t use chemical pesticides.” Somboon adds that most of the fertilizer and compost is made on site, at the school’s nursery (adjacent to the veggie garden) where all of the school’s ornamental and landscaping plants are propagated. Aside from staff, he noted that other regular customers to the garden, or micro-farm, include primary school parents. “As soon as they see what we’re doing, they become curious and come to see if they can buy some produce, which is generally cheaper, fresher and safer than what they might find in the local market.” Somboon said that general members of the community may visit the garden and even reserve some produce, but should contact him in advance, to see what’s coming up to harvest “We always have veggies growing, year round, but it’s hard to say which veggies we have ready when. You just have to give me a call or stop by. We don’t have huge lots of produce to supply a market, but sufficient for local community members.” To get in touch with Somboon, or to arrange a visit to BISP’s veggie garden, contact Nanthiya Phruekpattanapong by email: nanthiyap@bisphuket.ac.th

6 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Gov’s world-class ambitions Saran Mitrarat reporter4@classactmedia.co.th

We havelearned our lesson from the tragic speedboat collision. We need to improve our standards.

he first letter from the Phuket Governor to The Phuket News’ readers, will be an introduction from him to try and help people understand a little more about his personality and background. From October 1, Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong replaced Phuket’s former Governor, Maitri Inthusut. He will discuss his life when he was young and about his vision for Phuket. “Because I am a son of ordinary ranking government officers from an upcountry province, that meant I was not afraid of wading in with the locals, as a sort of teacher,” Gov Nisit told The Phuket News. Gov Nisit, now 52, was born on September 24, 1962 in Ratchaburi Province, but studied in many primary schools in different provinces as he had to follow his parents who were government officers.

Student life: He graduated with a BA in Political

Top of page, Gov Nisit hands over grants to people on low incomes. He says, ‘I will continue the projects from the exgovernor and all of the positive things that the people of Phuket suggest to me.’

Sciences from Chulalongkorn University with a gold honorary gift (the result from achieving a first). He received a scholarship from HM King Bhumibol to study for a master’s degree in the same university. “While I was doing my masters, I was also a teacher at Dhurakij Pundit University, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and a special teacher for Chulalongkorn University,” he said.

Working life: After he graduated, his parents encouraged him to apply for a job as a government officer. He successfully worked as Chief Administrative of District Office for two years followed by a position as Secretary to the Director-General of the Department

of Provincial Administration (DOPA) for seven years. He was then assigned to cover a government officer’s position as well as be director of policy and planning division of DOPA. “There were a lot of documents I had to work on. Sometimes I had to put 670 stories to fit onto 20 pages as short stories.” His first high-level job in provincial administration was as Vice Governor of Samutprakarn for four months, before he was moved to be Deputy Director General of the Department of Social Development. “In this position, I was so proud to give the local villagers support. In Sumutprakarn, I supported One Tambon One Product (OTOP) mobile, which helped locals sell their products to staff in factories,” he said. He also created the One Factory One Community and One Local Government, collecting the locals’ opinions and trying to understand their needs. “Moreover, poverty is a big issue which we need to work on. I have supported those in need recently, by asking them to write their requests on paper and then send them to me.” He was governor of two provinces; Prachuap Khiri Khan for a day and Ratchaburi for a year. “It might seem odd that I took the post in Prachuap for a day only – but there was a good reason. “I had the opportunity to take up a position there. However, because HM the King was in residence at the time, it might have been difficult for [a new] governor to coordinate with the relevant officers to support His Majesty properly. So the governor continued in the same position, while I moved to Ratchaburi instead,” he explained.

On Phuket’s challenges: From a recent conference with relevant officers, it is clear the following problems need resolving, Gov Nisit said: CCTV: Phuket have a total of 1,430 cameras so far, with at least 113 broken cameras. There is no CCTV in 378 spots on the island. So, we decided to install 1,009 more cameras. “While we are waiting for the budget, I have asked the Phuket Tourist Association to support us by asking members to install their own CCTV and pointing the cameras at public areas,” he said. “I am working on solving traffic related problems, particularly the Koh

