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PHI PHI BOAT ACCIDENT HAUNTS YOUNG AUSTRALIAN TOURISTS > 7

CRACKDOWN Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, announces 100 40 50 search for foreigners working100 illegally

Foreigners who live and work here have to show us their work permit if we do a check. If they have the correct permit, it is not a problem

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

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News

Central bridge demolition

Pedestrian walkway to be pulled down as work continues on the island’s underpass > 5

execeditor@thephuketnews.com

Bangkok officials arrive to check foreign workers Nattha Thepbamrung & Tanyaluk Sakoot editor@thephuketnews.com

A

team from the Department of Business Development (DBD) in Bangkok will arrive in Phuket this month to help local officials investigate foreign businesses on the island, as part of a crackdown on illegal foreign workers in Phuket.

Nimit Sangkajit, Chief of the Phuket Office of the DBD, told The Phuket News that a team would be on the island from February 18 to 22.

Mr Nimit said there were 3,700 foreign-run businesses in Phuket registered with the department, but many of them had illegal Thai shareholders.

Thai people listed as shareholders might be required to show they genuinely had enough money to have been able to have invested in the company, if officials came to check them out.

“The department in Bangkok has checked the data for these companies, and will check each company to ensure the Thai shareholders are genuinely involved,” Mr Nimit said.

“If the business is found to have an illegal Thai shareholder, by law both the Thai shareholder and the foreign

A meeting took place earlier this week between officials to discuss the ongoing issue of foreign businesses. operator face a maximum three years in jail, or fined between B100,000 and B1 million.

“They will also be required to stop their business, but if they continue, they will be fined B10,000 to B50,000 per day.”

He revealed that the largest number of foreign businesses in Phuket were British, with 608 registered, following by French, 306, Australian, 244, American, 230, and Italian, 200.

Russians, currently a hot topic following last week’s “anti-Russian” protest in Bang Tao, have 153 businesses in Phuket. Meanwhile, Yaowapa Piboonpol, chief of the Phuket Provincial Employment Office said there were 8,635 foreigners holding a work permit in Phuket.

Of the island’s three dis-

tricts, 4,777 foreigners are listed in Muang Phuket, 2,642 in Kathu, and 1,216 in Thalang.

Most work permit holders were British, with 1,169 people, followed by Filipinos (668), Russians (646), French (554), and Americans (464).

The most popular industry for foreigners to be working in with a work permit are the hotel industry, with 1,198 registered foreign workers, the tourism industry with 1,039, and schools with 703.

Ms Yaowapa said there were 39 careers in Thailand that the government restricted for Thai people only. Foreigners were not allowed to do these jobs, she said, and those that did would be working illegally.

“I will not allow foreigners to do these jobs that are kept for Thais,” Ms Yaowapa said.

However there were a lot of grey areas, she said, such as the issue of “sitting guides.”

“Sometimes there are two tour guides on the same bus – one is Thai and one is foreign. They say the foreigner is a translator, for guests who speak that language. The same as foreigners who sell items in shops – they might not sell things but are used to communicate with customers.”

Last week Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, announced an investigation into tour agencies, massage parlours and restaurants, as well as other businesses which are foreign-owned or employ many foreign staff.

Twelve foreigners, including people from Australia, Finland, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the UK, were arrested last Thursday (January 31) for working illegally in the island’s tourism industry, police said.

The Department of Labour, in conjunction with Phuket Immigration and the Phuket Police, started checking companies on January 31, based on random checks or tip-offs from the public.

The main focus is on businesses that are foreign owned or operated, but Thai

businesses that employ large numbers of foreigners will also be checked.

This was prompted by a protest last Monday in Bang Tao by Thai businesspeople, who said illegal foreign businesses were undercutting the market.

The main focus is on businesses that are foreign owned or operated, but Thai businesses that employ large numbers of foreigners will also be checked.

The foreigners arrested either did not have a work permit or were doing a different job to what their work permit states.

Many were working in the tour industry as tour guides, taxi drivers or masseurs, police said. Their cases have been referred to the Phuket Provincial Court. Working without a work permit, or doing a different job to what your work permit states may result in a fine of up to B100,000 or five years maximum in jail. There is also the risk of deportation for serious cases.

Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut said that local people in Phuket should support the investigation by reporting any illegal foreign workers.

Wanted Danish man arrested WANTED DANISH MAN Dennis ‘Dannie’ Knudsen, 24, the intended target of the Soi Sansabai shooting last month, was arrested in Phuket on Sunday (February 3).

Knudsen was allegedly shot at on January 22 in Patong by Australian biker John Cohen who, along with his partner Mark Shea, had been looking for the Dane following a monetary dispute and spotted him on the back of a motorbike taxi.

Cohen missed Knudsen and instead hit two innocent German tourists, who had to be hospitalised with arm and shoulder wounds.

Kathu District Police Superintendent Pol Col Jirapat Pochanapant confirmed to The Phuket News that Knudsen was arrested by Chalong Police in Phuket on Sunday.

Knudsen was arrested for breaking bail conditions relating to when he rented a motorbike from the Australians in Phuket, then escaped to Pattaya with the bike and demanded the owners give him money before he returned the bike.

Col Jirapat said Knudsen was now being held in custody.

Miracle rescue in Patong Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

Worker Ngad Timthong, 73, is rescued after being caught in a landslide. Photo: Phuket Andaman News

A DRAMATIC RESCUE EFfort took place to try and save two construction workers trapped in the rubble when a hillside came down behind Soi Nanai in Patong around 3pm on Wednesday (February 6).

Phuket construction worker Sanit Liponkade, 49, was buried in the landslide and died instantly from severe head injuries.

Injured when the hillside came crashing down was Ngad Timthong, 73, who miraculously escaped the rubble with only a leg injury.

Photographs show a dramatic rescue taking place, with onlookers desperately trying to pull both men from out of the rubble.

Police conf irmed to The Phuket News both men were

working on a steep construction site about one kilometre up the hill.

Kathu Police Lt Tawatchai Simai told said Mr Sanit was standing in the direct path of the landslide, and was killed instantly. His body was taken to Patong Hospital, where his relatives, including wife Somying Tamlo and adult son, were grieving.

The landslide occurred on a construction site on private land, and the development taking place was not a resort or hotel.

When The Phuket News visited the site late Wednesday afternoon following the incident, it was closed and no one was working.

Police said Mr Sanit’s family accepted the event was an accident and would not pursue criminal charges.

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Police housing scandal redux Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

T

ha r it Pe ngd it , De partment Of Special Investigations (DSI) Director, together with MP Prompong Nopparit, Pheu Thai Party spokesman, visited Phuket on Saturday (February 2) to re-examine the police housing scandal.

The mega project of almost B10 billion is being looked at again after MP Prompong passed an official complaint with evidence to DSI last Friday (February 1).

The issue of the abandoned, part-completed police accommodation in Thalang, Thung Tong and Kathu was first raised in March 2012, when members of the Senate Committee on Justice and Police Affairs (CJPA) visited Phuket to inspect the premises.

Pol Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police said that the police construction project began in April 2010 with a budget of B68.1 mil-

lion. The initial deadline for completion was June 24, 2011.

However – well behind schedule – the construction firm was given a 293 day extension, and then a subsequent 360 day extension.

Finally, Region 8 Police ordered a stop to construction on March 15, 2012.

In the meeting with Maj Gen Choti, Mr Tharit said that they came here to survey the construction sites of the police accommodation that has reportedly been abandoned.

“The cause of the problem began when the Royal Thai Police agreed to hire only one contractor to build the police flats and new police stations for the whole country instead of choosing one contractor for each region,” Mr Tharit said.

“The main thing we heard today is the effect on the police – they do not have accommodation, especially in Phuket where the cost of living is very high.”

MP Prompong also said that he believes there has been high-level corruption since this

An abandoned police apartment building in Patong. project started.

“I think there was corruption since the beginning.

“Instead of carrying out auctions in every region in Thailand, there was only one contractor, PCC Development & Construction Co., selected to build 396 new police stations worth B5 billion plus 163 police flats costing B3 billion.

“Big projects costing almost B10 billion, but only one contractor,” MP Prompong said for effect.

“I have sent this case to

the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to investigate for corruption on the way the budget went through. I believe there are individuals who profited greatly from these projects,” he said.

Maj Gen Choti added that price of rental accommodation in Phuket is so high it’s hard for low-level police or police who moved from other provinces with lower living costs to live in Phuket.

“In Phuket, there are approximately 1,200 policemen,

around 200 of whom have still not been given proper accommodation,” said Maj Gen Choti.

After their meeting on Saturday, the group visited Phuket Police Station, Thungthong Police Station, Kathu Police Station and Thalang Police Station, later heading off the island to visit Krabi Police Station in regards to the same issue.

After he was informed that former deputy PM and current MP Suthep Taugsuban was going to be reported by the DSI for bid collusion on the previous Thai Kem Kaeng funding project, former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva said in parliament on January 31 that MP Suthep has nothing to hide and is willing to answer all questions asked of him.

There were also concerns about the budget for the police housing project, which was approved while MP Suthep was the Deputy Prime Minister, and also in charge of the Royal Thai Police.

MP Abhisit also added

that the project has been the responsibility of the current cabinet for more than one year already, but there has been no progress.

MP Chuwit Kamolvisit, Rak Prathet Thai (Love Thailand) Party leader, commented that both the opposition Democrats and the Yingluck administration are equally responsible for the issue, having launched and allowed it to continue, respectively.

MP Chuwit also said he has already sent a request to the Royal Thai Police to cancel the projects, but it has to wait for the Chief of Thai Police Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew’s consideration.

In the meantime he suggested the cabinet find a quick plan to help complete construction of the police accommodation and police stations, as when the project is likely cancelled and the company is sued, this project will be as big a mess as Bangkok’s infamous Hopewell project – and take just as long to clear up.

Patong community mourns much-loved expat Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

A CREMATION CEREMOny took place on Monday (February 4) at the Kathu temple for Swedish expat Niklas “Nicke” Kring, 42, who he died following a motorbike crash.

Mr Kring lost control of

his motorbike around 8am on Wednesday last week between Loch Palm golf course and the Kathu gas station intersection on his way home from Patong.

He suffered serious internal injuries and his life support was turned off last Thursday evening at Phuket International Hospital.

Mr Kring was the owner of the popular “Mai Thai” bar on Soi Eric, off Bangla Road in Patong. He had ran the bar for around 10 years, said his friend Bill Harris, the owner of the Summer Breeze hotel in Patong.

The bar was temporarily closed earlier this week and

many people laid flowers and wreaths outside it in memory of Mr Kring.

He was also well known as being the creator of the popular phuket-info.com website, a Phuket travel website with a very active forum. Mr Kring established the website about 10 years ago and it had

since grown to have more than 50,000 members, Mr Harris said.

“He was an absolute gentleman to everyone. Everyone who met him loved him. He had an open heart and he never had a bad word to say about anyone.

He really was a terrific guy.

“He was very well-respect-

ed and loved by everyone.

Like everyone else I’m devastated and really at a loss.

There’s a hole that can’t be filled.”

Mr Kring’s parents are in Phuket on holiday at the moment, and he leaves behind his wife and two young children.

Russians robbed NOW OPEN ALSO DINNER!! in Phuket hotels FOUR DIFFERENT GROUPS of Russian tourists have been the victims of hotel thefts in the last two weeks.

Although the incidents took place in two different hotels – Andaman Phuket Hotel in Patong and the Simplitel at Karon Beach – details of the cases are almost identical.

The money was stolen from hotel room safe boxes while the owners were on one- or twoday trips, and all the victims were clients of the same tour company – Coral Travel.

Last weekend, the Russian tourists gathered in the lobby of the Simplitel to discuss the problem with hotel administration, tourist police volunteers and Coral Travel representatives.

The tourists were annoyed not only with the thefts, but

also with their tour guides, who they said had failed to initially help them.

Viacheslav Kutikov, who stayed at the Simplitel, was sure his money had been stolen.

“I remember having left four brand new US$100 notes in the safe. But when I opened it on January 25 the cash had gone,” he said.

Simplitel security and Coral representatives studied the hotel’s CCTV records, and soon realised the thief was a hotel staff member. She was fired, but avoided prosecution because of personal reasons.

Simplitel insurance covered compensation for the two groups. The Andaman Phuket thief has not been identified yet but the investigation will continue.

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ALASDAIR FORBES Executive Editor 087 884 9964 execeditor@thephuketnews.com From the UK; 40 years as a journalist and editor on magazines and newspapers in the UK, Middle East, Hong Kong and Thailand: Cheshire Observer, Chester Chronicle, Saudi Gazette, Gulf Mirror, Gulf Construction, Gulf News, Hongkong Standard, Asian Business (Editor) and Phuket Gazette (Managing Editor for seven years).

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JODY HOUTON Sub Editor editor3@thephuketnews.com From the UK; Masters Degree in Journalism, Kingston University. Five years’ experience at Groove Magazine, Metropolis, The Western Telegraph, The Mirror and Phuket Post.

TOM METCALFE Sub Editor editor2@thephuketnews.com From New Zealand; 15 years as a print journalist and television news producer in the UK, NZ and Southeast Asia, including BBC World and Reuters in London, and Al Jazeera in Kuala Lumpur.

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

H

er Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak came to Phuket on Wednesday (February 6) to visit doctors at the Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Foundation in Phuket and perform charity work.

The Princess has been in southern Thailand, including Krabi, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Phang Nga, since February 1. She was expected to visit Cherng Talay School on Wednesday

GOVERNOR MAITR EE Intusut and Phuket officials represented the island at the 17th East Mediterranean Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) 2013, held in Istanbul, Turkey on January 24-27.

The fair was presided over by H.E. Mr Ertuğrul Günay, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey.

The Thai booth was honoured by the visit of H.E. Günay, who was welcomed by H.E. Mr. Rathakit Manathat, Ambassador of Thailand to Turkey.

Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, invited the Turkish to visit and explore more of Phuket and Krabi, which she described as two “best value for money” destinations in the south of

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Thailand.

Thailand was also awarded the ‘Best Performance’ prize for its cultural performances.

There were 4,500 local and foreign exhibitors from 70 countries and more than

100,000 visitors attending EMITT this year.

Gov Maitree said, “This exhibition was a good opportunity for Phuket, Krabi and Thailand. Because nationals of Turkey and Thailand enjoy

30 day visa-free access to each other’s countries, this is a good opportunity for Thais to discover Turkey, and in turn Turks have more time to enjoy the beauty of Phuket and Krabi.”

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Princess Chulabhorn shown here in Phuket in 2011.

Gov Maitree’s trip to Turkey opens new doors

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NATTHA ‘KAMIN’ THEPBAMRUNG

afternoon.

While in Phuket she visited 1,035 doctors belonging to the foundation, and give donated items to less fortunate people at the school.

There were also free health and dental checks, and free veterinarian services at the school.

The Princess arrived at 2pm on Wednesday for a welcome ceremony, before leaving the island a few hours later.

The Princess last visited Phuket in August 2011, where she was welcomed and many people showed up to visit her.

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PHUKET NEWS

Pedestrian bridge removed for new Central underpass Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

T

he pedestrian bridge connecting Central Festival Phuket with the newly opened Central Festival East (formerly Home Works) will close next Thursday (February 14), with demolition taking place the following day.

A new U-turn point, in front of Index Living Mall, opened on Monday so people are able to turn earlier, instead of having to turn at the main intersection.

However, people driving in a south direction to Central Festival will still need to Uturn at the main intersection.

Central Festival Phuket Operation Department Manager Preecha Ritthiratree told The Phuket News the pedestrian bridge needs to be removed so construction can continue on the underpass project.

Mr Preecha said a new

IN BRIEF Fugitive shooter arrested A Phuket man on the run for more than six months after shooting a Phuket Provincial Prison guard in Chalong was arrested last Thursday (January 31) in Phuket Town.

Police arrested Narongsak Deang-ngam at a police checkpoint after discovering him in possession of drugs and a gun. However, once he was taken to the police station, police realised there was already a warrant for his arrest, in relation to the shooting of prison guard Danunan Thipapal last year.

Couple arrested for drug dealing

Looking out from the Central pedestrian bridge, which will be removed on February 14. Photo: Vladimir Zagadov bridge would be built in the same place within a few months, by contractor ItalianThai, who is building the underpass.

However it would be a different design, and would be fully enclosed, he said.

Until the new bridge is built, songtaew (local buses) will transport customers between the two malls.

“We will prepare two buses to depart from the mall every 15 minutes. These will be for customers, but also because

Officials to return to polluted Racha Yai Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

P H U K E T V I C E - G OVernor Dr Sommai Preechasilpa, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Management, and other officials were due to visit Racha Yai island yesterday (February 7) with the hope of finally solving the island’s long-standing pollution issues.

Racha Yai residents have long been concerned about the pollution issues on the island, including garbage being dumped, claims of hotels releasing dirty water into the sea, allegations of building taking place illegally on public land, issues with development restricting the water flow in the canals, coral being damaged and other general waste issues.

“I know that solving this problem is happening too slowly,” said V/Gov Sommai.

“I have asked for more co-ordination between groups to solve this issue quickly. All parties will need to be present when I inspect Racha Island on February 7,” she said earlier this week.

A meeting was held on Monday at the Rawai Municipality with V/Gov Sommai, officials and Racha Yai locals to discuss the problems.

Sarit Chandee, a resident

5

Islanders have long been concerned about pollution. on Racha Yai, said the island had many problems concerning pollution of the environment and development on public land.

“These issues have become a long-term problem on Racha island, and they still haven’t been solved. I want some serious action.”

He also said there were

business conflicts over Korean and Chinese tour companies arranging private transport to and around the island, rather than using local long tail boats.

“In the past, locals used to benefit from the long tail business.

“Now, the tourism companies don’t use the locals anymore,” he said.

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our staff usually park their bikes and cars at Central Festival East, and then cross the bridge to work at Central Festival,” Mr Preecha said.

Mr Preecha said he expected a decrease in customers to Central Festival East.

The underpass, designed to improve traffic flow on the island, is expected to be finished on October 5, 2014.

Until then however, it is the site of a major traffic congestion headache for the island’s motorists.

Doctor at loss to explain Russian death in Rawai THE DOCTOR WHO PERformed a basic examination of the body of Russian man Evgenii Pozhitkov, 40, is at a loss to explain how he died.

Mr Pozhitkov was found dead in the kitchen of his pool villa in Rawai on Sunday afternoon (February 3).

He was discovered with a head injury, bruising to his body, and a deep hole in the back of his neck.

The doctor who carried out the initial examination at Vachira Hospital Phuket said he could not explain the deep hole, and could not identify the cause of death.

Mr Pozhitkov’s body will be sent to Surat Thai province where a full autopsy will be conducted.

Chalong Police Deputy Superintendent Lt Col Jamroon Plaiduang said Mr Pozhitkov’s friend, Vadin Rogov, 41, who lived with him in the house and first found him dead, was being questioned.

Mr Rogov told police that Mr Pozhitkov had been drinking excessively since New Year’s Eve, and believed his friend was drunk and fell and hit his head, which lead to his death.

Lt Col Jamroon said that by the time the police arrived at Mr Pozhitkov’s house, they found a number of alcohol bottles as well as numerous drops of blood around the untidy house.

A Phuket couple were arrested last Monday afternoon (January 28) in Phuket Town after a tip-off to police that they were dealing drugs.

Saowanee Peungpong, 29, was arrested while she walked alone down Soi Kamnum carrying 606 ya ba pills and 100.29 grams of ya ice.

Her boyfriend Sompon Sunthornkij, 42, was also arrested.

Monk defrocked after drugs, women bender A Nakhon Sawan monk from central Thailand was defrocked on Wednesday (February 5) after being caught with two women and a pile of drugs. Local residents in Sirirat Road (between Patong and Karon) first noticed the monk, Phra Pairoth Jonsuwanno, 47, enter a house with the two Thai women.

When Kathu police arrived they found the two women, who admitted having sexual relations with the monk. Police also found ba (methamphetamine), ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), and drug equipment. The three were arrested on drugs charges.

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Phuket Old Town Festival returns Naraporn Tuarob reporter1@thephuketnews.com

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P

huket’s much-loved Old Town Festival is back for another year, and will run from February 15-17, coinciding with the island’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

During the festival, roads around the Old Town, including Thalang, Krabi, Dibuk, Phang-Nga, Thepkrassatri and Phuket, will be turned into walking streets.

There are three main objectives of the festival: to develop and conserve culture, to promote the area, and to encourage all Phuket residents to contribute to the treasure that is the Phuket Old Town.

The four main streets of the Old Town will have themes: Thalang Road will be about “stories of the past”; Krabi Rd will focus on “stories of the present”; PhangNga Rd will be about “stories of the future”, and Dibuk Rd will have clothes and food made by the Thai Peranakan Association.

There will also be numerous street acts, traditional performances and costumes,

lots of Chinese New Year celebrations, and plenty of food.

On Friday (February 15) – the first day of the festival – there will be a large parade starting at 5pm, finishing up at Queen Sirikit 72 Years Chalearmprakiet Park (the Dragon Park) on Thalang Road.

On Sunday (February 17), on the last day of the festival, there will be worshipping of Chinese gods and goddesses from 11pm to 12am at Hai Leng Ong space, in front of the Dragon Park.

The Phuket News and Live 89.5 are media sponsors of this event.

Other festivals happening this weekend are: The Chalong Temple Fair: This will take place from February 10-16. The fair is known for its funfair and food, as well as singing and cultural performances.

With around 1,000 food and shop stalls in total, on the final night there will be a 40 minute firework display.

Somran Jindapon, Mayor of Chalong Municipality, said many organisations had come

The Phuket Old Town Festival, photographed here last year, is an annual highlight. together to help organise this year’s fair, which will run from 7pm until midnight.

“It has been running in Phuket for a very long time, and I invite everyone to come along to enjoy the festival” he said.

Mr Somran said officials would be closely monitoring the prices at food stalls,

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football field, on the corner of Narisorn and Surin Roads.

This will take place on Sunday (February 10).

The event will start at 4pm, and will feature Chinese traditional gymnastics, famous Thai singer/actor J Jetrin, and Thai actress Joy Rinlanee Sr ipen will be the MC.

Honest van driver returns B120,000 Anchor-wielding jet

ski operator wanted after tourist attack

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

making sure the price was reasonable. The Phuket Health Department would also be checking for quality and cleanliness.

Chinese New Year: A Chinese New Year celebration will be organised by the OrBorJor Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, and held at the Sanam Chai

A 24 -Y EA R OLD VA N driver Sarawut Sompan is being praised for his honesty after he handed in around B132,000 worth of cash belonging to an Indonesian official.

Mr Sarawut handed in the money to the Mayor of Chalong, Samran Jindapon.

He explained to media last Friday (February 1) how he ended up with the bag full of cash.

“I was driving the van, carrying Indonesian tourists from Phuket City to Phuket International Airport last night (January 31). They had lots of baggage,” he said.

He explained how he drove back home after he dropped them off, then started to clean the inside of his van.

“I found a bag with “King Power” on it, and there was money inside. Inside, there was Thai baht totalling B120,000, US$400 in cash, and two banking books from the Ayudhya Bank and Siam Commercial

The face of an honest man: Sarawut Sompan.

Bank.”

Not knowing what to do, he called his local mayor, Mr Samran, explaining that he would like the money to be returned to the owner, and could he help.

Mr Samran said he would transfer the money back to the owner, who was found by details included in the banking books. He is an Indonesian

official who was on holiday in Phuket when he left his bag behind.

Mr Samran said, “Mr Sarawut is a good man, because he returned the money.

The owner would like to thank him by giving him B3,000, but Mr Sarawut accepted only B2,000.

“He said, ‘This is enough for me’.”

POLICE ARE ON THE hunt for an anchor-wielding jet ski operator who allegedly swung the heavy anchor at a German tourist, narrowly missing his head.

Karon Police Pol Lt Sathapor n Seenun told The Phuket News that the trouble began around 6pm on Monday (January 4) at Kata beach, when the jet ski operator finished work for the day.

He dragged his jet ski from the sea and put it on a trailer. He then drove the quad bike away with the trailer attached, and the wheels of the trailer allegedly drove over the German tourist’s belongings, including a helmet the tourist was renting.

Police said the German tourist, aged in his mid 20s, then approached the jet ski operator asking him to

compensate for the broken motorbike helmet.

Unable to come to an agreement, the German man then started to walk away, when he saw the jet ski operator chasing him down the beach with an anchor in his hand. The man swung the anchor at the German, missing by half a metre.

The chase ended when the jet ski operator realised his actions had been seen by people on the beach and had attracted attention, and he drove off on his quad bike.

A witness told police the jet ski operator was Thai, tanned, and of large build.

He also gave details of how the attack happened.

Anyone who has details of the attack should call Karon Police Station on 076-396-393 or Lt Sathaporn on 086-071-8468.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PHUKET FOCUS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

7

Accident or carelessness?

Two Australian sisters recount their horror speedboat trip to Phi Phi Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

T

he sun was shining on a beautiful Phuket morning.

Three young Australian girls – all visiting the island for the first time – would soon board a speedboat bound for Phi Phi. Sisters Tegan Larin, 24, and Rahni, 27, along with their cousin Samara Dove, 25, arrived at the Chalong Pier early on the morning of Wednesday, January 30, excited about their impending trip.

“We went to the port to get on the speedboat and the tour leader told us to get to the front, and that it was okay.

When we got up there, we did not get a life vest or anything like that. She just said hold the rail,” Rahni said.

“It was fine for the start – the first 10 minutes were big waves, but not too bad.”

But soon came much stronger waves, which were initially a bit of a thrill for the girls.

“We all got soaked because of the water coming down,” Rahni explained.

But then, “another wave came, and we all went up about one metre in the air and then fell crashing down,” she said.

“Me and my sister landed on our backs and we could not move – we lay on the floor screaming. Tegan hit her nose and her mouth, and both were bleeding.”

Tegan, 24, had two back fractures.

Elsewhere in the boat, American tourist Maria Genetti had a deep gash on her leg, while a Malaysian girl had suffered a serious “rip” to her ear.

“The American girl she said she hit the seat, which had a metal part on it which cut her leg. She could see the tissue inside,” Rahni said.

“The girl who had the cut ear was panicking. I think she

Rahni Larin, from Australia, is loaded into a stretcher and taken to Phuket International Hospital. Inset, her sister Tegan Larin, suffered two back fractures in the incident. Both sisters returned to Australia earlier this week. thought she was going to lose her ear. Samara had to comfort her to make her calm down.”

Another Indonesian girl also had a wounded leg, was having trouble breathing and had suffered a back injury.

The Australian sisters described to The Phuket News how difficult the rescue was once the boat reached shore, with the injured lying on top of each other – most unable to move.

The sisters are less than happy with the way the boat driver reacted to the incident, saying he was driving “carelessly”.

“Apart from not giving us the life jackets... when the wave got bigger, he drove faster instead of slowing down,” Rahni said.

“It was so dangerous, when the wave got too big, he [the boat driver] drove faster, he just kept going faster and faster and there were no life jackets.”

“I spoke to two other girls in a different boat [after the accident] and they said when the waves got big their driver slowed down.”

