08-06-2012 by The Phuket News

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Phuket dengue fever cases on the rise – Patong at major risk • Eight Phuketians dead • More than 11,200 infected • Heavy rain, climate change blamed

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wenty four hours of almost non-stop torrents left Phuket in a sorry state on Thursday morning (June 7) with flooding in many parts and no letup in sight. Streets in many parts of the island were flooded, with Patong – as usual – being the worst victim. Wisit Methasuntornpol, chief of the town’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office, who was out inspecting the sittuation when contacted, told The Phuket News that sections of Pang Meuang Sai Kor Rd, behind Jungceylon, and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, were practically impassable due to flooding. On the east side of the island, the road outside Villa Market, near Chalong Circle, was underwater, as was the stretch of Chao Fa West Rd from the TOT office almost to the Kwang Rd lights. In Phuket Town, the municipality said there had been no serious f looding in the

A lone pedestrian wades across the river in Patong formerly known as Pang Meuang Sai Kor Rd, behind Jungceylon. The road was closed to traffic. city itself, though traffic was jammed because of the rain. The Phuket Meteorological

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Office said 58mm of rain had fallen in the 24 hours until 7am, with 17.1 mm falling

between 7 and 9am alone. “These levels are normal,” said a spokesman for the office.

Manik site ‘sending mud into homes’ LED BY PHUKET VICE Governor Somkiat Sangkhaosutthirak, officials inspected a private property in Baan Manik in Tambon Sri Soontorn on Wednesday (June 6). The inspection came after a local complained to the Damrongtham Center, the province’s ombudsman, that mudslides from the property were causing problems for people living in the area. The site, which has been partly cleared of vegetation, sits at the foot of a hill, and is reported to be the source of mud sluicing onto the road and into public gutters, and even seeping into houses below during the recent heavy rain. During their inspection, officials found that some parts of the property were cleared for a road and traces of slope excavation were found at the back of the site. The Chief of the Thalang Land Office (TLO), Wattchara Buatong, confirmed that the

property had a full Chanote freehold title, though the slope behind is not part of the deed. He said he would check the TLO database to see if the slope has any type of paper, while the Phuket Forestry Office will check on the map to see whether the excavation extends into a forest reserve area. However, officials noted that the excavation had been undertaken on a slope of more than 35 per cent, which is against environmental protection regulations. It will take around a week to finish the document search. With increasing numbers of land-related complaints being handed to officials recently, V/G Somkiat said he was worried about the issues raised. “Every case uncovered on the island seems to be related to [man-made] ecological damage,” he said. “This has made Phuket into a major target for examination by high-ranking officials [from Bangkok].”

OK for 30 more meter taxis A COM M ITTEE T H AT oversees the registration of taxis and tuk-tuks announced on Wednesday (June 6) its approval of 30 more meter taxis in Phuket. Speaking at the Phuket Provincial Hall, Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada said that he had received numerous complaints from consuls on the island about inadequate public transport in Phuket. Other common complaints were of taxi drivers stealing,

overcharging, driving dangerously and giving poor service. The Vice Governor said this affects the image of Phuket Province. “Phuket is a tourist destination so Phuket transportation should be approved and high-quality.” The committee said that it was a reasonable request to improve Phuket’s transportation. They also reasoned that customers should have more choice and should be able to choose from different forms

of transportation and expect fair prices. The introduction of more meter taxis would ensure this, they said. The 30 licenses were granted to Phuket Transportation Co, which already operates 68 meter taxis on the island. Wantha Phummararossukon, a technical specialist at the Phuket Provincial Transport Office said, “We would also like every transportation group and private driver on the island to register as soon as possible.”

WE HAVE A WINNER: The eyes of the footballing world may be on Poland

this weekend for the start of Euro 2012, but one man at least is still celebrating Manchester City’s victory in the Barclay’s Premier League three weeks ago. That man is the curiously titled ‘Gafferworld’ (centre), who came to The Phuket News office this week to collect his prize for taking top spot in the overall Phuket News Premier League Tipping Competition 2011-12 – a return flight to the UK courtesy of Albatross Lufthansa City Center. He received his prize from Albatross general manager Robert de Graff (left) and Phuket News general manager Jason Beavan.

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IN BRIEF Three held with kilo of ganja Police, acting on a complaint about non-stop noise, visited a bar in 50 Pi Rd in Patong on Monday night (June 4) and ended up arresting a Thai and two foreigners for possession of more than a kilo of marijuana. Arrested were the bar’s Thai owner, Pichai Torparakul, Markus Prabst from Germany and James Curtis from Australia.

Burmese dies in hit-and-run A Burmese man died instantly when he was hit by a pickup truck while crossing the road in Koh Kaew last Friday (June 1). Witnesses said he appeared to be drunk at the time. The driver of the white Toyota pickup did not stop. The body of the man, who could not immediately be identified, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital to be kept until relatives can be found.

Two hurt in pickup smash Two men were injured, one badly, when their pickup slammed into a power pole in the early hours of May 31. Rescue workers had to used the “jaws of life” to get to the driver, Aron Saenbado from Krabi. He was rushed to hospital with suspected head injuries. His passenger, Wanchai Juntharana, said Aron lost control of the truck after swerving to avoid a motorbike.

18-year-old drowns off Patong An 18-year-old man from Bangkok, Adiwut Promrat, drowned on Sunday while swimming at Patong. His uncle, Aphichai Phiromsod, 22, was rescued but a search for Adiwut failed to find him. His body was found in the water the following morning. The two were reported to have been swimming in a red flag zone but apparently had no understanding of what the flags meant.

Job fair aims to fill 5,000 vacancies The department of employment is to hold a job fair on June 22 and 23 to try to fill 5,000 job vacancies in 15 business sectors. The “e-job@Phuket 2012” job fair will run from 9am to 4:30pm on both days at Rajabhat Phuket University. For more details call 076219660-1, extension 11.

BBC film on HM the King resurfaces A THREE-HOUR-LONG BBC DOCUMENTARY made in the 1970s, and containing rare footage of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej talking with a BBC reporter, has been rediscovered and posted on YouTube. Soul of a Nation is unusual in that the BBC interviewer David Lomax was granted unparalleled access to the Royal Family and their home life. Footage includes long and in-depth Q&A ses-

sions between Mr Lomax and HM the King, with both sitting on the floor of the King’s private study surrounded by what, at that time, was state-of-theart communications equipment. Topics touched upon are varied and wide and raise issues that are still of concern today. Mr Lomax also accompanied the King on countryside tours where he was filmed talking with villagers. At one point in the documentary Mr Lomax asks

if development projects such as the building of dams are helping to win the battle against Communist insurgents, to which HM the King replies, “We are not fighting the people, we are fighting hunger.” The documentary has, until very recently, never been seen in Thailand. Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has already contacted the BBC to request the broadcasting of a much shorter edited Thailanguage version of the documentary.

8 dead as dengue cases top 11,000 Tanyaluk Sakoot / AFP reporter4@thephuketnews.com

he extreme conditions of the rainy season and climate change have led to a rise in the number of dengue fever cases in Phuket, and caused eight deaths. The Chief of The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PHO), Dr Sak Tengchaikul, announced on Friday (June 1) that eight people have died from the disease in the first five months of the year. Seven of these died despite seeking hospital treatment. Dr Sak added, “The dengue fever situation has increased since the beginning of the year. The number of recorded cases from January 1 to May 29 is 11,202 patients.” PHO said the number of sufferers is going up every year and in every district, especially in Patong. The dengue virus kills 20,000 people worldwide every year, and its complexity means a vaccine has proved elusive. Some health advocates also say that a lack of priority has given to finding a cure because higher-profile viruses such as HIV have been taking precedence for funding. Dengue is carried from one person to another mainly by the aedes aegypti mosquito, and causes symptoms including high fever, body aches, rashes and heavy fatigue. In severe cases it may develop into dengue haemorrhagic fever, with bleeding and low white blood cells counts, or into dengue shock syndrome, with dangerously low blood pressure. Both of these are potentially lethal conditions. Although dengue was recognised more than 200 years

ago, it has emerged as a global health problem only in recent decades as the number of cases has mounted rapidly. This spread has been blamed on factors including population growth, urbanisation, and increased human mobility taking the disease into new areas. It is a fight that is intensifying: more than 2.5 billion people – around 40 per cent of Earth’s population – live in areas susceptible to the mosquito-borne virus, with up to 100 million infected annually, according to the World Health Organisation. Current methods of mosquito control include fogging with chemicals such as the insecticide DDT – which can be harmful to both humans and animals, and to which the insects can develop resistance. As a defensive measure, the Phuket PHO is offering five pieces of advice to the people of Phuket: Cover all water sources in the house; change the water in tanks every seven days; keep fish indoors so that they eat mosquitoes; keep the house and the area around it clean; and do these things regularly, as a matter of routine. The onset of dengue occurs about two days after infection, with signs and symptoms commonly including high temperature, a red face and red neck, headache, eye-ache and pain in the joints. The best thing to do is go to the hospital as soon as possible, Dr Sak said, rather than visiting a pharmacy. He added that people should also look out for these signs in friends and colleagues and get them to hospital too, as a matter of urgency.

Signs and symptoms of dengue fever. While most infected will suffer from the Febrile Phase effects, the Critical Phase effects will appear only in the most severe cases.

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

DANE HALPIN Sub Editor editor2@thephuketnews.com From Australia; Degree in Journalism, Charles Sturt University. Four years’ experience at: The Australian, The Central Western Daily, The Leader, The Canberra Times, and The Vientiane Times.

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A spectacular light show was part of the closing ceremony.

Spectacle marks finish of Phuket Youth Games T

From New Zealand; BA (English) from University of Otago; Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury. Five years’ experience at Gisborne Herald and Marlborough Express.

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

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Acrobats from Maha Sarakham.

he closing ceremony of the National Youth Games was held at Surakul Stadium on Tuesday night (June 5). Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha used the occasion to declare that the Games had been a great success. More than 11,800 athletes, trainers and support staff took part in the Games, with 540 gold medals awarded across 40 different sports. Phuket came seventh in the medal tables, with 18 gold medals, 16 silver and 26 bronze. Full wrap-up of the National Youth Games on page 43

Phuket’s own Jaruwat “Dome the Star” Cheawaram sings at the ceremony.

Filipina tourist goes Anti-loan-shark missing in Phuket body is formed A FILIPINA TOURIST ON holiday in Phuket has been missing for more than a month, the Philippine Daily Inquirer has reported. The newspaper said that Kristine Enriquez Salvador, 25, came to Phuket with a relative on April 27. She was last seen at Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong at 4pm on April 30 but failed to keep an appointment to meet her relative that same evening. She was reported missing to police and the Philippines Embassy in Bangkok. The Inquirer quoted ViceConsul Badajos as saying that both Thai and the Philippine immigration authorities have already been informed about the case.

Kristine Salvador. The word has also been spread among the Filipino community in Thailand, who have been asked to keep an eye out for her. Any information on her whereabouts can be given to the embassy by emailing bangkokpe@gmail.com or calling 089 926 5954.

PHUKET FINALLY HAS a committee aimed at clamping down on loan sharking, although the regulatory mechanism to form such a body has existed for 21 years. The committee is chaired by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and includes lawyers and police officers along with officials from the provincial Finance, Commerce, Labour office and Revenue Offices. The committee’s brief is to “analyse, control and investigate” cases of loan sharking on the island. It will also accept complaints concerning ‘cheating’ by sales representatives of private companies. Sanchai Rattana Sa-

nguan, a Revenue Department official, said that so far the committee has detected no cases of loan-sharking it can get its teeth into. He noted that the committee will take on cases only when “a lot” of people complain about the same loan shark or salesman. The establishment of the committee breaks a Catch-22 situation whereby no body would be formed unless complaints were received – but without the body there was no one to receive complaints. The public can report cases by calling the hotline to the loan-sharking committee via the Revenue Office. The number is 076 354 841 (for cases in Phuket only).

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‘Demolisher’ Damrong takes a look at Layan D amrong Pidech, Director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, unofficially visited the Sirinart Marine National Park, in north of Phuket, last week to examine an alleged case of land encroachment. The initial purpose of his visit was to take a look at three roads in the Layan area – 800-metre-long Layan Soi 9, Soi 7/1 (1.3 km) and Soi 7/2 (597 metres) – which were built in 2008 by OrBorTor Cherng Talay and a private company, and which allegedly intrude into the park. Power poles and cables were also installed along the roads, supposedly with the approval of a former chief of the Sirinart Park. Since then, there have been ongoing court battles between park officials and OrBorTor Cherng Thalay. These have yet to come to a conclusion, but Mr Pidetch said he would in any case set up a committee to investigate. The Sirinart park covers 56,250 rai along the west coast, from the tip of Mai Khao, through Nai Yang and Nai Torn beaches and down to Layan, an area in which several luxury property developments and resorts have opened up in recent years. Questioning the legitimacy of some of these, Mr Pidetch said he would set up a team to investigate the origins of the land deed for the properties. At least seven hotels and resorts, covering a total of more than 700 rai will be ex-

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The meanings of warning flags are explained in Thai, Chinese, English, Russian, French, Korean and German.

Karon to erect new ‘no swimming’ signs in seven languages

Damrong Pidech advocates the ‘Wang Nam Kiew model’ – demolition. amined, he said. His team will take about 30 days to search for evidence such as aerial photographs and documents supporting the issue of the title deeds. He said that he would like to apply “the Wang Nam Kiew model” to any resorts found to be illegal. He was referring to the Wang Nam Kiew area of Nakhon Ratchassima Province

KARON MUNICIPALITY has designed new warning signs in seven languages with the aim of preventing tourists from drowning. Fifteen signs will be placed on Kata and Karon beaches giving warnings in Thai, Chinese, English, Russian, French, Korean and German. The sign includes a message, though in English only, from Karon Mayor Thawee Thongcham, which says, “The monsoon season has started and on certain days the sea can be very dangerous. “Whenever the red flag is placed, we urge you not to swim in the sea as there are

invisible undercurrents which are almost impossible to detect from the shore. “Too many accidents occur every year on the Andaman Sea beaches and we cannot assume any responsibility in the case of accidents.” The chief of the Karon Municipality Tourist Rescue Center, Suphachai Janpetch, said he is still worried about tourists who have no experience of rip currents in the water off Phuket. In the past month, three people drowned, Mr Suphachai said, yet some tourists still ignore red flags and even verbal warnings from beach guards.

in Isarn, which saw a boom in illegal building in recent years, with as many as 150 resorts being established on supposedly protected land. After investigating the situation, Mr Damrong ordered 25 of these to be bulldozed last year. His clean-out of Wang Nam Kiew also included intense investigation of officials involved in the issuing of title deeds.

Mutilated body found THE MUTILATED BODY of a Thai man was found on Nai Yang Beach on Sunday morning (June 3). The dead man was identified the next day as Santi Jandang, 36, from Udon Thani Province. He was identified by his wife who had been looking for him in Sakoo area and met with police who showed her the pictures of the body and belongings found with it. Police initially believed the man was a murder victim. His nose and ears were gone and there was a wound to his head which police suspected might have been caused by a blow from a blunt object. However, his wife was adamant that Mr Santi had no conflicts with other people. She said that he had gone

fishing at the tip of Laem Sai Kru, two kilometers from the south end of Nai Yang beach. Police are now leaning towards accidental death, with Mr Santi having been swept off the rocks by a large wave. An initial medical examination at Thalang hospital

showed that Mr Santi’s body had been in the water overnight, and police now think that the missing nose and ears may have been nibbled off by fish. However, they have yet to rule out the possibility that he was murdered.

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Phuket ‘to get 7.4m tourists this year’ TTR Weekly

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asikor n Research Centre (KRC) has predicted that Phuket will earn B140 billion from tourism this year – three quarters of all the revenue brought in by the five Andaman Coast provinces – Phuket, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang. KRC projects that Phuket will welcome 7.4 million tourist arrivals this year, up 12.1 per cent from 2011. Of these 86 per cent will be from overseas. The KRC, the research arm of KasikornBank, made six recommendations for the province to ensure it stays prosperous:

• Develop a marketing strategy for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions and improve business tourism knowledge and management and personnel competency; • Fast track the Phuket Convention Centre project to accommodate mega events; • Build tourist confidence by improving information and the management of the earthquake security system, add better communications channels and publicise evacuation plans and drills to gain maximum participation. Open a single information centre to reduce confusion; maintain a stock of reserve food and medicine; and ensure there are

safety signs and directions in Thai, English, Chinese, and Bahasa Malaysia; • Rehabilitate natural resources in Phuket’s tourist destinations including 39 nearby islands; • Seek out and cooperate with partners in the international market such as financial institutions, hotels, airlines and tour operators; • Limit capacity and time frames for visits to national parks and island to allow adequate recovery. It also recommended that government promote all five provinces as diving destinations, to tap high spending tourists.

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ATHLETE AUTTAPONG Noikamsin from the Bangkok National Youth Games canoeing team, who suffered a broken collarbone in a motorbike crash last week, was well enough on Sunday (June 3) to leave hospital and go home. Auttapong, 13, who underwent an operation at the OrBorJor Hospital after the accident, said as he left, “I feel

fellow canoeist Sutthipong Laphutama, 18, died in the smash. Auttapong said the bike went out of control on a bend on the Laem Promthep-Nai Harn road, which had become slippery from rain. The bike hit the wall of a house, killing Sutthipong instantly. Neither of the two was wearing a helmet at the time.

better now, though I still have to wear a sling. I’ve been told to rest for at least a year before I compete again. “I plan to come back to visit Phuket again if I have a chance,” he added. He was seen off from the hospital by Phuket Governor Tri Augaradacha and OrBorJor president Paiboon Upatising. The driver of the motorbike,

Cleaning up can be a laugh.

Hilton staff clean up beach at Karon OVER 50 HOTEL STAFF of Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort helped to clean Karon beach last week as part of an environmental initiative. “We launched our ‘Blue Energy’ project in the resort a while ago,” said Sudanong “Lek” Samantarat, the resort’s human resources manager. “In the past we have taken part in several beach cleanups and other environmental activities with Karon Mu-

nicipality and the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation, but this time we decided just to do it ourselves, cleaning up the beach that our guests use. “We plan to do it every month so that all staff can be a part of our initiative. We also plan to ask other people, including local vendors, staff from other hotels, local people and guests to join in,” she added.

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Phuket Dems fight contentious bills

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epresentatives of the Democrat Party organised a “casual” gathering at Dragon Park in Phuket town last Friday night (June 1) with the aim of “educating and encouraging” people to keep abreast of Thailand’s political situation. Political heavyweight Suthep Thaugsuban, the former party secretary-general and former deputy premier, and Trairong Suwannakhiri, a politician known as ‘parliament’s star debater’ along with Phuket Party List MP Anchalee Vanich Theppabutr, delivered sharptongued speeches to crowds of more than a thousand. The main focus of their speeches was to “expose the truth” behind four contentious reconciliation bills discussed in House sessions since May 30. One of the four bills in contention was drafted by

Democrat heavy-hitter Suthep Thaugsuban was in fine oratorical form at the rally. the 2006 coup leader, Army General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, while other similar ones were draft by Pheu Thai MP Niyom Vorapanya, Red Shirt leader Natthawut Saikua and Samart Kaewmeechai. During the drafting, and according to Pheu Thai supporters, the bills were claimed

to solve long conflicts in the country by Metta – loving kindness – and forgiveness. However, on Friday night Mr Suthep said that parts of the bills will allow exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin to be freed from corruption convictions and regain B46 billion confiscated from him.

Mr Thaksin’s money was confiscated when he was found guilty of a conflict of interest and corruption for enacting policies that benefited his private companies when he was Prime Minister. “The reconciliation bills will become laws used to wipe out Thaksin’s guilt,” Mr Suthep

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told the Phuket rally, referring to the part of the bill that states that every political convict who has committed an offence since September 2005 will have his or her conviction expunged when the bill is passed. “We can’t allow these bills to be approved. They will change the administrative structure and destroy the country’s legal principles,” said Mr Suthep. “The Democrat Party will go against it both inside and outside Parliament House.” Due to the tension in the House meeting, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont decided to postpone the deliberation of the bills indefinitely. Before arriving in Phuket, the Democrat Party had organised mobile gatherings in Chumporn, Surat Thani, Songkla and Nakorn Sri Thammarat. Led by Kon Rak Phuket (We Love Phuket) Club, the gathering attracted about 2,000 people from around the island. See also page 10

IN BRIEF Ranong rocked by 4-Richter quake Residents of Tambon Ngao in Ranong fled their homes on Monday afternoon (June 4) after a quake rocked their sub-district, about 20 kilometres from Ranong Town The quake registered 4.0 on the Richter scale, and no injuries or serious damage were reported.

US sailors do 99th ‘ComRel’

Sailors from the American destroyer USS Momsen, in Phuket for a bit of R&R, went up to Soi Dog in Mai Khao on Monday (June 4) to do some painting and to install kerbs in the car park. This was the 99th ComRel – or community relations exercise – by US Navy crew members in the past five years.

Booze ban for poll

With elections for Phuket City Municipality taking place a week tomorrow (June 16), a ban on sales of alcohol will be in force in the municipality area from 6pm on Friday June 15 to midnight at the end of June 16.

electrocution Kids learn recycling at camp Brit’s accidental - inquest THE SRI SOONTORN MOO 8 waste management campaign team organised a youth camp at Khao Phra Teo Wildlife Conservation Centre last weekend (June 2-3) to cultivate environmental awareness in young people as part of the drive “to create a green future”. Moo 8 is a pilot village for a Phuket experiment in environmental awareness at a community level, supported by Sri Soontorn Municipality, Thalang Community Development Office and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. In recent months the team has organised activities such as waste management education,

a waste-collecting parade and a “garbage market” in the village. At the youth camp about 30 young residents of the village learned about waste management. They were taught the basics of garbage separation and urged to apply that knowledge at home.

“The first step is to start from individuals,” explained Sanut Sirotod, who led the camp. “Later, we hope they will use their experience and apply it on a larger scale – villagewide or even country-wide. This is our message to the coming generations.”

Some of the 30 children at the camp, with volunteers.

TWENTY-ONE YEAR-OLD British student Charlie Thomas was electrocuted and suffered an ‘accidental death’ on Bangla road last year, according to a coroner’s inquest held in the UK last Friday (June 1). Mr Thomas was in Phuket on August 26 last year when torrential rains hit and flooded Bangla road in Patong. He decided to seek refuge under the roof of department store Ocean Plaza Patong. The floods were so high that he inadvertently touched a live socket and was killed instantly from its power surge. Upon hearing the evidence,

South Manchester deputy coroner Joanne Kearsley returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’. The Daily Mail reported her as saying, “Cases like this are just an absolute tragedy. Charlie was a young man, from a loving family, enjoying his summer break. There is nothing he could have seen or done to know what was going to occur, in just seconds.” His father Anthony Thomas said Charlie was a quiet and kind man who loved to travel. He said, “He touched the lives of many people and will be missed by all his family and friends.”

Take the plunge! Daily Trips to Phuket‘s best dive sites Special packages for Residents Holiday programmes for Kids Unique customer service e-mail: info@sea-bees.com tel: +66 (0)76 381 765

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FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Celebrating the difference: Phuket’s Sikh community Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

esides the currency in which devotees donate money, pretty much everything else resembles a traditional Indian Sikh service at the Gurdwara Sikh temple in Phuket Town. Although the main prayer service officially runs from 10am to 1pm every Sunday, worshippers tend to drop in at will, and the occasion seems to be as much about being seen to be seen amongst Phuket’s Sikh community as it is about paying respect to the tenants of their religion. As is quite common with religion and its many different incarnations, to the unaccustomed, practices seem odd, foreign and well... just different. AT HOME IN THE TEMPLE In stages throughout the service, there are intervals of musical performances and chanting sessions performed by Ragis (musicians) between readings of the Guru Granth

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Phuket Sikhs sit cross-legged during the service at the Gurdwara Temple in Phuket town. Sahib (religious text of Sikhism) by the official Granthi (the reader of the Sikh scripture). Attendees at the Sikh service are divided accord-

ing to their gender, with the women sat on the left side of the room and the men on the right side. In the middle sits a woman who collects

and logs the donations. They face a colourfully decorated raised platform that contains a man who waves the “Chau Sahib”, the fan used as a sign of reverence and respect for the Holy Scripture, and is a form of service. A bearded young man, complete with an Arsenal Football Club bandanna, enters the third floor temple – via the lift – walks to the middle of the prayer hall, bows, turns on his heel, wais to the woman taking donations, gives her B100 and then exits, via the lift. He’s there for only one minute, at the most. His actions elicit a few glances from the older generation, but his actions are valid as he, like any other present, is a member of the approximately 40 Sikh families currently living in Phuket. Attendees are varied in terms of ages, yet sit around and relax together indiscriminately. Many are thirdgeneration Thai-Indians and as such live – despite only a

Sharan Singhsachabula (right) at ‘home’ with ‘family’. generation or two difference – much different lives than their predecessors. The younger Indians are the ones who are much more moderate, yet there are still exceptions with some who

follow Sikhism much more strictly than others. Sikhs who have made a public commitment to the faith by going through a special baptism, known as the Amrit Ceremony, are called members of the Khalsa (the community of baptised Sikhs). They adopt five symbols. These symbols (the Five K’s) are not only a means of showing the Sikh identity, but they also have spiritual meanings and are powerful symbols of the faith. The five Ks refer to the five items that every Sikh should possess with him/her at all times. They are Keshas (long and unshorn hair), Kangha (a comb), Kara (steel bracelet), Kachha (pair of shorts) and Kirpan (sword).

