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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
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Brit deported as condo saga safely ends
CHALONG HOSPITAL DELAYED AS LAST-MINUTE CHANGES STALL
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Taking a stroll in Butcher’s Garden, Patong
The blue building that has been sitting empty for a year will not open as the Chalong Hospital until at least the end of this year. Photo: The Phuket News
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he long-awaited Chalong Hospital will not be likely to open until at least the end of the year, the hospital’s director has confirmed. The news comes as the promise of the hospital opening in April flew by last month, a promise made as recently as October. Contacted by The Phuket News this week, Dr Chuchart Nijwattana, who already has been assigned Director of the Chalong Hospital but still works out of Vachira Phuket Hospital while waiting for the works to be completed, attributed the delay
to the need “to open a full service hospital”. The explanation given by Dr Chuchart this week flies in the face of his own repeated announcements of what the initial opening would entail, and what facilities and services would be available. It also comes with no public announcements. Replies were provided only on questioning. Dr Chuchart this week instead described the blue building that has been sitting empty since May last year as the “outpatient building” only – a description he has never volunteered before. He also said that a budget of only B103 million was provided,
not B108mn budget as repeatedly announced as already given to the project – and that all B103mn was spent on construction of the blue building alone, another factor that he not only blanked, but contradicted with his own explanations in October last year. It was not explained why the budget was allegedly reduced by B5mn. Worse, not only was B103mn spent on just the construction, the plans did not even account for an x-ray room and specially supported and lined walls to accommodate a CT scan machine. That explanation this week came while Dr Chuchart admitted that
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the plans for the building were the standard “off the rack” design already approved by the Ministry of Public Health – and already used for hospitals already in operation elsewhere throughout the country. “We need to open a full service hospital. We have to modify this building (the blue building) to have all the components in one building,” Dr Chuchart told The Phuket News this week. Astoundingly, Dr Chuchart also said, “We are now requesting permission from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health to modify this building for it to have an Accident & Emergency...
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Phuket golfer ‘Toy’ turns pro at 17 years old
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British man stabbed over Thai girlfriend POLICE ARE HUNTING a foreign man after a British man was stabbed in Wichit early last Wednesday (May 1). When Capt Chatree Chuvichian of Wichit Police arrived at the scene outside We Cafe restaurant on Chao Fa West Rd at about 7pm, he was informed that the injured victim had already been taken to Siriroj International Hospital by rescue workers. Maj Ek kachai Siri of Phuket Tourist Police explained to The Phuket News last Friday (May 3) that Capt Chatree went to the hospital and found that the victim, 35-year-old Neil Goodwin who lives in Rawai, was being treated for stab wounds and was accompanied by Sudarat Harnma who identified herself as Mr Goodwin’s girlfriend. “Ms Sudarat explained to Capt Chatree that when the couple arrived at We Cafe, a young foreign man approached them and stabbed Mr Goodwin
Coronation books of best wishes open to public > p4
Park fishing probe
Italians, both 70, still behind bars pending trial The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
Brit, Neil Goodwin, 35, was stabbed outside We Cafe in Wichit on Wednesday evening last week (May 1). Photo: Chalong Municipality twice; once in the left shoulder and once in the left side of the body, before fleeing,” Maj Ekkachai explained. “Phuket Tourist Police are now working with Wichit Police to find the attacker.” Wichit Police Chief Col Nikorn Somsuk told The Phuket News, “I don’t think it will be difficult to find the attacker. “Before the attack, there was a dispute over Ms Sudarat as she has two boyfriends at the same time,” Col Nikorn said. Waranya Prompinpiras
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
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wo Italian men, both 70 years old, have spent the past three weeks in detention cells at Phang Nga Provincial Court while still waiting for formal charges to be brought against them for fishing in a national park. Italian nationals Claudio Bonfatti and Mario Vincenzo Biccai were arrested by park officers on Apr 17 when they were caught fishing on a boat off Huyong Island, located within the Similans National Park. Also arrested were boat captain Sansern Klasuek and Phuket tour and fishing guide Prasert Kuansamrong, both 35, along with boat mechanic Wichart Damyot, 52, and Myanmar national crewman Ten Si Tu, 27. Already landed on board
The boat ‘Nicola’ was found with one person fishing and a haul of 46.5kg already landed on board. Photo: DNP were 115 f ish, including needlefish, barracuda, northern bluefin tuna and shovelhead catfish, among others. Officers noted the haul weighed 46.5kg and was estimated to be worth B9,300. The park officers seized the boat, Nicola, and all objects on board, including 25 fishing rods, four fishing rods without reels and two ice boxes – altogether deemed
to be worth B2,107,400 – as evidence pending charges for fishing in the national park. All six men were taken to Kuraburi Police Station to be charged. However, Lt Col Korkiet Boonrod of the Kuraburi Police confirmed to The Phuket News on Tuesday (May 7) that all six remain in remand and have still yet to have the charges brought against them.