Kaew traffic lights, as well as tightening marine transport safety, for example, ensuring all passengers wear a life jacket at all times, that boat drivers have licenses, that communication equipment works at all times, and that captains follow the new red flag warning at ports.” The Marine Security Centre is now fully operational at Chalong Pier, coordinated by the Marine Office, Police, Navy, and DDPM but needs improvement, he said. “We learned lessons from the tragic speedboat collision. We need to improve our standards. “The tsunami warning towers must be working properly, especially in December, when the 10th anniversary of the Asian Tsunami will remind people how unpredictable Nature can be. “We must try and ensure Phuket is as clean as possible. The Asian Beach Games will be our opportunity to promote the ‘new’ Phuket after the beach and taxi regorganisation. “As I always said, I will continue the projects from the ex-governor and all of the positive things that the people of Phuket suggest to me. I believed that the successful management system is the result of good communication from local residents.” Gov Nisit plans to improve tourism standards for Phuket to have more international levels of security, cleanliness, transportation, environmental resources and quality food, as well as top show performances and quality hotels. “Let’s see how we can improve our standard to become a world-class destination,” he concluded. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 7

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Intuition: Develop your sixth sense HEALTH MATTERS

Anna Ganotskaya anna@santosaphuket.com

Anna Ganotskaya is the Pro gramme Manager at Santosa Detox and Wellness Centre. During university, she recognised the connection between personal emotional wellness, beliefs and body condition. This led to her interest in psychotherapy with holistic approaches to personality as well as an interest in body-work, psychosomatics, and dance therapy. She was introduced to naturopathy and inner cleansing as a teen, while struggling from hay fever. After two years of regular fasting for 1-2 weeks every 3 months, she cured the allergy which she suffered since she was 9. Since then, healthy food and regular fasting has become her lifestyle. At Santosa, Anna is not only inspiring others to start a healthy lifestyle but also introduce them to the detox programme, as well as undergoing psychological counselling and healing dance sessions. anna@santosaphuket.com

hat kills “the sixth sense”? Do you have a good intuition? Or, is there a someone you know who is very intuitive or can even predict the future? Why some people suddenly change their mind for to get on a flight they feel is going to crash? But why some don’t feel anything?

So, what is intuition? Some say it is a way of connecting with god, or the universe. Some people claim that everyone has it, others will oppose that a few gifted people have this connection. On one hand, while we were growing up, we were told to dress appropriately for each season, but we were rarely asked if the scarf was too tight or if our sweater was itchy. When a child is about to complain, they are repeatedly advised not to cry when they are hurt, not to scream, and so on until self-perception is gone completely. On the other hand, in this 24/7 society, with everything running fast, we are overloaded with information. Intense stimuli attacks us everyday and blunts our sensitivity. It becomes difficult to believe that our inner being follows the same natural laws as thousands of years ago. At school we were taught to solve logical tasks, prove theorems and formulate our opinions that, as a result, develops our logic. But there are no opportunities to develop an intuition. Neither parents nor teachers have a single thought to allow an opportunity for “the sixth sense” to appear. At the same time logic and intuitive cogni-

“Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven,” Shakespeare. tion derive from ancient times. Plato, Spinoza and Hegel define intuition as holistic with an instant understanding of the essence of things that don’t require detailed evidence. The etymology of the word intuition comes from Latin and means ‘contemplation’ from the verb intueor, meaning “penetrating gaze”, “instant comprehension”. If there is too much external control from parents and society while the child’s identity (personality) is forming, then the ability to recognise inner feelings cannot be developed. Then, it seems we grow up and the pressure from our parents or guardian that has been beaming through our ears the whole time has become a part of our personality. While living our everyday lives we tend

Rejuvenate with Novotel’s Flower Power Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

f you’re looking for an enticing and unforgettable way to relax, then head at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park’s In Balance Spa in Patong. This superb hotel is set in 8 acres of lush tropical gardens and located near the beach. It was recently awarded the Thailand Spa & Well-being Award 2014 in the Innovative Spa Treatment category for its “Flower Power Collection” treatment. As soon as you feel the sensual flower oil on your skin, you will instantly relax. The freshness, the smell, the atmosphere; it’s all powerful stuff. The traditional flower culture and belief was used to shape the entire treatment programme. In Thai culture, a person’s birthday can be used to forecast their behaviour. The traditional horoscope can be analysed by their character. A flower is a unique symbol of which Thais use for different opportunities in life. The colour and meaning of a flower can be compared to the mind and soul of each person. @thephuketnews