The two sisters work in Australia – Tegan studies while working part time, while Rahni takes care of young children. Their jobs were on hold until earlier this week, when Tegan was well enough to be discharged and return to Australia.

It was understood all the injured tourists were covered by the tour company’s insurance.

However, Rahni said she had to pay an additional B9,000 before she returned home, plus fund the cost for the back braces for her and her sister, plus Rahni’s follow-up hospital visit and medication. Both girls are also hoping to visit a back specialist in Australia.

“We would also really like to receive some compensation as we both will miss out on quite a lot of work,” Rahni said on Wednesday.

To counter media reports, the company in charge of the tour, Andawaree Co Ltd, held a press conference last weekend to give its side of the story.

At the event, owners Kritsada and Omduan Pichet-

pongsanon said that the waves were always strong in the area where the accident occurred, but were exceptionally strong on January 30.

Mr Kritsada described the accident as a ‘force majeure’, and said it was fortunate that no-one on-board the boat was more seriously injured.

He explained that the boat driver is a professional and fully licensed driver, with almost 20 years experience.

The tour guide that day also added that the driver had in fact averted a bigger accident.

Andawaree company tour guide Maneerat Jeemanop, who was the tour guide on board at

the time of the incident, said the driver was not careless.

“If the driver had not increased speed when he did, the accident would have been much more serious. He did it because he had to fight with the wave instead of let the wave move the boat. I think he knew what he had to do in that situation,” she said.

Ms Maneerat said life vests were given to all passengers who sat inside the boat, but not to passengers who sat outside or on the front of the boat – where the three Australians were sitting. Their life vests, Ms Maneerat said, were in a pile on the floor where they could access them. She also says she told the Australian sisters to hold the rail.

Pol Lt Col Chatchai Sakdee of the Phuket Marine Police said that after investigating, they could confirm that both the boat and driver were licensed.

“The accident was not due to any carelessness on the part of the driver as he has great experience of driving boats and the big wave that day was completely unexpected,” Lt Col Chatchai said.

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THAILAND NEWS

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Govt wants Youtube sex spoof removed T

he government plans to ask YouTube to remove a video clip mocking the sex industry in Thailand.

The clip is a parody of a commercial for the Rosetta Stone foreign language learning programme. The spoof was produced by popular American late-night television show Saturday Night Live.

In the video, foreigners are interested in learning the Thai language so they know how to say things like, “How much?”, “Is that for the whole night?” or “How can I take off your clothes?” in Thai.

Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem said on Monday that the Culture Watch Centre is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an effort

Saturday Night Live star Bill Hader in the video that has offended many in Thailand. to have the video removed from the world’s most popular video sharing website.

The government will also inform the United States embassy that the commercial

spoof is tarnishing Thailand’s image and will ask the embassy to explain the situation

to the producer of Saturday Night Live, Mr Sonthaya said.

The parody has drawn many negative responses from both Thai and foreign netizens on YouTube.

Most Thai internet users were not impressed with the video, saying the joke is too harsh and not at all funny.

An internet user posted in Thai, “The Americans behave like this and this is why they’re bombing their country.”

“Even though it might be true, the producers should not offend Thailand this way,” another Thai commented.

As for foreign netizens, some commented that people should not take the spoof too seriously but most were disappointed with it. Bangkok Post

Thailand awash in fake TB drugs ACCORDING TO A STUDY published in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, many of the anti-tuberculosis medications being sold in developing countries such as Thailand are either fake or of a substandard quality.

Scientists from the United States conducted the test, in which they asked locals in Bangkok and 18 other cities to purchase sample doses of common TB medications.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

IN BRIEF Thai movie addict feeds film habit by shoplifting A 16-year-old Thai teen was caught stealing two movie CDs from a Sattahip 7-Eleven, after a customer at an ATM machine outside the store saw the boy slip the CDs under his shirt, and reported him on January 31.

After the boy was arrested, he told police he loved watching foreign movies, but was too poor to buy movie CDs.

Singer nabbed for violating song copyrights The popular Thai singer ‘Maithai Jaitawan’ was arrested after a Pattaya concert, for singing copyrighted songs without permission on January 31.

He had ended a six-year contract with a music company that retained ownership of the songs. Police believe a compromise can be worked out.

School bus kills dead drunk man A 28-year-old construction worker who was drinking all night was killed by a school bus while crossing a Sattahip street in Pattaya on February 1.

His elder sister said her brother had been drinking 30 proof liquor in front of her house, and then left to walk home the next morning. No students were injured.

After testing, the scientists found that these medications often did not dissolve in water (as is necessary to enter the bloodstream) and that as many as half of them had no active ingredients.

A revelation about the drugs’ origins was also included among the report’s findings.

Apparently, many legitimate pharmaceutical companies have joined fraudsters in offering the fake medications.

Coconuts Bangkok

Pattaya police uncover two online gambling dens BONJOUR MADAME French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault talks with Thai Prime

Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during a press conference at Government House in Bangkok on Tuesday. Ayrault was on a two-day official visit. Photo: AFP/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul

Rayong cops grab hand grenade during drug raid Two Rayong drug dealers were arrested by police after selling amphetamines to a police undercover officer in a Rayong hotel on February 4.

While seizing the evidence of illegal drugs, police also discovered a M26 hand grenade that belonged to a suspect.

After further investigation, police discovered the suspect worked for a network of drug dealers, and would drive to deliver the amphetamines to customers outside the hotel. Pattaya Daily News

Malaysia agrees to prison swaps MALAYSIA HAS AGREED to a treaty with Thailand to allow foreigners convicted of serious crimes to serve part of their prison sentences at home.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he will sign the agreement “soon”.

It will be the first such treaty signed by Malaysia, said a report in the New Straits Times newspaper.

The programme was approved by parliament in November of last year and will be gazetted next month.

“A delegation from Malaysia visited Thailand to

view the transfer implementation mechanism,” said the minister, who was on a visit to Kajang Prison to oversee a family visiting day for the Chinese New Year.

There are 404 Malaysian prisoners in Thai jails, he said, and 82 Thais on serious charges in Malaysian prisons.

He did not give the details of the planned treaty with Thailand. Usually, foreign prisoners must serve the first several years of their sentence in Thailand before they are eligible to serve out the remainder in their home countries. Bangkok Post

Pattaya police arrested seven Singaporean men suspected of operating online gambling dens in two Pattaya luxury homes on February 1.

The upstairs bedrooms housed computers continuously hooked up to the internet. The men were released while experts examine the computers for the illegal gambling.

Rental cars ripped off by ‘fake’ Indians Two rental cars were stolen from a Pattaya car rental company by Indian men with fake passports, on February 2.

The vehicles were tracked by their GPS signals. One was being repaired and recovered by police. The other vehicle, a Toyota Fortuna, was already in Burma.

Pattaya Daily News

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Kim Jong-Un and the mystery smartphone A

picture of North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un with a smartphone has triggered fevered speculation about which brand is favoured by the leader of one of the world’s most repressive nations.

The photo released by the North’s state media showed Kim presiding over a meeting with top national security advisers last week – a meeting believed to have been focused on Pyongyang’s threat to conduct an imminent nuclear test.

It also showed a black smartphone on the table next to Kim’s arm – as well as a lit cigarette in his hand.

“It’s believed that the smartphone belonged to Kim given that the device was placed right next to the documents he was looking at,” a Seoul government official said.

The South Korean media gave the picture prominent coverage, opening a debate over the manufacturer, with speculation ranging between South Korea’s own Samsung, Taiwan’s HTC and iPhone maker Apple.

Samsung, the world’s top

Smartphone located centre left of image. Photo: Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) smartphone maker, was adamant that one of its flagship Galaxy models had not turned up across the border.

“It’s not a Samsung phone,” remarked a company spokesman, adding that it looked more like an HTC model.

The Seoul government official said the picture had been analysed by the South’s intelligence agency which also concluded that the Taiwanese firm was the likely manufacturer.

HTC declined to identify the device but said in a

statement that the company appreciated the “support of all users”.

While North Koreans live in probably the most isolated and censored society on the planet, the country is not a complete IT desert.

Mobile phones were introduced in 2008 through a joint venture with the Egyptian telecom firm Orascom, and a domestic Intranet was launched in 2002.

But the one million normal cellphone subscribers can only phone each other, not outside

the country, and the Intranet is similarly cut off from the rest of the worldwide web.

“Kim and his family members as well as the North’s political elite appear to use smartphones or other mobile phones capable of accessing the Internet,” said the Seoul official.

Kim, believed to be in his late 20s, took over the country after the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December 2011, completing a second dynastic succession of the Kim family. AFP

ASIA NEWS

9

Myanmar rebels say talks small step towards peace KACHIN REBELS FIGHTing the government in Myanmar’s far north said Tuesday that new peace talks held in China were a limited step towards finding a solution to the bitter conflict.

The two sides discussed ways to establish communication channels, reduce military tension and work towards a surveillance system with the goal of achieving a ceasefire, according to a joint statement released Monday.

But the rebels were cautious about prospects for a durable peace in Kachin, since a 17-year ceasefire between the government and the rebels broke down in June 2011.

“Yesterday’s meeting was only about preparations for further meetings between the two sides,” Sung Lyut Gam, who headed the delegation from the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), said on Tuesday.

“We cannot say exactly how optimistic we are about reaching a proper deal as we don’t know what the other side is thinking,” he said. “It would be good if this kind of meeting continues in the future.”

Chinese officials as well

as representatives from the Shan and Karen ethnic minority groups also attended Monday’s talks as observers.

The Myanmar government last month announced a unilateral ceasefire with the Kachin but the fighting continued, with government troops capturing a key outpost and edging closer to the rebels’ headquarters near the Chinese border.

The Kachin, who are fighting for greater autonomy, say any negotiations should also address their demands for more political rights.

Almost a dozen previous rounds of talks failed to quell the violence.

Presidential spokesman Ye Htut said the fact that the two sides had managed to release a joint statement on Monday and that other ethnic minority groups wanted to be involved marked progress in the long-running peace efforts.

Fearing an influx of refugees, China has urged an end to the fighting, which has overshadowed sweeping changes in Myanmar under reformist President Thein Sein following the end of decades of harsh military rule in 2011. AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Love in 3rd century BC: apparently it was a lot like now Sebastian Smith

Vladimir Vrnoga (left) and a group of Bosnians cart wood on October 27, 1992 to heat their homes in Sarajevo. Twenty years have passed since Vrnoga served three hard years in the Bosnian army and fled to the United States. He now lives with his mother, his wife and three year old daughter in Chico, north of San Francisco. Photo: AFP/Patrick Baz

Sarajevo photo stirs darkened memories Roland de Courson

I

t’s autumn 1992, and an icy chill has settled over Sarajevo. Bosnian residents are struggling to keep warm in their besieged city, scavenging whatever firewood they can after gas and electric supplies have been cut off. From their hiding spots in the hills surrounding the town, snipers shoot at anything that moves.

AFP photographer Patrick Baz, newly arrived on the scene, shoots a picture on October 27, 1992, about six months after the start of the siege of Sarajevo, which would last another three years and become the longest such assault in modern times. More than 10,000 people would lose their lives.

That image – of a gaunt young man hauling wood – could easily have stayed tucked away in the agency’s archives forever. But thanks to a series of coincidences it has, 20 years later, taken on a new life of its own.

“I chose Patrick’s shot to use in the 20-years-on feature to illustrate the shortages in the city,” recalls BBC journalist Adrian Brown, explaining why

he included it a multimedia project on the 20th anniversary of the siege. “This young boy’s look of anguish really caught my attention.”

A few months after Brown’s piece was published online, Vladimir Vrnoga, a former Bosnian refugee who has been living in California for more than 17 years, was tapping away at his computer when his phone rang.

“Drop whatever you are doing,” a friend said. “Check out this web page.”

Vladimir couldn’t believe his eyes.

“I had a shock. Seeing that picture brought a flashback of the moment when it was taken.

Suddenly, 20 years later, I was back in Sarajevo during the war,” he says by phone.

“I could smell the dampness of the air, felt the blisters on my hands from chopping the wood with a meat cleaver – and that was barely the beginning of the siege.”

Vladimir was 17 at the time.

A Catholic with a Croatian father and a Serbian mother, his family illustrated the intercommunal harmony that existed in Sarajevo before the war. He had just registered at

the University of Sarajevo to study veterinary medicine.

But the bloody conflict turned his plans, and his life, upside down.

“This picture represents all the suffering we went through,” Vladimir says. “At night time, the temperatures dropped really low. We had to collect wood to heat our home and survive.

“The only thing we had to eat was rice. The snipers were everywhere above us. They were shooting at everything.

They were shooting children.

They were shooting cats.”

Vladimir had to drop his studies, and was pressured to enlist in the Bosnian army.

Months of fighting, suffering and exhausting marches followed. He lost 15 kilos in just three weeks after joining up.

He finished his service at the end of 1994 but was called up again just a few days later.

This time, he and his mother, Milena, left for Croatia and then for Austria where they spent five months in a refugee camp. They finally departed for the United States in April 1995.

Mother and son moved to Chico, north of San Francisco in California. The wood collector-turned-refugee, today

38 and married with a threeyear-old daughter, now works at a large brewery.

Vladimir has never returned to Bosnia.

After the initial shock of seeing himself in the photo wore off, he contacted the BBC journalist, who put him in touch with Patrick. The photographer and his subject, who had until then been unaware of each other’s identity, swapped emails and hope to meet one day.

“I remember very well the day the picture was taken. I was walking and saw the photographer at the side of the road.

We exchanged some words, I asked him for a cigarette. Then we both continued our way,” Vladimir says.

Patrick, who is now AFP’s photo director for the Middle East and North Africa, has a vague memory of shooting the photo. “I’d only been in Sarajevo for a few days,” he recalls. “I didn’t know where to go. While I was heading for the front line, in the mountains, I came across these guys. That’s about all I remember.” AFP

A PLU M P, NAUGH T Y looking winged baby with a bow and arrow: sounds like the illustration on a Valentine’s Day card, right? Wrong: it’s a two-thousand-year-old statue on show in New York.

A new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Changing Image of Eros, Ancient Greek God of Love, from Antiquity to Renaissance,” demonstrates that love as we know it doesn’t just last forever – it’s been around forever too.

The centerpiece of the exhibit, which opened last week and runs through June 23, is a remarkable, life size bronze sculpture of Eros shown as a sleeping baby.

H is chubby legs a r e draped over a stone. One of his wings lies f lat, the details of every feather visible, and the other is tucked up underneath.

Unusually for Greek art, the god’s eyes are shut. And in a touching nuance, the baby’s mouth rests open, while his left hand lies limp, having dropped his famous bow.

“He’s in the midst of his labours and he’s taking a nap,” curator Sean Hemingway said.

Those labours, according to the Greek myth, were very much as doodling, love-sick teens might imagine them today: Eros firing arrows of love.

Less well known is that the Greek Eros had two arrows – “either tipped with gold or tipped with lead,” Hemingway said.

“The golden ones gave burning desire and the lead ones,” he added with a chuckle, “repelled people from burning desire.”

The image of Eros captured in the statue, which is dated to the 3rd-2nd centuries BC and comes from the island of Rhodes, spawned a remarkable dynasty of lookalikes, right from Roman art’s Cupid to the winged cherubs

of Renaissance paintings, and into our popular culture today.

But Eros wasn’t always so cuddly. Until the period when winged babies came out with their darts of passion, the god was depicted in Archaic Greek poetry as a “powerful, often cruel, and capricious being,” the exhibit explains.

The baby version meant love was “brought down to earth and disarmed.”

“The idea of love is a universal concept,” said Hemingway, an archaeologist and the grandson of the novelist Ernest Hemingway.

“For the Greeks, it was an important god and we continue to think of love, if not as a god, as important.

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so it’s a good time to remember him.”

Hemingway called the piece a “great masterpiece” that has always “fascinated” him.

It certainly fascinated the Romans, who made copies in large quantities, followed by the Renaissance artists whose rediscovery of Classical art inspired Europe’s cultural explosion after the Middle Ages.

“He was rediscovered in the Renaissance early on,” Hemingway said.

Incidentally, there’s one more link between that ancient artwork and our modern cult of love: the statue’s presumed birthplace.

R hodes, Hem i ng way pointed out, “means ‘rose’ in Greek.” AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Dreamliner problems no cause for concern Alastair Carthew Up In The Air

T

he January grounding of the Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’ – an iconic aircraft that will undoubtedly be seen in Phuket skies one day – because of a series of operational incidents on the surface, looked pretty dramatic and probably alarming to much of the travelling public.

But there is certainly no need to panic. Here’s why.

Aviation history shows teething problems with new aircraft designs are endemic.

For example rival Airbus’s giant A380 was grounded last year when Qantas, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines all experienced varying problems.

And this with an aircraft not considered ‘new generation’ as the B787 is, with its composite materials offering 20 per cent fuel reduction, radical interior design and environmental friendliness (originally dubbed the B7E7, the E was said to stand for either efficiency or environment).

So some initial problems would inevitably arise when the B787 started service (with lead customer All Nippon Airlines of Japan who took 50).

The 296 seat, Mach 0.85., 15,200 km range aircraft was grounded in the US, Japan and India. An overheating battery was the main culprit in this case. Despite this no airlines on Boeing’s record 848 order book cancelled their orders. Why? Because the B787, like any new aircraft, undertook such extensive safety and flight testing that the industry knew, despite a five year delay in delivery (it premiered in July, 2007) the B787 had undergone a series

The B787 was the first new generation aircraft since the Boeing 747 became the world’s first wide bodied jetliner to fly commercially in 1970. Despite problems, American aviation safety authorities have stood behind the plane. of flight and ground tests like no other.

After all, the B787 was the first new generation aircraft since the Boeing 747 became the world’s first wide bodied jetliner to fly commercially in 1970. American aviation safety authorities stood behind the plane.

Also, the B787 was preceded in the design stage by the Sonic Cruiser, an idea hatched by Boeing following the oil crisis sparked by the September 11 attacks.

Boeing wanted a more fuel efficient aircraft than its ageing B767 workhorse. The

Sonic Cruiser morphed into the B787, but this strategy of taking commercial aviation to a new level involved radical thinking and risk.

To mitigate the risk Boeing conducted an exhaustive testing programme. This included extensive wind tunnel tests in UK, France and the US; computerised crash tests of the composite fuselage; testing of the fuselage at 150 per cent of the maximum pressure expected in commercial service flying at maximum cruising altitude; factory testing of landing gear, systems and other technical requirements.

In March, 2010 a test flight pushed the B787 to 150 per cent of its design limit load, which included flexing the wings to around 7.6m upward during flight. The plane was also tested for operating at extremes between 46 and -43 C. These are just a few of the many thousands of tests undertaken.

The B787’s unique assembly process also demanded extra testing.

The main assembly was at Boeing’s Everett, Seattle Washington plant, but it subcontracted out to a myriad of component parts such as wing boxes, horizontal stabilizers,

fuselage sections; passenger, cargo and access doors; software development, wiring, wing tips, wheels, landing gear and even air conditioning to companies in the US, UK, Japan, Italy, Korea, France, India and Sweden.

What will this hiccup with the B787 mean in the long run for Boeing?

One consequence could be airlines may consider buying the rival Airbus A350 XWB, also made of composite materials (stronger and lighter than traditional aluminum) which offers slightly larger 250-350 passenger capacity across three versions and, Airbus claim, a

45x90 |

25 per cent “step change in fuel efficiency,” which implies it is more fuel efficient than the B787.

Airbus, basically, announced the A350 after witnessing the runaway success in pre-orders of the B787.

Soon after 9/11 a debate erupted between the two bitter rivals over which path to take: a megacarrier with less range but more capacity (the Airbus A380) versus a smaller, lighter aircraft with greater speed and range (Boeing’s 787).

To many it is too early to tell what strategy will work in the long run, as the B787 is only just entering service.

But it is a fact that the A380 has sold very slowly, partly because of its own teething problems (its breakeven point has been revised from 270 to 420 planes).

The big question now is will the B787’s troubles see airlines veer away from it toward the A350 or will all of that recordbreaking order book be filled?

History says it will succeed.

W he n t he B747 wa s launched in 1970 it was expected to become obsolete after 400 were sold because, ironically, Boeing expected supersonic airlines such as the Concorde to supersede commercial, passenger subsonic travel.

They were wrong. Concorde lasted 27 years but only 20 were built. By September last year 1,448 B747s had been built with Boeing already taking orders for a B747-8 variant.

Alastair Carthew is a Phuket-based journalist and public relations professional with extensive experience in the aviation industry. Email him at: carthewa@gmail.com

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12 PROPERTY NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Property in your portfolio?

EXPAT MONEY Jerry Dingley info@ifainternationalgroup.com

O

ver the years when discussing international retirement portfolios and which asset types to include in them, the question of whether or not to buy property outside of one’s main residence often comes up and thus needs to be properly and carefully considered.

The golden rule of course is always making sure that there is enough diversification amongst the traditional asset classes – equities, bonds, alternatives and cash – with each of those having little correlation to the other to mitigate overall risk, but what about adding a physical property portfolio to that mix?

The answer of course is that it is almost always a good idea at least in principle, to add property to your retirement portfolio, and I think it is fair to say that the majority of high net worth individuals we encounter have significant exposure to the sector and most of them have done very well indeed over the years

Consider property if you are looking to diversify your assets. Photo: The truth about from their property holdings.

Creating a passive income stream from rental income in addition to seeing capital values increase over time, can be a most rewarding and worthwhile exercise which many individuals find a lot more interesting and satisfying than watching (and worrying about) dividend yields, stock prices and currency movements.

This all sounds rather jolly but how to go about doing it whilst at the same time side stepping the many pitfalls that lie in wait for the unwary?

Things are almost always not what they seem in the Southeast Asia property arena despite its many opportunities and one has to tread with great care as amongst all the success stories there have been many failures and fortunes lost.

From an investment perspective resort property is very different to that of the city and houses very different to condominiums.

Supply and demand imbalances have to be assessed for both and the availability of mortgage finance considered, not to mention ownership

regulations and the impact of property taxes.

The days of 12 per cent per annum yields from rental income in the most popular locations have largely gone and thus expectations have to be more realistically managed now.

There are many other subtleties, nuances and caveats involved in acquiring the right kind of property for investment (far too many to include in this article) and there is no substitute to having experienced professionals on hand in the same location,

and who are preferably on your side and not the seller’s.

Expert consultants in the property field should be well equipped with the knowledge to be able to guide you in the right direction.

They will help ensure that your objectives are met. that you are not left holding the ‘off plan’ baby after a developer vanishes prior to completion, and they may just stop you from buying the worst unit in a new condo block that could be virtually impossible to sell or rent later on.

As we mentioned in earlier articles, liquidity is an important consideration as in the wrong climate it will take a long time to sell a property and for this reason many individuals decide to add commercial property funds to their asset base.

They want exposure to the sector but value the convenience of being able to sell the asset fast if capital is required. Again, this is an area that requires expert input as it too can be fraught with danger if not properly understood.

In the final analysis, if you can accumulate some

quality investment property that generates income plus capital gains over time, and a separate portfolio of other asset classes that also provides income from the capital sum in later life, then you have a properly diversified retirement portfolio that should serve you well in the years ahead.

Jerry Dingley and business partner Tim Whiteley have a combined 50 years of experience advising expatriates and international investors both onshore United Kingdom and in the Asia Pacific region. Specialist areas include offshore trusts and wealth protection vehicles, private client portfolios, QROPS UK pension transfers and creating tax efficient retirement solutions for individuals around the world.

Important note: This article contains general information only and is not intended to be taken as specific financial advisory, investment, or tax advice. A personal analysis should be obtained before acting or refraining from acting upon information given.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PROPERTY NEWS 13

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Thai tycoon buys Kirin’s stake in F&N JAPANESE BEVERAGE giant Kirin said Friday it will sell its entire 15 per cent stake in Singapore’s Fraser and Neave (F&N) to a Thai tycoon on the verge of taking full control of the conglomerate.

Tok yo -based K ir in said in a statement on its website it will earn S$2.03 billion (US$1.64 billion, B48 billion) from the sale of its 14.76 per cent F&N stake to TCC Assets, a firm controlled

by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

With the sale, Charoen will move closer to taking full control of beverage, property and publishing conglomerate F&N after gaining majority ownership of over 50 per cent on Wednesday.

The sale is expected to be completed “no later than February 14,” Kirin said in its statement.

TCC Assets, which has been steadily snapping up F&N shares at the final offer price of S$9.5, currently owns 54.01 per cent of the company without the Kirin stake. AFP

Phuket gains new Marriott M

arriott International last Thursday (January 31) announced the signing of seven management agreements with TCC Hotels Group, which will see the US hospitality company operating seven TCC hotels across Thailand, including the Imperial Adamas Phuket Beach Resort.

These agreements make the TCC Hotels Group the largest owner of Marriott International hotels in the Asia-Pacific region.

The seven hotels are: Imperial Adamas Phuket Beach Resort to be re-branded as Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok to be rebranded as Bangkok Marriott Hotel Queen’s Park Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa, Jomtien Beach JW Marriott Pattaya Resort & Spa Bangkok Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments, Surawong The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok This landmark agreement will add 3,000 rooms to Marriott International’s existing

Marriott International last Thursday (January 31) announced the signing of seven management agreements with TCC Hotels Group. Representatives from both companies above.

12 hotels with 3,110 rooms across Thailand.

The TCC Hotels Group will represent a variety of Mar r iot t I nter national’s brands including The RitzCarlton, JW Marriott and the company’s signature Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand.

It will see Marriott International take on the management of two existing hotels and five new build properties across the country in the strategic tourist destinations

China approves HSBC’s US$9.4 billion Ping An sale to CP Group Bill Savadove

CHINA SAID FRIDAY IT had approved British bank HSBC’s sale of its stake in insurance giant Ping An to a Thai conglomerate for US$9.4 billion (B280 billion) ending speculation that the deal was on the verge of collapse.

Regulators in Beijing gave the green light just hours before a deadline despite reports in Hong Kong media that they were ready to reject the bid over concerns about funding for the purchase.

HSBC also confirmed that it had received approval to sell the 15.57 per cent stake and said it would complete the transfer of its shares to

subsidiaries of Charoen Pokphand Group, owned by Thai tycoon Dhanin Chearavanont, on February 6.

“We have been informed that CIRC (China Insurance Regulatory Commission) approval was granted today,” HSBC said in a statement.

Charoen Pokphand, which began as an agricultural business but has grown into a huge conglomerate, said it made the payment for the full purchase price to HSBC, according to a separate statement. AFP

hotels in the country.”

“I believe this partnership shows our commitment to and faith in Thailand as a strategically important business and leisure destination in Southeast Asia.

“Managing this portfolio of TCC hotels in the country will allow us to extend our product offering and brands in Thailand, and enable domestic and international travellers to experience our hotels and world-class service.”

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of Phuket, Bangkok, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Bangkok, Simon Cooper, Marriott International’s president and managing director Asia Pacific, said: “We are delighted to announce this landmark deal for Thailand. TCC Hotels Group is very well established as a hotel owner and operator around the world and these seven hotels will add to our already strong portfolio of

TCC Hotels Group expects to invest approximately US$500 million for the seven hotels including an extensive refurbishment of the existing Imperial Adamas Phuket Beach Resort and Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok before being re-branded and opened under the Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand in 2016.