“They are being held at my request pending the conclusion of the investigation. I have asked for them to be denied posting bail while the investigation continues. Now they are being held in the cells at Phang Nga Provincial Court,” Col Korkiet said. “This investigation is not finished… So far, according to our investigation, they were not there on a tour. They are just friends who decided to go fishing together,” he said. “For this case other witnesses need to be questioned before the investigation is closed and sent to Phang Nga Provincial Court,” he added. Col Korkiet declined to reveal any more details other than that Mr Prasert will not be facing charges related to him working as a Phuket tour guide as he believes that he was not working as a tour guide when he was arrested.
Chalong Hospital not to open until at least end of year Continued from page 1 ...department (sic), an outpatient department (sic), an inpatient department, dental, pharmaceutical, physical therapy and laboratory facilities. “Vachira Phuket Hospital as our host hospital sent the request to the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health in November 2018, but we are still awaiting approval,” Dr Chuchart said, without acknowledging that for the past five years the plan given to the public was always to open the single building first and expand the hospital facilities later.
In October, Dr Chuchart said, “The first priority is to have the Accident & Emergency Centre at the hospital fully operational. Next will be the Outpatient Department, which will also open in April. Then the Inpatient Department with beds for 30 patients on the third floor will be added in June 2019,” he added. In order to expedite the hospital opening to treat patients, the medical equipment needed will be added as each section of the hospital opens, Dr Chuchart said at the time. While Dr Chuchart’s explanation this week was far removed from his previous public statements, he did
make the stunning revelation that a separate two-story “x-ray room building” will be built from a B14 million donation from the administrators of the Put Cho Shrine. The funds from the generous donation will also pay for the x-ray machines, Dr Chuchart announced. The new plans for the expanded version of the hospital require a further budget of B153mn to be provided by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to build a sevenstorey dedicated inpatient building with 156 beds. “If the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public
Health approves the request in May we think it will take about six months to complete the construction, about the end of 2019,” Dr Chuchart said. “We intend to open outpatient services and have beds for 20 inpatients include moving the A&E department from the small building (where it is already open and functioning) to the outpatient building (the blue building) to be open 24 hours by the end of this year,” he added. “If the request is approved by the Budget Bureau, we expect to start construction in October 2019 and the construction will finish in 2021,” Dr Chucahrt said.
Dr Chuchart explains the plans for Chalong Hospital to the public in Dec 2017. Photo: Chalong Hospital “Other buildings such as the hospital laundry, wastewater-treatment systems, residential buildings for doctors, nurses and staff, we plan to be in the next year’s budget plan,” he added.