There is a different flower used for each day of the week according to the day the person was born: Monday – Jasmine: A person born on this day is very warm and comforting, cheerful, fun in love but prone to sudden anger. Tuesday – Orchid: Inclined to leadership, strong and easy to love. Wednesday – Lotus: Friendly, thoughtful and respectful, they can be successful but also emotional and sensitive Thursday – Jampaka: An honest, open-heated and modest. Thursday's children love to help people and enjoy being surrounded by others, although can sometimes be know to be a little arrogant. Friday – Lavender: A young dreamer, artistic, with a calm and melodic grace. Friday's children

make people fall in love but can sometimes be a little over emotional. Saturday – Lily: A confident, freedom loving and dignified person. Saturday's children like a challenge, are simple and beautiful, but sometimes very jealous. Sunday – Rose: A person that can blind people by their words, calm, yet can do anything fast. Known to fall in love easily. Spa manager, Waraporn Hlongdiew, 28, said, “Our treatment programme uses flowers as an ingredient in its three spa sessions, including a 30-minute scrub, a 30-minute body wrap, and a 55-minute oil massage. “The programme will perhaps come as a surprise to some of my clients as well, some remember the date of their birthday but some of them don’t.”

to control everything. We go to the gym, run every morning or evening, and put ourselves on a diet – the question is, do we do these things based on the body sensations, feelings of gratitude and love, or based on the belief that it is the right thing to do? Question yourself, what do you feel after you have just run 5 km or finished your 3 week diet? Joy and gratitude of your body or enthusiasm that the mind won a competition with the body? There is a big gap between these two positive feelings. This difference can change the quality of life dramatically. Do I eat vegetables because I believe they won’t put fat on my body or because I like the taste? Do I go to work because I need to pay my bills or because I love my job and have an opportunity to open up my potential there? What do I feel when I make my life choices? How is this all related to intuition? When we live a fulfilling life, we free our minds to allow room for our intuition – this instant understanding of what is going on, what is good and helpful for us at this moment. Intuitive knowledge and logic is based on experience. We can accumulate our sensual experiences; the platform for intuition to come. What can help us to accumulate a sensual experience and develop intuition? Meditation – practice of stopping your mind, being present in the moment and focus on breathing and body sensations. Yoga – during yoga practice, we also concentrate on sensations in the body and clear up the mind from thoughts and worries. Focus on your needs: have enough time to sleep, eat natural fresh foods, walk a lot outdoors and do things you really enjoy.

8 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Meowza! New cafe for cat lovers

Feline-friendly eatery is the cat’s meow for local Phuketians Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

The restaurant is split into two separate sections: B Shady, the restaurant, and B cat, the coffee shop with the famous cats.

Ying Passamon (manager) with Barry (Male cat 1.7 yrs).

new quirky little eatery and coffee shop in Phuket Town, known as “B Cat Cafe”, is the talk of the town. As illustrated by the name, the cafe is famous for its cats. Everywhere you turn there is a cat resting on a chair, making it a popular choice for both animal and coffee lovers. The restaurant is split into two separate sections: B Shady, the restaurant, and B cat, the coffee shop with the famous cats. B Shady restaurant offers customers Thai fusion food, with most of the menu consisting of steamed pork dishes (as Yaowarat, Bangkok recipe), spicy soup and freshwater prawn. “The menu offers a variety of popular Thai dishes, in particular the Tom yum freshwater prawn with coconut juice soup which is quite unique from other restaurants,” said manager Passamon Nitisivijitra (Ying). “We also have freshwater prawns on the menu, not just shrimp and spicy soup,” she added. B Cat on the other hand, is filled with over 22 cats and offers a selection of coffees, teas and beverages. There is no food allowed because the smell might affect the cats. Each drink is served in a plastic glass. “All the cats are carefully fed and looked after by a doctor. We also have specific rules for anyone that comes in; they must take off their shoes and clean their hands. They must not pull the cat’s tail and they must not use a flash while taking photos.”