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PHUKET FOCUS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

An attendee reclines while sipping his sweet, hot tea and smiles, “Sikhs are also supposed to pray three times a day, the first of which is at 4am, but we are Phuket people so people typically pray whenever they wake. In our family, it’s whoever gets up first: usually at about 7 or 8 am. “And although one of the main tenants of Sikhism is to refrain from alcohol and other intoxicants, some Phuket Sikh men do sometimes indulge in a social drink. SIKH-ING AN IDENTITY Many Phuket Sikhs are in the tailoring business. Other popular professions include the hospitality industry, real estate or like Sharan Singhsachabula, a talkative young Sikh in attendance on Sunday, the selling of jewellery in his Patong-based shop. Sharan’s grandparents came to work in the Phuket tin mines via Chiang Mai in 1947, his story echoing many Indians’ of that time. “They came for a better life. After India gained independence in 1947, a lot of Indians left looking for a better life.” A consequence of India’s independence was the subsequent splitting of ‘British India’ into Indian and Pakistani territories. Relations between the two have been strained by numerous political and historical conflicts ever since. In response to whether such animosity exists in Phuket between the two peoples as it quite often does in other countries where the two communities reside, Sharan says, “When our people left either before or at that time it was all India, so we are all Indian.” “Anyway that is politics of the land and not the people. Furthermore we are Thai.” However despite Sharan’s feelings, identity is a reoccurring issue and perplexing for Sharan. “We have a Thai mental-

ity, but when we are here they see us as Indian, and when we go to India they know almost straight away that we are not Indian. We have no real home,” says Sharan with a sardonic smirk. But he is being sarcastic, because to the 50 or more attendees at the temple, eating, talking and laughing together, they are home and with family. The Gurdwara is clearly the focal point of the community and is more than a place of religion. The upkeep, construction and recent renovation of the temple was all paid for by the local Sikh community, so they have every right to view it and regard it as home and an important place, not only spiritually, but culturally as well. So how do Phuket Sikhs manage to maintain traditions and ensure that they carry on throughout successive generations? Within the community it is seen as incredibly important for the men to marry Sikh women, but with just 40 families on the island, isn’t that rather difficult? Not for Sha ra n, who has been married for many years now, “I met my wife in Bangkok through friends and suggestions. Actually,” he continues, “We met on Facebook.” Indeed times have changed quite dramatically since Sharan was a child, and there is every chance that his children will have much different lives than his. “In the past and in my day I was sent to school in India because back then Thai education wasn’t what it is today. Nowadays Sikh families send their kids to international schools...”. So although his children will not have to face the disruption of having to leave Phuket to complete formal education, Sharan believes that not all will be better about the succeeding generation of Phuket Sikhs. “In some ways, it’s got

a lot worse [for Sikhs] since 9/11. Bin Laden high-jacked the beard and turban. In India the beard and turban is usually the symbol of a good man, now it’s all changed. He adds, clearly passionate, “Muslims here are a perfect example, they’ve been here for more than 200 years, but Thai people still call them Khon Kaak (a derogatory term for a Muslim of Southern Asian heritage). “My experience is that Thai people think I’m Indian, but when they see me and then talk to me, they realise I am Thai with Thai experiences.”

FINDING A BALANCE The balance between remaining true to one’s own heritage whilst taking steps to become integrated into a new ‘foreign’ country is one not without difficulties or intrinsic paradoxical problems. ‘Sara’ works in her family’s Phuket Town tailor shop with her Sikh father, mother and brother. But Sara, who is also third generation Indian, doesn’t feel very ‘Indian’ despite being educated there. “I was born in Phuket but at 6-8 years old, I went to India to study. I remember it well; about a 100 Thai-born Indian

children were taken to India via a tour agency. I would stay there for nine months at a time and then come back to Phuket for the three month holiday.” Sara said that she continued in that vein until she was 16. In the three month intervals she said that she lost a lot of the language and as the classes were conducted in English, they were banned from speaking Thai. After graduating, she returned to Phuket and opened up a clothes shop in Patong. However, the 2004 tsunami caused her to question her belief in Sikhism.

The beautiful domes of the Gurdwara Temple in Phuket town.

“I lost my clothes shop in Patong, it was completely destroyed. Like many of my work colleagues at that time I went to the temple, the Chinese temple. I also went to the Sikh temple, but something changed after the tsunami.” Sara explained how after making the decision to no longer practice Sikhism and instead become Buddhist, her parents were at least initially a little angry. “After the tsunami, I just didn’t feel enlightened by Sikhism, it just didn’t help in any way, but with Buddhism I liked meditating and gained a lot of peace from it. “I found it very beneficial and now my parents see that I am 100 per cent committed to Buddhism, now it is okay.” Despite her change in belief, Sara still lives in harmony with her parents under one roof. While issues of religious differences rarely come up, when they do – typically during Sikh and Buddhist festivals and events – rather than being a point of contention and tension, they are examples of how being tolerant, and keen to understand people’s differences, can ultimately bring people together. There’s a lesson to be learned from that little tailor shop in Phuket town and one that doesn’t necessarily require full attendance.

Sara in her family’s shop.

Female attendees pay attention during the service.

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10 THAILAND NEWS

IN BRIEF B54m ya ba haul seized Pathum Thani Police on Tuesday (June 5) seized 180,000 methamphetamine pills, or ya ba, with a street value of B54 million. They also arrested the man in whose car they found the pills, which were concealed in the car’s large stereo speakers. The man told police the pills had been smuggled in “from a neighbouring country” and he planned to sell them in Pathum Thani and Bangkok.

Village headman shot dead A village headman was shot dead in his pick-up truck in Pattani on Tuesday (June 5). The headman, Ya Waeni, 58, died when his truck was riddled with bullets from AK47 and M16 semiautomatic rifles. His killers then calmly stole a pistol he was carrying. Police are blaming southern militants for the attack.

Quake rattles Ranong People in the Tambon Ngao area of Ranong, about 20 kilometres from Ranong Town, fled their homes on Monday (June 4) when the area was shaken by an earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale. There were no reports of serious damage. Ranong sits atop the same range of minor faults as Phuket, which was jolted by a quake of similar intensity on April 16.

Train hits gas truck A train carrying more than 100 passengers hit a truck carrying gas cylinders Monday morning (June 4). Miraculously, none of the cylinders exploded and only the driver of the truck was injured. The truck was crossing the tracks at a point where there are no barriers or warning signs. The train was able to continue on its way.

Fuel smugglers caught Four Malaysians were arrested on Monday (June 4) when Customs officers found their cars were equipped with much enlarged fuel tanks. The arrests took place at a Thailand-Malaysia border checkpoint in the Sadao District of Songkhla Province. Gasoline and diesel in Malaysia are priced at about half the amount charged in Thailand, tempting smugglers to bring in fuel for resale.

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THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Reconciliation?

Rift-healing proposals only add fuel to political fires

Agence France-Presse

hai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday (June 2) warned the deeply divided Kingdom faces a “cycle of violence” unless steps are taken towards reconciliation after years of civil unrest. Proposals aimed at healing rifts that have seen Thailand rocked by bloody unrest since a 2006 coup have sparked fury among opposition MPs who fear they will open the door for Yingluck’s brother – ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra – to return. Protesters from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), or “Yellow Shirts” blocked lawmakers from entering parliament last Friday to debate a disputed reconciliation bill, as barely-concealed political tensions resurface in Thailand. A rescheduled debate due to start on Wednesday (June 6) has also been “postponed indefinitely”, Udondej Rattanasatien, of the ruling Puea Thai Party, said. Speaking on a weekly Thai television programme, Yingluck said a “reconciliation process” is the only way out

PM Yingluck Shinawatra: ‘Thailand faces a cycle of violence.’ Photo: World Economic Forum of years of sporadic unrest which has roughly cleaved the kingdom into “Yellow Shirt” and “Red Shirt” factions. “The country has suffered a lot. If reconciliation can move the country forward, it is suitable,” she said. “If we don’t start (a process), the country will be in a cycle of violence. The country will have no way out.” Yellow Shirt protesters

camped out for three days outside parliament to prevent a debate on the reconciliation bill, and had warned they would try to enter the building if lawmakers opened discussions. PAD protest organisers sent supporters home late last Friday after three days of rallying. Backed by the Bangkokbased élite, the PAD are arch-rivals of Thaksin’s “Red Shirts”, whose massive rallies against a

previous government in 2010 ended in a bloody crackdown. A PAD statement on Saturday said there would be no protests this week, but urged supporters “to be on alert to rally.” Four reconciliation proposals are up for debate, threatening to further polarise politics in the country that has become increasingly divided in the years since Thaksin was

toppled by royalist generals. Three of the proposed bills include amnesties that some fear could be used by the government to open the doors for the return of the divisive former premier, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption and terrorism charges relating to violence in 2010. Speaking by telephone to a long-planned Red Shirt gathering in a stadium on the outskirts of Bangkok on Saturday, Thaksin said he hoped to return to Thailand but “I don’t know whether or not I can return home and when.” Activity on the streets has been mirrored within parliament in recent days, with police stepping in to protect the house speaker on Thursday from bundles of paper thrown by opposition Democrat MPs angry at his attempt to schedule the debate. The Democrats have been close to the Yellow Shirts in the past and came to power after 2008 rallies by the movement that culminated with the seizure of two Bangkok airports, stranding more than 300,000 travellers and causing crippling economic damage.

EU slams verdict in Brit held over lèse majesté case fake ATM card

THE EUROPEAN UNION has expressed “deep concern” over a Thai web editor’s suspended prison sentence for comments deemed insulting to the monarchy that were posted on her website by others. The EU said it was “encouraged” that Chiranuch Premchaipor n would not serve prison time for failing to speedily delete a post on her Prachatai news site, but said the guilty verdict would have “damaging effects”. Chiranuch, 44, who had faced a possible 20-year jail sentence under controversial computer and royal insult legislation, was given an eightmonth suspended sentence by a Bangkok court Wednesday. “The EU expresses its deep concern about the damaging effects of a guilty verdict and the ensuing conviction on the freedom of expression in Thailand, for criminalising intermediaries for content posted by other internet users on websites,” the EU delegation in Bangkok said in a statement. The high prof ile case

comes amid heated debate about a surge of prosecutions under Thai laws that criminalise criticism of the monarchy. In a rare intervention, web giant Google warned the sentence set a legal precedent that would compromise companies hosting Internet platforms and pose a danger to web users. The “guilty verdict for something somebody else wrote on her website is a serious threat to the future of the Internet in Thailand,” a Google spokesman said late Wednesday. The monarchy is a highly sensitive topic in politically turbulent Thailand, where 84-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is revered as a demi-god by many Thais, has been hospitalised since September 2009. Critics say charges brought under tough royal defamation laws have become increasingly politically motivated in Thailand, which has been rocked by periods of civil unrest by rival factions since a 2006 coup by royalist generals ousted former

premier Thaksin Shinawatra. “Chiranuch’s conviction shows that Internet bystanders can still be caught up in expensive and uncertain criminal prosecutions for postings on their site they neither wrote, edited, nor support,” said Danny O’Brien, of the Committee to Protect Journalists, who served as an expert witness during the trial. Earlier, Internet giant Google was more forthright, branding the conviction a “serious threat” to the Internet in Thailand. “The guilty verdict for something somebody else wrote on her website is a serious threat to the future of the Internet in Thailand,” a Google spokesman said. “Telephone conversations are not penalised for things people say on the phone and responsible website owners should not be punished for comments users post on their sites. “Thailand’s Computer Crimes Act is being used to do just that.”

Pattaya One

A BR ITISH M AN, thought to be working with a gang of Pakistan men, was arrested by Pattaya Police on Saturday afternoon (June 2), accused of using fake credit cards to take money from an ATM on Pattaya Second Rd. The Ayudhya Bank had already received notification that the gang were operating in the area, and as soon as the card was used in the ATM, located at the Pattaya City Walk complex, the police were called and quickly made their way to the area. The British man did attempt to escape but was arrested. Three Pakistan men in a car parked nearby were able to flee. The British man’s identity is yet to be confirmed as he was carrying a British passport under the name of Paul John Keegan, aged 51, the bank had a copy of a different passport under the name of Philip John Keegan, aged 45, and when he was asked by

Anyone know his real name? Photo: PattayaOne police to give his real name and age, he wrote the name Robert Patrick Anderson, aged 51, on a piece of paper. The man was carrying three cards all in the name of “P John Keegan” supposedly issued by the UOB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC Bank, which were all confirmed as counterfeit. Police are now searching for the three Pakistani nationals thought to be running the illegal operation, while the Briton was charged with fraud and awaits a court appearance.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

ASIA NEWS 11

The real lives behind new hit book on Mumbai slums I

n her Mumbai shack, Manju Waghekar wonders if she will regret revealing the grim secrets of corruption, alcoholism and death among her friends and family for a searing new book on life in an Indian slum. Manju, 23, is a central figure in Behind the Beautiful Forevers, a true story that reviewers have hailed as an instant classic and a groundbreaking account of modern poverty. Written by American journalist Katherine Boo, the book paints an intimate and often shocking picture of a community where rats are fried for dinner, suicide is common, sex is a commodity and one woman drowns her child. Manju’s own mother, Asha, is exposed as a corrupt “slum boss” who sleeps with men to gain influence and who has mysterious connections with thuggish police and crooked politicians. Her father is depicted as an absent drunkard, her best friend dies by eating poison, and the innermost secrets of her heart are split onto the page. “I have read the book, and I liked it even though it made me cry,” Manju, who speaks good English, told AFP in Annawadi, a slum located next to Mumbai’s international airport and tucked behind the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel. “It is truth, not fiction,”

the New York Times and “the most astonishing non-fiction account of the underbelly of urban Indian life” by India’s Business Standard daily. Whether it will have a positive or negative impact on Annawadi’s 3,000-plus residents is uncertain, but such a gripping narrative about life among the 335 ramshackle huts is set to provoke strong reactions from readers worldwide. Manju’s mother Asha is not bothered by the fuss, even though she is aware that the book describes how she used her non-profit organisation to claim thousands of dollars from the government to fund fake schools. Sitting on the floor of the family shack in a beautiful sari and gold jewellery, she waves away specifics by explaining The book paints an intimate and often shocking picture of a community where rats are fried for dinner, suicide is she does not read English. common, sex is a commodity and one woman drowns her child. Photo: AFP “It doesn’t make a difference to us as our lives will be she says. “Everyone in An- visited Annawadi daily for mother and did these things continue teaching and become the same,” she says. “Withnawadi knows. If I don’t say extended periods between as there was no other option. a principal. She also dreams out support from a husband, these things about my family, 2007 and 2011. She protects us.” of visiting the beaches of Goa whatever little I can do for my someone else will, so why let “What she has written is Manju says her mother one day. family I do, that is the story them gossip?” what I am,” Manju says. The will soon chose a husband The book has been called of one single woman bringing Manju teaches at school passages about her mother for her but that she wants to “exquisitely accomplished” by up three kids in a slum. for five hours a day as well Asha are more sensitive teras giving free language les- ritory, and Manju has not yet sons and studying for an MA told her every detail of the degree in English literature contents of the book, which on a University of Mumbai was published in February. correspondence course. “But the allegations are She, like several other true,” Manju says shyly. “I people featured in the book mean her extramarital affairs who spoke to AFP, has un- and the corruption. This is shakeable faith in Boo, who how life is here. She is a single

Lady Gaga: Indonesian hardliners’ latest victory Agence France-Presse

LADY GAGA’S DECISION to cancel the Indonesian leg of her world tour due to threats by Muslim hardliners highlights how groups pushing a strict view of Islam are growing increasingly powerful, analysts say. Home to the world’s largest Muslim population, officially secular Indonesia is often touted by Western leaders as a beacon of moderate Islam and a model for the Muslim world – as visiting US President Barack Obama, who spent part of his childhood in the country, did in 2010. But a series of attacks on Christians, Muslim minorities and those deemed “enemies of Islam”, combined with the apparent unwillingness of the government and courts

they said they would mobilise 30,000 supporters to create “chaos” if she performed. International Crisis Group analyst Sidney Jones said groups such as the FPI were becoming increasingly confident in their push to get Islamic laws accepted by the mainstream, thanks to a series of successful campaigns. “What’s clear is that there wouldn’t have been a thought No Gaga please. Photo: AFP of cancelling the concert if these groups hadn’t mobilto clamp down has sparked ised,” she told AFP. “It shows concerns over the rise of the the power they have to affect hardliners. the statements and policy of In the case of pop diva Lady police.” Gaga, the Islamic Defenders “Incident after incident, Front (FPI) had threatened to they organise a protest and “burn the stage” if she brought see that pulling a group of her trademark leotards, racy people together for the televichoreography and support for sion cameras and pressing a gay rights to Indonesia. particular agenda has worked,” Branding her the devil, Jones said.

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12 WORLD NEWS

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Queen’s celebrations make Britain smile again – press Agence France-Presse

he enthusiasm which greeted Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee celebrations highlights the irreplaceable role that the monarchy plays in uniting British society, the country’s press said Wednesday. Millions of patriotic Britons attended various events during the four-day festivities, providing the country with a much-needed boost as economic storm clouds linger, newspapers said. Wednesday’s papers ran with front-page headlines quoting the 86-year-old monarch’s special television message, in which she said the jubilee had been a “humbling experience” that had left her with “memories to treasure forever.” However, the centre-right Daily Telegraph insisted it was the British people who should be humble. “The queen has sacrificed herself for this nation, uncomplainingly, for year upon year,” said its editorial. “It is only fitting that she should know how much that has meant to her people, and that we have had the chance to offer her our thanks – and our love,” it added.

been the most critical of the weekend’s extravagances and carried low-key coverage in Wednesday’s edition, with no editorial comment on the event. But columnist Simon Jenkins, who previously wrote for the centre-right Times, commented that it had been a “jubilee of bread and circuses... but the country needed it. “All peoples have their national days... all crave their collective rituals,” added Jenkins. “The ceremonies were a good news relief from horror, tragedy and recession. The enjoyment is real. From time to time, there is no harm in sensing communion with one’s country.” The monarch on Tuesday brought the official public celebrations to a close when she greeted 1.5 million cheering subjects from the balcony of The Red Arrows fly over fly in formation over Buckingham Palace and huge crowds on the Mall to celebrate the Buckingham Palace. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in London on June 5. Photo: AFP The Daily Mail, Telegraph “Four days that made us for a head-of-state who is an “With the help of the mon- against an hereditary mon- and Times all noted the sigfeel great about Britain,” ran ex-politician or civil-servant? archy we have kept a strong, archy. nificance of the scaled-down popular tabloid The Sun as Maybe when it’s pigs – not tangible sense of our history,” “It would be far harder to balcony appearance, with only one of its headlines. Spitfires – flying over Buck- it said. “It is true that we did replace it with anything that Prince Charles and his wife In its editorial, the publica- ingham Palace.” not vote for her. It is also true answered so successfully our Camilla, the Duke and Duchtion said the celebrations had The Times’ leading article that she represents the whole yearning to belong, while im- ess of Cambridge, and Prince left the country “a brighter, argued that critics who said the country in a way she never pinging so little on our need Harry sharing the limelight. happier, more confident place.” country should not be indulg- could if we had. to be heard,” it concluded. “The message from the “Would we really want to ing a non-elected leader were “It is easy to assemble Of the mainstream titles, palace balcony: Here is the scrap such history and heritage missing the point. a purely rational argument the left-leaning Guardian has future...” said the Daily Mail.

‘Canadian Psycho’ caught Agence France-Presse

A PORN ACTOR DUBBED the “Canadian Psycho” for allegedly killing and chopping up a Chinese man was taken to a Berlin prison Tuesday after telling a judge he would not fight his extradition from Germany. Luka Rocco Magnotta, 29, was arrested Monday at a Berlin Internet cafe on suspicion he murdered a 33-year-old Chinese student in Canada last month with an ice pick and hacked apart his body while filming the grisly killing. “He has been before the judge, who has confirmed the arrest,” Martin Steltner, a spokesman for the Berlin public prosecutor’s office said, a day after Magnotta’s capture in the German capital following a global manhunt. “He said he would not fight the extradition,” Steltner added. Magnotta was driven to the imposing red-brick Moabit prison in central Berlin in a

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Magnotta. Photo: Interpol police van past a dozen or so waiting reporters. The case came to light after body parts were mailed to political party offices in Ottawa, triggering an international search that started in Montreal and shifted to Paris before ending in dramatic fashion in Berlin. Those human remains have been confirmed as belonging to the Chinese student, Lin Jun, who is believed to have been in a relationship with Magnotta, though Chinese media reports quoted Lin’s friends saying that was not the case.

More human body parts were discovered Tuesday in packages mailed to two schools in the Canadian city of Vancouver, police said, though they stressed that they had not yet been able to positively link them to the same murder. German authorities have asked Canada to provide the necessary documents for Magnotta’s extradition. German police faced little resistance when they picked the suspect up in Neukoelln, a working-class district of the capital, after a tip-off. He initially tried to give a false identity before conceding simply, “You got me,” Steltner said. A video from the cafe’s security camera circulating on German media showed police leading a suspect wearing sunglasses and a dark hooded jacket with his hands handcuffed behind his back out of the cafe. Cafe owner Kadir Anlayisli told German television station NTV: “‘That’s him,’ I said.

100 per cent that’s him. So I went outside and stopped a police car and said: ‘There’s someone sitting in there that looks like the porno-killer’.” Magnotta, also dubbed the “Butcher of Montreal”, has been wanted since last week when Lin’s severed hand and foot were sent by mail to Conservative and Liberal party offices. Lin’s torso was found in a suitcase left for garbage collection outside Magnotta’s Montreal apartment, which police said Tuesday was virtually covered in blood. “We found blood on the mattress, on the tables, in the refrigerator and in the freezer,” said Commander Denis Mainville from Montreal’s major crimes unit. In the video, which Canadian police have reportedly said shows the crime, a man repeatedly stabs another man with an ice pick and dismembers him, as a song from the soundtrack of the film American Psycho plays

in the background. Canadian investigators said Magnotta boarded a Francebound plane on May 26 in Montreal. Two passengers who said they sat next to him on the sixhour flight told French radio he had appeared nervous and was crying. “At one he point he disappeared and I got worried – we’re all a bit paranoid on flights – and I thought, ‘He’s put a bomb in the toilets’,” one passenger said. With the help of Magnotta’s cell phone signal, police traced him to a hotel in the Parisian suburb of Bagnolet, and then to an international bus station in Paris where video surveillance footage showed he had boarded a bus to Germany. Magnotta travelled to Berlin under a false name, Tramell, French police said. Catherine Tramell was the main character in the 1992 film Basic Instinct. Played by Sharon Stone, she uses an ice pick to murder a lover.

Bundchen launches search for slum model Agence France-Presse

BRAZILIAN SUPERMODEL Gisele Bundchen on Tuesday launched a contest to discover new talent in Brazil’s shantytowns, promising to reward the winner with a modelling contract. “I feel privileged to be the sponsor of this project,” Bunchen said, recalling that she had been rejected by 42 agents in London at the start of her career, when she was only 17. “I was finally taken on on the 43rd try,” said the now 34-year-old, on hand for the contest launch with 30 women aged 18 to 22 vying for fame and fortune. The contest is organised by the Central Union of Slums (CUFA) and a beauty products maker and aims “to boost slum dwellers’ self-esteem.” “You have to know your good side for photos... to feel comfortable in your own skin.”

THE PHUKET NEWS

LETTERS/VIEWPOINT 13

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

OPINION

Editor’s Viewpoint

Norachai’s World

THE TRUTH BITES

t’s that time of year again we all dread – Phuket’s usually sunny skies disappear under a perpetual shade of grey. More seriously, the wet weather means mosquitoes are out in force, and with them comes the risk of dengue fever and other vector-borne diseases. And yet with the onset of the dengue season comes the typical government response to tackling the potentially fatal virus – that is to say, next to nothing. This is a virus where prevention is the only cure we have, and yet there seems to be no-one in Phuket serious about prevention and education. Perhaps it’s easy to be complacent – after all, less than one per cent of cases are fatal. Already for Phuket though, that has translated into eight deaths that were easily preventable. And there are of course consequences that extend beyond fatalities. With more than 11,000 cases already recorded this year, it is an unnecessary strain on Phuket’s medical resources.

Raising the temperature.

