10-03-2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

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NEWS

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BYO umbrellas, sun loungers on the beaches

LIFE

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A journey into hidden Bhutan

MAIN: Piles of garbage dumped on the Patong beach road. INSET: The ‘Patong Report’ app. Photos: Suriya Sinsoke / Patong Municipality

PATONG MAYOR LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO CLEAR PILES OF GARBAGE FROM BEACH TOWN STREETS Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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ired of huge bags of rubbish on the streets of Phuket’s busiest tourist town, Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup is having a smartphone app developed that will allow the public to report with photos and GPS co-ordinates unsightly piles to be collected by a roaming garbage truck dedicated to responding to the complaints.

“There is too much garbage on our streets. Even with our teams out every night collecting rubbish, it’s still there. The garbage situation in Patong is worrying,” Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News this week.

“In some areas, the garbage bins are overflowing and the rubbish spills onto the ground. We try to keep these areas clean, but there is too much rubbish and the problem remains. It does not look good at all.”

A key contributing factor to the

sheer volume of garbage dumped on the streets of Patong are residents and businesses placing their rubbish on the footpaths for collection outside the indicated collection hours, Mayor Chalermluck explained.

“We keep telling people to place their rubbish on the street for collection only between 6pm and 2am, but they keep dumping it beside the road at all hours.

“Regular garbage collection hours do not work when people only do

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

what suits themselves,” she added.

The app, developed under the Smart City policy, will be operational – in English and Thai – by April, Mayor Chalermluck confirmed.

“The app is being developed as a part of creating Patong’s future. The Phuket committee responsible for the Smart City projects gave Patong the chance to benefit from this, so I asked for this application,” she said.

However, Mayor Chalermluck declined to reveal how much is being...

SPORT

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Paddling from Krabi to Phuket for MissionShip

News 2

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FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

How to track down and identify all the legal hotels in Phuket > page 4

The brown solution

Baggage handler steals jewellery Patong to get second wastewater facility from checked bag TH E SA KOO POLICE have confirmed that a baggage handler at AirAsia was arrested last Friday (Mar 3) after he was caught stealing a diamond ring and bracelet at Phuket International Airport.

Maj Chawaphon Santisatsanakul of the Sakoo Police said a report was filed by a woman whose diamond ring and bracelet went missing at Phuket International Airport.

Amiga Maha, the owner of the jewellery told the police that she was flying back to Phuket from Bangkok on AirAsia flight FD3015 on March 2. She had checked her bag in Bangkok, but when she received her bag after the flight, her diamond ring and bracelet were missing, Maj Chawaphon said.

“The Sakoo Police coordinated with Phuket International Airport officials to check CCTV footage,” Maj Chawaphon said.

“We saw a man who is a baggage handler for AirAsia acting suspiciously and after further reviewing the CCTV footage it became clear that he stole the items,” he added.

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

Baggage handler Tadsayu B o o n s o b, 26 . Po li c e questioned him, during which he confessed to taking the jewellery. He then returned it. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police The baggage handler was identified as Tadsayu Boonsob, 26. Police questioned him whereupon he admitted to taking the jewellery and returned it to Ms Amiga, Maj Chawaphon said.

Mr Tadsayu was charged with burglary and theft, Maj Chawaphon added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

new wastewater treatment centre has been approved for Patong that is expected to see 70% of wastewater from within Patong Municipality to be treated before being released into the sea.

However, one issue that still remains unresolved is rental of temple land required for the project, and a budget for the project, which has already been approved, cannot be allocated until resolved.

Department of Local Administration Director-General Jarin Jakkapak confirmed approval of the wasterwater treatment centre at a meeting in Patong last Saturday (Mar 4).

At the meeting were officials from Patong Municipality, Phuket Regional Environment Office 15, Phuket Office of Natural Resources and Environment, Prince of Songkla University, and Phuket Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Centre.

“Over the years the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the island’s wastewater has changed and this is what has caused the change in colour of the water when the wastewater

Wasterwater is treated in separation tanks at the facility at the southern end of Patong, which is currently the only wastewater-treatment plant in the popular beach resort town. Photo: The Phuket News / file is released into the sea,” Mr Jarin said.

“As a short-term fix for the problem, Patong Municipality have been awarded a budget to expand the existing municipality sewerage system. In addition, Patong Municipality will be required to check properties outside of the current system to see if they have their own wastewater-treatment systems.

“If these properties do not have their own wastewater systems they should be fully equipped to be linked to the new system before its completion,” he said.

“In the long-term, in ad-

dition to the new wastewater treatment centre in Patong, Kalim, which does not currently have a wastewater treatment system, will join Patong’s new system at Phra Baramee Rd. “This project has already gone through a feasibility study and has the design details but is it now awaiting approval for environment quality management. If approved this will be included in the provincial budget for 2019,” he added.

“Once complete this new system will be adequate to cover wastewater treatment for the Patong community.

“The only problem we

have to deal with now is the issue of renting temple land.

The budget for the wastewater project has already been approved by the central government, however, this cannot be allocated until this land issue has been resolved,” he said.

“In addition, Patong Municipality does not know how many laundries are currently connected to the existing wastewater treatment system.

“Therefore, they will need to conduct a survey of all laundries in the area and to ensure they are all connected to the system in the future,” he concluded.

Dump report app may go wider Locals alarmed by dog stabbing Continued from page 1 ...spent on developing the app.

Chaler m rat Dilokpat, Managing Director of DKids, the contracted garbage collector in Patong, said the app is already being used to analyse which “hot spots” produce more garbage for collection than others.

Phuket Vice Governor Teera Anantaseriwidhya, who chairs the Provincial Garbage and Wastewater Committee, suggested the app may be used elsewhere for cleaning up other areas on the island.

“The committee must solve these issues. It must take more effective action about all forms of waste disposal on the island,” V/ Gov Teera said.

“The Patong Report app is a good idea. If this (app) helps to make Phuket cleaner, it could be worth presenting to

Council workers do the rounds clearing bags of garbage from the streets of Patong. Photo: Patong Municipality the committee as another way to help solve waste issues. I certainly would support it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the provincial garbage and wastewater committee is currently developing a campaign to appeal to people’s “hearts” in a bid to

prevent roadside dumping.

“The project is ‘Phuket is beautiful by our hand’, which will call for people and officials to have the heart to clean up garbage and be more effective in resolving our island’s waste issues,” he said.

RESIDENTS OF BAAN Borae in Wichit have been left alarmed after a dog was found lying in the street with stab wounds to its chest and neck last Thursday night (Mar 2) Kusoldharm rescue workers were informed of the incident at 8pm.

Rescue workers arrived to find the couple who called for help cradling the distraught dog, which had been stabbed in its chest and neck.

The rescue workers administered first aid to the dog before taking it to the Rattanatibeth Referral Animal Hospital on Chao Fa East Rd in Wichit.

The couple who found the dog told rescue workers that the dog belonged to their neighbours, who were not at

Rescue workers administer first aid before taking the dog to a vetinary clinic. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Team the house at the time.

“We found the dog injured, and after speaking to other residents we all agreed that it needed medical attention and that we would all put together to cover the costs,” one resident said.

One of the rescue workers added, “All the residents said the same thing; that whoever had done this was cruel and that they could not understand why anyone would want to do this to a dog.”

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Russians plucked from sea in boat trip ordeal Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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hree Russian tourists were rescued from heavy seas overnight and one was safely recovered five miles off Racha Noi Island early the next morning after the group were separated by strong currents during a snorkelling and spearfishing trip south of Phuket last Thursday (Mar 2).

Speedboat captain Ritthiron Saliga of Rawai, Phuket, raised the alarm after the Russians failed to arrive at the arranged pickup point last Thursday afternoon.

“They hired my speedboat yesterday morning and I dropped them off near Racha Noi Island,” Capt Ritthiron explained last Friday (Mar 3).

“I warned them about the weather, and when they didn’t turn up at the location we had arranged for them to get back onboard the boat, I called for other boats in the area to search for them,” he said.

A local fishing boat rescued Mr Larichev and one of his friends and returned

Russian tourist Dmitrii Somov (2nd from left), 40, arrives back in Phuket last Friday after being rescued from the sea. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub them to Capt Ritthiron and his speedboat.

Capt Ritthiron continued his search and found one more of the group, but with Dmitrii Somov, 40, still missing, he called the Marine Police and Royal Thai Navy for help.

The three rescued Russians were brought back to Phuket, arriving at Chalong Pier at 10pm, when they were taken to Chalong Police Station and reported the incident to Lt Sakrin Seangthong.

Col Nareuwat Putthawiro of the Phuket Tourist Police was also notified directly

by Mr Larichev via the 1155 hotline.

The search continued through the night, with the fishing boat Siri Nam Chok 8 finally reporting that Mr Somov had been rescued from the water five nautical miles southwest of Racha Noi Island.

The Royal Thai Navy reported they received the report

Beach loungers, umbrellas go BYO TOURISTS CAN BRING their own sun loungers and umbrellas to Patong and all beaches in Kata and Karon, The Phuket News can confirm. However, they must use them inside the “10% zones” reserved for vendors.

“This applies to expats and Thais, too, of course. They can bring their own sun loungers and umbrellas, and not rent from a vendor, but they must keep them inside the zones,” Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Mar 7).

Complaints about any incidents with beach vendors about planting your own umbrella or sun lounger inside the zones are to be directed to Patong Municipality, Mayor Chlaermluck added.

“Please inform ours public relations office of any complaints by calling 076-344275.

I have already informed them to record all complaints,” she said.

The same applies at all beaches in Kata and Karon, confirmed Rachen Phuntarakit, the Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) for Karon Municipality.

“This will make it very tight inside the 10% zones, but this is the best we can do @thephuketnews

Tourists enjoy the sun loungers and umbrellas on Kata Beach. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot for now,” he said.

“I have spoken to the vendors about this, so there should be no problems,” Mr Rachen added.

Likewise, any complaints about beach vendors in Kata and Karon are to be directed to Karon Municipality by calling 076-330186.

“Please call to Karon Municipality and ask the operator to connect you with an officer from our legal division,” Mr Rachen said.

The Phuket News notes that the Tourist Police hotline 1155 also has volunteer translators for many languages, including Russian and Chinese.

“Later, we might suggest to the provincial beach management committee to allow tourists to bring their own

sun loungers and umbrellas and use them outside the zones – but that has not yet been confirmed and will not happen until after this onemonth trial has concluded,” Mr Rachen explained.

The news comes after sun loungers and beach umbrellas were allowed back at Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Karon Beach and Karon Noi Beach (also called Relax Bay, in front of Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, last weekend.

The rolling out of the return of the sun loungers was conducted under the watchful eyes of the Royal Thai Army.

“The army will be keeping a close eye on the vendors, and will return to inspect all beaches about once a month,” Mr Rachen said.

at 1:50am and that all four Russian tourists were now safe.

Mr Somov, 48, was returned safely to Phuket at Rung Siam Pier in Rassada last Friday morning.

“Thank you to Mr Prayong and the fishing boat (Siri Nam Chok 8) and everyone else for rescuing me and taking care of me and for bringing me safely back to land,” Mr Somov said.

Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET NEWS

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American injured in rock-climb fall AN AMERICAN WOMan was taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket after falling during a rock-climbing exercise at Railay Beach in Krabi, east of Phuket, last Sunday (Mar 5).

Samara Landers, 38, fell about six metres while scaling an edifice with three friends at about 10:30am, reported Saman Vijidee, an officer of the Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park.

“When we arrived, three friends who were climbing with her were taking close care of her along with members from a local rockclimbing club,” he said.

“Her left leg was broken and she had scratches and bruises all over her body,” Mr Saman said.

“We were told that she had fallen about six meters,” he added.

Krabi Marine Police were called in to transport her, but the boat could not come close to shore as it was low tide, Mr Saman said.

“She was carried down to the beach and onto a longtail

American tourist Samara Landers suffered a broken leg in the fall. Photo: Had Noppharat Thara – Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park boat, which took her to Ao Nang, where she was taken to Krabi Hospital,” he added.

Ms Landers has since been brought to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Mr Saman said.

Mr Saman said officials had yet to confirm what caused the fall.

However, he added, “Ms Landers and her friends brought their own equipment for climbing. They went climbing without checking in with instructors at the local rock-climbing club,” Mr Saman said.

However, according to Ms Landers Facebook posts, she has at least several years experience in rock climbing.

Eakkapop Thongtub

NEED UPDATE 4

PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast

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FRI MARCH 10

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A MOTORCYCLIST DIED early Monday (Mar 6) after losing control of his bike, which launched his body first into an electricity pylon and then a tree in Sakoo.

The tree was broken in half from the impact.

Lt Col Bandasak Srilert of the Sakoo Police arrived at the scene with rescue workers after 3am to find a Yamaha M-Slaz motorbike on the road.

Metres away was the body of an unidentified male.

“The impact caused the driver of the motorbike, who we believe is between 18-20 years old, to lose an eye and suffer severe facial injuries,” Col Bandasak said.

“We found no identification on the body and there was no crash helmet near the scene,” he said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Where to find a list of legal hotels in Phuket QUESTIONS & ANSWERS The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

QUESTION

I have read a lot about the crackdown on illegal hotels in Phuket and I’ll be coming back to Phuket soon on another holiday. Last month I read the Governor’s comments that the “illegal hotels” will not be getting any support from the government, but I have not heard anything about this since.

Hence my question is how can I find out which places for rent are legally registered as hotels?

Any help would be much appreciated, as I just want to do the right thing.

– TC, British Columbia

ANSWER

Anyone who wants to find out which hotels in Phuket are legally registered can call our

Thawornwat Khongkaew, Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) of the Phuket Provincial Office. office directly at 076-224822.

Our office is open 8:40am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday.

A printed list is available, but applications to be issued a copy of the list must be made in writing and submitted in person at our office. The list is not available online and is in Thai language only.

In fact, The Phuket News are the first people to ask for

Malaysian man, 37, found dead A 37-YEAR-OLD MALAYsian man was found dead in a Patong hotel room last Thursday (Mar 2), a death that police have initially put down to natural causes.

Patong Police were informed that afternoon that a man had been found dead in a room at the White Patong Hotel on Soi Sansabai.

Lt Col Jongserm Preecha together with tourist police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived at the scene to find an unresponsive Lee Tze Yuen, 37, naked on the bed in his room.

“There were no signs of a struggle in the room or any signs of assault on the man’s body,” Lt Col Jongserm said.

The body was taken to Patong Hospital.

Staff at the hotel told police that the man had been staying at the hotel since February last year with his wife and that he had returned from a visa run on Feb 8.

Police in the reception area of the hotel where the man was found dead. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Team They also said the man liked to drink alcohol.

“At 2pm a housekeeper went to clean the couple’s room but found the room was locked. She tried to call but received no answer so asked another member of staff to open the room which is when the body was found so police

were called,” staff said.

“We believe Mr Lee might have suffered from alcoholism,” Lt Col Jongserm.

We have already infor med t he Malaysia n consulate in Songkhla,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

this list*. We may have this in English later, but right now our system is all in Thai and we do not have the translators needed to reproduce the list in English.

Right now (as of Tuesday, March 7, 2017), there are only 430 hotels in Phuket that have legally registered. These legal hotels together offer a total of 46,681 accommodation

rooms on the island.

A total of 226 of these registered hotels are in Muang District, which encompasses Phuket Town, Kata, Karon, Wichit, Chalong, Rawai and Nai Harn.

A further 164 of these hotels are in Kathu District, which includes Patong.

The remaining 40 legally registered hotels are in Thalang District, which covers the northern half of the island.

I hope that in the future all hotels that have been operating illegally in breach of the Hotel Act become registered.

If they do our office can lend them much support.

Also if all hotels in Phuket are legal, it would make Phuket look much better in terms of tourism.

– Thawornwat Khongkaew, Chief Administrative Officer (Palad), Phuket Provincial Office. * See the Q&A section of The Phuket News website for the full list in Thai.

Racha Noi cleanup lifts record rubbish haul A BEACH AND OCEAN cleanup held by the Phuket Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) last Saturday (Mar 4) saw 1.2 tons of rubbish removed from Koh Racha Noi, south of Phuket.

Suchart Rattanareangsri, Director of the Phuket DMCR’s Conservation Department, announced last Sunday (Mar 5) that a total of 1.2 tons of rubbish were cleared from the ocean and beach of Koh Racha Noi in the cleanup, an event participated by Phuket Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, students from Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus and Phuket Rajabhat University, local conservationists and volunteers from the local dive community.

“In total we cleared 1.2 tons of rubbish from Koh Racha Noi and this included 265 kilograms of plastic bottles, 424kg of glass bottles, 46kg of cans,

A total of 1.2 tons of rubbish was cleared in the exercise.

Photo: Department of Marine and Coastal Resources 244kg of seine nets and ropes, 19kg of foam, 2.2kg of lighters, 62kg of plastic bags, 48kg of shoes, and 115.8kg of others rubbish including clothes, pillows, helmets, and pieces of metals,” Mr Suchart said.

“This is the largest amount of rubbish we have seen collected in such an exercise,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Deputy PM commands support for lifeguards Deputy PM Thanasak called for a list of what Phuket’s lifeguards needed to become a more effective life-saving service. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

D

eputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak Patimapragorn has ordered officials to take steps to support Phuket’s vital lifeguard service.

Gen Thanasak made the announcement during a visit to Patong Beach last Thursday (Mar 3) to hear first-hand the slew of requirements needed to improve the lifeguards’ services.

Joining Gen Thanasak was Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

The visit followed Henry Reyes, President of the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA), based in California, sending a written formal appeal directly to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chanocha to take urgent action to support Phuket’s lifeguards in order to stem the growing tide of drownings at the island’s beaches.

Mr Reyes called on PM Prayut to intervene in the

impending budget cuts by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) to reduce lifeguard funding by 10%, citing The Phuket News page one story in December: “Slashed budget puts Phuket lifeguard patrols in danger”.

At the Patong Lifesaving Education Centre on Patong Beach, Gen Thanasak attended a presentation by Phuket Lifeguard Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan that explained the essential life-saving services Phuket’s lifeguards provide.

Then Deputy PM Thanasak, Tourism Minister Kobkarn and Mr Prathaiyuth held a private conversation away from, but in plain sight of, members of the press.

After the conversation, Gen Thanasak told Mr Prathaiyuth, “Make a list of what you need for me.”

Mr Prathaiyuth assured that he would.

Gen Thanasak also ordered Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan to follow up what the Phuket Lifeguard

Russian ‘fish-feeder’ skips blacklist, flies home ‘free’ OLGA SMIRNOVA, THE 53-year-old Russian woman arrested for feeding fish at Koh Racha and detained for two days in police detention cells because she could not raise the B100,000 bail required, has not been added to Thailand’s immigration blacklist and at last report was scheduled to fly home to Russia on Thursday (Mar 9).

“Phuket Immigration confirmed that Ms Smirnova was not added to the blacklist and she can travel in Phuket until her visa (permit to stay) expires on Mar 18,” Chalong Police Chief Col Krittapas Det-intarasorn told The Phuket News on Tuesday morning.

“This is most likely because it is not a serious issue,” Col Krittapas added.

Col Krittapas assured, “The bail money posted will be returned to Ms Ratree Raksaart.”

Ms Ratree nominated herself to the court as a “friend” of Ms Smirnova and submitted the B100,000 bail to Phuket Provincial @thephuketnews

Olga Smirnova was not added to Thailand’s immigration blacklist and was scheduled to fly home on Thursday (Mar 9). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Court on Feb 21 in order to secure Ms Smironova’s release while awaiting trial.

Ms Smirnova was arrested at Koh Racha on Feb 19 for feeding bread to fish. Until Monday, she was being held in Thailand in order to be sentenced and fined B1,000 for the crime.