“TCC Hotels Group believes that Thailand and the group could benefit from the global network and standards of Marriott International.

“We are very excited to be working together with Marriott International, an experienced global operator to support our growth strategy and our confidence in both Tourism and MICE business sectors of Thailand,” said Wallapa Traisorat, President of TCC Hotels Group.

These 3,000 rooms are in addition to Marriott International’s existing pipeline in Thailand of more than 1,000 rooms, and the company expects to be managing almost 7,000 rooms in Thailand by 2017 to support the continued tourism growth for Thailand as it becomes a strategic location of the Asian Economic Community (AEC).

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14 OPINION

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Opinion

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editor@thephuketnews.com

Gerry’s View

Governor’s letter

Building a strong community In the first of a new series of columns, Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut examines the issues that matter. Here, he looks at how we can all help build a sense of community:

I

They say start them young, and in this case the lad seems to know what he’s doing and might go on to be another Bill Gates when he grows up. I happened upon this young guy in one of the slimming centres in Central Festival, busily occupying his time as mum or dad were shedding some weight in another room. There used to be a time parents had to hire human babysitters, but technology has become the new time occupier for kids as their parents go about their daily chores. You don’t need to answer this rhetorical question, but where is this taking us? Gerry Cummings

If you have a Phuket photo to share, email it with a caption to editor@thephuketnews.com

t is important to have a leader. It could be a leader under the law (a policeman or village head) or someone who has the respect of the people. They must also set a good example in life.

Without a leader there won’t be followers, and without an example, there isn’t anything to show people the correct way.

It’s important to look at the allocation of community funds, both those saved by the government and funds collected in ‘community’ banks, where locals will be aware of and manage their own funds.

Social activities can also help to build up unity within communities, for example by establishing clubs for the elderly, those who enjoy exercise and so on.

Community activities also

Comments, Facebook & Twitter Thanks for the support We at the Phuket Art Village wish to thank you for your sponsorship of our monthly ‘pARTy’s’ for the past 3 months.

The coverage you provided gave the Village a terrific boost and most definitely expanded the exposure, resulting in an increased attendance at our events.

In turn, this has not only benefited the Phuket Art Village but the Phuket community as a whole.

Furthermore it was an absolute pleasure to work with the Phuket News staff, in particular Khun Boo and Khun Jody, who whilst being professional, were also always friendly and approachable.

We look forward to opportunities to collaborate with The Phuket News in the future, especially in terms of furthering the arts in Phuket.

The Phuket Village People

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Riding out the waves [Re. Phuket boat ordeal owners describe accident as ‘ force majeure’] Being out there on my boat sometimes, I can say that there can be unexpected waves when you exit Chalong Bay. It always depends on wind versus current.

And the drivers of Andavaree are quite good. they usually head to Ko Yao Yai in order to avoid straight bouncing against the waves, and only after Koh Kai head to Phi Phi. I have been on a transfers to Koh Lanta with them once. These guys know what they are doing, but they have to find a compromise between going fast through the lows and slowly over the peaks.

Not an easy job and sometimes, they will have to speed up in order to avoid the bow being pushed into the next wave.

Nobody can really judge unless he has seen it, but a speedboat will always have to face the risk of hard impacts. It’s a speedboat.

I just think tourists have to be better explained what that means and that the places in the bow of the boat can be dangerous.

Seatbelts and safety “cushions” is what I would suggest.

Mig

The Australian question [Re. ‘Thailand can be a deadly destination for Australian tourists’] I have seen the way “some” Australians conduct them-

selves when in Thailand.

Given the lack of respect for themselves and everyone else I am surprised that the numbers are so low. Yes, I am Australian.

Cazna

Family man much missed [Re. Patong community mourns much-loved Phuket expat] I didn’t know this man, but I saw him many times when dropping/picking up my daughter at Kajonkiet school.

He looked like a devoted dad and family man to me – someone who really loved his kids.

So sad to see him gone..

Michael James Riley

Time to learn the lingo

[Re. Crackdown begins on illegal foreigners in Phuket] According to the UN, 400 hours training in any language is enough to speak fairly and 1,000 hours is needed to speak fluently.

In order to stop the influx of too many foreigners, it would be good that Thailand make compulsory a Thaitest in speaking, reading and writing before getting a work-permit.

They do it in the US,Canada, UK, Germany and France, so why not in Thailand?

Whistle-Blower

An honest mistake?

[Re. Honest Phuket van driver returns B120,000] On his way to the airport with B120,000! leonoa

Have a question about Phuket you want answered? Email managingeditor@thephuketnews.com

have common meeting places, such as temples, schools, public parks and other traditional spaces. These can help strengthen the harmony of communities.

Each community should also consider choosing a prominent activity to be an additional focus, such as fishing, tourism, cultural conservation, local tradition and so on.

Lastly, District Administration Organisations have a major role in taking care of their community’s budget and overall well-being.

Everyone has a direct responsibility to take care of the happiness of everyone else in their community. As locals know their own problems best, they know what needs to be improved or changed.

If the District Administration Organisation can solve these problems in a transparent way, the leader will be respected by its members and the community at large.

In sum, all of these are the strong foundations that can lead to lead to strong communities.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Crackdown begins on illegal foreigners in Phuket Australian sisters recount horror boat ordeal Patong community mourns much-loved expat Phuket boat ordeal owne r s d e s c rib e accident as ‘force majeure’ Russian man found dead in Phuket Phuket police housing scandal back in the spotlight Honest Phuket van driver returns B120,000 Australian remains in hospital following boating mishap Doctor at loss to explain Russian death Rohingya baby born in refugee boat

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

POWERED BY

A student’s telling tale of family and loss

‘Tony Soprano’ makes his mark in Zero Dark Thirty

05

17

THE HEAT IS ON

Jody Houton gets spiritual with the founder of Bikram Hot Yoga > 2

Photo: danmilesmedia

2 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

Some like it hot I Photo: danmilesmedia

Jody Houton meets yoga celebrity Bikram Choudury Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

I keep people alive in every way, physically, mentally, sexually. I have a student who is 103 years old. I had a student whose heart was 98 per cent clogged until he started doing Bikram Yoga

first interviewed Bikram Choudury in 2010, when he was in Phuket to deliver a session of his unique brand of hot yoga at his Kathu studio.

Things were going well until I constructed a rather lazy and obvious question as to the definition of spirituality.

As a relatively young Westerner, this was my fall-back question to a yogi, my go-to area when my rudimentary knowledge of yoga had expired and my eyes had begun to glaze over.

Bikram sensed this, fixed me with a stare, and then dismissed the question with a shake of the hand, “I don’t talk about such things with white people.

There’s no spirituality in the Western world.

“You guys just have to follow me with this. If I want to learn how to build an air plane, I’ll come to you guys, but your life, your spirituality, your inner happiness – you have to come to me.”

Instead of causing the interview to take an awkward turn, it had rather the opposite effect.

I had to agree with Bikram to a certain extent, and told him that at least when it came to Eastern religion, practices and spiritual expression – regardless of how many beads are worn, incense sticks are lit, George Harrison experimental albums are listened to, and yoga postures are struck – I, and perhaps by extension most of the white Western community, was still very much sitting in the dark.

I enjoyed that afternoon with the Beverly Hills-dwelling, American celebrityinstructing yogi immensely. The fact that I later discovered he drove a Ferrari and wore a Rolex only seemed to be at odds with what I perceived to be yoga spiritualism, but what did I know?

When I heard that Bikram was returning to Phuket last month (Bikram Yoga has seen rapid growth in Thailand, having recently opened its first school in Samui, which comes on top of three in Bangkok, one in Chiang Mai, and the Phuket centre), I was eager to meet up with him once again.

Seeking the truth As I arrived at the location we had arranged for the interview – a rented house in Kathu – he was laid out on a leather coach, listening to music by Snoop Dogg.

Pleasantly, Bikram says he remembers me and, in reference to my “spirituality question”, tells me with a smile “You know, life is too short, I don’t really have time to waste.”

Indeed he doesn’t – the day before our meeting he was in Tokyo, a few days before that in Seoul.

This is a man who was more or less single-handedly responsible for exporting yoga and its practices to the Western world in the 1970s. A man who has imparted his wisdom to the likes of Quincy Jones, Richard Nixon, George Harrison, and, more recently, Andy Murray and Bill Clinton.

“This is my life,” the yogi says, “I am constantly travelling around the world.

Around three new Bikram Hot Yoga centres open every day. In the last six months I have been extremely busy.”

At 67 years old, the Calcutta native shows now signs of slowing down. On a recent visit to Santiago, Chile to open a Bikram centre – his first visit to South America – he wanted to give his students something extra.

“I used to do 24-hour yoga sessions – a six hour seminar, an eight hour posture clinic, a regular class, and then book signings and meet and greets,” Bikram says.

“But ever since 2008, I only really do seminars, but as it was my first time in South America and there were over 600 people there, so I didn’t want to disappoint them.

“I did a class from midnight to 3.30am.

It was great.”

There are now thousands of Bikram Yoga centres around the world, with the large bulk of them in the U.S where Bikram has lived since arriving on the invitation of President Nixon in 1973. The former president was suffering from phlebitis (an inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs).

It’s a place that he still has mixed feelings about.

“In L.A, where I live now, they are very health conscious, but mentally I believe a lot of Americans are sick people, that’s why they need Bikram yoga more than anything else.

PEOPLE 3

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 “They [Americans] have more crime than anywhere else, more drugs, more everything. You name it, they have it. I like American people, they are good to others, but are just bad to themselves.”

Bikram tells me how his American students get 100 per cent of the physical benefits from his classes, but don’t benefit philosophically, and certainly not spiritually.

“They have no idea, but my job is not to tell them how bad they are. My job is to show them how good they are and how good they can be.

“I tell them that their life can be much better, if they just modify, adjust and rejuvenate themselves a little bit.

“Part of the problem is that their culture is completely dependent on money, so I do try and teach them humanitarianism and spirituality.”

One way to enlightenment

In the 50-plus years that Bikram has been teaching yoga, Westerners have wholeheartedly embraced the Indian discipline, and thousands of classes are taught every day in cities around the world.

But for the self-proclaimed “old fashioned yogi”, there still is only one comprehensive technique and yoga style.

“Ninety-eight per cent of the world who do yoga do Bikram Yoga. I have researched all my life to create the system from A-Z.” For Bikram, the importance of his invention of the 26-posture system cannot be understated.

“I keep people alive in every way, physically, mentally, sexually. I have a student who is 103 years old. I had a student whose heart was 98 per cent clogged until he started doing Bikram Yoga. Scientists can’t explain it, students can’t explain it.”

And how does Bikram Choudhury explain it? He does so with a smile and a cock-back of the head, “It just works.”

As with any successful enterprise, there have been no shortage of sceptics of Bikram Hot Yoga over the years, with many detractors questioning the health benefits of subjecting bodies to 40°C temperatures for extended periods of time.

Many professors who conduct research into extreme temperatures and heat stroke and heat-related deaths recommend people avoid the exact conditions that hot yoga induces.

Studies have revealed that if someone’s core temperature rises to a dangerous level, it can lead to a rapid deterioration of organs, coma or even death.

A date with the master

I attend the official Bikram seminar the next day at the Bikram Hot Yoga Centre in Kathu, where the room is packed with Westerners who hang on Bikram’s every word during his 2.5 hour session (in true

Bikram style, this is an hour over the scheduled time).

It’s fascinating to see Bikram at work, whether during the yoga classes, leading a seminar – where he repeated many of the ideas, phrases and statistics that he had said to me during our private interview – or being interviewed.

He commands every situation easily and convincingly, through well-practiced body language, the carefully chosen use of motivational speech phrases and speech patterns.

Because of this and the obvious adulation of his devotees and followers, Bikram often turns preconceptions and ideas on their head and seems to delight in doing so.

At one point during his seminar, he breaks off and points out that he is wearing a US$650,000 Rolex watch and asks the audience how much they think he paid for it.

Before anyone can formulate a reply, he answers – “It was free, they just gave it to me.”

For guests who were perhaps then waiting for an analogy to follow about how worthless it actually is, how the soul has no need of such material possessions, they were going to be waiting a long time.

“People want to give things to Bikram.

They want to use Bikram’s name,” he says.

While he does go on to say life is priceless, Bikram obviously still values material things, rather a lot.

It’s again apparent when he later uses the analogy of a Ferrari during a speech about the limitations, capabilities and functions of the human body.

“What’s the point of having a Ferrari if you only drive it at 10mph to your office and back? And then drive it 10mph back to your home?

“You want to know how to drive a Ferrari?” he poses, before again answering his own question. “You take it on Highway 6 in L.A. at 2am in the morning.”

He lets that image hang in the air for a few minutes, and then moves on, leaving those assembled scratching their heads as to whether there was a deeper meaning to his words, or if Bikram really does just like to drive his sports car very fast in pre-dawn California.

The legacy of Bikram

One of his biggest accomplishments he tells me is the soon-to-open department dedicated to the research and practising of Bikram Yoga at Harvard University – before swiftly correcting himself.

“Actually, no that’s wrong, my biggest achievement is what we’re currently working on – we’re going to have our own Bikram University in L.A. “It’s going to be like a retirement home, but I’ll keep them busy for 15 hours a day.

I’ll keep them alive. Bikram will keep them going.”

Bikram refers to himself in the third person a lot, which begs the question as to who Bikram really is: a brand or person?

Or perhaps both? And how long will he be able to keep going?

These are questions that can perhaps not be answered. At least, not by this white man.

In L.A, where I live now, they are very health conscious, but mentally I believe a lot of Americans are sick people, that’s why they need Bikram yoga more than anything else

Bikram Yoga sessions are conducted in an artificially-heated room, warmed to 40.6°C and with a humidity of 40 per cent.

It incorporates a series of 26 copyrighted postures throughout a 90-minute class.

4 ARTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

Model charged in art heist

A

former Romanian model, charged in connection with the October theft of seven masterpieces from a Dutch museum, admitted he saw two of the paintings after they were taken, his lawyer said on January 30.

But more than three months after the spectacular heist, the whereabouts of all the paintings are still unknown.

“My client saw the two paintings when another person tried to sell them to a potential buyer, Constantin Dinescu,” Catalin Dancu said after his client, Petre Condrat, was heard by prosecutors.

The works that were offered for sale in Romania were a Matisse and a Gauguin, prosecutors said last week.

Condrat, who is currently the assistant of well-known Romanian fashion designer Catalin Botezatu, was charged with receiving stolen goods but set free pending the investigation.

The lawyer said his client had been contacted by his friend Radu Dogaru who asked him to find a buyer for the paintings.

Dogaru, one of three suspects arrested last week for ‘complicity to aggravated theft’ in the case, told Condrat the paintings came from France.

“The meeting took place at Mr Dinescu’s house. My client met there with an art expert and with the man who wanted to sell the two paintings,” Dancu said.

“When he went there my client did

Photo: Andrzej Otrębski

Museum: art buffs in the buff welcome

V

Monet’s ‘Waterloo Bridge’, one of the masterpieces stolen in October. not know the paintings had been stolen,” he added.

It was only when the pictures were identified by the expert and the potential buyer that Condrat “realised something was wrong,” Dancu said.

The sales did not go through.

Following the spectacular heist, which gripped the Netherlands and the art world, Dutch police released grainy security camera footage of the theft,

which took place around 3am.

The footage showed two apparently young males entering and leaving the Kunsthal museum in central Rotterdam within barely 90 seconds.

The seven masterpieces, estimated at between US$135 million and US$270 million include Picasso’s Tete d’Arlequin, Monet’s Waterloo Bridge and Lucian Freud’s Woman with Eyes Closed. AFP

ienna’s Leopold Museum said on February 1 that visitors are welcome to strip off at a special nudist night later this month and admire its popular ‘Nude Men’ exhibition as nature intended.

“As there were several requests from nudist associations we decided to give this opportunity to all lovers of the Freikoerperkultur, the Free Body Culture,” spokesman Klaus Pokorny said.

“Our museum will be a clothesfree zone for one evening on February 18,” he said by email. “Nudists, naturists are welcome!”

The Leopold recently extended its ‘Nude Men’ exhibition to run until March 4 after it proved to be a major hit, helping visitor numbers at the museum rise by nearly a fifth in 2012. AFP

GIFT OF ABSTRACT ART Thai-born/Amsterdam-based artist Chavalit Soem-

prungsuk offered the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort his marvellous piece of art from the “27th Asian International Art Exhibition” on January 17.

BEAUTY NEVER DIES “In time of youth the lady admires herself in the mir-

ror, in time of dissolution, she still sees only her youthful self” From ‘Aura of Dissolution - Hanging sculptures by Mom Tri’ - running at the VR Gallery until April 2.

EDUCATION 5

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8 2013FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

A student’s biggest decision Taarika Khanijow editor@thephuketnews.com

Taarika Khanijow is a 14-year-old student from British International School. On February 1 she attended the Junior Dublin Literary Awards for Thailand in Bangkok.

She won the Southern Region placement and a B10,000 prize. Here, The Phuket News publishes Taarika’s winning story.

Above right: BIS student Taarika Khanijow with her mother Renu at the Junior Dublin Literary Awards for Thailand in Bangkok.

I

am a girl who follows the Indian Sikh religion. My hair is a big part of me.

One of the most important causes (in our religion) is not to cut your hair. Sikhism had taught us not to cut our hair because it is our identity. Neither man nor woman could cut it, but then again, nobody followed the rules anymore. I had to live by it since my parents did and so did my brother.

For 14 years of my life it was long, thick and accentuated my every feature. For some reason I couldn’t see it that way; maybe it was because society had beat me down with insults, harsh ones.

People would give me strange looks and my friends always tried to sway my decision of keeping it and that would always make me feel insecure about myself. For years, it carried on, and the pressure was getting too much for me. I decided to stray from my way. I had enough, and I cut my hair.

I just lost control and did it for myself, hoping that it would change me into becoming a stronger person; I was wrong. Nobody understood that it wasn’t only my choice but my family’s, and my religion stood against it.

I still remember the day I cut it. Sunday March 4th at about 1am. I was arguing with my mom about our beliefs, and that’s when I had enough. I stomped to my room, and my long beautiful hair disappeared.

After a few snips it was shoulder length.

That was the minute that my dad walked in after his vacation. He took one look at me and started screaming; we were all in tears moments after that. People think it’s just hair but I understand now that it was a part of me.

I was really deluded. I thought after cutting my hair all the people would stop talking about me, instead, it was the opposite. After the cut everything changed. The next day when I went to school, instead of people who were supposed to be in awe of getting their wish, they tried to change me even more.

I received comments like “ Gosh, what did you do?’, “Why?’, “You shouldn’t change it”. I made the mistake of changing myself for someone else, but it seems like the more you change the more they find faults in you, and never again will I ever change for someone else.

People started whispering behind my back, spreading gossip about me. My parents themselves were ashamed of me – for the first time ever, and that hurt me a lot. After a few days, I just wished that I never did anything. Having short hair just wasn’t worth the pain that I gave to my family; I wasn’t worth it.

The worst thing about what I did was probably that my family was torn. My brother who I looked up to with so much pride stopped talking to me for almost a week straight. The only time that he would even look at me was

THEY’RE JUST SINGING IN THE RAIN Teachers from the OrBorJor Banmaireab school, Wisanu Koranee and Edward Cameron (pictured together above), sing in the rain during a fundraising event for the school on January 24. Over B325,000 was raised at the event, and is likely to be spent on CCTV at the school along with video filming and editing equipment for the school’s IT department.

when I did something wrong, and even then all he would do was yell at me.

My mom was completely shattered, she could barely even look at me without tears forming in her eyes; it would break my heart.

My dad barely spoke to me. He was the most collected, but he spoke to me in a tone filled with disappointment. It was the hardest week of my life.

I didn’t know how to cope with all of the tension in the house, so I turned to what every teenager would try, self-harming. I tried to cut myself to take some of the pain away. After I cut, I felt myself laughing – laughing at my stupidity. I thought to myself, why on earth did I do that?

I laughed so hard till I cried, and that laughter reminded me that there was still hope for everything to go back to normal, so I laughed and kept on laughing for the whole night. I thought to myself that the next day will be better for all of us, and for once I was right.

I tried putting a positive attitude in life and soon enough my parents came around and so did my brother. They made me promise that I would never cut again, and I smiled. I wasn’t going to go through all of that again.

Till this day my hair is still a problem, but barely. The whispers died down and so have the rumours about me. I feel like I have learned so much more about life. If I could wish for anything in the world it would be to go back in time and stop myself from a mistake like this.

I know now that it wasn’t the only biggest decision of my life, but the worst one I have ever made.

6 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

Syringes, surgery and slaps Apilaporn Vechakij

Khunyingtobnom Na Songkla’s work is also extremely lucrative, charging B18,000 for two 15 minute sessions covering one breast each and a premium face-slapping service – which she claims can induce slimness – costing about B30,000

F

rom breast-slapping and gold thread face-lifts, to vaginal whitening soaps and olive oil penis enlargements, image obsessed Thais are going to ever increasing extremes in the quest for beauty.

The colourful self-proclaimed pioneer of breast-slapping says her unusual technique allows clients to boost their bust by at least one bra size without surgery.

“This is the beauty by nature – one million per cent guaranteed,” the eccentric 46-year-old, who has changed her name to Khunyingtobnom or Madam breast-slapper, said.

Her work is also extremely lucrative, charging B18,000 for two 15 minute sessions covering one breast each and a premium face-slapping service – which she claims can induce slimness – costing about B30,000.

Having slapped her customers for 28 years, Khunyingtobnom said that her own small breasts prompted her late-grandmother to pass on the little-known art, which she applies to about 20 customers each day.

In a country where ideals of beauty carry particular weight, even in notoriously image-conscious Asia, it is not only women who are seeking to enhance what nature has provided.

Alarmingly high numbers of Thai men inject olive oil, beeswax, silicone and even paraffin into their genitals, in a misguided bid to enlarge their penises, according to one Bangkok urologist.

Skin lesions or serious infections are commonly the result, said Surat Kittisupaporn of the Police General Hospital, which sees up to 300 patients a month after botched penis treatments.

“The body reacts to the foreign substances. When there is chronic irritation or infection, it’ll be very hard to cure... it’ll be hard to even walk or take a shower,” he said, making surgery inevitable.

In the worst case, Surat was forced to remove a 50-year-old man’s genitals in November after he re-

Slapping technique expert Khunyingtobnom Na Songkla performs a breast-slapping at her shop in Bangkok. The breast-slapping pioneer says her unusual technique allows clients to boost their bust size without surgery. Photo: AFP/Nicolas Asfouri peatedly injected olive oil into his penis.

The pursuit of an ideal beauty has a long history in the nation, according to Professor Suwirakorn Ophaswongse, of the Dermatological Society of Thailand.

“It starts from the belief that aristocrats should have white skin and people with dark skin are lower class,” she said.

The influence of Korean pop culture has hastened the pace – and boosted the numbers – of those dashing to the cosmetic surgeon, she said, as Thais now seek to recreate the surgically enhanced, doll-like appeal of their ‘K-pop’ idols.

Illegal, backstreet cosmetic surgery clinics are cashing-in on that desire and increasing the risks.

A product promoter, or a so-called ‘pretty’, died in October when a gel-like filler meant to make her buttocks more shapely was injected into her bloodstream.

Her friend and fellow ‘pretty’, Nutchanunt Angkuttarothum, 25, said the tragedy had not deterred her from further surgery to add to a litany of procedures, including a nose job she has already undergone.

“We have to always take care of ourselves and look good, otherwise we wouldn’t look different from others”, she said after pouting for the cameras at a recent motorcycle launch event in Bangkok.

For women, the quest for bigger eyes, noses, breasts and bums is just one step in a wider bid to transform themselves.

Off-the-shelf skin whitening creams, including vaginal bleaching soaps,

abound in the kingdom with many believing that a lighter skin reflects higher status and is more attractive to the opposite sex.

It is an image of desirability reinforced by the legions of models and actors who adorn Bangkok’s billboards and star in the country’s wildly popular television dramas.

For the city’s strutting elite, known as Hi-Sos (High Society), more upmarket treatments are widely available, for the right price.

Speaking at a upmarket Bangkok clinic, husband and wife Patcharat and Itsaraporn Rattanasuthaphaboon said they have both undergone the costly procedure.

“I used to have wrinkles and dry skin under my eyes but it has been a lot better since I did it last time,” said 51-yearold Itsaraporn.

“It’s okay by me,” her husband said. “I just want my wife to look good.”

The treatment involves strips of nearpure gold being sewn into the skin forming a mesh which stimulates the body to produce collagen, thus keeping the skin supple, says Maciej Lichaj, a Polish gold thread aesthetician at the clinic.

But not everyone is convinced by the scramble to be young, fair-skinned and beautiful.

“People don’t have to be white to be beautiful – good personality, having knowledge and other capacities are much more important,” Professor Suwirakorn said. “It’s better to have beauty from within.” AFP

FOOD SAFETY TRAINING Educating all food handlers to understand the importance of food safety standards.

Our training is highly interactive.

info@foodhygieneasia.com 076 617 692, 081 862 4439 www.foodhygieneasia.com

ENVIRONMENT 7

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Phuket divers pledge: ‘We belong to the sea’

I

Above and right: photos from ‘Scuba Diving for Cleaning’ with Go-Eco Phuket last December on Environmental Day – the second day of the Phuket Carnival, 2012.

n a double bid to clean the waters of Patong and raise awareness of the damaging shark finning trade, Patong-based Scuba Cat Diving company is hosting a ‘Dive Against Debris’ and ‘Get Swimming to End Shark Finning’ (Finathon) event on February 16, around Paradise Reef nearby Patong.

The event, named ‘We Belong to the Sea’, spotlights scuba divers’ unique ability to tackle global marine debris and shark finning issues, and to protect the ocean’s environment and marine life for future generations.

Event participants, including divers and non-divers, will meet at 9.30am at the Scuba Cat Diving shop in Patong’s Kee Plaza, and from there will make their way to Patong Pier before leaving for Paradise Reef, where they will take part in various sea-cleaning and awareness-raising activities.

Trained divers from Scuba Cat will not only remove underwater debris such as trash, fishing lines, bottles and cans, but also identify and document everything in a effort to prevent marine debris.

There will also be a sponsored swim to

Pet

My name is Sapparot and I had to find a home. A farang lady took me to her place and we are very happy together. I’m a model, as everyone can see in the photo and I like to sleep on my back.

Want to see your pet here? Email your photo to editor1@thephuketnews.com

raise public awareness of shark finning problems.

“Scuba Cat understands its responsibility to work with divers to address marine debris and shark finning issues locally, as well as contribute to the global view of ocean nature protection,” says Ms Sarah Kench, general manager of Scuba Cat Diving.

Along with divers from around the world, Scuba Cat are demanding a permanent reduction in, and prevention of, the garbage that the general public creates, which damages sensitive marine ecosystems.

Scuba Cat Diving is also aiming to raise awareness of the inhumane slaughtering of thousands of sharks every year for their fins – often used in Chinese soups and medicines.

The company is confident it can make a difference by hosting such events, partly because they are not working alone.