Letters to the editor Dear Sir, I have just read your report of last week’s Brand Phuket event. Thanks for the coverage. I think its important to note that the process of identifying the brand comes not just from the seminars that I’m organising but the working groups that meet afterwards. The working groups comprises marketing folks and meet to work out the USP of each component, the message and the target audience. After all four seminars there will be a full branding exercise to pull all the research and results together from the four individual working groups to define what Phuket is. From this, I hope that the private sector will then come on board and we can work on a strong destination marketing campaign that sets us apart from our competitors and creates a stronger brand image. This will cost some money. But essentially the work will have been done in terms of research and distillation of key messages. The seminar was not intended to come up with the definitive answers, but to enlighten attendees about the events and their worth to Phuket. As we discussed, some presentations did and some did not. The working group will thrash out the nitty gritty based on the seminars. Natasha Eldred, Shine PR, Phuket

Colour blindness

[Re: Flying for the flag for Thailand] Great piece but “superhero”... I don’t think so. The man heads up a provincial arm of one of the most spurious political groups in Thailand’s recent history. Red or yellow, extremism in any form is never good for a nation. Eric Haeg

Hero worship

[Re. Damrong the ‘Demolisher’ investigates Phuket’s illegal buildings] Well, well, well, I might just have a new hero! Dave

Who needs branding?

[Re. Brand Phuket still defies definition] Having attended these meetings and followed the dialogue, it feels like the powers that

be are trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist. It’s as if: ‘Phuket is thriving, growing, and investment is up – we need to fix this!’ Mileslafferty

Mum’s the word

[Re. Soneva still mum about new Evason owner] No one should be treated like this especially the hosts of the Evason. After visiting the Evason 23 times over the years and reading Six Senses literature about how they care for the environment and people this action just shows what a load of hypocritical people they are. They just do not care. Good luck to all at the Evason, we are thinking of you. David and Margie Brown

Do it right

[Re. Briton’s electrocution in Phuket was an accident,

With an earthquake and tsunami scare still fresh in the minds of many, it is also another unnecessary deterrent to the island’s tourism market. The solution is simple: Keep your house clean and cover all water sources. Eliminate the spread of mosquitoes and you eliminate the spread of dengue fever. And yet if this year’s figures are anything to go by, this is a message that isn’t reaching its target audience, and no-one seems to be asking why. A large part of it can seemingly be attributed to the propensity of greed on Phuket. Because for all our collective cries of despair at the thought of suffering from dengue, all it would really take to eliminate the threat is a concerted public awareness campaign, and a little bit of personal responsibility. Yet, as a community we seem unwilling to put our hands in our own pockets for the public good and create such a campaign. Instead, we make unrealistic demands of our government to take on the task single-handedly.

This week in history says court ruling] This type of accident would not happen if builders and contractors were held liable for jobs that are not installed correctly and in a safe manner. A GFIC plug should have been used in any outdoor installation of electricity. Sad, my prayers go out to the family. ThisweekinPhuket

What’s yours is mine

[Re. Headstart for US Navy] Sorry, but this is not originally a Thai dance. It’s called ‘Tinikling’ from the Philippines. A lot of what Thais seem to consider their own turn out to be introduced. Chilli peppers is my favourite. I love it when I’m told I can’t handle chillies when in fact they came from my side of the world. I eat hotter than almost all Thais... yes, that was a challenge. Peace... ;-) Dave

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Email editor@thephuketnews.com. Please include your full name, phone number, and email address.

■■ June 8, 1783 – The volcano Laki, in Iceland, begins an eight-month eruption which kills over 9,000 people and starts a seven-year famine. ■■ June 9, 1924 – In the second attempt to climb Mount Everest, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappear, possibly having first made it to the top. ■■ June 10, 1977 – Apple ships its first Apple II personal computer. ■■ June 11, 1955 – Eightythree are killed and at least 100 are injured after a collision at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the deadliest ever accident in motor sports. ■■ June 12, 1939 – Shooting begins on Paramount Pictures’ Dr Cyclops, the first horror film photographed in three-strip Technicolor. ■■ June 13, 1977 – Martin Luther King Jr. assassin James Earl Ray is recaptured after escaping from prison three days before. ■■ June 14, 1937 – US House of Representatives passes the Marihuana Tax Act, placing a tax on the sale of cannabis.

thephuketnews.com

14 BUSINESS/AVIATION

THE PHUKET NEWS

BUSINESS

Still trying to stay flying

Mallya looks to sell control of UB and use funds to prop up Kingfisher > 16

Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

Thai cabin crew fight ‘half pay’ Jetstar salaries e-Travel Blackboard

J ETSTA R A N D T WO part-owned Qantas companies are being taken to court for allegedly underpaying Thai cabin crew staff working on domestic routes in Australia. In a litigation meeting yesterday, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) described the pay rate as “unacceptable”, with staff supposedly being paid half the amount required to meet minimal entitlements. Currently up to eight foreign workers are involved in the dispute against Jetstar and part-owned Qantas recruiting companies, Valuair Limited and Tour East Limited. However, the ombudsman expects further action could involve up to 300 international cabin crew rostered across Jetstar’s domestic routes. Although the airline refuted the allegations, the FWO said it was seeking back pay of A$7,500 (B229,000) for the eight staff

members as well as going for the imposition of penalties on the Qantas subsidiary. “Court documents allege that Tour East and Valuair pay cabin crew for their Australian work up to half of what they are otherwise entitled to,” the FWO noted. “But the FWO submits that, whilst working on Jetstar’s Australian domestic flights, the crews are entitled to rates stipulated under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2010. “The FWO alleges Jetstar Airways was knowingly a party to underpayment contraventions. “It alleges Jetstar rosters the foreign cabin crews onto its Australian domestic flights and is aware of the rates they are being paid.” The FWO also noted that court documents submitted found that Jetstar contracts included a clause giving the airline the power to control salaries and performance reviews, rostering and foreign crew duties. A hearing is expected to take place on August 17.

Air Bagan considering Yangon-Phuket flights TTR Weekly

ir Bagan, a private airline based in Yangon, Myanmar, has reported it will take delivery of more aircraft and will upgrade its online and distribution channels to attract more passengers. Air Bagan said that it intends to add two more ATR 72 aircraft and one Airbus to allow it to expand domestic and regional services in the coming high season. Destinations served from Yangon may include Gaya, Phuket, Bangkok, Singapore and Siem Reap. There may also be flights between Mandalay and Bangkok. There will be both scheduled and regular charter services. During the winter schedule October 2011 to March 2012, Air Bagan used Mandalay as a second hub to offer domestic flights to Nyaung U (Bagan), Heho (the gateway to Inle Lake), Bhamo (a city in Kachin State), Tachilek (a Shan state town close to Chiang Rai), Myitkyina (the capital of Kachin State) and Kalay (western-most district in Sagaing Division). Last year, it expanded its

We believe that the success of a project is essentially based on a serious management

Soon to be landing at Phuket? Myanmar’s Air Bagan has big plans for expansion. domestic network to add flights from Yangon to Kyauk Phyu (a major town in Rakhine State), Bhamo, Homalin (a small town in northwest in Sagaing Division) and Monywa (a city in Sagaing Division). Since October 15, 2011, the airline has been in a code-share partnership with amnother

liberto@construction-thailand.com

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thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Burmese airline, Asian Wings Airways, which began operations in January. Asian Wings has a fleet of two ATR72-500s, operating flights to and from the main cities: Yangon, Mandalay, Heho, Kawthaung, Lashio, Tachilek, Myeik, Dawei, Myitkyina, Bhamo and Homalin.

Meanwhile, Air Bagan will upgrade its online reservations and e-ticket system to make them more convenient for customers. This upgrade should be completed by October. It will also improve distribution channels through additional passenger sales agency agreements.

Thailand falls back in competitiveness list Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

THAILAND HAS DROPPED three places in this year’s World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) scoreboard, compiled annually by Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development (IMD). Last year the country was th 27 in the rankings. This year

it has dropped to 30 th, just behind France. Heading the table on 100 points is Hong Kong, with Singapore fourth. Placings for other Asian nations: Taiwan 7 (down 1 place), Malaysia 14 (up 2), Korea 22 (no change), China 23 (down 4), Japan 27 (down 1), Indonesia 42 (down 5), and the Philippines 43 (down 2).

THE PHUKET NEWS

Big Mistake BUSINESS/TOURISM 15

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Just 3 months left to save Euro – Soros

Abid Butt.

Butt back at Banyan as CEO THE FORMER GM OF THE Banyan Tree Phuket, Abid Butt, has returned to the company, this time as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the entire group, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts (BTHR). BTHR is the wholly-owned hotel management and development subsidiary of Singaporelisted Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd. Mr Butt has a legacy of experience with Banyan Tree, having served as the Area General Manager for the Group’s flagship resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, over 10 years ago, followed by his appointment as the first Vice President of Operations from 2000-2002. Before returning to Banyan Tree, Mr Butt was the Vice President for Asset Management of Host Hotels & Resorts in the United States, responsible for preserving and enhancing the value of a collection of 15 luxury hotels.

Fabrice Bregier.

New CEO takes over at Airbus FABRICE BREGIER (50), previously Airbus Chief Operating Officer, has taken over as Airbus President and CEO. Mr Bregier succeeds Tom Enders (53), who has become CEO of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. “ I am pleased and honoured to taking over the leadership of a company in good shape,” said Mr Bregier. “Our target for the next five years is to make Airbus even stronger in developing and manufacturing the world’s best aircraft. We remain focused on our objectives and while we will implement some changes, we foresee overall continuity.

Agence France-Presse

urope has three months to save the euro, billionaire investor George Soros said this weekend amid global pressure to end Eurozone turmoil rocking financial markets and creating deep economic uncertainty. He also slammed the deeply unpopular austerity measures being applied by governments as being thr wrong medicine. “In my judgment, the authorities have a three month window during which they could correct their mistakes and reverse the current trends,” Soros said Saturday at an economics festival in Trento, Italy. By “the authorities” he explained in his remarks, also posted on his website. naming those authorities as Germany and the Bundesbank. The remarks were posted on his website. “In a crisis, the creditors are in the driver’s seat and nothing can be done without German support,” he said, noting that public opposition to austerity in the Eurozone “is likely to grow until the policy is reversed.” Greece is heading to the polls for a second time in six weeks after an inconclusive vote on May 6. With the radical leftist Syriza party, chief opponent of a massive EU-IMF bailout accord, tipped to win this time, the election could lead to Greece quitting the single currency. “I expect that the Greek public will be sufficiently frightened by the prospect of expulsion from the European Union that it will give a narrow majority of seats to a coalition that is ready to abide by the current agreement,” Soros said, referring to June 17 polls in the debt-stricken state. The “crisis is liable to come

George Soros: ‘They applied the wrong remedy: you cannot reduce the debt burden by shrinking the economy.’ to a climax in the fall” of the year, he said. “By that time the German economy will also be weakening so that Chancellor (Angela) Merkel will find it even more difficult than today to persuade the German public to accept any additional European responsibilities,” said Soros. “That is what creates a three month window. “The authorities didn’t understand the nature of the euro crisis; they thought it is a fiscal problem while it is more of a banking problem and a problem of competitiveness,” he added. “And they applied the wrong remedy: you cannot reduce the debt burden by shrinking the economy, (but) only by growing your way out of it.”

Suvarnabhumi Airport expansion accelerated NNT

T H E A I R PORTS OF Thailand (AoT) is accelerating the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s second phase in order to accommodate the 60 million passengers a year expected to pass through in five years’ time. AoT President Anirut Thanomkulbutr explained that the first phase of the airport has a capacity of 45 million pas-

sengers per year. However, the total passenger count in 2011 soared past that figure to 48 million, while this year’s total is expected to top 50 million. The second phase of Suvarnabhumi Airport, which will cost B62.5 billion, is scheduled to be completed by 2017, but even this will only expand capacity to 60 million, so that when it is completed, it will just keep up with the arriving hordes.

thephuketnews.com

16 BUSINESS/PROPERTY

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Kingfisher dives deeper into red Agence France-Presse

I Phanason’s latest offering: The Park in Patong.

Phanason to launch 426-condo project DEVELOPER PHANASON of Bangkok has released details of its latest Phuket project, The Park, on Nanai Rd in Patong, which will go on sale from July 5 to 15. The project consists of 426 condos in seven blocks, each of seven floors, and plainly has the foreign as well as the Thai market in mind, with marketing material emphasising the project’s “sweeping views of the Andaman Sea”. Si zes ra nge f rom 40 square-metre studio apartments to 62-square-metre two-bedroom units with two bathrooms, living area and kitchenette. Common facilities will

include a shopping centre, a swimming pool with attached whirlpool bath, a sauna and a children’s playground. The large lobbies in each building will have communal seating areas with cable TV. Free WiFi connections will be available in the lobbies and around the pool Prices start at B1.99 million for the studio apartments. A company spokesperson declined to reveal the prices of the larger units. Prices will, however, include builtin furniture, wallpaper and air-conditioning. Deposits will start at B10,000. For details call 076 345-675 or 076 345 679.

ndia’s cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines – the airline that just won’t die – posted its deepest-ever quarterly loss on May 31, hit by rising fuel costs and curtailed operations, and sending its shares tumbling to a record low. Owner Vijay Mallya is now reported to be in negotiations to sell a controlling stake in his liquor business, using the proceeds to prop up the tottering airline. The company posted a net loss of 11.52 billion rupees (B631 million) in the three months to March – a tripling of losses – compared with a 3.56 billion rupees (195 million) loss a year earlier. Sales fell about 55 per cent to 7.41 billion rupees (B405 million) for the airline, which owes millions of dollars in taxes as well as to suppliers, lenders, partners and staff. Its shares subsequently slid as much as 7.7 per cent on May 31 to a lifetime low of 10.2 rupees at the Bombay Stock Exchange. Kingfisher has scaled down

Kingfisher’s fleet has shrunk from 63 aircraft to just 22. its operations dramatically in recent months – stopping international operations completely – and now has the smallest market share among Indian airlines at just 5.4 per cent. “Kingfisher is continuing with its ‘holding plan’ of a limited fleet... to contain losses in this tough and unprecedented operating environment for the Indian aviation industry,” it said in a statement. “The company hopes to be back to full-scale operations in the next 12 months,” it added. The carrier, controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has never turned a profit since its

launch in 2005. Mallya, known as the ‘King of Good Times’ for his flamboyant lifestyle, has been lobbying hard in support of proposals to allow foreign carriers to buy stakes in Indian airlines. Foreign direct investment in aviation is seen as a lifeline to companies such as Kingfisher, which analysts believe needs up to US$600 million to survive. The government is yet to clear the proposal. Currently, foreign airlines are barred from holding stakes in Indian airlines. A quarter of Kingfisher

Photo: Sean d’Silva is owned by local banks and some have refused to lend the company more cash unless fresh capital is raised and a viable restructuring plan is presented. With the possibility of a foreign takeover stalled, the Economic Times reports that Mallya is now said to be looking at giving up control of his flagship spirits firm to brewing giant Heineken and putting the money into Kingfisher. “Talks have begun with Heineken to sell a portion of the stake,” the Economic Times reported, quoting unnamed sources close to Mallya.

Good hotel numbers TTR Weekly

PHUKET HOTELS ARE back on track, reporting stronger performance in revenue per room in April, benchmarking experts STR Global have declared. Phuket reported double-digit increases in both average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR). ADR in Phuket during April increased 18.3 per cent to B3,931.25, while RevPAR rose 25.8 per cent to B3,112.21. General performances in the Asia-Pacific region in April showed positive results in three

thephuketnews.com

key performance metrics – occupancy, ADR and RevPAR – when compared to the same month last year. The region’s occupancy increased by 3.8 points to 67.6 per cent. ADR rose 3.6 per cent to US$145 (B4,580) and RevPAR by 7.6 per cent to US$98 (B3,100). Japan showed solid signs of a comeback with Tokyo topping the performance in the three key metrics. Occupancy rose from 63 to 84.8 per cent while ADR was up 27 per cent to US$180 (B5,690) and RevPAR by more than doubled to US$152. At the other end of the scale India reported the largest decline

in ADR and RevPAR, at 24.8 per cent to US$132 (B4,173) and 27.2 per cent to US$82 (B2,624) respectively. STR Global managing director, Elizabeth Randall said: “Hotels across Asia-Pacific sustained growth in occupancy and average room rates. “Looking at supply and demand for the first four months of this year, supply grew at the lowest rate for January-April for the past six years. [It rose 2.8 per cent.] “Demand achieved the second highest growth rate for the in the past six years – 5.3 per cent – surpassed only by the demand growth in the corresponding period in 2010.”

Over the hump: Inflation is now at its lowest rate in almost three years. Source: TradingEconomics.com/Ministry of Commerce

Inflation slows to 2.53pc NNT

THAI CONSUMER PRICES rose 2.53 per cent in May com-

pared with the same month last year, an indication, officials say, that inflationary pressure will ease in the near future. The Permanent Secretary for Commerce Yanyong Phuangrach said on Friday that Thailand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) in May stood at 115.23, up 2.53 per cent from May 2010, and up 0.39 per cent from April. The rise was induced by higher food and beverage prices and lower farm production caused by prolonged hot weather, according to the Commerce Ministry’s data. The May figure is well down on December last year

when the CPI stood at 4.2 per cent higher than December 2010. Inflation has been shrinking since, to around 3.6 in January, hovering around 3.3 in February, March and April and then falling to 2.53 in May. Mr Yanyong said that, when compared with the current economic growth trend, the latest CPI data is no great concern. He described the overall situation as “acceptable and showing stability”. The Core CPI for May (which excludes volatile commodities such as food and fuel) stood at 108.15, up 1.95 per cent year-on-year and 0.29 per cent from April.

THE PHUKET NEWS

ART 17

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

CULTURE

BIG LIST:

The world’s biggest thefts: lawns, a whole church, and an oil tanker > 22

Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

PHUKET GALLERIES Designed by Woulfe Studio

Baan Wana Park, 177/22 Moo.4, Srisoonthorn Road, Thalang, 076 620 071, designedbywoulfe.com.

Drawing Room

56 Phang Nga Road, Talad Yai, Muang, Phuket Town, 086 899 4888

I Mon Art Gallery

29/2 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 086 961 8968, montian_29@live.com. Open daily 8am-7.30pm.

A life lived in abstract Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

Nakonnai Art Museum

84/34 Moo7, Soi Saiyuan 2, Rawai. 085 974 7218, nakonnaiartmuseum@yahoo.com.

P. Fire Studio

Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 085 591 1587, virat-uttakut@hotmail.co.th. Open daily.

Red Gallery

Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 087 323 321, redgallerythai@yahoo.com; phuketredgallery.com. Open daily.

om Tri’s VR Galle r y’s a r t ist i n residence Chris De Meo will be showcasing his first solo exhibition My Abstract Life from June 11 – July 11. Mr De Meo is a relative newcomer to both Phuket and art. He began painting in 2010, when he moved to the island and decided to follow his ‘true passion’. Originally from Fremantle in Western Australia, he moved to Phuket to follow his creative calling. Since arriving, he has completed more than 40 works. The exhibit features predominately large abstract works. Each creation comes from one of Mr De Meo’s experiences or a particular point of view he has. “I store these feelings and when the

Sarasil Art Galllery

121 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 076 224 532, somkiatkaewnok@yahoo.com; oilpaintingsphuket.com. Open daily 8pm-9pm.

Tawan Ook Art Gallery

Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 081 956 5872. Open daily.

The Love Art Studio

Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 089 471 5653, pui.t.l.a.s.@hotmail.com; theloveartstudio.com. Open daily.

Veerachan Usahanun

110/34 Cherng Talay, Bang Tao Beach Rd, 081 490 4359, usahanun@live.com; veerachanusahanun.com.Open daily.

Clockwise from top: Wildflowers, Faces and The Third Child. All will be on display at Mom Tri’s VR Gallery this month. time is right I tap into them and transfer them to the canvas,” he says. “Colours and emotions drive the work, yet what the artist sees and what the viewer interprets will be very different. The painting becomes their own individual reality”. Mr De Meo offers up his

GERRY’S

editor@thephuketnews.com

very personal stories and paintings to visitors from now, until next month. VR Gallery is the successor to the mini gallery that had previously existed at Mom Tri’s Boathouse for many years. It has long-served as a venue for local and visiting artists.

The VR Gallery, Golden Elephant Boutique and Sunshine Coffee Shop are all located adjacent to Mom Tri’s Villa Royale at the entrance of the Baan Kata Estate. VR Gallery, 12 Kata Noi Road, Kata Noi. 076-333-568, info@momtriphuket.com; momtriphuket.com

Vichen Gallery Bzenter

Behind Da Vinci Restaurant, Saiyuan Rd, Rawai, 087 890 3722. Open daily 3-9 pm. (Telephone to view before 3pm.)

VR Gallery & Coffee Shop

Next to Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, 12 Kata Noi Rd, Kata Noi, 076 333 568; art@momtriphuket.com, momtriphuket.com.

Watcharin Art Studio

27 Yaowaraj Rd, Phuket Town, 088 386 1449, watcharintinorodnit@hotmail.com, rindamagicalart.com.

Wua Gallery and Studio

1 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 076 258 208, wua.artgallery@gmail.com; wua-artgallery.blogspot.com.

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THIS WEEK’S HINT: “This pillar is one of four identical ones which can be seen by travellers going or leaving Phuket’s favourite tourist town. At an estimated cost of 9 to 12 million baht, they make up part of a composition intended to give a warm welcome to those travelling by road to this town on West coast of the island. The green leaves on the side of the pillar represent banana leaves, and the white ball on the top of the pillar, which is supposed to spin, represents a pearl.” –Gerry Cummings

EMAIL US ENTER ONLINE

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GUESS THE CORRECT LOCATION AND WIN A B500 GIFT VOUCHER FROM PHOTO HUT

Congratulations go to Tricia Caithness, Michael Archer, Lucky, Steve Garner, and Sineenart Srisutam, who all correctly guessed that last week’s photo was of the ‘fake’ lighthouse on the waterfront road in Chalong, just down from the VSet Restaurant where The Phuket News held its first anniversary party. There are several restaurants and bars along this road that faces Chalong Bay catering to sailors, and the Lighthouse Restaurant is one of them.

thephuketnews.com

18 PEOPLE

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Seeking escape from the ‘tourons’

DJ Alice Freelance MC

ow long have you lived on the island? Let’s get one thing straight. You flew here, but I was brewed here. I am Phuket. Phuket is me. You may say, “I’ve been living here for 17 years.” Great. My mom’s been here for over 60, but you don’t hear her saying, “Things just haven’t been the same since the ’50s. Things are changing!” Tell us about your job. I’ve been working as a freelance MC for 12 years now. It’s been great because I’ve been able to work with many people from around the world. Some of the more memorable events include Playboy Fashion, Snap-on Tools, Princess Yachts, the King’s Cup Regatta, television spots, the charity events, concerts and the recent NASA corporate event. What is the best thing about living here? My family lives here and the beaches are wonderful. My mum used to be a teacher at Satree Phuket school before she retired.

any other person who would it be and why? I’d come back as you just so that I could answer this same question with, “I’d come back as Alice.”

Exposed She taught sewing and I was fortunate to have many of my MC dresses designed by her. My dad used to own a restaurant in Patong, and he is a great chef, and my younger sister runs a coffee shop in town so Phuket is where my home is. I also love the beach lifestyle. I used to live in Chiang Mai for four years during my university days. I love it there – cool weather, beautiful mountains and everything but I can’t live far from the beaches. I love spending time on the beach reading books, or doing yoga. Once my photo was taken while I was on the beach, and it was featured in a national newspaper – but they referred to me as a Japanese tourist! What do you do to relax? Hot Yoga. It’s great exercise, and helps tone the body and calm the mind. What hobbies or sports are you interested in? Scuba diving, and exploring Thailand by motorcycle with

DJ Alice is fond of hanging on a hammock, which her busy schedule rarely allows for. my fiancé. Favourite food or dish? I love to cook and I’ve picked up many great tips from [TV Show] Master Chef Australia. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that anyone can cook. My first attempts were disasters, but I was determined to be the best. Since then, I’ve really surprised myself with what I can do and prefer eating at home. What kind of music are you into?