By Tuesday afternoon, the Russian Embassy in Bangkok had announced that Ms Smirnova was to fly

home to Russia on Thursday (Mar 9) for “free”.

“Because of the trial she missed her charter flight, but the carrier agreed to take her back on March 9 without fines or additional payments,” Vladimir Sosnov, head of consular section of the Russian Embassy in Thailand, told media, reported Russian state news agency TASS. Yutthawat Lekmak

Service require in support.

Also present to witness the proceedings was PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong, who slated the budget cuts for the lifeguards’ services.

“I appreciate the Phuket Lifeguard Service and others who take care of tourism by their very good work. This makes Thailand trusted by international tourists… Especially the Phuket Lifeguard Service, who do a good job,” Gen Thanasak said.

PHUKET NEWS

5

The Phuket-bound plane was delayed from take off from Arlanda airport. Photo: Aero Icarus / file

Bomb hoax forces Stockholm-Phuket flight evacuation A T H A I A I RWAY S f light from Stockholm’s Arlanda airport to Phuket had to be evacuated last Friday (Mar 3) after a bomb threat was phoned through to the airport.

There were 300 passengers on board the flight that was due to take off at 8:45pm Thursday (Swedish time).

According to the TT news agency, who spoke with police spokesperson Sven-Erik Ohlsson, the command centre received information that this specific flight was threatened and that the threat had indeed

been made by phone. However, he would not elaborate any further on the incident.

Mr Ohhlsson was also unable to confirm whether it was a credible threat.

As a result of the threat part of the international departures terminal was evacuated.

The aircraft was moved to an isolated spot at the airport and a police bomb squad was sent to examine it later that day.

After scouring the plane, security authorities declared it safe and deemed the call to be hoax.

Matt Pond

6

PHUKET NEWS

A friend told police that Mr Nay was very nice person and that he always helped other people.

Nice guy, 23, found hanged PHUKET CITY POLICE have deemed that the death of the 23-year-old Myanmar national found hanged in a room on Sakdidet Rd, Phuket Town, last Thursday (Mar 3) was suicide.

Lt Nucharee Longkaew of the Phuket City Police said there were no traces of struggle “And we found the rope he used to hang himself tied to the roof in the bedroom, Lt Nuchari said.

The man was identified as Nay Lin Tun. A friend of Mr Nay told police that Mr Nay was a very nice person and that he always helped other people. He also had planned to go back to Myanmar to see his mother, Lt Nuchari said.

Mr Nay’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Eakkapop Thongtub For help with mental or emotional distress call the Samaritans of Thailand 24hour hotline is 02-713-6791 (English), 02713-6793 (Thai) or Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Fraudster arrest prompts victims to come forward Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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wo Thai women filed reports at Wichit Police last week stating that they were cheated out of millions of baht by another Thai woman who was arrested earlier the same day near the Phuket Villa 5 housing estate.

Suntree Srisuwan, 38, was taken into custody by Crime Suppression Division police at a local lawyer’s office last Tuesday (Feb 28). She was wanted on a warrant issued by the Krabi Provincial Court for contempt of court and obstructing a court judgement, explained Capt Jaras Lempan of the Wichit Police.

Ms Suntree was taken to Wichit Police Station to be processed and then taken back to Krabi to face the charges against her there, he said.

Hours later, Phichayathida Phichayodaecha and Thavorn Srikanjana filed reports with Lt Col Pheeraphan Meemak and Capt Jaras and presented documents they say prove they were cheated by Ms Suntree.

Ms Phichayathida said, “My brother wanted to buy a condominium for B60 million and I didn’t have enough money to help him.

“I then met a man who said that he could introduce me to someone who could help me with a loan. He said that the woman was his wife and he referred to her as Ms Anny.

The two women filed complaints after Suntree Srisuwan (inset), 38, was taken into custody by Crime Suppression Division police last Tuesday. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub “Sometime later I was introduced to Ms Anny, but this time I was told that her name was Dr Srijantra and that she was a judge and the daughter of a former government minister. I told her that I had some problems with my inheritance and she offered to help me,” Ms Phichayathida said.

“A while later Ms Anny got back in touch with me and recommended a company that would provide the B60mn loan with interest at 2%. However, she told me that to be able to secure the loan I would have to put down a payment of B5mn.

“Ms Anny offered to lend me B2mn as part of the B5mn and I would have to transfer the other B3mn to the loan company’s account first.

“It was agreed that if I was successful in obtaining the B60mn loan, then any profit made from the investment would be shared,” she added.

Ms Phichayathida then went on to say that she made the B3mn transfer, but she was informed the loan could not be given.

“Ms Anny told me that she would help secure the loan but that it would take a month or two. I asked her to return my B3mn, but she refused. I then received an invoice for legal consultancy and loan processing amounting to B3mn.

“When I received this invoice I informed Ms Anny that I would file a complaint against her. Ms Anny then transferred B20,000 to my account.

“I tried to track down who Ms Anny / Dr Srijantra really was, and I discovered later that her real name is Suntree Srisuwan, 38.

“I have also learned that I am not her only victim, there are seven more,” she said.

Ms Thavorn then explained her case: “I have a plot of land in Chalong which is about three rai. When I acquired the land there was already a B15mn mortgage against it, so after learning this news I decided that I wanted to sell it,” she said.

“The Land Department told me the land was worth B9mn, but that I could sell it for B40mn,” she added.

“Somebody recommended a lady called Ms Suntree, who

was said to know an executive of a beverage company who would be interested in investing.

“I was told that the land would be divided and that then properties would be built on the plots of land. I decided to go with this deal and signed a contract,” she said.

“After I signed the contract there was no progress, and I discovered later that the land had been sold for B23mn and I received a payment for B1.375mn.

“Ms Suntree told me that the remainder of the difference in the amount had gone towards paying commission, tax, legal consultants, company registration, property design and paying off all remaining debts on the land,” she added.

After hearing both complaints, Lt Col Pheeraphan noted, “We need to be very careful with this case as it is complicated.

“These two victims are now aware that Ms Suntree was previously arrested in Krabi province for contempt of court and obstructing a court judgement. We need to investigate this case step by step,” he said.

“We are now collecting all evidence from the victims and will continue to investigate the case.

“Once we have enough evidence, we will seek an arrest warrant for her,” Capt Jaras said.

Three nabbed with drugs, gun Two dead as car slams generator THREE MEN WERE ARrested by Phuket City Police last Thursday (Mar 4) for possession of illicit drugs as well as unlicensed guns and ammunition.

The anti-narcotics police led by Phuket City Police’s Maj Rittichai Chumchuy arrested the three men who were found to be in possession ya bah (methamphetamine) and ya ice (crystal methamphetamine). One of the men also had a handgun and ammunition.

The arrests were made as follows: – Prasitporn Udomsilp, 31, with 182.65 grams of ya ice, 40 ya bah pills as well as other illegal items. He now faces charges of possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

– Kednarong Katekaew,

Aakkayut Saetanwith, 31, was charged with possession of Category 1 drugs with intent to sell, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a weapon in a public place without a permit. Photo: Phuket City Police 33, found with 331.36g of ya ice and other illegal items, now also faces charges of possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

– Aakkayut Saetanwith, 31, who was found in possession of 50.80g of ya ice, 15 ya bah pills, a revolver

and 68 bullets, now faces charges of possession of Category 1 drugs with intent to sell, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a weapon in a public place without a permit.

Eakkapop Thongtub

TWO PEOPLE DIED AND three people were injured last Sunday morning (Mar 5) when the car they were travelling in crashed into a generator at the construction site of the new underpass on Thepkrasattri Rd in Thalang.

Lt Kaisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police was informed of an accident opposite the turn-off to Phuket Inter national Air por t on Thepkrasattri Rd, Thalang at 5:45am.

Lt Kaisorn arrived at the scene to find a black Honda Civic crashed into an electric generator. Five people were in the vehicle when the accident occurred.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene: Pan Wannaro, 70, and Jiriya Ratchato, 39.

Three other people had suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident including

Police believe the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub a 3-year-old girl, named by police as Jinattanee Wannaro.

The other two injured parties were named as Naruemon Wannaro, 21, and Sompoch Wannaro, 46.

All three survivors were taken to Thalang Hospital for treatment.

Lt Kaisorn said that from their initial investigation they learned that the car had come from Songkhla province and

that when they arrived at the scene of the accident the driver lost control and crashed into the generator.

“We believe that the driver fell asleep at the wheel or perhaps tried to avoid another vehicle.

“However, we will investigate further to find out the true cause of the accident,” he said.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

A matter of pride Phuket scores high in public toilet awards

PHUKET NEWS

7

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket has scored three major prizes in the Ministry of Health’s “Best Public Toilet” awards for Upper Southern Thailand.

Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan announced the sterling achievements at a certificate-giving ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall last Tuesday (Feb 28). Also present to dish out the awards was Phuket Public Health Chief Dr Jirapan Taepan.

The winners were Patong Municipality, Wichit Municipality and the “Sino” Shell petrol station in Thalang.

“The government policy has ordered a clean-toilet campaign for all government offices and tourism areas in order to solve the problem of dirty toilets and not enough toilets,” said Dr Jiraphan, Phuket’s leading health official.

“The Phuket Provincial Public Health sees the importance of people’s health and maintaining hygiene. We have three objectives to develop toilets: Healthy, Accessibil-

The orphaned macaque was found by street cleaners at Khao To Sae in Phuket Town. Photo: Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area Office

Orphaned macaque saved from hill dogs Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan (centre) joins the winners for a photo on February 28. Photo: PR Dept ity and Safety – H.A.S.,” he added.

The PPHO selected the 20 “best toilets” and submitted in the awards for Health Region 11, which covers the Upper Southern Thailand region of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Ranong provinces, Dr Jirapan explained.

Patong Municipality won first prize for the Best Government Toilet at its offices on Ratchapatanusorn Rd, Wichit Municipality won Best Public

Wichit Municipality won Best Public Park Toilet for the facilities at the Elderly Relaxing Centre. Photo: PR Dept Park Toilet for the facilities at the Elderly Relaxing Centre at Wichit Public Park, and the

Villagers accidentally set ablaze ‘lucky’ 100-year-old banyan tree VILLAGERS IN Srisoonthor n, in cent ral Phuket, who lit candles and prayed to a 100-year-old banyan tree for lucky numbers to win the lottery saw their candles accidentally set fire to the tree, and watched as their luck went up in flames on the night before the monthly national lottery was drawn.

Lt Weerayut Suksanguan of Thalang Police Station was informed of the fire at 11pm on Feb 28.

Police soon arrived at the scene, on Thepkrasattri Rd in Moo 5, Srisoonthorn, along with firefighters on board two fire trucks and supported by two water trucks.

“It took 50 mins to control the fire,” one firefighter said.

“We fought the fire for 20 minutes but strong winds made it difficult. We were afraid that the fire would spread to a metal sheet shop right next to it, so we called in two more fire trucks from Cherng Talay and Pa Khlok as well as a cherry picker from Thalang Electricity Office,” the firefighter added.

“The tree was more than 100 years old and stood more @thephuketnews

The 100-year-old banyan tree caught fire from candles lit by villagers praying for the winning lottery numbers. than 15 metres tall,” another firefighter said.

“The fire started at the base of the tree where spirit houses were. People lit candles to pray for spirits and wished for luck to win the lottery for tomorrow,” explained Lt Weerayut.

However, the tree could not be saved. The fire had gutted the core of the trunk, and firefighters later cut the tree down for safety.

Regardless, one hopeful local resident said, “Even

though the tree was burnt down, the spirits are still in the spirits houses where they continue to live.”

The wining numbers for the lottery drawn on Mar 1 were: • 1st Prize: 978453 • First three digits: 450, 560 • Last three digits: 052, 577 • Last two digits: 78 The Phuket News has yet to learn if any of the villagers had won.

Eakkapop Thongtub

“Sino” Shell petrol station in Mai Khao placed second for Best Gas Station Toilet.

A D I S T R E S S E D, O Rphaned baby pig-tailed macaque whose mother was killed by a street dog at Khao To Sae in Phuket Town has been removed from the area and taken into protection at the Khao Phra Thaeo NonHunting Area.

Pongchart Chouehorm, Director of the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area Office, received the baby macaque from Kusoldharm rescue workers after it was discovered by street cleaners.

“There are now around 1,500 wild monkeys at Khao To Sae and a large number of local residents go to feed them and give them water as

the area lacks the macaque’s natural sources of food,” Mr Pongchart said.

“However, the area also has a lot of street dogs which often attack the macaques over territory and food,” he said.

“This baby macaque was found alone and in distress by road sweepers, and it was later found that its mother had been attacked and killed by a street dog, so the cleaners called the rescue team who brought the macaque here so it could be protected.

“Once it is well enough it will be taken to the Wildlife Raising Centre in Phang Nga,” Mr Pongchart added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 8

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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

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EDITORIAL

Getting fat feeding the fishes

O

lga Smirnova, the 53-year-old Russian woman arrested for feeding fish at Koh Racha Yai, who was subsequently held in police cells for two days until a good Samaritan posted the B100,000 bail for her release, must be deeply bitter about her ill treatment at the hands of Thai officials.

The paltry fine of B1,000 that was eventually handed down must have only served to further rub salt into her wounds.

The fact that she was locked up and her passport confiscated for this misdemeanour is a travesty of justice and only serves to highlight the capricious nature of law enforcement in Thailand.

It seems likely that her arrest was a routine shakedown by police. It is also likely that many tourists have been arrested for feeding fish and threatened with jail and massive fines if they didn’t cough up a “fine” on the

spot to make it all go away.

It appears that Mrs Smirnova either didn’t have the money, or refused to pay – forcing the police’s hand out of the cookie jar and dragging this case into the courts and therefore the media spotlight. As a result the case has highlighted the obtrusive use of Thailand’s legal system and the shabby treatment of foreigners unlucky enough to be caught up in it.

It seems when a foreigner is charged, and the case is in the news, the government suddenly has to demonstrate it is doing everything by the book.

This stands in stark contrast to the business-as-usual approach of letting murderously negligent drivers off with a slap on the wrist, transferring trigger-happy killer cops to another province without a hint of punishment and turning a blind eye to egregious violations of environmental laws

by businesses which discharge untreated wastewater into the sea – the list goes on.

Let it be clear that The Phuket News does support the enforcement of environmental laws, and other laws, most of which if enforced fairly and uniformly would make Thailand a better place for both Thais and foreigners. But it is extremely difficult to respect authorities who use the law as a tool to intimidate and extort foreigners one moment and then ignore it at their convenience the next.

An argument could be made that such cases serve to set an example to others that a law exists and must be obeyed. However, if you wish to employ this argument with any credibility and fairness, then taking a stand on fishfeeding laws, and not negligent driving causing death, seems a strange place to draw a line in the sand.

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Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Doggone dogs

Re: Phuket residents left alarmed by dog stabbing incident I can’t speak for this case, but as I read this I am listening to my neighbours’ dog barking behind my house. It’s like this every day and the people who “look after” it never do anything about the barking.

This is normal in Thailand, so I can quite understand how someone might get fed up with it. I can’t condone harming the animal of course, I’d rather the people were stabbed than the innocent creature, but that’s just my opinion.

Captain Jack 69 Stabbing the animal is not the solution, it is cruel and illegal. However, many people in Thailand are oblivious to the annoyance caused by loud dogs repetitively barking at all hours causing untold grief to neighbours trying to sleep or even watch TV. It’s people’s nature to take the law into their own hands.

If the owners fail to do their civic duty and shut the dog up, it will recur. This is a message that there is a problem with that dog and if it is ignored,

it may happen again.

Many dogs bark incessantly when the owner is not home, ignorance isn’t an excuse. Non dog owners have rights too and failure to respect these will encounter problems such as poisoning, etc. Dog owners need to conform and make the required changes and be respectful, responsible owners. It appears under current law that dogs have more rights than people.

Skip Maybe the dog bit someone or tried to bite someone. It doesn’t justify what happened but most Thais don’t lock up their dogs and there are many which try to bite people, kill cats and make a lot of noise, which really stresses people out.

Cruel? I would say most Thais are cruel because they don’t look after their dogs very well. Lost count of how many dogs I have seen in very poor health with broken legs and severe rashes roaming around looking for food because they are starving to death. They need an RSPCA in Thailand.

Dog Health

Thrown a lifeline

Re: Deputy PM orders support for Phuket lifeguards At last, perhaps Phuket can enjoy a decent well-prepared and funded lifeguard service which will save more lives and give those employed a bit of pride.

For too long they have been downtrodden and almost forgotten – cutting the budget for this important service should never have been an option. I’m glad that Bangkok has ordered the Governor to provide all that’s necessary and hope it an be achieved without further problems.

International expertise such as that from Australian lifeguards must be encouraged and continued no matter what the expense.

Sue Yu 2 ...................................................

Out of proportion

Re: Phuket court fines Russian tourist B1k for feeding fish, woman faces immigration next How deplorable that Russian tourist Olga Smirnova is being treated like the worst kind of criminal for such a tiny offence as breaking an environmental

rule of feeding the fish!

Officials should concentrate on real environmental problems such as litter on the beaches, sewage run off into the sea?

It is not only tourists that litter but if hefty fines were issued for these offences, which are far worst then what Olga did, it would put a stop to the mess we often see on beaches.

As an example, when it concerns the environment, officials should have a close look at the north end of Kata Beach next to the klong. Along with the many, many food stalls, there are residents living there and they have ducks, geese, chickens that definitely defecate in the water and that all flows into the sea where tourists swim.

What about all the people in that village, where are their toilets? Dear officials, get a life and target the real culprits.

George W.

Best to check

Re: Phuket Opinion: Patong’s naked soul laid bare So what is the current bar trading situation? I’ll be in Phuket in May, so would like to know what I’m in for.

Blizzo 79

Have an opinion? Comment on stories at thephuketnews.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

THAILAND NEWS

9

Buyers of condo file lawsuit

157 units in the project bought and paid for, but still unfinished PATTAYA Bangkok Post

M

iss Thailand 2000 Panadda “Boom” Wong phudee is leading a group of 157 people so upset over five years of construction delays that they filed a complaint with the DSI against the Centara Grand Residence Pattaya.

The suit says that the 157 people had bought and paid for units in the project, but it was still unfinished, with work apparently halted.

Ms Pannada’s actions forced Central Plaza Hotel Plc, owners of the Centara brand, to back away from the project, claiming the company has a licensing agreement but no involvement in the unfinished construction project.

The Australian educated “Boom”, who has been an actress and businesswomen since her year as Miss Thailand, filed the complaint on Tuesday (Mar 7) with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) against the developer of the mixed-use Centara Grand

Panadda ‘Boom’ Wongphudee, a former Miss Thailand, says she and 156 others bought units at Centara Grand Resident Pattaya in 2012. Main photo: Instagram/boompannada Residence Pattaya project after the company called a halt to construction at what many in Pattaya call an eyesore.

The suit names Tulip Group (Bazis Development Co). The firm has been advertising an “iconic” Centara Grand Residence at Jomtien, and selling units since at least 2012.

Ms Pannada said she was convinced to buy a condo unit for B20 million because of

this architect’s drawing. Tulip Group is a Pattaya-based firm with Israeli roots. The CEO and founder is Kobi Elbaz.

It introduced Centara Grand Residence in September, 2012, as a condominium project on 10 rai in Pattaya’s Na Jomtien area. Mr Elbaz said that when completed in 2014, it would comprise 283 condominium units worth B6.4 billion and 200 hotel rooms operated by

‘Om Sin’ the turtle seen here during a surgery at the veterinarian science of Chulalongkorn University on Monday (Mar 6). Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

915 coins found inside sick turtle CHONBURI V ETER I NA R I A NS LAboured for seven hours to remove 915 coins weighing five kilograms from a sea turtle suffering chronic stomach ache.