“Scuba Cat is committed to working together with Go Eco Phuket, Reef Check and Project AWARE to protect the reefs and marine life in the Andaman to preserve them for future divers,” said Debbie Woods, customer service manager of Scuba Cat Diving.

For more information on We Belong To The Sea, contact Mr Quang Nguyen at 090-701-0318 or email quangnguyen.scubacat@gmail.com For additional information on Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris and Finathon programmes, or to to join the global movement for ocean protection, visit projectaware.org

Thai policeman caught with 20 elephant tusks

A

Thai policeman has been arrested after he was caught trying to smuggle 20 elephant tusks, officials said on February 3.

The haul was discovered when the suspect, in plain clothes but driving a police van, was stopped at a checkpoint in the southern province of Chumphon, “We found 10 pairs of elephant tusks in the van and charged him with illegal possesThe policeman was found with 20 tusks. Photo: Fir0002 sion of elephant tusks, which he confessed to during the inpraised the latest seizure as a “valiant vestigation,” Police Colonel Chalard act of fighting corruption to protect Polnakarn said. wildlife”.

The origin of the tusks was unclear.

“We need more officers like them International trade in elephant to fight this new form of transnational ivory, with rare exceptions, has been organised crime,” Freeland director outlawed since 1989.

Steven Galster said in a statement.

But a rise in the illegal trade in Freeland said that in the past year ivory has been fuelled by demand in Asia and the Middle East, where elthousands of tusks had been seized as ephant tusks are used in traditional they were smuggled into Asia from Afmedicines and to make ornaments. rica due to ‘rampant elephant poachConservationists say ivory from ing’.

Africa is often smuggled into Thailand It comes as Thailand prepares to and passed off as coming from Thai elephants, as a legal loophole allows the host the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild legal trade in ivory from domesticated Flora and Fauna (CITES) in Bangkok elephants.

Wildlife campaign group Freeland in March. AFP

8 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

Ich bin ein faranger Claire Connell meets Berlin-based chef Tim Raue

N

ot many chefs boast of spending more than seven hours preparing carrot puree.

But German chef Tim Raue doesn’t do the expected – in his eponymous Berlin restaurant he’s ditched Western cuisine in favour of a blend of Chinese, Thai and Japanese flavours.

Last weekend he hosted a dinner as the guest chef at Trisara. The sixcourse Asian style dinner was entirely seafood-based, and featured no noodles, rice, starch or carbs – the chef’s signature style.

Mr Raue opened up his restaurant two years ago at Checkpoint Charlie, the famous Berlin Wall crossing point between Communist East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. “For the natives of Berlin, this was a place where you can do everything, so as a native of Berlin cooking Asian food, this was the right spot [for me] to open.”

Last year the restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars, the most recent in a long line of awards.

Mr Raue developed a passion for Asian food after visiting Thailand, China and Japan, and since then has honed his skills by reading “every English cookbook” about the three cuisines.

“I mix the flavours of Thai with the long-lasting techniques of Chinese.

Japanese is pure and very simple and fresh, but it has a lack of taste and flavours, so I mix all three.

“We have a huge community of Thai people in Berlin. It’s about 45,000 people, and our luck is that Thai cargo are delivering fresh Thai food every week to Berlin. The quality of morning glory and other items is very good.”

However he denies his dishes are “fusion”.

“Fusion sounds to me like you have a stupid European guy who takes a scallop, puts a piece of lemongrass through it, and grills it. I try to mix it together and give it soul – Asian soul. I have a deeper understanding of it.

“I don’t call it fusion, because I studied it for many years. It took four years, from the first moment I fell in love with

German chef Tim Raue, left, and Antoine Melon, Trisara Resort Manager.

Asian cuisine until I created the first dish with this concept.

“Thai chefs are traditional. They make the dish the way they learn it, and don’t improve it much. They might serve it a new way, but the dish in itself is the same.

“I have the opportunity to mix it up, because I have no roots in Asia. Therefore I have the opportunity to do whatever I want.”

A good example is his take on the traditional Chinese dish of steamed fish, leek and ginger: sea bass, duck stock, bok choy, and marmalade jus to “bring some sweetness in”.

“The most important thing about this dish is the stock. The stock must be long lasting in the flavouring and on the pallet, and that can only be found when you’re cooking duck feet.

“The feet don’t have much meat, and

Above, seabass with vintage soy sauce, duck stock, bok choy and yuzu. Right, dessert of yuzu (citrus fruit), avocado, blueberry, coriander sherbert and violet.

have long lasting flavours. I also use a vintage soy sauce from Japan, which is 1,700 euro [B68,000] per litre.

“This is the usual Chinese dish – my way.”

At the Trisara dinner, most in attendance agreed that the standout dish of the night was the Phuket lobster. Mr Raue served it on a carrot puree,with plenty of butter and passionfruit.

“For the puree, you buy the smallest carrots because those are the most tasty. The you marinate them with ancient mandarin peels which are older than five years. Then you vaccumise them, and cook them for six hours.”

Mr Raue then blends the carrots for one hour, which he says gives a wider range on the pallet of both mandarin and carrot.

Is he ridiculous, spending so much time making a simple dish as carrot

puree?

“It looks very easy – if you see a spoonful of it, you think it is easy to do – but the steps behind it are interesting, and this is what we try to do.

“It is simple, but this is what I am – simple and flavourful.”

He’s been a chef since age 16, when he left school and started a chef apprenticeship. At 23 he was already a head chef, but says he was only promoted because he was a great manager.

At 28 he became executive chef – essentially the director of the kitchen.

“But I thought, if you’re the director of the kitchen, you must be able to cook, and I didn’t have very good skills. So I trained myself and got my restaurant’s first [Michelin] star. I tried to go one step back and be a head chef with a lot of passion, and that works well.”

When he was awarded the “Chef of the Year” in 2007 by the French GaultMillau guide, he was working at the Swissotel.

“That for me was my break. I was cooking modern French and Spanish food, with a touch of Asia. Then I thought I cannot do it any longer, I have to switch. From that day on I wanted to do what I was passionate about.”

So he quit the Swissotel, and started at a different restaurant. Mr Raue stripped rice, noodles and carbs from the menu. Then made all the dairy products lactose free, no white sugar, and no gluten.

“The idea was to try and service all the people who have food allergies and dietary requirements, and it was very successful.”

The concept was such a hit that he decided to open his own restaurant with his wife, specialising in his own Asian style cooking.

Since the Tim Raue restaurant opened it has become one of the top restaurants in Berlin. There are plans to open another in a few months.

“My cooking style is the flavours of Thai, the purism of Japan, and the soul of China. I never wanted to make fusion, I wanted to make something where I could explain the story.”

DINING 9

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

A quiet spot in the shade Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

Clockwise from above: tom yum goong (B160), the interior of B Shady restaurant; owner Passamon “Ying” Nitisivijittra; the salmon fillet.

B

Shady, as the name gives away, is situated under a very large tree on Montree Road, in Phuket Town.

The restaurant is owned by Passamon “Ying” Nitisivijittra, who opened the spot five years ago. It is situated directly in front of the Sino House Phuket Hotel and Apart-

ment.

Born in Phuket, Ying moved to Bangkok when she was 13. She later studied at university in the capital, where she trained as a special education teacher.

But she always loved restaurants and dining, so decided to return home to open her own with the help of her architect husband “Naw”.

The couple wanted the restaurant to be a comfortable hangout, with a natural look. It is fair to say they have easily accomplished this, creating a lovely outdoor dining experience.

B Shady is actually the couple’s second restaurant – the first being Yarumba pub (located near Kor Tor Mor, but since closed).

“I love food,” says Ying. “I always like going to other restaurants to explore their menu and get new ideas.”

It seems she has no shortage of ideas, with over 200 items on the menu. Dishes range in price from B65 to B399, with most dishes around a reasonable B150.

From the Western side of the menu, highlights include the beef tenderloin with

roast potato and pepper sauce (B290); grilled chicken breast with stuffed spinach croquette (B250); and the pork chop with apple sauce (B220).

Thai signature dishes are the Andaman seafood hot pan (B120), where seafood is stirfriend in garlic sauce, and the steamed pork or beef soup for B90 or B95.

Sound tempting? Then it’s time to pull up a seat at this homely Phuket Town restaurant, and find your own place in the shade.

B Shady, 1 Montree Rd, Phuket Town.

Open daily 6pm-11.30pm. 081 797 1149.

Bubbles Brunch Sunday 24th February

IN THE PINK The first Barbie-themed restaurant opened in Taiwan in January, catering to fans of the iconic doll. US toymaker Mattel has licensed Taiwan’s restaurant group Sinlaku to operate the island’s Barbie Cafe. Photo: AFP/Sam Yeh

Enjoy another exquistly innovative and unique Paresa dining experience, from our award winning Executive Chef, Ryan Arboleda, with our six course brunch matched with Villa Sandi bubbles.

1800 ++ per person, 1100 - 1500 Sunday 24th February 2013.

Reservations are essential!

49 Moo 6 Layi Nakalay Rd | Kamala | Phuket | 07630 2000 fbd@paresaresor ts.com | www.paresaresorts.com

10 DINING GUIDE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013 List your restaurant here: call 076 612 550 or email sales@thephuketnews.com

EUROPEAN

INTERNATIONAL

ITALIAN

SEAFOOD

Bodega & Grill

Weaves Restaurant

Acqua

Trisara Seafood

Bodega & Grill is situated on a picturesque patio by the lagoon. The restaurant serves premium char-grilled steaks and seafood from a wood-fired oven, as well as authentic homemade pastas, risottos and paellas. Bodega’s generous steaks are available in portions of up to 1.2 kilogram. Angsana Laguna Phuket, Cherngtalay; 076 324 101

Watch the evening sunlit ocean in the lavish and contemporary ambient atmosphere that is the Weaves restaurant. With its intimate low lit private dining, Weaves serves a variety of delectable Asian and International fusion cuisine, rich enticing desserts and tropical blended refreshments. Manathai Resort Phuket, Surin Beach, 076 270 900

Connoisseurs of fine cuisine can revel in Acqua’s experiential concept. The Acqua restaurant experience promises to deliver only the freshest of ingredients, sourced from only the best producers both local and international. Taste explosions from the portfolio of Chef Alessandro Frau, of both traditional & contemporary are offered. Kalim Bay-Patong, 076 618 127

The first truly world-class destination seafood dining experience on Phuket. A private entrance leads guests either to an outdoor, beachfront deck or to the cool, relaxed interior. The menu is a balance between local and imported seafood prepared and served in a Mediterranean way.

Lunch 12.30pm-3pm, Dinner 7pm-10.30pm (Closed Sundays). Trisara, 076 310 100

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Irish Times

Art Caffè

RE KÁ TA Beach Club

Enjoy fine dining with panoramic sea views in sensually indulgent setting. Delicious Thai and European creations are served on the open-air terrace. Mom Tri’s Villa Royale is the winner of the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. Situated on the only road into to Kata Noi Beach.

Reservations recommended. momtriphuket .com; 076 333 568

The only Irish owned and managed Irish Pub in Phuket. A real Irish Pub at the heart of Phuket’s world famous nightlife. In this traditionally styled Irish pub you will find a very warm welcome from the Management and their fantastic staff. All your favourite Irish food and beverages. Jungceylon, Patong Beach; irishtimespub-phuket.com

The idea of Art Caffè comes from the need to have a place to stop and enjoy something different. Meet friends, exchange ideas, propose initiatives, organizing events or reflect only reading, watching and perhaps enjoying a good cup of coffee. The exhibition space is an affront to the repetitiveness of the artistic culture of the island. Naiharn-Saiyuan Road, 076 388 546

The beachfront restaurant off­ers modern innovative cuisine with a strong focus on seafood.

In the evening RE KÁ TA transforms with Kata’s magical sunsets and cool sounds along with the delicious drinks and tapas, right on the beach.

Open daily 6.30am-11pm; Kata Beach (next to Boathouse); info@rekataphuket.com, rekata phuket.com, 076 330 421

Tablespoon Salad & Grill

Super Natural

DaVinci

Baan Kalim Restaurant & Seafood

Discover newest stylish restaurant in modern vintage setting. Creative and unique salad and grill menus are served while you experience a delectable dining in romantic and intimate atmosphere with a reasonable price tag.

Open 11am-10pm. 2nd Floor, HomePro Village, Chalong; 076 383 244

Super Food deserves a Super Location. SuperNatural and more. The only waterfront restaurant in Phuket serving exciting raw vegetarian cuisine in addition to our delicious seafood, Thai and International menu. Great selection of fresh to order juices & smoothies, as well as great wines and chilled beers.

Open 365 days a year. Facebook Supernatural -Phuket, 2.5km south of Chalong Circle.

Great food and people you know! Authentic Italian cuisine in Nai Harn area. Three different dining areas, cocktail lounge, children’s play area, Delicatessen, live music....DaVinci is not just a meal, it is an experience of taste, atmosphere and more. Restaurant open daily 5pm-11.30pm; Deli open 11am-6pm; Sunday close; Naiharn 076 289 574. davinciphuket.com

Start your evening with delicious food and fine wine. Pick the perfect spot to take in stunning views of Patong bay, as the evening breeze surrounds you. Relax and enjoy live music to make your evening into that truly wonderful and unforgettable dining experience. Open daily 11am-Midnight. Patong; baankalim.com; baankalimrestaurant@hotmail.com, 076 618 125

FRENCH

Gallery Cafe by Pinky

Diavolo

THAI

Breeze Restaurant

Baan Vijitt Restaurant

Phuket’s most exciting new restaurant is situated on the waterfront at Cape Yamu. Chef Cheryl Johnson is providing diners with her innovative modern French interpretations of local ingredients. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, and from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch. Our menus change frequently. Cape Yamu, Paklok, 081 271 2320

Gallery Cafe by Pinky proudly present to you cafe food at its best. Whether you’re looking for an excellent breakfast or a quick light lunch or dinner plus an outstanding range of fine wines or cocktails. A homemade cake or freshly roasted premium coffee.

Open everyday from 8am - 10pm. Rassada Road, Phuket Town. Facebook page ‘Gallery cafe by Pinky‘. www.gallerycafe-phuket.com, 089 103 7000

Tre by DoublePool Villas

Sala Bua Restaurant

An array of culinary experiences is offered to tempt and intrigue in Tre - the exclusive contemporary French Vietnamese restaurant set among the superb surroundings of the DoublePool Villas. Tre’s signatures dishes include scallops and green apples and tartar with pan-fried foie gras. Banyan Tree Phuket, Cherngtalay; banyantree.com

Sit alfresco to embrace the view of Andaman Sea and enjoy an elegant dining experience, where the art of cooking is personally steered by the newly arrived Executive Chef, Hans Engerer. There are many great dishes to whet your appetite, ranging from the East to the West.

Open daily 6am to 12 midnight. Patong Beach, www.impiana.com; 076 340 138

A menu of modern Mediterranean influences created by Chef Ryan to tantalize the senses in a modern ambience. Offering everything from fresh seafood pastas to simple good pizzas. An impressive selection of well priced beverages and stunning sea views complete the experience. Open daily for lunch or dinner. Paresa Resort, Kamala Beach; 076 302 000

JAPANESE Tamarind Restaurant

To complement an already distinctive cuisine, Tamarind is bringing to the island high quality authentic Japanese cuisine, courtesy of Master Chef Shiraishi. Gracing our Japanese menu will be fresh sushi, sashimi, healthy salads, yakitori and tempura and much more. Tamarind is your ultimate destination to savour the best Japanese cuisine in Phuket. Cherngtalay; banyantree.com

A half-century old Sino-Portuguese style house at The Vijitt Resort Phuket offers a unique authentic experience of Thai cuisine with a focus on regional specialties. Thai Select Premium Award certifies the quality and standard of product and service here. The Vijitt Resort Phuket, Rawai; fb@vijittresort.com, 076 363 600

Talung Thai

The restaurant has a stunning sunset location, offering views of the Andaman Sea. The menu of southern Thai specialties and true local dishes, are not seen on many other restaurant menus in Phuket. Chill with a cocktail from our award wining mixologist at sunset and then relax with authentic Thai cuisine. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paresa Resort, Kamala; 076 302 000

WEIRD WORLD 11

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

THE BIG LIST Famous Last Meals Eating is our first and finest defence in the life-long game against the Grim Reaper, but everyone has to lose in the end. Here are a few of the last meals enjoyed by some of history’s rich, famous, unlucky, or gluttonous.

Feasts for pharaohs: The kings of Ancient Egypt took their last meal with them to the tomb – the idea was they would eat it when reincarnated as gods in the afterlife. The 3,000-year old tomb of Tutankhamen escaped discovery by grave robbers until 1922, replete with the preserved remains of his repast: stuffed geese, roast legs of lamb, half sides of beef, and jars of wine with King Tut’s name on them. Analysis of Tut’s mummified gut found he’d eaten pickled roast beef, two types of bread, and red wine for his last meal as a mortal.

Skip the desert: The last pharoah, Cleopatra, was taken captive by the Roman triumvir Octavian after his armies defeated the rebel Marc Anthony, Cleopatra’s lover, in 30 BCE. Cleopatra had earlier seduced Octavian’s adopted dad, Julius Caesar, and her children with Caesar and Anthony threatened Octavian’s rule. Rather than go to Rome as a prisoner, she held a feast for her ladies and an old woman brought a basket of figs to the door. The basket was passed through by the Roman sentries, but it hid the venomous snake – an asp – that Cleopatra used to take her life.

The king of buns: 18th Century Swedish King Adolf Frederick is known to Swedish children as “the king who ate himself to death.” In 1771, to celebrate his first 20 years on the throne, he ordered an extravagant feast at which he consumed repeated servings of lobster, caviar, sauerkraut, kippers and champagne – followed by no less than 14 servings of his favourite desert: a sweet cream bun, semla, served with hot milk. He died of digestive problems a few hours later.

A little ice in your drink?

At the height of the Age of Luxury Liners, the passengers on the last voyage of the Titanic at least enjoyed a bang-up meal before their ordeal. The firstclass menus for the night of the ship’s 1912 impact with an iceberg details a ten-course meal, including: oysters, poached salmon, filet mignons, saute chicken, roast lamb and mint sauce, roast duckling, beef sirloin and chateau potatoes, and pate de foie gras, with Waldorf pudding, peaches in chartreuse jelly, and eclairs for desert. Second-class passengers didn’t do quite so well. Their fare included: tapioca, baked haddock, curried chicken with rice, roast spring lamb, roast turkey with cranberry sauce, plum pudding and wine jelly.

Well, it’s one for the honey: The King of Rock and Roll was a martyr to very high-calorie food, and his culinary legacy includes the Elvis Sandwich: toasted slices of bread spread with peanut butter, banana, bacon and honey, fried in a pan. For breakfast Elvis would eat a pound of bacon, a six-egg omelette, potatoes, cheese burgers and biscuits, and for a snack he munched on a hollowed-out loaf filled with jam and bacon. Given all this, his last meal before his death on August 15, 1977, was surprisingly light: four scoops of ice cream and six chocolate chip cookies.

Death Row dinners

A

merican artist Julie Green has spent 13 years painting the final meals of death row inmates – so far she’s painted more than 500 “last requests”.

The last meals include everything from cigarettes to pizza and tubs of ice cream.

Hamburgers and fried chicken are common requests.

One painted plate shows a convicted murderer’s first-ever birthday cake, which he ate just before his execution in 2007, after 22 years on death row.

The artist started her “Last Supper” project after moving to Oklahoma, which has the highest number of executions per capita in the United States.

Above: murderer Lawrence Russell Brewer requested chicken steaks, a pound of barbecued meat, a burger, pizza, fajitas, and ice cream - but didn’t eat any of it.

Murderer David Leon Woods (right) ate his firstever birthday cake (left) on the night before he was executed.

Iranians bitten by Space Monkey hoax

I

ran’s space agency has bungled its efforts to assure the world that it didn’t send a cute, cuddly monkey on a terrified one-way rocket trip into fiery oblivion.

When pictures of the terrified creature strapped into its tiny acceleration couch were made public last week, many space scientists noted that the poor animal probably didn’t make it back to earth alive: Iran has rocket technology – which can also be used for weapons – but no known designs for a re-entry vehicle that could keep its passengers alive.

No so, said Iran, which quickly released a second picture, showing what purported to be the healthy animal after its safe return to earth.

But the new photo only stirred ridicule on the interSupposed space monkey Pishgam before (left) and after. net, with people noting the differences between official The differences in the images have only heightened images of the luckless beast before its take-off and after suspicions by international observers that the luckless its landing.

In the first picture, supposedly taken before the monkey had either died in space, or that the rocket carlaunch, the monkey – named Pishgam, the Farsi word rying it had crashed.

But an Iranian space officials has now claimed that for “pioneer” – had light grey fur and a red mole above one of the two photos shows “the wrong monkey” – but its right eye.

The second photograph, supposedly taken after the that Iran really did send a monkey into space and return launch, shows a monkey with darker fur and no mole. it safely to earth.

Sick whale vomits up beach gold rush

T

housands of treasure seekers are now scouring the beaches of the UK for the smelliest old rubbish they can find, after a British man and his dog hit paydirt with a pile of whale vomit worth B2 million.

The BBC reported that Ken Wilman was walking his dog Madge in the coastal town of Morecambe in northwest England when she began “poking at a rather large stone” with a waxy texture and yellowish colour.

At first he left it on the beach, but “something triggered in my mind”, Wilman said, prompting him to go back and retrieve the object, which he believes is a piece of ambergris, a substance found in the digestive systems of sperm whales.

Whales sometimes spew up ambergris, which floats on water and has been highly prized for centuries. It is used in perfume-making for the musky fragrance it acquires as it ages – but newer ambergris is foul-smelling.

“When I picked it up and smelled it I put it back down again and I thought ‘urgh’,” Wilman told the BBC. “It has a musky smell, but the more you smell it the nicer the smell becomes.”

He is waiting for tests to confirm his find is ambergris, nicknamed “floating gold”, but says he has been offered US$68,000 for it by a French dealer.

“It’s worth so much because of its particular properties,” Andrew Kitchener, principal curator of vertebrates at the National Museum of Scotland, told the broadcaster.

“It’s a very important base for perfumes and it’s hard to find any artificial substitute for it.” AFP

T

t News uke h P he

VALENTINE’S DAY

TRADITIONS

14 FEBRUARY

I

n Denmark and Norway, Valentine’s Day is known as Valentinsdag. It is not celebrated to a large extent, but is largely imported from American culture. In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag (“All Hearts’ Day”) and was launched in the 1960s by the flower industry.

In Finland Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä,which translates into “Friend’s day”. As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones.

In Slovenia, a proverb says that “St Valentine brings the keys of roots”. Accordingly, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the fields commences.

In Wales, meanwhile, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen’s Day) on January 25 instead of (or as well as)

Valent i n e’s D ay.

The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

In Ro mania, the traditional holiday for lovers is Dragobete, which is celebrated on February 24. In recent years though, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine’s Day, despite already having Dragobete as a traditional holiday. This has drawn backlash from groups who condemn Valentine’s Day for being superficial, commercialist and imported Western kitsch.

In Lithuania and Latvia, the holiday was first celebrated after the two countries gained independence from Soviet Union in 1990.

In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (“Lovers’ Day”) is celebrated on June 12, probably because it is the day before Saint Anthony’s day, known there as the marriage saint, when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets.

The February 14’s Valentine’s Day is not celebrated at all, mainly for cultural and commercial reasons, since it usually falls too close to Carnival.

Islamic officials in Malaysia have

Happy Valentines’s Day

warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine’s Day, with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin saying that the celebration of romantic love was “not suitable” for Muslims. On Valentine’s Day 2011, Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban.

Thanks to a concentrated marketing effort, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in some Asian countries with Singaporeans, Chinese and South Koreans spending the most money on Valentine’s gifts.

In South Korea, similar to Japan, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give nonchocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day). On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything in February or March go to a Korean restaurant to eat black noodles and “mourn” their single life.

In Japan, Morozoff Ltd. introduced the holiday for the first time in 1936, when it ran an advertisement aimed at foreigners. Later in 1953 it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates; other Japanese confectionery companies followed suit thereafter. In 1958 the Isetan department store ran a “Valentine sale”. Further campaigns popularised the custom.

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a y D s ’ e n i t n e l a V f Hi stor y o

13 FEBRUARY 20

T

he history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families,

he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers.

Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailer’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends

is murky, the stories certainly emphasise his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written

by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.

Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine

of Valois.

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes.

By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged.

Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings.

So don’t forget to send yours this Valentine’s!

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14 February, 2013 frome 7:00 pm onwards What about a New Culinary Experience?

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The price quoted is subject to 10% service charge and 7% government tax (VAT)

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Truffles were given the aphrodisiac title by the Greeks and Romans!

14 EXPLORE

1.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

2.

Going to the market

B

JAMIE’S PHUKET

Jamie Monk editor@thephuketnews.com

efore coming to Thailand, I travelled quite a lot in Africa plus North, Central and South America.

Aside from such things as diving, local tourist attractions, food, drink, beaches, mountains, festivals and enjoying the company of other travellers and locals, I always enjoyed finding local markets.

I would go out of my way if I heard of an interesting market. A market is a great place to sample real local life, no matter where you are.

The market is the centre of the town or village, and

despite the arrival of many big shopping centres in Phuket over the last 12 years, the local markets here are still busy.

There may be big stores like Tesco-Lotus, Makro, Big C, Supercheap and many mini-mart style shops like 7-11, but the market (talad in Thai) is still the place to get fresh local produce, or a place to hang out and meet people. For me, a market is an essential part of life in the local community.

Here are some of Phuket’s best markets:

1. The Weekend Market Probably the market that most tourists will visit is the weekend market just outside Phuket Town.

Locals call it Talad Naka (since it’s close to Naka Temple) or Talad Jatujak Phuket (after the huge Jatujak market in Bangkok – but the market in Phuket is much smaller!).

It’s held on Saturday and Sunday starting in the mid afternoon, carrying on until about 11pm. Best time to go is a bit before sunset.

It is quite big and once you are in the maze of stalls it’s easy to get lost There are lots of food stalls selling all kind of snacks and drinks, lots of clothes, arts and crafts, DVD’s/CD’s, plants, pets, mobile phone accessories – it’s also great for people watching.

2. Kathu Fresh Market Kathu is my area. The main market is big and seems to have got busier over the years even though the main Tesco store

3. is only a few km away and Tesco even opened a mini store in the area.

Kathu is the area between Patong and Phuket Town and is a mainly residential area but with quite a lot of history as the tin mining industry was centered here in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The market is on daily, all day. It’s a fresh produce market with stalls selling fish, shrimp, meat, vegetables, chilli paste, eggs, flowers, ready made meals and a lot more.

It’s nice to visit in the early evening, get some food from one of the many food stalls and watch the world go by.

3. Karon Temple Market A very easy to visit market if you stay near Karon beach, the Karon temple market takes place in the temple grounds on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the late afternoon/evening.

EXPLORE 15

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

4.

5.

JAMIE’S MARKET TIPS

There may be big stores like TescoLotus, Makro, Big C, Supercheap and many mini-mart style shops like 7-11, but the market (talad in Thai) is still the place to get fresh local produce, or a place to hang out and meet people. For me, a market is an essential part of life in the local community

1. Phuket covers an area of over 500 square km, and there are many local areas and small villages within Phuket, and all have some kind of market.

2. Try looking for fresh seafood at Rawai beach, or check out the big Banzaan fresh market in Patong near the Jungceylon shopping mall. There’s also another market in Patong on Nanai road (the back road). Oh and the touristy “OTOP” market.

6.

It’s a mix of fresh produce, snacks and food, clothes and a few tourist-aimed stalls selling sunglasses or swimwear. It’s the main local market in Karon.

There’s another market a couple of miles away in Kata on the back road away from the beach.

4. Phuket Town Indy Market The Indy Market near the old section of Phuket town only started in 2010, meant to be a place for teenagers to hang out in a safe, smoke free environment.

It is indeed very popular with the youngsters.

There is often live music too.

It’s not huge, and most of the stalls sell arty items and clothes and there’s some food and drink stalls too.

The Indy Market takes place on Thursday and Friday evenings (so it doesn’t clash with the Saturday/ Sunday weekend market).

Certainly worth a visit combined with dinner or drinks in Phuket Town.

I’ve heard there is now a similar market on Wednesdays at a place called Boat Plaza, a new development just north of Phuket Town.

Read the full version at jamie-monk.blogspot. com. Jamie Monk works at liveaboard dive specialists Sunrise Divers in Karon, 084 626 4646, sunrise-divers.com

5. Expo Market We have used the Expo market quite a lot, and often buy shirts, pants, Thai souvenirs, and computer games here.

It’s an air-con cooled indoor market, open every day near the centre of Phuket Town. It’s a good place for clothes.

6. Phuket Town Main Market The main market in town reopened in 2010 in a new building.

The old market was really old and rather smelly.

The streets all around the market are also a market, it’s a very busy area and is also where you can get local buses (like in the photo above) to points all around the island.

3. I drive past a small market in the Chalong area every day and there are regular local markets in the Bang Rong and Cherng Talay areas of Phuket. All over the island in fact!

4. It’s worth visiting any market for a taste of the real Phuket, to pick up some snacks or fruit and see something away from the organised tourist route.

16 GAMING IN BRIEF News Corp sells IGN sites: WSJ New Corp is close to selling its IGN Entertainment websites to J2 Global Inc, according to the Wall Street Journal.

IGN, which is mainly devoted to video games and technology news, is said to be selling for nearly US$100 million, although no announcement has been made.

IGN was once part of an interactive division within the company, which also included social networking site MySpace.

The group of sites that operate under IGN include Gamespy.com and Askmen.com, which offers tips on everything from sports to gadgets and grooming.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

‘See the future’: Sony teases PlayStation 4

S

ony will officially unveil their highly anticipated next-generation gaming console, the PlayStation 4, at a press conference in New York City on February 20. The event will be streamed live over the internet from 6am Phuket time on February 21.

The announcement comes just days after Sony released a teaser video across their website network inviting gamers to “see the future.”

Internet rumours are driving expectations about the features of the new home gaming console: improved graphics, a smoother graphics engine, more memory, and a sleek design are probably a given.

Other rumours include an overhaul of the controller, with the addition of a PS Vita-type touchpad It probably won’t look like this: a designer’s imagining and a share button to connect with social media. of the upcoming PlayStation 4. Image: Tai Chiem.

The PlayStation announcement “comes as the console video game industry has entered a tailspin,” The PlayStation 4 system is expected to be wrote the Wall Street Journal, citing a report that released this year, and it will face head to head says sales last year in the US fell 22 per cent comcompetition with the next generation of Microsoft’s pared with 2011.

Xbox gaming console, informally known as the The popularity of gaming on smartphones, with titles that are both inexpensive and high in quality, Xbox 720.

There’s no word yet on the the list of game titles has also taken a bite out of console sales – and the to launch with the new console.

PlayStation 3 more than most.

New ‘Madden’ change of name The NFL football game franchise Madden will mark its 25th anniversary edition this year by titling the new game Madden 25 (not 14, denoting the year) The Madden franchise has told 99 million units, and EA’s FIFA series has over 106 million in the same time span.

Madden 25 will be released on August 27 for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Top spot for ‘Ni No Kuni’ Japanese anime game Ni No Kuni debuted at number one in the UK rankings this year, an impressive feat for a JRPG and PlayStation 3 Exclusive title.

Released in Japan in November, Ni No Kuni went on sale in the UK on February 1, and outsold Fifa 13 in three days.

The game is noted for its soundtrack, composed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and its its Alice in Wonderlandesque plot.

Million-dollar bag at Call of Duty tournament

A

ctivision have announced a 32-team Call of Duty: Black Ops II eSports tournament with US$1 milllion (B30 million) going to the winners.

The tournament will take place in Hollywood in Los Angeles from April 5 to 7.

Teams of Xbox 360 users from all over the world will be able to compete for a place in

the tournament, which will be streamed live online.

Teams of four can enter by registering at elite.callofduty.com for a free Call of Duty: Elite account, and play in the monthly league games to qualify.

The top eight teams in each of the February and March leagues will earn a place in the Hollywood tournament, as will an additional

eight from the ESL’s European Finals.

The remaining eight spots will be reserved for teams in Asia, Brazil, and Australia with more regional details scheduled to be revealed by the end of February.

The tournament is being organized by Activision, Microsoft, the Electronic Sports League, and Major League Gaming.

TOP VIDEO GAMES THIS WEEK 1

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

2

Fifa 13

3

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (18+)

4

Far Cry 3 (18+)

5

Hitman: HD Trilogy (18+)

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

PS3

6

Assassin’s Creed III (18+)

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

7

Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U Xbox 360, PS3, PC Xbox 360, PS3

TOP MOBILE GAMES Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U

1

Year Walk

Need For Speed Most Wanted

PS3, Xbox 360, VITA, PC

2

Double Fine Adventure

8

Just Dance 4

Wii, Xbox 360, Wii U, PS3

3

Badland

iOS

9

Hitman Absolution (18+)

Xbox 360, PS3, PC

4

Morning Star

iOS

Xbox 360, PS3, PC

5

Infinity Blade: Dungeons

iOS

10 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

iOS iOS, Android

Contra BLAST FROM THE PAST Jean-Pierre Mestanza editor@thephuketnews.com

D

o you remember Contra? The mere m e nt io n o f t he ga me ca n put a blank face on many an old-school gamer.

Simply put, it was one of the toughest games to beat in the history of the industry.

So much so that IGN voted it the number one on their “Toughest Game to Beat” list back in 2007.

Known as Gryzor in Europe and Oceania, the game was released in 1987 as an arcade game.

T he multi-player mode was a big hit once it was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System the following year, making it one of the first RPG shooters at the time.

Gamers had to choose to play as either Bill “Mad Dog” Rizer or Lance “Scorpion” Bean to defeat the Red Falcon Organization, either a terrorist group or an alien entity depending on the region the game was sold.

One hit from an enemy would kill your character which would normally be no big deal, unless you consider that the game only allowed you three lives to play throughout all levels.

Gamers would have to use the famous “Konami Code” in the beginning of the game to bump up their number of lives to 30 – without which the game was effectively unbeatable.

The code was entered by a key sequence as the game booted up, and is an early examples of developers inserting cheats into their games.

Several sequels have been made, all the way to Contra ReBirth for the Wii in 2009.

Do you have a Blast from the Past? Let us know at editor@ thephuketnews.com

FILM 17

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

IN BRIEF

Zero Dark Thirty

Triumph of the dull FILM REVIEW Tom Metcalfe editor2@thephuketnews.com

Director: Kathryn Bigelow Starring: Jessica Chastain Jason Clarke Joel Edgerton James Gandolfini Running time: 160 minutes

I

’m not much in the habit of quoting Naomi Wolfe, but this is a zinger: “Like Riefenstahl, you are a great artist,” Wolfe wrote in an ‘open letter’ to Zero Dark Thirty director Katheryn Bigelow: “but now you will be remembered forever as torture’s handmaiden.”

Stepping over the question of whether Hitler’s favourite film-maker Leni Riefenstahl was actually a “great artist,” Wolfe’s attack on Bigelow shows the tenor of the times.

Wolfe stopped short of comparing Bigelow to Hitler, but only just.

Through the apparent magic of cinema, Zero Dark Thirty has transported American politics back to its darkest days, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Most loathsomely for pundits like Wolfe, they are the days when George W. Bush was in power, and the new movie has re-opened and re-salted many old wounds. Zero Dark Thirty has become a political football, and all the old gang want to kick it.

The movie has been praised by those involved in the search for bin Laden and the US commando raid that killed him, but condemned by those who say it’s a pro-CIA whitewash of events. It also enjoys the accolade of being banned in Pakistan.

Johnny Depp to star as Tonto, gangster

So what’s the fuss about? Well, Zero Dark Thirty ain’t no Triumph of the Will – more like Triumph of the Dull. Apart from the aforesaid torture scenes, which do go on a bit, there’s: a bomb blast scene; a shooting massacre scene; and about 10 minutes at the end where the US Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan takes place. A lot of the rest seems to be about office politics.

There’s not much of a plot – CIA officer Maya (Jessica Chastain) thinks she’s right about everything; and it turns out she is, to the chagrin of the stupid-male establishment.

Chastain changes wigs a few times, which may be some sort of brilliant disguise, or it serves to let the audience know that a few years have passed and this is now a different interrogation at a different CIA “black site.”

There’s a vague element of mystery – “where’s Osama?” – but no sense of suspense, until the raid starts. And we already know the outcome of that.

Director Bigelow and scriptwriter Mark Boal defend their movie as “part documentary”, and the story “of the greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”

Real life can’t be expected to imitate art, but Zero Dark Thirty fails to deliver on its dramatic promise.

Panetta affirms ‘Tony Soprano’ as CIA boss

T

he man who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, exCIA director Leon Panetta, says he’s pleased that Sopranos actor James Gandolfini was chosen to play him in the movie Zero Dark Thirty.

“You know, I’m glad that it was an Italian,” said Panetta, who has often spoken about his Italian-American heritage.

Panetta declined to offer a critique of Gandolfini’s performance, but joked: “Somebody came up to me and said, I saw you in that movie, but you lost a lot of weight.”

Panetta gave his tacit backing to Zero Dark Thirty, calling it a “good movie” – although he warned that the tale of the manhunt for Bin Laden history had to be simplified for the big screen.

“It’s a movie,” Panetta said. “And it’s a good movie. But I lived the real story,” he said in an interview.

Panetta, who is due to step down as US defence secretary this month,

Ex-CIA director Leon Panetta (left) and actor James ‘Tony Soprano’ Gandolfini. said the film should not be seen as a historical account of the real-life manhunt, which concluded while he was head of the CIA from 2009 to 2011.

But Panetta indicated that the Oscar-nominated film did convey some sense of the years of legwork it took the CIA to track down the Al-Qaeda mastermind to a hideout in Pakistan.

“I think people ought to make their own judgements. There are parts of it that give you a good sense of how the intelligence operations do work. But I also think people in the end have to understand that it isn’t a documentary,

SFX Coliseum Phuket (Central Festival) Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters (E) [15+] Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters (T/D3D) [15+] The Last Stand (E) [18+] The Last Tycoon (T) [18+] Parker (E) [15+] Parker (E/F) [15+] Thong Sook 13 (T) [15+] Zero Dark Thirty (E) [15+] Zero Dark Thirty (E/F) [15+]

12:10, 14:10, 16:10, 18:10, 20:10, 22:10 11:15, 13:15, 15:15, 17:15, 19:15, 21:15 21:15 14:10, 18:45 12:15, 14:45, 17:15, 19:45, 22:15 13:10, 18:45 11:00, 12:00, 13:10, 15:20, 16:35, 17:30, 19:40, 21:50 11:30, 14:40, 17:50, 21:00 15:40, 21:50

it’s a movie.”

The film, starring Jessica Chastain as a relentless CIA officer, suggests that torture and abuse of some suspects helped generate information that led to the May 2011 raid that ultimately took out bin Laden.

The portrayal has sparked criticism from some senators, rights advocates and even the acting head of the CIA, Michael Morell.

But Panetta said harsh interrogation methods, including water boarding or simulated drowning, did play a role in locating bin Laden, though not a decisive one.

“The whole effort in going after bin Laden involved 10 years of work, in piecing together various pieces of intelligence that were gathered. And there’s no question that some of the intelligence gathered was a result of some of these methods,” he said. AFP

US star Johnny Depp will play notorious Boston gangster Whitey Bulger in the film Black Mass, directed by Barry Levinson.

Depp, 49, will also appear next summer as Tonto in Disney’s The Lone Ranger (above, with Arnie Hammer) based on the characters from a popular 1950s television show.

Black Mass recounts the fate of Bulger, the godfather of Boston’s underworld who was charged in 2011 with 48 federal crimes, including 19 murders. AFP

Babs to sing at Oscars Legendary diva Barbra Streisand will sing at the Oscars next month, her first Academy Awards performance in 36 years, organisers said Wednesday.

Streisand has only performed at the top Hollywood awards show once before, in 1977 when she sang the winning song from A Star Is Born.

Others performers at the February 24 show will include British singer Adele, who will sing the 007 Skyfall theme, and foul-mouthed teddy bear from Ted, with his sidekick actor Mark Wahlberg. AFP

‘Warm Bodies’ tops box office Romantic zombie comedy Warm Bodies topped the North American box office on its opening weekend, earning more than twice as much as its rival.

The movie based on an Isaac Marion book, inspired by Romeo and Juliet, took a healthy US$20 million in sales.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, a horror movie twist on the classic fairy tale took a distant second, pulling in US$9.2 million. AFP

US BOX OFFICE TOP 10 1

Warm Bodies

$20M

$20M

2

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

$9.21M

$34.5M

3

Silver Linings Playbook

$8.11M

$80.4M

4

Mama

$6.73M

$58.3M

5

Zero Dark Thirty

$5.3M

$77.8M

6

Bullet to the Head

$4.5M

$4.5M

7

Parker

$3.21M

$12.4M

8

Django Unchained

$3.04M

$151M

9

Les Misérables

$2.44M

$142M

$2.41M

$171M

10 Lincoln

SFC Jungceylon Phuket (Patong) Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters (E) [15+] Killing Them Softly (E) [18+] The Last Stand (E) [18+] The Last Tycoon Parker (E) [15+] Zero Dark Thirty (E) [15+]

Weekend Gross gross

Film

11:40, 13:40, 15:40, 17:40, 19:40, 21:40 12:45, 15:00, 17:10, 22:25 12:40, 15:00, 19:45, 22:00 17:15 11:50, 14:20, 16:50, 19:20, 21:50 12:00, 15:10, 18:20, 19:20, 21:25

As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed.

For up -to - date information, visit sfcinemacity.com, or call the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076-209000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076-600-555.

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

SOMETHING NEW & BLUE The Blue Mango Bar & Grill, Tri Trang beach, held its grand opening on Friday evening (February 1). Guests from all over flocked to the newly-opened restaurant.

Gary, Pranee, Ning and Kevin.

Rick, Wasena, Jim and Jim.

Thomas, Suvi and Kimmo.

SAILING INTO FUN O2 Beach Club in Chalong hosted the closing party for the 16th The Bay Regatta, one of the island’s top sailing competitions, which finished on Sunday (February 3).

David Brook, Blue Mango co-owner Paul Gibson, JJ, Gary and Steve.

ISLAND SCENE 19

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

HAPPY SNAPPERS ON THALANG Photo competition ‘Baba Life Photo @ Phuket’ took place on Sunday (February 3) along Thalang Road in Phuket Town, where photographers took photos of models in traditional Baba dress. Three awards will

be given out to the ‘Best Pro Snapper’, ‘Best Young Snapper’, and most likes on Facebook. The winner will be announced on February 13. For more information visit facebook.com/BabaLifePhotoAtPhuket

From back left, Gerry Ryan, Larry Cunningham, John Rebo, Michael Gudinski, Anthony Smith (hidden), Darren “Razzle” Thornburgh, Martin Carpenter, Pat Gallagher (owner of The Mobile Pool Doctor, Phuket) and Rick Tudor. Front from left, Peter Blunden, Molly and Sue Gudinski.

MOLLY’S 70TH BASH Australian music icon Ian “Molly” Meldrum celebrated his 70th birthday in Phuket last week. Guests at the party, held in Bang Tao, included high profile Australians such as Jayco’s Gerry Ryan, music promoter Michael Chugg, Michael Gudinski and Herald Sun Managing Director Peter Blunden.

Kerrily, Kit and Hugo.

ARTY COOL More than 100 people attended the Phuket Art Village party, held on February 2. On the first Saturday of each month the Phuket Art Village hosts the Phuket Art Village Party, a celebration of arts and music for the community to enjoy.

Ingrid and Pui.

British Hon Consul Martin Carpenter, Molly, and Australian Hon Consul Larry Cunningham.

20 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Tasana Nagavajara; Siripong Tiptan; Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut; M.L.Usni Pramoj; Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin; Mom Tri Devakul ; Yos Vaneesorn; and Kittikhun Sodprasert.

Thanpuying Varaporn Pramoj and Mom Tri after the ribbon cutting.

ARTY AFFAIR WITH MOM TRI The Baan Kata Arts Festival 2013 at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale was held on Sunday and Monday (February 3-4). Mom Tri Devakul, the owner of the VR Gallery, showcased his new exhibition ‘Beauty in Dissolution’ on February 3. On February 4 ML Usni and his ensemble performed a classical music concert at Villa Royale. The events were attended by Phuket’s great and good.

Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin; Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut; Thanpuying Varaporn Pramoj; and Mom Tri Devakul.

SURF’S UP SUNSHINE Surf House Phuket and Soi Dog Foundation representatives Pawena Werathumjumrus, Pada-on Nuchanatpinit and Jintamonkol Uawongtakul visited the Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation to donate Surf House vouchers totalling B10,000, plus 150 school bags and 50 food boxes from the Soi Dog Foundation to the children.

FRIDAY, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

Siripong Tiptan; Tasana Nagavajara; M.L.Usni Pramoj; and Kittikhun Sodprasert.

ENTERTAINMENT 21

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

A star rises in the east

David Brook editor@thephuketnews.com

I

t was December 25.

A clear night, twinkling stars in the east, an expectant couple eagerly awaiting a new arrival. Indeed a star was to be born on this very special day, Mary and Thomas were proud parents.

The east is of course the East Riding of Yorkshire, the year 1925, the place Hull, and the child none other than Norman Collier.

The newborn went on to become one of the biggest names in the business, touring the club circuit with such luminaries as Tom Jones, The Everley Brothers, Cliff Richard and The Shadows to name but a few.

His first stage performance occurred by chance in 1948.

Whilst enjoying an after work beer in a local club, an act failed to turn up, and Collier volunteered to fill in. He was an instant crowd pleaser, natural on stage.

He started to go on stage locally, his name spread, and he was soon on the wider northern working club scene. He became a full-time comic in 1962 and enjoyed steady success.

But it was the Royal Variety Command Performance in 1971 which made him an overnight success.

Highly regarded by fellow comics, Jimmy Tarbuck dubbed him ‘the comedian’s comedian’.

Norman’s first ever TV show was Let’s Laugh.

On the bill were fellow comedian Les Dawson and

an up-and-coming Welsh singer called Tom Jones, who turned up in a little blue van.

Norman had Tom soon assessed: “After that I did the clubs with him in North Wales. He had a good voice but his nose was big then. But I knew he was going to be a star.”

Norman is best known for two routines: one in the guise of a northern club compere whose microphone is working intermittently; and his hilarious chicken impressions.

He also originated the ‘club chairman’ character later popularised by Colin Crompton in the series Wheeltappers and Shunters Club.

A long-serving member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, Norman has raised many thousands of pounds for charity through his own golf tournaments.

He a l s o r e g u l a rly played golf for the Variety Club of Great Britain as well as The Celebrity Golf Tour; and his after dinner cabaret always brought the house down.

Norman still lives in Hull with his lovely wife Lucy, whom he married in 1948.

William The Conqueror was crowned King of England on December 25, 1066 and ruled for 21 years. Norman has ruled the roost for over 60 years and I reckon he could well be performing the chicken sketch when he’s in his 90s.

Britain’s ‘Secret Cinema’ smashes the big screen

U

nder the menacing eye of guards, the cinema goers sit in silence as their 1950s bus rumbles through London. Suddenly, a prison looms out of the darkness.

Welcome to Secret Cinema, where the film is not just on the screen – viewers can wander up to the characters, brought to life by actors in a setting that seems to have been plucked straight out of the movie.

Guests arrive armed with nothing more than a string of cryptic emails detailing where to go and how to dress. They don’t even know what film they are going to see, despite having paid £43.50 (B2,000) each for a ticket.

“You tell people nothing. They have no idea of what they’re going to see, what they’re going to experience,” said Fabien Riggall, who founded Secret Cinema in 2007.

“And once they get there, they become more open and more adventurous.”

This innovative approach to cinema – which spreads to New York and Athens in April – has seen organisers transform a warehouse into the futuristic dystopia of Blade Runner, a park into Lawrence of Arabia and dank tunnels into The Battle of Algiers.

Movie goers have found themselves conducting mock scientific experiments before a screening of Prometheus in a warehouseturned-spaceship, and operating a pretend penicillin racket before sitting down to watch The Third Man. The latest installment of the adventure offered the crowds a taste of the harsh prison life suffered by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins in the 1994 classic The Shawshank Redemption.

Told to arrive at an east London library wearing 1950s clothing, they were led into a mock courtroom and sentenced – to much giggling – for crimes ranging from kidnapping to bigamy.

The new convicts were then shuttled by vintage bus to an abandoned school, transformed

British cinemagoers experience “Secret Cinema”. Photo: AFP/Will Oliver by the Secret Cinema team into a grim US prison.

Hustled inside by uniformed “prison guards”, they were forced to strip off their 1950s attire – much to the dismay of those who had ignored instructions to wear long underwear.

Prisoners swapped their trilby hats and trench coats for grey uniforms and spent the three hours before the screening exploring their jail, periodically harassed by the guards as they munched on burgers bought from the “infirmary”.

“If you play along, it’s amazing,” said Andy, a six-time Secret Cinema-goer who has previously come dressed as a Bedouin for Lawrence of Arabia and a psychiatric patient for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

Scenes from the film spill off the screen and into reality. For The Shawshank Redemption, actors – some of them indistinguishable from the crowds in their prisoner uniforms – recreated a brutal rape, scuffles, and an execution.

From a modest first audience of 400 people in 2007, Secret Cinema has become a massive operation, hosting 13,500 excitable prisoners during a month-long run of The Shawshank Redemption that

ended in December.

The latest show saw the launch of a “Secret Hotel” offering overnight stays in the prison, sleeping in bunks in the cells for an extra £30 (B1,400) per person.

“Every production, we try to create something that goes a little bit beyond what we did before in terms of how the audience become part of that world and how you allow the blur between the performance and the audience,” said Riggall.

He added that many fans see this immersive form of cinema as an antidote to the more mundane experience of simply sitting in front of a screen.

“People are looking for adventure. They want to take a step away from everything they already know, and I think that the hotel is another step,” the 37-yearold said.

“We had actors sleeping next to the audience – you might wake up and there’d be a prisoner singing a 50-year-old song next to you. The whole building is a stage.”

Tickets have already sold out for London’s 20th Secret Cinema event this April, which for the first time will run simultaneously with shows at secret locations in Athens and New York. AFP

22 EVENTS

2013 List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8,8,2013

Sunset Sea Turtle Release XANA Beach Club at Angsana Laguna Phuket Friday 8 Feb, 5.30pm Proceeds to Phuket Marine Biological Centre and Royal Thai Navy to support sea turtle conservation & rehabilitation programmes. Donate B2,000 to release a turtle, price includes 2 drinks Enjoy 20% discount at Thai Market Buffet Dinner. Call 076 362 300 ext.1304 or CSRinfo@lagunaphuket.com.

FRIDAY FEB 8

IBAP-Competition Law in ASEAN Dr. Rober t Ian McEwin, a prominent regional expert on competition policy, will talk about how the Asean Economic Community means greater competition law (antitrust) enforcement and what it may mean for both small and large businesses. Will you have greater remedies against ‘bad conduct’ by other companies in Thailand? Doors open 6:30pm, all welcome. A2 Resort on Bypass Rd. More at ibap-phuket.org.

Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Every Friday, all-you-can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person.

7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.

Sunday Carvery

Live Music at Underwood Art Factory

Pool Competition at Expat Hotel Pool Competition at 9pm. Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com.

B399 per person all you can eat. Roast beef, BBQ ham, chicken, pork, fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and a glass of selected beverage. At Irish Times Pub, Junceylon Patong.

The home of Phuket’s finest performers, coming together to bring a night of entertainment, delicious food, and great fun.

Every Saturday live music from The Blues Revival. All performed on a unique built stage at the Underwood Art Factory. For booking call 091 034 3381.

Sunday Roast Pork Sunday roast pork or beef dinner every Sunday 2pm onwards at Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. B290 per person. See www.expathotel.com.

SATURDAY FEB 9

MONDAY FEB 11

Fish and Chips Friday Night B250 per person. At Irish Times Pub, Jungceylon Patong.

BBQ at Expat Hotel 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com.

SUNDAY FEB 10 Saturday Shopping at The Good Shepherd Charity Shop

Live Music at Underwood Art Factory The home of Phuket’s finest performers, coming together to bring a night of entertainment, delicious food, and great fun.

The Lost Legends: Colin (ILLY) Hill and Pjae Stanley. Every Friday. All performed on a unique built stage at the Underwood Art Factory. For booking call 091 034 3381.

We have a wide and creative range of handicrafts such as toys, greeting cards, ornaments, lanterns, bags, purses and many more. You can also find exquisite arts and craft made by local residents.

Pre-loved items include books, clothes and toys. Handicraft items are handmade by the women from The Good Shepherd centres. All proceeds go directly to The Good Shepherd’s mission of helping those in need as well as empowering them.

Place: Plaza Del Mar, Laguna (Behind Bake). Time: 9am to noon. See thegood shepherd.info.

Schnitzel Day Kokosnuss Restaurant - Every Monday, Schnitzel, fried potatoes and salad buffet B190 per person. Starts 5.30pm. For more info please visit phuketkokosnuss.com.

Sunday Chillout at Sunsets Bar Sunday chillout every week. Live music, free BBQ or buffet, free karaoke, free pool table. Happy hour every day midday to 6pm, beverages from B60. Bar open every day midday until late. Farang hospitality, everybody welcome. Sunsets bar and guesthouse, 62 Hasip Pee Road, Patong. For more information call Kiwi on 083 640 1082.

BBQ All You Can Eat Mondays and Thursdays. BBQ all you can eat: Pork, Chicken, Beef, Prawns, Fish and Squid with salad buffet, cold and hot sauces, Garlic Bread, baked potatoes, potato salad and more for B325 per person.

7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

TUESDAY FEB 12

List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com

91.5FM. Bar Tabs: 1 Prize B1,500. 2 Prize B1,000. Every Wednesday Night From 8 pm.

Free entry. Maximum 4 people per team. At Irish Times Pub, Jungceylon Patong.

EVENTS 23

those who seek a bit more fun after a good meal. Listen to good music, enjoy sport on large TV. Play pool or dart games or just enjoy the unique surroundings. Selected beverages. At 4-8pm and midnight till late.

Plus free pool sponsored by Komodo Bar. From 8-9.30pm. Come on everybody - Let’s party. Call 087 280 3282.

BBQ Ribs All You Can Eat Quiz Night at Grizzly’s Every Tuesday night. Snacks available.

Registration 7.45pm. 1,000 Baht voucher to winners. Grizzly’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, located between Loch Palm Golf Course and Kathu Waterfall. Contact 086 951 4962.

Wednesdays and Fridays. BBQ ribs all you can eat with salad buffet and potato salad for B295 per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Pool Competition: Meet The Best Players in Town

THURSDAY FEB 14

Pork Roast and Roast Chicken Half Chicken Spit Roast Tuesdays and Saturdays: Half chicken spit roast with French Fries, Salad buffet, Potato Salad & Gravy sauce for B225 per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Valentines Dinner Febuary 14. For Lover’s! Enjoy a fabulous 4 course Valentine’s Dinner on the beach with perfect live music and a lovely atmosphere. Price includes a refreshing flute of Prosecco to start the evening, and a glass of Blue Moon Shiraz or Chardonnay with your main course.

Only B2,600 ++ for a couple or B1,400 ++ for singles. Book soon to ensure your table.

Every Thursday. Buffet includes salads, soups, mashed potatoes, bread dumplings.

ALL YOU CAN EAT B190. www.phuketko kosnuss.com.

SUNDAY MAR 3 Monday Party, Tue. Party, Wed, Party, Thur. Party, Fri. Party What the Puck Saturday Party, Sunday Party

Contact Chef Charlie 089 728 5304, Restaurant 089 728 692.

Pool Competition at Expat Guesthouse Pool Competition every Tuesday 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong. See map at www.expatguesthouse.com.

WEDNESDAY FEB 13

Designed and built by a Thai-Canadian family in 2011, The Plaza is a very fine sculpture and walled relief garden and entertainment centre. Artist’s pictures can be seen at the plaza walls all year round.

The art pieces are donated by “The Unique One,” a rare selection of art by Khun Manop and Mike. Pool competition is sponsored by Komodo Bar at 9pm. Entry fee B100 plus one free beverage. Come on everybodylet’s party. Call 087 280 3282.

The Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race Get your ducks now! Fantastic prizes to be won. Including an overnight Luxury Cruise, Hotel Villa accommodations, Wining and Dining, Smart phone and lots more. A Fun Filled Family Day with Children’s Activities: Youth Talent Competition, Rubber Duckie Cocktail Competition, Live DJ, Entertainment and Lots More. Buy Your Ducks Here.

B200 each. Buy 5 Get 1 Free or online at PhuketTicketMaster.com

EVERY DAY

Phuket’s First Audio Video Interactive Pub Quiz

Double Happy Hours

B99 per drinks and selected beverages buy 1 get 1 free. Quiz master DJ Doris, from

At the end of the Rawai beach strip, Rawai Plaza is the best entertainment venue for

Come on everybody, let’s party At Rawai Plaza, cool atmosphere, unique setting. happy people.

WILL PERFORM JUST FOR ASKING!!!

POLE DANCE BY EMMY THAI DANCE BY NANCY & HIS FRIENDS SO, DON’T BE SHY!!

Shows sponsored by Emmy & Joey Bar Nancy Ni Nancy Bar Rawai Plaza, Rawai Beach, Phuket 087 280 3282

daily event updates on

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

24 TIME OUT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

This week in history

GOT YOUR NUMBER

39-23-33 Barbie’s vital statistics, if she were life-size.

43,079

Population per square kilometre in Manila, the most densely populated city in the world.

85

Millions of dollars earned by boxer Floyd Mayweather in 2012, making him the topearning athlete globally.

53

Length of a giraffe’s tongue in cm – long enough for it to clean its ears with.

The Beatles in their first US television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

The Great Phuket Rubber Duck Quiz 1. In what type of engineering would you find ‘Rubber duck debugging’, ‘rubber ducking’ and the ‘rubber duckie test’?

2. What is a USB Rubber Ducky?

3. What section of an orchestra has the rubber duck as an instrument?

Send your answers to manager@phuketcharity.org for a chance to win 10 ducks in the Phuket Community Foundation’s Great Rubber Duck Race on March 3.

SUDOKU

The Power Hour Lifestyle Drive Non Stop Music

Sam & Natasha

Across 1. More than some 5. “___ Smile” (1976 hit) 9. Spray setting 13. Lou Gehrig, on the diamond 14. Donnybrook 15. Knowing about 16. Artist Bonheur 17. Be part of the cast 18. Brought into play 19. Simple addition 22. Elton John, e.g.

23. ___ souci 24. Mozart’s “L’___ del Cairo” 27. Like a bunch 29. Debonair 32. Undergrad degs.

33. Catches 36. Whole alternative 37. Ecstatic 42. Old German duchy name 43. Ready for anything 44. Wrath 45. Layers 47. It’s found in banks 49. Blonde’s secret, maybe 50. Vex, with “at”

Live 89.5

25. Art able to 26. Very, in music 28. Australian rock band 30. Clear 31. File material 34. “Harper Valley ___” 35. Jerk 38. Textual interpretation 39. “From the Earth to the Moon” writer 40. Signals 41. Society page Down word 1. Big do 46.

Strauss opera 2. “Crazy” bird 48.

Storm part 3. Yorkshire river 4. Snares 51. Other halves 5. Jiffs 53. Age 6. Karen Carpenter, 54. As a result for one 55. “The 7. Checks, with in Hunchback of 8. Trojan hero Notre Dame” 9. Greek dish writer 10. Acad.

56.

Bank 11. Potpourri 12. Big deal 57. “Little piggies” 14. Gibb brother 58. All alternative 20. Ceiling 59. “Cast Away” 21. Occupied, as a setting lavatory 60.

Worm or lamp 24. ___-Wan Kenobi 61. Creates a lawn 52. Word from the decks 54. Literary homeowners 62. Shades 63. Roundish 64. Christiania, now 65. Tropical fruit 66. Rewards 67. Simpleton 68. Some beans 69. “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto) 70. Chops

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

SATURDAYS 7am - 11am 11am - 12pm

Live 89.5 Got Talent Weekend Brunch

■■ February 8, 1587 Mary, Queen of Scots, is executed on suspicion of plotting to murder her cousin, England’s Queen Elizabeth I. ■■ February 9, 1964 The Beatles “break America” with their first US television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show to an audience of 75 million people.

■■ February 10, 1258 Baghdad falls to the Mongols, ending the Abbasid Caliphate and the ‘Golden Age’ of the city described in The Arabian Nights.

■■ February 11, 1938 The BBC introduces the word “robot” in the world’s first science fiction television show, an adaptation of Karel Capek’s play R.U.R. ■■ February 12, 1912 The last Emperor of China, Puyi, abdicates the Dragon Throne, ending 1,000 years of dynastic rule in favour of the new Republic of China.

■■ February 13, 1503 Florentine astronomer Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome for his trial before the Inquisition, for (rightly) claiming the earth moves around the sun.

■■ February 14, 1929 Al Capone’s South Side gang murder seven rival mobsters in Chicago. The killings become known as the St Valentine’s Day Massacre.

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Sally York

WEEKDAYS Breakfast

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Siobhan McGovern Kirsty Meyer

9am - 10am

Best Of Breakfast

10am - 1pm

Live 89.5 Dance Anthems

SUNDAYS Sam & Natasha

5pm - 7pm

Weekend Brunch

Kirsty Meyer

10am – 1pm

Steve

7pm - 10pm

The Spin

Tim Newton

1pm - 4pm

Jason Wilder

4pm - 7pm

Steve Johnston

12pm - 3pm

Phuket News Radio

Live 89.5

1pm - 2pm

Saturday Night Fever

Live 89.5

10pm – 12am

International Chart Show Top 40

Jason Wilder

3pm - 7pm

Box Of Neutrals

Live 89.5

2pm – 3pm

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

12am – 10am

Sunday Night Chill

Live 89.5

7pm - 10pm

Live 89.5

7pm - 7am

Going Green

Nick Anthony

3pm – 5pm

Tel: 076 612 895 SMS: 090 490 7895

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

10pm – 7am

16 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Jobs

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

New Honda Jazz for rent

With insurance & delivery service > 22

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

Boomerang Village Resort: Job Opportunities at Boomerang Village Resort Cafe Del Sol Restaurant.

C & C M a r in e Urg ent Posi t ions: Store Supervisor: Good command in English/Responsible/Leadership/Problem solving skills. Please contact : 076 273247, 076 272049 or send resume by: info-phuket@candc-marine.com

Kiosk Attendee: Must be responsible. Good command of English. Service minded & flexible to welcome our guests, sell adventure mini golf tickets (fees), soft drinks and souvenirs etc. Call 076 314 345, email: manager@phuketadventureminigolf.com.

Phuket Brasserie Jobs Recuitment:

Sales Executive: 1-2

-Bartender

years experience in Sales & Mrk. Good command of English & computer Friendly and outgoing able to work within and as part of a team - Have own motorbike or car with driving license. Call 076 314 345, email: manager@phuket adventureminigolf.com.

Sea Bees Diving is looking for a reliable and

Waiter / Waitress (4) Restaurant Captain (1) Bartender / Bartendy (1) Boomerang Village Resort Receptionist (2) Manager, Receptionist (1) Guest Relation (1).

Contact: Email boomerangvillageresort@gmail. com, 085 692 3474.

Art teacher - Thai or Sales Wanted: Sales Philipino: International woman wanted for smart School in Phuket (Chalong) is looking for a Thai or Philipino national to join our team as an art-assistant teacher. We offer good salary, working Monday-Friday, school holiday. Contact 082 323 1188.

-Waitress Salary B9,000. Service charge B4,000. If you worked in hotels before it will be an advantage.

Contact 076 210 511.

Send CV and photo to linkwanjai@me.com.

Thai Cook-Sous Chef Wanted: Thai/Western restaurant is looking for an experienced Thai cook.

Must work under pressure, team player and with good organisation skills. Working hours 11.00-22.00. Good tips. Please contact 086 940 4801.

home/AV company, Phuket area. Reasonable English skills. Salar y plus commision/expenses. Send CV with photo to info@techworx.asia.

responsible person, Western or Thai, for our Head Office in Chalong. Applicants should be fluent in English and other languages (German preferred) with good communication, sales skills and willing to work in a highly professional & diverse team. Flexible, able to work under pressure and be service orientated is a must. This position is long-term & with a full-time contract. Please send your CV & recent photo to: office@sea-bees.com send your CV to phuketeventco@gmail.com.

- English Speaking/Writing - Managing Experience Preferred. 085 478 8366.

Webdeveloper: Knowl-

Chef Cook WantDraf tman Wanted: edge: HTML, CSS, JQue- Thai ed: Thai National. Experiry, Javascript, Photoshop, Thai, Draftsman with Autocad experience, basic English, can drive. Send resume at office-manager@ techworx.asia or call 081 080 3773 for more details.

To u r i s m W r i t e r s Needed: We are looking for tourism writers for various projects. Please

Thai nationality and speak basic English and good interpersonal skills. Develop and modify websites on detailed design specifications. Email: kritsanaphat@ lepepgroup.com.

Restaurant Manager Wanted: Thai National

enced Chef for Thai Cooking. Call 085 478 8366.

Restaurant Manager Wa n t e d: Re st au r a nt manager / accounting with experience managing restaurant, accounting, managing staf f and ser ving customers. Please call 087 471 1351.

WRITE YOUR CLASSIFIED PREMIUM: PAY ONCE UNTIL SOLD B2,799+VAT. PAY ONCE UNTIL SOLD WILL RUN ONLINE AND IN EVERY PRINT EDITION UNTIL YOU HAVE SOLD. INCLUDES ADDITIONAL 9 PICTURES ONLINE.

Headline: ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

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Online upgrades:

Website link B199

Print upgrades:

Extra lines B99

Urgent banner B199 Box B199

Colour Background B199

Colour Headlines B199

INCLUDE NOVOSTI PHUKETA (FREE TRANSLATION TO RUSSIAN) B1,699+VAT.

DEADLINE: MONDAY 11.59PM (MIDNIGHT) FOR THAT WEEKS ISSUE Hand this in at agent shops, our office or fax: 076 612 553

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CLASSIFIEDS 17

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com Positions available: 1. FB Manager 2. Group HR Director 3. PR Manager 4. Restaurant Manager 5. Bartender 6. Waitress 7. Waiter.

Good benefits, accommodation and hight services charge guarantee. Contact email: jobs@eventsthailand. net. Call 089 725 6994.

Swedish/Finnish Sp eaking Guid e:

Swedish/Finnish speaking tour guide wanted for cruise b oat, for tour s around Phuket and Krabi. Great customer ser vice skills & knowledge of Phuket & Thailand. Email Lotta: lotta@lamoet.com.

Sala Phuket Jobs Vacancy:

Siam Palm Residence Co., Ltd.: Siam Palm Residence Co., Ltd. is looking for an experienced Accountant/Financial Controller.

His/her main task will be taking care of all financial matters of Siam Palm Residence companies. Requirements: A few years experience in accounting position.

Proficient in English (speaking, reading and writing).

Good computer skills. Must also be willing to assist in the hotel’s front office/reception. Service minded, as he or she will be in direct contact with (potential) guests in the front office. Salary: negotiable (based on education and experience).

Please send your resume with expected salary to: info@siampalmresidence.com For more information call Khun Joy at 0 816 930 195.

Thai national between 2535 Salary from B23,000 plus benefits. Email: jon@ twochefs.com.

-Purchasing Manager: 1 Position

Staff for Dive Center Office: Immediate

start. 6 days/week. Good salary, adjusted to ability/ experience. Thai female with good English/computer/book-keeping skills required. In-house training possible. Chalong area.

088 380 9712.

-Chief Engineering: 1 Position -Spa Therapist: 4 Positions -Reservation Officer: Contact 076 338 888.

Email: pncphuket@sala phuket.com.

is looking for young Thai chef with positive attitude, motivation and creativeness to work with 3 Michelin star chef. Good English speaking is required.

Email: hr@iniala.com.

tionality only. Waitresses 2 positions, Bartender 1 position. Experience and good English will be an advantage. Good salary and benefits. Contact Khun Jana 086 947 5197, jana@davinciphuket. com.

S i t u a t i o n Va c a n t: Looking for people who love animals: And would like to do some volunteer work looking after sick, injured and homeless dogs in Thalang area. Contact: Sherin. peace@gmail.com.

Office Manager Wanted : Female /Thai ,

fluent in speaking and writing English, good computer skills, Accounting and administration skills required.

Preferably experience of at least two years. Please send your CV and photo to: monsoonpatong@gmail. com.

Cleaner part time Patong area. 3 - 4 hours, 2 times weekly. Contact 089 972 3861.

Join Your Team: The

C h a r o l a i s S te a k h o u s e Looking for staff waiter and waitress. Room, Social Security, Bonus. Come join our team. Please send CV and photo to altimthai@ yahoo.fr.

Nanny: Kamala area

family with 2 young boys needs full time nanny for after school and weekends, good English required, prefer Thai national. Excellent salary, leave and meals provided. Call 081 270 2180.

Housekeeper Surin Beach: Good base pay,

conditions and tips. Working with high-end clients.

Live in or live out. Will consider couples as well as individuals. Call Todd for more details 089 005 0700.

Two Chefs Sales: Two

Chefs are looking for a outgoing sales person. You should be speaking very good English and be used to work with computers.

If you meet these requirements, submit your CV/ Resume and photo to securecomm@yahoo.com or contact Jesse at 090 916 3460 directly. *Salary will be based on experience and qualifications, bonuses/ benefits and travel expenses will be provided. ing quality coffees. Email: dylan.sarlerat@gmail.com

HeadStar t International School: Execu-

an attractive work environment and interesting personal growth opportunities. kritsanaphat@lepepgroup. com.

tive Chef one position Cook.

DaVinci Restaurant in Nai Harn: Thai nalish and computer skills Monday-Friday, 7.30am5pm, Chalong. Contact 0 8 0 6 24 70 6 0 . Em a i l: phuketpreschool@yahoo. com, www.buds-phuket. com.

HTML, CSS, JQuery, Javascript, Photoshop. Others: speaking basic English and have experience. We offer an attractive work environment and interesting personal growth opportunities. kritsanaphat@lepep group.com.

Executive Secretary/Accounts: SecureComm LTD Executive Secretary/Accounts Receivable Secure Comm is a private Hong Kong based encrypted communication provider.

Director of Operations of SecureComm Limited is looking for a Phuket based, preferably: - Thai native with an excellent command of spoken and written English. (Foreigners on long term visas may also apply.)

- Background in AR/Accounting and Bookkeeping is a must.

- Experienced in Data Entry Computer literate, proficient with Excel.

- Smartphone savvy, experienced with using Blackberry devices preferred.

- Experienced as a secretary or executive assistant with strong organizational/detail oriented/administrative skills.

-Must be able to travel, preference will be given to candidates with Passports and Driving Licenses.

Coffee Shop Manager Foreign Food Cook. Thai Maids Wanted: I am Needed: Brand new Ital- Food. Contact 076 612 876. looking for a maid to clean,

1 Position

Secretary Kindergar- Apprentice Chef: 6 ten: Must have good Eng- Star resort on Natai Beach

Web Developer (HTML /CSS): Skills:

JOBS IN PHUKET

Admin & Coordinate Staff: Small Dynamic Real

Estate Agency company is seeking admin and coordinate staff, Thai Female, Fluent in English, Computer literate. Immediately starts. Please send your CV. sales@18excelsiorproperty.com.

Reception/Accounting Wanted: Two Chefs

are now looking for a reception staff that can speak very good English when a big part of the job is to speak with our customers both foreign and Thai. Salary start B12,000+benefits.

Email: jon@twochefs.com.

See twochefs.com.

Apprentice Chef:

Looking for a young Thai chef for new restaurant in a villa complex in Phangnga. Successful candidate will be trained in Spain with three Michelin stars chef.

Good command of English required. Email: hr@iniala. com.

ian coffee shop at Banana Walk Patong requires a Thai female manager, must have coffee shop management experience and be a highly skilled barista in prepar-

Programmer: Skills: ASP.NET C#, SQL, HTML, CSS, JQuery, etc. Others: speaking basic English and have experience. We offer

iron and do a little bit of cooking. Hours: Monday to Saturday. 8.30 am to 5.30pm. Salary according to experience.

084 851 9795, phuketproper ties@gmail.com.

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Property quiet nature for your relaxation.

Massage, Tours, and Services.

Start from only B599. Contact 083 173 9636. B.Jack, email: naiharnbeachresort@hotmail. com.

Naiharn townhouse Boasts views over Nai Harn lake

PROPERTY FOR SALE Rawai Soi Saliga Land for Sale: Land 1 rai + 81 T/W total 192 sqm. Does not need landscaping sale by owner land location on the top of the Soi. Tel 084 745 4132, chanote tiltle.

Phuket Cottages

Near British International School, pool-villas starting from THB 8,800,000.

www.phuket-cottages.com

Call: 089-724-7211

FOR SALE RAWAI BEACH

House For Rent: 3 bed-

PROPERTY FOR RENT

rooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished with small garden, quiet area at Paklok. Rent: B15,000 per month. Email: suksavat@hotmail.com or 084 626 5616.

Andaman Beach Suite Condo Patong Beach, Phuket: Has kitchenette, terrace, TV, CD player, telephone, WIFI, Has full use of Hotel facilities, restaurant, room service, swiming pool, tennis courts, and gym. 120mt to beach, 5 minutes to Patong. email penthouse2102@gmail. com, 089 972 3861, 089 570 1519.

Guesthouse for Lease in Patong: 12 rooms, good location Nanai Road. Nine year lease: ver y low rent, strong starting, easy to manage and a good return on investment. Price 1.2MLN baht.

Take this opportunity. Email: Thamad17@yahoo.com. Telephone: 089 728 4005.

2- bedroom apar tment for rent, long or short term. Fully furnished, kitchen, 2 bathrooms. Pool, large gardens, parking, and a mere 3 minute stroll to scenic Nai Harn beach. resortgm@gmail.com.

House for sale Rawai Soi Orchid: 5 sleeping

Near Beach 3 Bed Pool Villa: Fully equipped

Luxury Ocean View Apartments for Rent in Kata and Karon: 1

SPECIAL TWIN VILLAS. 3 OR 4 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHROOMS. POOL, LARGE TERRACE, SMALL GARDEN. LIVING SPACE 400 SQM, LUXURY FURNISHED. PRICE B8,500,000. FREEHOLD.

Condo At The Heights, Kata: Immaculate 2-Bed fo rei gn - f re eh o l d unit in award-winning project. 195 sqm, sea view, near gym & pool. Quality furnishing throughout. Designer kitchen with utility-store. phuket.pn@ gmail.com.

INFO: 081 788 8280. EMAIL; thewhitehousekata@gmail. com.

Beach Condo, Beach 3 Min. Walk: Spacious

holiday home with private garden and pool. Within easy reach of Rawai and Nai Harn beach. For full details and pictures please contact me. 084 850 1340.

rooms 4 toilets. 3 kitchens EUR / Thai/outside. 3 car places Soi Ruam Na Nachat sale by owner 8.7MB. Tel 0847454132, private financing by owner down 2.7MB+4 yearly payment of 1.5MB

on 5th floor of Patong Tower, close to beach, post office, Jungceylon. 69 sq.metre: B34,500 per month. 106 sq.metre: B53,000 per month.

126 sq.metre: B63,000 per month. 076 341 369-71.

Surin Beach Office For Rent: Prime location

fully renovated sales office/ shop with initial lease of 6 years. Internal area 144 m2, walled back garden 60 m2, 4 parking spots, 3 phase, kitchen, internet, phone/ fax, TV, 5 AC. Contact 085 060 0033.

NaiHarn Beach Lagoon Resort: on South end of Naiharn Beach, Phuket, just 10 minutes to Kata. Nice and

tiful land with Chanote for sale, concrete access road, Land plat, electric & facilities ready to build your home.

Direct contact Thai owner K.Dallas (Poy) 089 472 9870 or dchaibut@gmail.com.

Beautiful Villa Rawai:

Nai Harn Beach Townhouse: 3 story, 2 bed townhouse. Views over Nai Harn lake and only one minute walk to beach.Lease or free hold. Roof top BBQ/ Sala. Buy of the Century.

B6,500,000. Call 081 270 4291. See phuketpremiumrealestate.com.

Patong Bangla Building for Sale: B28 mil-

lion, Chanote, 4 floors 6m x 14m. 1st & 2nd tenanted. Flr 3-staff accom, bath, kitchen.

Separate office with access to lower floor. 4th flr private Penthouse one bed. 087 881 7600.

S a l e B a r, H o t e l + 1 Shop Rawai Beach: Land plot 7 0 0 s q m + b u i l d i n g +1 0 bed+10bath+2 restaurants.

New renovated. Private financing by owner. Down 2M B+13year ly payment of 1MB. Own forever title land 100 metre to Rawai landing pier. 084 242 8914, rawai4@yahoo.com.

Ocean Front Villa for rent: Luxury brand new vil-

Office for rent Patong Tower: 3 Offices for rent

1 Rai Land QUICK Sale in Rawai: Beau-

Beautiful 2 bed pool villa with sep maids room or 3rd b/ room. Great outdoor entertaining area. 5 minutes to all conveniences. Reduced to B9,500,000. Call 081 270 4291 or thailandmls@gmail. com.

Patong Fre e Hold Condo: Studio condo on

or 2 Bdrm, 2 Bathrm, Kitchen, large balcony, parking, 24 hrs security, gymnasium, swimming pool. Ph: 076 486 624 and 086 281 9311.

Email: bao200@gmail.com.

la, fully furnished and ready to move in, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with infinity 10 metre long swimming pool and truly beautiful sea view.

Located in a small development, only 50 metres from the sea and 3 mins from Ao Po Grand Marina. For sale B19.9 million or for long term rent B150,000 per month.

Call 081 343 0777, email: montha_ phuket@yahoo. com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Happy Home Apartment for sale: Nice Shop Front for Rent: The Royal Phuket Yacht Club shop front space for rent 4.34 M. x 4.37 M. Located on the first floor of a great looking area for retail shop, boutique etc. Call 076 380 200 ext.

601 Khun Naphat.

apartment, fully furnished at Rawai. The apartment is set in a private compound with pool. It is located only 5 minutes from beach and convenient to Phuket Town.

Only B15 million. Tel :081 893 2165 www.happyhomeapartmentphuket.webiz. co.th.

Nai Harn Baan Bua: When only the best will do!

4 bed/pool villa in Phuket’s best-kept gated community.

410 sq.mtr villa. 812 sq.mtr land. Overlooking lagoon.

Beautiful. Call 081 270 4291.

Email: thailandmls@gmail. com, www.phuketpremiumrealestate.com.

4th floor 50s/m. Huge swimming pool, beautiful gardens, completly renovated new tiles, light, painting, new furniture, kitchen, shower and toilet. 2.5 B/T Eng 085 471 9246, Thai 087 621 3405.

Investment Property for sale!: New, modern waterfront townhome at the Boat Lagoon for sale. Rented out long term at 570,000 Baht/ year. 3 bed/4 bath, 2 balconies, terrace at canal, 6 m berth in front of house. 250 sqm living space. Top condition. Luxury finishings. Brokers welcome. B9.9 million.

086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 5204 (Thai/English).

Restaurant / Guesthouse: Established restaurant covering two shop houses with private terrace and owners apartment or 8 room guesthouse. Freehold (no lease/rent). Includes all equipment and newly renovated kitchen. Contact for details. Projected ROI 4 years. Call 081 956 3166.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 19

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

for living + dining, 1 laundry, big kitchen + long island 1 front off + aircon. Nice view of club house: big garden, pool, tennis. 300 sqm, B5.9 Million.

Call 089 925 5486.

with own well. Restaurant and bar with satellite TV and Adsl.

Opened for 15 years, with lots of repeat customers, parking, quiet. 086 940 1860.

PROPERTY IN PHUKET secure estate close to beach.

Enjoy the private salt water pool and undercover parking, 3 large bedrooms freehold investment. 081 719 4688.

Absolute Beachfront - EVA: Set on the beachLuxury Villa in Chalong: Perfect condition, 660 sqm on 3 levels, 1,600 sqm land, 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, swimming pool 12.5m x 6m with jacuzzi, large sala, double garage.

Top quality construction. Reduced price: B25.5 million w w w.tamata-phuket.com crishausb@hotmail.com. 086 271 3260 or 086 273 4149.

F O R S A L E - K ATA BEACH CENTRE

House for sale near Loch Palm: Three bedroom pool villa in Kathu close to international schools. Views over Loch Palm. All bedrooms with aircon and en suite bathrooms. Two car garage and secluded garden. Chanote title. Call 084 844 0991

Opportunity Knocks: B24,500,000. Deceased Estate - Absolute waterfront.

Occupying a stunning location on the east coast of Phuket this five-level villa has panoramic sea views from every level. Renovation work required. 085 793 2667. See exotiqproperty. com. Ref AB-V453, email: dmuir@exotiq.com.