“Rushchadaporn Pucksavanitch (Rose) is a business partner. We both thought of the idea to have cats, because we simply love them. We wanted the opportunity to be able to work and take care of our cats the same time. After having discovered a similar catcoffee shop in Bangkok, we thought it would be great to set one up here as well,” Ying explained. B Shady/Cat is located at 33/34 Thepkasattri Road in Phuket Town. The restaurant is open from 11am to 10pm, while the cafe is open from 12pm to 9.30pm. Both are closed on Mondays.

Tomyum freshwater prawn with coconut juice.

You say pesto, I say pistou CURIOUS GOURMAND Antoine Melon am@trisara.com

istou sauce comes from my adopted home, Provençe, whereas pesto comes from Liguria on Italy’s northwest coast. The two are often confused and though their names differ, both have the same ingredients! The closeness of Provençal and Genoese cuisines is perhaps not surprising, given their proximity. The town of Nice has been part of France only since 1860 and previously belonged to

(Left) Fettucine di pesto alla Genovese. Photo: Cliff Hutson. (Right) Soupe au pistou. Photo: Jdclevenger. the Italian state of Piedmont. Pesto comes from the past participle pesta (“to crush”), in reference to its ground basil, pinenuts, grated parmigiano reggiano (or pecorino), and olive oil. The sauce originated in Genoa, where basil was introduced from North Africa. The

Genoese serve pesto with minestrone in terra-cotta bowls called xatte. West of Genoa, basil proliferates throughout Provençe, home of pistou. As with pesto, pistou is used to give complexity and flavor to soups. Pistou is also used in a vegetable soup, which is similar to minestrone. Pistou is also served with roast lamb, pasta, and as a dip for crudités. Remember that the best way to store pistou is in an air-tight refrigerated container; drizzle olive oil to prevent oxidation. There are many variations on pesto. Basil is often replaced with arugula or mint, and the pinenuts with walnuts or cashews (both are cheaper than pignons). There is also red pesto made from sundried tomatoes or red bell peppers. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 9

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

A culinary crab adventure Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

f, like me, you are a seafood fanatic looking for a new dining experience to blow you away, then head to The Crab House in Patong, where you’ll find all kinds of creative crab dishes on the menu – some of them dreamed up by the restaurant’s chef and owner, Narapong (Bia) Phoneam – in an open-air setting on Phan Muang Road in Patong. Get there early enough and The Crab House is a great place to dine during sunset. You can also watch the chefs preparing your food in the kitchen through

a large window, which creates an intimate atmosphere between the guests and chefs. Although the restaurant has only been open a few months, it has already proven quite popular among a mixed foreign clientle. The Crab House owner, native Thai Narapong (Bia) Phoneam, was inspired to open his own restaurant after helping his family run a Thai restaurant in England for several years. “I learned everything about Thai restaurants from my family but I wanted to run my own place. I just love eating crab so that’s when I decided to open The Crab House,” said Narapong. Horse crab (Portunus pelagicus) and black crab (Scylla serrata) are some of

Two chefs, six courses for one night only at Pullman Phuket

wo chefs are combining their talents to cook up a six-course dinner at Vero Trattoria & Wine Bar at the Pullman Phuket Arcadia on Saturday November 21. The chefs will take turns to cook the six courses, each paired with a fine wine from the resort’s wine cellar. The event promises to be a showcase of the best culinary talents at Phuket’s most stylish resorts. Pullman Phuket’s Executive Chef, James Oakley, is one of the stars who will be creating the six courses. Born in Ipswich and raised in London, James has travelled half the world to come to the tropical paradise island of Phuket, yet he seems more at home than ever. James began his career as a trainee under Gordon Ramsay, before honing his skills with Michelin Star Chef Jeremy Medley. He worked along side the best in the business in London and Hong Kong before moving to Phuket. However, his passion for cooking came from his grandmother, whose freshly baked bread @thephuketnews

and roasted joints are some of his fondest childhood memories. James just wants people to connect with food and enjoy the simple use of flavours. Asked about his philosophy, James simply replies: “Passion”.