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Brit fined, deported as condo squat safely ends Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
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ustralian-born British national David Maclean, 50, originally from Brisbane, Australia, after nearly four months barricaded in a Phuket Town condo was safely removed from the apartment last Thursday (May 2). Mr Maclean was removed from the ninth-floor condo, at the “Supalai Park at Phuket City” complex on Nakorn Rd, after Phuket Immigration officers broke a window to gain entry to the back of the unit from atop a fire truck ladder. The extraction took place at about 3pm, said Maj Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police. “We planned to get him out of the condo today. We were worried that he might try to hurt himself, but we needed to get him out,” Maj Ekkachai said. Under a plan devised by Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng, regular police officers engaged in talks with Mr Maclean through the condo’s front door to the hallway, while Phuket Immigration officers entered
Australian-born Brit David Maclean was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub from the rear. Mr Maclean, emaciated by his ordeal, was immediately taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for care. “We had a medical team and a hospital gurney on hand for when the door was finally opened,” Maj Ekkachai noted. However, Mr Maclean refused hospital treatment, and hence was taken to Phuket City Police Station to be charged for overstaying in the Kingdom of Thailand. His permit to stay expired on Feb 21. Col Kathathorn told The Phuket News, “We told Mr Maclean to not worry about that right now. He would be
charged with overstaying, but that his health was most important and that he must focus on recovering his health first.” Regardless, Mr Maclean elected to be processed and deported from Thailand without delay. Mr Maclean locked himself in the unit on Jan 14 amid a dispute with the landlord over not providing receipts for rent paid. Maj Ekkachai explained at the time that the landlady had told officers that Mr Maclean took up tenancy in the condo in October, but had not paid rent for the past two months. Mr Maclean, who sent an
email to The Phuket News, flatly denied the claim. Instead he gave a detailed description of events, including dates, times, names and places, of how the rent was no longer being collected as the landlady had sent her adult children to collect the rent, but refused to give receipts for rent paid. Mr Maclean explained he needed his rent receipts in order to prove his residence to Phuket Immigration for his application for a long-term permit-to-stay. Maj Tosapon Kitilap of the Phuket Immigration Police confirmed to The Phuket News on Wednesday (May 8) that Mr Maclean had been transferred to Bangkok. “He arrived at the Immigration facility at Soi Suan Plu in Bangkok yesterday afternoon (May 7), after he was fined about B2,500 or B3,000 by the Phuket Provincial Court for overstaying. His health is fine and normal. He can walk and eat well.” Mr Maclean, 50, will be deported to the United Kingdom. He has also been banned from re-entering Thailand for five years. Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot
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Patong lifeguards warn of monsoon season dangers THE PATONG SURF LIFE Saving group on Tuesday (May 7) urged the public to exercise caution when visiting Patong Beach following a weather warning issued by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of heavy rain, strong winds and high waves. The weather warning, effective from Tuesday through Friday (May 10), covered southern provinces along the Andaman coast including Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Somprasong Sangchart, Head of Patong Surf Life Saving, told The Phuket News, “The monsoon season has now begun and we want people to be aware of safe and unsafe areas to swim in the sea. “Please do not ignore red flags. The red flags are there to warn people that the sea is very dangerous in specific areas and people mustn’t swim there,” he said. “The waves are very strong and it’s difficult to swim back to the shore. “There are f lags that are red and yellow which marks an area that is safe and under constant lifeguard surveillance.” Mr Somprasong high lighted that extra lifeguards have been brought in to keep
Warning flags on Patong Beach. Photo: Patong Surf Life Saving the island’s busiest beach safe. “We have 26 lifeguards at nine points on Patong Beach. We also have about 20-25 lifeguard volunteers working on the beach each day from the Patong Development Foundation. “In addition, an extra eight lifeguard volunteers from the Patong Baywatch team of Patong Development Foundation have been brought in to watch the beach at night and to keep people away from the sea when it is dark,” Mr Somprasong explained. “The jet-ski operators on the beach will continue to support our work efficiently.” The Patong Baywatch team is a group of local volunteers, including former lifeguards, who patrol Patong Beach for safety. The team is funded by the Patong Development Foundation, founded by Preechavude ‘Prab’ Keesin. Waranya Prompinpiras
Man with mental disability drowns in Phuket Town park pond P O L I C E O N T U E S DAY morning (May 7) recovered the body of a man who is estimated to have had the mental age of a four- to five-year-old child from a pond at Suan Luang (King’s Park), on the outskirts of Phuket Town. The pond is used as a public water source for residents in Phuket Town and nearby areas. Panya Duangrat, 28, a cleaner in the park, found the body in a pond at the rear of the park, near the entrance along Wirat Hongyok Rd, at about 9:20am and reported it by calling the 191 police hotline.