“It is hard to imagine how it swallowed such a large number of coins. I’ve never seen such a case before,” said Pasakorn Brikshavana, of Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of veterinary science.

They spent seven hours helping “Om Sin”, half of the time scooping out the coins – both local and foreign – from its stomach.

The surgeons did not expect the surgery on the unfortunate ailing turtle to take @thephuketnews

Coins found in ‘Om Sin’. so long – until faced with the huge coin cache in its stomach, which required a bigger cut than they originally planned.

Last month, Om Sin, Thai for piggy bank, was sent to the faculty from the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre of the Royal Thai Navy in Sattahip district in Chonburi after it barely swam. A CT scan at the university shocked vets when they saw the mound of coins.

It was one of the 26 turtles

relocated to the centre from a pond in Sri Racha district in Chonburi after the town municipality planned to renovate the place.

The turtle will be under the care of the faculty for one week before being sent back to the centre for full rehabilitation.

According to Thai belief, throwing coins into a turtle pond would stop bad luck.

Bangkok Post

the Central Plaza Hotel Group’s Centara chain. It still has not been finished.

Mr Elbaz claimed after a project pre-launch in December, 2011, that the group sold 55 units worth B550mn.

Some 80% went to Thai buyers, followed by Russians and Americans.

Central Plaza Hotel Plc, which manages the Centara hotel brand, said immediately

after the suit was filed that the company has only a licensing agreement with the Tulip Group to use the Centara Grand brand for the project and had been contracted to manage the hotel after it was completed.

The group denied any involvement in building or selling units in the Jomtien project.

“The company is not the owner of the project and is not involved with the sales management side,” it said.

T he compa ny says a clear disclaimer appears in all promotional materials for the condo part of the project which says “Centara Grand Residence, Pattaya is being developed and sold by the developer, Tulip Group (Bazis Development Co) and not by Central Plaza Hotel Plc or its affiliates.

“Centara has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statement of representations made herein, and Centara is not part of, or an agent for the developer and has not acted as a broker in connection with the sale of Centara Grand Residence Pattaya. Neither Central Plaza Hotel Plc nor its affiliates,

employees or representatives make any warranties or representations in respect of the project,” the disclaimer says.

The company said it regretted the situation and sympathised with buyers.

News that the project is in trouble emerged only recently, observers said. The developer could not be reached for comment.

The group of buyers said they bought units off-plan at prices ranging from B2mn to B35mn per unit. They estimated the damages they had suffered at B500mn.

Boom said she booked a B35mn unit in 2012, convinced by the ads and condo plans.

The owner offered her a price cut to B20mn for her unit in exchange for her acting as the project’s presenter. She accepted the offer and signed a contract.

Months later, she said the owner chatted with her online, made advances to her and asked her to go out with him at night.

“I thought it was suspicious so I cancelled the presenter deal and asked for a return of the deposit of B2.5mn,” she said.

10 THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

‘Defrocking court’

Scavengers warned, live ammunition on Abbot calls for ruling on Phra Dhammajayo army firing range BANGKOK

NAKHON RATCHASIMA THE ARMY HAS WARNed people not to scavenge for metal at a local firing range as there is still unexploded live ordnance in the area.

Col Yunyong Saenghad, head of the 2nd Army’s public relations centre, said on Wednesday (Mar 8) that the firing range, between Pak Thong Chai and Wang Nam Khieo districts, is a prohibited zone.

People who enter the area looking for scrap metal from exploded artillery shells would be risking their lives. Live ammunition was used during a recent military exercise and there was still unexploded ordnance in the ground there.

The fresh warning was issued after scrap dealer Saithong Hadsoongnoen, 54, was killed when a rocketpropelled grenade he collected from the firing range later exploded at his house in Pak Thong Chai district last Sunday (Mar 5).

Authorities found evidence

Bangkok Post

T

An exploded rocket-propelled grenade found at the house of a scrap collector in Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Photo: Prasit Tangprasert of an exploded RPG near the body and other usable grenades at his house.

Col Yunyong said an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team cleared the firing range after every live firing exercise shooting exercise. However, there were still some unexploded shells in the ground from the recent live drill.

Some people still ignored the warnings and entered the firing range, which covers several thousand rai of land, at night, he said.

Bangkok Post

he government and the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) may consider setting up a “clergy court” to rule whether the former abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya will be defrocked.

The idea of the clergy court was earlier floated by Phra Tham Kittimethee, assistant abbot of Wat Rachathiwat in Bangkok.

The monk called on the government and the SSC, the monastic governing body, to establish the court in order to rule whether Phra Dhammajayo had violated the Buddhist disciplinary code of conduct and decide whether he must be defrocked.

The proposition was also backed by Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, who said it was the proper way to solve the problem.

Lt Col Pongporn Pramsaneh, the newly appointed Director of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), said

Phra Dhammajayo.

Photo: via Bangkok Post secular judicial procedures would take some time while a clergy investigation would depend on the SSC. However, he said it was difficult to proceed with the case as authorities have been unable to arrest Phra Dhammajayo yet.

According to the 21st issue of the SSC’s regulations, monks can be defrocked under two conditions.

First, a district monk dean can rule that a monk must be defrocked if they have violated the disciplinary code

of conduct. Secondly, monks who are not attached to any temple can be defrocked.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the NOB has already submitted Phra Dhammajayo’s case to the SSC after the former abbot was stripped of his monastic title earlier.

According to a Royal Gazette article published last Sunday (Mar 5), His Majesty the King agreed to the government’s request to demote Phra Dhammajayo for evading the many charges

filed against him.

Gen Prayut said the prosecution of the former abbot was divided into two parts: secular legal procedure and Buddhist measures under the Sangha Act. Gen Prayut was asked whether the DSI would be replaced by other state agencies as it had failed to arrest Phra Dhammajayo. The prime minister said the media had to look at the root cause of the problem which was that authorities are unable to search the temple.

330 kilos of ivory seized at airport BANGKOK OFFICI A LS ON T U ESday (Mar 7) confiscated more than 300 kilograms of elephant tusks from Malawi at Suvarnabhumi airport and arrested a Gambian national on charges of ivory smuggling and violating customs laws.

T he sei z u re wa s a nnounced Tuesday by the Customs Department, the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and police.

The tusks, 422 individual pieces worth about B17 million, were seized at the airport last Sunday (Mar 5) after customs officials became suspicious of two shipments arriving via Ethiopian Airlines.

The cargo, on f lights ET618 last Friday (Mar 3) and ET628 on Saturday (Mar 4), had been declared as “rough stone”.

T he t wo sh ipment s weighed more than 1,900kg in total.

Officials became suspicious because the f lights originated at Lilongwe airport in Malawi, a southern African country that has previously been identified as a key transit route and distribution hub for

Police and customs unpack 422 pieces of ivory from Malawi weighing 330kg. Photo: Somchai Poomlard illicit ivory. Smugglers usually hide contraband items among other goods.

T he sh ip me nt s we r e scanned and officials found what looked like elephant t usks hidden among the stones.

When a Gambian national showed up at the airport last Sunday to claim the cargo, the authorities asked him to open the containers. They found stones and the tusks weighing 330kg.

The man, identified as Sainey Jagne from Gambia, was charged with smuggling wildlife under the wildlife protection law and importing prohibited products under the

customs law.

The suspect has lived in Thailand for 15 years and he has a Thai wife and three children. His occupation is unknown.

Customs Depar t ment Director-General Kulis Sombatsiri said on Tuesday that Thailand remains a hub for illegal African ivory smuggling despite concerted efforts to combat the trade.

He said smugglers are willing to take the risk of shipping the ivory to Thailand to be carved which will increase the product value significantly. Thailand is known for its ivory craftsmanship.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

ASIA NEWS 11

mummy Forced into exile Dummy comes to rescue

Banished from homes by Hindu ritual of orphaned cubs NEPAL

INDIA

AFP

T

he small thatched hut in western Nepal has no walls to keep out the cold. Inside is a raised platform where Pabitra Giri sleeps during her period, banished from her home by a centuries-old Hindu ritual.

Below the hut, known as a chhau goth, Giri lights a small fire to keep her warm. The smoke rises up to the small cramped area where she sleeps, making her eyes water.

“We think that if we don’t follow chhaupadi bad things will happen and if we do, it (the gods) will favour us. I feel it does good, so I follow it during my periods,” Giri, 23, explained.

“Now I am used to it. I used to be afraid in the beginning because I was away from my family during dark nights and the place is like this,” Giri said gesturing around her.

The practice is linked to Hinduism and considers women untouchable when they menstruate.

They are banished from the home – barred from touching food, religious icons, cattle and men – and forced into a monthly exile sleeping in basic huts.

In some areas, women are also made to spend up to a month in the chhau goth after they have given birth.

Two women recently died while following chhaupadi – one of smoke inhalation after she lit a fire for warmth, while the other death is unexplained. These incidents have spurred fresh impetus to end the practice.

Chhaupadi was banned a decade ago, but new legislation currently before parliament will criminalise the practice, making it an imprisonable offence to force women to follow the ritual.

“Women were accepting chhaupadi as tradition. After

@thephuketnews

Nepalese women Pabitra Giri (left) and Yum Kumari Giri (right) sit by a fire as they live in a ‘chhaupadi’ hut during their menstruation period in Surkhet District, some 520km west of Kathmandu. Photo: AFP defining chhaupadi an offence by law the tradition will be discouraged saving rights and lives of many women,” Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel, a lawmaker pushing the bill, said.

But previous attempts to stop chhaupadi have failed to address the deep superstitious beliefs that underpin it.

Even in the capital Kathmandu, three in four homes practise some form of restriction on women during their periods, usually banning them from the kitchen and prayer room, said Pema Lhaki, a women’s right activist who has campaigned for years to end chhaupadi.

Most attempts to end the ritual have focused on destroying the chhau goths but that hasn’t stopped women being banned from their homes – instead, in some areas, it has seen women forced to sleep in even more rudimentary huts or even outside, Lhaki said.

“Until we make the woman herself make the decision, the destruction of menstrual huts is more for external purposes.

The menstrual huts should remain. Success is when they remain but they don’t go into them,” she said, accusing the government of encouraging the chhau goth to be destroyed to meet quotas set by international donors.

In a village a few miles

from where Giri lives, Khagisara Regmi is considering building a chhau goth.

After her husband died eight years ago, the 40-year-old found it too difficult to follow chhaupadi – which would bar her from cooking or touching her son when she was menstruating – while bringing up her four young children.

But a few years ago, her only son started having fits.

When a nearby hospital failed to cure them, Regmi turned to the local shaman who told her that her son’s seizures where because she hadn’t followed the ancient ritual.

“Because I didn’t observe purity the gods were displeased. It wasn’t favourable for my son,” she said.

It is often the village shamans – who fill a void left by woefully poor medical services

in rural Nepal – and the elderly who are the guardians of the ritual.

Sabitra Giri, 70, defiantly said that the Maoists during Nepal’s brutal civil war tried to end chhaupadi as part of an anti-religion drive – but failed.

“You can cut me but while I’m alive this practice will continue,” she said.

At a house on the edge of the village, shaman Keshar Giri, clad head to toe in white, explained that many illnesses were caused by women not following chhaupadi.

He often counselled women to follow the ritual if they came to him with problems, he said.

“It is not about individuals but the gods that we worship who ask women to not be near for those few days,” he said.

“It’s for the sake of the gods.”

PARK RANGERS IN INdia are using a cuddly toy tigress to help three traumatised cubs spring back to their feet after the death of their mother.

The cubs, who were orphaned last month, have been happily feeding from milk bottles fitted inside the toy, said the field director at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

“We tried to give them goats’ milk initially but they didn’t like the human interaction. They just refused to take the bottle from our staff,” Mridul Pathak said.

“Now they have been feeding from the synthetic nipples attached to the dummy for six days. Their energy levels increased from the first feed.”

Forest rangers have also built a special enclosure for the cubs inside their compound, using twigs, grass and sand to mimic their natural habitat, he said.

“We even rubbed the faeces of the mother on the toy tiger and grass to recreate the feeling of being close to their real mum.”

The cubs were found in a critical condition not long after the body of their mother was discovered near

The tiger cubs have been feeding from milk bottles fitted inside the cuddly.

Photo: AFP a river in January.

It is believed the mother was killed after brushing against an electric fence erected by cattle farmers, Pathak said. An investigation is ongoing.

Rangers quickly treated the cubs for dehydration and rushed them back to the enclosure.

The tiger treatment has a precedent.

In rural India it is common to keep dummy calves next to cows and buffaloes who stop lactating when they lose their offspring.

The sense of attachment encourages the mothers to begin producing milk again.

India is home to more than half of the world’s tiger population with more than 2,200 roaming its reserves, according to the most recent census in 2014.

At least 98 big cats died last year, said the National Tiger Conservation Authority, with poaching blamed in most cases.

AFP

12 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Fantasy hiding a dirty reality

World’s greatest show prepared in filthy street next to open sewer BRAZIL AFP

R

io’s Sambodromo parades are a fantasy of beautiful bodies and dreamlike costumes but the self-declared greatest show on Earth is prepared in a dirty street next to an open sewer.

The contrast between what happens inside Rio de Janeiro’s specially built samba stadium and just outside encapsulates the confounding, often tragic contradictions of Brazil.

Inside, watched by 70,000 paying fans, the samba schools marched all night on Feb 27 into Feb 28 in a stunning blend of military precision, wild imagination and sexual energy.

Thousands upon thousands of performers turned the runway into a river of sequins, feathers, physicsdefying floats, g-strings, and flesh oiled up to shine in the bright lights.

O n ly m i nutes before though, these same dancers had been standing around in a filthy, poorly lit stretch of Avenida Presidente Vargas, which runs alongside one of Rio’s many dead waterways,

Revellers of the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school wait at a standby area before performing on the second night of Rio’s Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP stagnant with raw sewage and other pollution.

“In the Sambodromo, it’s a dream and that’s the whole point,” said Georgina de Oliveira, a 62-year-old maid, as she waited in a long line for a fetid portable toilet on the avenue. “But here we’re in reality. Here it’s not a dream.”

Avenida Presidente Vargas is where each samba school gathers its approximately 3,500 performers before pa-

rading. Final assembly is done to floats, costumes are donned, make-up put on and each wing of dancers and drummers marshalled into position.

The avenue is drab and lined with graffiti. An imposing building, once a teaching hospital, sits abandoned and partly gutted, the faded sign at the entrance still reading: “Serving the community”.

During the days of carni-

val, the street is temporarily transformed, thronged with bizarre costumes, and pulsating with joyful music.

Late on Feb 26, African warriors came running by, a section of men dressed as knives and forks shuffled to the side, and three leggy women fiddled with their tiny, sparkling substitutes for underwear.

An enormous man dressed as an emperor of some kind scrolled through his cellphone.

Behind the performers, many of whom sat on the ground alongside their ungainly costumes, waited the crazy floats – a seahorse as big as a bus, a herd of golden camels, an entire Arab palace.

It would have been momentarily easy to forget reality if it hadn’t been for the combined smell of the canal, the portable toilets and gutters filled with urine and beer.

City authorities say that carnival brings about $1 billion in extra revenue to Rio. That wealth clearly doesn’t go toward facilities for the Sambodromo’s makeshift backstage, let alone installing a sewage system in neighbourhoods around the stadium.

Still, a little wealth trickles down to the poor.

Jonathan Torres Ribeira, who says he’s been collecting aluminium cans from the street since he was a child, does well at parade time.

The revellers litter Avenida Presidente Vargas with beer and Coke cans, so the 23-year-old soon fills a large plastic bag. With 24 hours’ work, he says, he’ll make about 500 reals (B5,612) – 10 times more than he would on a normal day.

The main difficulty? Hauling that bag through all the people dressed as sun gods, vegetables, fish and the like.

“It’s really hard to get through,” he said.

Just on the far bank of the stinking canal, free seats are available for people who want to watch the samba schools set off down the avenue before turning into the Sambodromo.

Elaine Pereira da Costa, 60, shook her head sadly when asked how the same city could feature such splendour and squalor within touching distance of each other.

“The government just wants its money and that’s the end of the story,” she said, echoing most Brazilians’ contempt for their corruptionriddled leaders. “They could see you standing here holding your nose and they wouldn’t care.”

But when the Uniao da Ilha samba school, which had been preparing for hours on Avenida Presidente Vargas, suddenly started moving, da Costa’s expression changed.

“Look how beautiful it is,” she said to her sister-in-law as a legion of people in butterfly costumes set off in perfect synchronisation. “Mother of God, how beautiful it is.”

Tiny Benin looks to tourism to boost economy BENIN WITH ITS PALM TREElined beaches, unique heritage and wildlife parks, Benin can hold its own against the best African holiday destinations.

But tourism revenue accounts for just 0.7% of gross domestic product and there were only 240,000 visitors in 2014, according to World Bank figures.

That compares to an average of one million visitors a year in Senegal, which is one of the most popular destinations in West Africa.

Now Benin’s government wants to change the situation.

“We’ve got 200,000 people without doing anything.

Imagine what we could do with a bit of effort? We could double that,” said the head of the national tourism agency, Jose Pliya.

The agency, which was set up several months ago, is the focus of President Patrice Talon’s new drive to boost tourist numbers and as a result the wider economy.

“Our aim between now and the end of (Talon’s) fiveyear term is to reach 700,000 tourists,” Pliya said.

Some 600 billion CFA francs (B33.95 million) will be pumped into the sector over five years, notably through a

World Bank loan.

In his small office in the former Portuguese fort of Ouidah, the head of the town’s museum, Bertin-Calixte Biah says it is an “unprecedented effort” and is happy that the state is finally putting in the money.

“We’ve got to take stock of our heritage, train guides, put in place a policy of cultural promotion... It costs a fortune,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said he was “waiting to see the pledges become a reality”.

Ouidah is a small town on the Atlantic coast and a former West African slave port to the New World. Under the government’s new plan, it will be the country’s tourist hub.

The town has the same Portuguese colonial architecture as Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, but it is more worn.

Ouidah’s beaches, however, stretch for miles and there are villages dotted around the lagoon, colonial-era forts as well as a strong culture of the voodoo tradition.

It is also the home of subSaharan Africa’s first museum

The museum at the small Beninese coastal town of Ouidah.

Photo: Stefan Heunis/AFP dedicated exclusively to contemporary African art.

Groups of Germans, Belgians, Italians and French come to Ouidah to take photos of themselves with pythons wrapped around their necks, unclear whether they should be terrified or enjoying it.

“Don’t worry,” says the guide. “They’re sacred. They won’t do you any harm!”

The head of the town’s tourist office, Modeste Zinsou, described the town as “a living museum”.

“Tourism has a direct economic impact on the population. It pays for hoteliers, but also villagers, canoe drivers and fishermen. The problem

is that Benin is not very well known.”

One of the main problems facing Benin is getting there in the first place.

The government has in response lifted visa restrictions for citizens of 30 African countries to encourage business travel from across the continent.

“As a general rule Africans don’t do leisure tourism, which is a lot more Western,” said Pliya.

“Now our aim is change the situation, so those who are business travellers will spend a day or two at leisure. We want to create new tourists.”

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Lifestyle broadside

BUSINESS NEWS 13

Rendezvous widens scope of stylish attractions YACHTING Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he mont h ly G row Boating event at Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) earned its name last Friday night (Mar 3) when brothers Olivier and Gael Burlot of Lux Inc, organisers of the Singapore Rendezvous, laid down their plans for bringing 10,000 visitors to the Phuket Rendezvous to be held at RPM on Jan 4-7, 2018.

The plan is to feature up to 40 boats on display in the water, a superyacht hub offshore, more than 80 displays by exhibitors and a clear focus on lifestyle and the visitors’ experience.

“The format must be comprehensive. We cannot present just boats and expect people to come,” said Olivier.

To this 12 property companies have already signed up and supercars and classic cars will feature prominently.