The One Night Only Dinner by Pullman Phuket costs THB 3,900++ per person. Reservations are essential for this intimate, one-off evening event! To make your reservation please call the resort. Tel: +66 (0) 303 299 or email: h7488-re@accor.com

the most popular choices on the menu. All the ingredients are fresh from Surat Thani Province. All the fresh ingredients are taken care of at the store and fed well before they are used for cooking. This ensures the meat is at its freshest for the customers. “The crab dishes are so popular that the restaurant sells up to 20 kilograms a day,” said Narapong. The crab dishes are served in a basket with a dash of paprika powder sprinkled on top. Diners also get a chopping block and a bib. The chef’s special is black crab marinated in sweet chilli sauce and served with fried mantou (Chinese rice bread). “The idea came originally from Sin-

gapore, but while I was researching new recipes for The Crab House menu, that’s when I discovered peanut butter! It was the best ingredient for my recipe,” said Narapong. There are many more crab creations on the menu with dishes priced from B250 up. Narapong said he only offers dishes that he personally likes, but his taste for crab seems to please all palates, attracting a mixture of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian and Thais. The Crab House is open daily from 12.00pm until midnight. For more info visit: www.5ideas.co.th/ crabhouseptp/crabhouse.html or call: 091 839 4953.

10 TRAVEL

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Borneo bound

Simon N. Ostheimer journeys east to Sabah, the Land Below the Wind Photos: Kiri Heald

t’s no small exaggeration to say that Malaysia Airlines has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this year, but it’s worth remembering that prior to 2014 the Kuala Lumpur-based airline was rated as one of the best full-service carriers in Asia – for both safety and service, and synonymous with the ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ slogan of its homeland. Which explains why, on a sunny Phuket morning, we find ourselves onboard MH787 on the 10.25am flight to Kota Kinabalu, via Kuala Lumpur. As the flight attendants – dressed in their distinctive batik-patterned uni-

forms and slightly bouffant hairstyles – hand out small bags of kacang masin (that’s salted peanuts), our thoughts turn towards our destination. Probably the most distinctive part of the Sabah flag – a trio of sea-blue, pure white, and earthy red – is the outline of Mount Kinabalu in the top left corner. If you’re lucky like us, you’ll be sitting on the right side of the plane to see the majestic peak, some 90 kilometres away, as your plane comes in to land. The indigenous Kadazan people call it Aki Nabalu. “Aki” means grandparents, while “nabalu” is their word for resting place, hence “Kinabalu”. After arriving at our hotel, we head

out for a dinner of banana leaf, a distinctive Indian meal of vegetables and spicy curry eaten by hand, at local landmark Jothy’s before getting in an early night ahead of our journey the next day on the North Borneo Railway. With five carriages, the vintage train is hauled by a British Vulcan wood-powered steam locomotive. Built in the 1970s, the carriages have been renovated to recreate a journey in the early 1900s, when the train line provided a vital link between the interior and the coast, transporting goods such as rice, tobacco, sugar and pineapples for export. Now almost 120 years old, the North Borneo Railway – a collaboration between the state government and the sprawling Sutera Harbour Resort – provides a nostalgic experience for tourists. Boarding at the Tanjung Aru terminal, we pose for pictures with the engine before taking our seats in the Kinarut carriage. Sitting on cushioned benches, we admire the interior decked out in local timber, with ceilingmounted fans providing a breeze, as waiters lay the table with a continental breakfast of pastries, croissants and jam, and a pouring of Sabah tea. As breakfast continues to be served, the train pulls out of the station and we slowly build up a head of steam. After passing through Putatan, a pretty little settlement partly built on stilts over the South China Sea, our first stop is Kinarut, a historical trading post. From here the scenery begins to change, taking on a more wild look – one of the train stewards tells me this is the Kawang Forest Reserve, a semi-protected area popular with

jungle trekkers and cavers. Admiring the scenery, we’re suddenly plunged into complete darkness as we enter the 450 metre long Pengalat Tunnel, a remarkable engineering feat built by the British in the early 1900s. Just as the whoops and cheers die down, we emerge into a vista of paddy fields, before cross-

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TRAVEL 11

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

TRAVEL TIPS

FLIGHTS

M a l ays i a Airlines (Tel: +66 76 213 749. Email: malaysiaairlines. com) has two flights per day via Kuala Lumpur (KL), where you change planes. MH787 departs at 10.25 and arrives in Kota Kinabalu (KK) at 16.50 (1 hour 20 minutes transit in KL), while MH791 leaves at 18.05pm and arrives in KK at 00.50 the next day (1 hour 35 minutes transit in KL). On the return flight there are several connections. A taxi from KK airport to town is a fixed price of RM30 and takes 15-20 minutes. First, buy your voucher from the office marked ‘Airport Taxi’ in the middle of the Terminal 1 Arrivals hall, and then head to the taxi rank found outside. PANTONE 295C