Being a radio DJ, I’ve heard it all. I’ve also listened to a lot of music that I can’t even remember. Some songs were okay, some were good and some were incredible. My taste in music often changes as well. So it’s hard to say, this or that is my favourite because it will probably change soon. What is the best tip you have for people moving to Phuket? Don’t rush into any major commitments like starting a business, getting married or

buying land. Take your time and do your research. Be open to the advice of sincere individuals who have lived here for quite some time (and aren’t bitter). Where in Phuket would you take someone on a first date? I haven’t been on a first date in over four years. How can I answer this when my fiancé and I can’t even decide on where to have dinner? If you could come back as

Favourite place on the island, and why? I can’t tell you because it’s the last real secret place on Phuket. It amazes me that is hasn’t been discovered or blogged about. The fact that you have to drive for miles to reach a 7-Eleven is awesome. It’s my safe place. My haven. My great escape from the endless stream of ‘tourons’ (my word for tourist morons), modified scooters, and poorly composed music blasting from an endless stream of “can you hear me” car audio systems. What’s your favourite night out? New Year’s Eve is by far the most extravagant. Every hotel, event and party is amping out at volume 11 and trying to knock the earth off its axis. The night sky is lit with fireworks for hours and everyone wants the best MC for their venue. I’m usually booked six months before New Year and lately it’s been one year in advance.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

The Dress Maker Sukunya Phoonpong reporter2@thephuketnews.com

KAMOLRAT “TEANG” POUNGTONG, a talented dress maker from Nakhon Sri Thammrat province, has lived in Phuket since 1978. She learned her dressmaking skills from her uncle in Bangkok, subsequently moving across several provinces working in various shops, before finally opening her own in Phuket in 1990. “Working for myself is better than working with others,” says Teang. “Every morning I can do my household chores before starting my job, and I have more time to spend with my family.” Teang’s main work is making uniforms for schools and companies, though she also fixes people’s clothes when she has free time. “My main customers are my neighbours, and I usually have more than 20 items of clothing to fix.” She has lived with her two daughters since divorcing. “My youngest daughter calls me ‘Iron Woman’ because my husband and I separated since both my daughters were very young. “He has a new family but I do not care because I have my daughters, who are my strength. By myself I have been able to provide my daughters with everything

thephuketnews.com

Kamolrat ‘Teang’ Poungtong at work. they have needed.” Now, both have graduated from university and have good jobs. “I am very proud of my daughters,” says a beaming Teang. Teang’s dressmaker shop is located on Soi Sutat 2 in Phuket Town.

THE PHUKET NEWS

HEALTH 19

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

IN BRIEF Most Thais think anti-smoking campaigns don’t work Seventy-four per cent of Bangkokians said they believed that the government’s recent anti-smoking campaigns did nothing and that the nation’s smokers continue smoking regardless. Such efforts include the printing of smoking-related disease pictures on cigarette packs, and utilising celebrities conveying anti-smoking messages to the public. Over 13 million Thai people currently smoke, which causes over 50,000 deaths per year.

Baby boomers boost medical tourism More and more baby boomers are choosing their holiday destination based on the price and quality of medical treatments. However although certain treatment may be cheaper initially, visiting a foreign country to get healthcare does not come without its own risks. According to the World Health Organisation, Thailand ranked 47th of the World’s Health Systems.

It’s all in the hips Kim White editor3@thephuketnews.com

ello and welcome to another yoga asana that will help you in the pursuit of a happier, healthier body. Last month our posture focused on the abductors, this month we are going to again work on the hips. However the focus will be the hip flexor (the Iliacus and the Psoas Major. Together, they are known as the Iliopsoas). The asana this month is called Eka Pada Rajakapotasana or the one legged king pigeon. A lot of people don’t realise that the hip flexor plays a big part in the mobility and flexibility of the back, particularly the lower back. Overdeveloped and tight hip flexors can contribute to lower back pain by causing the pelvis to tilt backward. To counteract this, you must stretch the hip flexors and strengthen the abdominal muscles. This will reduce pelvic

tilt and decrease lower back pain. Strengthening the lower back can also help improve the balance between the muscles of the hip region. Lets have a look at the benefits of the posture: • Stretches the entire front of the torso, the ank les, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat • Stretches and opens the deep hip flexors (psoas) • Strengthens back muscles • Improves posture • Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck • Opens your hip rotator muscles (gluteus medius and minimus). • May relieve sciatic nerve tension and ease chronic low back pain. • Advanced version opens your chest and shoulders • Traditionally thought to control sexual desire, increase circulation to urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems. Let’s get to it:

1. If you have knee issues, place a towel or soft cushion under the knee. 2. Make sure that the front knee is right above the ankle and does not go past this point. This alignment ensures safe and healthy knees. 3. The back leg is about 60cm away from the front heel. 4. In photo one you will see that the hands are resting on the floor beside the front foot. This is a great place to start if you are feeling challenged. 5. If you are comfortable at this point that you can place both your hands on your front knee or as you can see in photo two, place your hands on the hips. 6. The intention of the hips is to sink downward and slightly forward. 7. The intention of the chest is to

rise upward and the shoulders roll down the back. Much like a proud pigeon puffing its chest out. 8. The front knee wants to feel like it is pressing forward away from the back knee (still remember the knee over ankle alignment). 9. The back knee wants to feel like it is pressing backward away from the front knee. 10. This forward and back motion will create a nice opening and releasing sensation in the hip flexor. 11. Remember to breathe through the posture, always using the out-breath as a release for any tension that is felt in the body. Much like ice melting in the sun. 12. Hold for about 20 seconds to a minute and repeat on the other side.

This posture in combination with the ‘Van Damme’ last month will have you prancing around the coop like the proud pigeons I know you can be. Kim White is the owner of Sala Suddhavasa, an internal arts centre in Rawai offering private and group sessions in taiji, yoga and meditation: 086-276-9174, info@suddhavasa.com; suddhavasa.com The opinions and advice contained in this column are those of the author only. The Phuket News is not responsible for the outcome or results of following any advice in any situation.

thephuketnews.com

20 EDUCATION

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Inside the headmaster’s office Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

eil R icha rd s ha s been head master of the British International School for the past seven months. Although he still has many ideas and new programmes to implement, one of the most important areas that he feels is often overlooked in international schools is, in essence, one of the easiest to achieve: Ensuring the mother tongue is not neglected. He concedes however that the logistics of placing emphasis on each individual specific one for the plethora of nationalities that make up BIS students is no easy task. “What is vital in international schools is that a student’s mother tongue is embedded. So we will give the students the opportunity of being able to retain their mother tongue, whatever that may be, for at least an hour a week. This helps considerably to consolidate learning across the range of knowledge disciplines.” To achieve this, BIS has a large and well-qualified teaching staff, with a widebackground of nationalities. Languages are well covered with native speakers of Thai,

English, French, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Spanish and German. International schools that cater to a transient market also have to respond to changing demographics, an example being the increase in Russian students who are now applying to get into the school from just a handful a few years ago to 41 full time Russian students studying at the BIS in the current term. Mr Richards believes that far from dividing, such diversity actually brings the student body together, “It enables everyone to celebrate cultural differences and encourages people to get together. It helps keep the cultures alive, it’s very important to do that.” What is also incredibly important for Mr Richards is the school’s ability to not only provide a great learning environment, but also create a community and wider support network for the students. “Many children who attend international schools don’t have access to aunts, uncles or the extended family in the way they would do if they were living at home. Many children, mine included, often feel like outsiders when they return ‘home’.” Mr Richards said that

Headmaster Neil Richards behind his desk at the British International School. although international schools are often able to create wonderfully intelligent children, capable of highly critical and analytical thought, they quite often fail in allowing children to construct a more ‘normal’ support and communication network. “The children need to feel part of something bigger and if they don’t necessarily feel part of the local culture, they

can withdraw and find it very difficult to communicate faceto-face with people. “So we {BIS} ensure that the children have the support network to develop the communicative skills that are crucial in the modern, fast-paced world. Can we make this happen? It’s very important, so we must make it happen…”. Although Mr Richards admits that attending an international school was likely to create a unique set of dilemmas and problems for students, he denied that the number of concerns were any higher or more significant than those experienced by teenagers anywhere else in the world. “All children experience problems and have difficulty in the modern world with identity and emotional connection.” Mr Richards however, believes that far from exasperating that particular crisis, living in an environment with so many cultures and communities actually makes it easier to

gain the answer as to who you are, “It’s easier to know who you are when there are many different types of people, with different types of backgrounds. This context makes it easier for a student to reflect upon their own differences and unique aspects as opposed to when everyone looks the same and is from the same background.” Mr Richards believes that the basic philosophy and ethos of education should remain the same regardless of the country or environment in which a school is placed, although he did add that adaptations may need to be made in how a curriculum is delivered and by whom. “I often find that I have to educate and inform the parents themselves of the changes in educational thinking and what research in neurology, for example, brings to the table. I explain why education nowadays places extra emphasis on the importance of an emotional connection in what we’re trying to achieve.”

As a way of doing this Mr Richards holds regular meetings with parents and intends bringing various guest speakers to the school. The approach and perception of the value of international education and international children has thankfully changed significantly not only to teaching, but also in the approach to discipline. Positive behaviour is not a result of coercion. “If we live in a society where we prioritise the need to be the ‘best’ as the sole message then this is what some children will strive to do at the cost of others and pursuit of other virtues. Unfortunately some children might just give up. He added, “ If we promote empathy from an early age, we will be providing students with the skills to lead emotionally satisfying lives.” This, Mr Richards believes, will in turn encourage children to learn for the right reasons, “By creating an environment that both values students and provides opportunities for students to be of genuine value to others, they will respond positively, become interested and want to learn for themselves as well as for the people who are teaching them.”. The British International School, Phuket is a privately owned co-educational boarding school established in 1996. It comprises 4 sections; PreSchool (Early Years), Primary School, Middle School and High School. The curriculum draws upon the practices of the English National Curriculum, the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education and the International Baccalaureate. The BIS delivers a diverse and challenging program to 800 students, from 18 months to 18 years old.

PERFECT POISE: Students aged between 3-6 years-old learn the graceful art

of ballet with Laura, the ballet teacher at FunStart. FunStart is a community family sports and leisure club that provides after-school English lessons, summer camps and all manner of weekend activities. More information: funstartphuket.com

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

PETS 21

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Follow the golden rule YOUR BREED by Jackie Perry

he Golden Retriever originated in Scotland in the 1800s when a Scottish Laird required a good retrieving dog for both water birds and small game. As with its close relative – the Flat Coat Retriever – its origins go back to the Newfoundland, which is another water loving breed. The Laird needed a dog of medium size which was strong and easily controlled and trained, and who had a soft mouth for retrieving birds which had fallen into water in particular. The Golden is a dog which is slightly longer in body than it is high. It has good but not huge bone. It must be a well substanced dog with well sprung ribs which give plenty of room for lung and heart to work correctly. Its layback of shoulder should be good, its hindquarters should be strong as it requires these for swimming and it requires sufficient length of neck to bend or reach to retrieve birds. The head should have a

The hindquarters should be strong for swimming, and it requires sufficient length of neck to reach to retrieve birds. reasonable width of skull and the muzzle should blend into the skull with not too much stop so as to keep the lovely soft expression of the eyes for which this breed is famed. The eyes are medium large

Pets

with black rims. The ears are short and set just above the eye falling close to the cheeks. The coat should be dense with good undercoat and longer overcoat which can be either silky or slightly

wavy – not curly. There will be longer hair on the chest, around the neck and at the back of the front legs. The rear legs will have a “skirt” of hair and the underbelly slightly longer hair also.

Colour for this breed is golden. This may range from cream to deep gold. The “feathering” around the legs, chest, and underbelly may be a little lighter in colour. The nose is generally black

but tending to brown is not a fault. Because of its very biddable nature it makes a wonderful family dog and is generally accepted as being safe with children. It does require exercise so is not for anyone who does not have either the inclination or the time to take the Golden for a walk each day. There are a large number of Goldens in Thailand and they seem to thrive in our climate. They do require brushing a couple of times a week and it is advisable to just wipe their mouths after feeding with a wet tissue to keep them from smelling. If they have excess hair around the feet this can be trimmed back to the length of the toes. Do remember to clip the claws once a week to keep them short as this helps to keep the dog’s feet neat and tight which is so much more attractive than flat feet. Jackie Perry is based in Phuket but travels to judge dog shows all over the world. She is happy to answer questions from dog lovers. Simply email her at culture@ thephuketnews.com

“Hello I’m Molly, a Schnauzer/Poodle cross belonging to Jon Hyams. I’m a the famous pooch around Bangtao beach and the subject of many tourist photos. I’m seven years old and love chasing my ball on Layan, Bangtao and Surin beaches. I can also be spotted paddle boarding at Skyla Bar in Kamala. I even have my own Facebook page (Molly Hyams).

“Hello, I’m Arnold, a female four year old Rottweiler. I’m rather large at 70kg but still very adorable! On hot days I love to eat watermelon. I am photographed here sitting in the garden after I’ve finished my watermelon. I belong to Phuket resident Kazira Hans.”

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

DANE’S WORLD

22 WEIRD NEWS

THE PHUKET NEWS

Dead pet turned into flying feline A

Dutch artist has paid a rather unusual tribute to his dead cat Orville – by turning the animal into a helicopter. Bart Jansen teamed up with radio control helicopter pilot Arjen Beltman to create a special flying mechanism for the pet, who died recently after being run over by a car. Dubbed ‘the Orvillecopter’, the result of their collaboration was exhibited in an Amsterdam gallery as part of the Kunstrai art festival. Propellers have been at-

‘He will receive more powerful engines for his birthday’. tached to each of the stuffed cat’s four paws, enabling him to fly across rooms at the touch of a remote control.

Jansen has insisted that the project is a respectful and appropriate way of honouring his beloved cat, who was named

after American aviation pioneer Orville Wright. “After a period of mourning he received his propellers posthumously,” the artist said. However, it seems that the machine is not yet the finished article and Jansen has pledged to make improvements to the design, as the Orvillecopter cannot yet fly without interruptions. “He will receive more powerful engines and larger props for his birthday. So this hopping will soon change into steady flight,” he explained.

Incredible Hulk to incredible sulk A BR AZILIAN FANCY dress enthusiast became an angry green monster last week when he found his green body paint simply wouldn’t wash off. Paulo Henrique dos Santos coated himself head-to-toe to emulate the Incredible Hulk for a running event. But the pool attendant went from Hulk to sulk when he discovered he’d unwittingly used paint typically used for ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines. After scrubbing himself

They deserve to be happy before being mercilessly slaughtered.

Happier than pigs in mud and having “about 20 baths”, the 35-year-old was still coated in green. Thankfully, after a team of friends and neighbours scrubbed for 24 hours, the paint came off.

Irish Pubs • Restaurant • Guest Houses

KARON BEACH

PHUKET

Draft Beer Great Food Cool Rooms Good Music Live Sport

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A GROUP OF LUCKY PIGS in China are enjoying a comfortable living after being moved into their own bespoke villas in a bid to produce better tasting pork. Government advisers decided on the drastic action after concluding that happier pigs would also mean they were healthier, and of better quality too. More used to living in an absolute pig sty, the playful pigs’ mood quickly brightened in their new surroundings in Weiji, Suining, which has been

dubbed China’s first pig village. The 600 pigs are also given toys to play with and allowed to roam in the woods every day from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week. Despite initial scepticism over the decision to move the pigs from their industrial pens to the B45,000 villas, agricultural officer Hu Juchun believes it has now been justified. “A good environment will leave pigs in a good mood and keep them healthy, and its therefore logical that the pork will be better,” he said.

Marathon organisers in almighty cock-up RUNNERS WHO TOOK part in the Edinburgh Marathon were left red-faced for all the wrong reasons after receiving a rather suggestive medal. The medals were awarded to the 23,000 competitors who took part in the gruelling challenge last week and quickly became the main talking point of the day. They soon become a laughing stock on social networking sites also, with many runners posting pictures of the phallic-shaped gongs online along with comments about

Congratulations? the shape of the medal. Embarrassed Edinburgh Marathon Festival director Neil Kilgour, admitted that no-one had noticed a problem with the medals when they were being designed. He said: “It is too early to say whether there will be a redesign of a medal for 2013.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

with Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

THE BIG LIST

Disappearing Acts In Phuket, stealing copper cable is almost a national pastime; lengths of power line and telephone cable regularly disappear. The thieves, of course, head straight down to the nearest scrap merchant and convert the cable into cash. But what they get is peanuts. They need to think bigger, like these people: ■ Watch your step: In Los Angeles a decade or so ago, two men were arrested for stealing manhole covers – 300 of them to be exact, each weighing as much as 135 kilos. The two had a fence willing to buy the manhole covers, paying the princely sum of six bucks – or about B180 for each one. LA was not the only place hit by manhole – er, sorry, access hole – cover kleptomania. When Lillehammer in Norway hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics, it installed new covers with the Olympic logo on them. Three of the covers were stolen, though one was returned after the thief, who had sobered up after the theft, had second thoughts. ■ High-seas Houdini: While Somalian pirates are renowned for hijacking oil tankers and holding them for ransom, others just steal these gargantuan, slow-moving boats outright, presumably just parking them around the corner, out of sight of prying neighbours. One such tanker, the MV Asterious, was moored at an oil field in Ghana, and was being guarded by the Nigerian navy. Now, two things: one, we suspect the Nigerian navy isn’t all that impressive; two, the MV Asterious had an all Russian crew. Not to be rude, but when a group of Russians is being protected by a group of Nigerians, we all know something dodgy’s going down. The boat magically disappeared and was never recovered and no suspects or leads have ever been reported. ■ Jumbo injustice: In March this year, Gene and Beverly Darnell were devastated when they returned home from an outing to find their elephant missing. The elephant, a gift from Gene to his wife, gloried in the name of Bon Bon Babar and was last seen chained to the porch of the Darnells’ home. No, this was not a real elephant – Bon Bon Babar was made of bronze and weighed 180 kilos. Plenty of scrap metal value there. Despite offering a reward of around US$500, the Darnells are still elephant-less. ■ Sacrilegious: Wanted: One missing Russian church. Last seen in July, 2008. Reward for its return. That’s right, in what is perhaps the biggest simultaneous turkey-slap to the face of both God and the legal system, an entire church was stolen. In – hold on, let’s see which country this was here... Oh, right: Russia, again. According to local media reports, a local businessman came by and offered villagers about four cents a brick for the church in the village of Komarovo, northeast of Moscow. The theft of the church apparently happened brick by brick over the course of less than a month, and officials believe that the bricks in question were re-purposed to build other local buildings which we’re assuming are all hugely cursed. ■ Gimme the green: Type “lawn theft” into Google and you’ll get 14 pages of links. Not all relevant, of course, but stealing entire lawns is clearly big business. Apparently, less scrupulous property developers are happy to buy stolen lawn which, of course, costs considerably less than furnishing acres of green space with legally acquired turf. And unless your lawn is made of a unique kind of grass or you’ve had your greensward DNA-typed (Is that possible? We don’t know) you’re going to have a hard time proving that the lush lawns at Fairview Acres or Baan Khon Seti used to be yours.

THE PHUKET NEWS

TIME OUT 23

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

BOOK

MUSIC

FILM Snow White and the Huntsman Directed by Rupert Sanders Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth

The Song of Achilles

Best of Kylie Minogue

THE SONG OF ACHILLES follows the exploits of Patroclus, an awkward young prince, who has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Achilles soon befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow older they learn of war, medicine and love together. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, their friendship and all that they hold dear is tested. Controversial at times, this beautifully-written book is a fascinating retelling of a classic story. Captivating, daring and memorable, this is a great read from Miller.

KYLIE BURST ONTO THE British music scene in 1988 singing “I should be so lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky...” and at the time the lyrics seemed as much about her chances of making it in the music world as they were about finding love. Regardless of the longevity of the track itself, the pint-sized princess’ ability to remain relevant and in the public eye is matched by only one other mainstream pop queen, Madonna. This CD brings together all of Kylie’s greatest hits, including ‘Spinning Around’, ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, ‘The Loco-Motion’, and ‘Kids’ (with Robbie Williams).

Madeline Miller

Kylie Minogue

nless you are over a hundred years old, the fairytales you were likely told as a child would have been very much watered down versions of the originals. The aptly-named authors of many of the stories, the Grimm Brothers penned many a tale with the express purpose of scaring the bejesus out of all those who heard them. Contained within the

themes of the tales were stark warnings issued by and large to innocent and therefore gullible children. We all know the story of Snow White, right? Well, probably wrong. At least of this modern-telling of the original old version anyway. The opening of the movie sees Snow White, played by the perpetually open-mouthed Kristen Stewart (perhaps better known by her other name,

‘that girl from Twilight’), taken out to the woods to be killed. The film lasts over two hours long, so we know straight away that he is probably not going to succeed. Or, as the case in this version might be, chooses not to. Snow White and the huntsman, played by Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers), are thus chained together for the rest of the movie. Can they survive? What does it all mean? Will a wolf be dressing up as an old lady? Why would he be wanting to do that anyway? Is it a he? Is it important that the wolf is a he? Are the dwarves going to be played by genuine dwarves or are we going to be cheated with CGI-created fake ones? Also, why on earth did our parents tell us such horrific stories? You are likely to get the

answers to these and a whole lot more after watching this moody, atmospheric retelling of a childhood memory. At times Snow White and the Huntsman works very, very well and begs the question of why Disney ever got involved in the telling of such twisted and disturbing tales in the first place. It’s a fairy tale all right, but probably not how you remember them. The evil queen, played by Charlize Theron, is definitely worth a mention, and her battle with Kirsten for the title of fairest in the kingdom is quite a sight to behold. A timeless tale of the power of beauty and the almost tangible value of how something so abstract can become a commodity.

As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed. For up-to-date information, visit sfcinemacity.com, or phone the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076-209-000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076-600-555.

SFX COLISEUM PHUKET (CENTRAL FESTIVAL) I Miss You (T) [13+]: 11:30, 12:20, 14:00, 14:50, 16:30, 17:30, 18:50, 20:00, 21:20 Men in Black 3 (E/3D) [G]: 12:15, 14:35, 16:55, 19:15, 21:30 Men in Black 3 (T) [G]: 1 1:20, 13:35, 15:55, 18:15, 20:35 Snow White and the Huntsman (E) [13+]: 11:50, 14:30, 17:10, 19:50 Snow White and the Huntsman (E/F) [13+]: 12:40, 15:20, 18:00, 20:40 Snow White and the Huntsman (T) [13+]: 11:15, 13:40, 16:20, 19:00, 21:35

SFC JUNGCEYLON PHUKET (PATONG) American Pie: Reunion (E) [18+]: The Avengers (E) [G]: I Miss You (T) [13+]: Men in Black 3 (E) [G]: Snow White and the Huntsman (E) [13+]: The Vow (E) [13+]:

13:50, 19:00 14:15, 19:20 12:20, 14:50, 17:20, 19:50, 22:20 12:00, 14:20, 16:40, 18:55, 21:15 11:15, 12:20, 15:00, 16:20, 17:40, 20:20, 21:30 12:00, 17:10, 22:10

BRAIN TEASERS Across

Down 1. Choose scar and French thief. (10) 2. Little Reginald at Territorial Army boat event. (7) 3. Check through garbage for a little science and take revenge. (8) 4. At which time, changed theater. (7) 5. Short clergyman, or museum chief. (7) 6. Tap sputum, go in. (6) 7. Looking for – and sight – monarch. (7) 8. Luxuriant drunk (4) 13. Amazed as Toni shucked skin. (10) 16. The Spanish letter to a tree. (3) 18. Aloft, I’ll disturb group of boats. (8) 20. Go around Luc to get points for sweet stuff. (7) 22. Water-related – a question for you and a spasm. (7) 23. Ship’s money man takes you to a chaser. (7) 25. Spinners not well finding piece of canvas. (7) 26. Pleaded for bed with food in it. (6) 29. Chances of not getting even? (4)

1. Which song by Sting is dedicated to gay icon Quentin Crisp? 2. Who famously died fighting at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876? 3. What does the name of the TV news Channel Al Jazeera mean? 4. Duffel bags and Duffel coats are named after a city in which country? 5. Dirk, K-bar, Sykes-Fairbairn and Basilard are all types of what?

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1. Englishman in New York; 2. Ganeral George Armstrong Custer; 3. The Island; 4. Belgium; 5. Knives.

SUDOKU

1. CIA part is, oddly, ticklike. (9) 6. Little sister and Al make rope material. (5) 9. Machine part ’n’ Nate are of common origin. (7) 10. Riders in a team from Oakland. (7) 11. Dope container. (3) 12. Recent coil is fixed to work like semiconductor. (10) 14. Beer gives Jackie gravity. (5) 15. Period of expression. (4) 17. Encourages chicken products. (4) 19. Latin, therefore, may, er, proceed. (4) 21. Not dry – block water quietly. (4) 24. It take a lot to make a game of chance. (5) 27. Official desk take note of pest. (10) 28. Personal Assistant and I go to northern town. (3) 30. Doctor should make dry spell. (7) 31. Let go UN, meadows and hotel. (7) 32. In north, went quickly

to disburse. (5) 33. Cut curtain and type of light. (9)

thephuketnews.com

24 KIDS PAGE

THE PHUKET NEWS

COLOURING CONTEST

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

very week, colour in Sophie's drawing, have a photo taken with your work, and email it to editor@thephuketnews.com This week, congratulations go to Sarah Lakes, age 6 from Palm House International who has won an all-day free pass at FunStart for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids, and 5% discount on the Summer Camp at FunStart. We look forward to seeing next week's entries.

mail@

Amandine, age 7, PIADS

thephuketnews.com

Elise Nguyen, age 8, PIADS

N i n a B e l lagamba, class Y4A, H e a dStart

sophieillustration.co.uk

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

LIFE&STYLE Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

SHOPPING 25 Finding a peace of solitude

Exploring Isarnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Buddha > 28

fashion file Have an outfit to show off? Send a photo to:

editor1@thephuketnews.com

FOXY LADY Rattaya Manuwong

Business owner

SEASIDE CHIC Marina Stolcz

Asst Front Office Manager

Guess sunglasses (B4,400) bought at Central Festival.