“Our events in Hainan and Singapore have shown a huge growth in popularity in supercars. The obvious

Sumontha Urvois, the new Executive Assistant Manager at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra.

Novotel Phokeethra welcomes new EAM A model at the Singapore Rendezvous encouraged visitors to take photos and promote the event through Instagram. next step up for people with a strong interest in supercars and classic cars is a private yacht,” Olivier explained.

Also lined up to be featured at the Phuket Rendezvous are business jet and private helicopter sales and services, he added.

“But it must be much more than this. Hospitality is important, and we are in talks with Anantara and Sri Panwa.

Fashion and jewellery must feature, as this is a clear aspect of lifestyle choices, and this goes right down to art and

live jazz on the boardwalk to deliver an experience for visitors that goes beyond just a boat show,” Olivier said.

“The target is 10,000 visitors, audited. We are aiming for attendance to be 60% Thai and 40% foreigners,” he added.

Beyond the crowds, high net worth individuals (HNWI) from Greater China, Singapore and across Southeast Asia will be specifically targeted for interest in the show.

“We will be taking the message outside, with press

Akaryn scoops Boutique Awards HOSPITALITY AKARYN HOTEL GROUP picked up two gongs and a finalist place for three different properties at the Thailand Boutique Awards held recently in Bangkok.

In the SEA Collection, Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa was awarded the prize for “Best Thematic Hotel” based on its unique, sophisticated “all suites, all private” concept on the stunning, tranquil shores of the Andaman coast in Khok Kloy, Phnag Nga, just north of Phuket.

In the same collection, Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Pranburi was a finalist in the “Best Green Hotel” category thanks to the hotel’s ongoing program of support for the local community and its active participation in Akaryn Hotel Group’s own Pure Blue Foundation.

In the City Collection, akyra Manor Chiang Mai was awarded “Best Design Hotel” for its 30 stylish and spacious “urban sanctuaries” and unique art-inspired architecture and facilities, which include a rooftop infinity swimming pool and the chic, innovative Italics @thephuketnews

Christophe Gestin, General Manager, akyra Manor Chiang Mai and Chenyue Xu, Marketing and Communications Manager, AKARYN Hotel Group.

Restaurant Chiang Mai. Co-sponsored by KTC, Bangkok Airways, MasterCard, True Corporation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thailand Boutique Awards are known and recognised as an important component in developing the global reputation of the tourism industry in Thailand. A stringent judging process, including thorough hotel inspections, is designed to encourage small and medium-sized boutique hotels to constantly improve their quality, innovation and efficiency.

“It is always a great honour to receive awards and accolades and a proud moment

for the team at Akaryn Hotel Group who work so hard to maintain our reputation as one of the leading boutique hospitality companies in the region,” said AHG founder and managing director Anchalika Kijkanakorn.

“Every one of our hotels and resorts is unique and draws inspiration from its surroundings while giving back to the local community it belongs to. We believe that our commitment to originality, sustainability and exceptional guest experiences will continue to drive us to achieve ever greater success.”

The Akaryn group also operate the akyra Beach Club Phuket at Natai Beach, as well as the akyra Thonglor Bangkok and The President by AKARYN in Vientiane, Laos.

The group also operates the Pure Blue Foundation charity, which was established in 2010 to support marine conservation and community projects throughout Thailand.

Forbes Asia in September 2015 named founder and managing director Ms Anchalika as a Hero of Philanthropy in recognition for her dedication to supporting valuable conservation efforts.

The Phuket News

conferences in Hong Kong and Singapore,” Olivier said.

Gulu Lalvani, founder and CEO of Royal Phuket Marina, was plain in his choice. “I had two other boat show organisers, who hold large boat shows in the Med, wanting to take on this show, but my choice is with Olivier and Gael. They know the area, they know what’s on offer and they know what people want.

“I had a choice. I chose them for a reason, with Andy Dowden as part of the team,” he said.

HOSPITALITY N OVO T E L P H U K E T Phokeethra has announced the appointment of Sumontha Urvois as its new Executive Assistant Manager.

Ms Sumontha joined AccorHotels in March 2000. In her 16 years of experience in AccorHotels she has worked at the Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Novotel Ipswich and Sofitel Hua Hin. Most recently, she was the Executive Assistant Manager at Grand Mercure Phuket Patong.

“I am glad to have the opportunity to work with General Manager Khun Thierry Le Ponner and look forward to ensuring that we go beyond the guest expectations at Novotel Phuket Phokeethra,” Ms Sumontha said Novotel has over 470 hotels and resorts in 61 countries, located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations.

AccorHotels is present in 95 countries with more than 4,000 hotels and 240,000 employees.

The Phuket News

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

MGC-Asia pumps B400mn into luxury auto market AUTO MASTER GROUP CORPORAtion (Asia), also simply called MGC-ASIA, is splashing out B400 million to expand its luxury lifestyle market presence, marked by the launch of the “MGC-Asia Autoplex Phuket” on the bypass road late last month.

The four-rai facility, with 14,000-square-metre utility space, includes showrooms for RollsRoyce, Aston Martin, Azimut Yachts, BMW and Mini as well as used cars and a one-stop auto paint and body facility to open within the first quarter this year.

“MGC-ASIA’s 2020 vision is to become the leading auto retailer in Thailand and Asean,” MGC-ASIA CEO Dr Sanhavut Thamchuanwiriya revealed at the launch on Feb 24.

“Throughout the decade, the group has laid out foundations to accommodate the expansion in every aspect to achieve sustainable and strong growth,” he said.

“MGC-ASIA Autoplex Phuket is the key expansion to drive us towards 2020 vision where we expect to make overall income of B50 billion,” Dr Sanhavut added.

“Not only [does Phuket have] high tourism potential, Phuket is strategically located and con-

The B400 million showroom features Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce as well as an Azimut luxury yachts lounge. Photo: MGC-Asia nects other destinations along the Andaman Coast. As the regional and international tourism hub, Phuket welcomes more than 12.5 million visitors every year and

earns the tourism industry more than B2.5bn.

“It was not a difficult decision for us to expand to Phuket with MGC-ASIA Autoplex Phuket,” he added.

The group plans to expand with the opening of its B350mn “MGC-ASIA Autoplex Hat Yai”.

That showroom will include BWM, Mini, Honda, MMS-Bosch Car Service, rental car fleet, used cars as well as one-stop auto paint and body facility.

The complex, which will become one of the first two “auto cities” on the Andaman Coast and Gulf of Thailand, is expected to be complete within the second quarter

of this year, noted a corporate press release issued this week.

“This expansion would greatly benefit and strengthen the group’s venture as authorised dealer of BMW and Mini cars under Millennium Auto Group, which now has eight showrooms (five in Bangkok, three up-country) and one studio,” said the release.

“The aforementioned factors will greatly benefit the growth of MGC-ASIA throughout 2017, aspiring 10-15% increase from 2016. The firm expects to distribute 10,000 new cars and service more than 225,000 cars in the after sale facilities”, the release added.

The Phuket News

Property Awards underway

Nominations open for more than 30 categories across the country PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he annual PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, which seeks to reward the finest developers, properties and real estate personalities across the Kingdom, will return for its 12th annual edition this September.

PropertyGuru Group, the organiser of the long-running event, expects to receive more than 300 entries from developers with ongoing projects located in the top tier markets of Bangkok and Phuket, as well as emerging destinations of Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Samui, Phang Nga/Krabi, the Eastern Seaboard, the Northeast and Songkhla.

Developers, industry professionals and the general public are now invited to submit nominations for more than 30 categories until Friday, June 30.

“This is a great opportunity to share to the world what are being developed in those locations and to celebrate the key factors that drive the growth of the real estate industry in Thailand,” said Suphin Mechuchep, managing director of JLL Thailand and incumbent chairwoman of the independent judging panel.

Encouraged by the increasing inbound interest from institutional investors – especially the Chinese – JLL’s Mechuchep believes that despite the limited transactional opportunities available to foreign entities, real estate activity within various segments should pick up as soon as more investors learn about

Suphin Mechuchep, managing director of JLL Thailand and incumbent chairwoman of the independent judging panel, reveals the dates for the Thailand Property Awards 2017. the local market and how certain developments in Bangkok and major resort areas could benefit from such support.

An internationally recognised and respected platform that has championed the progress of the Thai real estate sector for over a decade, the Thailand Property Awards debuted in 2005 when the Southeast Asian property scene was just starting to make global strides.

“The Thailand Property Awards have showcased high quality developments and have well demonstrated an increased recognition and respect gained f rom the country’s real estate industry,” Mechuchep noted in her speech during the Awards’ 11th anniversary gala dinner.

That event was attended by around 600 VIPs and senior industry figures and saw MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation crowned the Best Developer

(Thailand) and collect a total of eight awards.

Mechuchep and MQDC’s group president Raj TantaNanta both appeared at the exclusive media launch for the 12th edition of the Awards held at the VA Room of Plaza Athenee Bangkok, a Royal Meridien hotel last Wednesday (Mar 1). Also present were Terry Blackburn, founder and managing director of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards; Kamolpat Swaengkit, country manager of DDproperty.com, official property portal; Paul Ashburn, co-managing partner of BDO Thailand, official judging supervisor; and Jaime Rivera, Asia regional manager of Crystal Lagoons, the event’s co-sponsor.

“Time and again Thailand has proven to be one of the region’s real estate leaders – whether it’s the retail, hospitality, villa or luxury residential segment – as we have seen in the quality of entrants in the

past 12 years. The Awards are meant to put a spotlight on the strongest aspects of the industry,” said Blackburn.

“We are pleased that developer demand has resulted in new categories for Songkhla and the North East and to debut our new Special Recognition in Universal Design category,” he added. “Universal Design is the design of a built environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability and we are proud to recognise it alongside long-standing awards for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development as part of PropertyGuru Group’s own CSR mission.”

Among the major categories in which developers will compete for the Best of the Best honours include: Best Condo Development (Thailand), whose winner will be

picked from condo categories winners; Best Housing Development (Thailand), chosen from the winners pool of villa and housing categories; and Best Commercial Development (Thailand), chosen from the hotel, retail and office categories.

A special award for Thailand’s Real Estate Personality of the Year will also be named by the editors of Property Report. Presented to an individual whose influence and achievements resonate across the Kingdom, the coveted title’s previous recipients include 2016’s Dr Suriya Poolvoralaks, managing director of Major Development, and 2015’s William “Bill” E. Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, a four-time winner last year that swept the hotel categories.

Hari V. Krishnan, CEO of PropertyGuru Group, commented on the Awards programme’s influence and longevity: “PropertyGuru Group’s commitment to Thailand real estate and consumers stems from our company mission to help property seekers make confident decisions through relevant content, actionable insights and world-class service.

“With the longstanding history of success of the Thailand Property Awards, the trust that we have earned with developers, buyers and renters over the years is reinforced.

Thailand remains one of our core markets and I have every confidence in its success.”

The top winners from Thailand will be eligible to participate in the grand finals of the Asia Property Awards held annually in Singapore every November, opening

up their businesses to new audiences around the region.

The black-tie gala dinner, on September 15 at Plaza Athenee Bangkok, will begin with a two-hour international cocktail networking reception, followed by a lavish fourcourse dinner, and the awards ceremony proper. Previous distinguished guests include Bangkok’s Deputy Governor Jumpol Sumpaopol and former Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, who attended the 2015 and 2016 events, respectively, as keynote speakers.

A day before the 2017 gala dinner, the organisers will also gather the country’s senior industry leaders to share insights and reflect on the local property market at the PropertyGuru Thailand Real Estate Summit on September 14 for a full-day networking conference that will feature regional and global experts.

Both the Summit and Gala Dinner receive extensive coverage through influential media outfits including Asia’s leading luxury real estate, architecture and design publication Property Report, as well as PropertyGuru Group’s market-leading property portals and affiliate websites used by more than 23 million property seekers in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Super early bird tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Thailand Property Awards 2017 are available. For details, email info@asiapropertyawards.com or call +66 (02) 204 9555.

The Phuket News is a proud media partner of the Thailand Property Awards. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Horse racing is an odd culture clash in Thailand

16

17

TOWERING TEMPLES

Majestic mountains in the hidden Himilayan kingdom of Bhutan > P21

@thephuketnews

The ins and outs of wearable tech

Dochula Pass at 3,000 metres offeras an incredible view of the Himalayas. Photo: Gรถran Hรถglund

16 CULTURE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Thousands of race fans attend the regular horseracing meets in Bangkok, often to wager on the outcome, as it is the only legal form of gambling outside of a state-run lottery. Photos: AFP

Horse racing’s glory days fading Sally Mairs

B

inoculars swinging around their necks, Thai punters erupt into cheers as horses round the final bend – the thrill of the race amplified by the rare chance to gamble in a country where betting is virtually banned.

“I come every week, I love horses,” says 66-year-old Chumpon Aunaeksri, eyeing the thoroughbreds as they trot onto the turf at the downtown Bangkok course, which is fringed by tower blocks.

The stadium’s scuffed concrete stands are filled with thousands of other race fans, mostly elderly men, snacking on peanuts and sipping beer as cigarette smoke wafts through the sticky city air. There is none of the glamour associated with the international racing circuit.

In Thailand it is all about the sport – and of course the chance to openly enjoy a flutter considering the tough anti-gambling laws. A former jockey himself, Chumpon has seen his fortunes wax and wane over the years, winning B20,000 on one Sunday only to lose B100,000 on another. Lately, he has endured a painful losing streak.

“But it’s okay, it’s all legal here,” he says.

Not so for underground casinos or even friendly backyard card games – which are routinely broken up by police and soldiers.

Even elderly bridge players are not exempt, with a squad of security officers hauling a pack of retired Brits over to the police station in Pattaya last year

A Thai punter watches a race with binoculars. for violating a ban on owning more than 120 playing cards.

Thailand’s hard line on betting is buttressed by beliefs that gambling contravenes the morality codes of Buddhism – a religion that more than 90% of the Thais adhere to.

Yet more than a third of all Thais still gamble regularly according to a 2015 study by Bangkok’s prestigious Chulalongkorn University, rolling the dice on cockfights, football matches and boxing bouts.

Only a combination of tradition, royal patronage and handsome tax returns have kept trackside betting safe, making it the only legal form of gambling outside of a state-run lottery.

Horseracing was first brought to Thai soil a century ago under King Chulalongkorn, a monarch credited with modernising Thailand and fending off the colonial powers who had carved up the rest of the region. After enjoying a race put on by Thais who had seen the sport abroad, the king bestowed a plot of land in the capital to become Thailand’s first course. Racing quickly bloomed.

Tracks were built in provincial cities around the country and stables sprouted up along Thailand’s poor and rural northeast, where

A jockey looking back at the scoreboard after competing at a racecourse in Bangkok. slight young men were recruited as jockeys. But harder times have befallen the industry in recent years as younger Thais increasingly fixate on football.

Bangkok’s two tracks still sell some 6,000 tickets each per race day, turning over around B40 million. But that is a steady drop-off from Thai racing’s heyday before the 1997 economic crisis, when the clubs raked in three times as much. Nearly a quarter of the profits are syphoned off in tax, a cut that racing authorities have warned is crippling the industry as its ticket sales sag.

Some believe that opening Thailand up to global competition could help keep the sport running. Today only Thai-bred horses can compete and the kingdom does not host international race meets.

Yet a peek around the stables behind Bangkok’s tracks suggests

Tradition, royal patronage and handsome tax returns have kept trackside betting safe.

that international acclaim remains a distant prospect for Thai horseracing. Official oversight to prevent doping is threadbare, with trainers free to administer medication to horses themselves and drug tests only run on animals that place first and second.

“It’s like the Wild West here,” says Helena Gabrielsson, a Swede who has trained a string of winners since she opened a stable with her Thai husband in 2011. Racerigging also remains all too common – giving horse owners the upper hand when it comes to closing the day with extra cash.

Thailand’s top jockey, Namsak Thepnarong, says many of his peers come under pressure from owners to fix the races and hold their horses back.

“Some jockeys have to take orders from the horse owners. They (the owners) determine everything,” the 10-times champion said, explaining his success allows him to operate independently and keep the shady approaches at bay. In the absence of transparency, regular punters know the safest bet is to follow the VIPs’ lead.

“If there are many people betting on a horse, I’ll just go for that one,” explained 79-year-old Preecha Sridama, a race devotee since he was 20.

“But it’s never certain,” he adds, peering back down at his notes for the next race.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TECHNOLOGY 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Get your gear on: wearable tech APPLICATION ABCS Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com

T

he terms wearable technology, wearable devices and wearables all refer to electronic technology or computers that have been incorporated into various items of clothing and accessories which can be comfortably worn.

Wearable devices are able to perform many of the same computing tasks as laptop computers and mobile phones, but more often than not wearable technology can outperform these devices completely.

Wearable technology tends to be more sophisticated due to the fact that it can provide sensory and scanning features not typically seen in laptop computers or mobile devices.

The latest generation of wearables tap into the connected self – they have smart sensors and make use of a web connection. Wearable tech and wearable devices use smart sensors to connect to you as a person while helping to achieve goals such as staying fit and active, being more organised or even losing weight.

Most wearables are worn on the wrist, but increasingly can be clipped to the body or even hung around the neck like a necklace. Wearables are quickly

The FitBit Charge 2.

The Huawei Watch.

blending with, and in some cases, even replacing every day jewellery.

Best wearable tech of 2017 Looking to buy a wearable? Here are some of the best wearables on the market thus far in 2017.

What kinds of wearables are there?

There are a few different categories of wearables, but the most popular include smart watches, fitness trackers, sports watches, smart clothing and smart jewellery. Some of the most popular wearables come from companies such as Garmin, Fitbit, Jawbone, Apple, Samsung, Asus and Sony.

Wearables from these companies are getting very good at tracking and measuring us and can record heart rate, perspiration, health, body fat consumption, temperature and muscle activity by simply touching the skin as well as movement, speed and distance using GPS. Think of your wearable tech device as your personal life coach and use it to your advantage. Make the most of your wearable tech device by tracking your sleep patterns, exercise routines and smartphone notifications.

How algorithms run the world

W

hen you browse online for a new pair of shoes, pick a movie to stream on Netflix or apply for a car loan, an algorithm likely has a say on the outcome. The complex mathematical formulas are playing a growing role in our lives: from detecting skin cancers to suggesting new Facebook friends, deciding who gets a job, how police resources are deployed and who gets insurance at what cost.

Algorithms are being used – experimentally – to write news articles from raw data, while Donald Trump’s presidential campaign was helped by an algorithm that located the highest concentrations of “persuadable voters”.

But while such automated tools can inject a measure of objectivity into erstwhile subjective decisions, fears are rising over the lack of transparency algorithms can entail, with pressure growing to apply standards of ethics or “accountability”. Data scientist Cathy O’Neil cautions about “blindly trusting” formulas to determine a fair outcome.

“Algorithms are not inherently fair, because the person who builds the model defines success,” she said. O’Neil argues that while some algorithms may be helpful, others can be nefarious. In her 2016 book, Weapons of Math Destruction, she cites some troubling examples in the United States: • Public schools in Washington DC in 2010 fired more than 200 teachers – including several well-respected instructors – based on scores in an algorithmic formula which evaluated performance.

• A man diagnosed with bipolar disorder was rejected for employment at seven @thephuketnews

Algorithms can drastically shape our lives without us even knowing it. Photo: C Hutchins major retailers after a third-party “personality” test deemed him a high risk based on its algorithmic classification.

• Many jurisdictions are using “predictive policing” to shift resources to likely “hot spots”. O’Neill says that depending on how data is fed into the system, this could lead to discovery of more minor crimes and a “feedback loop” which stigmatises poor communities.

• In the world of finance, brokers “scrape” data from online and other sources in new ways to make decisions on credit or insurance. This too often amplifies prejudice against the disadvantaged, O’Neil argues.