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HOTELS ing an old steel bridge and slowing down into the terminus at Papar. We’re given 30 minutes to explore the quaint town, taking a stroll through the local market to pick up a bag of deep-fried bananas – a local specialty – and a couple cans of 100 Plus, a Malaysian isotonic drink much needed when you’re sweating as much as we are. We arrive back at the station just in time to watch as the huge steam engine is swivelled around on a turntable, ready to take us back to the capital. Just a few hours later, we are on the move again, this time aboard a small speedboat as it pulls out of Sutera Harbour Marina and heads south-east to Gaya Island. As a local tour guide had explained to us, this isle had housed the first settlement of the North Borneo company, before it was razed to the ground in 1897 by a local folk hero by the name of Mat Salleh and the British set up shop on the mainland instead. As Kota Kinabalu thrived and grew, the villagers on Gaya Island maintained a simple life, until it was declared a national park in 1974. These days, it’s a central part of the state’s eco-tourism push, and is home to three hotels, including the stunning Gaya Island Resort, where luxury villas peek out between lush jungle, and tropical fish swim in abundance right off the hotel jetty. The morning after our arrival, this is exactly where we find ourselves, as the resort’s very own marine biologist, transported New Yorker Scott Mayback, leads us into the balmy waters. At times it’s a little difficult to hear him over the screams of my one-and-

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a-half year old daughter – to be fair, it’s her first time swimming in open ocean – but he tells us what drew him to this far corner of South-east Asia. “I actually came to Sabah to help open up an aquarium, but when I heard that YTL [owners of the Gaya Island Resort] were looking for someone to head up their new marine conservation efforts, I jumped at the chance.” With my daughter having finally quietened down, we’re able to appreciate the fish all around us, and – more importantly – the live coral that lives in the bay. What makes this abundance of marine life even more remarkable is that the skyscrapers of Kota Kinabalu are so close – at it’s closest point, the island is only 1.5 kilometres from the mainland. “Although more could always be done, the Sabah government are making a real effort to preserve what we have, and as a hotel, we have even cordoned off our bay from boats and fishing,” says Scott, who also runs YTL’s Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre, where he and his team nurse sick and injured turtles back to health, help restore coral reefs, run educational programmes for school kids, and meet with local fishermen to explain the importance of using less harmful practices. It’s an impressive, pioneering set-up, and looking around it’s easy to understand the importance of preserving the area’s natural beauty. It’s a message driven home the next day by the resort’s naturalist Justin Juhun. “I was raised in the jungle,” says Justin, when I ask where his passion for the wilderness comes from. “My dad worked on a plantation some 60 kilometres outside of Tawau [a small town on the south coast of Sabah], and as a young boy I remember seeing injured animals and wanting to help them. Soon, people were bringing me all sorts of creatures – hornbills, monkeys, squirrels, wild pigs – and our home became like my own personal zoo!” We’re walking along a narrow track through deep bush in the hills above the Gaya Island Resort. It’s part of a series of tracks that Justin himself created a few years before when the resort opened. “I spent two weeks up here by myself looking for the best routes.” His knowledge and passion are infectious, and soon we’re all pointing out wildlife, swapping photography tips, and sweating buckets – it’s hot in the bush. A few hours later, after a refreshing swim, we’re on the way to

the restaurant when we’re attracted by an excited conversation on the beach between a young Australian couple and Justin. “I was having a drink at the pool, when I saw something in the water – a python!” the tourist tells us. We’re then shown photos of a five foot long snake in the pool we’d only recently left. Like with the raw nature that surrounds us, Sabahans seem to have struck the perfect balance in life – allowing development but promoting conservation, looking to the future while preserving the past. There’s truly nowhere else like it, this land is below the wind.