Earrings (B320) bought in New York.

Dark blue top (B450) from a shop in Sam Kong area.

Long dress (B2,500) from Hong Kong.

Chaps mini skirt (B1,600) from Central Festival.

Blue and white bracelet (B300) from Hong Kong.

Mango leather bag (B1,200) also from Central Festival.

Purse, bought in Central Festival, gift from a friend.

Ring (B42,000) purchased in Pattaya.

Blue shoes (B2,900) found in Hong Kong.

Lynn shoes (B1,400) from Central Festival.

ACCESSORIES

Ban Boran Textiles 1

4 5 1. Silver necklace 2. Ceramic ring 3. Silver ring 4. Blue handmade bag 5. Red handmade bag

B4,300 B600 each B600 B2,200 B2,900

Accessories from Ban Boran Textiles, 51 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-6.30pm. 076-258-249.

thephuketnews.com

26 DINING

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Exec Chef serves Middle Eastern flavours EXECUTIVE CHEF Ameer Ibrahim Al-Ali has been at the Movenpick resort for five years. Specialising in international cuisine, he “creatively fuses” international, Asian, and a touch of Middle Eastern flavours. Growing up in Amman, the capital of Jordan, Ameer finished high school and soon enrolled at the Swiss International Management Institute in Kuala Lumpur to become a professional chef. Once he was qualified he joined the Four Seasons as a management trainee in Kuala Lumpur (where he finished his City and Guilds diploma in Kitchen Management ) before moving to the Maldives.

Mixed grill with red wine jus.

Movenpick’s Executive Chef Ameer Ibrahim Al-Ali. During his management training with the Four Seasons, Ameer was a part of a group doing task force management in East Asia, and visited Shanghai, Indonesia,

and most of East Asia as a part of that. He also worked for hotel chains Iberotel in Egypt and Kempinski in Jordan. Now the executive chef of the Movenpick resort in Karon, Ameer is in charge of six restaurants and 80 staff across the resort. His food at Movenpick is “modern, with a surprise touch”. He says a chef must be able to cook every type of cuisine in order to satisfy resort guests from around the world. And he certainly created a delicious meal when The Phuket News visited – the mixed grill with red wine jus, with the meat cooked absolutely perfectly.

Espresso education COFFEE BREAK

Danny Hyams lifestyle@thephuketnews.com

y coffee journey started with instant coffee and graduated to drip filter, plunger, stove top percolator and finally espresso. I am not here to tell people that one method is better than another but there is something unique about espresso based coffee which makes it the most popular drink for cafes and restaurants. Espresso has its roots in Italy. The espresso machine as we know it today was invented in 1938 with a pump driven machine delivering hot water under pressure with steam power for hot milk and foam. So what is espresso? A single shot of espresso is produced from 7 grams of finely ground and compressed coffee beans and under pressure. The general rule is that 30 ml of liquid is extracted in

20 to 30 seconds, but there is flexibility depending upon the beans, machinery and subjective taste. However, if the extraction is too fast or two slow, excess acidity and or bitterness is likely to result. When made correctly, espresso-based drinks have naturally pleasant flavours and sweetness in the drink itself. Sugar only serves to disguise flaws in the coffee or the process or to hide these natural flavours. When extracted correctly a concentrated shot of espresso coffee is produced with thick crema containing gasses and oils overlaying black liquid. Watching espresso poured we see a “Guinness effect” with the crema settling on top. There are four critical requirements for making good espresso: -Fresh coffee -A skilled operator -A grinder -An espresso machine Fresh coffee is essential

and this usually means that the coffee beans are no more than three weeks old (post roasting) and a skilled operator of the machine (a trained barista) is equally important. The espresso grinder needs to have flat or conical burrs to grind the beans evenly and whilst the espresso machine is important the quality of the grinder is even more so. Espresso is a short, strong and concent rated d rin k. Espresso is also commonly consumed with steamed milk. Milk is steamed to create smooth, creamy-textured microfoam. When the milk is steamed properly sugars are released, bringing more natural sweetness to the espresso and creating a wonderful texture or mouth feel as well. The milk and microfoam can be used to create the following drinks: Cappuccino: a shot of espresso with milk and a layer of microfoam of approximately 15mm, and commonly topped

Golden brown crema (the Italian name for the head which forms on top of the shot of espresso and is a collection of oils and gases extracted from the coffee bean). with a sprinkle of chocolate and cinnamon; Café latte: a shot of espresso with milk and a

l aye r of m ic r ofo a m of approximately 10mm; Macchiato – a shot of espresso served in a small

espresso cup with just a dash of hot milk and microfoam There are other variations including iced coffee and flavoured drinks but the above are the mainstays of milk-based coffee drinks. Danny Hyams is an Australian coffee roaster, barista and barista trainer based in Phuket. He runs the Garage coffee shop in Kamala, and also provides advice and sales of a range of coffee equipment and coffee beans, imports coffees for sale and roasts his own. He can be contacted at dannyhyams@gmail.com or 080-534-5512.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

DINING 27

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Tough ride for teabags Agence France-Presse

tephen H.B. Twining, the 10th-generation descendant of the Twinings tea-making family, is an unimpeachable brand ambassador. It is early afternoon and he is already on his 12th cup of the day. “My usual daily intake is about 15 cups, so I’m a little ahead of myself, but tea drinking is a huge passion with me,” he says, sipping a light infusion of green tea in New Delhi. Twining, director of the British company which opened the first tea shop in London over 300 years ago, was in India to promote his range in a country where Twinings buys a lot of tea – but sells very little. Like every other global company, Twinings is seeking growth from India’s 1.2 billion people, whose tastes are becoming more upmarket and sophisticated. “There’s huge potential for growth in places like India and China – throughout Asia,” Twining says. The easy part in India for Twinings, part of the gi-

ant Associated British Foods conglomerate, is that people all over the country drink tea every day. The tough part is that teabags, which are Twinings’ core product, are not used much by Indians, who like their tea boiled loose in a strong, milky brew. Instead, Twinings is aiming at the upper end of the market by packaging each teabag in an air-tight individual envelope to keep the tea fresh for months. At 600 rupees (B340) for a box of 100 bags, the price of one teabag is roughly equal to that of a freshly-made streetside cup of “chai” served in a small earthenware pot or plastic cup and often spiced with cardamom or ginger. “We are unabashedly a premium tea and our customers seem to appreciate that fact,” Twining says. Twinings has secured 35 per cent of India’s teabag business since it entered the country in 1997 but without divulging figures he concedes it is still a risibly small market – less than one per cent of the company’s global turnover. Twining says the firm does “tweak its blends to suit lo-

Stephen Twining: No strict rules to drinking tea. cal tastes”, but creating the perfect cup of tea is a tricky and capricious enterprise for varying national palates. Indians, for instance, prefer a mellower version of Darjeeling tea than some other countries, he says. “Wine drinkers accept

The tao of ‘o’ STREET EATS Sukunya Phoonpong reporter2@thephuketnews.com

Everything is then fried until all the ingredients are dry. “It is very good to eat with fresh vegetables, bean sprouts and crispy pork skin.” Ko Daeng restaurant is on

different years are of different quality but tea drinkers are a finickety lot – they want the flavour of their favourite cup of tea always to be the same,” he says. The difficulty is that, like wine, tea’s flavour changes with the weather.

The taste of tea leaves still on the plant can even fluctuate from week to week, depending on influences such as moisture, wind and sun. The higher and drier the area and hotter the wind, the less water the tea bush absorbs, making the taste of the leaves more intense. “We have to assess the tea’s characteristics and decide how best to use it to create the flavour, body, colour and brightness of the blend,” Twining says. “It’s like putting together a jigsaw to get a consistent taste.” The company’s nine tea tasters undergo five years of gruelling training at the company’s Hampshire headquarters before becoming master tea tasters and deciding what goes into Twinings’ more than 200 blends of teas. They may taste up to 3,000 cups a week to achieve “just the right taste”, Twining says, juggling blends from over 30 countries, from India, China and Sri Lanka, to newcomer Brazil, whose teas have a mild “coconutty overlay”. Twining, 48, who sports distinct bright ties, has worked in many jobs at Twinings from

manager of the famed shop in London’s Strand – the first tea room opened by his ancestor Thomas Twining – to being a tea taster himself. “Look at this tea,” he says, pointing to his cup of green lemon tea. “Look at its appearance and brightness. Give yourself an olfactory workout, breathe it in – it should be fresh and grassy.” He dismisses the notion that teabags are inferior to loose tea. “Teabags do have an image problem,” he admits. “But the tinier the leaves (in the teabag) the quicker the flavours get released.” And he has some words of advice for teabag users. To get the perfect cup, the teabag must brew for three minutes – longer than most tea drinkers realise “so they aren’t getting the best taste,” he says. Use a thin porcelain cup and it is traditional to put the milk in first, says Twining, though he adds that in the end there are no strict rules or etiquette to be obeyed. “Don’t add sugar to your tea – but if you like it sweet, forget that rule,” he laughs.

Patiphat Rd near the Slaughterhouse intersection. It opens Monday to Friday 3pm to 10pm. The price for their o tao is B40-50 depending on the ingredients.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT Phuket food, there are many popular dishes that just don’t seem Thai at all. That’s because many are actually Hokkien Chinese in origin, such as o tao. Chaisit “Ko Daeng” Wongmassaeng, a local o tao vendor, explains the story of the dish. “O tao is similar to a Penang snack called o juey. The word O means taro, the main ingredient of this dish,” says Ko daeng. The base ingredients of o tao are taro, oysters, eggs, shrimp, bean sprouts and tapioca flour. To make it, Ko Daeng cuts taro into small cubes, then steams them before immersing in tapioca flour water. Those ingredients are then fried in a flat pan with a little oil, along with oysters, shrimps, eggs, chilli paste, and crushed garlic.

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28 TRAVEL

THE PHUKET NEWS

The giant Buddha statue at Wat Phu Soong.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

The view from the top, with Keuan Fai reservoir in the middle distance.

Finding peace with Buddha SIGHTINGS Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

ver stood at the top of the Nakkerd Hills, at the Big Buddha, drinking in the huge views, and wished you didn’t have to share it all with half a million chattering, V-sign-photosnapping tourists? There is a place in Thailand that has a big Buddha statue, stunning views – and no tourists. One disadvantage is it’s rather a long way from Phuket, in Yasothon, a province in Isarn, close to the Mekong River. Wat Phu Soong (Tall Mountain Temple), sits overlooking the rice, sugar cane and arrowroot fields, and Keuan Fai, or Fire reservoir. The nearest village is a good 10 kilometres away. The road up to the wat climbs through old forest, dodging between enormous rocks, some of which had to be hacked away by hand to

Left, potholes were scored out of the rock when the hill was a riverbed. Right, religious rock carvings at the temple. make room for vehicles. The road emerges onto the top of the mountain and a large expanse of concrete for parking – for certain festivals hundreds of people arrive, so the space is needed. But most of the time the only people at the wat are the half dozen or so monks, along with a handful of people making merit by helping out with ongoing construction, or simply spending a few days

in silent contemplation. Unlike the Chinese-style Buddha atop Phuket, the one at Wat Phu Soong is more of a mix of Lanna and Sukhothai styles, with a long nose. Surrounding the Buddha are smaller shrines dedicated to eminent past abbots of Wat Wang Nathip on the plains below, who had the mountaintop temple built as a place of contemplation. Behind the Buddha, the

hill climbs before dropping abruptly – a couple of hundred feet pretty much straight down – and beyond are views that any property developer would give his right arm for. More wonders await. In the rock are curious holes, anywhere from 50cm to a couple of metres across, perfectly circular and going down, in some cases, as much as three metres. The biggest of these are

near the carp pool, downhill from the crest of the ridge. They’re potholes, formed by the circular scouring action of river-borne gravel and pebbles over the millennia. Look ing arou nd, one realises that the bare rock leading to the pool was once a riverbed. The potholes were created millions of years ago, long before some geological upheaval pushing the ground up into the sky.

The pool itself contains some sculptural oddities – half a dozen Kinnaree, the half-human, half-bird beings of Buddhist and Hindu mythology. The sculptor, for some reason, decided to attach their wings at the hips rather than the shoulders, evoking comic images of them flying with their bottoms in the air. More mythology awaits below, down several flights of stone steps. What appeared from above to be a vertical cliff is more than that. The top of the hill is in fact a hefty overhang. Below, cells have been built for quiet contemplation, along with a giant image of a Reusi, a hermit sage. The rocks under the overhang are decorated with basreliefs of scenes from the life of the Buddha, created by a stonemason from Kalasin. All of this can be contemplated in peace and calm, with only birdcalls and the buzz of insects to interrupt the silence.

Eagles, birdies and bird’s eye views CHECK-IN CREATE YOUR FANTASY GOLF holiday with Avista Phuket Resort and Spa, Kata Beach. Avista Phuket Resort and Spa (www. avistaphuket.com) is perched on a verdant hill overlooking the crisp white sands of Kata Beach and the azure Andaman Sea. Their laid-back approach to luxury could be best summed up as ‘Hakuna Matata at Kata’. It means ‘no worries’ in Swahili. If that’s got you feeling relaxed, imagine how you will feel as

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Avista’s ‘Swing Concierge’ helps you finalise your dream golfing getaway. Phuket has become one of the world’s true golfing paradises, with stunningly beautiful golf courses, balmy climate, island lifestyle, and professional caddies. Allow Avista to broaden your horizons with a flexible programme covering many of the Kingdom’s best courses, suited for both amateur or professional standard players, and for individuals or groups. Avista offers a gloriously relaxing and tranquil getaway experience. Chill, indulge, and above all just enjoy two generous, meandering swimming pools,

a celebrated spa, five-star amenities and magical vistas from the private balconies of your oversized room. From their hilltop vantage point, find yourself within walking distance of Kata Beach, with boutique shopping, and the family-fun Dino Park nearby, all complimented by the grace, warm hospitality and smiling service of their Thai staff. And above all, gorge yourself on golf. Valid from now until October 31, 2012, prices for ‘Hakuna Matata at Kata’ Golf Escape package range from B10,999B16,999 per night. For more information, see avistahotelsandresorts.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

TRAVEL 29

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

TRAVEL NEWS

Taste the world at Australia’s largest food festival in October Some of the highest ranked chefs in the world are heading Down Under in October for the annual Crave Sydney International Food Festival. They include two of the top five chefs from the recently announced World’s 50 Best Restaurants list as well as a host of local and international superstars. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, said Crave Sydney International Food Festival is a month-long celebration of extraordinary food experiences in Sydney and regional NSW set against a magnificent backdrop of vibrant city streets, beautiful parks and beaches, and the stunning Sydney Harbour. “Our chefs and produce

are renowned the world over, and we welcome international visitors to experience our world class dining scene at its source and taste some of the more than 500 events on offer across Sydney and regional NSW during Crave Sydney International Food Festival.” Festival Director Joanna Savill said, “Sydney has such a fantastic food culture, from world-class fine dining restaurants to small bars and some of most authentic street food. We also have fantastic regional produce from around New South Wales, so October is our time to really show off.” ‘With three of the world’s 100 best restaurants and five three-’hat’ chefs (three Michelin star equivalent), Sydney really is an amazing global dining destination. “We really enjoy sharing our city with visitors – from the big names who love coming here for the World Chef Showcase to interstate and international travellers who see spring as the perfect time to visit.” Tickets for the must-do World Chef Showcase go on sale June 12. See cravesydney. com/visitors for all the details on these and other special offers for visitors to Sydney.

Shop, dine and stay in the heart of Shanghai Looking for a leisurely weekend escape that offers you a choice of either pampering spa treatments or the excitement and buzz of exploring Shanghai’s vibrant Xintiandi district? Well now The Langham Xintiandi’s new weekend packages offer just that. Until September 30, The Langham Xintiandi is offering guests the choice of either an enchanting ‘Weekend Hideaway’ from just RMB1,538+ per night or a pampering ‘Weekend Spa Hideaway’ from RMB1,888+ per night. Located in the heart of Shanghai’s vibrant Xintiandi entertainment and shopping district, The Langham is the perfect haven to enjoy a romantic getaway, a girl’s weekend shopping excursion or just a quick weekend away from home. Guests looking to relax can unwind in the hotel’s Chuan Spa and Health Club, including a 25m indoor heated swimming pool. When it comes to dining, guests can indulge in contemporary Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine at the hotel’s signature restaurant Ming Court; enjoy interna-

tional and Asian specialities at Cachet restaurant or dine al fresco at XTD elevated; or choose to dine at one of 55 international and local restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes in Xintiandi. Step outside the hotel and you are surrounded by luxury designer boutiques along Huai Hai Road and over 33 lifestyle stores in Xintiandi itself. Langham guests can also enjoy exclusive seasonal offers at selected boutiques and lifestyle stores located within Xintiandi and surrounds. For more information on The Langham Xintiandi or to book a weekend escape, visit xintiandi.langhamhotels. com or call +8621-2330-2288.

on hold for 20-45 minutes during peak periods, though no cancellations or widespread disruption are expected. Bangkok’s old airport at Don Muang may also be brought into play to ease congestion during the maintenance period, though no official announcement on this has been made. If it happens, and especially if domestic flights are switched to the older airport, passengers will need to allow a minimum 60 minutes’ travel time between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport. –e-Travel Blackboard

Warning for public over Bangkok airport delays The travel industry has been advised to let clients know of possible delays at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport from next Monday (June 11) to August 10 this year. One of the airport’s runways will be closed for maintenance during that period and airlines and agents have been urged to advise travellers to allow a minimum of 80 minutes for connecting flights in Bangkok. Flights could also be put

Cosy up to ‘Winter Wonderland’ Winter in the Hunter Valley is a glorious time of year with hearty cuisine matched with rich red wines, cool crisp mornings and evenings and a series of winter events. Peppers Guest House is offering a unique getaway including entry to the ‘Snow Garden’ at the award win-

ning Hunter Valley Gardens - perfect for both families and couples or a treat for the grandkids. The Hunter Valley Gardens will transform its usually lush green and floral covered landscape into an enchanting winter wonderland complete with Skating Rink, Snow Angels Play Zone – where kids can experience real snow – and Snow Tubing – including two inflatable icy slopes for the ultimate sledding experience. A daily Snow Ball Challenge and Snow Time Treasure Hunt searching for hidden snowflakes is also on offer and as night falls guests can wander through the gardens under magic fairy lights. Experience all the fun of the ‘Snow Garden’ with a Peppers Guest House Family Package including tickets for two adults and two children, overnight in two bedroom accommodation plus full buffet breakfast in the on-site Restaurant Sanctuary, all from A$475 per night. Packages are valid for travel Sunday to Thursday nights from July 1-12, 2012. To experience a real winter wonderland this year, call Peppers Guest House on +612-4993-8999 or visit peppers.com.au/guest-houseww

thephuketnews.com

30 ENTERTAINMENT

THE PHUKET NEWS

THE TICKET with Claire Connell

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

editor1@thephuketnews.com

Men In Black 3 tops American box office Agence France-Presse

THE THIRD EDITION OF the Men In Black franchise blasted its way to the top of North America’s weekend box office, ending the three-week hold of the record-breaking Avengers, figures showed Tuesday. Men In Black 3 – again star ring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as secret agents battling aliens living on Earth – made US$69.3 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. It took the number one rank away from comic book superhero blockbuster The Avengers. The Avengers maintained its lead over the big-budget but critically panned Battleship, which dropped to the number three spot in its second weekend with $13.9 million in box office receipts. In fourth was controversial comedian Sacha Baron

Cohen’s The Dictator, with US$11.5 million in its second weekend. Fifth place went to horror flick Chernobyl Diaries. Next was Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows reboot starring Johnny Depp, in sixth place with US$9.4 million, a he a d of new rom a nt ic comedy W hat to Expect When You’re Expecting with US$8.8 million. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a comedic drama about British retirees in India, took in US$8.4 million for eighth place. In the ninth spot was smash action hit The Hunger Games, starring Jennifer Lawrence, which earned US$3 million this weekend, and has brought in more than US$396 million total in North America since its opening. Rounding out the top 10 was romantic comedy Think Like A Man with US$1.8 million in earnings. Men in Black 3 is currently showing in Phuket cinemas.

Left: Legends of Siam, Right: The Screaming Hypocrites.

Skool’s out at Laguna a g u n a P h u k e t ’s annual Summer Family Festival gets off to a rocking start on Saturday June 23 at the Canal Village with an opening “Skool’s Out” party featuring a double bill of young bands – The Screaming Hypocrites and Legends of Siam. Held the day after international schools close for the summer break, the party is a way for kids, teachers and parents to celebrate the end of another school year and launch

the Summer Family Festival. The Summer Family Festival offers a daily Kidz Fun Zone programme and is followed by casual evenings of family entertainment featuring a BBQ Beer Tent, which will televise major international sports events including the London 2012 Olympics, Wimbledon tennis and Formula One races. This year’s Summer Family Festival, which runs until August 25, promises to be bigger and better than ever according

to organisers, with exciting new attractions staged alongside established favourites such as Quest’s ever-popular daily Kidz Zone adventure activities and the Kidzsole Flying Trapeze. New this year is Zumba, the energetic Latin musicinspired workout system currently sweeping the world, with sessions staged by Zumba Phuket at 5pm every Tuesday and Thursday in Canal Village. A wandering troupe of talented street performers will add to the carnival atmosphere

in Laguna Phuket and once again the Canal Village Festival marquee will be a focus of activity with a bar, great food, big screen live sports events, a weekly quiz night with Laguna Phuket prizes and entertainment evenings. As well as the opening “Skool’s Out” party, another Saturday night theme party is planned for July 21 and a closing party will bring the Festival curtain down on August 25. For more information, see lagunaphuket.com

Bringing reality to Phuket morning radio Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

THE AIRWAVES IN PHUKET are about to get a lot more real. Phuket Live 89.5 radio’s lone morning DJ, Sam ‘Breakfast’ Clarke, finally has somebody to drink his cappuccino and eat his baguette with. South African-born, Canadian-raised Natasha Horrelt has teamed up with Sam to deliver the island’s most energetic and fun show, guaranteed to get you up with a smile in the mornings. Natasha explained that although she studied journalism at university, it has been far from a direct and sedentary path that brought her to the wireless. “After college, I started my communications career as a newspaper reporter and then editor. I moved into radio news shortly afterwards followed by co-hosting.” A few years later, although she admitted things were going well, wanderlust started to creep into her life, “This sense of urgency just kind of took over my existence and every idea I started to have was about creating a ‘life less ordinary.’ One day I just gave up everything; quit my show, sold my condo and car, and

thephuketnews.com

WEEKDAYS Breakfast

Sam Clarke

7am-11am

Non Stop Classics

Live 89.5

11am-12pm

Lifestyle

Steve Johnston

12pm-3pm

Drive

Jason Wilder

3pm-7pm

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

7pm-7am

SATURDAY

Phuket’s only morning radio show duo, Natasha Horrelt and Sam Clarke. moved to Honduras to become a scuba diving instructor.” Last October, Natasha decided to forgo another Honduran rainy season for an escape to Thailand, combining her role as Director of Communications and Marketing at Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp, with being Phuket’s newest radio DJ. Natasha promises to bring a little bit of her own magic to the airwaves every morning, as well as a much-needed

female voice to the station, and is looking forward to broadcasting to the island. “I am really excited to be the new co-host with Sam on the morning show. It’s a great opportunity to get back into something I’m terribly passionate about. The positive, fun vibe at the station is something I’ve rarely seen at other stations and I can’t wait to be a part of it. “Sam and I have a natural chemistry and share a very

similar sense of humour, which I think will be appreciated by listeners. He already has an incredible thing going and I am looking forward to joining forces with someone who is already excelling and pushing his show to be bigger and better every day.” Tune in to Live 89.5 on air from 7-11am weekdays for the best and most real way to start the day. You can also listen online at phuketliveradio.com

Weekend Brunch

Bob Hayes

10am - 1pm

Phuket News Radio

Live 89.5

1pm - 2pm

Saturday Sport

Sam Clarke

2pm - 5pm

Going Green

Nick Anthony

5pm – 7pm

Saturday Night Fever

Live 89.5

7pm – 11pm

SUNDAY Weekend Brunch

Bob Hayes

10am – 1pm

The Spin

Tim Newton

1pm - 4pm

Jason Wilder

4pm - 7pm

Live 89.5

7pm - 8pm

Live 89.5

8pm – 11pm

Lazy Sunday Afternoon Phuket News Radio (repeat) Sunday Night Chill

* Box of Neutrals is now part of Saturday Sport (2pm-3pm)

www.phuketliveradio.com Tel: 076-612-895, 090-490-7895

THE PHUKET NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT 31

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

A fresh Breeze at Surin Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

nglish couple Peter and Helen Munoz have reopened Sea Breeze on Surin Beach and are hoping it will become a popular entertainment spot for expats and tourists alike. The couple, originally from Bristol in England, arrived in Phuket three years ago when Helen accepted a teaching job at the British International School. Her and Peter, who works as the executive manager for Richmond Group, established the Burger Bar and Beach Club in September last year. They took over Sea Breeze bar and restaurant recently and decided to merge the two businesses. The Sea Breeze relaunch party was held last Saturday and attracted a 50-strong crowd of local expats, who did not let the approach of a giant storm put them off attending. Phuket musicians Pjae Stanley and Colin “Illy” Hill performed at the event, with Peter hoping the venue will host DJs and other local performers. He’s also planning to run a pool competition.