Her findings were echoed in a White House report last year warning that algorithmic systems “are not infallible – they rely on the imperfect inputs, logic, probability, and people who design them.”

The report noted that data systems can ideally help weed out human bias but warned against algorithms “systematically disadvantaging certain groups.”

AFP

The Garmin Forerunner 235.

Best Fitness Tracker: FitBit Charge 2 The FitBit Charge 2 gauges heart rate and complete tracking minus GPS and swimming.

Best Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 2 is faster than before and adds waterproofing and GPS. Best Android wear watch: Huawei Watch Sleek in design, the Huawei Watch is fully compatible with Android Wear 2.0, Google’s latest update to Android Wear.

Best GPS running watch: Garmin Forerunner 235 An all-in-one fitness tracker and running watch, the Garmin Forerunner 235

The Apple Watch Series 2. was designed to cater to casual up to serious runners.

Wearable tech is the way forward.

The best wearable teach will continue to evolve and change. However, there has never been a better time to invest in a wearable and use it to your advantage.

Amy Bensema is a long-term expat in Phuket with a keen interest in social media and tech.

18 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Pop in to ‘Pop Up’ Unique dining experience showcases food from Phuket’s best restaurants Lanna Dusita River Resort by Andacura, Chiang Mai; an eight-course dinner for two at Suhring, Bangkok, and more. There will also be music from Majesty Island Band, DJ Rozza, DJ Tank and, of course, lots of dancing!

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

“P

op Up” is back and bigger than ever at a new location, with even more amazing food and beverage sponsors taking part. On Saturday, April 1, for one night only, the 20 best restaurants in Phuket will “Pop Up” at Latitude in Laguna in support of Phuket Has Been Good To Us. Don’t miss what is sure to be Phuket’s the best foodie event of the year!

This exclusive event will give you the chance to taste a huge range of unique dishes from some of the island's most acclaimed chefs. From Thai and Italian to tapas and fusion cuisine, no stone will be left unturned as 20 of Phuket's best chefs show you what they can do.

Pop by and try culinary creations from the chefs at Anantara Layan Resort & Spa, Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket, Bampot Kitchen

Date: Saturday April 1 at 7pm Location: Latitude in Laguna Dress Code: Summer Vibes Proudly sponsored by Live89.5.

Twenty of Phuket’s best restaurants will be hosting food stalls at the event. & Bar, Bodega & Grill at Angsana, Breeze at Cape Yamu, DeDos, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, ENZO Japanese Restaurant, Firef ly at The Pavillions Phuket, Higher, Iniala Kitchen & Bar, Kata Rocks, Metzo's Bistro and Bar, Outrigger, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach, Panache at Angsana Villas, Paresa Phuket, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, The

9th Floor and Two Chefs.

There will be free flow all night from Andaman Wine Club, Artisan, BB&B, Beervana, Brand Connect, Freixenet and Mai Khao Dreams.

The evening will feature amazing silent auction and raffle prizes including a customised four-course dinner and sunset Pontoon boat cruise for six from Angsana Laguna; two nights at

Entry is by donation of B2,500.

Bookings are a must, call 076 278 146 or email info@phukethasbeengoodtous. org or book online at: https://www.tickettailor.com/all-tickets/26485/38a9/ All proceeds go to Phuket Has Been Good To Us, a Thai registered charity providing free English education to over 1,200 underprivileged Thai children in Phuket. To learn more and get involved please visit www.phukethasbeengoodtous.org or like the foundation’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/phukethasbeengoodtous

Madrid Fusión Manila to draw world’s top chefs and gourmets

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ith Filipino cuisine cited as one of top food trends in 2017 by publications like New York Times and Bloomberg, Madrid Fusión Manila, held over April 6-8, is poised to once again draw the world’s top chefs and food enthusiasts.

This year’s theme, “Towards a Sustainable Gastronomic Planet,” will explore how to transform gastronomy while respecting environmental limits

and enhancing cultural traditions.

“As the world’s second largest archipelago with more than 7,107 tropical islands and thousands of rare and endemic species, the Philippines is an excellent venue for presentation and discussion of sustainable gastronomy,” said The Phillipines Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo. The event will have three main components: The International Gastronomy

Congress; Fusión Manila International Gastronomy Expo, and the month-long Flavours of the Philippines calendar of events.

The International Gastronomy Congress will be a platform for innovation to discuss the future of food.

Speakers include some of the world’s best chefs like: Paco Pérez of the 2 Michelin Star This year’s theme is ‘Towards a Sustainable Gastronomic Planet’. restaurants Miramar and Enoteca (Spain) and 1 Michelin Star restaurant 5-Cinco month-long calendar of gastronomic (Germany); Jordi Roca and Alejandra and cultural experiences will also Rivas of the 3 Michelin Star restaurant take place. There will be food festivals El Celler de Can Roca, No. 2 (Spain); and fiestas, culinary tours and food Régis Marcon of the 3 Michelin Star trips, dinners with the stars, mallrestaurant Régis and Jacques Marcon wide food events, cook-fests and bar (France) and more. crawls, special Flavours of the PhilipThe Fusión Manila International pines menus in restaurants, gourmet Gastronomy Expo will showcase and agri markets, trade fairs, and gourmet food and beverage products, more. Celebrated annually in Madrid ingredients, technologies, creative since 2003, Madrid Fusión is considtableware, destination and lifestyle ered one of the leading gastronomy settings, and services. In keeping with gatherings in the world. the theme, the expo will also feature culinary tourism.

More information can be found at: www.

Flavours of the Philippines, a madridfusionmanila.com. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PEOPLE 19

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

A brunch with Bruce Stanley A MEAL WITH...

Baz Daniel editor@classactmedia.co.th

W

elcome to this new regular column which is titled “A Meal with...”

For each article, I have the great pleasure of inviting one of Phuket’s best known personalities to join me for a meal in one of their favourite eateries. Not content to luxuriate in a cocoon of indulgent hedonism however, we will also turn our attention to one weighty question that concerns all of us here in Phuket: “Where is Phuket going?”

While nibbling on fine comestibles and quaffing enlivening libations, we will seek to define where our beloved “tropical island paradise” is heading, for better or worse, and what, if anything, we can do about it.

My first guest (or victim) is Bruce Stanley, certainly one of the island’s best-known media personalities who has been visiting Phuket since 1971 and has called it his home for over 25 years.

I am fortunate in counting Bruce as a close friend and he is an archetypical example of the man who seems to know everybody and whom everybody seems to know.

Bruce began his illustrious career as a foreign reporter for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, while still in university. He travelled and filed stories from regional wars in Central America, the civil war in Nigeria, and for the independence of Bangladesh.

Bruce became a freelance writer in 1971 but first arrived in Phuket to cover the openings of the island’s first five-star resorts, Le Meridien Phuket, Phuket Yacht Club (now The Nai Harn), the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, and the former Phuket Arcadia (now the Phuket Hilton) all of which opened in 1987 and brought the first waves of international tourists. He visited Phuket often after that and finally settled on the island in 1991 to work in the developing English media sector.

Our meal together was a fabulous Sunday brunch at Sail’s, the lustrous poolside restaurant in the Hilton Arcadia. Amidst an explosion of pool-side vegetation Bruce and I nibbled on a fantastic range of fine cuisine including domestic and imported seafood, splendid sushi and sashimi, a huge meat selection, complementary salads, always remembering to leave tummy space for the great assortment of different cheeses and cold cuts, and finally the various kinds of dessert, from mango puddings to delicious tiramisu that awaited us.

In many ways this brunch seems to exemplify all that is best about Phuket – fabulous scenery, tropical vegetation, happy families and kiddies enjoying the great outdoors and the very best in food, hospitality and holiday entertainment.

However, Bruce pointed that in the early days, things were not at all like this. In the first decade of international tourism, the winter season saw primarily European visitors eager to sample the pleasures of tropical Southeast Asia. The monsoon season brought the Japanese who supported the new resorts during a @thephuketnews

Baz Daniel with Bruce Stanley enjoying brunch at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa in Karon. quieter (less costly) time.

Bruce notes that life was not particularly easy on Phuket in the early years as there were daily power cuts that left everyone gasping for air. Only the best resorts had high-powered generators to provide relief. There was little or no air conditioning on the island.

Only one store provided Western foodstuff to the expat community as the local Thais generally did not consume butter, cheese or coffee. Since there were fewer cars on the island, this allowed those on motorcycles to drive even faster and more erratically. And says Bruce, raising a knowing eyebrow, “There’s no need for me to talk about the police and immigration services in those early day.”

Time passes and now in 2017, 46 years after Bruce’s arrival in Phuket, he offers up a few key thoughts on the future of tourism for the island.

1. While in the early years, resorts would focus on a single market and hope to make them feel comfortable in each other’s company, we have seen a gradual growth in mixed tourism whereby many nationalities share tourism facilities.

2. The debate that has raged for many years about whether the future for Phuket tourism centres on attracting high-end visitors, or accepting the mass market. It seems the latter argument has won with many former high-end visitors now having holidays in a wide variety of competitive destinations far from the rumble of huge tour buses.

3. The efficiency and transparency of local government continues to improve to meet the requirements of small and big investors and the government agencies in Bangkok who monitor issues regarding safety and legal proceedings.

4. We continue to see the growth and diversity of food stuffs, wines and beers on offer to meet the tastes of an ever more diverse collection of visitors.

While 30 years ago, only a few hundred thousand international visitors bravely arrived to a somewhat unknown Phuket, today that figure has grown into many millions, creating an enormous demand for services which the local authorities and tourism leaders struggle, not unsuccessfully, to meet.

5. We see continued improvement in medical care. Thirty years ago, there were only two small hospitals on Phuket neither of which could provide complex treatments. Today the number of hospitals continues to grow providing services to fit most budgets and medical and den-

tal tourism are huge money-spinners.

Bruce emphasises that while it is easy to be critical about the problems of growth and the blight of infrastructure on Phuket, we should acknowledge the tremendous planning and control that is needed to cope with the development of one of the world’s most successful tourism hubs.

Phuket is not what it was 30 years ago. Those looking for a tropical paradise have either departed to other islands, or are preparing to do so. The island is now an urban tropical resort destination not unlike Bali, or the resort communities in Florida or Mexico,

where millions arrive wanting sun, sea and sand.

Thirty years ago the local Thais did not speak much English but wanted the lucrative jobs in the international resorts. That led to a lot of frustration with guests and Thais had to learn about saving face when someone would yell at them.

Increasingly, Thai tourism workers speak English and are well trained.

Many are the second generation of their family in tourism and they are no longer intimidated by foreigners at work. Also there were no trained hospitality managers 30 years ago but today and in the future we see more Thai general managers who have years of experience.

Bruce concluded by saying; “I’d like to stress the diversity of arrivals into Phuket these days, a trend, along with the increase in sophisticated travellers, which is bound to continue. I recall in the 1990s, some nationalities, brought their own food in suitcases as they were terrified to eat anything besides their national dishes.

“There were stories of others who always brought scissors with them so that they could deftly cut out carpet pieces from under the beds to take home as souvenirs. The visitors of the future will have been to many destinations, sampled the cuisine of many cultures and travel oblivious to the dangers of being in a strange place. The internet and mass, low-cost airlines have a lot to answer for!”

20 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Inspired in Chiang Rai Satree Phuket’s IPC students head north for some hands-on learning Mike Opaliski

S

atree Phuket School’s International Program Cambridge (IPC) recently headed north to Chiang Rai near the Thai-Myanmar border for their annual Outside Classroom Learning (OCL) event. Formally known as Week Without Walls, this year’s event featured several full days of engaging learning activities which students will remember for years to come.

After flying to Chiang Rai and travelling just a bit further north to the Mae Sai District, students and staff spent a full day at one of Satree Phuket’s sister schools, Maesaiprasitsart School. Following a delightful welcoming ceremony by the host school, those in attendance heard inspirational opening remarks by directors of both schools.

Student representatives from Maesaiprasitsart and Satree Phuket continued the morning’s events by taking

Students at the talent show.

turns sharing information about their schools’ programs, the Multilingual Program and the Cambridge Program respectively.

Next, students went on a guided tour of Maesaiprasitsart’s campus and each student was partnered with a new buddy from the other school. Together, each student pair worked as a team and participated in many challenging learning activities. In addition, all students had an opportunity to learn and create their very own traditional Northern Thailand handicraft called tung lanna.

The day was capped off with a welcome dinner party and student talent show at Maesaiprasitsart School and students from both schools showcased many of their singing and dancing abilities for the dinner guests.

In the days that followed, Satree IPC students were educated on how mulberry paper (saa) is made by hand at Jinnaluck Learning Centre and even hand-crafted a notebook of their own.

The group also visited Sankong Community Centre to bond with and learn

Making mulberry paper at the Jinnaluck Centre.

Students watch a potter at work at the Doy Din Dang Pottery in Chiang Rai: Photos: Mike Opaliski embroidery skills from elderly Hill Tribe women, and also helped prepare delicious Northern Thai foods and desserts under the supervision of their community centre hosts.

The week’s learning activities wrapped up with a visit to Doy Din Dang Pottery Studio, where students learned firsthand about the entire process of making pottery, especially how an experienced potter brings a lump of clay to life on a pottery wheel through the art of throwing clay.

A trip to Chiang Rai would not be complete without a visit to Wat Rong Khun, so before heading back to Phuket the group had a chance to explore the temple grounds. Students and staff

alike were amazed by the intricate beauty which Chiang Rai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat has created over the years at the site.

Throughout the duration of the trip students were required to keep a daily learning journal to reflect on what they experienced each day. In addition, all 35 of the IPC students were split evenly among seven teams and every evening they worked together to create a video presentation about a specific part of the adventures in Chiang Rai. Students will be sharing their creative videos and talking about their experiences with Satree IPC’s staff, student body and parents during an upcoming event at the school.

BISP early entry students get the worm

C

ongratulations are due to the British International School, Phuket’s (BISP) early entry IGCSE Biology and International Mathematics students who sat their IGCSE exams early, in November 2016, rather than June 2017 and achieved some exceptional results.

In Biology, 54% of students received an A+, and 42% of students received an A. In International Mathematics, 44% of students received an A+, and 56% of students received an A. The outstanding results are the culmination of nearly three years of hard work. The students began working towards the goal of early entry in Year 9 and accelerated in Year 10.

Students will continue in Science to take IGCSE Physics and Chemistry, and those in Mathematics will continue to Additional Mathematics, which will then prove an excellent starting point for the IB Diploma course in the subsequent year. Thanks go to Mr Richardson and Mr Chambers for leading the classes.

In other BISP news, last Friday (Mar 3), 12 BISP top KS3 mathematicians participated in the 3rd annual Phuket Island Mathematics

BISP early entry IGCSE Biology and International Mathematics students achieved excellent scores in their exams.

Contest, this year hosted by UWCT. Students were challenged throughout the course of the day with a wide variety of activities, from a fast-paced and physical “Energiser” round to an outdoor “Maths Trail”, as well as a “Mathematical Catchphrase”.

BISP students were joined by students from UWCT, HeadStart and Kajonkiet and worked excellently in their mixed teams. Particular congratulations go to BISP Round Winners, Caterina, Baimon and Prae, all from Year 7 and Bai from Year 9. All four girls achieved individual medals for their excellence, in addition to their

certificates of participation.

Last Saturday (Mar 3), BISP also hosted the International History Bee and Bowl competition where 35 students from BISP and HeadStart took part in the exciting quiz competition.

The Bowl (team competition) results per divisions were: The Varsity Division gold went to HeadStart. The BISP Varsity Team took the silver (Daniel Pedroni, Samuel Bancroft, Lea Margo, Carlos Dias Neto, Andrew Smith). The Junior Varsity gold went to BISP (William van Dijkhuizen, Pierluigi D’Aquino-Villani, Michael Larsson and Austin Speers).

Middle School Division gold also went to BISP (Harriet Clowes, Jessica Clayton, Kit Stevens, Sabrina Franck and Daniella Kans). The Bee (individual) competition results: Gold: Albert Tantivit (HeadStart) Silver: Malvika Kaur Sachdeva (BISP) Bronze: Marina Parakhina (BISP) In addition, Max Porter (BISP), Rahul Sriram (BISP), Jessica Clayton (BISP) and Albert Tantivit (HeadStart) qualified for entry to the Singapore geography competition in June.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TRAVEL 21

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

A kingdom in the clouds Paro Taktsang is a stunning temple complex located on a cliffside in the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

T

Andrew J Wood

he opportunity to visit Bhutan is rare and tantalising prospect, the Himalayan kingdom still remains somewhat mysterious to outsiders, it is perhaps best known for measuring its prosperity in Gross National Happiness rather than in economic terms.

Visitors to Bhutan must pay a government stipulated daily fee of US$250 (B8,700) which covers your accommodation and guide for the duration of your visit. The country receives only about 130,000 visitors a year, so compared to somewhere like Thailand it seems virtually untouched by tourism.

We arrived at the capital on a direct flight from Bangkok with a plan of taking in some of the countries most famous landmarks. Particularity the Punakha Dzong, an ancient fortress constructed in the unique and imposing Bhutanese architectural style. Our first stop after leaving the capital Thimphu, on the journey east, was Dochula Pass at 10,500 feet or approximately 3,000 metres. Only 45 minutes from Thimphu, it offered us our second glimpse of the Himalayan range. (Our first was on the flight into Paro airport on our inward journey from Bangkok.)

At the pass we reached our highest point of the day, down here on the valley floor, although lower, I still had to catch my breath. You really started to notice the air was thinner. We hiked to Chimi Llakhang in Punakha. It is a temple dedicated to the 15th century figure known as the divine mad monk.

The locals go there to receive blessings of fertility.

We hiked about three kilometres through fields and empty rice paddies – our objective lay ahead, on a rise in a landscape dotted with small holdings and fields and streams. It was a mild

The author dwarfed by a massive prayer wheel at the entrance to the Punakha Dzong. @thephuketnews

A statue of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen in eastern Bhutan. day – bright, clear and warm in the sun rays, but with a crispness that comes with altitude and cool air. The ground and air were bone dry – this was winter and water was plentiful in the brooks and streams, but there was no rain and no humidity.

The temple’s golden apex glittered in the bright morning sunlight as we traversed the fields and followed a small brook that flowed swiftly through the green and brown dirt fields and now empty rice paddies. The water was clear and ice cold. Temperatures drop to -5°C and lower at night.

The temple is dedicated to one of Bhutan’s more colourful characters. He was actually Tibetan and not a monk, but a devote Buddhist who somewhat contradictorily had a reputation as a womaniser and also enjoyed a tipple or two. On the hike to the temple we passed many young women with babies wrapped in blankets who were carried snuggly in their mother’s arms or across their backs. They were on the way to the temple to give thanks and to make an offering to the image of the Tibetan for having been blessed with a child.

It’s a short step from womanising to being a symbol and a celebration of fertility. Culturally it’s easier to swallow, being a more user friendly image for the guide books. The locals, however, clearly believe the monk even today could help them to conceive. Phallic symbols adorn buildings everywhere in the village en route to the temple and are even sold in the village shop.

The monks in the temple also tap you on the head with a wooden phallus and a replica of the mad monk’s bow and arrow (according to folklore, he rid the village of witches and fierce dogs).

Before you leave, the monk blesses you with holy water made with saffron which turns the water yellow, a symbolic gesture to all visitors which makes the journey to reach the divine monk’s temple even more satisfying.

We also visited the Punakha Dzong.

A gorgeous building built in the typical Bhutanese style. The sun casts breathtaking light on the Dzong and the adjacent canter-lever bridge spanning the river. The Dzong dominates the valley floor. Before Thimphu was made the capital of Bhutan, Punakha held the title as winter capital because of its more temperate climate. Thimphu’s monks

The imposing Punakha Dzong has stood for centuries in the mountains of Bhutan. and the Je Khenpo (leader of Bhutan’s religious order) still come to Punakha to pass the winter and the Dzong is home to hundreds of monks.

Punakha Dzong was strategically built at the confluence of the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (Female) rivers by the first Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal of Bhutan, in 1637. It has been destroyed by four fires and an earthquake in 1897 and has frequently been

devastated by flood water coming from the great northern glaciers. The Dzong has now been fully restored to its original splendour. It is magnificent and a “must see” on your visit to Bhutan.

The trip was a fascinating but all too short look at this amazingly beautiful and remote country and I hope to return one day to discover more of its wonderfully ornate buildings and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

22 ISLAND SCENE

Martin and Jimmy get serious.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

From left: Manawika Ratanasuvan, Chalee Maneerat and Phensiri Na Nakornphanom from The Shell Company of Thailand talk with Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan.

Kit, Vincent and Gael are all smiles.

Bob Mott, flanked by Simon and Annie.

MARINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS NETWORK AT ‘GROW BOATING’ NIGHT AT RPM The monthly ‘Grow Boating Industry Night’ at Royal Phuket Marina was held last Friday (Mar 3) with a run-down on what is happening with the Phuket Rendezvous. The Grow Boating event is held for marine industry professionals, as well as anyone interested in the industry, to share ideas, discuss best practices and create new business opportunities.

The Ride 4 Kids team starting their ride in Hua Hin on Monday (Mar 6).

RIDE 4 KIDS PREPARE FOR THEIR EPIC RIDE FROM HUA HIN TO PHUKET

Live 89.5 DJ Donna Toon interviews some students from Kajonkiet.

The gang from Ride 4 Kids are on their way to Phuket and are expected to arrive on the island tomorrow (Mar 11). But before they left, rider, organiser and Live 89.5 host Donna Toon took part in a live broadcast from Kajonkiet International School in Kathu to help spread the word and raise money for the event. Money raised from the six-day, 845 kilometre ride will go towards supporting three of the island's child-focussed charity organisations. To celebrate the end of the ride, a coming home party will be held at title sponsor Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort tomorrow at 6pm.

Live 89.5 DJ Chris Howson talks to some of the Kajonkiet students.

FEBRUARY'S TRASH HERO PHUKET STUDENT CHALLENGE WINNER Giacomo Solaroli from HeadStar t International School won February's Trash Hero Phuket Student Challenge. He gets two tickets to Surf House Kata Beach, a Trash Hero T-Shirt and a Trash Hero reusable bottle. Well done for making a difference, Giacomo. Want to enter? Visit facebook. com/trashherophuket for more information.

Giacomo Solaroli from HeadStart International School. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Ravi Chandran, MD of Laguna Phuket, Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan, Minister of Tourism and Sports Dr Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and Laguna Directors Mr Ho KwonCjan, Damame Jamnongsri Hanchanlash and Dr Jingjai Hanchanlash.

VIPs dressed in white for the Gala Charity Dinner at the Lattitude Marquee.

British Honorary Consul to Phuket Martin Carpenter MBE hosted the charity auction.

Pop-opera stars FIVERA also performed on the night.

INAUGURAL LAGUNA FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL DRAWS BIG CROWDS Laguna Phuket celebrated its 30th Anniversary last weekend (Mar 3-5) with its first ever Food & Music Festival. Various Laguna Phuket resorts hosted sumptuous music and wine dinners to kick off the festival last Friday. On Saturday, Canal Village saw ‘live’ culinary demonstrations by Chef Audra Morrice along with other international chefs and pop-up concept food booths serving tantalising international and Peranakan cuisine. The Festival’s star-studded Charity Gala Dinner was held last Sunday at the resort’s Grand Latitude Marquee. The Laguna Phuket Charity Super Sunday Brunch, also held last Sunday, took place at Xana Beach Club.

From left: Kittima Sethi, Armelle Le Bihan, Somsak Bookam and Pacharee Pantoomano Pfirsch.

From left: Remi Ducrocq and the KYKLO team, Pitchsinee Intanon on behalf of Kongkiat Kespechara, Kanda Stanakulpanich on behalf of Peter Wainman, Frederick Besson from Perfumist.fr, Somsak Bookam, Pirachai Bencharongkul and Armelle Le Bihan.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS WIN BIG AT AWARDS CEREMONY IN BANGKOK Brand Now Co., Ltd, a boutique marketing and PR agency presented B1.2 million worth of PR services to two winning entrepreneurs during the Entrepreneur Now Awards 2017 held at the Rembrandt Hotel in Bangkok last Friday (Mar 3). Brand Now’s Co-Founders Kittima Sethi and Pacharee Pantoomano Pfirsch presented the prizes to Armelle Le Bihan, Director of Green Building Consulting & Engineering – Technisoft, who won Outstanding Female Entrepreneur Award and Eco Entrepreneur Award, and Somsak Bookam, founder of online travel marketplace localalike.com who won the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award.

From left: Laguna Food and Music Festival guest Chef Audra Morrice and Chef Sean Connelly with Ravi Chandran and Timo Germanos.

Pinnson Beavan enjoying some fairy floss at the brunch.

FOOD AND FUN AT XANA’S LAGUNA PHUKET CHARITY SUPER SUNDAY BRUNCH The Laguna Phuket Charity Super Sunday Brunch held last Sunday (Mar 5) took place at Xana Beach Club. Scores of diners turned out to support the event and enjoy Xana’s sumptuous Sunday Brunch Buffet. @thephuketnews

24 EVENTS

FRI

10 MAR

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM western items) are served ‘buffet’ style. Our Chef will arrange truly 100% fresh seafood from our fisherman and also prime meats for this special event… We are very confident you will love this event. Reservations, Nook Dee - Kata Beach 076 688 888.

SAT

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

to our humble homestead. Joining Eddie for this very special night will be two stalwarts of the London Underground scene, Vinyl resident Funky MP and Simon Atkinson of Positive Sound System. From 9pm till late.

Free Entry. Vinyl Cafe - 23/14 Chao Fa East Road, Muang, Phuket.

11 MAR Sunday Roast All Day All Night

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN at Two Chefs!!! www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286479 Patong 076-344-914.

Live Sports at Expat Hotel NRL, AFL, Soccer, Rugby Union. Any live sport, we will show it. Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com

SUN

12 MAR

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Beach, Kata Center, Karon and Patong! Indulge ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes.

Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN! www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Full Moon Festival at Paradise Beach Phuket

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar

This Full Moon Festival is going to be BIG! The Line Up includes Special Guest DJs: Natty Rico (FR), Jay Please (AU), DJ RDG (UK) and DJ A (TH).

CALL US: +66 (0) 924 856 250. RSVP: info@paradisebeachphuket.com. CONTACT US: http://paradise beachphuket.com/contact-us. FREE ROUNDTRIP SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE PICK UP POINTS: paradisebeachphuket.com/reach-us

Mediterranean Sunday Brunch at Metzo’s

The competition at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach

Feast to your heart’s content on our Mediterranean menu of mezze and tapas served family style at your table, live cooking station, kids’ corner and dessert buffet. After brunch, why not relax and take in the view of the Andaman Sea with complimentary access to the resort swimming pool. Starting from THB 990++ per person. Reservations, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, metzos@outrigger.co.th 076 360 600.

Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otoolsphuket.com

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with french fries, your choice, your style: nature, marnière, provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Ride 4 Kids Coming Home Party Come and celebrate the finish of this epic journey with the riders and support crew for Ride 4 Kids, kicking off with sunset drinks at 6pm. Free flow selected beverages from 6pm - 9pm as well as delicious Metzos tapas and grill all for 2,500 THB per person. For tickets, please contact Ride 4 Kids Facebook page. Silent Auction prizes up for grabs all in support of The Good Shepherd, Phuket Has Been Good To Us and Outrigger’s Share for Change. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

Sunday Fun Brunch

Friday is Wine & Tapas night at Cape Sienna Hotel Kamala All you can eat Tapas with one bottle of Regular White or Red: Baht 1,490 net per person. Premium White, Red, Rose and Bubbly: Baht 1,790 net per person.

Tapas starts: 19:00 – 22:00. Located Vanilla Sky Bar, Cape Sienna Hotel, Kamala. 076 337 300.

Thai Seafood and Meat BBQ THB 999.-++ @Lobby Terrace (Weather permiting) from 19:00 – 22:00 hrs. The most amazing and delicious BBQ at Kata Beach Join us for this culinary extravaganza where ‘Authentic’ Thai dishes (and some

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch The Banyan Tree Seafood Brunch experience returns with a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exception Lobster dished, Japanese starters, mouth-watering meats, Asia wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12.00-15.30, price start from 2,800net per person.

Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com 076 372 400.

Full Moon Party Volume 8 at XANA Beach Club

Phuket’s most popular brunch experience. Seafood, live station, entertainment, kid’s corner and massage corner. From 1,650++ THB. 12.00 - 15.30. Reservation: info@xanabeachclub.com 076 358 500.

THB 300 including a complimentary drink. Reservations, XANA Beach Club. 076 358 500

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

Evil Eddie Richards at Vinyl Cafe

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

Vinyl Cafe is proud to present what will be a night of exceptional Underground House Music. Once again Vinyl Cafe Phuket brings a stella line up to the people of Phuket. Expect an evening of aural excellence to get your mind thinking and your body moving. We welcome back the legend that is Evil Eddie Richards

Beef, Pork & Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservation recommended 350 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

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MON

13 MAR

EVENTS 25

com. For more information please contact info@piwcphuket.com. Annual General Meeting starts at 10:00 am Registration for lunch starts at 11:30 am.

FRI

17 MAR

Run in March 2017, with an expected crowd of over 3,000 runners. This challenging race is open to runners of all ages, featuring four running distances and categories from 500 meters to 10 miles. Register online at thanyapura.com Proudly sponsored by Khao Phuket.

SAT

25 MAR

All you can eat BBQ night 6PM – 11PM: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squids, salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

WED

15 MAR

Exclusive Six-course Degustation Dinner by Will Holland Will Holland opened his highly acclaimed restaurant “Coast” less than 3 years ago right on the shoreline of Pembrokeshire in the South of Wales. Holland gained his Michelin star before the age of 30 in the fine dining La Becasse in Ludlow. Diners can expect modern British cuisine with freshly caught fish, imported seafood and meat and vegetables from local farmers. 4,750 THB Net. Limited tables only, package for 2 nights accommodation available including dinner. Advance reservations are recommended.Reservations, Cosmo Restaurant, The Nai Harn Phuket fbreservation@thenaiharn.com 076 380 200.

FRI

Dine 4 Pay 3 Oriental Buffet Dinner Extravaganza Embark on a journey to the four corners of Asia and enjoy a lavish array of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and other Oriental recipes. Develop your taste buds and experience new flavours; ranging from spicy curries to barbecued meats and local noodle plates, while watching our Chefs work their magic in the lively kitchen every Wednesday from 18:00 – 22:00 for THB 999 per person at Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas. Reservations, Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas, h8109@accor.com 076 231 999.

International Jazz-Swing Band Take a swinging trip down memory lane as big band ‘Big to the Future’ performs hits of past in their jazz-swing and soulful style.

The one-night only show features nine musicians from Netherlands, Thailand, Germany, Australia, USA, Russia and Belgium.

DJ Tank will keep the rhythm going between sets. Tickets THB 1,500 p.p. which includes light buffet and a drink. Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort 076 370 100. Co-sponsored

by Diageo Thailand.

EVERY DAY

31 MAR All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam Aussie bacon & egg rolls NOW at Cafe Siam. All day breakfast, just like mum makes. Lavazza Coffee, healthy snacks & salads. Find us at the Entrance of The Royal Paradise Complex, Patong. Mon - Sat 8.30am - 4.00pm. Facebook: CafeSiamGuesthousePhuket 081 676 9411.

Happy St.Patricks Day Don’t miss out on March 17th 2017 at Two Chefs Karon for our St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Join us for a memorable evening! Indulge in Irish Beef Stew for Only 395 Baht. Our Famous House Band will be performing a U2 Acoustic Tribute with all of your favorite songs from 9pm until late. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes, food and fun all night long! RESERVE Now www.twochefs.com Two Chefs Karon, 076 286 479.

Reggae Night Come feel alright with us on March 31st 2017 at Two Chefs Kata Beach! Our Famous House Band will be performing all of your favorite Reggae songs from 9pm until late. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes, food and fun all night long! RESERVE Now. www.twochefs.comTwo Chefs Kata Center, 076 333 370.

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.

THU

16 MAR

Boat Lagoon Weekend Beats & Bites & Music & Food & Fun. พบกันงานแสดงดนตรี อาหาร และความสนุกหลายรูปแบบ ทีง่ านโบ๊ทลากูนวีคเอนด์ 17-18 March 2017. From 6.00pm till 10.00pm at Lagoon Quay.

Phuket Boat Lagoon 076 239 055.

SUN

SAT

1 APR

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. World of Curries @790 THB++, Thai & International Buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++,Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++.

The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. For reservations, email rimtalay@amari.com or call 076 340106-14 #8027.

19 MAR Pop Up 3 at Latitude with Angsana

Annual General Meeting 2017 & March Luncheon Annual General Meeting followed by lunch at Le Meridien Beach Resort & Spa in Patong on 16th March 2017. Both functions will be held at Wang Warin restaurant. We will be also electing a committee for the 2017/2018 year. If you would like to join our committee please contact Lyn on e-mail : lyncarthew@hotmail.

@thephuketnews

Supersports 10 Mile International Run Thanyapura Phuket, in cooperation with Supersports, Thailand’s leading sports retailer, will organise the third edition of the Supersports 10 Mile International

On Saturday 1st April, for one night only, 20 of the best restaurants in Phuket will Pop Up at Latitude in Laguna in support of Phuket Has Been Good To Us! For only 2,500 THB try culinary creations from each of the amazing chefs and enjoy all night free flow from our 7 beverage sponsors. The evening will also feature fantastic silent auction prizes, great music, dancing, and more! Don’t miss Phuket’s best foodie event of the year! Book now: info@phukethasbeengoodtous. org or 076-278-146 or online at tickettailor.com/alltickets/26485/38a9/ Proudly sponsored by Live89.5.

La Gritta’s Discovery Menu Take your taste buds on a culinary tour through some of the finest Italian flavours. Chef Patrizia has created a six-course discovery menu consisting of the appetiser, main course and dessert, priced at 1,590 THB++ per person. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, lagritta@ amari.com 076 292 697.

26 TIME OUT

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FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What was Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name?

2. Which country’s flag consists of a red disc on top of a green field?

3. Name the only two landlocked countries in South America?

4. Who was the first ever British Prime Minister with a science degree?

5. What is nitrous oxide commonly called?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Across ___” 1. Gullies 52. Frog site?

6. “Heaven Can ___” 55. Desquamations (1978 film) 60. Reaction to 10. Affected sudden surprise 14. Ten-percenter 62. Fraction of 15. Reproductive thrice structures 63. De Valera’s 16. ___ 51 land 17. Is passed down 64. Hard seed coat 20. Godforsaken 65. Takes 21. Lines of business habitually 22. Court ruling?

66. Leaves home?

23. Decoy 67. C4H8O2, e.g.

25. ___ pie .

29. Removes from Down office 1. Actress Sela 33. Ballad’s end?

2. Fluish feeling 34. Kegger wear, 3. Burrows maybe 4. Step on it 36. University founder 5. Eyelet creator 6. British engineer Cornell James 37. Get really 7. Lenten symbol frustrated 8. Knock off 41. Notre Dame 9. Midday meal niche 10. Desert rider 42. Reject 11. Husk 43. Pipe joint 12. Pinochle 44. Ocellus combo 47. Bedevils 13. Bears a penalty 49. Tie up 51. Anderson’s “High 18. Colbert ___

19. Has 2-Down 24. Quiet down 25. Caterpillar hairs 26. Fighting tears 27. Clear the slate 28. Gets rid of 30. Nitrogen, formerly 31. More loyal 32. Stuffs 35. Nile reptile 38. Fixes 39. Mountain spurs 40. Expose to the sun 45. Kind of fall 46. Get-go 48. Kindreds 50. Cathedral topper 52. 10 C-notes 53. Biddies 54. Newfoundland promontory 56. Rapier 57. Love ___ 58. Golden ___ 59. Telephone button 61. White wine aperitif

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Moon; 2) Bangladesh; 3) Bolivia and Paraguay; 4) Margaret Thatcher; 5) Laughing gas

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

March 10, 1909 By signing the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, Thailand relinquishes its sovereignty over the Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu, which become British protectorates.

8.33

hours is how much the average French person sleeps each day – the most in the developed world.

March 11, 1702 The Daily Courant, England’s first national daily newspaper is published for the first time.

15

March 12, 2009 Financier Bernard Madoff pleads g uilt y in New York to scamming US$18 billion, the largest in Wall Street’s history.

per cent of iPhone users use an iPhone with a broken screen.

100

metres in diameter is how much the Moon has shrunk in the past billion years.

March 13, 2003 The journal Nature reports that 350,000-year-old footprints of an upright-walking human had been found in Italy.

131,232 more US dollars a year is how much having a good social life can be worth in terms of life satisfaction.

March 14, 1964 A jury in Dallas finds Jack Ruby guilty of killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the assumed assassin of John F. Kennedy.

23.5 billion

US dollars has been spent on repairing smartphones in the US in the past eight years.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

March 15, 44 BC Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus, and several other senators on the Ides of March.

Secluded beach near Nai Thon. Photo by John Dore Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

March 16, 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War: The People’s Liberation Army crosses the border back into China, ending the war.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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Trades & Services

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ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

EDUCATION

FISHING SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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IMMIGRATION SERVICES

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MOVING SERVICES

OTHER

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

 Sizes to Suit all Budgets  Personal & Business Storage  Motorcycle Storage  Left Luggage Service  We Sell Boxes  Storage Insurance Inclusive

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

TRAINING

HOME DECORATION

ADVERTISE HERE

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LOST & FOUND Missing Person

Martin Perter Ingram (son of Roy Percival Ingram). Last known of in Thailand in 2010. Any person with knowledge of the current whereabouts of Mr Ingram is request to contact Title Research in the UK (info@titleresearch. com) or our local agent Spectrum Asia (02 626 0250).

ACTIVITIES, GROUPS Sign up today for a discount code

The new website for Tiya’s hammocks is ready! Visit now at: native-habitat.com and subscribe for a discount code to use for online shopping. Tiya: hammockphuket@yahoo.com 076 631 841.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE 3-engine speedboat for sale

3-engine speedboat, Length 13.5m., width 3.4m. Capacity 45 pax + 3 crew. Front seats. Good condition. Incl 3 Honda engines. B1,800,000. Vladimir 084 182 8685.

Long Tail Boat For Sale

Ready to go “Long Tail Boat” with or Without Captain (Thai) Get special price, please call 085 781 9167 (English) Bangtao Beach, Phuket, B275,000, giorgionaef@aol.com 085 781 9167.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant set up for sale

Boating deal of the year: 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat. New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com 080 695 3933.

A fully equipped restaurant in the highly sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna.

Stainless steel kitchen, Wi-Fi, bar counter, service area. Ready to go in days. Email: jukeboxphuket@gmail.com 081 090 1608.

32 metre steel boat for sale. Built 2012, 2 x Cummings engines, 10hrs work only. International REG. Excellent for live-aboard or ferry. Price 6MB. Contact: call Joe 087 8918912 or email joe@similan-divers.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES OUTSOURCE COMPANY FOR SALE

126 skilled employees, 3 buildings included, with a net profit of 17 million THB per year. Easy to manage, ideal for foreign investment. Contact us for details.

Besa, 081 891 5932.