LUXURY 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT 60 SQM. PRICE B2,700,000.

LEASEHOLD. INFO: 084 843 8720.

EMAIL; thewhite housekata @ gmail. com.

front, the ff villa offers uninterrupted sea and island views of the south east coast of Phuket. Situated between t wo 5 star resor ts: Vijitt and EVASON near Laem Kanoi. 081 480 3834, http:// www.facebook.com/Phuket.

Beachfront.

205/34 Soi Thamdee Nanai 6: House for sale in a very good location in the heart of Patong. The house has 3 floors, 3 sleeping rooms, 1 living room, 3 bathrooms and a roof terrace with jacuzzi, garage. Good rental return. Price on request. 084 188 4544.

Pa tong Towe r fo r Sale: And for rent. Sea

Mission Heights: Land area 500m2, House area 164m2. 3 bed, 4 bath, fully furnished, aircon in all rooms, fans, Internet, satellite TV, swimming pool, independent water supply wells. Finish work December 2012. B10 million. Call 088 838 3242.

NEW Studio Apt in Kathu: 30 sqm, 1 bed-

for sale in Permsap Villa, Cherng Talay. Land 735 m2, original 4 bedroom house w it h 2 3 0 m 2 f l o o r are a modified to 3 bedroom, all windows and doors from SUNPARADISE, separate carport from Shades. Very quiet estate. First owner since 2009. Price B10.9 mln o.n.o. Call 083 509 8797 for information.

www.phuket-land-sale.com

view and mountain views.

Freehold from 64 to 448 sq metres. Phone no: 080 692 6114. Email: orsoreal estate@hotmail.com.

Rawai Great Buying:

Freehold House for sale: Freehold house

BEST SEAVIEW LAND-EVER!

room, kitchen, washing machine, aircon, balcony, fully furnished. Condo with gym, 24hr security, car park. 5 mins to Patong, Loch Palm golf. Good view. B1.25 million. Call 086 947 1273.

Lovely house with 2 bedrooms or separate SC flat downstairs.Well ventilated with natural light in pristine condition. Distant sea views.

B5,500,000. Call 081 270 4291 or thailandmls@gmail. com. See phuketpremiumre alestate.com

Rawai Condo Sale/ Rent: Sell 1.1MB, Full ownership forever-beyond the financing plan of 10 years.

Rent 9,000B/Month. Studio room renovated with furniture. A/C, WiFi, kitchen, 200m to beach. 084 242 8914. Rawai4@yahoo.com.

Rawai B eachf ront Pool Villa for Sale: Rawai Beach front pool villa for sale. 3 bedrooms, furnished. Contact Siriporn on 089 649 9939.

villa with 5 bedrooms all with ensuite on 1 rai of land. Big hall, office, maid’s room. Brand-new construction opposite Wat Chalong on the way up to the hill.

A huge 685 sq.m of living area, fully furnished. Modern European- designed kitchen. Big sea view pool terraces incl sala and attractive bar area. Security alarm system. Selling price on request. By owner directly. Call 085 654 4011 or 089 404 0737. Email: schulz.th@gmx.de.

Laguna/Layan. Luxury private pool villas in secure development. Available now.

All beds ensuite. Fully furnished. Rental programme available. B12-20 million.

Contact owner: 085 549 7110.

PATONG condos for sale: Beautiful, modern

aircon, warm water, 2 aircon

Resort for Sale: Resort 2 rai, with Chanote. 22 Double villas with kitchens, large pool and big coconut garden

plot 700 sqm+building+10 bed+10bath+2 restaurants.

New renovated. Private financing by owner. Down 2MB+13yearly payment of 1MB. Own forever title land 100 metre to Rawai landing pier. 084 242 8914, rawai4@ yahoo.com.

LUXURY 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT 60 SQM. PRICE B2,900,000.

LEASEHOLD. INFO: 084 843 8720.

EMAIL; thewhite housekata @ gmail. com.

3 Bed Pool Villa Pa Khlok: 3 Beds, 2 Bath 6x3m pool. Full aircon and funishings. Ready for occupation and rental. Secure estate, private parking. 6km from Heroines monument.

Close to PIA , BCS and shops. 081 737 0722.

7.5 M House and Pool Bypass Rd: Very clean 5

Best Functional House for Sale: 3 bed + 4 bath,

Sale Bar, Hotel + 1 Shop R a w a i B e a c h: L a n d

Condos/Apartments, furnished, best/quiet locations, garden, s-pool, from 3667sq metre, sea-city-mountian views, from B2,375. Call 087 819 2162 or caltirol@ hotmail.com.

House For Sale In Chalong By Owner:

bedroom, 3 bathroom house with 5 x 10 metre pool 10 minutes south of Central Festival, walking distance to Kajonkiet Bilingual School.

To see: 083 301 3470, email: wpdrake@hotmail.com.

special promotion: Studio in brand new, world class, eastcoast development. Never seen on Phuket; Amazing luxury at Real prices. Call 080 882 1377, email: beach projects1@gmail.com.

F O R S A L E - K ATA BEACH CENTRE

3 & 4 Bed Pool Villas:

Sea-View ChalongResidence: Dream pool

Double your money in 5 years!: New Year

Beautiful Karon Villa: Modern open living villa has it all, fully furnished, private

Chanote title. 412 sq.metre.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

Extra penthouse with open k itc he n an d sto re r o o m.

Lovely garden, very quiet and cosy place. Access to pool nearby. Price B3.9 mill. negotiable. Telephone 087 881 3062 (After 5/4-13 +47 4739 0581) email: kjellsy vertsen@hotmail.com.

2 Pool Villas next to PIA: Ready to move in, villa 1 on 1,100 Sqm. land, for sale 15.9 mill and villa 2 on 2,200 Sqm. land, for sale 19.9MB. Brand new, each with 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 12 metre swimming pool, guest bungalow with 1 bedroom 1 bathroom. Perfectly located in a developement with underground electricity and security, only 800 metres from Mission Hills golf course, less than 10 mins to airport, Phuket International Academy and AoPor Grand Marina. Call 081 343 0777.

Email: montha_ phuket@ yahoo.com.

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PROPERTY IN PHUKET PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT. F O R S A L E - K ATA BEACH CENTRE LUXURY 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT 60 SQM. PRICE B3,400,000.

LE ASEHOLD. INCLUDE FURNISHINGS. INFO: 081 788 8280.

EMAIL; thewhite housekata @ gmail. com.

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com

Karon Hill Condo for sale! Foreign Freehold: Seaview over Karon B e ac h. 10 0 s qm. Li v ing area. 1 bedroom, walk in closets, luxury bathroom, terrace, etc. Fully furnished.

Many upgrades. Luxury furnishings. Only 6.9 million baht. Brokers welcome. Call 086 747 9292 (English) or 0 81 970 520 4 (English/ Thai). Email: claudstrey@ gmail.com.

20M Baht. Rent minimum 6 months. High season 90K per month.Twelve months or more 70K PM. 087 078 6379.

Busy Bar for sale: Very busy Mushroom bar for sale in Soi Bel Air. Wally Bar. All stock, TV sound system, beer boxes and fridges included in sale, rent B10,000 monthly, only 850,000 baht ono. Call Rawai 6 Bedrooms:

086 725 0771.

House on The Corner for Sale: Quiet locaOne + Two Homes for Sale with AC, Rawai: Main home: two bed, extended bungalow with outside kitchen, shower and seating salas set in mature, walled, private gardens. Own well, tanks and pumps. Sold, furnished.

Will sleep 8+ can be sold with a 30-year land lease for non-Thai. Price B5.5 nego: Mobile: Eng 082 416 0150. 3BB WiFi internet also.

Golf View Villa For Sale: Near British International School, state-ofthe-art villa overlooking the Loch Palm Golf Course: 4 bedrooms + maid’s room; 485 m2 built on 1,860 m2 land. B28million. Contact owner 089 724 7211.

tion and only 500m from the main road. Thepkrasattri, Heroines Monument.

70sqw x 280sqm, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big living room with open-plan kitchen (9x9m), 1 separated kitchen, carpark for 3 cars and a small storehouse, 2 aircons, cable TV, 1 phone line TT&T. Price: B3.5 million including furniture.

Excl. furniture B2,995,000.

Must see! Email: jochenschmitz16@gmail. com. Call 081 607 8000.

Lovely 6 bedroom/office.Inc: 2 bedroom SC disable flat.

Pool, garden, garage, storage. Opp.Tesco in well established area.Priced to sell at B9,000,000. Ph:081 270 4291.Email:thailandmls@ gmail.com.

Seaview Townhouse Patong: Bet ween the city and the jungle at the northern edge of Patong.

70m alt., 10mn walk to the beach. 4 storey +/- 290 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 toilet. 4 aircon, par tly furnished. andamanhills@ gmail.com.

Ocean Front Villa for Sale: Luxury brand new vil-

Pool Villa For Sale Nai Harn: Modern, open design villa with a large 9x3 metre pool, 2 floors, nice garden, car park and mountain views, 6 years young, 120 sqm floor, 2 bedrooms, chanote, located close to center & beach. Call 085 473 7812.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

la, fully furnished and ready to move in, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with infinity 10 metre long swimming pool and truly beautiful sea view.

Located in a small development, only 50 metres from the sea and 3 mins from Ao Po Grand Marina. For sale B19.9 million or for long term rent B150,000 per month.

Call 081 343 0777, email: montha_ phuket@yahoo. com.

Single House Special Price B9.5 million: Nice house fully furnished with teakwood furniture, ready to move in. 240 sqm. 4 bed 4 bath, close to Kathu waterfall and market. Near Loch Palm, major stores, BIS and KIS. Call Oranwan 086 883 3169.

Furnished House for Sale Phuket Villa 5: 3 bedroom house with furniture, close to Kajonkiet School. Secure area, Cul De Sac. Nice gardens, two b at h r o o m s. 3 . 5 M B a ht .

Negotiable. 081 370 8114 (Thai) 087 889 3838 (Eng), e m a i l:d av i d g e m 9 8 @ h ot mail.com.

Patong Condo: Makes a good condo deal now. 1-bedroom corner condo 56sqm, fully furnished. Only 1.99 mil.

Normal price 2.6 mil. 10mins walk to beach and Bangla Road. Tel: 089 872 6895 or jospeder@live.no.

Seaview 1 BDRM New Condo Patong: Stunning seaview, city view 1 bdrm condo on hill 500m from Patong beach. Fitness centre, roof top pool, security,car park, freehold.

Only B4,40 0,0 0 0. Keith 084 628 3430, keithb025@ gmail.com.

Allamanda (Laguna) Residences/Phuket Sale/Rent: One condo unit, half of a deluxe twin house, fully furnished and equipped, set direct on the picturesque lagoon with balcony right over it. 3 bedrooms each with shower/bathroom, roof terrace. Long term rent or sale. 0 9 0 487 8 08 4, utaipan@yahoo.com.

Sea-View Contemporary Pool Villla: Located near Phuket town. Land: 855sq.m. House: 650sq.m.

Furnished. 3 beds, 2 offices, 2 staff quarters, 1 free room.

2 car parks. Price B54.9 mill.

Tel: 081 895 3628 E-mail: jin_koy@yahoo.com.

Patong Lof t Condo: Pool Villa in Marina: Ready to move in, single storey pool villa with 3 bedroom situated in the impressive Park Residence sector of Boat Lagoon Marina.

Impressively constructed along a modern Asian theme. 076 238 948, email: marketing@phuketproper tytrip.com.

F O R S A L E - K ATA BEACH CENTRE 2 BEDROOMS LUXE APARTMENT 13 5 S Q M . PR I C E B7,900,000. LEASEHOLD.

Townhouse Chalong Bargain!: Town house on 3 levels with mezanine, 112 sqm, fully furnished, 3 BR, 3 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 3 air con. Tasteful western decoration, MUST see, HP English 0854415115. Thai 081 555 1230.

Makes a good condo deal now.

1-bedroom, fully furnished, 67 sqm living area. Only B2.99 million. Big swimming pool.

Normal price B3.7 mil. Tel: 089 872 6895. Email: jospeder@ live.no.

Kathu- Pool Villa for sale: Hillside setting. Luxurious 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom pool villa for sale or rent. Sale

INFO: 084 843 8720.

EMAIL; thewhite housekata @ gmail. com.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 21

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com and only 10 minutes to Phuket Town, located at Kathu, total 141 square wah or 564 square metre with ready public utility.

Call 081 892 0610,081 472 0770, tan_ohio@hotmail.com.

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT. Land Plot for Sale: Chanode title at Cherng Talay / Pasak7 (Phuket - Surin Beach aerea) Phone 090 487 8084. Email: utaipan@ yahoo.com.

location, deluxe 43sqm, 1 bed 1 bath apartment, freehold, modern full furnished, pool, gym, sauna, CCTV + security 24hrs, private park.

3.5MB. Call Jeab: 087 225 8311 (English/Thai) Email: nhoj0512@hotmail.com.

Patong Apartment Reduced Price: Condo 4 years old. Swimming pool, security 24/7, cafeteria. Studio 46sqm fully furished. Freehold for foreigners. Price:2.6MLN. Urgent sale, no agent. tel.089 728 4005. Mail:thamad17@ yahoo.com.

Donsak Beachfront Land 3 Rai: 67 metres absolute beach frontage, fully infrastructured, ready to build. Close to ferry going to Koh Samui. Chanote title. 6.6MB for all. Contact 087 225 8311 (English/Thai) Jeab. Email: nhoj0512@ hotmail.com.

New Condo “Phuket Villa Patong�: Prime

Amazing Sea View Penthouse: Panoramic sea view, mountain view and Big Buddha. 310 sq metre, 2 beds, 2 baths with option to convert in 3 beds. Contact: Izzy +66(0)86 278 8300 or izzy.serenitygroup@gmail. com.

2nd floor, corner unit, stunning sea view, pool, car park, security, best location, ca. 110sqm, 2 bedroom, German kitchen, all new, terrace, only a few metres to beach, B10.6 M 081 824 1385.

Point near Lotus, Big C, Central. All furniture and inventory include. Great views 6th floor. Cost over 2.8M Baht.

Call 087 889 3838 or 081 370 8114. Email: davidgem98@ hot mail.com

from the beach, large 2-bedroom apartment with communal swimming pool and balcony. FREEHOLD (can be foreign owned). B7.5M. Call owner 089 724 7211 or julien@phuket immo.com.

Beach, about 850 sq.metre.

Chanote title deed, private road with sewer, 3 phases electricity and wall around the land. Email: rawai.steen@ gmail.com, call 080 530 6880.

Seaview Land Patong:

Land for Sale: Mission Heights. One rai. Very quiet and private, close to all services, 10 min to school, airport, beach, golf, Tesco. B3.4M. 087 276 0529 for info.

for immediate sale located at Lotus Residence, a small 3-storey boutique condo of only 12 apartments total.

It is located on a southern hillside above Patong Bay. Call 084 436 2540.

1 Rai Chalong Pier Land Sale: 1483 square

Absolute Beach Front Land: S o ngk la dist r ic t

SALE in Patong; 50 sqm of the living area, sea-view / mountain view, furnished, Po o l, 24 h r s e c u r i t y, f o r SALE B2.8M - B3.3M. Contact +66 (0) 83 103 3801, 081 415 7774.

Beachfront land for sale: 2 rai absolute amazing

Prime Location 35M Lake Front: Fantastic

Land Closed to Thanyapura /PIA: Half

Land For Sale: Mission Heights. 3/4 of rai in small community, very quiet and private, close to all services, 10 min to school, airport, beach, golf, Tesco B2.5M. 087 276 0529 for info.

Rai 1.3MB, 1 Rai is 2.5 MB, total 3 Rai of Land, Mountain View, Chanote, 3 Mins drive to Thanyapura/PIA School, 15 Mins to Airport. Contact Marisa 084 305 6667 or marisar1978@hotmail.com.

views over the lake and Loch Palm. Very quiet, secluded plot but with all facilities ready to go. 1551 sqm plot, freehold leasehold with full Chanote title. 081 273 6959.

Land for Sale - in Marina: Design and build

G o l f Co u r s e L a n d For Sale: Near British

1 Rai Sea-View Land:

Intl School, 17 rai with public road access. Suitable for resort or housing project. Can be divided. Price: B 4. 5 m p e r r ai. C o nt ac t owner 089 724 7211, email: julien@phuketimmo.com.

Opposite Wat Chalong on the way up to the hill, Chanote, ca. 36 m x 45 m, sophisticated hillside project, proratable, B8.5 mil direct to owner: 085 65 44 0 11 or 089 40 40 737.

Land At Kathu For Sale: Rawai Half Rai for Sale: Only 15 minutes to Patong

near new deep sea por t.

4.5 Rai divided into 7 Chanote plots. Reluctant sale.

B4.9M the lot. Email: jmic chia@yahoo.c om or c all 087 276 0529.

club, may split into 3 x 2 rai seperate plots, 4.2m baht per rai, full chanote, water/elec. sea/mountain views. 08 797 85804 (Eng).

metres (0.927 Rai). Chanote Title. New Survey. Public road, electric and good well water. 450m walk to Chalong Pier and all boat tours. Build your dive resort. 085 784 0209.

Apartment for sale in Patong: Apar tment for

Hill Land for Sale: Very nice location hill land by the Bangwat Dam, total 60 rai, 96,000 square metre. Contact: Attapong 081 892 0610 (Thai), Jantiwa 081 890 8268 (Eng). e-mail: jantiwa_ j@hotmail. com.

Two parcels of superior land 11 rai. Inc seaview. Main road frontage. Ideal for resort or condominiums. 150 mil baht. (Thai) 081 370 8114 or (Ger) 081 892 1108. Email: davidgem98@hotmail.com

6 rai Hilltop Land for sale: Near Mission Hills golf

beachfront, few min boat ride from Phuket, facing west to sunset and views of Phuket.

B13 million per rai +66 (0) 86 278 8300 or izzy.serenitygroup@gmail.com.

Condominium in Patong for Sale: Less than 1 Km

B7,999/Sq wah at Paklok, Chanote, Mountain View, 200m from main road, 11 km from monument and 4 km to Mission Hill. Interested/ Wanted larger size, CALL 084 305 6667, email: mari sar1978@hotmail.com

Patong Condo for Sale: My condo is ready

Ocean Front Land: 7 rai with 185 metres of sea frontage. Water, electricity, road and boat access, located 800 metres from Yacht Haven marina, perfect site for small beach front development. For quick sale only B5 million per rai. Tel 081 343 0777 Email: montha_phuket@yahoo.com.

Urgent Sale - Make an Offer: Studio condo at The

Pa klok L and O nly B7,999/Sqwah: Only

3 gorgeous lots, clean titles: For sale or long lease. 2 Lots on IslandBeachfront (Bungalow-/ Housing-Estate) and 1 big Mainland-Mountain property all in very quiet, safe, well maintained locations near Krabi. 089 291 4671.

Patong/Kalim sea view condo: Freehold,

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

Land plot 100 metres to Rawai

your own home with good location and gated community. All the infrastructure you need is available such as water, underground cabling for power, telephone, ADSL internet etc. Contact 076 238 948, email: market ing@phuketproper ty trip. com.

22 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy&Sell licensed for 25 passengers, storage area, manual head, 5 years old, B1.4 million o.n.o, please contact 076 362 300 Ext.1801.

BOATS & YACHTS

4 0F T Steel Cut ter Sloop: Ready to cruise.

Centrecockpit. Safe, strong German design. New Sails, 44HP Yanmar Engine, 6 Berths, solar, wind generator, BBQ, dinghy&outboard.

AUD$110K. 085 378 0498, yacht.antaia@gmail.com.

maintained Wauquiez Yacht 41FT. Specs and photos: w w w.w a u q u i e z f o r s a l e . blogspot.com. Robert: 087 632 8259 or email: camina ta40@hotmail.com. Priced to sell: $199K US. Can be seen in Phuket.

Speed boat for sale!

Now 290,000: 6 metre body

Charter Boat: 62ft Hatteras Style yacht, 35 + 4 crew, large upper deck includes website: www.char terboatsphuket.com, price B5,370,000 or best offer. email: eastcoastefi@aol. com or 087 889 8044.

Bayliner, 200 HP (EFI) Mercury engine, Yamaha 5 HP back up engine. Blue book. Including: trailer, 2 anchors, and cover, Garmin deep sounder and fish finder brand new. Call 081 477 5637 THAI; 086 283 0082 ENG, RUS.

Cement plant

Ready mixed concrete factory

to be used for production.

Address: Moo. 4 T. Maikhao Thalang Dist. Phuket 83110.

Land Size: 20 rai 2 Ngan and 56 talang wah. Price: B130 Million. Contact: Mr. Lee, mobile: 081 803 7189.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Exceptional Yacht For Sale: Beautifully

Moonsoon for sale: Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@ tile-asia.com.

CAR FOR RENT

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Business for sale: Business only or business & property. Est 2003. Repeat business from big data base, non tourist related soft furnising manufacturing & retail business. Genuine enquires only, no tyre kickers. For further info email samos1941@ gmail.com.

6.5M RIB: New Hypalon tubing and blue cover. On a fiber glass V shaped hull.

240HP Mercury Giving comfortable cruise at 25-30Kts and 40 Kts Max Ideal for family day trips to beach skiing etc. 081 273 6959.

2 Rai, Cherntalay : 25 year lease for sale. Well situated in fast developing and sought after area close to Laguna. Some fixed rent applies. Contact 087 884 0644 for more info.

Cement Produc t ion Plant: Ready Mixed Con-

tion, 12.18m Fiberglass Bowrider, 12mm thick hull, 600ltr fuel tank, 150ltr water tank,

PERSONAL SERVICES

Backgammon: Players Wanted. Tel: 081 577 8443, email: phuketconnection@ yahoo.com

c lasses have never been

Mazda 2 For Sale: One more fun using our top-class

Tohatsu 40hp, trailer, skis, tube, lifejackets. B140,000.

Contact: 080 073 5371.

Speedboat for sale Hull Only: Excellent condi-

VA LCUCINE showroom kitchen for sale due to renovation. 3 years old / good condition / Walnut material with Stainless Steel worktop /hob / hood sink and tap.

Please call English (084 240 6688) and Thai (081 484 2565).

CAR FOR SALE

Phuket Cooking Academy: Cooking and baking

Lodestart RIB: 3.8m,

yacht Cranchi 47f t Hard Top. Fully loaded with Tropical air con, genset, Electrical winches, garage, roof, Raymarine Premium Navy, BBQ, Ice Maker, 3 Fridges, “Bose” Sound, Neon light, Twin 570HP with reliable shaft drive, under 300 hours, Brand New Condition. Euro385,000. Call: 089 971 0278, eddyelan@yahoo. com.

Club Asia Fitness, Royal Phuket Cit y Hotel - O ffers Zumba/LesMills/Yoga Classes/ Weight Training/ Sauna /Steam/Swimming pool-all inclusive. For a free trial workout come along and join the action. Tel 076 354 027, 087 275 3614, www. clubasiaphuket.com.

VALCUCINE for sale:

New Honda Jazz: New Honda jazz for rent with insurance and delivery service .

Call 081 607 8567.

year old 7,500km. automatic, smart lock, park distance control, air bags, CD stereo, controlled on steering wheel 490,000B moving must sell, contact Thai/English : 090 165 08

Lady Car for sale: Nissan

A Steal For A Quick Sale: 2007 Italian demo

Clubs & Memberships:

tact 082 276 1675, www.good karmathailand.com.

COOKING CLASS

Ski Boat for Sale: Glastron Carlson design, Thai registered, 120ltr fuel tank, 200hp Yamaha engine in excellent condition.

Includes trailer, boat cover, wakeboard pole, ropes and ski equipment. Call 081 894 5822, email: markbreitis@ gmail.com.

proven schedule and curriculum. Now in brand-new purpose-built school. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/2-8. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Bus service available from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong.

Tel: 076 384 638, 080 624 7060. Website: www.budsphuket.com.

CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS 28Ft, registered for 15 passengers. 200Hp/ V6 Mercury motor, only 240 hours, totally restored 40 hours ago, perfect for snorkeling, diving trips, island hopping, water taxi navigation system + fishfinder, 5hp spare motor. Boat and motor in very good condition. Located at Boat Lagoon. Priced for quick sale at B330,000.

Contact at : 086 747 9292 or claudstrey@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

crete C ompany ’s factor y.

446.92 Horse power. Output of workers in the production of 22 people per day at an average yield of about 100 Q/Day (B1,800/Q) average revenue per day for about B180,000. Manufacture of ready-mixed concrete. Can continue immediately. Just buy a cement truck then start delivery. Ready water source

Tida 2010 model, automatic, as new condition, white, mag wheels, air con, CD stereo controlled from steering wheel, 1 year 1st class insurance.

B590,000 ONO, call 087 276 0529.

CHILDCARE

professional facilities. With complimentary transport from around the island, head to the best Masterchef kitchen on the island. Learn the tricks of the trade from international award winning Chef, Lionel Raiffort. Learn how to cook, from Thai & European cuisines, to the art of baking.

Get involved and make a day of it, groups are welcome. For more information, visit www. phuket- c ooking - ac ademy. com or call 081 821 4064.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE

Motorbike Trailer with Tow bar: Professionally built motorbike trailer, with tow bar and coupling. Cost B45,000 to build, will sell for B25,000.

Ideal for dog caring or shopping. Very stable. Please ring 084 858 1917.

Health Food: Online health Buds Nursery: Phuket’s food in Thailand. Good karoldest international childcare facility. High-quality, time-

PET ADOPTION

ma, all natural, healthy, and organic products. Please con-

WA N T TO G E T A NEW DOG?: Have you thought about adopting a homeless dog,?

Many healthy, sterilized dogs to choose from contact : gone2thedoggies@gmail.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

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liberto@construction-thailand.com 40 years experience of more than 20 years at your service in Thailand.

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Office 3.L.H & I.C.P. Manufactory 3.L.H & I.C.P.

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MARINE SERVICES

Specialized in large commercial and small residential cooling & heating systems.

076 319406-8 086 4702026-7 www.choochuay.com

MARINE SERVICES

REMOVALS

STORAGE

SWIMMING POOLS

w w w. e m

p ir e p o o ls p h u k e t . c o m

1,800 baht pool service

for the first 20 customers (standard size pool)

19/43, 19/45 Moo 7,Srisoontorn Rd, T. Srisoontorn, A. Thalang, Phuket 83110.

Tel: 076-620113 or 084-8506140 Fax: 076-620015

24 PHUKET SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Joy Dive seize lead in Super Six FOOTBALL

SUPER SIX SOCCER

R

ussian side Joy Dive have gone top in Division 1, with four wins in as many games and a clear three point lead at the top of the table. But will they be able to maintain their momentum?

Division 1

Division 1 Morning Star v Holiday Inn FC: 4 – 1 Morning Star are back to winning ways after grinding out a 4-1 win against Thai team Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn put up a good show but were generally outclassed by the experienced Morning Star players, who were already 3-0 up at the break.

Shakers FC v Pita Bar Phuketeers: 1 – 3 Newly-promoted Pita Bar continue to impress in Division 1, as they out-smarted the injury-ridden but otherwise experienced Shakers FC team.

Pita Bar put pressure on the top with three points in this game, while Shakers continue to struggle with only a single point in four games.

Joy Dive FC v Nanai Boys: 7–3 Joy Dive continued their winning spree with a big 7-3 win against the Nanai Boys. Nanai Boys were up 2-0 early in the

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GD

Pts

1

Joy Dive FC

4

4

0

0

26

13

12

2

Phuket Condos & Homes

4

3

0

1

26

8

9

3

Morning Star

4

2

1

1

15

3

7

4

Pita Bar Phuketeers

4

2

1

1

12

2

7

5

Banana FC A

4

2

0

2

18

-2

6

6

Nanai Boys

4

0

2

2

15

-5

2

7

Shakers FC

4

0

1

3

10

-8

1

8

Holiday Inn FC

4

0

1

3

8

-11

1

Division 2

The Russians are coming: top Phuket Super Six football league team Joy Dive FC. game, but Joy Dive soon came as they slotted five goals in the break meant they had to play back, and their winning attitude first half to be ahead 5-0 at the the rest of the game with one eventually rewarded them with break. An attempted second man down. Atmanjai took ada big win. half comeback by the Burma vantage, and slotted in another Phuket Condos & Homes v Boys of PC&H was enough to six goals to win the match. bring back a few goals, but not Bat Fire v Big Apple & Pita: Banana FC A: 8 – 6 High-fliers PC&H looked set enough to change the outcome 6 – 6 to maintain pressure on the top of the match.

Big Apple & Pita had to share spot after an 8-6 win against points with Bat Fire, in a thrillDivision 2 Banana FC. PCH&H took the er that ended 6-6. lead early on, but the experi- Irish Times v Seduction: 3 – 4 Blue D Zine PSU FC v Phuket enced Thai boys of Banana FC Top team Irish Times took a Serenity Villas: 7 – 7 kept the points in limbo as the whipping from the Thai boys PSV will be frustrated about goals came on both sides until of Seduction, who had superstar Sadulla Saipov back in having to share points with the very end.

PSU after their 6-1 early lead Joy Dive FC v Phuket Condos the squad. in the match.

Mr Moo v Atmanjai: 3 – 7 & Homes: 7 – 4 Division 3 A late catch-up game played The local derby between Mr Moo and Atmanjai started Gang Junior v Rose United: on Friday evening between favorites Joy Dive and PC&H. best for the Moo boys, who 3 – 6 Joy Dive, without a few key opened up a 3-1 lead. But a Rose United remain in second players, looked extremely solid red card dismissal before the spot after a deserved 6-3 vic-

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GD

Pts

1

Atmanjai

4

3

1

0

17

7

10

2

Irish Times

4

2

1

1

15

4

7

3

Seduction

4

2

1

1

14

0

7

4

Phuket Serenity Villas

4

1

2

1

20

2

5

5

Big Apple & Pita

4

1

1

2

12

-3

4

6

Blue D Zine PSU FC

4

0

3

1

16

-2

3

7

Bat Fire

3

0

2

1

11

-3

2

8

Mr Moo

3

0

1

2

7

-5

1

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GD

Pts

2

Rose United

4

3

1

0

22

13

10

3

Russia United

4

3

1

0

19

10

10

4

FC Raya Group Asia

4

2

0

2

20

7

6

5

Banana FC B

4

1

0

3

9

-11

3

6

Two Chefs

4

1

0

3

6

-17

3

7

Crown Plaza Panwa FC

4

0

1

3

7

-6

1

8

Gang Junior

4

0

1

3

11

-8

1

Division 3

1

Fruit Ninjas

4

tory against Gang Junior.

Fruit Ninjas v FC Raya Group Asia: 4 – 2 Fruit Ninjas stay top of table after a hard-fought 4-2 win against FC Raya Group Asia.

Russia United v Two Chefs: 7–1 Russia United keep the pres-

4

0

0

21

12

12

sure on the top sides with a huge 7-1 win against Swedish outfit Two Chefs.

Crown Plaza Panwa FC v Banana FC B: 2 – 4 The experience of Banana FC proved to be too much for Crowne Plaza, ending in a 2-4 win for the Banana Boys.

North Koreans tourists win Phuket FC friendly FOOTBALL

A FRIENDLY GAME BEtween Phuket FC and a top North Korean club side ended with a narrow victory for the East Asian visitors.

The game at Phuket’s Surakul Stadium saw Pyongyang’s April 25 Sport Club – a league club funded by donations from the North Korean Army – win 1-0.

Phuket FC have also revealed details of their 2013 league schedule, and play their first game of the season away to Big Bang Chula Football Club in Bangkok on March 2.

They then play visitors Bangkok FC at Surakul Stadium in their second game on March 10, and Siracha Suzuki FC in the third game – again at home in Phuket – on March 16.

In the meantime, the Phuket FC players will play two more friendly games

Phuket FC’s Nene Bi in action against the North Koreans at Surakul Stadium last Thursday. Photo: Sert Phuket before the league starts: the next at Surakul on Saturday, February 16 against SCG Muang Thong, and another on Saturday, February 23, against BEC Tero.

Phuket FC have also announced a limited number of season tickets at the price of B2,500, which includes entry to all home games – including League 1, Toyota League and FA Cup games – a supporter’s

jersey, a Phuket FC yearbook, discounts at the Phuket FC shop, and special privileges at Phuket FC events like awaygame trips and pre-game meet-and-greets.

About 600 season tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, in the Phuket FC shop opposite the East gate of Surakul Stadium, or you can email phuket2012@gmail.com for more information.

Hash House Harriers

Run 1404: 4pm on Saturday, February 9 Directions: Go north past the airport and Yacht Haven until the mosque on the left side (where we had No Hope, Ape-man and Singha’s run two weeks ago), take the next U-turn (HHH sign) and turn left into the laager (HHH sign). Absolutely no dogs on the run.

More info: phuket-hhh.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

PHUKET SPORT 25

Laguna win dampens TNT CRICKET

M

any pundits believed that Laguna would capitulate against TNT at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) on Sunday, February 3, but it was a classy looking Laguna outfit who took the honours.

TNT fielded a strong team, including Neill Culpan (MVP from last season), who made the journey all the way from Kuala Lumpur for the match.

TNT won the toss and followed this season’s trend of setting a target to secure a victory.

They started the innings with a bang as opener Simon Wetherell (27) blasted a salvo of boundaries against the opening pace attack of Laguna. A show of good captaincy proved once again that cricket is as much a game of brain as it is of brawn.

To counter the threat, Laguna changed up and brought on their slower bowlers to let the batsmen force the pace.

This strategy paid off with Laguna defusing TNT’s top order batsmen as well as slowing down the run rate. Only four boundaries were hit by

The PCG youth academy with their new sponsors, PCS. Laguna’s Shoeib Mushtaq at bat, TNT’s Martin Hill keeping and Simon Samaan at slip. the remaining TNT batsmen during the rest of the innings.

Laguna did show some signs of pressure when they put down some easy catches, although the damage was limited as none of the fortunate TNT batsmen went on to post a large score.

Laguna’s bowling was very tight which bogged down the TNT batsmen for the rest of their innings, Val Guirard (3 for 36) and Sameer Khan (3 for 35) were the major contributors.

TNT’s batting innings came to close in the 35th over with the score on 166.

TNT would have been quietly confident of defending their modest score by virtue of having taken the wind from the sails of the oppositions batting

JLL Hotels Cricket League 2012/2013 Team

P

W

L

Pts

1

Patong

3

2

1

15

2

Laguna

3

2

0

14

3

ICC

3

2

1

13

4

TNT

3

1

2

11

5

Village

4

0

3

4

lineup, tiring them out whilst they were toiling in the field.

It was tit-for-tat in the first 15 overs of the second innings.

TNT had taken three wickets whilst Laguna had kept up with the run rate. It was game on, much to the delight of the island’s avid cricket supporters.

However, with an innings that belied his age, Laguna’s Val Guiraud (51) steadied the ship with batting partner Shoeib Mushtaq (32).

Together they put on an unbeaten 81 runs from 85 balls to scuttle TNT’s ambitions of victory. Laguna sailed to victory in the 32nd over, scoring 170 runs for loss of only four wickets.

TNT will have the opportunity to reignite their title ambitions when they face on-song Patong Cricket Club on Sunday, February 10 at the home of Phuket cricket, the ACG.

Phuket’s Wahoo sport fishing contest draws record entries FISHING

MORE THAN 30 BOAT teams have registered for Thailand’s biggest-ever game fishing contest, the Wahoo Thailand 2013 Sport Fishing Tournament, which gets underway in just over a week, from February 19.

This year’s Wahoo tournament, organised by the Rawai Beach Sport Fishing Club (RBFC), has attracted more entries than ever from around the world, not least because of the rich prize purse.

Thirty vessels are already booked and teams are coming from as far afield as Canada, South Africa, Finland, Dubai, Oman, France, Germany and Australia, on top of more “local” teams from the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and, of course, Thailand.

“After the 2013 Tournament we will have over 150 official members,” said the RBFC’s tournament organizer Warren Crowe. “Not bad for a small club based in the southernmost tip of this idyllic tropical island.”

He stressed that any visitor looking to go fishing is guaranteed a warm welcome: “Should you require any help

in choosing a suitable vessel to fit your budget, please feel free to contact us at info@ rawaibeachfishingclub.com.

“Have a cocktail on the beach at our picturesque club-

house and plan your next black marlin trip or fly fishing trip for pacific sailfish,” he said.

The club is also online at facebook.com/RBFCPhuket and its website at www. rawaibeachfishingclub.com.

RBFC was formed in 2009 by four like-minded anglers over a few cold beers, and has received backing from game fishing specialists Wahoo Charters, who have sponsored the International Game Fish Association in Asia for more than three years.

The club practices catch, tag and release of billfish, with the emphasis on conservation and helping the next generation appreciate what has been put in place, a first for this part of the world.

As well as Wahoo Charters, the tournament sponsors are: The Phuket News, Live 89.5 FM, International Rig &Equipment, Professional Portfolio International, Singha Beer, Wine Connection, Kan Eang @ Pier Restaurant, Phuket Fish Boat, Andaman Fishing Adventures, Thai2on, 4 REEL, Walkabout Bar, Lady Pies, Nikitas Rawai, Rawai Palms Beach Resort, Phuket Fish Park, Sea King Divers, Marine Life, PSD, PMA, Siam Real Estate, OZ Tsunami Lures, ICON Nightclub, PPRE and the Rawai Beach Sport Fishing Club.

Sponsor stumps up for island’s young cricketers CRICKET THE PHUKET CRICKET Group’s youth academy has enjoyed a boost with the announcement of Property Care Services (PCS) as their major sponsor.

The academy is an initiative of the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) to develop cricketing skills among school children in Phuket.

Mani Khongmaly, PCS southern region general manager, and her team visited some of the youngster’s in action during their Saturday morning training session at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).

She said “PCS, Thailand’s largest facilities management service provider (from the UK), is proud to be associated

with this initiative by the PCG to encourage participation by children in a team sport such as cricket. The children really appear to be enjoying themselves.”

PCG chairman Mark Ashman said “our goal is to set up a junior league once the kids have learned the basic skills of the game.

“We are very grateful to PCS for their support and this will facilitate us greatly in being able to implement the programme in schools across Phuket.”

The youth academy training sessions are held on Saturday mornings between 9 – 11 am. All children are welcome.

For more details contact Mark Ashman at chairman@phuketcricketgroup.com

International football tournament kicks off FOOTBALL FORTY YOUTH FOOTBALL eams from around Asia gather in Thalang district this weekend for an international football tournament organised by Phuket Soccer Schools (PSS).

PSS head coach Martin Hill told The Phuket News that the tournament had attracted seven teams from Singapore, three from Hong Kong, four from Bangkok, seven from Koh Samui, and 18 from Phuket.

The competition is divided into Under 8, Under 10, Under

12, and Under 14 age groups, with squads of approximately nine players for the five and six-player games.

The tournament runs from 9am until 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, at the Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club ground in Thalang, where specators can watch from the ground’s covered seating area.

There will be a brief opening ceremony at 8.30am on Saturday, and the prize-giving will take place at 1 pm on Sunday, with professional football players from Phuket FC helping distribute the prizes.

Over 90 Cities, One Perfect Gateway.

SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Connecting you to Places.

26 WORLD SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS: WEEK 27

THIS YEAR’S GRAND PRIZE IS SPONSORED BY:

City draw as Utd move ahead FOOTBALL

M

anchester City hit back to draw 2-2 at home to Liverpool on Sunday, but the draw left Manchester United with a daunting nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

After City old boy Daniel Sturridge cancelled out Edin Dzeko’s opener for the hosts, a 73rd-minute Steven Gerrard thunderbolt gave Liverpool a glimpse of victory, only for Sergio Aguero to level Wayne Rooney’s winning goal at Fulham boosted Manchesmoments later. ter United lead in the league. Photo: AFP/Adrian Dennis Until City’s draw, Manchester United were 10 points Bale goal. pions League places. ahead in the league, after Substitute Lukas PodolAfter West Brom’s Macewinning 1-0 at Fulham. donian left-back Goran Popov ski settled the game in the United’s Wayne Rooney was shown a red card for spit- 78th minute with a low freenetted the winner in the 79th ting, the visitors made their kick that deflected off Geoff minute, steering the ball into advantage count in the 67th Cameron. the bottom-right corner of minute with a Bale’s vicious Marouane Fellaini headed the net. strike from just outside the in an injury-time equaliser to Elsewhere, new signing 18-yard area. earn Everton a 3-3 draw in Moussa Sissoko scored a Spurs are now three points a breathless game at home last-minute goal to give New- clear of Everton in the fourth to Aston Villa, who remain castle United a 3-2 victory and final Champions League firmly entrenched in the botat home to Chelsea. position, while West Brom tom three.

Tottenham Hotspur lost remain ninth.

A Christian Benteke brace Jermain Defoe to injury but Arsenal left it late to beat and a goal from Gabriel Agwon 1-0 at West Bromwich Stoke City 1-0 and move to bonlahor meant Villa were Albion with a fine Gareth within a point of the Cham- 3-1 up with 21 minutes to

play, Victor Anichebe having replied for Everton. But a second-half double from Fellaini gave Everton a share of the spoils.

Villa are now two points below fourth-bottom Reading, who won 2-1 at home to Sunderland.

Jimmy Kebe scored both goals for the hosts, heading in an 85th-minute winner after Craig Gardner had cancelled out his early opener with a 29th-minute penalty.

Southampton were denied a precious victory after conceding a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Wigan Athletic.

On-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll scored only his second goal of the season to give West Ham United a 1-0 win at home to Swansea.

Adel Taarabt had a secondhalf penalty saved as Queens Park Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw by Norwich City that left them six points from safety and four points adrift from the foot of the table.

In The Phuket News Tipping competition: congratulations to Suncat100, who won the January scores with 90 points, a nine point lead over challengers diggersd and

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

TOM’S TIPS WEEK 28 Tottenham v Newcastle Chelsea v Wigan Norwich v Fulham Stoke v Reading Sunderland v Arsenal Swansea v QPR Southampton v Man City Aston Villa v West Ham Man United v Everton Liverpool v West Brom

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MONTHLY STANDINGS 1. Blackrosebar 2. choochoo 3. colinsmith99 4. flob 5. jeltanic 6. Ping 7. stefan 8. strummerville 9. apollo131 10. chasman

THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION IS SUPPORTED BY:

OVERALL STANDINGS 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 15 15

Keefers Kathu After one week of the new month, eight players are tied at the top of the table on 23 points. Suncat100 still has the overall lead with 500 points, but Blackrosebar with 465 has trimmed the gap to 35 points.

This month (February 2012)

1. suncat100 2. Blackrosebar 3. diggersd 4. mickyleeds 5. scottkip 6. apollo131 7. Ping 8. bazerb 9. gafferworld 10. Kathu Bandit

500 465 460 454 450 436 434 433 432 432

the competition is sponsored

by Australian Bar & Grill in Kata. The monthly winner will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at the venue.

The overall winner at the end of the season will win a brand new Honda Scoopy courtesy of AP Honda.

Singapore’s global football fixing ring revealed FOOTBALL IN THE LATEST INDICAtion that Singapore is at the heart of a global match-fixing empire, Europol said this week that they had smashed a network rigging hundreds of games, including in the Champions League and World Cup qualifiers.

The games under investigation include a Championship league game between Hungarian team Debrecen against English Premier League team Liverpool at Anfield in 2009.

The EU’s criminal intelligence agency said its fivecountry probe had identified 380 suspicious matches targeted by a Singapore-based betting cartel, whose illegal activities stretched to players, referees and officials across the world.

A further 300 suspicious matches were identif ied outside Europe in Africa, Asia, and South and Central America, in the course of the investigation.

Reports say the Singapore ring generated nearly US$11 million (B327 million) in profits and paid nearly US$3 million (B89 million) in bribes to players, coaches, managers

A game between Liverpool and Hungarian team Debrecen at Anfield in 2009 is one of the “suspicious” matches investigated by Europol for match-fixing. Altogether, the five-country probe looked at 380 games. Photo: Froderomone and football officials.

The investigators called it “match-fixing activity on a scale we have not seen before.”

The investigators did not detail which individuals and teams were involved, but did reveal that two “suspicious” Champions League game had been played in England in the past three or four years.

That led to internet speculation about which English team was involved – until Debrecen confirmed that its game against Liverpool at Anfield in 2009 was under investigation

A Danish newspaper reported that Debrecen’s goalkeeper, Vukasin Poleksic, from Montenegro, was paid to ensure that there were more than two goals scored in the match. No Liverpool players were said to be involved.

Liverpool won that game with a score of 1-0, and Poleksic saved six other Liverpool shots on goal.

Singapore’s role in international match-rigging has long been clear, with Wilson Raj Perumal jailed in Finland in 2011 and another Singaporean, Tan Seet Eng or Dan

Tan, wanted in Italy over the “calcioscommesse” scandal.

Singapore police are now helping the European authorities in the investigation, but analysts said revelations about the scale of the scandal could damage Singapore’s squeakyclean image as one of the world’s least corrupt nations.

“Major questions will arise as to what the government authorities in Singapore knew, when did they know it, and why this illegal network running out of Singapore was not caught sooner,” said Jonathan Galaviz, a US consultant

who watches Asia’s gaming industry.

Burkina Faso coach Paul Put, who was suspended in Belgium over match-fixing claims, said that rigging games was more widespread than football realised, with top players implicated in the practice.

The Belgian told reporters on the eve of his side’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final that he was not surprised to hear about revelations on Monday that European police had unearthed a criminal network targeting hundreds of matches.

“Match-fixing has always existed in football,” said Put, who was suspended for three years after being implicated in a rigging scandal while coach of Belgian first division side Lierse.

“For sure football has a bigger problem than it realises.

Let’s be honest, if it happens at Champions League level it’s widespread but it’s not a new thing. A lot of big international players are involved in match fixing.

“But I think FIFA are trying hard to tackle it, it will be difficult but I think you can get rid of it. Look at what cycling is doing with more and more effective doping controls so, yes, I think it is possible to stop it in football.”

Put’s rare disclosure about his own brush with corruption which led him to leave Belgium for Africa, said he had been caught up in an epidemic that had spread across the national game.

“I was threatened by the maf ia, my children were threatened, the mafia threatened me with weapons and things like that so it’s not nice to talk about these things but this is the reality.” AFP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

WORLD SPORT 27

Sport

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editor2@thephuketnews.com

Italy stuns France in Six Nations Castrogiovanni took Luis Orquera’s pass.

The conversion gave Italy a 20-18 lead and minutes later the stadium erupted when Australian-born Kris Burton hit a decisive drop goal through the posts from 25 metres.

FIR chief Alfredo Gavazzi is hoping to use the spin-off from Italy’s second win over France in the past three editions – they beat France 22-21 at Flaminio Stadium in March 2011 – for further promotion of the game in a country where ‘calcio’ (football) is king.

“This is a family sport, and we need to do everything we can to exploit our Six Nations success to help guarantee the future of rugby in Italy,” he said.

But although Scotland may be there for the taking, after a 38-18 defeat to England which could lead to several key absences through injury, Italy coach Jacques Brunel has called for calm.

“Everyone says Scotland

RUGBY UNION taly’s time surfing a wave of euphoria since their stunning Six Nations victory over France may come to an end this weekend against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Italy’s 23-18 victory over Grand Slam hopefuls France at Rome’s Olympic Stadium was earned through a combination of grit, conviction – and a few French handling errors that proved costly in the end.

A largely unimpressive France took a 15-13 halftime lead, but earlier errors, including Frederic Michalak’s missed conversion and a f luffed Wesley FofanaFulgence Ouedraogo attack, came back to haunt them in the second half.

France also lost out when Maxime Machenaud’s promising run to the tryline was kept in check 10 metres out, and moments later an Italy charge led to the hosts’s second try when prop Martin

I

Italy’s centre Tommaso Benvenuti hits a wall in the RBS Six Nations game against France. Photo: AFP/Gabriel Bouys

Live Sports TV Schedule

CHANNEL GUIDE

*Times may be subject to change

CHANNEL START

END

SPORT

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Friday, February 8 815, 111 29

17:30 10:30

21:30 16:30

Golf Cricket

17:30

21:30

Golf

F

A

Pts

MP

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

2

3

60

31

62

1

Barcelona

22

19

2

1

72

25

59

2

Manchester City

25

15

8

2

47

21

53

2

Atlético Madrid

22

16

2

4

43

21

50

3

Chelsea

25

13

7

5

51

27

46

3

Real Madrid

22

13

4

5

54

21

43

4

Tottenham Hotspur

25

13

6

6

42

29

45

4

Málaga

22

10

6

6

34

20

36

Team

Everton

25

10

12

3

40

30

42

5

Real Betis

22

11

2

9

31

34

35

Arsenal

25

11

8

6

49

29

41

ODI 4, Sydney

Australia v West Indies

6

Valencia

22

10

4

8

31

35

34

7

Liverpool

25

9

9

7

44

32

36

7

Rayo Vallecano

22

11

1

10

31

38

34

8

Swansea City

25

8

10

7

34

28

34

8

Real Sociedad

22

9

6

7

35

28

33

9

West Bromwich Albion

25

10

4

11

34

35

34

9

Levante

22

10

3

9

28

33

33

10

Stoke City

25

6

12

7

24

30

30

10

Sevilla

22

8

5

9

29

30

29

11

West Ham United

25

8

6

11

28

36

30

11

Real Valladolid

22

8

5

9

32

29

29

12

Sunderland

25

7

8

10

28

33

29

12

Getafe

22

8

5

9

28

36

29

13

Fulham

25

7

7

11

36

42

28

13

Athletic Bilbao

22

7

5

10

29

42

26

14

Norwich City

25

6

10

9

25

40

28

14

Espanyol

22

6

7

9

26

34

25

15

Newcastle United

25

7

6

12

33

44

27

15

Real Zaragoza

22

7

3

12

22

31

24

16

Southampton

25

5

9

11

33

44

24

16

Granada

22

6

5

11

19

32

23

17

Reading

25

5

8

12

32

46

23

17

Osasuna

22

5

6

11

18

26

21

18

Wigan Athletic

25

5

6

14

29

47

21

18

Celta de Vigo

22

5

5

12

21

27

20

19

Aston Villa

25

4

9

12

23

49

21

19

Mallorca

22

4

5

13

22

42

17

20

Queens Park Rangers

25

2

11

12

18

37

17

20

Deportivo La Coruña

22

3

7

12

27

48

16

Joburg Open, Day 3

Johannesburg, South Africa

Six Nations

Scotland v Italy

107

23:30

01:30 Rugby Union

Six Nations

France v Wales

814, 111

21:00

23:00 Rugby Union

French Top 14

Bordeaux v Toulon

Soccer

L

20

6

23:30 Rugby Union

21:30

D

25

5

21:20

19:45

W

Manchester United

Johannesburg, South Africa

107

812, 101

MP

1

Joburg Open, Day 2

Saturday, February 9 815, 111

Team

outstanding against Wales.

England No 8 Ben Morgan has not yet been ruled out of Sunday’s match but the backrow forward, who sprained his ankle early in the second half against Scotland, was seen wearing a protective boot at the squad’s hotel on Tuesday.

Thierry Dusautoir will captain France on Saturday against Wales in their Six Nations clash.

The 31-year-old Dusautoir – capped 56 times with 33 of those as captain – returns to the captaincy as the man who replaced him as skipper, Pascal Pape, has been ruled out because of a back injury.

Saint-Andre called up Toulon lock Jocelino Suta as Pape’s replacement in the squad. The tournament is far from over, our ambition is still there to show our best,” he said.

Like France, Wales started the Six Nations with a defeat, 30-23 at home to Ireland. AFP

Spanish Primera Liga

English Premier League

1XX- True Vision, 8XX - Astra; 8 - Setanta

are not a great team at the moment but they are a hard team to play against, especially at Murrayfield, and last year they gave a lot of teams problems,” he warned.

This Saturday is a repeat of last season’s wooden spoon decider, which Italy won 13-6 to condemn the Scots to a winless Championship.

Meanwhile, England coach Stuart Lancaster is keeping Ireland guessing by including centres Billy Twelvetrees, Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi in his squad for Sunday’s Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Tuilagi is fit after missing England’s opening victory over Scotland with an ankle injury.

In his place Twelvetrees made an assured, try-scoring debut and Barritt performed his customary role as the anchor of England’s midfield defence.

Ireland is likely to field a back division boasting the talent of fly-half Jonathan Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll,

EPL

Tottenham v Newcastle

812, 101

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Sunderland v Arsenal

813, 103

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Chelsea v Wigan

161

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Norwich v Fulham

106

18:55

21:00

Soccer

Scottish Premier

Inverness v Celtic

817, 102

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Stoke v Reading

817, 102

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Swansea v QPR

817, 103

00:30

02:30

Soccer

EPL

Southampton v Man City

107

15:30

17:40

Rugby League

NRL

All Stars Sunday

Golf

Joburg Open, Day 4

Johannesburg, South Africa

Six Nations

Ireland v England

Sunday, February 10 815, 111

17:30

21:30

107

21:50

00:00 Rugby Union

812, 101

20:25

22:30

Soccer

EPL

Aston Villa v West Ham

817, 101

23:00

01:00

Soccer

EPL

Man United v Everton

29

10:30

16:30

Cricket

ODI 5, Sydney

Australia v West Indies

RESULTS QPR Arsenal Everton Newcastle Reading

0 – 0 1 – 0 3 – 3 3 – 2 2 – 1

Norwich Stoke Aston Villa Chelsea Sunderland

West Ham Wigan Fulham West Brom Man City

1 – 0 2 – 2 0 – 1 0 – 1 2 – 2

Swansea Southampton Man United Tottenham Liverpool

RESULTS Real Valladolid Osasuna Getafe Espanyol Granada

2 – 2 1 – 0 3 – 1 3 – 2 1 – 0

Athletic Bilbao Celta de Vigo Deportivo Levante Real Madrid

Málaga Sevilla Valencia Atlético Madrid Real Sociedad

1 – 1 2 – 1 1 – 1 1 – 0 3 – 0

Real Zaragoza Rayo Vallecano Barcelona Real Betis Mallorca