Doherty belts out a little number, presumably not high.

Pete Doherty to attempt Thailand rehab round two Coconuts Bangkok

Peter and Helen Munoz, Sea Breeze owners, are originally from Bristol in the UK. “We want to attract expats. Surin Beach is one of the most expensive beaches on Phuket, and the expats don’t want to pay tourist prices. I think our food is some of the cheapest on Surin,” he says. Peter says the venue will also be showing a lot of live

sport, including the Euro 2012 football championships, which start on June 8, a competition Peter is a big fan of. The couple are hoping the venue becomes a place where people can relax and enjoy a few drinks and entertainment, and encourages patrons

to try their Australian-beef burgers, priced from B150. Cocktails start at B150 and beer starts at B70. Sea Breeze Surin is open daily except Tuesdays, 12pm-midnight. Southern end of Surin Beach, 076-270-399; theburgerbar andbeachclub.com

TROUBLED UK TABLOID favourite Pete Doherty is rumoured to heading to Thailand (again) to get over his long time addiction to drink and drugs. The musician, who famously dated supermodel Kate Moss, has booked a stay at the £7,700 (B380,000) a month Cabin in Chiang Mai, according to the Daily Mail. It is not the first time Doherty has tried to use Thailand to beat what is believed to be a long-standing heroin addiction. In 2004 he travelled to Wat Tham Krabok but left after only a few days, unable to cope with the strict regime which included daily vomiting sessions.

That rehab attempt would seem to be an abject failure, as Doherty was filmed doing heroin in a Phuket hotel room with Kate Moss three years later. He is likely to find The Cabin a little more luxurious although than Wat Tham Krabok, as the British media have pointed out. Two British television presenters recently had successful spells at The Cabin this year, with Michael Barrymore reported as being sober since a stint there. Gail Porter also spent time recovering in Chiang Mai after a well publicised breakdown, and afterwards she told the Daily Mail she had ‘turned a corner’ in her recovery.

thephuketnews.com

32 ISLAND SCENE

THE PHUKET NEWS Roger, Kitty and Catherine Poutet.

Erin Maj, Pascal Trahan.

FUN-FILLED DAY OUT: Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club hosted the Thanyapura Carnival on Saturday June

2 from 10am-5pm. Despite the rain, hundreds joined the fun and festivities and made use of the world-class facilities. Many visitors walked with great prizes including 6-month family memberships, escapes to Thanyamundra and action-packed stays at the soon-to-open Thanyapura Sports Hotel.

From left: Myrtle, Dora and Ralf.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Famous Thai actors Sukollawat “Weir” Kanaros (left) and Froyd Nattapong (right) were in Phuket to take part in the Isuzu Wonderful Day event at Phuket Central Festival on Saturday (June 2).

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As well as the superstars’ presence, there was also a Muay Thai Chaiya Siam competition (a style of boxing from the south of Thailand), a glamorous dance show (above), and gifts for the audience.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

ISLAND SCENE 33

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Claire Cookson, owner of Peppers (left), with manager Alan Dinning.

SHE’S A DIAMOND: Peppers in Laguna hosted a right royal knees-up on Saturday. A traditionally-themed buffet, a band and plenty of beer was enjoyed throughout the day by expat Brits to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Prince Philip, aka Gary Holden.

Toby Gardner, 4, flies the flag.

The Wild family.

Scones anyone? Jake Cookson.

Panatta “Mam” Bunthanom (centre, in black ), her team and models at the event.

Kiranie Narabal, Tanya Suwadee, and Anteo Quintavalle.

W I LD T H I N G S : Panatta ‘Mam’ Bunthanom, owner of Me & Malisa: The Dressing Room, organised a fashion show under the theme “Girls Gone Wild” at the Opus One Restaurant & Bar on Saturday night (June 2). The costumes are from her new Summer Collection 2012, now available from her shop in Cherng Talay.

From left, Nithi and Malisa Darbhatisha, Sommai Bunthanom and John Underwood.

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34 EVENTS

THE PHUKET NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 1-9

List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php JUNE 16

Phuket Academy of Dance 2012 Song and Dance Spectacular, Ballet, Jazz and Tap by students across the Island. Contact Linda 081 893 7749 for details.

JUNE 23 - AUGUST 25

JUNE 8 - JULY 1

Euro 2012 at Serenity Join us for one of the greatest global parties! Start June 8 till July 1 2012 East 88 Beach Lounge will show all matches of the Euro 2012 live on screen with English commentary. Group games start at 11pm and at 1.45am. All finals at 1.45am. All local beers at B100net; Six-Pack beer at B500net; Halftime snacks special at B250net Cool result guessing game with hot prizes! Contact East 88 Beach Lounge within Serenity, call 076 371 900, www.serenityphuket.com.

JUNE 11 - JULY 11

ers, Swedish meatballs, Swedish pancakes, Chicken skewers, roasted pork tenderloin,smoked chicken breast, Swedish cinnamon rolls. Homemade bread and desserts from our bakery and much more. Our lovely house band will sing for you all night long. All this and much more B595, children 3-12 years B295. For reservations 076 330 065 www.twochefs.com. www.facebook.com/ twochefsthailand.

JULY 1

Somrak Maneemai at VR Gallery Somrak Maneemai’s “Lost in the Clouds” collection is his newest work. Somrak has a MFA from Silpakorn University. His Red Gallery was specially mentioned in the New York Times and has recently relocated to the Phuket Art Village in Rawai. The NYT commended the art village for its originality. The VR Gallery is located adjacent to Mom Tri’s Villa Royale at the entrance of the Baan Kata Estate. 076 333 568. See momtriphuket.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Summer Family Festival Laguna Phuket’s two-month Summer Family Festival swings into action on Saturday June 23 with a treasure trove of fun and games for kids, together with a host of entertainment options for parents. Right through until August 25, Canal Shopping Village is transformed into a carnival playground, with a BBQ Beer Tent for parents to socialise and relax while their youngsters enjoy the Kidzsole Flying Trapeze, bouncy castle, trampoline and games in the Kidz Lounge. The BBQ Beer Tent will offer a feast of televised big screen summer sporting events including coverage of the Euro 2012 Football Championship London Olympic Games as well as music, a weekly quiz night and Happy Hour drinks. And a popular return attraction for the youngsters at this year’s Festival will be the Kidz Fun Zone, serving up daily afternoons of sports skills, cooking lessons, adventure and educational activities, golf excursions and outings to local amusement parks, for just B200 per session. Further attractions planned for the Festival include art classes from a Festival Artist-in-Residence and Zumba fitness sessions. For more information, a schedule of events and details on promotions, please visit http://www.lagunaphuket.com/events/ family-festival.

American Independence Day Picnic American picnic at HeadStart with hamburgers, hot dogs and American beer for sale. Free admission. Games and jumping castle for kids, fireworks at sunset and live band. Contact David Rucker 087 266 7514 or visit website navyleaguephuket.org.

JULY 9-20 JUNE 23 - AUGUST 31 Learn to Fly - Flying Trapeze

Summer Camp at FunStart! Summer Camp Details Where: FunStart When: July 9 -20, 2012 Times: 9am3.30pm. Ages: 7-13 years Includes: Sports, survival in the wild, adventure, cooking, art, making new friends! Cost B12,000 (Special discount for HeadStart students) For registration details contact FunStart office from 10am-8 pm. Contact HeadStart Office, 076 612 876, miki@ headstartphuket.com.

“Learn To Fly” Flying Trapeze Lessons at Laguna at Canal Village. Open to the public everyday for all ages 4 years and up! Starts 5pm till late. We have “Try and Fly” classes, 1/2 hour and one hour sessions And don’t miss “The Laguna Fantasy Fly Shows” presented by “Ordinary People doing Extraordinary things”. Contact K.Pee 084 837 5726 or K.Gee 086 003 0241, KidzSole@ KidzSole.com www.KidzSole.com.

WAHOO THAILAND 2013 SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT Offshore The Similan Islands

19th - 21st February 2013

Proudly organised by the Rawai Beach Fishing Club, (RBFC) Phuket, Thailand.

JUNE 22

57 hours of non - Stop fishing!

Huge media coverage!

CASH AND PRIZES TOTALING OVER APPROX. 3,000,000 BAHT ($100,000)

Chris De Meo at VR Gallery Opening reception June 12, 7pm. VR Gallery is excited to announce the 1st solo exhibition of artist Chris De Meo. So impressive are his works that he has been invited to exhibit “My Abstract Life” at VR Gallery. The exhibit will be predominately large abstract pieces. For the opening reception we request children be over 12 years old. Contact 076 333 568.

Summer Day Care at FunStart! Midsummer Buffet 6 pm until late. At Kata Center. Smoked mackerel, Roast beef, Herring, Our home smoked salmon, Smoked prawns, potato pie, Red snapper and Prawn skew-

Summer Day Care Where: FunStart When: July 9-27, 2012. Times: 8.30am-3.15pm. Ages:3-6 years Cost: B9,000 for 3 weeks B3,500 per week. Contact HeadStart front office. Call 076 203 185. Email: miki@ headstartphuket.com.

For further details please contact Warren Crowe or Andy Bright info@rawaibeachfishingclub.com Warren tel: +66 (0) 812604291 Andy tel: +66 (0) 862739948 Website: www.rawaibeachfishingclub.com RAWAI BEACH FISHING CLUB IS AN OFFICIAL SPONSOR CLUB OF THE INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING ASSOCIATION. RBFC SUPPORTS IGFA’S STANDARDS OF GOOD SPORTMANSHIP IN RECREATIONAL FISHING

www.phuketticketmaster.com

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

EVENTS 35

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

REGULAR EVENTS

List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php FRIDAY

sparkling wine and stunning selection of breakfast dishes. Spend the rest of the day at Paresa’s Infinity Pool or Beach Club. B600++ per person. Every Sunday 9am to noon. Call 076 302 000.

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rice, Mexican springrolls, nachos, pork fillet skewers, salmon quesadillas, grilled corn cob, desserts from our bakery and much more. Our house band will be here to play live music. B495 or B795 include free flow Chang draught and Sangria. See www. twochefs.com, call 076 286 479, karon@ twochefs.com.

THURSDAY AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM Sunday Roast at Sugar Reef Sunday roast served from 2pm. Every Sunday. Adults B299, children B150. Sugar Reef, opposite Tesco at Cherngtalay.

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All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Please contact 081 895 4763.

DAILY

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Sunday Roast Pork

Pool Competition @ Expat Hotel Pool Competition at 9pm. Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com.

Sunday Roast Pork or Beef Dinner Every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. B290 per person. See www. expathotel.com.

MONDAY

SATURDAY

Two Chefs Surf Night Two Chefs Saturday Brunch At Two Chefs Kata Centre. Every Saturday 12pm-3pm, you can enjoy a big delicious buffet with a touch of Scandinavia, and listen to our live music. For example: Our home-smoked salmon, smoked prawns, Swedish meatballs, roasted porkloin, home-made bread, delicious desserts and much more. B395 or B695 include free flow of Chang draught, wine, Sangria. See www.twochefs.com, 076 330 065, katacenter@twochefs.com.

TUESDAY

Pool Competition at Expat Guesthouse Time 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar. com.

SUNDAY

Sea Breeze has joined forces with The Burger bar and Beach club to bring you not only superb Thai cuisine in a beach front setting but also an excellent range of gourmet 100% Australian beef burgers. To celebrate we are offering up to two free kids meals with any two full paying adults during low season. Live sport every day including our 100” HD screen. Ask about our new Pool Club, plus kids and adults parties planned and catered for. Contact info@seabreezesurin.com, www.thebestbeachclub.com or call 076 270 399.

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At Two Chefs Kata Beach. Every Monday from 6pm-12am. You can enjoy our big BBQ Buffet with Blackened red snapper, beef burgers, Chicken Fajitas, Tacos, Chimi-Churri marinated chicken, desserts from our bakery and much more. One member from our house band will sing pleasant music during the night. Only B495. See www.twochefs.com, 076 284 155, kata@ twochefs.com.

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BBQ at Expat Hotel

Surin Beach Just Got Better

Pool Competition Every Tuesday 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong. See map at www.expatguesthouse.com.

WEDNESDAY

Summer Promotions! Best Mini Golf in Phuket! Phuket Adventure Mini Golf – Fun for Everyone! A challenging 18 holes miniature classic championship golf course surrounded by palm trees, stones, water, bamboo and bushes. Designed and built together with Scandinavian Adventure Golf. Whether living close by or here on a fabulous holiday, this is the place for the whole family, friends and couples to enjoy at all times. Contact 076 314 345, 080 147 2468, www. phuketadventureminigolf.com.

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Very Happy Hours at Friendship Beachfront Resort Two Chefs Tex Mex Night Lazy Sunday Jazz Morning at Paresa Kick back and enjoy a lazy Sunday breakfast at Paresa with jazz music, free flow

At Two Chefs Karon 6pm-1am. Every Wednesday you can enjoy Phuket’s best Mexican food. Chili con carne, Mexican

daily event updates on

4-6pm. Everyday. B60 - All beers. B90 House wine and Single shot drinks. B150 Tall cocktail. Great food, great drink, great fun all the time. Contact Charlie 089 728 5304, chef@friendshipbeach.com, 27/1 Soi Mittrapap, Rawai, Phuket.

thephuketnews.com

36 JOBS

THE PHUKET NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Beachfront land for sale Opposite Yacht Haven Marina > 39

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

JOBS IN PHUKET

List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

Immediate Start: Thai CV or call for details. Call ming for HeadStart Inter- Office Staff Wanted: Waitress and bar tender See our jobs page on lfrDivemaster with good English and professional attitude wanted for Phi Phi dive centre. Salary + commission + board/lodging. Contact 076 381 765, email info@sea-bees.com.

Accountant: Two positions for accountant are urgently required at HotelTravel.com. Vocational or bachelor degree in Accounting. Please send CV or call for more details. Fresh graduates are also welcome. Call 076 282 808, email jobs@hote ltravel.com.

Job Vacancy - HotelTravel.com: Geo Coding Officer, Admin Researcher, Data Research Admin and Business Coordinator Hotel Par tners. Bachelor’s degree in any field. Good English skills. Please send

076 282 808, email jobs@ hoteltravel.com.

Th a i N a t i o n a l A r t Teacher: Phuket International School has an opening for a position of an Art teacher. Requirements: Thai National, good English, education in Art or in the related field. Email phuketinternational@asia. com.

Accountant: We are looking for a full-time accountant to work in an International School. 5 days a week. 8 am to 5 pm. Thai national. Must speak English. Email phuketinterna tional@asia.com.

Swimming Teacher: Looking for a qualified Thai swimming teacher to teach and assist teaching swim-

national school and after school classes at FunStart. Salary B15,000 plus good commission. Please contact 076 203 185 or 087 882 5544.

Fluent in English, Thai nationality, age 25 - 40, with experience in travel agency and/or real estate business. Working hours: Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm. Send CV helena@welcometo thailand.si.

Nanny Wanted: We are looking for a nanny for our daughter of 20 months. Monday to Friday from 2 - 8 pm (6 hours per day). Trust worthy, Experience with children, able to communicate in English. Call 090 706 5564.

Trainee Manager: Thai national with a degree, excellent English skills, outgoing personality and an enthusiasm to learn and succeed are all essential to start a career in the swimming pool industry. Salary negotiable. Email info@ mobilepooldoctor.com.

Receptionist: Receptionist needed for FunStart Family Sports Club in Kathu. Should have a working knowledge of c ashier duties, a good command of English and good customer relation skills. Salar y B15,0 0 0. Contact 076 203 185, 087 882 5544. Summer Camp Teachers Required: The British International School, Phuket are seeking ESL teachers for their annual July English Summer Camp programme. Full programme details are available on our school website. Applicants are ideally required to have a recognised education degree and a TEFL qualification. Please submit your applications to ppreez@bisphuket.ac.th

with experience. Working hours 4pm-11.30pm, one day off, good salary. Contact 086 947 5197.

Housekeeping Staff Woman Wanted: To Required: 5 day work cook European food, or to be trained. “ Weissbier & Wine” Restaurant, Patong. Evening wor kin g h o ur s. N i c e at m o sphere. 087 273 6427.

Due to recent expansions we are seeking the following position Sales Manager – Thai or Foreigner (Located in Phuket) Responsibilities : - Managing the sales team (including responsibility for recruitment of new sales staff when needed) - Weekly & monthly sales budget meetings and reporting - Developing and following up new sales leads - Reaching own personal sales targets and responsibility for reaching team targets

We offer: - Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses - Friendly work environment - Social security (10%) paid by the company - Excellent career progress opportunity ***The company may offer accommodation plus local transportation costs to successful candidates.*** Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume in English indicating qualifications, experience, expected salary with recent photo via email to adminmgr@the phuketnews.com or post to below address.

Vinci Restaurant in Rawai Naiharn is looking for staff.

week, service charge, duty meals and transportation. Experience required but not necessary. Good attitude. Contact 076 372 300.

Private Drama TeachOperations Manager er WANTED: Female / Sales: Club Asia Fit- students aged 6 and 9 ness - Phuket’s leading fitness centre requires an Operations Manager and a Sales Consultant. Requirements Thai National, degree and must be able to communicate in English. info@clubasiaphuket.com.

Salesperson Required:- Thai female – good command of English, confident, and highly-motivated for a Design Agency based in Phuket. Basic salary plus commission. Contact: john@cre8-media.net or call 083 502 5552.

Sales Executive: We have an opening for a field

Looking for Staff: Da- sales executive to promote Class Act Media is Phuket's leading media company - publishing The Phuket News , Phuket's leading weekly English Newspaper and broadcasting Live 89.5 – Phuket's premier English radio station. Class Act Media also has other publications and a host of other products in Phuket and Samui.

asia.com for more info and details on how to apply. Email: sales@lfr-asia.com.

our range of luxury website and print design products.

years old are looking for someone fun and creative to do some private drama and movement lessons after school (4.30 - 6pm) twice a week, in the Laguna area. This person must be English speaking and non-smoking. Please e m a i l: S h e r i n. p e a c e @ g m a i l .c o m w i t h p r ev i ous training credentials, photo of yourself and contact details.

Kindergarten Teacher Wanted: We are looking for a native English kindergarten teacher to join our team to teach 10-12 children aged 3- 6 years of age. Must have a minimum Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent. Contact Daniel 084 520 4978, email: info@ cravensnurseryphuket.com.

Thai National PE Teacher: Phuket International School has an opening for a position of PE teacher. Requirements: Thai National, good English, education in the related field. Email phuketinternational@asia.com.

Elec t r ic an plus: Swimming pool company requires an electrican with an electronics and motor repair background. English skills an advant a g e . C a l l 076 6 2 019 3

Website Programmer required: Cyber-

Please email full resume in English indicating expected salary with recent photo to

adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or call 076 612 550-2 for more info. thephuketnews.com

nok are looking for good HTML, CSS and PHP programmers (preferably with Joomla! experience) with good English skills. Please e-mail your CV with recent picture and expected salary. info@cybernok.com.

THE PHUKET NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 37

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php 10-metre-wide double shop premises plus 10 newly-fullyfurbished rental rooms above for sale in Phuket Country Club area. Chanote title. B22 million or nearest offer. Call 081 606 5772.

BOATS & YACHTS

Dive Speedboat for Sale: Custom build Dive Speedboat. perfect for Dive business. seats for 24 Divers.47 feet, 3 times 225hp Honda Engines only 400 working hours. Fiberglass Boat. Reduced Price. Call 084 188 4544.

& installation. Professional service and support. Premium service: home cinema, home automation, marine AV and IT, lighting control and multiroom audio-video. Call: 084 443 9863.

Motor Yacht Freezer for sale: Custom made H60 x D50 x L200cm, was made for a Hatters Motor Yacht 60 Ft in 1998 and still runs very well. Paid U$5K. Make me an offer. Contact 085 064 4806 or alonglee52@gmail.com.

CHILDCARE CARS FOR RENT Suzuki/Carry Pick-Up 1.6M/T: 2011 Suzuki/Carry

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

business disciplines and wants to exit the charter fishing business. For sale ‘02 Bertram 510 Flybridge and ‘91 Tairia sport fishing yacht. Plus website and all past customers. www.phuketfishboat.com, email mar tin@ phuketfishboat.com.

Tairia sport fishing yacht USD275,000. Email martin@phuketfishboat.com.

Pick-Up 1.6M/T for rent. White, with 1.5 Metre High Cover, Roof Rack and Comprehensive Insurance. B15,000 per month. Long Term Rental. Call 081 080 3773, 081 978 2725.

Boutique Hotel For Sale: - 4 floors - 6 r o o m s (t e l e v i s i o n , refrigerator, air-conditioning, safety box and furniture included)

- Reception area (Currently used as coffee shop)

Speedboat Dive/Snorkelling: Customised speed-

- WiFi - CCTV

Food Truck for sale: Phuket’s 1st Food Truck. Perfect for a chef, family, or entrepreneur that loves good food and freedom. DFM Mini Manual 5-Speed, 5,200 Km. L 4.2m, W 1.8m call for more info. Thanks! 081 956 8635.

- Key card and key tag system

glass Boat, 24 Diver Seat, one year old, 3 Honda engines 675hp, survey for international Insurance,all safety equipment, VHF radio,side entry and exit doors, 35 places plus 5 staff. Please contact 084 188 4544.

Patong Pool Club & Sports Bar: Big pool club on NaiNai Road in Patong. 9 Brunswick tournament pool tables, air conditioned carpeted pool hall. 20 tvs, 2, 2.5 meter projectors. Call 088 444 7912 (selling because of private health problems). h t t p s : // w w w. f a c e b o o k . com/pages/Patong-PoolClub/322189594471781.

Guesthouse and Shop For Sale: Three -storey

A1 Car Rentals: Fullyinsured. Starts at B12,000 to B18,000 per month. Please call 089 831 4703. Email for more info: a1carrent@gmail. com.

CARS FOR SALE

- Growing area - Good location

Buds Nursery: Phuket’s oldest bilingual international childcare facility. High-quality, time-proven schedule and curriculum. Now in brand new purpose-built school. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/2-8. Mon-Fri 8am.-5pm. Bus service available from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong. Website: www.buds-phuket. com.

CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS Funstart: Family sports and leisure club. Swimming/golf/ playcentre/gaming arcade. Call 076 203 185, 087 882 5544. See funstar tphuket. com.

Club Asia Fitness: Royal Phuket City Hotel. Of fers Zumba /LesMills classes/weight training/sauna/steam/swimming pool, all inclusive. For a free trial workout, come along and join the action. Tel 076 354 027, 087 275 3614. www. clubasiaphuket.com.

Singapore Club Phuket: Calling all Singaporeans in Phuket to join “Singapore Club Phuket”. Contact Robin on 081 803 7189, 076 303 500.

EDUCATION SK A L I nt e r na t i onal Phuket: Skål is a profes-

Want to Practice your Thai? Thai courses and les-

sional organisation of leaders from all branches of the travel and tourism industry. www. skalphuket.org.

sons for daily life (culture and language) with friendly and energised Thai female teacher. Call 080 386 5026.

- Successful business Price B10 million. Call 088 761 2617, 085 261 3405.

guesthouse/hotel in the centre of Bangla Road. Located in a busy soi with many restaurants and small pubs and a big hotel. Big lounge on the bottom floor. Very cheap, selling asap. 087 272 4862.

For Sale 35 Ft Speedboat: With 200 HP x 2

Cu s t o m B u i l d D i ve Speedboat: 49ft Fiber-

good condition, short and long-term rental with firstclass insurance and delivery service. Call 086 690 6007, email: k.niwatt@hotmail.com.

- Good security

Four Level Guesthose Bangla Road: Four level

Yamaha engines. Recently reconditioned, spent B300K to rebuild the engines, paint, etc, needs another B100K to be like new. Offers to James 085 064 4806 alonglee52@ gmail.com.

The car for rent: Car in

- 7 bathroom (1 downstairs bathroom) - Kitchen (cooker, hood cooker)

boat diving, snorkelling, GPS radio, 2x Yamaha engines 200cc. Also available Bauer compressor 40 tanks regs BC DS boat. B900,000. Call Joe 087 891 8912, joe@similandiving-safaris.com.

Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park

Techworx: Custom design

Charter Fishing Business: Owner is changing

Fi shin g Yac ht fo r S a l e: F o r s a l e 19 9 1

our shop at the Billion Plaza, opposite Tesco Lotus. Contact: 076 612 733, 076 248 900. www.phuketfood.com.

on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@tile-asia.com.

L u x u r y Ya c h t f o r Sale: For sale 2002 Bertram 510 Flybridge luxury yacht. USD825,000. Email mar tin@phuket fishboat. com.

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET

Old Classic 1960 Benz for Sale: Old classic 1960 Benz. Spent B250,000 to recondition. Offers accepted. Call 085 064 4806 for more details or alonglee52@ googlemail.com.

BUSINESS SERVICES Indo Construction: 40 years’ experience and more than 20 years at your service in Thailand. Main contractor: study project, architecture design and construction and management. Contact: 076 381 895. Farang Food Paradise: Your specialist of imported food and drinks in Phuket. Visit

CRV 2010 for Sale: 2.0L 4WD, excellent condition, low mileage, regular service & rust-proof treatment, accident-free, one lady driver only. B950,000. C all: 0 8 9 5 9 2 4 8 9 4 o r gibbonslim@gmail.com.

thephuketnews.com

38 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET EDUCATION

sian? Sign up to our Russian Language For Kids program. Visit http://PhuketRussian School.com, email us at info@ phuketrussianschool.com or call 082 804 9131.

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php ma, all natural healthy, natural and organic products. Contact 082 276 1675. www.goodkar mathailand.com.

Air Tickets to Samui:

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE

Need to sell air ticket barter quickly. Substantial savings. Please email or call me for details. +66 (0) 81 938 1728. Email : les@capitaltv.co.th.

Palm House International School: Palm

House International School, Rawai. Ages 5 -11years. Qualified and experienced teachers, extensive grounds Extra curricular activities include: Swimming, Basketball, Mandarin, Russian. Please look at our facebook page Palm House School or www.palmhouseprimaryschool.com for further information. Contact details: 076 288630, info@palmhouseprimaryschool.com.

Cooking School: Fire up

your creative flair with Food Services Cooking School. Italian, Western and Thai cuisine. Try our famous pizza school. 082 816 0126, email: info@ foodservicesth.com.

Russian Language for Your Kids: Are your children starting to forget Rus-

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE

PERSONAL SERVICES

Repossessed Motorbikes: -2011 Finos from 26,000B. -2011 Scoopys from 29,000B. -2011 Clicks from 29,000B. Safeway Asia main Highway Thalang (next to Shell Gas Station). Contact 076 313 235, 081 125 1873.

Are You Looking for Cat or Dog: All these

animals are homeless and looking for a loving place to call home, fully vaccinated, Neutered and healthy. If interested to meet one of these animals, please call 084 877 3566.

MOVING & STORAGE 1982 Lafitte Rothschild: 1982 Lafitte Rothschild Red Wine for sale, best offer. I bought it for my collection before. Please call me, James on 085 064 4806.

5 Star River Cruise:

A fabulous 4 day/3 night riverboat cruise up the River Kwai. B55,000. Price includes 2 persons in one luxury cabin, daily excursions, transfers from Bangkok, meals. www. destinationthailand.tv. +66 (0) 81 938 1728, email: les@capi taltv.co.th.

Health Food : Online health

food in Thailand. Good Kar-

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Safeway Storage Reduced Sofa for Sale: One year old three seater sofa for sale. Backrests recline for comfort. Can be folded down to make a comfortable bed. Large matching ottoman. May be able to deliver if nearby. B20,000 new, B9,000 ono. Call 085 572 6870.

-Self storage from B800/M. -Container rental B3,000/M - S a l e s / S i te of f i c e A /C B6,000/M -Mobile toilets B2,800/M Chalong - opposite Wat Chalong. Thalang -main Highway. Contact 076 313 235, 081 125 1873.

Buon A p p et i to: D e li

market and bistro. Number one supplier of Italian Deli in Phuket. Call 076 384 273, info@buonappetitogroup.com, www.buonappetitogroup.com.

Haris & Hawryluck - Attorneys at Law: Unit 6D

PET HOSPITAL Chaofah Pet Hospital:

8/28â&#x20AC;&#x201C;29 Moo 9, Chaofah East Road. Contact 076 283 365.

PET BOARDING

CCM Complex, call 076 510 111, email info@hhlegaladvi sors.com, www.hhlegaladvi sors.com.

Complete Bedroom Index: Complete bedroom with big wardrobe, make up table and tv stand, plus matress, 2 bedside tables. INDEX brand. Contact 084 441 3871.

Bon CafĂŠ Phuket: A

We Sell Boxes & Moving Supplies: At

MY STORAGE Self Storage you can buy quality moving and packing supplies like individual boxes, bubble wrap, packing tapes & knives plus secure padlocks. We also help you to move and store. Call 076 292 909.

producer of premium coffee blends and powdered mixes as well as selling, maintaining, servicing and repairing all major brands. 076 355 600-1.

PET ADOPTION Why buy a pet?: Soi Dog

Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption. Fully vaccinated and sterilised. Contact 085 574 4258. Email: cindy@soidog.org.

Home Stay & Day Care For Dogs: Opening Soon in August 2012! Dog-A-holics Thailand is ideal for small to medium size dogs. Owner Rose Nattanicha who is a dog lover. For more information: doga holicsthailand@gmail.com.

POOL TABLES Phuket Pool Tables:

www.phuketpooltables.com. Your number one billiard and snooker supplier in Phuket. Sales, rent and profit-sharing. All accessories and services. Call 081 823 4627.

PROPERTY CONCIERGE

Selling or Renting Your Property?: We

have buyers for foreign freehold, sea view properties and land. Call 080 143 2929 or visit realestate.phuket. net.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 39

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php PROPERTY FOR RENT Fully Furnished Homes for Rent: New homes by C. Panwa:1, 2, or 3 bedrms, air, free wifi and cableTV, 1km to beach, 3km to city,gardens, 12,000 m. Web: panwagreen. weebly.com, call 081 892 4311.

full western kitchen. Gated entry in quiet development across from Boat Lagoon, near BIS. ADSL, Satellite, Only B30k per

5 minutes to Chalong centre, fully furnished. Contact 089 472 9870,

month. Martin 087 850 4684.

Space for Rent in Patong: Office, Business space for rent on fifth floor of Patong Tower. Call 076 341 370.

Luxury Condo Kata Beach: Stunning seaview

Loft Style Flat: Secure,

quiet, spacious, new decoration. Great location for exercise. Long-term rental. 086 664 5575.

5 star, 1 bed room lounge kitchen, micro wave, satellite TV, DVD WiFi. Weekly/ Monthly rates. Call James 090 864 4519.

HOMES IN PHUKET

Home /Self- Con tained O f f ice:

Fully-established estate between Patong and Kamala. Ground floor: selfcontained office with own entrance (approx. 70sq metre) Fir st f loor : en trance, kitchen, dining, living plus games room. Second floor: Two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Master with separate liv ing r o o m / t hir d b e d room. Price: B5,500,000. Sold with 20-year lease (B23,000 per month equivalent). Contact Paul +66 89 586 2959.

Mission Heights Residence

THE SUNRISE OCEAN VILLAS

Discount Rentals Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Lease LUXURY VILLAS NEAR LAGUNA

65% Off in Low Season!: This Peninsula Villa

House Villa for rent: Villa for rent in Rawai Beach, 3 Bed 4 Bath Jacuzzi Bath, Private pool, The striking two-storey homes feature a grand living room and dining area, kitchen. TV, DVD/CD Player, Internet Wifi. 089 727 7477, www.baanmari mar.com.

4 Bed/5 Bath HomeB30k month: Immaculate 4 bed/5 bath custom home with

Phuket is located in Cape Panwa. Phuket. This villa has swimming pool, aircon. and WiFi . Below rates are daily. Weekly and monthly rates available upon on request.

• Standard room, share toilet and shower B1,000 • Deluxe room B1,500 • Superior room B2,500 • Penthouse B10,000. Please call James 085 0 64 4806 or email to alonglee52@gmail. com.

Info: 089 594 4067 Cozy House and Garden for Rent: Fully fur-

nished 2 Bedrooms, 1 office, 2 bedrooms, living, dining and European kitchen with nice garden and private parking with remote gate inside Baan Permsap Villa. 5 aircon. 24h security. 081 823 4627.

Pool House Near Laguna Beach: Comes fully Private Pool Villa: Private pool villa for rent, Rawai area,

Furnished 3bed 2bath + Office Near Central for Rent: Furnished house for rent opposite HeadStart International School by Central and Makro. 2 air-con. ADSL, washer, 2 hideaway sofa, 2 TVs, 3 desks, office with view over shared swimming pool. B17,000. Contact May 089 973 3276.

equiped with 3 bedrooms 2 bathooms tropical garden with nice pool. 084 850 1340.

WRITE YOUR CLASSIFIED FREE ONLINE: 189 CHARACTERS + 1 PICTURE Headline: ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Home and Work Chaofa: 800sq.metre 7

years renewable contract, B40,000 a month, building with three rooms, bathroom, living area, office, I live all you see, second building up to three offices, two bathrooms, showroom,bike in the price. Contact 084 552 9792.

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PROPERTY FOR SALE

Designed specially for families, the Mission Heights Residence offer very spacious 540 Sqm houses, all with 12 meter long swimming pool, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, guest bungalow, maid quarter and a nice garden in a very secure, children friendly environment only couple of minutes from Phuket International Academy.

Located only 10 minutes from Airport, Grand Ao Por Marina, new Tesco Shopping center, 2 golf courses, Naiyang beach, Thanyapura sport / leisure center and international school, the Mission Heights Residence is a perfect place to live for families without traffic in a very peaceful, secure and natural surrounding.

189 CHARACTERS

...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

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DEADLINE: MONDAY 11.59PM (MIDNIGHT) FOR THAT FRIDAY’S ISSUE Hand this in at agent shops, our office or fax: 076 612 553

Beach Front Plots: Lo-

cated opposite of Yacht Haven Marina in a very peaceful, natural envirointment. Ready to build, electricity and water on site, road and boat access. 2 Rai plots each with 60 metre of ocean frontage, perfect for living as well as investment. For sale direct from owner, price only B12 million. Call 081 343 0777.

The Villas currently under construction being built to highest western standard and are launched at only 13.9 million Baht for the first 3 houses. For appointment or more details contact project director, Khun Montha at 088 751 1750 or email mission_heights@yahoo. com.

After a great success of the first phase, the Sunrise Ocean Villas is now starting to build the 8 other villas of "Phase2". The price of 17.9 million baht makes the project one of the most compettitive on the island for being only 60m from the beach. Each villa has a living area of over 300 sqm, has 3 spacious bedrooms, all sea views, 5 bathrooms, a 10x4m infinity pool, maid's quar ter and a covered 2-car parking. The houses are specially designed to guarantee complete privacy, with an open panoramic view of the sea.

Come visit the villas and you will be wonder fully surprised by the quality of the project as well as the quality of life you can find here. For appointment or more details, contact the project director Khun Montha at 081 343 0777 (Thai, English & German) Email: thesunri sevillas@yahoo. com.

www.thesunrisevillas.com

1.5 Rai (2 X 0.75 Rai) Chanote at Cape Yamu: 1.5 rai flat land at

Cape Yamu. 2 x 0.75 rai adjoining plots OrBorTor road access to super end of soi private location. Private sale direct from the owner. Only 3.5 million baht per rai. Contact 081 087 9237, www.phuketlandforsale.net.

thephuketnews.com

40 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

HOMES IN PHUKET

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php select location, chanote, water, electricity. Price B1.6m. Six rai hilltop, sea/mountain views, chanote, water, electricity and office. B4.2m per rai. Call 087 978 5804.

Land for Sale: 11 rai,

Golf Villa for sale/ lease: The Lake View

Exclusive Pool Villa with Class & Style Land 700 sq metre. Big pool with sala, 400 sq metre living area, 4 bedrooms, dining, guesthouse, garage, 6 bathroom. Full basement. Private street. Bargain price B16 million. www. phuketlivingart.com, residler@gmail.com. Call Rene: 080 890 5137 Yupin: 081 817 4805.

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

081 496 9070 (Eng/Swedish) or 081 719 1175 (Thai).

Renovated Condo for New Apartment for Sale Sale: Patong near Simon Patong: Condo: swimming Cabaret, 50sq metre huge pool and garden area. Everything new fully furnished plus kitchen, free hold. Sale B3 million, no stupid offers. Thai 087 621 3405/ English. Contact 085 471 9246.

Kamala Two Brand New Villas: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, Western kitchen, 130 sq metre. Nice garden with large pool in quiet area. Price: B5.5 million or minimum three- month rental. Call

pool, security 24/7. Furnished, 46sqm, freehold: B2.9 million. 089 728 4005, thamad17@ yahoo.com.

Golf Villa is only three years old located at Loch Palm Golf Club Phuket. Bought for B32.5 million plus landscape and renovation B6.3 million. Four bedroom plus extra room and pool. Any offers welcome. alonglee52@ gmail.com.

Thai Style House for Sale: Teak wood f loors, stairs, walls, 2 bedrooms. Land 330 sq metre, peaceful location, five minutes to Patong, Chanote title. B5.5 million. 086 268 8701, email: f430spiderf1@hotmail.com.

Jindarin Beach Club & Resor t: B1.5 million Nice One Rai in Chalong: Reduced, just B6 million now. 200m off main road near Chalong temple. Full chanote title. Call 087 053 6181/089 651 3479. Email philcroker69@ hotmail.com.

one kilometre from Naiyang beach. B6.5 millions per rai. Please call : Siriporn +66 (0) 896 499 939.

Villa for sale or lease:

Pent hou se Cond o with Sea Views: Genu-

This Peninsula Villa Phuket was valued by Night & Frank realty recently at B123 million. It has 12 rooms, common swimming pool and gym facility. Give us an offer. Contact alonglee52@gmail. com.

ine opportunity to buy 150sq metre (+100sq metre terrace) two double bed, B2.5m condo. Bang Tao Beach. Superb facilities include pool and gym. Company or standalone. B6,990,000. Call Paul 082 6 05 0138.

Condo in Phuket Town for Sale/Rent: New condo,

Phuket- Surin Beach Area for Sale: Land for

1 bed, fully-furnished, WiFi, maid service, sea view. Call 081 893 5188.

sale, chanote title at Maniktownship. 20x25 metres in natural surrounding, 2.4 million baht. Phone 087 275 9621, email nuttapol_trateng@ya hoo.com.

SEAVIEW LAND FOR SALE: Near Chalong pier,

Nice Villa for sale:

for one plot, B3.2 million for cottage + plot. Call 080 467 7770 (Thai), 083 520 0020 (English). www.jindarin.com, Email: eam1008@me.com.

3 and 4 bed villas 1 km to Nai Harn Beach. High rental guaranteed investment. Prices from B12.9m (incl. full furniture pkg). Enquiries sakt27@gmail.com +66 878 974 42.

Land for Sale: Land Mission Hills half rai plot, quiet

150 metres from the sea. Three rai and one ngan plot. Chanote title. Price: B25 million per rai. No agent. Call 087 278 7206

Perfect Land for Villa: Approx three rai, with chanote title, 2 km south of Thai Muang town centre. Just 24 km north of Sarasin Bridge. Good road access and electricity. Very quiet, green area. Urgent sale for just B5 million total, nonnegotiable. 089 652 1951 or email phuket.pn@gmail.com.

Three bedroom villa with separate bedroom/office, opposite pool. Khoa Khad Road, two minutes walk to river, four km to Ao Makham beach. Secure parking for two cars, government water, six ring oven, fridge, washing machine, satellite T V, cable T V, Wi- Fi, nature gardens, plot size 104 sq metres. Asking price B7 million. Call owner 084 304 6723 Thai/English.

Land for Sale Mission Hills: 800 sq metre 1300 sq metre 1600 sq metre.

Modern Pool Villa: Stunning three-bedroom pool villa, five minutes from Laguna 600 sq metre plot in peaceful location. Finished to a very high specification. MUST SEE. Selling price B12.9 million. Please contact 084 994 9303 or email phuketpoolvilla.info@ gmail.com.

thephuketnews.com

Luxury Private Pool Villas: Brand new Bali style

Very quiet and private locations, very close to airport, Tesco, Golf courses and Phuket International Academy. All Chanote title from B1.7 million. Contact 087 276 0529.

Rawai Pool Villa: Unique three bedroom pool villa “off the plan”. Three easy payments over seven months. Situated in a well established housing complex in Rawai over looking a peaceful, fish filled lake. Email for plans. Call 081 270 4291.

Bargain Land Rawai: Quiet location for sale: 1 plot 724 sq metre, perfectly developed behind excl project, Bali wall, 16m well, electric, freehold, Building permit for pool villa, private street. Price B4.5m. www.phuketlivingart. com, residler@gmail.com. Eng.German 080 890 5187/ Thai 081 817 4805.

House with Pool: Three Bed, two bath, lounge and dining kitchen. Western kitchen and fully furnished throughout. Patio and private pool. House 165sq metre, easily maintained grounds 290sq metre. Double car port. Call 081 273 7326.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

MY STORAGE– The H o m e E x t e n s i o n: Store your belongings at MY STOR AGE Storage solutions to home space problems arising from situations such as: moving, renovating, relocation, travel or simply lack storage space at home. Call 076 292 909.

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TRADES 41

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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thephuketnews.com

42 PHUKET SPORT

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Strong winds decide winners on final day at Samui Regatta SAILING

articipants in the 2012 Samui Regatta headed out for the last day of racing last Saturday (June 2) with plenty to play for in some of the classes. While the Multihull and IRC Zero titles were sewn up the day before, steady breezes at the start line belied what was to come. A storm rolled off the northern tip of Samui and out to the race area delivering 30 knots and gusts, leaving a trail of tied sailors, breakages, shredded sails and one ‘man overboard’. IRC Zero were first off. A single Windward/Leeward today to finish their 10-race series. Despite already winning the class the day before, Marcus Blackmore and crew on Hooligan were on the start line, their competitive nature undiminished. However, a blown spinnaker and woman overboard put paid to their race, adding a DNF to their six firsts. The battle was now on for second and third places

Overall Series Results: IRC Zero 1st Hooligan, Marcus Blackmore (13) 2nd HiFi, Neil Pryde (19) 3rd Freefire, Sam Chan (20) IRC One 1st EFG Mandrake, Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth (19) 2nd Foxy Lady 6, Bill Bremner (21) 3rd Walawala 2, Steve Manning (23) IRC Premier 1st El Coyote, Gary Baguley (9) 2nd Moonblue 2, Peter Churchouse (9) 3rd Dynamite, Brad Kirk (16) IRC Two/ Bareboat 1st Reef Knot, Stuart Collins (9) 2nd Amanda, Lennart Fahlgren (10) 3rd Abraxas, Greg Coops (15) Multihull 1st Fantasia, Andrew Stransky (9) 2nd Crazy Horse, Kunta (17) 3rd Sweet Chariot, Henry Kaye (23) For more information,

visit samuiregatta.com

between HiFi (Neil Pryde) and Freefire (Sam Chan) who came into the final day on equal points, and after some close racing and screaming runs HiFi came out on top winning the last race on corrected time. Freefire was second ahead of Mui Mui (Frank Pong) in third. While Hooligan took their inaugural Samui Regatta title, the 90-foot Maxi Genuine Risk (Geoff Hill) was a sight to behold throughout the week.

Andrew Stransky’s Fantasia took out the Multihull category. Despite being unable to compete with the 52-footers on handicap, the 24-man crew had a great time and secured 10 Line Honours from 10 races. A new Regatta record. Two races were scheduled for IRC One and with only one point separating the top two, and the race-track looking tricky, no-one was celebrating just yet. Foxy Lady 6 (Bill Bremner) needed to keep ahead of EFG Bank Mandrake

(Nick Burns/ Fred Kinmonth) on the scoresheet to score the series win. In Race One, things didn’t go to plan. The building winds played into EFG Bank Mandrake’s hands who sailed a flawless race to finish third onthe-water behind KukuKERchu (David Ross) and Walawala 2 (Steve Manning), and take the win on corrected time ahead of Walawala 2 took second and KukuKERchu took third.

Photo: SamuiPics.com Foxy Lady 6 finished fifth in the first race putting a serious dent in their chances of the class title. Pressure was building on Foxy Lady 6 who needed to finish four points (or more) ahead of EFG Bank Mandrake in the last race of the Series. The race was on! KukuKERchu continued their improving form and finished the Regatta impressively with Line Honours and handicap win in the

last race of the Series, with Walawala 2 in second and Foxy Lady 6 improved to finish third. However, for Foxy Lady 6 it was not enough. EFG Bank Mandrake’s fourth place in the final race was enough to earn them the Series title, two points clear of Foxy Lady 6 who had started the day one point ahead. After retiring from yesterday’s race in IRC Premier, Dynamite (Brad Kirk) was back on the race course today. El Coyote (Gary Baguley) revelled in the winds and enjoyed victory on corrected time in Race One ahead of Moonblue 2 (Peter Churchouse) in second and Dynamite third. In the Race Two, the tables were turned with Moonblue 2 taking the win ahead of El Coyote in second, while Dynamite posted a DNC. At the end of the Series Moonblue 2 and El Coyote finished tied on nine points, with an equal number of firsts and seconds. Having placed first in the final race, Moonblue 2 took the Series win.

Ironman legend to lead Bangkok - Phuket ride I RO N M A N L E G E N D , Jurgen Zack, will be leading a SpiceRoads road bike tour from Bangkok to Phuket from September 8-15 this year. This special road bike tour is designed for cyclists that want to push themselves hard each day and at the same time have an opportunity to ride with a professional triathlete. Spending eight days with Zack, participants will be able to get training tips and to hear some of Zack’s tales of racing against other triathlete legends such as Mark Allen, Dave Scott and Greg Welch. Hailing from Germany, Zack holds eight worldwide Ironman titles, with 8 top 10 finishes at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. He won the European Championship five times be-

Patong Darts League Team Hilltop Ryans Presley Ting Tong Players Beach House Mickeys Mangmoom

thephuketnews.com

Pts 19 18 12 11 11 10 10 5

Jurgen Zack. Photo: Facebook tween 1989 and 1999. In 1999 he set the Ironman bike course record of 4:14:16 in Roth, Germany. Zack currently heads the Triathlon Academy at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club. On the Bangkok to Phuket tour cyclists will ride 700 km in six cycling days. The

RESULTS

Hash House Harriers

May 25 Beach House Ting Tong Mickeys Mangmoom

3-5 2-6 7-1 1-7

Presley Ryans Players Hilltop

June 1 Hilltop Players Ryans Presley

group, which will be limited to 20 participants who have road riding experience, will ride along both the east and the west coast of Thailand and spend nights at resorts along the way, with afternoons free to enjoy the beach or the pool. The tour ends at Nai Yang beach. The tour cost is US$1,950 (B61,500) and will be fully supported by air conditioned vehicles, with water, sports drinks and snacks provided during the ride. Each participant will receive three Thai massages, a SpiceRoads bike jersey and cap. Riders can use their own bikes, or rent a Trek 2.1C from SpiceRoads for US$200 (B6,300). For more information see spiceroads.com

6-2 Beach House 7-1 Mangmoom 7-1 Mickeys 4-4 Ting Tong

Run 1370: Saturday, June 9 at 4pm Directions: From Chalong circle go south toward Rawai. After 700 meters turn right opposite the Tesco-Lotus (HHH sign), and follow the HHH signs in to the laager at Big-A Resort.

THE PHUKET NEWS

PHUKET SPORT 43

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

Phuket finish seventh Medal Count (Top 15)

PHUKET GAMES Sukunya Phoonpong editor2@thephuketnews.com

Team 1 2

fter a slow start to the competition, Phuket has bounced back to finish a respectable seventh out of 77 teams at the 28th National Youth Games. The two-week long competition was held at various venues around Phuket from May 24 - June 5. The Phuket Youth team claimed 60 medals in all, including 18 gold, 16 silver and 26 bronze. They were still a long way behind overall winners Bangkok though, with the team from the nation’s capital claiming a whopping 247 medals, including 102 gold. For the home competitors though, there were several impressive performances worthy of mention. Phuket’s first gold came from the girls’ soft tennis team, who beat their Nakhon Ratchasima opponents in the final round of their competition on May 29. Later that afternoon, Krit Jamkajornkiet and Panot Kingkaew beat Maha Sarakam in the competition’s Go event (a Chinese board game similar

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

to chess) to claim Phuket’s second gold medal. From then on, the golds continued to roll in as Phuket bowler Somkiet Kraisombat picked up a gold in the boys’ 10-pin bowling competition, scoring an impressive 1,217 points, and Anas Seeseng won gold in the boys’ Pencak

Silat (Indonesian martial arts) competition. On May 31 the medals kept on coming when the Phuket Boy’s Golf team won gold with a combined (four players) top score of 865. Phuket also proved to be more than proficient in Karate, with the local team bagging

Bangkok Chiang Mai Chonburi Nakhon Sri Thammarat Suphanburi Nonthaburi Phuket Samutprakarn Nakhon Ratchasima Khonkaen Ubon Ratchatani Sisaket Surat Thani Chantaburi Lampang

five gold medals; three from the boys’ 9-14 age group, and one each from the girls’ 9-14 and 15-18 age groups. June 4 saw Phuket pick up three more gold medals in the Pencak Silat competition, and in the girls’ 15-18 year-old tennis finals, Phuket’s Butsarin Raktaengam repeated her victory in the Uttraradit Games four years ago by overpowering Rongroong Leenabanjong from Bangkok in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. But despite the overall success for the home province, the Phuket Youth Games were not

Gold 102 29 28 28 26 22 18 17 17 17 17 17 16 12 8

Silver Bronze 72 38 30 25 33 18 16 21 20 20 16 11 12 9 9

73 43 37 20 39 28 26 31 26 24 29 19 17 17 11

Total 247 110 95 73 98 68 60 69 63 61 62 47 45 38 28

without tragedy; on May 31, 18-year-old Bangkok canoeist, Sutthipong Laphutama, was killed when a rented moVtorcycle he was riding with 13-year-old Auttapong Noikamsin crashed in Rawai. The event was also marred by horrendous weather conditions for the majority of the tournament, which wreaked havoc with many outdoor events, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. The next National Youth Games will take place in Mahasarakham, near Khon Kaen, next year.

Thailand in the dark over Euro coverage THE UEFA EURO 2012 football tournament may kick off today (June 8) in Poland, but many viewers here in Thailand will experience nothing but a black screen. Accord i ng to T he Bangkok Post, viewers wishing to get the signal from broadcast rights holder, GMM Grammy Plc, must first purchase the company’s GMM Z set-top box and connect it to their satellite dishes. Households which belong to TrueVisions’ network will not be allowed to watch Euro matches. TV screens under the TrueVisions’ system will go black during Euro matches because Grammy and TrueVisions haven’t been able to reach an agreement. Grammy is, however, letting households with a conventional antenna watch all the Euro football games. Its media partners are freeto-air Channels 3, 5 and 9. Old-fashioned antennas can be picked up from most markets for around B300.

thephuketnews.com

44 WORLD SPORT

IN BRIEF Phelps wins in final swim trials tuneup

Michael Phelps won his final race before the US Olympic trials later this month, capturing the 200-metre butterfly on Sunday for his third victory of the weekend at the Longhorn Elite Invitational. Phelps, a 14-time Olympic champion who took a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, led from start to finish to win in 1min, 54.79secs with China’s Wu Peng second in 1:56.71 and American Neil Caskey third in 1:59.82.

Bouscatel slams 2015 rugby World Cup calendar as ‘declaration of war’ Toulouse president JeanRene Bouscatel on Tuesday branded the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) decision to start the 2015 World Cup on September 18 as “a declaration of war against (European) clubs”. French and English clubs had wanted a September 4 start to the sport’s showcase event, but the southern hemisphere unions preferred a September 25 kick-off to minimise disruption to the Rugby Championship, the tournament that is replacing the Tri-Nations after the inclusion of Argentina.

Japan sprinter strips off to raise Paralympics cash A 27-year-old sprinter who wants to represent Japan at the London Paralympic Games has stripped off for a calendar showcasing her finely-toned body – complete with prosthetic leg. Maya Nakanishi is hoping to raise money to fund her trip to London and to buy new a artificial limb. The calendar, shows an unclothed Nakanishi striking tasteful poses that ensure just enough of her body is covered.

THE PHUKET NEWS

Webber tipped for Ferrari FORMULA 1 Agence France-Presse

ark Webber did his CV and his future employment prospects a power of good last Sunday when he claimed his second masterful Monaco victory in three years. The 35-year-old Australian, emerging from the long shadow cast by his Red Bull team-mate and defending double world champion Sebastian Vettel, swiftly became one of the names tipped for a switch to Ferrari for 2013. Webber did not deny he would be interested in joining his friend Fernando Alonso at the Italian team, but he also did little to indicate he was doing anything other than listening to the rumours with a smile on his face. “This always happens around this time of year,”

Webber’s Red Bull contract is up at the end of the season. Photo: Ryan Bayona said Webber. “Drivers are linked with moves for the following year, but only rarely does anyone do anything now, or make any major decisions. I am just racing to win the title for now.” The idea of Webber enjoying a glamorous and wellpaid Indian summer to his career in F1 was given solid support, however, from one of Australian motor racing’s

Mongolian becomes oldest to win first title SUMO Agence France-Presse

MONGOLIAN-BOR N Kyokutenho on Sunday became the oldest wrestler in modern times to win his first career sumo title, beating the previous record set in 1929. The 37-year-old slapped down Tochiozan, 12 years his junior, in the play-off for the Emperor’s Cup after they stood level with 12 wins and three losses at the end of the regular 15-day tournament. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Kyokutenho, real name Nyamjavyn Tsevegnyam, told a cheering crowd at Tokyo’s Kokugikan Hall after lifting the cup in an award ceremony. “It was really heavy.”

“I think it was tears of joy,” said the behemoth, who stands 191cm (6ft 3in) tall and weighs 158kg, when asked why he left the ring in tears. Before him, Toyokuni was the oldest wrestler to win his first career title since sumo was first organised by a national association in the mid1920s. Toyokuni achieved the feat at the age of 35 in 1929. Kyokutenho arrived in Japan in 1992 with the first group of Mongolians to join Japan’s traditional sport. He obtained Japanese nationality in 2005. Sumo has become increasingly dominated by non-Japanese with Kyokutenho the 10th foreign-born wrestler and the fourth Mongolian to win a tournament.

Over 90 Cities, One Perfect Gateway. SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Connecting you to Places.

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

biggest names, when former world champion Alan Jones urged him to take the chance – if he receives an offer. Jones, the last Australian to win the drivers’ title, said that Webber had already achieved one of the two great ambitions of any F1 driver by winning Monaco and should now consider adding Ferrari’s name to his list of teams. Jones said: “Mark has already done one of the two

things that most Formula 1 drivers would like to do, and that’s win Monaco. The other one is to drive for Ferrari. “I’m sure he’d have a look at it. If he goes to Ferrari, it could be a breath of fresh air – it’s very prestigious and something really good to have on your CV. “He gets on extremely well with Alonso, so maybe that could be a good way for him to go.” Webber’s contract with Red Bull runs out at the end of this season, and his strong form in the opening part of this campaign has ignited speculation that he is on Ferrari’s radar as a potential replacement for struggling Brazilian Felipe Massa. Jones added that he believed Webber would cope well with a direct scrap against Alonso because he has endured similar experience with Vettel at Red Bull. He said: “Personally, I

think that Mark is with a good team (but) having said that, if he signed on with Red Bull next year, he’s still going to have Vettel as his teammate, which is a pretty hard task.” Webber revelled in his Monaco win – celebrating with a backwards dive into the Red Bull swimming pool in the harbour in his full racing suit – but said claims that he had deliberately tried to help Vettel in the race were wide of the mark. While Webber started on pole, Vettel started from 10th with a very different strategy in order to gain places, but Webber insisted he had done nothing to aid his team-mate. Webber had nothing to say in his blog about Ferrari, whose list of fancied drivers is now reported to include both of the Red Bull men, Briton Lewis Hamilton, his compatriot Paul Di Resta of Force India, and Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber.

China’s Li Na ponders future after French loss TENNIS Agence France-Presse

C H I N A’ S S P O R T I N G superstar Li Na wants to “totally forget tennis” for a while after her humiliating collapse at the French Open deprived Asia of its only Grand Slam title and caused a wave of angst in her homeland. The 30-year-old, who inspired many Chinese girls to take up tennis after her sensational run to the Roland Garros championship last year, is not even sure if she wants to return to China or stay in Europe to prepare for the next major, Wimbledon. “I will take some days

Photo: Création CARAVEO off to totally forget tennis, then try to come back next week,” she said after the match, snapping at journalists who asked for an explanation of her second-set meltdown against little-known Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova on Monday.

Li said she may ask for a wildcard to the pre-Wimbledon warmup tournament in Birmingham. “Right now I have not decided if I am staying here to play Birmingham or go back to China to recover,” Li said. Disappointed Chinese tennis fans flooded Sina Weibo, the country’s top Twitter-style microblog site, with 11 million messages Tuesday as they grappled with seventh-seed Li’s shock 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 defeat to Shvedova, ranked 142, in the fourth round. Asian newspapers and websites on Tuesday also played up the defeat, which took place as much of the region was asleep.

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Hart hoping to extend unbeaten England run FOOTBALL Agence France-Presse

ngland manager Roy Hodgson believes Joe Hart could hold the key to his team’s Euro 2012 chances as the Manchester City goalkeeper looks to extend his proud unbeaten international record. Hart has never been on the losing side for England in a competitive game, an eightmatch run that began after he emerged as the Three Lions’ No.1 goalkeeper in the aftermath of the 2010 World Cup. Two years ago, Hart was a frustrated tourist in South Africa, failing to earn a minute of game time during England’s ill-fated campaign despite many insiders revealing he had been the form goalkeeper in training. Since then, however, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the best

Joe Hart in action for Man City. goalkeepers in world football, a formidable guardian poised to carry on the traditions of Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton. Hodgson believes Hart’s emergence augurs well for his injury-hit team as they prepare to open their Group D campaign against France in Donetsk on Monday (June 11).

Hooliganism a worry FOOTBALL Agence France-Presse

T H E T H R E AT OF hooliganism remains a key concern ahead of Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, UEFA chief Michel Platini has warned. “I foresee a great Euro. I always see a glass half full, not half empty. I see all the wonderful things linked to football, such as the great atmosphere there’s going to be in Poland and Ukraine,” Platini told reporters in the Polish capital Warsaw. “I hope we won’t need the police,” he said, during a visit to the city’s brand-new National Stadium, where the

European championships kick off today (June 8). “But we all know that the world isn’t as nice as I’d like it to be, so of course we need security, people to protect the stadiums, to look out for the hooligans who’ll come, and that’s why the Polish government has a security system in place,” he added. “If there’s one thing that worries me, it’s security.” Poland’s interior ministry said that over 9,000 officers would be deployed specifically to ensure security. Polish police also plan to work with foreign law enforcement authorities’ liaison officers who know who their own countries’ troublemakers are.

Photo: AFP

“If you look at the top England teams of the past and the teams that have done extremely well in the past, we have often had a goalkeeper that people have suggested is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe or in the case of Gordon Banks, one of the best in the world,” said Hodgson.

A devoted student of the game, Hodgson said he followed the Brian Clough school of thought when it came to assessing goalkeepers. “I agree 100 per cent with Brian Clough’s situation,” Hodgson said, referring to the legendary late Nottingham Forest manager. “He always placed great faith in goalkeepers. He felt that got you a lot of points every year. He produces the save that a normal goalkeeper wouldn’t. “That lifts your team higher up the league. It also gives confidence, which is another factor.” Hodgson believes the success or failure of England’s campaign could hinge on Hart’s performances between the sticks. “I agree he will be vital,” Hodgson said. “His form for Manchester City has been superb. When he has played

for England he has done very well. If we are to do well there is no doubt we will need Joe Hart in top form.” The supremely confident Hart, meanwhile, is thriving on the additional responsibility of being England’s first-choice goalkeeper in contrast to the unused bystander of the 2010 World Cup. “South Africa was amazing. I absolutely loved it. I just wish we had done better as a team. We had a really good squad out there and it was unfortunate we couldn’t do as well as we wanted to,” Hart said. “For me, it’s a totally different mindset this time to two years ago. There’s an awful lot more expected of me this time with playing all the qualifying games and things like that. “But I like that responsibility and hopefully I’ll bring something positive to the team.” Free Euro 2012 wall chart with The Phuket News today.

Swing theory does not hold any water CRICKET

Agence France-Presse

T H E W I D E LY- H E L D belief that moisture in the air during humid conditions helps make a cricket ball swing has been clean bowled in a scientific study. Swing bowling – when a delivery curves sideways in midair – has long been regarded as one of the game’s dark arts, not only deceiving hapless batsmen but also puzzling cricket-loving scientists. Researchers from Britain’s Sheffield Hallam University and

England’s renowned swing bowler James Anderson. the University of Auckland in New Zealand reviewed scientific literature on the subject and conducted their own tests. While altitude and the age of the ball both increased swing,

the scientists did not discover any link between moisture levels in the air and sideways movement of the ball. “This study shows that there is no direct or indirect manner in which humidity can significantly affect the ability of the bowler to make the ball swing,” they concluded in research published in the online journal Procedia Engineering this week. Instead, the researchers put forward their own theory that cloud cover provided the ideal environment for swing bowling because it reduced turbulence in the air caused by heating from sunlight.

IN BRIEF Shane Mosley hangs up gloves ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley announced his retirement on Monday, ending a brilliant 19-year boxing career that earned him five world titles in three weight classes. Mosley’s announcement comes one month after he lost a unanimous decision to junior middleweight champ Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez of Mexico. He now plans to became a trainer to his 21-year-old son.

Bolt promises to ‘wow’ London

Usain Bolt has promised to “wow” the world with his performances at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The Jamaica sprinter is the reigning Olympic 100 metres and 200 metres champion after some dazzling displays in Beijing four years ago, where he also helped the Caribbean island win the 4x100m relay gold medal. World record holder in both individual sprint disciplines, Bolt endured a relatively modest start to the European track season but was back into top form when winning the Rome Diamond League 100m in 9.76 seconds on Thursday.

Bulldogs sign Tony Williams

Test backrower Tony Williams has left Australian National Rugby League (NRL) champions Manly Sea Eagles to sign with the Canterbury Bulldogs for four seasons, the Bulldogs said on Monday. Williams, 23, one of the NRL’s most destructive ball-runners, played four Tests for Australia last year and made his State of Origin debut for New South Wales in the opening game of this year’s series against Queensland in Melbourne.

D/L rival accuses ICC of bias CRICKET Agence France-Presse

AN INDIAN CIVIL ENGIneer has complained about bias within cricket’s governing body after his rival method to the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) system for rain-affected games was rejected. V Jayadevan, who invented the “VJD system” as a different way to calculate revised targets in truncated one-day and Twenty20 games, said the

International Cricket Council (ICC) had failed to give his version a fair hearing. The ICC announced it had considered Jayadevan’s method in detail but unanimously agreed to stick to the Duckworth-Lewis system as it had no obvious flaws and that VJD was not an improvement. “That review was a very shallow and pre-meditated one,” Jayadevan wrote in a protest letter to outgoing ICC president Sharad Pawar. Jayadevan accused an un-

named ICC expert of being biased against his system and he called on Pawar to seek an independent review. “There was virtually no attempt to find out whether there were any shortcomings in the D/L system,” he wrote. “On the other hand, the expert deliberately exaggerated a few small and rectifiable shortcomings in the VJD system. “The said expert’s strong favouritism to the D/L system deprives the ICC from getting the best available method.”

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46 WORLD SPORT

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Top rugby league chief Gallop lets go of reins RUGBY LEAGUE Agence France-Presse

Photo: Sri Lanka Rugby Facebook page

Sri Lankans dare to dream of World Cup RUGBY Agence France-Presse

SRI LANKA HAS launched a major campaign to develop rugby on the island with the president’s eldest son leading efforts to build a team that can qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Last week more than a dozen foreign players participated in a seven-a-side tournament which was seen as a successful attempt to expose domestic players to top-class international-standard rugby. Though Sri Lanka is famous for its cricket team, rugby has been on the island since 1879, during British colonial times, and is still played by nearly 50,000 school boys today at 100 clubs.

“We have given our players an opportunity to play alongside international stars,” Namal Rajapakse, the national team’s hooker and the son of President Mahinda Rajapakse, said during the Carlton Super 7s tournament. Sri Lanka’s full 15-player side, who have never made it to a World Cup, are ranked a lowly 46th in the world and missed out on a spot in the top tier of this year’s Asian Five Nations tournament, won by Japan. The powerful Rajapakse family exert great influence in Sri Lanka, and their backing of the game is likely to be a significant factor for the sport’s future prospects. The president is a keen fan and Namal’s younger brother Yoshitha, 24, is the national skipper.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

ne of Au st r alia n sport’s most prominent administrators, David Gallop, has stepped down as chief executive of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the organisation said on Tuesday. Gallop’s departure after 10 tumultuous years as an influential chief executive of the National Rugby League and the newly formed ARLC was mutually agreed, the board said. Commission chairman John Grant said the board and Gallop had decided that the game needed a different style of leadership. “David understands the need for a fresh approach. Taking this into account and with the interests of the game at heart, the board and David have reached an agreement that the game needs a different style of leadership detached from the past for the next stage of its development,” Grant said in a statement.

Outgoing ARLC chief executive David Gallop. Grant paid tribute to Gallop’s dominant role in navigating rugby league in Australia through a decade of growth and change that culminated in the establishment of the independent commission earlier this year. “This agreement should in no way detract from the job David has done over the last decade,” he said.

“He has proven his skills as an effective administrator despite having one of the toughest jobs in sports management and he can be justifiably proud of his achievements and the legacy he leaves,” Grant said. Gallop said it was best that he left his position immediately. “It’s been a privilege for me to lead the (domestic) game

over the last 10 years and see the game’s resurgence,” he said in a statement. “I love the game and wish it well. Given there’s never a good time to give effect to a decision such as this, the commission and I have both determined it’s best for me to depart immediately.” Gallop, who took over as chief executive of the NRL in 2002 in the aftermath of Ruper t Murdoch’s News Limited’s breakaway Super League competition, had to deal with a series of betting scams, sex, drug and assault cases involving players, and salary cap scandals during his time. Gallop was at the forefront of punishing leading club Melbourne Storm when it was found to have breached the salary cap in 2010, and as a result were stripped of their 2007 and 2009 championship titles and received huge fines. Grant said a search for a new CEO would begin immediately and in the interim NRL general manager of strategy Shane Mattiske would take over the position.

Jean de Villiers to skipper Springboks against England RUGBY Agence France-Presse

SOUTH AFRICA COACH Heyneke Meyer said Monday that centre Jean de Villiers would captain the Springboks in a three-Test series against England during June. The announcement ended months of speculation as to who would succeed retired hooker John Smit, with former lock Victor Matfield and scrum-half Fourie du Preez among those tipped. Media r umours about 35-year-old Matfield eventually fizzled out while Du

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Jean de Villiers. Preez reportedly told Meyer that he did not feel Test-ready having played a season with Japanese champions Suntory Sungoliath. South Africa and England continue a rivalry that began

in 1906 this Saturday at Kings Park here followed by two more Tests on June 16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and on June 23 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. “My heart was in my throat when Heyneke told me about his decision,” said De Villiers. “This is not an honour bestowed upon many people and I really hope that I can do my country proud.” Meyer explai ned h is choice: “Jeans commands respect from everyone in South African rugby and in the short space of time we have worked together, Jean has shown that he understands what we want to achieve on the field.” The coach emphasised the appointment was only for the England series and he would consider a long-term captain later in the year while wary of the dangers such a decision posed. Smit led the Boks for eight seasons and was a controversial first-choice hooker at the last World Cup ahead of Sharks team-mate Bismarck du Plessis with many commentators believing he got the nod only because he was captain.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012

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Spirited Scotland stun Wallabies RUGBY Agence France-Presse

lyhalf Greig Laidlaw kicked a penalty after the full-time siren to give Six Nations wooden spooners Scotland a stunning 9-6 win over Australia at wild and wintry Newcastle on Tuesday. It was Scotland’s first win in Australia for 30 years since their 12-7 victory at Brisbane. The Scots will hold on to the Hopetoun Cup after they humbled the second-ranked Wallabies for the second time in three years with a gutsy defensive display in the second half to pull off a famous win in gale-force conditions. Scotland last rocked the Wallabies 9-8 at Murrayfield in November 2009 to end a 16-game losing run against Australia. Laidlaw kicked the Scots to Tuesday’s victory with three penalty goals from four shots while debutant Wallabies’

centre Mike Harris landed two of his four kicks in the try-less arm wrestle. “I’m really proud for the players because they put a lot of work into that game,” Scotland coach Andy Robinson said. “It was a tough game, tough conditions. I thought they were heroic in the way they defended and they had to work really hard. We dominated the last couple of scrums and that got us the penalty.” It looked as though it would finish in a 6-6 draw until the tenacious Scots earned a scrum penalty in front of Australia’s posts for Laidlaw to slot home to wild rejoicing among the Scottish players. Australia laid siege to the Scottish try-line for most of the second half but the Scots held firm with resolute defence to deny the Wallabies the gamebreaking try. It was another low point for the Wallabies under coach Robbie Deans, who lost to Samoa 32-23 in their corresponding first international last season.

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SPORT

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Friday, June 8 107 107

16:30 20:00

18:45 22:00

Scotland’s John Barclay is tackled by Michael Hooper during Tuesday’s Test. Photo: AFP “We learnt that we were not all on one page, we lacked a bit of clarity around our direction in terms of just banking games like that,” Deans said. “I guess it’s not in our DNA but that’s an art that we’ve got to develop.

“We had enough possession to put the game beyond reach but credit to Scotland, they got one opportunity in the second and they took it.” The miserable conditions levelled the contest for the 12thranked Scots, win-less in this

Super 15 Team

Team

Chiefs

371

281

BP Pts 6

Storm

352

143

Stormers

284

210

Broncos

292

214

Pts

Rugby League

NRL

Storm v. Wests

Brumbies

341

269

Bulldogs

285

193

Rugby Union

Emerging Nations

Romania v. Uruguay

Crusaders

397

275

Tigers

259

223

Bulls

385

293

Sea Eagles

228

211

Hurricanes

438

382

Sharks

220

216

Sharks

370

323

Rabbitohs

268

265

Cowboys

312

250

Warriors

272

288

Titans

197

223

Dragons

190

224

Roosters

194

272

Knights

192

247

Panthers

196

267

Raiders

217

302

Eels

208

344

22:00

00:00

Rugby Union

Emerging Nations

Russia v. Italy A

107

00:00

02:00

Rugby Union

Emerging Nations

Portugal v. Argentina Jaguars

816, 104

18:00

00:30

Tennis

French Open

Roland Garros, Semi Finals

Highlanders

325

339

815, 111

18:30

23:30

Golf

European Tour

Nordea Masters

Reds

276

301

Cheetahs

346

371

Waratahs

315

356

Saturday, June 9 816, 107

14:25

16:30

Rugby Union

Test Match

New Zealand v. Ireland

Rebels

292

425

816, 107

16:55

19:00

Rugby Union

Test Match

Australia v. Wales

Force

256

342

817, 107

21:45

23:55

Rugby Union

Test Match

South Africa v. England

Lions

243

364

811, 107

19:00

20:45

Rugby League

NRL

Knights v. Raiders

Blues

297

405

813, 109

23:50

01:30

Motor Racing

Formula 1

Qualifying, Montreal

814

00:00

02:00

Rugby Union

French 14 Final

Toulouse v. Toulon

109

20:00

21:30

Motor Bikes

SBK Superbikes

Qualifying, San Marino

815, 111

18:30

23:30

Golf

European PGA

Nordea Masters

20:00

year’s Six Nations, and made any form of running rugby impossible. The Wallabies were under early pressure and Scotland dominated possession and territory running with the aid of the stiff wind, with Laidlaw

NRL

107

816, 104

putting them ahead with two penalties inside the opening 28 minutes. But Australia’s forwards began to control the ball late in the half and were rewarded after 12 phases inside Scotland’s quarter to receive a penalty for off-side. Harris, with Berrick Barnes laying flat on the ground and holding the ball in the buffeting wind to prevent it from toppling off the kicking tee, landed the penalty to reduce Scotland’s lead to three points after 33 minutes. The Wallabies, who did well to go in at half-time only down by three after running into the teeth of a gale, levelled the scores three minutes after the interval with Harris’s second penalty. But the decisive moment came when South African referee Jaco Peyper penalised Wallabies’ prop James Slipper for losing the bind in a collapsed scrum and Laidlaw kicked Scotland to a famous victory.

23:00

Tennis

French Open

Roland Garros, Ladies Final

Conference leader RESULTS Blues Waratahs Lions Bulls

34 – 41 12 – 33 38 – 28 14 – 19

Wild card team Chiefs Hurricanes Sharks Stormers

Crusaders

51 – 18

Highlanders

Rebels

19 – 27

Brumbies

Byes: Cheetahs, Force, Reds

Eels Warriors Broncos Raiders

29 – 20 12 – 22 50 – 24 0 – 40

Sharks Storm Knights Tigers

Bulldogs 23 – 18 Rabbitohs Sea Eagles 20 – 8 Dragons Titans 28 – 12 Cowboys Byes - Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters

Sunday, June 10 107

12:00

14:00

Rugby League

NRL

Roosters v. Broncos

811

20:30

22:30

Soccer

Friendly

Brazil v. Argentina

813, 109

16:30

18:00

Motor Bikes

SBK Superbikes

Misano World Circuit

813, 109

20:00

21:30

Motor Bikes

SBK Superbikes

Misano World Circuit Fiji v. Samoa Raceday, Circuit de Gilles-Villeneuve

107

10:05

12:00

Rugby Union

Pacific Nations

813, 109

00:00

00:45

Motor Racing

Formula 1

813, 109

00:45

03:00

Motor Racing

Formula 1

Canadian Grand Prix

French Open

Roland Garros, Mens Final

816, 104

20:00

23:00

Tennis

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