Beauty Salon with Equipment

Price reduced for quick sale

CAR FOR SALE

Golf membership for sale, includes transfer fee of 60,000 THB. 450,000, David, dsgrabham@yahoo.co.uk 087 881 7545.

One owner, September 2010, only Km. 45,930. Excellent conditions, truly remarkable engine, looking new, parked indoor, regularly serviced, never a problem. Please call for a view and a road test. 590,000 , gfq46@mac.com 081 978 6800.

Nissan Juke 2014

Sporty, compact car, one lady owner.

1.6 with 3 drive modes, sport, normal or eco. Keyless push button start, rear view camera, leather interior in red and black. Bluetooth and wifi capable stereo with hands free. Serviced by Nissan. THB600,000 or near offer.

Call 081 270 2180 (ENG).

Convertible

Mercedes CLK 200 Cabriolet W-209 Brabus Package - seat 4. Excellent condition and fun to drive. 37,400km.

1,199,000 Bht. Eng - Thai 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226. le

sa Honda Jazz 2009 No, not a bar or guesthouse, but a manufacnt e g turing business for wooden window blinds. Ur 1500cc Auto 57,000km. One owner since new.

All the machinery and inventory of parts to be up and running in a matter of days. A very Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and successful business in Phuket for over eight Insurance until the end of June and available now at right years. Price reduced to 2 mil Baht. Owner will partially offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com finance. lamsden@phuketemail.com 081 487 4812.

@thephuketnews

2013 - 35,000km - Automatic White - CD Radio, Air-con, Alloys Excellent Condition, Only used for school runs. 525,000, Duang, Royal Phuket Marina, gavinmullins@hotmail.com 083 093 9724.

MEMBERSHIPS

Nissan Teana Sport Series 250

For Sale, Nai Harn Beauty Salon with Equipment & lease, B290,000. Salon Equipment replacement cost is more than B300,000. All equipment shown as new. Must view to see excellent opportunity to purchase Salon for extremely good price in prime location. Call Nok for details 098 017 8818.

Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G VVTI

Looking for investor / partner

Looking for investor / partnership for Patong beach front location to start with Japanese and Indian restaurant.

Narin, narinpga@gmail.com 081 826 9390.

Steel boat for sale

CAR FOR SALE

Phuket Country Club Golf Membership

Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. ฿485,000, the Loch Palm transfer fee of ฿72,000 will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. Contact J. Trenton Early, jtrenton.early@gmail.com

Life Time Family Membership

Blue Canyon: 750,000 THB includes 140,000 transfer fee.

Loch Palms: 425,000 THB includes 72,000 transfer fee.

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

MOVING SERVICES Looking for a Moving Company?

With over 15 years of experience Bigmove Phuket is the number 1 provider of moving and shipping in and out of Phuket Thailand. We provide storage in a state of the art clean, secure, storage facility located centrally in Phuket. www.bigmovephuket.com 081 797 5377.

PETS, BOARDING A pure breed, male Doberman

A pure breed, male Doberman, 4 1/2 years old, from Germany imported parents from a German breeder ( NO backyard dog breeder!!! ) is, due serious medical condition of its owner, available for free. The new owner must have space and time for this highly intelligent dog.

If you never had a dog before, this is not a dog for you.

Serious interested people call: 084 713 3707.

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REAL ESTATE SERVICES Phuket real estate tour

Real estate investment tours are specially designed to help you to achieve your investment goals with the right property in the right location. You will get advice on the multitude of lucrative investment opportunities in Phuket. md@tourasian.com 080 826 4665.

WEBSITES, IT For Sale: hoteldealsphuket.com

PHD has 125,000 pages indexed in Google and an average of 22,000 page views per month! See stats image. Also see the selling points on the link below. Quick sale: 33.000B!, Mark, mr.m.hopkins@gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Condominium for sale

Freehold 32.5 Sq.M. Studio type.

Price 3.6MB. Swimming pool on roof. Absolute Bangla Suites. Bruno, brunomeier1945@hotmail.com

Property for sale

Large building near airport and sea view land near Bang Pae Waterfall for sale or lease. Any reasonable offers accepted. Lana, Lana.phuket@gmail.com 080 271 6484.

Land near By Pass road

4 Rai 3 Ngan 45.1 Sq.wah (1,945.10 Sq.wah)near Bypass Rd., easy to go to the downtown or Airport. On the main road, suitable for developments such as Townhome, Hotel ect. Sarinthorn, phuket@plus.co.th 076 681 188 or 084 555 3178.

House for sale

Private pool villa with lovely garden half a rai. Quite and safe area. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom open kitchen. 160 m2 Situated in Ban Pahra. 12 minutes to PIA, Phuket Airport, Nay Yang beach, and Blue Canyon Golf course. 2 min to Mission Hill Golf course. 7.5 million baht, bergsstigen@telia.com 090 701 4204.

Penthouse for quick sale

265 sqm, sea and mountain view in Kamala. Foreign freehold. Reduced to 9.9mn, fully furnished!! info@sunny-property.com 083 105 2707.

Foreign freehold corner unit

76 sqm, sea and mountain view in Patong Tower, Patong. Reduced to 8.8mn. Special deal with car, info@ sunny-property.com 083 105 2707.

Condominium for sale

Foreign Freehold 150 SQM Huge Ground Floor 2 Bed, 2 Bath condo. 150m to Nai Harn Beach. 7.7M THB. Owner, paulover@hotmail.com 089 875 4173.

PROPERTY FOR SALE New Sea View Villa

Premium villa 8B in the prestiques Sunrise Ocean Villas development is now for sale.

Being built on the highest point in the estate, only 80 meter from the ocean and located 3 mins away from Grand Ao Po Marina, 10 mins from golf course, 20 mins from the airport, shopping centers, schools and hospitals, this villa is a perfect place to live with no traffic, no polution and no mass tourism.

Over 600 Sqm usable building area, 3 bedrooms, guest apartment, maid quater, games room, 10 metre infinity swimming pool, roof terrace and breath taking views. Can be ready to move in within 8 weeks and still can be customized to the wishes of new owner. For sale at only 27.9 mill baht.

For viewing or more information please contact our sales director, Khun Montha on: 081 343 0777 or email: montha_phuket@yahoo.com

Pool Villa Mission Heights

Villa with salt pool, 330sqm, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 900sqm chanote, owner finance, near mission hill golf 2km. 6km PIA, 8km airport. Call 087 060 8400. B16.9 million. Charly, Mission Heights, picharly@gmail.com

Beautiful Land in Rawai For Sale

Beautiful mountain view with option of sea view land of 742m2 for sale in Rawai with chanote title. For more information contact 085 790 2021.

COMMUNITY

House for sale

Rawai Samki 3 with Chonote. 2 Bed, 2 Bath, big living room, 1 storage, 1 laundry. House 160 sqm, land 280 sqm. 3MB. rico9963@hotmail.com 083 640 9041.

House for sale

Good location in Chalong area. 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, 200 sqm.

House on 800 sqm plot. Including furniture, 084 745 5546.

Apartment

1.65mill. 60qm 2bed 2bath + 30qm balcony, liv-kitchen, 3 a/c, quality doors/wind., Dream Village near mission hill golf, tel: 087 383 8709. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Buy&Sell

PROPERTY FOR SALE HERE IS THE FUTURE. 17 RAI FOR SALE

Between Kok Loi and Thai Muang, 38 km from the airport, we are selling a beautiful peice of land with 2 new houses. A perfect place for artists or a sport resort.

The land is more than 17 Rai, full of old trees, with a big private lake and located directly behind the river. Chanote title. With a canoe it takes 20 min to paddle to the sea.

A great opportunity for a fair price. Price 9.5M, Yupin, residler@gmail.com 081 817 4805 Thai, Eng, Deutsch.

Land for sale in Saku - Phuket

1 to 5 Rai. Chanote. 10 mins south to the airport. Nice quiet location near Naiyang - Naithon Beach. Fixed price only 2.6Mil Baht per Rai. Kanchana, kanchanajit09@gmail.com 087 076 6016.

Outstanding Beach Front Pool Villa

A rare opportunity to purchase a 4 bedroom beachfront villa in a 5* resort at The Village Coconut Island.

A “snip” at 22m THB. Somjit, aadmo@btinternet.com 081 979 1945.

Prime Land near Natai Beach

13 Rai. Prime flat land, Full Chanote. 5 mins to beautiful Natai Beach, 5 mins to Khok Kloi, 20 mins from Phuket Airport. Close to temples, beach & mountain views, perfect for large property or subdivide for development.

B13,500,000, Antoine (Thai & English), 081 979 9307 dannyred@hotmail.com

House for Sale

3 bed, 2 bath, living/dining, Farang & Thai kitchens. Back/both sides under cover. Water fall/relax area.

BBQ area under cover/car port. 4 aircons/7 fans. Very private, close to all services, 500 meters from Heroines Monument. B4.9 mil. o.n.o. Contact Randy. randyalltime@gmail.com

LAND NEAR WATERFALL FOR SALE

Beautiful, gently sloping land for sale near Bang Pae waterfall. Good road, 3-phase power. NS3 paper (upgrade applied for). 7 rai, B4m/rai. 087 884 9964 (En) or 087 272 5594 (Th). alasdair.phuket@gmail.com

Ten Room Villa for sale

With 5 Rai land. 5 sleeping rooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 balconies, 2 kitchens, big living room, play room, lobby, car port. Hillside Maikhao Beach sunset seaview. Asking price 24 MB. julius_schuster2001@ yahoo.de 087 267 1192. @thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Apartment Country Golf Club House

One room with kitchen in main house Country Club. 6th floor with balcony 75sqm. Membership in Country Club included. Price 3.3 Million THB. Contact pzw@gmx.at Per Dompert, 086 043 4315 (English and German)

House for Sale

House at Land and House for sale. 2-storey with 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, balcony, jacuzzi, library, laundry. Near kids’ playground, two swimming pools, sauna, gym. Enough land to build a second house on the same plot. Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

Land For Sale

Land for sale. Anuphas Golf Ville, Kathu. 81 sq wah. Golf course view of Phuket CC. Quiet village, convenient location. E-mail for details Contact David, d1jarvis@hotmail.com

PROPERTY FOR RENT Amazing 5 Bed/Bath Villa Rawai

Stunning 5 Bed Pool Villa quiet and private location. Quality furn and fully equipped. Beautiful lounge/kitchen, very spacious with great pool. 90000 Baht per month, bricothailand@hotmail.com 081 271 7092.

Central Patong Condo for rent

1 bedroom fully furnished ground floor apartment 65 s.q.m. central Patong.

For rent long or short term. For more details email ianscondo21@gmail.com

House for rent.

Nr Wat Chalong

3 Bed/4 baths house in quiet estate.

Available from April 1st to Oct 31st. email me or phone me, Paul, for photos and full details. 25,000 pcm, PAUL WHITTALL, Phuket Private Lagoon, Chao Faa West Road, Chalong, pwhittall@aol.com 093 793 4258.

Karon Beach House for rent

96 sqm. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 40 sqm. living room. Long lease only, B18,000, Narumon, naruchai@gmx.de 082 576 6162.

House For sale or rent Baan Manik (Cherngtalay)

Attractive 3 bed, 2 bathroom detached house for sale or rent. Set in quiet surroundings but with easy access to Laguna, Boat avenue, PIA, airport, Surin, Bangtao and Layan beaches. The property boasts many additional features including, Auto-gate, Western-styled kitchen, security system, natural stone floors, imported ceiling fans, 12volt LED Garden Lighting and air-con throughout.

Asking B4.5 Million Negotiable Rent 25K Per Month Fully furnished or 20K per month unfurnished. 081 9686 051.

PROPERTY FOR RENT PRIME LAND+BLDG @CHALONG PIER

Seaview Building with land 50m to Chalong Pier for Rent/Long Term Lease.

1.5Rai+bldg. Ideal for Hotel, Community Mall, Restaurants. Wirote, 081 931 5189.

Vassana Residence. Rawai

Fully furnished 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom. WiFi and cable TV included in price. 160sqm in size. Jacuzzi in each apartment. BBQ area on the roof. Contact vassana.residence@gmail.com Rawai / NaiHarn, Eng.087 882 9604.

Kata Western Apartment

1 and 2 115sqm furnished apartments, full kitchen, huge covered terraces, mountain and seaview.

1 month minimum, 1 year lease starting B20,000/month. gordy240@hotmail.com 084 840 1262.

Office/Shop for Rent

Ground Floor space with excellent positioning on Chalong Pier Road.

For more information, please call 081 416 4177 or 076 381 341.

Two condos for sale/rent

2 condos for sale 48 sqm. - sale price $60,000 (developer’s price $116,000) & 54.5 sqm. - sale price $70,000 (developer’s price $128,000). Fully furnished, near Central, Big C, BIS, Lotus, hospitals, schools. Communal pool and gym. Short & long time rent available: 48 sqm – THB 10,000-15,000 per month; 54.5 sqm – THB 15,000-20,000 per month + electricity & water. Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

ROOM FOR RENT

Room for rent in attractive house Baan Manik (not far from Anthem wakeboard park). Convenient location for access to Laguna, Boat avenue, Airport and PIA. House is equipped with, Air-con, Internet, Expat-TV, foreign kitchen, washing machine, fridge etc. 8,000 Baht PCM + Share of Bills. Please email bluebeyond@me.com or call 081 968 6051 for a viewing.

Kamala Villa for rent

5 Bedrooms Villa available for long term, normally 10,000 Baht Nightly price Long lease 70,000 Baht monthly for 1 year minimum, Include pool, garden, courtyard maintenance. Suitable for large or two families.

Wanphen, kamalagym2@gmail.com 080 697 7729.

Villas & Apts Rent-Chalong

2- and 3-bedroom pool villas, 2-bedroom townhouses & studio apartments.

Special prices from 700/night or 8,000/ month. Rates include WiFi, maid service, cable TV, furnishings. Great location near Big Buddha. info@chalongapartment.com, 086 282 6221, www.chalongapartment.com

34 PROPERTY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Can overboard in PYC Race Series opener YACHTING Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

A

lan Carawardine and his crew on the Asia Catamarans’ Stealthmade Hurricane closed the first race in the Phuket Yacht Club Multihull and Keelboat Race Series 2017 last Sunday (Mar 5) with a “can overboard” manoeuvre.

Crossing the start/finish line in Chalong Bay after completing the course around Koh Lone, Hurricane claimed line and race honours and attempted to deliver by tossing much needed relief refreshments to race official Chandran and his assistant in the start boat.

But the drink ended up in the drink.

A first attempt to recover the wayward relief was found fruitless, but a second attempt saw the refreshing flotsam safely back on board, and soon in the welcome hands of Chandra.

The “720” was completed

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

Crew on the Asia Catamarans’ Stealth-made ‘Hurricane’. Photo: Chris Husted in time for fellow Stealth boat Top Cat to cross the line to claim second place in the Multihull class, with Sahm Roy placing third.

Rob Azzapardi and his motley crew on Stray Cat, fresh back in Phuket, literally sailed into the bay and made it across the start in time to be part of the race and sail the course in light breeze in their renowned leisurely manner.

In the Monohull class,

Mig Wehrie’s unassuming but quick Aqua won on corrected time, ahead of Elizabeth Schoch and her crew on Farrgo Express.

The next race day in the series is next Sunday (Mar 19). All are welcome to join, regardless of experience.

Meanwhile, scuttlebut is that organisers are looking to hold an off-island rally, either a day-trip or overnight to an outlying island, with points to

Run: #1623: Saturday March 11 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Too Old To F, Nothing Location: Chalong, Chao Fa West - Naka Hill Directions: From the North (Central Festival) go South to the TOT complex and turn right (West) at the traffic lights at Soi Nakok 75 where the Family Mart and sign for Zolitude Resort are located. (HHH).

Go 3 kilometres up the hill to laager site. From Chalong Circle, go North to TOT complex. And turn left at the traffic lights and follow route above.

Hash Bus Pickup Schedule: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3pm

@thephuketnews

contribute to the race series tallies.

The race day last Sunday came the day after Phuket Yacht Club’s Open Day, which saw families enjoying a day by the bay and children taking advantage of the bouncy castle and discovering sailing in the supervised dinghies.

For more information, visit PhuketYachtClub.com http://phuketyachtclub.com

SPORT 35

Three out of three FOOTBALL A SINGLE GOAL FROM Natthapoom Maya (7) was enough to see Phuket FC seal their third win of the season last Saturday (Mar 4) and continue with their unbeaten run.

Maya’s goal, his 5th of the season so far, came in the 20th minute and leaves him as Thai League 4’s top scorer.

The result means that the Dragon is now the only team in the league to remain unbeaten and the only team not to have conceded a goal thus far.

It also means that Phuket (nine points) still top the Thai League 4 table, now sitting four points clear of their closest rival Chumphon FC, who sit in 2nd on five points.

Natthapoom Maya (7) celebrates his goal against Pattani last Saturday (Mar 4).

Photo: Phuket FC/Facebook The Dragon returns to action on March 18 against Chumphon FC at Surakul Stadium, kick-off at 4pm.

Matt Pond Thai League 4 results Pattani FC

0-1

Phuket FC

Hat Yai FC

0-1 Surat Thani City

Satun United

0-0 Phatthalung FC

Sungaipadee FC 0-0

Chumphon FC

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

1

Phuket FC

3

3

0

0

8

0

GD Pts 8

9

2

Chumpon FC

3

1

2

0

2

1

1

5

3

Satun Utd

3

1

2

0

2

1

1

5

4

Surat Thani City

3

1

1

1

3

3

0

4

5

Phatthalung FC

2

0

2

0

0

0

0

2

6

Pattani FC

3

0

2

1

2

3

-1

2

7

Yala United

2

0

1

1

1

2

-1

1

8

Hat Yai FC

3

0

1

2

1

3

-2

1

9

Sungaipadee FC

2

0

1

1

0

5

-5

1

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

SPORT 37

1Bar go 12 points clear POOL

Man of the Match, Imtiyaz Mushtaq, in action for PCG. Photo: Michael Way

PCG go back on top League newcomers still unbeaten in T20 CRICKET David Thomas

L

ast Sunday (Mar 5) saw the fifth round of the C&C Marine 2017 T20 tournament at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) between Team ACG (ACG) and Phuket Cricket Group (PCG).

PCG skipper I Mushtaq won the toss and he decided to bat first.

Mushtaq and S Bowry opened the PCG innings. However, ACG bowler M Bilal struck in just the 2nd over removing Bowry for four runs.

This brought M Sadarangani to the crease, and together with Mushtaq, took the score to 76 runs when Sadarangani (15) was clean bowled just before the 10 over drinks break after a fine 67 run partnership with Mushtaq.

The fall of Sadarangani brought W Bhatt to the crease and together with Mushtaq went on all-out attack until Mushtaq was finally dismissed in the 16th over after a great knock of 66 runs.

Next batsman in was M Rehman and with only a few overs left in the innings, looked to score quickly but was bowled for seven runs. Bhatt was eventually dismissed in the 19th over for 66 runs off 28 deliveries. The ACG innings closed with the score on 185 runs for five wickets with N Khan (3) and M Platts (1) the not out batsman.

ACG opened with M Bilal and C Baxter with a challenging total to chase. Both batsmen started positively and were looking to score off every delivery. However, PCG opening bowlers Bhatt and Mushtaq kept their dis-

Phuket hosts Beach Volleyball Open 2017 BEACH VOLLEYBALL ON SATU R DAY FEBruary 25, 21 teams competed in the 2nd annual volleyball tournament at Karon Beach, with each team competing for B28,000 in prize money.

Tournament Director Yupa Phukrongploy said, “I’m so pleased we had players from nine different countries this year, Finland, Russian, Ukraine, Turkey, USA, Denmark, France, Kazakhstan, and Thailand.

“I want Phuket to become a world destination for beach volleyball.”