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Located halfway between the airport and downtown Kota Kinabalu, the Sutera Harbour Resort (suteraharbour.com) is a huge, sprawling 384-acre property with two onsite hotels (The Magellan Sutera Resort and The Pacific Sutera Hotel), a 27-hole golf course, and a marina from where you can explore the surrounding islands. They also operate the North Borneo Railway (northborneorailway.com), making transfers simple. A quick speedboat ride from the Sutera Harbour Marina brings you to the stunning Gaya Island Resort (gayaislandresort.com), where 120 luxury villas and suites are hidden amid lush jungle, and an admirably ecologicallyminded ethos extends to an onsite naturalist and marine biologist who showcase the indigenous wildlife, local coral and even a

turtle rescue centre.

12 TECHNOLOGY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

IN BRIEF

Put 900 games on your browser

The Internet Archive – a San Franciso-based nonprofit organisation that backs up web pages – has made available a collection a 900 video games from the 70s to 90s for the web browser. Games like Astro Invader, PacMan, Superbike, and Screw Loose are included in the collection, called the Internet Arcade. Users will be able to play games that were made for the Atari 2600 and even the Commodore 64, including obscure titles like Amidar and Complex. “If so many are good enough. More than good enough. In the right browser, on a speedy machine, it almost feels perfect. The usual debates about the “realness” of emulation come into play, but it works ,”said Internet Arcade programmer Jason Scott in a blog post.

Apple Watch coming in spring?

According to a transcript of an internal Apple video statement obtained by 9to5Mac, the Apple Watch will be released to the public in spring 2015 – possibly around March. “We’re going into the holiday, we’ll go into Chinese New Year, and then we’ve got a new watch launch coming in the spring,” read the statement from Angela Ahrendts, the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores. Upon unveiling the Apple Watch in September, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased that the gadget would be released in “early 2015”.

Brit Museum allows 3D prints online

The British Museum in London has partnered with Sketchfab – the online 3D printing platform – to let users download models of their artifacts to make prints at home. Though there are currently only 14 models available, including a broken marble portrait of Julius Caesar, a marble bust of Zeus and a red granite sarcophagus, the museum plans to release more next year. This is the first time a museum has made available models of their artifacts for personal 3D printing purposes. “The British Museum is fascinated by the potential of 3D to unlock new ways for people to interact with our collection – and love what Sketchfab are doing to power this market,” said a representative from The British Museum. “We’re fascinated to see what people do with them.”

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two aircraft crashed in the US on Oct. 31 during a test flight, killing one person. Photo: NBTSC

‘No explosion’ in spacecraft crash

ichard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, last Monday (November 3) hit out against assertions that an explosion was behind the crash of the company’s spacecraft in the US on October 31. Evidence showed there was “no explosion” behind the deadly crash of SpaceShipTwo, he told Sky News television. Branson also vowed to “push on” with Virgin’s passenger travel space program once the reasons behind the accident, in which one test pilot died and another was injured, had been corrected. “We owe it to him to continue,” Branson

said of the fallen pilot, Michael Alsbury, adding that the goal was “worth the risks.” The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigating the crash had found that the spacecraft’s fuel tanks and engine, retrieved from the Mojave Desert in California, had not broken apart. The NTSB has said it could take up to a year to determine the cause of the crash, but noted that preliminary findings suggested a lock-unlock lever had been moved prematurely. The crash of SpaceShipTwo dealt a major blow to Branson’s ambition to start ferrying wealthy customers to the edge of space, charging US$250,000 (B8.1 million) per ticket.

Starwood app allows keyless entry

he hotel experience just got a bit better. Starwood Hotels and Resorts released an update to their mobile Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG) app on November 5 that allows hotel guests to enter their rooms without a key. The keyless entry system makes Starwood the first global hotelier to offer the feature to its guests. Though the SPG app’s feature is currently only available to ten Starwood hotels around the world, plans are in place to expand it throughout 2015 with a year-end count of 30,000 doors in 150 hotels worldwide. Phuket has three Starwood Hotels and Resorts on the island – The Naka Island, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa and Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort. Once a guest checks into the hotel, they are invited to download the SPG app, register

The SPG app allows keyless entry to hotel rooms. Photo: screen shots their device, and then opt-in to the keyless entry system. The smartphone app also acts as a key for the hotel gym and pool as well as key-gated elevators. Guests who already have a reservation and have download-

ed the app prior to their stay will receive a room number and Bluetooth key one day before their arrival. Guests will receive a notification upon arrival informing them of check-in, bypassing the concierge desk altogether.

TOP CONSOLE GAMES THIS WEEK 1

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare