The Phuket News 08 March 2019

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

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PATONG TRASH FIRE SPURS B10K DUMPING FINE > PAGE 4

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NEWS

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Phoenix probe: ‘Officials will be charged’ – police

LIFE

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Trails and tales: Mapping the hills of Phuket

A water truck is filled at a private water source in Rassada on Wednesday, to deliver water to a hotel in Patong after 11pm that night. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

RESORTS START ROLLING IN OWN WATER TANKERS AS DRY SPELL CONTINUES, SUPPLY SPUTTERS The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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leading figure in Phuket’s hotel industry has confirmed that hotels and resorts across the island are starting to feel the effects of low water pressure in their mains water supply, which is forcing some hoteliers to arrange their own water supplies to ensure guests are not affected.

“The dry situation has started to affect many hotel businesses,” Kongsak Koopongsakorn, President of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Thailand Chapter, told The Phuket News this week.

“The tap water does not flow well and there is low pressure. Hotels now have to buy water from private water sources, which is increasing their costs. Plus traffic jams are also increasing as part of the problem because there are now many water trucks on roads throughout the province,” he added.

Boon Yongsakul, Chairman of Boat Pattana Co Ltd and current President of the Phuket Real Estate Association, also confirmed that he was aware of water shortages in key tourist areas on the island.

“Phuket started entering a drought from January to February because there has not been the same amount

of rainfall as in previous years, resulting in a shortage of water in many important tourist areas, such as Patong, Kathu and Thalang District,” he said.

Mr Boon noted that the growing number of tourists on the island is a key factor in the issue.

“Over the years the number of tourists has grown and many hotels are fully booked during the high season, and the number of hotel rooms is increasing. There are 80,000 rooms (on the island) this year. That will rise to 90,000 rooms in 2020. So any drought and not enough water supply will be a big problem in the future,” he said.

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Mr Boon placed his faith in officials to resolve the situation.

“I know that the Phuket Governor has not been complacent. Officials are working on solving the problem, involving local officials at municipality level. They will find water to provide to people in their areas,” Mr Boon said.

However, the confirmation of affected water supply to key tourist areas comes despite no announcements from the Phuket Water Authority (PWA).

The PWA’s regular announcements of areas to be affected by water-supply issues stopped flowing mid-February, after the agency recalled a notice warning of imminent “water supply...

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Tsunami drill called off to avoid panic THE TSUNAMI-EVACUAtion drill announced last month that was to be held at Patong Beach on Thursday (Mar 7) was called off in order to not cause a panic among tourists.

Instead, an evacuation drill – complete with the tsunamiwarning towers sounding the alarm – will be held at the end of April, Prapan Kanprasang, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Mar 5).

“Patong Municipality and DDPM-Phuket initially planned to hold a tsunamievacuation training session for officials at the Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa over two days, on Mar 6-7,” Mr Prapan said.

“However, the training will be on Mar 6 only,” he added.

“The evacuation exercise that was to be held from 10am

Russian fugitive, four years on the run, arrested in Phuket > page 4

Work permit needed

Erawadee to face charges over illegal workers The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The tsunami-evacuation drill planned for Thursday (Mar 7) was called off. Photo: The Phuket News / file to midday on Mar 7 has been cancelled because it will make tourists panic,” Mr Prapan said.

Mr Prapan stressed that a full tsunami-evacuation drill will be carried out at the end of next month.

“After this, there will be a real evacuation exercise held on Patong Beach at the end of April. The exact date and time for the regional exercise has yet to be confirmed. We will announce it soon,” Mr Prapan said.

Waranya Prompinpiras

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

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olice have confirmed that they will press charges against the ‘owner’ of a store in Chalong for hiring 15 foreigners without work permits.

Eleven Russians were among the 15 foreigners arrested at the Erawadee outlet on Chao Fa West Rd just south of Wat Chalong during a raid carried out by Phuket Tourist Police and Phuket Immigration Police on Feb 20.

All 15 were found working illegally at the store, said Capt Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police.

All 15 suspects arrested were taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with working illegally without a permit, Capt Ekkachai said.

“They all confessed to the

The outlet in Chalong specialises in traditional Thai herbs and medicines and targets Russian-speaking customers. charge,” he said.

However, all 15 were held at Chalong Police Station until they were presented at Phuket Provincial Court last Tuesday (Feb 26), Capt Ekkachai said.

“Now they are being held in detention at Phuket Immigration while they are processed for deportation and have their names added

to the immigration blacklist,” he said after the raid.

Chalong Police Chief Col Pakkayot Tanongsak told The Phuket News last Thursday (Feb 28), “The owner of the store is still under questioning and has not yet been charged.

I cannot reveal details around charges until the investigation is complete.

“We have yet to press charges as we are still compiling evidence. Once our investigation is complete, we will press charges,” he said.

In June 2017, the Chief of the Phuket Employment Office (PEO) warned foreigners and employers to be aware of a raft of new penalties for breaches of labour law introduced on June 23, 2017 through an “emergency decree.”

“To all employers and foreign employees, please be careful because some of these new penalties are very harsh,” PEO Chief Pitool Dumsakorn told The Phuket News.

“For example, deceiving that one can bring a foreigner to work without a work permit can incur a fine from B600,000 up to B1 million and from three to 10 years in prison, or both, for each foreign worker deceived,” he said.

Water-supply woes hit tourist hotels Continued from page 1 ...management” in specified areas, with some areas to have water on even dates – and reduce water pressure, causing some to have no water supply at all – on odd dates. In other areas, the even-date, odd-date system was to be reversed.

The recantation of the urgent “water management notice” was quickly followed by a public announcement

by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, assuring the province that there was enough water being held in the island’s three main reservoirs to ensure regular water supply through to May, when the annual rains brought by southwest monsoon return.

However, Mr Kongsak, the owner of The Vijitt Resort Phuket in Rawai, has already had to arrange his own supplementary water supply for the resort. Mr Kongsak secured land with its own lagoon to supply the resort, and bought a water truck to deliver the water to the hotel.

“The Vijitt Resort Phuket is a f ive-star hotel,” he stressed. “We have planned for a lack of water situation for many years. This is a longterm problem for many hotels.

“Phuket’s water reserves

Some hotels in Patong are already turning to private operators to deliver water.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot are not enough to provide for the needs of each hotel.

Now they have to arrange additional water supply from private sources, but the cost is double (PWA rates),” Mr Kongsak said.

Mr Kongsak urged the government to take proactive steps to ensure that water reserves do not fall short as the number of tourists visiting the island continues to grow.

“We want the government to start a long-term project to solve water shortage problems because the number of tourists staying here and the number of hotels have grown a lot, but Phuket does not have a large-scale project to solve the water shortage problem,” he said.

“The water held at Bang Neow Dum and the other reservoirs are not enough to meet the demand of 110

million cubic meters of water a year. It is expected that by the year 2032, 150mn m3 of water will be needed.

“The capacity of the reservoirs is not enough. We should proceed with the water pipeline from Surat Thani or have water supplied from neighbouring provinces to ensure sustainable water supply in Phuket,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PWA this week admitted that water rations will be among the options presented to the Phuket Governor “soon”.

“We are thinking about water rationing by reducing the water released from Bang Wad reservoir, but the detailed plan will first be presented to Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana (before any action is taken),” Graisorn Mahamad, Chief Provincial Waterworks Authority, told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Mar 5).

“I am not sure when I will meet with Phuket Governor Phakaphong, but it will be soon,” Mr Graison said.

W he n cal led by T he Phuket News on Tuesday, Mr Graison said he was unable to confirm when the plan will be presented to the Governor or even reveal more details of the plan to be presented. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

The ‘Phoenix’ is pictured at the Rattanachai Shipyard, east of Phuket Town. Photo: Marine Dept

Phoenix: ‘Officials will be charged’ The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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fficials will be charged for not performing their duty over the Phoenix tour boat disaster in July last year that killed 47 tourists, Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram has confirmed to The Phuket News.

“The police investigation into the Phoenix has been completed,” Gen Rungroj told The Phuket News last Friday (Mar 1).

“All reports have been handed to local police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office already,” added Gen Rungroj, who has been tasked with overseeing the investigation into Thailand’s worst maritime disaster in modern history.

Gen Rungroj declined to reveal the main conclusions of the investigation but did confirm that two officials will be charged for their part in the disaster.

“The officials will be charged for not performing their duty,” Gen Rungroj said, adding that the officials to face legal action were both based in Bangkok.

Gen Rungroj also declined to confirm whether the officials were from the Marine

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Department, and also said that he was unable to recall the names when called by The Phuket News.

Gen Rungroj in November confirmed his suspicions of the registration documents for the boat, which Gen Surachate Hakparn – who was Deputy Chief of the national Tourist Police at the time (and who is now the Immigration Bureau Chief) – revealed within days after the disaster, contained “only four to five pages of structural diagrams, instead of the usual 60 to 70 pages”.

“I agree with Gen Surachate that this is important to the case, and Gen Surachate will be working together with us in the investigation,” Gen Runroj said.

“I know there are only four to five pages of plans (for the boat), which is suspicious because a boat like this is supposed to have more than that, about 70 pages. I have openly shared my thoughts about this and that it looks strange,” he added.

Wiwat Chitchertwong, currently serving as the Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office (installed as the Phuket Marine Chief immediately after the disaster), also explained in November, “All designs for the Phoenix – and

for every boat – are required by regulation by the Ship Standard Registration Bureau of the Marine Department.

“The Phoenix was not registered or approved by the Phuket Marine Office.

This boat was approved by the Ship Standard Registration Bureau in Bangkok,” Mr Wiwat pointed out, though without explaining whether or not the Phuket Marine Office physically inspected the boat.

Asked specifically who signed the approval to register the boat, Mr Wiwat in November said, “I don’t know.”

Meanwhile, lawyer Nalin Intarasombat confirmed to The Phuket News last Friday that 26-year-old Phuket resident Woralak ‘Yui’ Rerkchaikarn – the main shareholder in TC Blue Dream Co Ltd, the Thai company that owns the Phoenix – remains in custody at Phuket Prison while awaiting the charge of recklessness causing death to be formally presented in court.

Woralak has been detained behind bars since August last year after the court denied her bail.

“The court trial starts at the end of April with the examination of witnesses, and the full trial will be in May this year.” Ms Nalin said.

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Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kepsub (left) was present in Bangkok for the formal signing of the contract on Tuesday (Mar 5). Photo: Patong Municipality

Patong beachfront power lines, coms cables to go underground PAT O N G M AYO R Chalermluck Kebsup this week signed the formal contract hiring joint-venture I.M.P Consortium to install the power lines and communications cables, including a fibre-optic main, underground along three kilometres of the Patong beach road.

Under the cont ract, signed at the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) head office in Bangkok on Tuesday (Mar 5), contractor I.M.P Consortium is to be paid a total of B228 million

to carry out the work.

The contract start date was Tuesday (Mar 5), with I.M.P Consortium given one year to complete the work from the Pak Bang Canal at the southern end of the beach to Haad Patong Rd. “The construction will take one year, starting Mar 5, 2019 and it must be completed by Mar 5, 2020,” Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News.

“After this contract signing, Patong Municipality, the Provincial Electricity Authority and I.M.P Consortium

will have to talk about the guidelines for the operation. There must be public announcements for people to know that the work is about to commence,” Mayor Chalermluck explained.

“We will invite business operators and people who live in the area to talk about how the staff will work. We need their opinions and whether they have any concerns about this project so that we can find a way to make less inconvenience for them,” she said.

Waranya Prompinpiras

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

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Patong trash fire spurs heavy fines for dumping, littering Waranya Prompinpiras reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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pile of dumped garbage catching fire near a resort in the heart of Patong has prompted Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kepsub to issue a stern warning that any persons caught dumping garbage will face a fine of up to B10,000.

In order to help catch the culprits, Patong Municipality will install 37 CCTV cameras along the beach road, Mayor Chalermluck explained.

The fire, which broke out about midday behind the Chilli Salza Patong hotel between Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and Phra Metta Rd Wednesday last week (Feb 27), raised serious safety concerns as there are many hotels and businesses in the immediate area.

“Firemen took about 20 minutes to put out the fire. It was stopped before it damaged any buildings nearby,” Patong Mayor Chalermluck confirmed.

“I believe the rubbish was dumped by people from nearby houses and hotels. It is an empty space, and municipal officials didn’t notice the garbage until the fire started,” she said.

“I will order municipal officials to check areas throughout Patong

The trash fire last week was close to hotels in the heart of Patong.

Photo: Patong Municipality to make sure no more fires like this start,” Mayor Chalermluck assured.

Mayor Chalermluck expressed her frustration with people dumping garbage in the resort town.

“I have repeated to people to leave their garbage at the right place and the right time so that council workers can take it away to be recycled or destroyed at the incinerator (in Saphan Hin).

“But some people still don’t follow the rules. They dump their trash as they want. We have tried hard with this, but failed,” she said.

In response, Mayor Chalermluck vowed to ramp up action against people caught dumping garbage in public areas, especially along the Patong beachfront.

“Patong Municipality will install 37 CCTV cameras on 12 power poles along the beachfront from Bangla Rd to Coral Beach Bridge (at the southern end of Patong),” Mayor Chalermluck said.

“Any persons caught littering along the Patong beachfront will be fined B1,000,” she said.

“But any persons caught dumping

garbage will be fined the maximum B10,000,” she warned.

Mayor Chalermluck explained that she was aware that many tourists litter along the beachfront, but her focus is on local people and businesses.

“If the CCTV cameras capture images of tourists littering, there is little we can do. By the time we see it on the CCTV the tourists would have returned to their country. Regardless, most trash from tourists is just a bottle of water or food scraps or packaging, which they normally throw in the trash.

“We are not worried about tourists, but we are worried about local residents in Patong,” she added.

“We will keep making our public announcements to local residents and tourists about when to place trash on the street for collection and about littering, because new tourists arrive all the time and they need to know the rules,” she said.

Mayor Chalermluck urged people to use the phone app called “Traffy Fondue” (available on Google Play and App Store) to report any trash dumping. “If you see anyone dumping garbage, you can take a photo and send it to our staff via the app,” she said.

pickup driver charged Russian arrested on Interpol notice Drunk for deadly Chalong wipeout A RUSSIAN FUGITIVE wanted for “illegal banking activities” amounting to 485 million rubles (about B235mn) in Russia has been arrested in Phuket after four years hiding in Thailand.

Immigration Chief Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn announced the arrest to press on Tuesday (Mar 5).

The fugitive, Aleksey Dolzhenkov, 35, was arrested in Phuket last Wednesday (Feb 27), Gen Surachate said.

Dolzhenkov was arrested in Phuket’s Muang District, police confirmed, though the exact location of the arrest was not given.

Dolzhenkov was wanted in an Interpol Red Notice, Gen Surachate explained.

“The Immigration Bureau coordinated with law-enforcement officers at the Russian Embassy, and set up a follow-up investigation,” he said.

Officers led by Lt Col

Immigration Chief Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn announces the arrest. Photo: Immigration Bureau Prawit Sirithorn, in cooperation with Phuket police and Immigration Division 6, tracked down Dolzhenkov and made the arrest, he said.

Gen Surachate said that Dolzhenkov has been on the run for four years after an arrest warrant was issued in Russia on October 7, 2015.

Dolzhenkov was wanted for conducting illegal transactions, illegally working as a broker and helping companies make illegal financial transactions, he said.

“Mr Alexei (sic) confessed

that when he realised that the Russian authorities had gathered evidence to issue an arrest warrant in 2015, he fled to Thailand on a tourist visa and lived in Thailand in hiding for more than four years, until he was arrested by police,” Gen Surachate said.

“We revoked his permission to stay in Thailand, and as an alien wanted by a foreign government that has issued a warrant for his arrest, he will be deported,” he added. The Phuket News

P O L I C E H AV E C O N firmed that the driver of a pickup truck who rammed into five vehicles, killing one person and seriously injuring two others in Chalong last Friday (Mar 1), tested positive for alcohol and has been charged.

Capt Somkiet Sarasin of Chalong Police confirmed that the pickup driver was Narong Songchu. “The 44-year-old has been charged with reckless driving under the influence of alcohol, causing death, serious injury and damage to property,” he said.

“He is currently being held in a cell at Phuket Provincial Court.”

Narong was driving a Toyota Hilux pickup truck northbound on Chao Fa East Rd when he struck a motorbike that was waiting to turn right at a red light at the ‘Koktanode Intersection’ just south of Wat Tai. His pickup then rammed

Four cars and two motorbikes were involved in the accident last Friday (Mar 1). Photo: Chalong Municipality into a Toyota Yaris and another motorbike in the opposite lane waiting to head south, which resulted in two more cars becoming involved in the accident.

“The motorbike driver killed, Chaiyan Daungkiet, was driving alone. He was wearing a helmet but died from his injuries,” Capt Somkiet said.

“Another man and woman were seriously injured when their motorbike was hit in the collision. Both are recovering at Phuket Vachira Hospital,” he confirmed. The Phuket News thephuketnews

Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

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

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th From risk analyst to music producer to news editor, Poria has worked in various contrasting fields following his graduation from university. Growing up in central London before moving to Phuket in 2016, he has but one ambition, freedom.

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editor1@classactmedia.co.th Former freelance writer and editor for a music news and reviews website in the UK. Now turning her hobby into a career with The Phuket News and broadening her scope from music to, well, everything. Likes the weird and wonderful.

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EDITORIAL

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

Gone swimming

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his week The Phuket News Life section features an excellent article explaining how the Rotary Club of Patong Beach took its outstanding programme of teaching children to swim to the Banya Literacy Centre, where 68 Myanmar children were taught essential selfsurvival skills in the water.

As Peter Harris of Patong Rotary sadly points out in the article, on average more than 950 children drown in Thailand each year – that’s three young lives lost every day.

Somehow, child drownings is a blight that Phuket manages to avoid, despite the number of tourist drownings at Phuket beaches. When it comes to children, islanders do well in reacting as quickly as they can to minimise the risk, as was done at Nai Harn Beach only a handful of years ago when the risks of swimming in the

freshwater canal linking Nai Harn Lake to the sea were horribly realised.

That type of action if applied to just some of the many other deadly dangers on the island, most importantly safety on our roads, could achieve wondrous results and save hundreds from being killed or maimed each year. It just beggars belief that it is not done.

All such programmes teaching our youngsters how to keep afloat and make it safely back to dry land deserve the highest support. In this we include all the fine work done by the Phuket Lifeguard Club for years in teaching youngsters to swim in pools before taking them into the surf, and any surf lifesaving training provided free, such as the international certified course provided by the International Surf Lifesaving Association at Surin Beach in late 2017.

It all counts, not only in increasing the ability of saving one’s own life, but also the potential ability of saving someone else.

The fact that the Patong Rotary programme was funded by a grant from the Australian Government also deserves special mention. Without harping on about why the Thai government doesn’t do this for their nation’s children, we’re just grateful the opportunity was extended. It is projects like this that children remember for the rest of their lives. It is the stuff of genuine goodwill.

Phuket is an island. There is no excuse for any child here not learning how to swim.

Indeed, the ability of all locals to know how to safely navigate the dangers of the water should be a point of pride for any island. It should be part of our living heritage. Let’s make it so.

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Frenchwoman deported for vaping Phuket airport taxi driver in deadly wipeout still free to roam Russians, Chinese lead foreign arrivals to Thailand Canadian woman crushed by truck in motorbike accident Snakes on the move in Kathu THAI cancels all Europe flights Chinese tourist drowns at Patong Beach after entering water drunk, despite warnings Patong tuk-tuk driver wanted for attacking Chinese women tourists Durian trader offers B10m to man who wins daughter’s heart Erawadee to face charges over Russian illegal worker blitz

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HAVE YOUR SAY French inhale

Re: Frenchwoman deported for vaping "Not an important issue"?

Well, it's in the international media reinforcing the standard global perception of Thailand as a backward and corrupt third world country. So well done Karon police, Thailand's tourism industry applauds you.

Sorry our reputation had to suffer for the failure of your little scam.

CaptainJack69 I was outside Jomtien immigration the other day and one of the front desk officers was stood outside openly sucking on a vape. One law for the public. Different for the law enforcement people David Allen This is a tough one to understand. E-cigarettes are used by people trying to quit smoking. So they ban e-cigarettes, yet people are allowed to smoke in restaurants, even when I'm sitting there with my non-smoking wife and two small children. Maybe Thailand is trying to protect their tobacco industry.

BenPendejo

Total overkill. Meanwhile all over Phuket untreated sewage water is still being led directly out to the ocean. Why are tourists even continuing to travel there?

Xonax

things fixed before testing so they save face.

Peter Sando

I smoke cigarettes and every day I see Thai men vaping openly. More double standards to add to the already infinitely long list of things we have to put up with.

Wayne Rex

Drip, drip, drip

Don't panic

Re: Patong tsunami-evacuation drill called off to avoid panic among tourists If they ever had a drill, they’d realise all the evacuation routes are one-way streets leading to the beach!

Sean M Ulvihill Surely doing it when tourists are there is the best time?

Surely that’s what's needed to see where the cracks are in the system?

William Dalrymple That's only an excuse to cover up the warning buoys not working and/or not in place. Stalling tactics to get

up!

You can't make this stuff Adam Taylor

Re: Phuket Water Authority to propose water rations as ‘water-saving option’ But the guv already stated we won't have a water shortage...

Valentine Guytonbeck Large hotels need at least 500 litres of water per day per customers (swimming pools, gardening, kitchen and water for customers in the room), so it would be better to slow down hotel developments in Phuket to save forest, pristine beaches and shorelines.

Seafarer Divers Charlie Phuket

Road to ruin

Re: Phuket airport taxi driver in deadly wipeout still free to roam Good on you Phuket News for following up on the story.

Personally I'm disgusted not just that this guy is free but

that he is still driving a taxi.

He is responsible for people's lives. How is his taxi license not suspended pending the outcome of the case? They're waiting for his criminal record? So if he doesn't have one then it's ok to kill people?

CaptainJack69 Probably the reason that it takes such a long time is that the authorities have sudden important affairs to handle, like arresting, locking up and deporting a French vaping woman.

Kurt

Slow on the uptake

Re: Govt bids to recycle all plastics by 2030 We can all help by bringing our own bags with us when we shop. Refuse plastic straws and plastic cutlery from 7-Eleven etc. Don't wait for the government to act on the environment.

John Rothstein Much needed. In the five years that I have been going to Thailand the snorkelling has got worse and worse with the litter in the ocean.

Bev Whittaker

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THAILAND NEWS

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Plastic Dreams Thailand hosts Asean forum on cutting plastic BANGKOK Apinya Wipatayotin

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hailand made a political commitment on Tuesday (Mar 5) to reduce marine debris by at least 50% by 2027, according to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The premier did not attend the opening of the Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris due to an eye infection, but his statement was read out by the master of ceremonies.

“On a national level, Thailand has taken a proactive approach, especially on marine debris, of which 80% is land-based. Thailand has announced a target to reduce marine debris by at least 50% by 2027, through applying the principle of the circular economy,” the statement said.

T he gover n ment ha s worked to combat plastic marine waste by establishing the Plastic Material Flow Database throughout the country last June, while the private sector is part of the “Thailand PublicPrivate Partnership for Plastic and Waste Management”, or “PPP Plastic”.

Gen Prayut stressed that to combat marine debris in Asean, strong cooperation and clear targets are needed, together with a high level of cooperation from the international community.

Asean Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi said that the issue of marine debris needs urgent regional cooperation to shape policy to eliminate it, adding that 60% of global marine debris originates from four countries in the Asean region including Thailand.

He also said that the ma-

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Marine debris is killing wildlife. Photo: Bangkok Post

Asean ministers pledged to help combat plastic waste. Photo: Asean.org rine ecological system is vital as 19% of the region’s GDP comes from marine resources.

Consequently, marine destruction causes severe damage to economies, tourism and fishing in the region.

The meeting set a goal to develop a regional action plan, which is expected to be officially endorsed at the Asean Summit in June in Thailand, he said.

“The meeting was very active in discussing the best practices in each country for dealing with the problem,” said Gen Surasak Kanchanarat, Natural Resources and Environment Minister.

Thailand also suggested it set up a branch in the Lower Mekong Region as it is one of the world’s top 10 contributors of debris into the sea.

Thailand is cur rently ranked as the sixth worst contributor of marine debris in the world and number four in Asean, after Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are dumping more plastic into

the oceans than the rest of the world combined, according to a 2017 report by Ocean Conservancy. Although this isn’t just an Asia problem. Plastic is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world.

The U.S. wasted about 33.6 million tons of plastic, and only 9.5% was recycled.

Not only does plastic kill marine life and choke seabirds, but toxic fragments from plastic can end up in the seafood we eat. It also requires decades to break down.

Earlier in the week, National Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Kanjanarat announced at a regional forum on waste management that the country will recycle all of its locally produced plastic waste by 2030.

“The government has a clear stance on plastic waste because of its harmful effects on the environment, especially marine habitats,” he said . “We had that in mind when we set the country’s plastic recycling goals.”

Gen Surasak, speaking at the 9th Regional 3R Fo-

rum in Asia and the Pacific on Monday, said that waste management is not a political issue, so any government must strive to stay in line with global best practices.

The three-day forum was held to discuss best practices in waste reduction, reuse and recycling (3R). Hosted by the Thai government, the event

was attended by more than 600 people from 42 countries.

On Wednesday, the forum announced a Bangkok 3R Declaration, to herald regional cooperation on waste management.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand recycles about 25% of its total waste, said Gen Surasak.

“As such, Thailand must work hard to increase its recycling capacity,” he said.

Gen Surasak said that Thailand will ban the import of plastic waste to produce new material.

Currently, Thailand has to import plastic waste from other countries, especially Japan, in order to comply with an international manufacturing rule that requires a third of the materials used to come from recycled material, as its locally generated plastic waste is considered unfit for industrial recycling processes.

Gen Surasak said the ban on importing waste will force the waste management sector to improve. “With support from the business sector, we are confident that we can achieve our target by 2030, or even earlier,” he said.

Bangkok Post

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

For the love of durian CHUMPHON A DURIAN TRADER IN the southern province of Chumphon has made a public offer of B10 million in cash, as well as other assets, to any man who wins the heart of his 26-year-old daughter and agrees to continue running his family business.

“Anyone who knows how to buy and select durian and source the fruit from orchards can take my daughter’s hand.

I won’t ask for a single baht in dowry from him but will instead give him B10 million in cash, 10 vehicles, a house, two durian markets and the daughter who graduated with honours from Assumption University and has a master’s degree from Sun Yat-sen University in China,” Anont Rotthong wrote in his Facebook page on Saturday (Mar 2).

When reporters asked him for more information, Mr Anont said if he waited any longer, his daughter might be too old for marriage. As for himself, he was ready to retire and hand over his durian trade and export business to the next generation so he could spend all his time on his amulet business.

“The man who will join my

Anont Rotthong posts a picture with his youngest daughter on his Facebook page. family must be good and must not be a gambler. Importantly, he must be hard-working and truly love my daughter,” said the father, who has been in the durian business for two decades.

Mr Anont runs two durian markets in Chumphon. He said his future son-in-law didn’t need to be rich and well-educated. The father said he had started his business with nothing and would like to give the opportunity to any man who was diligent.

His daughter, whose hand he was about to give, does not object his decision.

“At first, I thought my dad was joking but it turns out he’s seriously looking for a son-in-law. My siblings and I respect his decision,” said his youngest and only single daughter, Kansita Rotthong.

Bangkok Post

Immigration chief Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn (centre) gives details of the raids at a night market in Bangkok.

Photo: Immigration Bureau

Big Joke’s war on vapes after tourist deported BANGKOK Wassayos Ngamkham

P

olice arrested 23 people and seized 2,856 hookahs, e-cigarettes and vaping solution, worth more than B900,000, in recent raids in greater Bangkok.

Police first targetted nine shops in Khlong Thom market

in Pomprap Sattruphai district on Thursday (Feb 28), Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, chief of the Immigration Bureau, told a news conference last Sunday night (Mar 3).

There, police arrested three Thais and two Lao nationals in possession of 1,729 bottles of nicotine solution, 113 ecigarettes and hookahs and 198 accessories, worth about

B500,000 in total.

On Sunday, police raided another 21 shops at night markets and arrested 16 Thais and two Myanmar nationals, seizing 1,127 bottles of liquid nicotine, 81 e-cigarettes and hookahs and 752 accessories, worth about B425,000.

The detainees were charged with possessing and providing contraband products, and

violating the tobacco control law and migrant workers’ law.

These offences carry maximum jail terms of five years and/or fines of up to B600,000.

The raids come after an international media backlash over the imprisonment and deportation of a French tourist in February who was caught with an e-cigarette in Phuket.

Bangkok Post

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Tourism growth storms ahead

Russians, Chinese drive surge, Indian spending raises stakes TOURISM Anton Makhrov news@novostiphuketa.com

C

ontinuing resurgence in Chinese visitor arrivals in January helped Thailand start 2019 with a total of 3.7 million arrivals during the first month of the year, an increase of 4.8% year-onyear, generating tourism expenditure of over B195.8 billion (+2.4% y-o-y), the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MoTS) announced last week.

Mainland China remained the leading tourist source market with over 1.06mn arrivals registered in January, representing 9.3% growth against January 2018 and 19.2% growth against the previous month.

The Chinese arrivals generated tourism revenue of more than B55.8bn during the month, an increase of 4.7% year-on-year and an impressive 25.9% monthby-month.

The figures are a positive sign for the Chinese segment of the market which had seen several months of dropping arrivals after the Phoenix boat tragedy last July that killed 47 Chinese tourists.

The accident hit the tourism industry hard, with thousands of

@thephuketnews

Russia and China continue to drive tourism-generated revenues, while India spending grew by more than 25% during January alone (figures above in billions of baht). Image: MoTS hotel cancellations and six Chinese carriers halting their flights between China and Phuket. The Chinese market began to recover in December and, as MoTS reported earlier this week, continued in January.

Meanwhile, Russia kept its status as the most important market among non-Asian countries with 229,518 arrivals in January (+1.2% y-o-y) and B17.3bn in generated revenue.

In contrast, most other key European countries demonstrated declines in arrivals, including Germany (-3.5%), France (-2.5%), Finland and Sweden (-14.6%, -10.7% respectively).

However, arrivals from the UK increased by 3.4% and from Norway by 3%.

Overall arrivals from Europe totalled 886,324 (-1.7% y-o-y),

with tourism revenue falling 3.4%, to B63.2bn.

In its report for January 2019, the MoTS for the first time published statistics for separate Eastern European countries and some former Soviet republics. Three of them managed to break the 10,000-arrivals barrier, namely Poland (22,230 arrivals, +13/2% y-o-y), Kazakhstan (13,777 arrivals, +5.6%) and Ukraine

(15,530 arrival, +20.4%).

Tourists from over the Pacific Ocean are still interested in Thai beaches and islands as well with over 116,908 arrivals registered from the US (+6.52%) and 33,628 (+3.85%) from Canada.

Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand keep balancing between stagnation and decline with 70,799 (-1.5%) and 8,921 (-5.7%) arrivals registered in January respectively.

While many of the traditional markets are in decline, India keeps showing impressive growth, bolstering expectations that the country can become the top tourist source market for Thailand in the coming years. According to MoTS, 163,794 Indian nationals visited Thailand in January (+24.9% y-o-y), spending some B7.3bn (+26.5%).

In December, India demonstrated similar results with 167,694 arrivals (+20.2%) and B7.7bn of revenue (+26.2%).

For the whole of 2019, the MoTS is forecasting 41.1mn foreign tourists (+7.5%), generating an estimated B2.21 trillion in tourism revenue (+10%). The forecast is based on a an expected 11.69mn tourists from China (+11%), 11.31m tourists from Asean countries (+10%) and 6.90mn visitors from Europe (+2%).

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Work permits befuddled

Misunderstandings of new foreign worker law LAW Sutapat Kongkaew

L

ast year we explained how Thailand’s Foreigners’ Working Management (No.2) (2018) (ED2), which came into force on March 28, 2018, has significantly liberalised restrictions on foreign workers. However, in recent months we have noted two different articles by legal commentators that have clearly misunderstood the extent to which ED2 has made the labour law environment in Thailand more foreign-friendly.

One of the articles proclaims the “good news” that directors of companies that are exempted under the Foreign Business Act (1999) (FBA) pursuant to the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations between the United States and Thailand (1968) (Amity Treaty) no longer require a work permit. For reasons we explain below, this is not true.

The other article asserts that “in theory” directors of

Determining whether a work permit is still required for some people under the new regulations has proved trickier than usual. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot companies that are promoted under the Investment Promotion Act (1977) (IPA) and the Industrial Estate Authority Act (1979) (IEAA) are also not required to have work permits.

For reasons explained below, this is also not true.

How did both of these legal commentators, law firms that

specialise in labour law for foreigners in Thailand, get this so wrong? We believe it is because they did what is all too common and unfortunately the case – they asked and differed their legal opinions to “the official” rather than carefully reading and analysing the relevant law themselves.

So let’s do that.

First we need to understand that the FBA prohibits what it defines as any “foreigner” (both individuals and juristic entities) from doing most businesses in Thailand without a license issued under the FBA. And the evident confusion in the articles mentioned above appears to stem from Section 4(2)(8) of the ED2, which states: The following foreigners can now work in Thailand without a work permit: … foreigners who are representatives of a company holding a foreign business license under the foreign business law of Thailand.

Directors of a company are considered its representatives under Thai law and the current foreign business law of Thailand is of course the FBA. Section 8 of the FBA restricts “foreigners” from doing most business in Thailand without a foreign business “License” (as defined and detailed in Section 4 of the FBA).

To obtain a License, Section 17 of the FBA provides that the applicant must apply for permission by filing an application to the Cabinet of Ministers or the Director-General of the Department of Business Development. The Cabinet or the Director-General will then consider whether to give approval or grant permission within 60 days. In addition, Section 18 of the FBA provides that the Minister of Commerce may prescribe conditions to be observed by foreign business License holders such as: the ratio of the capital to loans for the operation of permitted businesses; the number of foreign directors who must have a domicile or residence in Thailand; or the amount

of, and the period of time for maintaining, a designated minimum company capital in Thailand.

This is the primary purpose of the FBA, to define who “foreign” business operators are, require that they have a License to operate their business, detail how they can obtain a License and the penalties if they operate such foreign business without a License.

However, there is one other exception to the prohibition against foreigners operating a business in Thailand under the FBA. Section 4 of the FBA defines a foreign business operating “Certificate”, which is not a License, but which nonetheless allows foreigners to operate a business in Thailand. To obtain the Certificate, subject to Section 11 of the FBA, the applicant need only notify the Director-General of the applicant’s accurate eligibility and will readily obtain a Certificate within 30 days.

Who is eligible for a Certificate? Section 10 of the FBA provides: The provisions of Section 5, Section 8, Section 15, Section 17 and Section 18 shall not apply to… Foreigners operating businesses specified in the Lists annexed hereto by virtue of a treaty to which Thailand becomes a party or by which Thailand is bound in consequence of obligations therefrom shall be exempt from the application of the provisions of the sections specified in paragraph one and shall be governed by the provisions of and conditions set forth in such treaty…

And Section 11 says: Foreigners under section 10 who intend to operate businesses specified in the Lists

annexed hereto shall notify the Director‐General in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed in the Ministerial Regulation in order to obtain certificates, and the Director‐General shall issue certificates to such foreigners…

And this – as previously detailed – is precisely what a company that qualifies under the Amity Treaty is. Thus, an Amity Treaty Company does not operate its business in Thailand by holding a License; rather it does so by holding a Certificate, a completely different category under the FBA and one that is not excepted under Section 4(2)(8) of ED2.

What about IPA and IEAA companies?

Section 12 provides: In the case where the business of the foreigner who is promoted under the law on investment promotion or granted written permission for the operation of the industry or the operation of trade for export under the law on the Industrial Estate of Thailand or under other laws is the business specified in List Two or List Three annexed hereto, such foreigner shall notify the Director‐General in order to obtain a certificate…

In this case, such foreigner shall be exempt from the application of this Act… And thus IPA and IEAA companies are exempted from the restrictions of the FBA by receiving a “Certificate”, not a License, as well.

If the drafters of ED2 had wished to exempt the directors of Amity Treaty, IPA and IEAA companies they could have either included companies holding foreign business certificates under Section 4(2)(8) or simply have made that Section applicable to any company that was exempted from the FBA restrictions.

However, they did not do that.

They specifically limited the exception to companies holding foreign business licenses under the FBA. Thus, foreign directors of Amity Treaty, IEAA and IPA companies holding foreign business certificates are still required to have work permits.

Sutapat Kongkaew is an Associate Attorney at Duensing Kippen, an international law firm specialising in business transaction and dispute resolution matters, with offices in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand and affiliated offices in 45 other countries. Visit the website: DuensingKippen.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

A meal with The Racha resort’s GM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

13

Myanmar kids in Phuket learn to swim

17

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Out of the bars and into the hills Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

M

eet Tony Giles. A Brit, a part-time Phuket expat, a former engineer and, in a very literal sense, something of a trailblazer.

Tony calls Phuket home for three months a year and has done for over a decade.

Just as England’s cold snap sets in, and snow flurries make Blighty that degree too cold, he and his wife pack up and ship out to their apartment in Bang Tao. A smart move.

During his yearly stints here, he walks and maps the trails in the hills between Cherng Talay, Kamala, Kathu and Bang Neow Dum reservoir. Unknown to many, it’s possible to walk between these locations, through farmland and jungle, without ever touching a road.

“I love getting up in the hills,” he says. “Phuket is very much coastal. And

Trail and error. @thephuketnews

it’s busy, it’s hectic. But you can go a couple of hundred yards and it’s gone.

What most people think of as Phuket completely disappears.”

As a visitor to Phuket since the late seventies, Tony has seen the monumental change and development of the island, from a single hotel on the east coast to the bustling hub of tourism it is today. It seems the busier Phuket gets, the more he retreats into the hills for a rambling respite courtesy of Mother Nature.

“There is another side to Phuket.

It’s not just the shops, the bars and the beaches. There’s another angle that people might not be aware of,” he adds.

The process of mapping out trails and making sense of the island’s dense vegetation began around six years ago.

Tony drove towards the hills in Cherng Talay, stopped where the houses and roads ran out and followed some existing trails which were likely laid by farmers as routes to banana, mango and rubber trees.

With no Ordnance Survey-style map available, he resorted to tracking each walk using the MyTrails app on his phone and transposing it onto a hard copy map (left). The comprehensive, circuitous route pictured is the result of around 400 hours of shorter walks across approximately 220 kilometres over six years. It’s also the result of a great deal of trial and error.

“Typically, trails split. You’ll go left one day, right the next day. Some are dead ends,” Tony explains. “Some trails are very easy to follow as they’ve been concreted over to help the hill farmers travel up and down on their motorbikes.

Others are not so good.”

The dotted lines pictured are the not-so-good trails, some of which Tony has forged himself, machete in hand, in order to join up two disparate trails.

Tony has experience of laying trails for the Hash House Harriers – the

Welcome to the jungle. Photo: Pxhere

Tony with rubber drying in the sun. non-competitive running social club, initially founded by expats in post-war Malaysia and now run worldwide – in Aberdeen as well as the Indonesian cities of Medan and Jakarta. In fact, he helped start up Phuket’s Tinmen Hash.

While these experiences have undoubtedly proved useful in this process, Tony insists that any relatively fit adult could do what he has done, and he encourages them to, safely.

Apart from the occasional friendly farmer who invites him in for coffee, Tony has only ever crossed paths with one foreign couple, who were studying the flora and fauna, and two Thai men.

“I met the Thai guys right in the middle of a really difficult bit. We were walking through this tall elephant grass, about 6ft high. It was a very, very faint trail. I heard this rustling in front of me. I thought it was an animal.

Then I heard someone talking Thai but they hadn’t heard me. We were both shocked to see each other!”

On his under-canopy escapades, Tony is much more likely to come into contact with: all number of species of spiders – some larger than a hand and in webs spanning 6ft – cobras, gibbons, lizards, millipedes and butterflies, shrines and spirit houses, streams, waterfalls, mangles and presses for rubber, enormous buttress roots and, oddly enough, model dinosaurs that decorate

Golden orb weaver. a Patong zip line route.

While it is difficult to provide readers with a definitive description of the routes, Tony recommends Bang Neow Dum reservoir as a starting point.

Many of the more established trails are visible from this point, winding up into the hills. Naturally, walkers should take the necessary precautions such as carrying food and water, information for navigation, satellite devices with spare battery packs, a phone with emergency contacts and informing someone of when and where they will be walking.

Even after six years mapping these trails, Tony can still find himself challenged by the jungle.

“Only last week, as I was walking to the highest point in Phuket with my friend Nick Emerson, a fellow Brit who has helped me plot many trails, we tried to get from one trail to another but it was very steep and the forest was too dense,” he says. “I knew the other trail was right there but we couldn’t get through. You win some, you lose some.”

But, like many things in life, walking the Phuket hills is about the journey, not the destination.

Tony welcomes suggestions for how his walks can be comprehensively mapped and easily shared. He can be contacted at tsgiles01@gmail.com.

12 CULTURE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Photo: Pixabay

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Photo: Wouter de Jong / Pexels

Through the eyes of a monk

Part two of an exclusive interview with Phra Maha Tongmee Supanla ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

I

n part one of the interview with Phra Maha Tongmee Supanla, senior monk at The Flat Temple in Bangkok, we discovered that a Thai monk’s day usually starts at 5am. A normal day features morning alms collecting, morning chanting, breakfast, Buddhist studies, lunch, daily chores and evening chanting.

We also knew that Thai monks forego all possessions. They are not allowed to touch money and

only wear saffron robes.

Having been asked about foreigners who want to become monks, Phra Maha Tongmee explained that monkhood is open to any man who has faith in Buddhism, but he sees only two major kinds of monks.

The first kind is a prayer-based monk. The second is what was translated as something of an ‘educating monk’, the kind who ferries Buddhism into new lands or sceptical hearts.

Thus, if we are interested in becoming foreign monks, we have to decide precisely what our goal is after we have finished ordination. Is it purely personal, or is it something else?

Although there may be two kinds of monks, Phra Maha Tongmee said that there are three tiers that permeate Thai monkhood. These tiers are actually quite familiar to many Thai people and they can be rather simplistically explained as representing various levels of general skill attainment.

Looking back to December, the All About Buddhism series explained that every Thai high school student must pass a series of general Buddhist knowledge examinations that are based on a similar three-tier platform. It takes at least three years to pass the three different levels and Phra Maha Tongmee explained that Thai monkhood is grouped into levels that are substantially similar to this structure.

At this point, Phra Maha Tongmee interrupted the interview to say something to Western tourists regarding some of the differences they may encounter if they convert faiths.

Brilliantly translated, he said, “It is very good for you foreigners to see the value of Buddhism and we thank you for that. However, Buddhism and Christianity are not the same thing.

Christianity teaches that God created us but Buddhism teaches something different. Everything has its reason. A child is born to his parents and karma is why we are born differently.”

He continued by saying, “There are many Buddhists in Thailand, but precious few understand the core of Buddhism. The core of Buddhism is to do good deeds and to find the way

of nirvana; for it is nirvana which provides an escape from the wheel of suffering and the wheel of rebirth. Nirvana is an escape from the afflictions of birth, age, pain and death.”

To understand his comments more clearly, it should be clarified that enlightenment and nirvana are somewhat different. Nirvana is a state of being, whereas enlightenment is an event that facilitates the nirvana state.

Phra Maha Tongmee is very inclusively saying that nirvana is a place on Earth and he is inviting us foreigners to go there. He is evangelising Buddhism as a religion of radical welcome, just as Buddhist monks from ancient times past have done.

I asked Phra Maha Tongmee what it is like to reach enlightenment.

Speaking through our translator, he explained that the key to reaching enlightenment lies within controlling your desires. To reach enlightenment, you have to cleanse your heart of everything that glues you to this world.

“Monks do not want to be attached to money or material things,” he said.

However, he explained that an enlightened monk does not want to be cut off from all desires. Instead, the idea is to cut off only the desires that lead to unsavoury ends. The goal is to maintain desires that neither cause you any suffering nor cause suffering to anyone else.

It would be fair to say that one could interpret Phra Maha Tongmee’s comments as something of a call to arms for those of us foreigners who are sincerely interested in Thai monkhood.

In fact, Phra Maha Tongmee asked me, “Do you want to be a monk?”

I needed a moment to regain my breath but, having steadied myself, I gave the most simple of answers…

I said, “Yes.” The Phuket News would like to extend a very special thank you to translator Tanakorn Udarasak. At only 14 years old, Mr Udarasak is a high school prodigy whose linguistic skills are known to routinely exceed those of Thailand’s finest university professors. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PEOPLE 13

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

The view from Koh Racha A meal with Devan Bhaskaran

I

t was a horribly hot, sticky Phuket morning at Chalong Pier. The assembled throng of tourists queuing for their boats seemed as fractious as the weather itself. Heavy and menacing thunder Baz Daniel heads roiled above us, but refused to explode baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com into relieving rain torrents.

We felt among the privileged few as we were led to the sleek launch waiting to take us on the The sun40-minute ride to the glorious Racha Resort on Racha set hour Yai Island. within I was seeking a respite from this madness by visiting my old friend Devan Bhaskaran, the convivial the confines of The General Manager of The Racha Resort. Devan has Racha is simply managed this fabulous independent property since transcendent as the 2013 and has extensive previous experience with some of Asia’s pre-eminent hospitality groups and iconic guests relax and properties. drink in the sensory We planned a dinner together to talk about the vital balm of this truly question of where Koh Racha and Andaman tourism are heading. magical place.

The 85-villa Racha Resort, located on one of the Andaman’s most beautiful and pristine islands, is one of Thailand’s premier sanctuaries for mind, body and spirit. It offers a range of ultra-luxurious accommodation upon its gentle hillside above Batok Bay and is ideal for guests seeking romance and ‘get-away-fromit-all’ elegance, fabulous cuisine and an abundance of enthralling sports and activities.

Importantly, The Racha practises ecological and environmentally responsible development and is the winner of many awards in this area.

The speedboat trip was invigorating and, with the wind in our hair, the sense of relief and the escape from the confines of angry Phuket were palpable.

We entered what should have been the hallowed sanctuary of Koh Racha’s Batok Bay, only to be assailed by a cacophonous chaos of day-trip boats disgorging their human cargoes into the crowded waters.

Dozens of orange life-jacketed tourists were being led, lemming-like, along the fringe of the sands, as scores more simply stood knee-deep in the churning water looking stunned in the broiling sun.

Sadly, Batok Bay is the target for hordes of day-trippers leaving from Chalong Pier and from 10am to 5pm it is almost as congested and stressful as mainstream Phuket. However, when the speedboats depart for their hair-raising run back to Chalong, the bay returns to its true natural glory as one of the region’s most beautifully sculpted and verdant pieces of topography.

The sunset hour within the confines of The Racha is simply transcendent as the guests relax and drink in the sensory balm of this truly magical place.

Devan and I enjoyed a memorable supper by The Racha’s huge infinity pool on its upper deck overlooking Batok Bay. This is, in my opinion, the most stunning dining spot in the Andaman, and as Executive Chef Massimo Rossi plied us with sensational fresh, healthy cuisine and cheering liquid refreshment, we settled in to talk.

I asked Devan about the schizophrenia which has overtaken this fabulous corner of the Andaman.

“Since the government closed Maya Bay to tourists to allow regeneration of the coral and environment, I estimate that the number of day-trippers coming to Koh Racha has doubled. During Chinese New Year you could hardly see any water in between the congested boats churning up the bay. There are no facilities, not even toilets, for all these daytime visitors and clearly this continuing growth of boats and tourists is just not sustainable.”

When I last enjoyed cycling around the island to write a Blazing Saddles article in mid-2017, I noticed huge piles of bottles, plastics and cans mouldering in the palms. I asked Devan about the Devan manages The Racha, a deluxe island hideaway. island’s environmental stresses.

A MEAL WITH...

@thephuketnews

Devan and Baz. “At The Racha we are leading the way in the use of solar power and adopting best environmental practices of recycling and waste management. Our hybrid solar power system currently supplies 15% of our energy needs and this is expanding.

“But the local residents who call Koh Racha home are just trying to survive, and protecting the environment is totally alien to them.

“The piles of glass and plastics you saw do get shipped off the island regularly and end up back in Phuket for recycling as this brings the locals some income. However, it’s a sad fact that any sort of infrastructure management lags

way behind the mad scramble for cash that’s driving tourism to this lovely island. I am pretty pessimistic about this special place which I have come to love.”

I too have come to love this island through biking and hiking trips here and I am happy to report that my early morning ride and swim at deserted Sayam Bay the next day were as beguiling as ever.

But once the daily speedboats descend, Batok Bay undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde-like transformation that represents a classic example of the ‘greed over sustainable management’ approach which seems to drive so much of Thailand’s tourism development.

14 CULTURE

Salem’s Lot

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 Photo: Geralt / Pixabay.

The slow and painful death of modern man MUSING IN THE MIRE David Jacklin david@littleloud.com

It’s concerning times for the modern Romeo when Cupid points his arrow at the impending law suit and public flogging.

W

hat do you call a male witch? A wizard?

Warlock? The word ‘witch’ derives from the Old English nouns wicca (male) and wicce (female). A witch can be both male or female in form.

But it doesn’t have quite the same finesse, does it? You’d be mighty miffed to be called a witch... but a warlock? Hell yeah! Sounds nothing but empowering.

Alas, quite the opposite I fear is happening to the diminished male specimen of the 21st Century. And just who has usurped man of his libido and crushed under foot any last remaining morsel of charm? The bloody media, that’s who.

The coven of global newsrooms and tabloids has conjured a mad and relentless McCarthyist witch hunt over any semblance of the male figure. Wizards and warlocks the world over have less ‘shazam’ left in their hats than Harry, Ron and Hermione after a big night out on Bangla Rd. How did this feeding frenzy come about? Like most distorted news stories in recent times, it’s an abhorrent feedback loop that now seems to undermine the quality of serious journalism. What starts off with good intentions and a great story gets distorted by the deafening scream of the revolting mass on social media, which is then feverishly regurgitated back to them via the mainstream media as the ‘true’ story.

To my case, let’s take the recent #MeToo campaign.

‘Me Too’ was actually first used as far back as 2006 by the US civil rights activist Tarana Burke. Burke began using the phrase ‘Me Too’ to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society. Burke is an inspiring and significant figure among a group of other prominent female activists dubbed “the silence breakers”.

Fast forward to October 2017, following the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the American actress Alyssa Milano encouraged victims of sexual harassment to tweet about their experiences, to “give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem” via the hashtag #MeToo. So far so good. But it’s what happens to these serious and credible stories once they are turned over to the hoarding masses that worries me. The feedback loop almost instantly distorts the original sound like Hendrix’s Marshall stack turned up to 11, and the once tender notes of understanding and empathy are suddenly a screeching wall of sound that relentlessly blares at us all until we submit.

Before you all start dunking me in the nearest klong and proclaiming I’m guilty if I float, and innocent if I drown, please let me cast a clear caveat over this entire line of questioning.

Of course any form of sexual harassment is wrong. The world needs to wake up to inherent sexism, and women need to be protected from a magnitude of misogyny both in the workplace and society in general. Agreed? OK. But that doesn’t by association make man guilty of being a man.

There are many examples where this campaign has gotten out of hand, where basic rights and reputations have been torn down in the rampant momentum on little more than hearsay, let alone insubstantial evidence. It’s a broad and concerning hypocrisy about injustice.

Let’s take the recent case of Bryan Singer, the American director of films such as The Usual Suspects, the X-Men series and, most recently, Bohemian Rhapsody. Singer is openly gay. He has also been accused of sexual misconduct by various male claimants over the years. Worth noting that these are charges the director denies, and any legal claims that have been made to date have either been dismissed on insubstantial evidence or withdrawn by the accuser.

My point is not to second guess his professional behaviour or sexual conduct. The point is that any and all claims to date have not been proven.

He is, by definition, currently innocent. But you wouldn’t think so if you searched his name online.

His name for journalists is now synonymous with serious sexual ‘claims’.

‘The disgraced director’, ‘the accused rapist’. Yes, accused. You wouldn’t think so by the actions of his industry or peers.

At the Oscar Awards last month, his film Bohemian Rhapsody won four Oscars, more than any other film. No mention of Bryan Singer. No winner of each award took a stand nor denounced the director. By doing so they’ll either become part of the witch hunt by mentioning him, or libellous for inferring the allegations as ‘truth’. Welcome to the zeitgeist madness. Everyone is running scared due to guilt by association.

At the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) earlier in that month, BAFTA took the rather unprecedented and precarious decision to remove Singer’s nomination for Best Director ahead of the awards, citing, “In light of recent very serious allegations, BAFTA

has informed Bryan Singer that his nomination for Bohemian Rhapsody has been suspended, effective immediately”.

So we’re now passing absolute judgement on individuals who are implicated in the #MeToo campaign. Guilty until proven innocent is, quite literally, all the rage. For Bryan Singer, it’s game over.

In a previous career, I was fortunate enough to win one of the much prized bronze statuettes. However, if an independent art charity whose purpose “is a world where everyone’s life is culturally and creatively enriched through excellent work in film, games and television” feels it is now authorised by public trend alone to pass blind judgement on whomever it likes, then they’re welcome to have it back.

It’s concerning times for the modern Romeo when Cupid points his arrow at the impending law suit and public flogging.

But there has been some sanity amidst the mayhem. 100 French female celebrities, including Catherine Deneuve, signed an open letter criticising the #MeToo social media campaign.

The campaign, they said, had gone beyond exposing individual perpetrators, and had unleashed a torrent of “hatred against men and sex.”

“Puritanism” was running rampant “like in the good old days of witchcraft”, they argued, stating that the freedom of men to pester was “essential to sexual freedom”.

Around the world – notably the US – instant rage at their misguided folly followed.

“It’s hard to imagine a US movie star not being comprehensively pilloried” for signing such a letter, stated Emily Yoffe, contributing editor for The Atlantic magazine.

US actor Matt Damon drew the wrath of the online law-givers for much milder reservations about the #MeToo movement. His withdrawal back to the shadows was immediate.

We are now being governed by intimidation. Where do we go from here?

It’s down to the lake, I fear. Social media? Here’s to the ever growing faceless and empowered monster of mass hysteria and public hangings.

If there’s a stairway to Heaven for the self-righteous, thank God there’s a highway to Hell for the rest of us. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 15

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Asana essentials Standing forward fold.

LET’S GET BENT

Kim White kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com

These asanas will help you to feel like you can hop, skip and jump through the month with a freer, happier body.

H

i and welcome to another month and another awesome yoga tip for a better life.

Deciding what postures (asanas) to do in yoga can be a little daunting. Some people believe there are 8.4 million asana alternatives, so choosing what is best for you may seem overwhelming. This month I have made it easier for you. In a two-part series, I will be sharing six asanas that are a great foundation for any level of yoga practice. Each asana helps alleviate common body discomforts that arise in everyday life.

My suggestion would be to practise each of these postures once a day, holding each for a minimum of 20 seconds.

1. Standing forward fold The hamstrings, lower back and spine get a good stretch and this helps to correct your posture.

Stand with your feet together and legs straight.

Breathe in and raise your hands above your head like you are trying to reach for something high up.

Breathe out, bend at the hips with your arms straight and drop your hands to rest on the floor on either side of your feet.

Relax your head and neck to look at your feet and keep your legs straight.

Hold this position for about 30 seconds while taking nice, easy inhalations and exhalations, preferably through the nose.

2. Reverse triangle Great for opening up the hip rotator, IT band and massaging the internal organs.

Stand upright. With an exhalation, step your feet about two hip-widths apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach your right arm forward and left arm back with your shoulder blades wide and palms down.

Turn your left foot 45 degrees to the right and your right foot straight to the front. Align the right heel with the left heel.

Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outward so that the centre of your right kneecap is in line with the centre of your right ankle.

With an exhalation, turn your torso to the right and square your hip to the front edge of your mat. On inhalation, lift your torso and twist, taking opposite hand to opposite hip. You will be looking over the outside of your right leg.

Press both your front foot and back foot firmly into the floor. Keep your front big toe and your back heel grounded to help your balance.

3. Crescent moon pose Awesome for opening the hip flexor and relieving lower back tension. If you have knee issues, place a towel or soft cushion under the knee that sits on the floor.

Make sure that the front of your knee is right above your ankle and does not go past this point.

This alignment ensures safe and healthy knees. @thephuketnews

Reverse triangle.

Your back leg should be about 60cm away from the front heel.

Place your hands on your hips or reach your hands above your head on an inhale.

The intention of the hips is to sink downward and slightly forward.

The intention of the chest is to rise upward and the shoulders to roll down the back, much like a proud pigeon puffing its chest out.

Remember to breathe through the posture, using the out breath as a release for any tension that is felt in the body, much like ice melting in the sun.

Crescent moon pose.

Hold for about 20-30 seconds

These asanas will help you to feel like you can hop, skip and jump through the month with a freer, happier body, keeping your mind free from being weighed down with body issues and discomfort.

Look out for part two next week. I have created a video for you that will be available on the online version of part two. The video puts the postures into a mini yoga flow.

In the mean time, happy stretching.

Metta, Kim oxo

16 GARDENING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Vines for the

tropic garden

Low-maintenance climbers to make your garden the talk of the town GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell

M

any climbers are tough and resilient, but they are not natural vines inasmuch as they lack aids in the form of suckers, twining stems, modified leaves or tendrils to help them cling and ascend. They seek the sunlight, but because they are substantial and weighty, they crave support of some kind or another, a requirement that inevitably takes up more of the gardener’s time.

Certainly they can be trained to flow over garden fences, pergolas, trellises and walls, but they do require human aid and direction. At the very least, the main stems will need to be tied to existing structures. Failing human intervention, they will tend to grow into an untidy bush.

Allamandas, solandras (chalice vines), thunbergias, Indian rubber vines and Rangoon creepers all come into this category. Even bougainvilleas, though these do cheat a bit by having vicious curved spines that enable them to get a grip on other plants, though not on smooth surfaces such as garden walls.

All these vines happen to be personal favourites since they are spectacular bloomers and extremely tolerant of a range of conditions for growth.

Antigonum leptopus or coral vine Among the genuinely low maintenance, self-sufficient climbers, perhaps the easiest of all is antigonum leptopus.

That it has become invasive in parts of the southern states of America is a clear reflection of its durability. Better known as the coral vine or Mexican creeper, I have seen it thriving on neglected roadside sites.

It climbs rapidly with the aid of tendrils which can readily support the dense mass of bright green, heart-

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

The sun bleaches ipomoea indica flowers from deep blue to violet to pink. Photo: Russell E

Antigonum leptopus, the selfsufficient climber. Photo: Mokkie

Argyreia nervosa thrives in Thailand, but is not often cultivated here. Photo: Loi Miao shaped leaves and attractive racemes of tiny, luminous pink florets. It makes an open, airy foliage cover.

Having the inestimable advantage of flowering almost all year long, the coral vine can grow quite tall – maybe five metres in favourable conditions. Though it normally spreads by forming underground tubers and substantial root stocks, it also produces masses of seeds which germinate readily. Antigonum will also take from hard wood cuttings.

If that is not enough, it is a popular potted plant in garden centres. It is fussy only about adequate moisture for its roots. And even if it dies back in droughts, the vine may well return, phoenix-like, with the monsoon rains.

Ipomoea indica or morning glory Another toughie is the ipomoea which belongs to the same family as the sweet potato and is popularly referred to as “morning glory”. Associated with the so-called “Flower Power” movement of the sixties, this huge convolvulaceae genus contains some 400 species and, like the coral vine, its more vigorous members have become naturalised in some parts of the world.

A single morning glory flourished on my baking hot patio in Andalucia, producing 50 or more blooms every day.

Without visible means of support, it still managed to cling to the stuccoed walls.

This variety, known as indica, has dark green, heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers of an intensely deep gentian blue which turn to violet and finally pink as the sun bleaches the colour away.

A pink or pale mauve form (I.pulchella) sometimes grows wild in the tropics, as does the edible water morning glory (I.aquatica). Horsfalliae is a red version native to the Caribbean and Brazil, while I.cairica, sometimes called the railroad creeper, is found almost everywhere in the tropics. Exceptionally vigorous, it sports showy white or lavender blooms.

I.Alba, known as the moon flower, is uncharacteristic in not being a sun-worshipper at all, saving its huge, white, round flowers for the arrival of twilight.

Since the fragrant but fragile blooms then open quickly, it is possible to watch them dramatically unfold as dusk approaches. Once touched by the morning sun, the flowers close and fade. Because

of this characteristic, the moon vine is unsuited to a sunny tropical location.

Give it a sheltered berth.

Another member of the clan is the cypress vine (quamoclit) which, with its needle-like leaves and brilliant tubelike, five-pointed scarlet flowers, is very different in appearance. Extremely hardy, it has become naturalised in parts of Southeast Asia. It grows readily from seed, requires no fertiliser and can be cultivated in small containers.

All ipomoeas tend to possess hard seeds which can be soaked overnight in water before planting. It will take the resulting plants up to a year to produce flowers. Most varieties can also be grown from cuttings or layering. Like quamoclit, they will take to life in a pot but will need to be given stakes or maybe a wire cylinder to climb.

Argyreia nervosa or elephant creeper or silver morning glory The elephant creeper or argyreia nervosa is another convolvulus that will thrive in Thailand, even though – and perhaps oddly – it is infrequently cultivated. It is native to the Indian subcontinent. Also known as the silver morning glory or pak rabaat, it is the variety most associated with hallucinogenic properties and contains lysergic acid amide. Increasingly, its medicinal value (as an immune system booster) is being explored.

In aesthetic terms, argyreia is a handsome, vigorous climber with sensational large leaves which are silvery beneath and blue-green on top. The rose-pink, funnel-shaped flowers are huge and a contrasting white on the outside. These beautiful, furry flowers are often hidden among the lush foliage. The vine will need support, but grows vigorously and really looks the part, especially draped over a wall. Water during dry spells. Another excellent choice for your low-maintenance garden. And once installed, it is bound to become a talking point.

Patrick has been writing for thirteen years about gardening in Phuket and allied topics. If you have horticultural or environmental concerns, please contact him at drpaccampbell@gmail. com. Many of his earlier creative and academic publications can be found at Wordpress: Green Galoshes. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

A new wave of safe swimmers

Myanmar children in Phuket celebrate their new-found swimming ability Dr Peter W Harris

I

n Thailand between 2007 and 2017, there were 9,574 fatal drownings involving children under 15, which averages to about 957 children per year or a shocking three children per day.

The number of fatal drownings is reportedly highest during the months-long Thai school holidays. Most drownings occur in rivers or ponds near children’s homes and are often made more disastrous by a non-swimmer trying to save another.

Swimming is not taught in Thai schools. This serious issue has long required a community response.

Fortunately, a range of community groups have risen to the challenge.

Their collaborative work is the beginning of what needs to be not only a Phuket response but a national response The Water Safety programme commenced in 2015, led by Dr John Schorr of the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club and supported by the Safe Child Thailand Foundation. The programme uses the guidelines of the Royal Commonwealth Life Saving programme and requires 15 hours of instruction over the course of 10 lessons Having established the project in Chiang Mai municipal schools for all 9-year-olds, the Water Safety pro-

@thephuketnews

The ceremony brought everyone together in celebration. gramme was extended to the Ban Sianamyen School in Patong with the support of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. The programme is known as the Larry Amsden Swim Safe Programme, named after the revered former President of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach who sadly passed away last year.

After coordinating with the Asia Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) and arranging for instructor training with Oz Swim Aquatics, the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club successfully secured a Direct Aid Program grant from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which allowed the extension of the programme to the Banya Literacy Centre.

In January, 68 Myanmar children living in the various construction camps

in Phuket, who now attend the Saint Euphrasia Banya Literacy Centre, nervously entered the water, dressed in their new swimming costumes, at the British International School, Phuket (BISP) swimming pool. Like all non-swimmers, there was a mix of delight, trepidation and even fear.

However, with the generous support of the principal of the Secondary School, the BISP Aquatics Director and her team, teachers, students and seven volunteer parents, these students transformed from shy and nervous with a minimum level of personal safety in water to some showing some exceptional swimming ability, all over a 10-day period.

What a remarkable effort it has been.

To celebrate, a ceremony was held at the

The programme went swimmingly. Photo: BISP Banya Centre on Feb 28. The Australian Consul General, Mr Craig Ferguson, was greeted by a fancy dress junior kangaroo and fĂŞted by students dancing and singing the three national anthems (Thailand, Myanmar and Australia) Each student was presented with a medal and certificate by Dr Schorr and Mr Ferguson. The ceremony brought together all the various interest groups and was a time for celebration of a wonderful story with a real safety outcome.

Dr Peter W Harris is the APEN Chair.

APEN, originally established in Australia and now established in Thailand, aims to contribute to building sustainable communities, including water, waste, energy and biodiversity, with a strong commitment to social justice.

18 ISLAND SCENE

Guy, Olivier, Michael, Alan, Ian and Rico.

David, Swaysi and Robert.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Nana and Bert.

Marieke, Gordon, Alastair, Zara, Michael and Minnie.

ALL ABOARD FOR MONTHLY GROW BOATING NETWORKING EVENING The monthly Grow Boating network evening was held at the The Speakeasy Yacht Club, Royal Phuket Marina on Mar 1. The night saw an impressive turnout from Phuket’s boating industry for the launch of the event’s co-sponsor, the Superyacht Services Guide. A light buffet, sponsored by The Speakeasy Yacht Club, and some drinks, sponsored

by Superyacht Services Guide, were provided, and Grenville Fordham won the lucky draw for lunch at The Nai Harn.

Monte Mumford leading The Intermediate Band.

Siam Saxophone Quartet.

MUSICAL DELIGHTS AT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, PHUKET BISP hosted the Novice & Intermediate FOBISIA Wind Band Festival on March 1-3. A mix of 132 students, including 80 from other schools in Asia, participated in several wonderful performances over the weekend. The Intermediate Band was conducted by Monte Mumford, acclaimed US band director, and Novice Band by BISP’s Ian Wilkinson. The award-winning Siam Saxophone Quartet also delivered an enthralling performance, much to the pleasure of a packed auditorium audience.

Festival ready: Hannah, Kirsty, Sam and Natasha.

Kolourful ladies.

EXPERIENCING ART AND SOUND IN FULL KOLOUR AT BANGKOK FESTIVAL The Phuket News and fellow Phuket festival-goers danced their way through Thai Wake Park, Lamlukka on Mar 2 at Kolour in the Park, Bangkok's premier outdoor house and techno festival. The festival, now in its fifth year, saw wakeboarding, a free massage station and, of course, a host of international DJs from noon until night. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Jason, Klas, Adam and Mike.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Gross winning team: Blair, Matt and James.

AN UN-FORE-GETTABLE DAY OUT AT LAGUNA GOLF PHUKET EVENT On Mar 3, Laguna Golf Phuket hosted their annual ‘Beat The Pro’ event in which 56 golfers battled it out to challenge some of the best golf pros on the island. Tee-rific fun.

Amari’s Tipaporn, Richard and Pierre-Andre.

Happy staff.

AMARI PHUKET CELEBRATES 34 SUCCESSFUL YEARS IN BUSINESS

LE MERIDIEN WIN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING CARE AWARD

The Amari Phuket management team recently participated in the 34th anniversary ceremony of operations, including a Buddhist blessing ceremony, paying respect to the spirit house and anniversary cake-cutting. Amari Phuket aim to build on over three decades of outstanding service to continue being named as one of the best service hotels on the island.

On Feb 27, Marriott International announced Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort as recipient of the ‘Debbie Marriott Harrison TakeCare Award of Excellence’ for 2019. The resort was chosen from Marriott International’s 6,700 hotels and resorts worldwide. The award recognises teams and departments that demonstrate significant achievements in creating a culture of associate health and well-being.

Mr Boonchai and family, owners of Mövenpick Myth Hotel Patong.

Phuket Cabana Mr Alex and Ms Lee.

THE OPENING OF MÖVENPICK MYTH HOTEL PATONG WAS A GRAND AFFAIR On 22 Feb, Mövenpick Myth Hotel Patong held a Grand Opening party in its Átrio restaurant with buffet meals, live music and prizes. The newly opened hotel is a celebration of Thailand’s diverse cultural inspirations, weaving King Rama V’s legacy with the island’s early 20th Century-inspired Sino-Portuguese influences.

Charity begins at KIS.

KAJONKIET INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY Gareth Eynon, Principal of KIS Phuket (4th from right), welcomed Sister Lakana Sukhsuchit (3rd from right), Director of The Good Shepherd Learning Center, and two Myanmar students who visited to extend their gratitude for support received from the KIS community. KIS has raised and donated B225,898 to the foundation from various events including the KIS Fun Run 2018, KIS Busking Week and KIS Has Talent. @thephuketnews

Helmet heroes.

MARRIOTT HOTELS IN PHUKET HOST ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Phuket joined forces to host another important event aimed at raising awareness about motorcycle safety among local schoolchildren from Baan Ko En School. A total of 50 motorbike helmets were handed out to the schoolchildren, who were able to paint them to give them a personal design.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

MON

8 MAR

11 MAR

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Futsal League 2019 Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Is your child interested in football? Would they enjoy enhancing their football skills whilst spending time with friends? At British International School Phuket, the Cruzeiro Saturday morning league will allow your child to play fun, competitive football at the incredible facilities.

Bring them along to either U9/U11 or U13/U15 fixtures at the advertised times! See you there!

SUN

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

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

10 MAR Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Phuket Sundowners - Mar 2019

The Great Nai Harn Phuket Sunday Brunch, just got better…

With our exclusive offer 4 guests eat for the price of 3! Culinary maestro Executive Chef Mark Jones, added exquisite new dishes for the most demanding palates. Experience it while enjoying the spectacular views over Nai Harn Bay and listening to the sounds of Resident DJ Sun. Every Sunday from 12:30 - 15:00 hrs THB 5,500 net per adult (With free-flow premium beverage handpicked by James Suckling) THB 3,850 net per adult (food only) THB 2,200 net per child aged from 6 to 18 (with free-flow juices and soft drinks) For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or fbreservation@thenaiharn.com

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.

Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic.

Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/ TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, Great variety, Vibrant flavours.

Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

WED

13 MAR

AustCham Thailand is delighted to invite members and guests from AustCham and partner chambers to join our Phuket Sundowners to be held on Friday 8th March, 2019, at the Angsana Laguna Phuket. Cost: Baht 500 for AustCham members, partner Chambers’ members, and Australian Alumni Members. Baht 900 for nonmembers.

SAT

9 MAR Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood

KEVIN GILDEA & IMRAN YUSUF IN PHUKET

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

Do not miss KEVIN GILDEA (IRL) and IMRAN YUSUF (UK) with host DEEPAK CHANDRAN (IND). Early bird tickets are on sale now from 350 THB or 600 THB at the door. Get your tickets today on TicketFlap: www.ticketflap.com/ phuketcomedy-kevingildea Magic Rock, Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket.

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

16 MAR

SAT

23 MAR

year Phuket’s Best Burger will be getting all burgerliscious at Boat Lagoon Marina on Saturday 30th March, restaurateurs and chefs will all compete to see whose burger reigns supreme and become Phuket’s Best Burger 2019 “Dare to Dream”. Boat Lagoon Marina

SUN Food Competition 2019 Don’t’ miss the 3nd Annual Culinary Completion @ QSI Phuket on Saturday March 16th from 11:00 – 15:30. Schools from around Phuket will compete in two divisions, junior and senior.

They will compete in creating an original and chef replicated dish. These dishes will then be judged by our celebrity executive chef judges, who will decide this year’s Top Chefs.

SUN

17 MAR

WED

27 MAR

St. Patrick’s Day Raise your glasses on March 17, 2019 at ALL Two Chefs Bar & Grill Branches as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy Two Chefs bestseller Traditional Sunday Roast for just THB445 with green Chang draft for just THB99! Not into alcohol? Let’s give you a caffeine boost with our Irish Coffee also at THB99! As they say, everybody’s Irish on St. Paddy’s day! Make your reservations NOW! Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/TwoChefsThailand Reservation.

31 MAR

Ramp Up Your Run Clinic - Starting You on the Road to a Healthier and Active Lifestyle March 23rd 7am @ Phuket Boat Lagoon. 10km or 1/2 marathon Preparation for the Laguna Phuket Marathon. Have you ever wanted to run a10km or 1/2 marathon? Are you a seasoned runner and thought just because you are getting older that your best times are behind you?

Your Entry Includes: *Dynamic better running technique training session *10 week step by step training guide for either the 10km or 1/2 marathon *Healthy Nutritious Post Training meal and lunch *Injury prevention *Healthy nutrition *Running specific strength training *Mindset training *Instant access to The Ramp Up Your Run Community. Ticket Price - 2,900b. Darren, Phuket Boat Lagoon, darrenscherbain@gmail. com

Grow Boating Phuket Networking Evening Supersport 10 Mile International Run 2019 Get yourselves ready for the Supersports 10 Mile International Run Series Thailand 2019. Thailand’s number 1 sports retail store, Supersports, is back with 5 challenging races across Thailand.

• Phuket (31 March 2019) at Thanyapura Phuket • Hatyai (28 April 2019) at Central Festival Hatyai • Bangkok (19 May 2019) at CentralWorld • Korat (29 September 2019) at Central Plaza Nakhon Ratchasima • Chiang Mai (27 October 2019) at Central Festival Chiang Mai Part of the entry fees will be donated to both the “Queen Sirikit Center for Breast Cancer Foundation” under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit, and “The National Paralympic Committee of Thailand” which is under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King. Register for 5 races at once and enjoy a 10% discount.

WED

SAT

30 MAR

The Grow Boating Networking Evening for April 2019 will be held at The Lagoon Saloon, at The Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina from 5pm onward.

Please contact us if you would like to be our drinks sponsors. Once again Lagoon Saloon will fire up the BBQ serving their famous Friday night burger free to all attendees and there will be special prices on your favourite local drinks. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar.

To join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com. Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News TV. The Grow Boating Networking Evening is proud to support the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us on thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com

SAT

27 APR

3 APR

Baba Beach Club x Colours of Love March 27-31, Wild Sirenda presents Colours of Love @ Baba Beach Club Phuket. This 5 day experience will bring together an ever-growing community of free-thinkers, awakened beings and global go-getters. Uniting in celebration to activate your dreams, this incredible music and wellness lineup will create the perfect journey for your experience Baba Beach Club Phuket.

For more information & bookings, contact us: 076 429 388.

FRI

5 APR

Hospitality Golf Challenge 2019 The 4th Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge charity golf tournament will take place on the 3rd April 2019, with an amazing day of gourmet golf at Laguna Golf Phuket Course all in aid of The Children First Fund. Why not come and join the event with some great local hole sponsors treating all the golfers to some fun challenges and exciting Food and Beverage service. We are proud to have 89.5FM and Phuket News TV as our Media Partner and Sponsor. Visit www.aseanevents.com or email mark@asean-events.com

Blue Horizon WCGC Thailand 2019 The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge continues in 2019 with the top 10% of teams (2 people per team) from each qualifier gaining entry to the Thailand Final on the 27th of April 2019 at Laguna Golf Club Phuket. Prominent sponsors provide an all-expenses paid trip to the World Final at Oitavoss Dunes in Cascais, Portugal. For more details and to sign up contact events@foremanagement.com

EVERY DAY

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Open Irish Mic night, traditional Irish inspired beverages and buffet, followed by the live showing of the Six Nations Rugby game, Wales vs Ireland from 9:30 pm. Each performer receives a complimentary drink, and wear St. Patrick’s festive green colours, receive a complimentary shooter! Entrance is complimentary, the Irish themed buffet is priced at THB 890 ++ per person, 6 - 9 pm, beverages are priced individually. Reservations and Open Mic registration.

Reservation, The Pavilions Phuket, firefly.phuket@ pavilionshotels.com, 076 317 600.

@thephuketnews

Prime at Rock Salt

Phuket’s Best Burger 2019 ‘Dare to Dream’ Now in its 5th Year Phuket Best Burger has become one of Phuket’s most loved events. This

Prime at Rock Salt is the home of smoke and fire at Naiharn Beach. An exclusive eatery, Prime offers a collection of roasted, smoked and chargrilled creations from its custom-designed kitchen. The al fresco dining experience is completed with panoramic ocean views across Naiharn Beach. Open Daily 6.00 – 10.00 pm at Naiharn Beach For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or rocksalt@ thenaiharn.com

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. In measurements, how many teaspoons make one tablespoon?

2. John Cabot, commissioned by Henry VII in 1497 to discover new lands, was originally from which European nation?

3. In which country was George Orwell born?

4. Who sang the 1975 country music classic ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’?

5. How tall is Donald Trump? Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 49. Pressure meas.

1. They go into sleeves 50. Lay 5. Make eyes at 51. Pigeon pen 9. Make bubbly 53. Kitchen heads 14. Marshy material 60. Tears 15. Gave the cash for 61. Reserved by us 16. Desert tabletops 62. Handyman’s 17. Tale need 18. Cork’s country 63. Work out 19. Oust 64. Pure 20. Delectable foodie 65. Sheep item 66. More inclined 23. Nautical measure 67. Cultivator 24. It can be tender 68. Bad sound in 25. Billboard displays the lungs 28. “Love don’t live here ____” Lady Down Antebellum 1. Church niche 31. Place for 2. Gather sweaters?

3. Wise three 34. Fertilizer 4. Smoke ___ ingredient 5. DNA segment 36. Blood group 6. Showiness 37. “Sitting on the 7. Italian money dock of the Bay” before the Euro singer, first name 8. Garden with a 38. Chefs’ paradises snake 42. Old Norse poem 9. Arise collection 10. Embankment 43. Anonymous Jane 11. China setting 44. Watch brand 12. Mediator’s skill 45. ESPN sportscaster 13. Extreme suffix 46. Miniature scene 21. Take one’s

weapons 22. Fortuneteller’s card 25. Guardian __ 26. Part of LED 27. Cram for a test 29. Creator 30. Kimono belt 31. Exorbitant 32. Metallic sounds 33. Very quick (mus.)

35. Generation 37. Law man?

39. Rewrites 40. Further 41. Raccoon kin 46. Golfer taking the last place prize, perhaps 47. Build up 48. Effective cat 50. Sore spot 52. Fragrant compound 53. Cut 54. Dagger handle 55. Biblical do 56. French currency 57. Midwestern state 58. Christmas 59. Apart from this 60. Group with troops

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Three; 2) Italy; 3) India; 4) Glen Campbell; 5) 1.9 metres (6 feet 3 inches)

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

9

minutes and 33 seconds is how long it takes for the credits to play in the Lord of the Rings film Return of the King (2003) – ‘the longest credits ever’.

11

percent of the world’s gold in circulation is owned by housewives in India – more than the reserves of Switzerland, Germany and the United States put together.

150

to 200 species of plant, insect, bird, and mammal become extinct every day, according to scientists, in the highest number of species die-offs since the dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago.

30,000 94 million to 40,000 dead skin cells fall off of you every minute.

is how much Daniel Radcliffe made from playing the role of Harry Potter, and he’s hardly spent any of it.

Source: Uberfacts

Low tide on Nai Yang Beach. Photo: Cynthia Tomaszewski Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history Mar 8, 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, carrying a total of 239 people, disappears en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo: Laurent Errera) Mar 9, 1959 The Barbie doll makes its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

Mar 10, 1909 By signing the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, Thailand relinquishes

its sovereignty over the now Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu, which become British protectorates.

Mar 11, 2011 An earthquake measuring 9.0 in magnitude strikes 130km east of Sendai, Japan, triggering a tsunami killing thousands of people and the second largest nuclear accident in history, and one of only two events to be classified as a Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.

football player and captain.

9M-MRO, the aircraft that disappeared as Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Mar 12, 1881 Andrew Watson, born in British Guiana, makes his Scotland debut as the world’s first black international

Mar 13, 1325 Recognised date of the founding of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan on a small island in Lake Texcoco by the Mexica. It becomes Mexico City in 1521.

Mar 14, 44 BC Casca and Cassius decide, on the night before the Assassination of Julius Caesar, that Mark Antony should live. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

International Sales Support

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

The View Kata - Wanted

Interested Buyer looking for Foreign Freehold Units at The View Kata Phuket. If you are an owner or have any available units, please contact: +66872699206 or email mick11468@gmail.com URG

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Personal Assistant

For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort.

Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354. @thephuketnews

Art House Real Estate company

Looking for Thai Marketing manager at the property booth, Patong Area, for more detail please contact: info@arthouse.asia

Thai Yoga Instructor

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

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

PROPERTY SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYacht Agency. com, 081-894 -3234 (French/ English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/ English).

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Golden Business Opportunity

Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. B900,000 ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_ lek55@hotmail.com, 099 362 7979

@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Subaru XV

Car for sale

Cross trek bought new 2013.

Well maintained, glass coating, rust proofing, new tires, single owner. Must see! Nicha Residence, 0892873128.

Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 2.8 CC. 4X4 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 janthisa jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัดภ เู ก ็ต, info@lifestyleinthailand.com, B 725,000

Monterey 415SY. Perfect condition. 1 owner. Regular maintenance in authorized centers. Twin Volvo IPS600 435hp, joystick control, Engine Hours: 670. Furuno radar. GPS. B6,900,000. 0878970501.

All prices are for up to 6 people, include: - land transfers, lunch, soft drinks, water, tea/ coffee and selected beverages, fruits and services of a captain and a stewardess. Charters start at 9 am, finish at 5 pm. Hours can be adjusted. Pavel, fortuna-2009@bk.ru, +7 984 188-62-89. Pavel (WhatsApp) +7 914 790-73-78 Pavel (WhatsApp) +66 83-475-7351 Pavel + +35799989736 (WhatsApp)

@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

42ft Sport Yacht,Reduced Price

AL Sunreef 60 Loft, TS N year 2016, 185,000 URGE baht day charter

The Phuket News

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

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78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.

Car For Sale

Immaculate condition, QUICK SELL REDUCED PRICE includes over 1M baht in options; GT Brembo brakes, Adjustable suspension, performance exhaust. Pioneer AVHX8850BT with Audison sound system. ADV7.1SL. 1 Piece forged rims.

B1.5M OBO, Dan Miles, danmilesmedia@gmail.com, 065 621 5541, Thai 091 165 9332

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Mitsubishi 2.0 GT Mivec Auto

Excellent Condition. Modifications on the car - Dual stainless steel exhaust, Bonnet, front & rear bumper, side skirts are Evo X Upgrade, Tinted windows and Upgraded alloy wheels. THB 470,000. Call Lek 0991677378.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL

Ford Fiesta 2012 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 Janthisa Jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอ ถลาง จังหวัดภ เู ก ็ต, B 250,000 info@lifestyleinthailand.com, 0826291419

Toyota GT 2013 - FT86

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Loan money for bail

Pablo, pablolawyer@gmail.com, Whats up +79841886289 Whats up +79147907378

MEMBERSHIPS

BLUE CANYON GOLF MEMBERSHIP

425,000 THB and Seller pays the transfer fee. For more information call 098 946 0709. Rob George.

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Multistrada 2012

2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms.

Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag.

Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com, 081-734-8309.

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Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PERSONAL SERVICES Business Services

Providing International Clients with Complete Debt Recovery Solutions in the Phuket. Pablo, Umbrellacorp144@gmail.com, +66952688880 and +35799989736 (WhatsApp)

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The Heights Phuket - Freehold

Interested Buyers looking for Foreign Freehold Units at the Height Phuket, if you are an owner or have any available units, please contact: +66872699206 or email mick11468@gmail.com

Sale - Koh Kaew, 2-Bed Condo

PROPERTY FOR SALE U

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Paul MOORHOUSE

Recently fully renovated villa at the heart of Laguna Phuket. Huge plot, 4/5 bedrooms, study, dining. lounge, European kitchen, lots of decking, large garden and sala with pool and a double garage. Can walk anywhere in Laguna and Boat Avenue in 5 minutes or so and includes family Laguna Golf and Sanctuary Club Membership. Fully furnished and equipped, freehold or leasehold to suit buyer. Reduced to 22 million Baht for quick sale. 22 million Baht, ceopaulm@hotmail.com, +66898737075.

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Layan Gardens is a luxurious complex of only 40 wonderful 3 and 4 bedroom apartments just outside Laguna Phuket with tremendous facilities including 3 pools, jacuzzi, BBQ areas, Floodlit tennis court, boules pitch, golf pitching and putting area and much more. We currently have 2 apartments for sale (from 15.5 million Baht) and 2 apartments available for long term (minimum 12 months) let. Check out this wonderful development on our website and contact us for sales or lettings.0898737075.

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RPM by owner

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1 Bed Condoin Kamala

Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach. Comes with pool and onsite restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment.

B5,417,000. Call Andy. 083 800 1888

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

Saturdays Residence beautiful condo in Rawai. Tastefully decorated with class. Short drive to beach. All condo amenities. Looks so good that you do need to see to believe. You will fall in love at first sight. B6,300,000, Dimitry, phuket@thairesidential.com, 082 030 7199

5-Bed Pool Villa 1.2 Rai Rawai

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

1 Bedroom Condo Kata Sale

Mai Khao 1 Bed Condo Sale

1 Bed Condo in Kamala

Mai Khao Beach Condo-Great condo. 5mins from Splash Jungle Water Park. Wonderful location and is a must see. B5,300,000, Christine, 0948411918.

Rawai 1 Bed Seaview Condo for Sale

Fantastic seaviews. Fully furnished. Condo facilities including pool and gym. Close to amenities. This 58sqm condo at Babylon Sky Garden is a great buy.

B3,600,000, Andy, phuket@thairesidential.com, 083 800 1888.

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

A Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white. Jacuzzi.

All round beautiful views. Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand.

Available to agents. Priced at 16MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@ gmail.com

Lovely condo at Utopia Kata for Sale. Completed in 2017 and close to Kata Beach. Fully furnished. Close to restaurants and amenities. Great views. Rental programme.

Full facilities. Dimtry, 082 030 7199. B7,100,000

Mandala Condominium - Wonderful spacious condo. Great location near Bangtao beach and Laguna. 184sqm with private pool and tropical gardens. B15,900,000, Andy, 083 800 1888

White sand beach

29 Rai with breathtaking views and 128 meter of white sand beach frontage on Koh Yao Yai, just 20 minutes from Phuket away, secure Chanote tittle, public concrete road, water, electricity and ready to build for sale direct from owner for only 5.5 mln per Rai. Montha, montha_phuket@yahoo.com, 095 0147888.

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1 Bed Condo for Sale in Rawai

2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 English/ German. Email: picharly@gmail. com, B4.9mill.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Layan Gardens Luxury Apartment

The Title Rawai, Phuket This beachfront 1 Bedroom condominium is located in one of the premier developments on Rawai Beach. Also, the beauty, luxury, and durability of this condo is immediately apparently from its genuine teak wooden flooring. Designed with absolute care and attention to detail! Also, only the highest quality materials have been selected throughout, and every square metre of useful space is utilised to the fullest.

Furthermore, the large common area has 3 swimming pools. Also, there are 2 saunas, and a fitness room. Moreover, it is surrounded by tropical jungle. Also, within walking distance of shops, bars, and international and Thai restaurants.

However, you are nevertheless ensured of complete peace and tranquility. This development was completed in April, 2014, and is available for sale on a leasehold basis. ADDITIONAL UNITS AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTACT FOR DETAILS. Christine, phuket@thairesidential.com, 0948411918

Dream Village Phuket house

On the west side of Cape Panwa overG looking a stunning beach and Chalong UR Bay this wonderful property sits in 1.75 Rai’s of beautiful landscaped grounds and has a huge pool, jacuzzi, waterfall, shaded and non-shaded decking, large bar/dining sala and much more. With 4 bedroom suites and ample space to build more if required. This superb property with great sea views must be viewed. Being sold at a reduced price for urgent sale and is fully furnished and equipped and ready to move in immediately. B57,000,000. 0898737075.

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2-Bedroom Royal Phuket Marina Condo.

Must be seen to be believed. So much space! 195m2 Stylish, Tastefully-Decorated Condominium Fully Furnished Overlooking Yacht Marina an absolute bargain @ 13.5 Million Baht, Christine, 0948411918

‘Frontline’ sea view villa overlooking Ao Yon Bay and the southern islands.

Magnificent property with private elevator, 4 bedroom suites/6 bathrooms as well as 2 living areas, european design kitchen, games room, bar, sauna, steam room and wonderful pool deck with in-ground jacuzzi, infinity pool and waterfall. Fabulous property reduced to 65 million Baht for quick sale. 0898737075.

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MontAzure Twinpalms Residence-Great condo located in Kamala. The ultimate in luxury. Has got to be seen to be believed. Fantatsic facilities in this resort condo. B15,800,000, Tina, 0872699206.

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m.

Chanote

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote

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

Villa in Patong prime location

One of the last Villas available in Patong. in top condition. 24 hour security. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Fully furnished, garden. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411

Mueang Phuket 1 Bed Condo

Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!!

Fully furnished and conveniently located. Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities. B2,500,000, Christine, 094 841 1918.

PROPERTY WANTED

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance.

0870608400 engl/german 12.9MB, picharly@gmail.com

Penthouse for sale

432.44 Sqm.Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities. see beachsuites.com/gallery.

No broker please. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR SALE

2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent

2bd/2bth furnished house for rent in Kathu near Loch Palm Golf Course.

See link for more photos and details. www.kathuhouseforrent.com B13,500, May or Wes, wes@pillarmarketing. com, 0899733276

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Paul MOORHOUSE

Solid, profitable business for sale at the entrance to Laguna Phuket. Specialising in Ladies Fashion, Beachwear, Footwear, accessories and jewelry.

New 3 year lease on large unit and fully equipped and quality stocked store. Ready to take over and no additional costs. Tel 089 8737075 for more information.

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Clubbing at its best Phuket to hold 4th annual Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge GOLF The Phuket News editor3@thephuketnews.com

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he fourth annual Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge – Charity Golf Tournament will take place at Laguna Golf Phuket on Wednesday April 3, 2019.

The event sees hospitality professionals from Phuket and surrounding areas come together at the awardwinning golf course.

The atmosphere will be fun yet competitive, with teams battling for bragging rights as the best hospitality golfers in the region.

Being the only event of its kind, it is the ideal networking opportunity for local hoteliers, restaurateurs, landlords, club owners and others involved in the hospitality industry to come together in a relaxed environment.

The organiser, Mark Cameron of Asean Events, said “Last year’s event was a huge success and we attracted a field of 90+ very competitive hospitality leaders, so every year we are getting bigger and better. The rivalry between hoteliers was incredible to watch, with endless amounts of friendly on-course banter. These

@thephuketnews

professionals are always competing for business, so why not a fun game of golf, networking with like-minded professionals? As an end product of the event experience, we also raise funds for local children’s charities.”

The charity being supported is the Laguna Children First Fund.

Host sponsor Laguna Golf Phuket will once again provide the perfect venue to stage the hospitality golf event.

The unique “Gourmet Golf ” concept event will see Laguna Phuket hotel establishments such as Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dusit Thani and Outrigger provide on-course food and drinks for golfers.

In addition, other leading entertainment venues from around Phuket will be involved, including Tile It, Whisky Hole, Whisgars Cigar Holes, Captain Hook’s Smokehouse and Two Chefs.

To register your team and/or interest in becoming a sponsor, please visit www.lagunagolf.com/phuket or email golf@lagunaphuket.com for more information.

Registered teams this year include Accor Group of Hotels, Outrigger Resorts, Tai Pan, Irish Times, teams all the way from Oman, Dubai,

Players celebrate on the green at the third Phuket Hospitality Challenge in June, 2018.

Bangkok, and The Phuket News team of course.

We have all 18 holes already sponsored with some refreshments and food and a very special hole where the Banyan Tree Spa will give our golfers a refreshing neck massage.

On the par 3 holes there will be a “Beat-The-Pro” event, where a PGA Professional from Laguna Golf Academy will challenge each golfer to beat him and at the same time raise vital funds for charity.

The last event was a fun yet competitive day of golf and networking.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Hooked on fishing

Major freshwater fishing events coming to Phuket FISH THE EXOTIC

If you have questions about fishing in and around Phuket please feel free to contact us by email and we will do our best to help you with an accurate answer or direct you to another reliable source.

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huket has been home to saltwater fishing tournaments for more years than many of us can remember.

The Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament and the PGFC Classic ran for many years and more recently the PST event for the last two years. There are also lots of Thai-run events drawing fields of avid local competitors. All events can be given credit for attracting anglers from around the world to the stunning fishing grounds which surround Phuket.

Exotic Fishing Thailand is excited to announce two major freshwater fishing events.

These events will highlight the amazing freshwater fishing available in Thailand and especially in the Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga areas.

The Exotic Fishing Thailand Individual Open 2019 will take place on June 30 and the Exotic Fishing Thailand Team

By Mike Bailey, Exotic Fishing Thailand Co Ltd

The competition’s winners will be the individual and team catching the greatest total length of fish caught.

Challenge 2019 on July 6.

The weekend dates make both events accessible to both local and other Asian anglers.

The two dates scheduled only one week apart also allow for international entries to visit for one week to enter both competitions and still have time to enjoy the beauty of Phuket between events.

The two events are competitive yet fun events, but with serious prizes up for grabs. The

combined prize total is valued at US$30,000 (B954,000) and has already attracted several overseas entries. We expect the events to have a full field of 16 individuals and 16 twoman teams respectively.

The competition’s winners will be the individual and team catching the greatest total length of fish caught and measured between the tournament hours of 8am to 6pm. No fish will be weighed as the

events are catch and release only and minimal stress on the fish is of highest importance. The events are open to all competitors with average angling skill and at least some prior experience fishing for large freshwater fish.

Exotic Fishing Thailand is only one hour north of Phuket International Airport and therefore very convenient for spectators to visit and enjoy the events and stunning scenery

surrounding the lake.

Entry to the facility will be free for all spectators for both event days. This includes access to the fish park, lake walk and fish feeding ponds, so make sure to bring the kids.

The events run from 8am to 6pm with the main score board updated hourly starting from 9:30am. The final board update will be at 6:30pm with prize-giving following soon after.

Email; exoticfishingthailand@gmail. com Telephone; English 0883799377 or Thai 0811995922 facebook; h t t p s ://w w w.f a c e b o o k . com/E xotic-Fishing-Thailand-427820143951674/ Website; www.exoticfishingthailand.com

Murray determined to return after recent hip surgery TENNIS ANDY MURRAY WILL PUT his “heart and soul” into trying to return to professional tennis, his mother Judy has said, although she admitted the player’s future is unclear.

The 31-year-old underwent hip resurfacing surgery at the end of January in a final throw of the dice to try to overcome the problem

that first became a serious issue in 2017.

The operation was performed primarily to improve his quality of life, with Murray revealing that he struggled simply to put on his socks and shoes, but also offered a potential route back to the sport.

“He is doing pretty well. It is not that long since he had the operation and time will tell,” Judy Murray told reporters.

“Nobody knows how he is go-

ing to recover in the longer term.

He is in a good place mentally and we just keep our fingers crossed.

“But I tell you, if anybody can do it he can because he will put his heart and soul into it like he does with everything.”

The former world number one announced at an emotional press conference ahead of the Australian Open in January that he planned to retire after Wimbledon but was more hopeful following a remark-

able five-set defeat by Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round.

No player has come back from the same operation to play singles but American Bob Bryan recently returned in doubles and won an ATP Tour title in Delray Beach last month with his brother Mike.

Bryan said in Australia that he no longer felt any pain and backed Murray to follow him by making a comeback.

AFP

Andy Murray reacts after defeat against Roberto Bautista Agut at the 2019 Australian Open.

Photo: AFP / Saeed Khan

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SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Klopp fully confident in Liverpool’s title bid FOOTBALL

MAIN SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for March 2019 will receive a B3,000 voucher to be used on food, beverage and/or fishing at the Chalong Fishing Park.

EPL PREDICTIONS

AFP

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u rgen K lopp i nsists Liverpool still have the look of Premier League champions despite a goalless Merseyside derby draw at Everton that saw them fall a point behind Manchester City at the top of the table.

After a run of four draws in their past six league games, Liverpool ended the weekend behind City for the first time in three months having played the same number of games as Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.

Everton’s run without a derby win extended to 19 games stretching back to 2010.

However, the celebrations from the home supporters on the final whistle indicated how much they believe they have damaged Liverpool’s hopes of securing a first league title in 29 years.

Klopp, however, remained defiant and continues to see evidence that his players have the resilience to cope with the pressure of one of the most tense title races in years.

“I don’t have to give my players any advice, they know already,” said Klopp. “They’re not little boys any more.

“Sometimes you have the lead and people say it’s done when there are 20 games to go to the end of the season, and now they have one or two more points than us.

It’s the beginning of March, who cares?

“I believe 100 per cent in our chances. I know that game-by-game my feeling gets better about the boys because they look ready for it.

“Today, of course, we

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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (left) is embraced by manager Jurgen Klopp after drawing at the Merseyside derby on Sunday (Mar 3). Photo: AFP didn’t score, that can happen.

A difficult game, opponent, and the wind and weather circumstances didn’t help for football in general, it was just a fight.

“We were ready for that today and now we have a point more than before – all good.”

The game, and league table, could have had a very different look had Mohamed Salah not missed the best chance of the game on 28 minutes.

Morgan Schneiderlin’s error in midfield allowed Fabinho to play a first-time through ball which sent the Egyptian bearing down on goal with only Jordan Pickford to beat.

But the England goal-

keeper, who was at fault for Liverpool’s dramatic 96th -minute winner when the sides met in December, did well to spread himself and beat away Salah’s shot.

Salah also missed the best opportunity of the second half when a bad touch allowed Michael Keane to make a magnificent last-ditch challenge.

The African player of the year, who scored 44 goals in an incredible first season at Anfield, has now scored just once in his last seven games.

“When you see the situation, he is doing everything right,” Klopp said of Salah’s wasted chances.

“He takes his decision a millisecond earlier or later

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Beyond the Kathu Go-Kart track make a LEFT HHH at the end of the divided roadway onto the soi beside the Family Mart. Continue as above.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 15:15 | Kamala @ Aussie Pub: 14.45 More info: phuket-hhh.com

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and the defender can jump in.

“We had our moments but there is no reason for taking it or not taking it, you have to fight against the circumstances, against the opponent, and the boys did that.”

There were other chances for Liverpool, the best of which fell to Fabinho 21 minutes from time, but he took too long to control and allowed Lucas Digne to make a tackle.

Yet, Everton could even have snatched a long-awaited win near the end when substitute Richarlison’s low cross just eluded Bernard.

“We knew how much this fixture means to the fans,” said Pickford. “If you can’t score then don't concede.”

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019

Anglers ready for sport fishing fest > p30

TEE TIME Laguna Golf Phuket hosts first PGA TOUR Series-China Event outside Greater China

Alexander Kang. Photos: Laguna Phuket

GOLF

Thanathip Puaktes

The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

L

aguna Golf Phuket has become the first golf course to host a PGA TOUR Series-China event outside of mainland China after hosting the Tour’s third and final Global Qualifying Tournament from March 5-8.

The club welcomed 120 high-level international players representing 17 nationalities from across the globe, including seven players from Thailand. The annual four-day qualifying event is an intense competition as it helps decide membership for the 2019 season. Only the player who wins the 72-hole stroke-play tournament can play the full season while players who finish in the second-through-12th positions will earn guaranteed starts in the first six events.

Finishers 13-35 (and ties) will earn conditional status through the first six events.

The Tour organisers have siad they are thrilled for the opportunity to work with Laguna Golf Phuket to help bring a world-class PGA TOURaffiliated event to the area and also to see new talented players emerge – players who

The club welcomed 120 high-level international players from 17 countries. often go on to do great things in their careers.

“We have watched numerous players show up at the Qualifying Tournaments, and a year or two later they are playing on the Web.com Tour and the PGA TOUR. It’s at the qualifiers where many of them are beginning their professional journeys, and we recognise the talent that has come through our Tour during its first four years,” said PGA TOUR Series-China Executive Director Greg Carlson.

“As we announce these events, it means another PGA TOUR Series-China season is just around the corner, featuring a mix of new players who will emerge from these qualifiers as well as those players who are returning.

“This is also a new chapter in the history of the Tour as

we stage an event away from Greater China for the first time,” Carlson continued.

“Playing in Thailand will provide players with a new cultural experience, while playing a tournament on a world-class golf course in one of the great resort cities in Southeast Asia.”

Architect Paul Jansen revamped and upgraded Laguna Golf Phuket in 2014, a course built among lagoons, native water grasses and mature woodland areas. The last International Federation of PGA Tours event held at Laguna Golf Phuket was the Asian Development Tour’s 2018 Singha Laguna Phuket Open.

“Laguna Phuket is excited to welcome the PGA Tour Series – China and host their first international event outside of China. It is our honor to

partner with such a prestigious brand as the PGA Tour.

“We are excited to showcase our integrated resort facilities to all the tour players and officials. We are sure they will enjoy a wonderful experience between the golf course at Laguna Golf Phuket and the events’ official hotel Angsana Laguna Phuket”, said Laguna Golf Group Assistant Vice President Paul Wilson.

In the past, players from Thailand have fared well on the Tour. Gunn Charoenkul has won twice; once in 2014 and once in 2016. And last week, Somprat Rattanasuwan earned his full card by tying for third at the Series’ second Global Qualifying Tournament. This week, the seven Thai players in the field include one local player, Thanathip Puaktes.

This season, Cheng Jin

won the Mainland China Qualifying Tournament. Singapore’s Abdul Hadi won the First Global Qualifying Tournament, while South Korea’s Taeho Kim won the Second Global Qualifying Tournament last week.

In 2018, PGA TOUR Series-China Global Qualifying Tournament winners were Americans Jeffrey Kang and Joseph Winslow, with Cheng Jin capturing the Mainland China qualifier. Kang and Winslow both went on to win a Series event that year.

Other Global Qualifying Tournament winners in the Series’ history are American Charlie Saxon and South Korea’s Sungpil Park (2016); Canada’s Justin Shin and American Kyle Souza (2015); and Australians David Lutterus and Alex Hawley (2014).

Ming Sithprasert PGA TOUR Series-China is a professional golf tour featuring open competition to all nationalities with approximately 14 events in the 2019 season. The tour attracts players, mainly from Asia and other Pacific Rim countries, although members have come from five continents. It is owned and operated by the PGA TOUR and sanctioned by the General Administration of Sport of China. It operates in partnership with the China Golf Association and Shankai Sports.

The top-five money-winners from PGA TOUR Series-China earn Web.com Tour membership for the following season.

Information on the Tour can be found at PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf. www.pgatourserieschina.com thephuketnews