Tournament Director Yupa Phukrongploy retired from the Thailand National @thephuketnews

Men’s Champion Ton. Photo: Rick Nuffer Team after 12 years of professional tournament play.

The Phuket Beach Volley Club is open to the public and offers professional coaching.

For more information contact YupaBeach@gmail.com.

cipline and eventually got the breakthrough dismissing Bilal for 39 runs.

Next batsman in was P Jha (16) who continued the momentum scoring at more than a run a ball before being clean bowled 6th over. Baxter, who had played well from the start, was dismissed just after the 10 over drinks break for 32 runs.

Big hitting A Khan (9) was offered a lifeline after being dropped at square leg

by M Plat. However, he could not capitalise on the fielders mistake being run out in the 14th over. S Khan (5) and I Malik (28) continued the run chase for ACG before Khan was bowled by Mushtaq which brought R Jayasuriya (0) to the crease, only to be run out straight away after facing just one delivery.

Malik (28) and Mushtaq

(20) combined well in the latter stages; however the target of 186 runs was just out of reach.

They had knocked 103 runs off the last 10 overs but still fell short at the end.

PCG won by a narrow margin of 12 runs, and maintained their unbeaten run in the competition.

This Sunday (Mar 12) sees a double header with ACG vs ICC in the morning (start time 10am) followed PCG vs Patong in the afternoon (start time 2.30pm).

For further information about cricket on Phuket, visit the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) web-site at www.phuketcricket.com or e-mail the PCG committee at phuketcricketgroup@gmail.com. New players are always welcome & would be well received by the current teams on the island.

PATONG POOL LEAGUE leaders 1Bar (92) extended their lead in the table to 12 points last Thursday following a 4-7 win away from home at Wet Dreams Sports Bar (70), and 2nd placed Ting Tong Bar (80) going down 6-5 away to lowly placed Green Mango (48).

Dirty Nellies were the only team to pick up a big win in last Thursday’s round, leading up to the halfway mark this week, beating San Sabai Sports Bar (59) 8-3 at home. However, the win was not enough to move Dirty Nellies up the table and they still remain in 4th place on 75 points.

In last week’s other games, Genius Bar had a good 4-7 win at home to Queen of Hearts, Caddyshack beat Cool Hand Lukes 6-5 at home, and Simon and Oils lost 4-7 at home to Happy End Bar, this meant

It’s people like Fern from Queen of Hearts that make the Patong Pool League so popular. Photo: Scott Griffin that Simon and Oils dropped to bottom position in the table now on 43 points, while Happy End Bar moved up one place to 11th on 52 points.

Matt Pond

League Standings

1Bar Ting Tong Cool Hand Lukes Dirty Nellies Queen of Hearts Wet Dreams Genius Martin Swiss Caddyshack Champs Bar San Sabai Happy End Green Mango Simon & Oils

92 80 79 75 72 70 66 63 63 61 59 52 48 43

April dates set for 8th Phuket Fishing tourney FISHING IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNced that Phuket Municipality together with the Phuket Fishing Club are to hold the 8th Phuket Fishing Tournament at Saphan Hin on April 1-2.

Registration for the event is already open and those wanting to enter the annual competition can do so at the following:

Phuket Municipality Office, Tel: 081-535-4375 Ocean Sport Tackle Shop, Tel: 089-474-5245 Kunyok Fishing Shop, Tel: 081-477-4776 C-Jay, Tel: 085-789-9433 Ca – Dhow, Tel: 089-908-9890 Na Nai Fishing, Tel: 081077-5772 7Seas Pro Shop, Tel: 081859-5033 The Phuket News

38 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

A mismatch made in the Land of Smiles

AKA Thailand is up for an award. Photo: Mitch Viquez

Three businesses on awards shortlist FITNESS THREE PHUKET BUSInesses have been shortlisted for Fitness Best Asia Awards 2017 which will recognise the best in the fitness and wellness industry in four major categories and 20 awards.

Public voting for the awards begun on Tuesday (Mar 7) and will close on April 30.

The three shortlisted businesses are Amatara and Trisara in the category of Preferred Hotel Fitness Facility and AKA Thailand for Martial Arts Gym of the Year.

Members of the public are invited to cast their vote of their favourite shortlisted candidates at www.fitnessbest. com. Public votes will make up 60% of the overall score in the Brands, Facilities and Individual categories with 40% of input from judges.

For the Vanguard category, the judges will have 100% votes.

Fitness Best Asia Awards 2017 will recognise the best in the fitness and wellness industry in four major categories and 20 awards.

The four categories are: Brands: For nutrition distributors, apparel brands, equipment brands.

Individual: For instructors, trainers, social media influencers.

Fitness: For gyms, studios,

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

hotels, rehabilitation facilities.

Vanguard: For Singapore athletes and other local inspiring individuals and organisations.

The winners for each category will be decided either by votes from users, a panel of carefully-picked judges, or both.

The finale is scheduled to take place on May 16 at Zouk, Singapore.

Ms Laila White, Technical Director of Fitness Best said, “The Fitness Best Asia Awards 2017 is created to give recognition to fitness practitioners who are passionate and are making a difference in other people’s lives through healthy living incorporating fitness.

“We also want to shine the spotlight on fitness brands and facilities that are aiding those professionals.

“We have a unique combination of familiar names as well as up-and-coming names in the fitness business that have made our shortlist in various categories. The shortlisted candidates truly represent the best in their fields,” she said.

“We are very excited that all of the effort, investment, and hard work we put into this project of love is coming to fruition and being recognised,” said Blair Speers, Owner and Chairman of AKA Thailand when speaking to The Phuket News on Wednesday (Mar 8).

Matt Pond

FOOTBALL Bangkok Post

K

iatisak Senamuang finally signed a new one-year contract to remain as coach of the national team last week following a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum from Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Somyot Poompunmuang.

The long-delayed agreement prompted similar headlines in the Thai media such as ‘Drama ends’ and ‘Saga over’.

Kiatisak’s previous oneyear deal expired at the end of January and the man who is affectionately called ‘Zico’ had refused to sign a new contract, prompting Somyot to demand that Kiatisak ink it by last Tuesday (Feb 28) or he would look for another coach.

It was reported that Kiatisak, 43, wanted the FAT to shoulder his taxes but Somyot refused to yield to his demand, saying the coach must play by the FAT’s rules.

In fact, Kiatisak had no choice but to accept the new contract.

He reportedly receives two million baht a month. Although he was linked to several clubs and countries, it was not likely that he would get such a handsome sum elsewhere.

Working with Thailand has made him a famous coach – and a rich man.

Thanks to his success with Thailand, he has appeared in numerous TV commercials ranging from chicken essence and energy drinks to mobile phone systems and cars.

Kiatisak had never received such lucrative endorsements

Thailand FA boss Somyot Poompunmuang (right) and national coach Kiatisak Senamuang during a recent promotional event. Photo: via Bangkok Post even when he was at the height of his playing career when he was the country’s best forward.

Having failed at several clubs in the early stages of his coaching career, the former national team striker became an instant hit after he was appointed coach of the Thai U23 side in 2013.

Only months after taking the job, he guided Thailand to the gold medal at the SEA Games in Myanmar, ending the Kingdom’s six-year title drought in the biennial tournament.

He also guided the U23 team to fourth place at the 2014 Asian Games.

Kiatisak was named coach of the full national team after reaching the semi-finals at the 2014 Asiad.

He soon became successful in that position when he steered Thailand to win the 2014 Suzuki Cup, ending

the country’s 12-year wait to regain the title.

Under him, Thailand retained the Southeast Asian crown in December.

However, the new contract could be Kiatisak’s last with the FAT as it seems that Somyot wants a new national team boss to fulfil his ambition of pushing the country to a higher standard and ultimately secure a first-ever World Cup berth.

Shortly after the Suzuki Cup triumph in December, Somyot was quoted as saying that the country needed changes to move to another level.

At the same time, there were reports that the FAT would replace Kiatisak with Argentina’s Alejandro Sabella who guided his country to second place at the 2014 World Cup. Somyot was quick to dis-

miss the reports, saying he was not going to cut ties with Kiatisak and that the FAT had not approached Sabella.

The fact that Kiatisak has been given only another oneyear contract may signal that Somyot does not want him to remain as national coach for too long.

Somyot argues that the length of the contract is irrelevant as if the coach does well he will definitely get a new one.

He has reiterated that the coach’s performance and the team’s results are more important than the length of the coach’s contract.

Later this year, Somyot may have a legitimate reason to sack Kiatisak if he so desires.

Thailand will resume their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign later this month, having only one point from five games.

As sea gypsies win their land battle, others use them for marketing FISHING

CAST AWAY Jimmy Stewart info@fishinginphuket.com

AHOY ME HEARTIES! U Nheard of in my history fishing out of Phuket are these February squalls, to my mind, just another pointer to the climatic changes going on around us, and for the most part being ignored. Just another sad chapter in the annals of human obstinacy!

I remember reading that, although

the government was aware of world’s rising sea levels, they would like to assure the people that this would not affect the Gulf of Thailand. Must have been a Trump supporter!

So now to stop me prattling on about the weather, how about the guys who introduced me the Andaman Sea? The Rawai Sea Gypsies.

It seems strange to me that such a valuable asset to Phuket’s tourist industry should be better protected or at the very least compensated for their sub-standard living conditions, especially as so many others profit from there meagre existence.

Yes my friends, the gypsies look to have won the battle against big business even when they did bring

The Rawai Sea Gypsy market prior to the ‘takeover’. in the muscle and the threats. But now the village is being infested by tourists arriving on road-choking buses while the logistics of taking advantage of these mostly Chinese “Greenhorns” means – there is a very sizeable population of Thais, Indians, Chinese just working on emptying the tourist wallets – while the Gypsy Village gets invaded on

a daily basis by rubberneckers and these freeloading carpetbaggers who live off the backs of the gypsy’s reputation.

I used to drive my car right through to the back of the village, now non-gypsies are telling me “no cars” while they are selling fish at inflated prices, as people believe they were caught by the gypsies and therefore by buying fish “we are helping them”, while the exact opposite is the case.

The improved infrastructure of the village looks modern enough as you walk in but it’s all facade and f all else.

The gypsies, who had little sanitation or drainage, now find

their village overrun by commercial interests and all its disgusting side effects which only compound the previous problems and highlights the inadequacies of the authorities, who historically have been as beneficial to the gypsies as a morale officer on a pirate ship.

Are we to be witnessing the demise of the gypsies as another insidious form of takeover unceremoniously digests them into a corrupt, profit led system they neither need, want nor understand, or is the “department in charge” the same one that said, “The tide will not rise in the Gulf Of Thailand?”

Tight lines Jimmy thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four things we learned in the Premier League I n last weekend’s Premier League action, week 27 in the fixtures, Tottenham Hotspur closed to within seven points of leaders Chelsea and Manchester City stayed in touch after defeating basement club Sunderland but

FOOTBALL

AFP

Wenger’s football faith tested

Arsene Wenger compared being a manager to being a priest and last Saturday (Mar 4) many Gunners fans felt he had committed the sin of omission. The decision to leave his two leading scorers, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, on the bench against Liverpool backfired spectacularly in the firsthalf as a limp display saw the visitors 2-0 down at the break. Sanchez’s introduction at half-time sparked a revival but that was not enough to salvage even a point in an eventual 3-1 loss and merely led to further questions as to why he had not been in the team from the kick-off at Anfield. Wenger rebutted any criticism but to some

Arsene Wenger gestures to the fourth official during Arsenal’s game against Liverpool. Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP observers it was merely further evidence the 67-yearold French manager has lost his way and is unlikely to help persuade Sanchez, one of the few world-class players at Arsenal, to sign a new contract.

England sees other side of Zlatan

He has charmed English football since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic now finds himself in the dock following a volatile display in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

The 35-year-old Swedish striker appeared to deliberately elbow Tyrone Mings late in the first half and although he was acting in retaliation after the Bournemouth defender seemed to stamp on his head, a violent conduct charge from the Football Association was inevitable. Ibrahimovic also saw a second-half penalty saved by Artur Boruc, preventing him from registering a 27th goal of the season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic clashes with Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mingsduring their game at Old Trafford.

Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP United’s next-highest scorer is Juan Mata, with nine.

With a three-match suspension for Ibrahimovic, Jose Mourinho's other forwards will need to step up to the plate in the weeks ahead if their top-four challenge is to remain alive.

Date

Time

Match

Stadium

Sat Mar 18

4pm

Phuket FC vs Chumphon FC

Surakul Stadium

Sun Mar 26

4pm

Satun United vs Phuket FC

Satun OrBorJor Stadium

Sun Apr 2

5pm

Hat Yai FC Vs Phuket FC

Souuthern Lak Muang Stadium

Sun Apr 9

4pm

Phuket FC vs Surat Thani City FC

Surakul Stadium

Sun Apr 23

6pm

Phatthalung FC vs Phuket FC

Patthalung OrBorJor Stadium

Sun Apr 30

4pm

Phuket FC vs Sungaipadee FC

Surakul Stadium

Sat May 6

4pm

Yala United vs Phuket FC

Yala Municipality Stadium

Sat May 13

4pm

Phuket FC vs Pattani FC

Surakul Stadium

Please note that Phuket FC's home game fixtures have now all been changed from 6pm to 4pm kick-offs. @thephuketnews

Arsenal lost ground in the race for a top-four finish with a defeat by Champions League place rivals Liverpool.

Here are four things we learned in the Premier League this weekend:

Kane no flash in the pan

As Tottenham’s fans celebrated Harry Kane’s second goal in their team’s 3-2 win over Everton last Sunday (Mar 5), it was easy to hear the defiant edge to their songs. Their chorus of “he’s just a one-season wonder” was a sarcastic reminder to all those who wrote off Kane before he embarked on a prolific run of three successive seasons with at least 20 goals. With 24 goals in 28 games this season, Kane is well established as one of Europe’s most deadly strikers.

The overall competition winner receives a two day/one night private fishing charter to Racha Island on board Wahoo Yacht Charters Phuket’s Reel Blue. Total prize value: B180,000 The monthly competition winner for March 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Islander Sports Bar and Restaurant in Rawai.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

bazerb Charlie1982 chris goodhand danielgoodchild Gracie

7 7 7 7 7

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

scottkip carst The Red Card Gang Sidwell Guduka zestrealestate

154 153 153 152 152

English Premier League 2016 - 2017

Tottenham’s Harry Kane shoots past Everton’s James McCarthy in the game between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton last Sunday. Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP

Shakespeare’s tale of intrigue

Just 10 days after Claudio Ranieri’s shock sacking, Leicester have been transformed from an abject rabble in severe danger of relegation into a cohesive, focused group that closely resembles the side who won the Premier League last season. A come from behind 3-1 win against Hull last Saturday lifted the Foxes clear of the relegation zone and increased caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare’s chances of landing the job on a permanent basis. Despite their very public denials, it is surely no coincidence Leicester have won their first two matches since former manager Ranieri departed amid strong reports of player unrest over the Italian’s tactical tinkering and confusing team selections. Shakespeare, who served as Ranieri’s

MONTHLY SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

Team

MP W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Chelsea

27

21

3

3

57

20

37

66

2

Tottenham Hotspur

27

16

8

3

53

20

33

56

3

Manchester City

26

17

4

5

53

29

24

55

4

Liverpool

27

15

7

5

58

34

24

52

5

Arsenal

26

15

5

6

55

31

24

50

6

Manchester United

26

13

10

3

39

22

17

49

7

Everton

27

12

8

7

44

30

14

44

8

West Brom

27

11

7

9

36

34

2

40

9

Stoke City

27

9

8

10

32

40

-8

35

10

Southampton

26

9

6

11

32

34

-2

33

11

West Ham United

27

9

6

12

36

46

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33

12

Burnley

27

9

4

14

30

40

-10

31

13

Watford

27

8

7

12

33

47

-14

31

14

Bournemouth

27

7

6

14

37

52

-15

27

15

Leicester City

27

7

6

14

30

45

-15

27

16

Swansea City

27

8

3

16

35

59

-24

27

17

Crystal Palace

27

7

4

16

35

46

-11

25

18

Middlesbrough

27

4

10

13

19

30

-11

22

19

Hull City

27

5

6

16

24

53

-29

21

20

Sunderland

27

5

4

18

24

50

-26

19

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

Change not all good for the island’s sea gypsies > page 38

STAND UP MISSION Eight SUPers to paddle from Krabi to Phuket for charity

The members of Stand Up Projects group during their circumnavigation of Phuket in 2012.

SUP The Phuket News

T

he passionate and adventurous crew from Stand Up Projects are back on their boards and “Standing Up” to save lives for MissionShip.

The crew from Stand Up Projects are not new to undertaking crazy adventures to bring awareness and much-needed funds to community projects. They were the first to circumnavigate Phuket on stand up paddle boards back in 2012, taking them four days to complete the 130 kilometre journey.

They were able to raise what was needed to build and see the completion of the Mike Mathews Learning Centre, a school for underprivileged Burmese kids in Phuket Town.

Now on Monday (Mar 13) and Tuesday (Mar 14), eight of them plan to stand up paddle from the Thai province of Krabi across Phang Nga Bay to make landfall on Phuket.

The crew are aiming to do the paddle in two days,

The boat the boys are paddling for. sleeping one night on a remote island beach.

With the generous support so far of local businesses Phuket.Net, E-media Asia and Skyla’s Surf & SUP Club, the crew will leave on a bus with all their boards and equipment on Sunday (Mar 12) to Krabi.

Early Monday morning they will set off paddling West with Phuket in their sights.

They have mapped a couple of potential islands to camp on the first night, but it will depend on weather and wind direction to which island they end up camping on.

Luke Remmers, a longtime resident of Phuket and

one of the men who circumnavigated Phuket in 2012, said one of the main challenges they could face is a change in wind direction during each day which would chop up the water, creating waves, making it bumpy, as well as blowing against them rather than behind them – making it much more difficult to paddle.

Stand Up Projects was created for the main purpose of supporting sustainable community projects that were already started by individuals but needed the support to raise awareness and funds. Then Tim Campbell, Co-founder of Stand Up Projects, was introduced to a remarkable man who has

The proposed route from Krabi to Phuket. the vision of MissionShip.

MissionShip is a charity project which aims to build a medical boat that will provide health and medical services to remote island communities. MissionShip aligns itself with UNICEF which is actively trying to reduce the rate of people who die from treatable diseases every minute.

Knowing that thousands of people suffer and die from preventable diseases, founder of MissionShip Captain Patrick Vickers has set out to fulfill his vision of building a medical boat that will sail to remote island communities around the globe and provide medical services.

Campbell said, “The

real heroes are people like Patrick who have dedicated themselves to projects that they know will bring joy to other people’s lives. I’m the privileged one to be able to support them in whatever way I can.”

Alex Lotz, owner of Phuket.Net said, “Phuket.

Net is delighted to support such a worthy cause that will help get vital vaccines and medicines to people of remote island communities.”

The boat, named Ixdos, has been living on the grounds of the British International School, Phuket.

The school has been very supportive in allowing Patrick to have a place to work on the boat as donations come in.

The students have had opportunities to be hands-on with this project as well as experiencing what goes into a project of this size.

The boat is nearly finished and needs US$60,000 (B2 million) for the remaining items of sails, rigging and boat electronics.

Once raised, the boat will then be sea-ready and on its way to saving lives.

The crew from Stand Up Projects are aiming to raise 5,000 British pounds (B200,000) for five sails from their paddle this week and they are asking for all of you to spare just a little and contribute to this life saving project.

You can find all the information about the paddle on Stand Up Projects Facebook page. All the information on the boat you can find at www.missionship.com where you can contact Patrick personally and learn more.

Donations can be made directly at www.GoGetFunding.com/SUP. It’s wonderful to see how everyday people can join together to make a difference!

thephuketnews