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Col Prawit Ang-chuan, Chief Investigator of the Phuket Provincial Police, and other officers soon arrived to find the body of Banyat Chusri, 42, floating face down, naked in the water. Police with the assistance of rescue workers recovered the body of Mr Banyat, a resident of Phuket Town near the Polytechnic College at Saphan Hin. On examining the body, officers found no signs of a physical struggle, police confirmed. Initially police were unable to identify Mr Banyat, who went by
the nickname “X”, as his clothes were not found in the area, Lt Col Rachan Panwai of the Phuket City Police told The Phuket News. However, Mr Banyat’s neighbour happened to be present when police were recovering his body from the water, and believed it looked very much like Mr Banyat. The neighbour then called Mr Banyat’s mother, who arrived in person and identified the body as that of her son, Col Rachan explained. Despite other local media reports, Col Rachan denied that his officers had confirmed that Mr Banyat
suffered bouts of epilepsy. “His mother did not tell us anything like that,” he said. “We were told that although Mr Banyat was 42 years old, he had a mental disability and that he had the mental age of a child about four to five years old,” Col Rachan said. Mr Banyat was last seen leaving his family home last night, Col Rachan added. “His mother went looking for him, but failed to find him,” he said. Police believe that Mr Banyat went into the water for a swim, but drowned, leaving the presumed cause
Police at the scene on Tuesday (May 7). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub of death as misadventure. However, Col Racha noted, “We still have to wait for doctors at Vachira Phuket Hospital to confirm that.” Eakkapop Thongtub
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People invited to sign books of congratulations for HM The King The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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huket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has invited people to sign books of well-wishes for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn at Phuket Provincial Hall. Similar books of congratulatory messages to be signed by the public are also available at local government offices across the island. Governor Phakaphong formally opened the opportunity to sign the books of well-wishes at Phuket Provincial Hall at 3:30pm on Monday (May 6). Present to witness the first signing were Phuket Vice Governors, officials, top-ranking police and members of the public. “Please come to sign the books for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn to show our loyalty and appreciation together,” Governor Phakaphong said. “The books are available on the first floor of Kor Sim Bee Building at the Phuket Provincial Hall complex. The books will remain here until the
Phuket Governor Phakaphong signs a book of congratulations for HM The King at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday (May 6). Photo: PR Dept end of May,” he added. The books of congratulations will be available to the public during regular government office hours, from 8:30am to 4:30pm on government working days. Elsewhere across the island, books of congratulations became
available at local administrative and municipality offices. “All municipalities, Tambon Ad minist ration Organisations (OrBorTor) and the three District Offices – in Phuket Town, Kathu and Thalang – have their own books for people to sign their messages
of congratulations,” Win Sitthichen, Director of Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Local Administration explained to The Phuket News. “The books became available for people to sign from 1pm on Saturday (May 4), in accordance with Phuket Vice Governor Thanyawat Chanpinit’s order to all officials on May 3,” he said. Vice Governor Thanyawat’s order followed an order issued by Ministry of the Interior Permanent Secretary Chatchai Promlert last Friday (May 3), informing the “provinces, government offices, state enterprises, district offices, and local administrative organisations, to arrange well-wishing message signing activities for His Majesty the King, at the provincial hall and suitable venues, allowing the general public to sign their messages to His Majesty from 1pm of 4th May 2019 onward.” Patong Municipality confirmed to The Phuket News that their books of congratulations became available for people to sign from Wednesday (May 8).
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MoI Perm Sec orders Illegal luxury mansion given 30 days water sources upgraded THE OWNERS OF THE
PH U K ET G OV E R NOR Phakaphong Tavipatana last week admitted that he had been ordered by the Permanent Secretary for Interior to ensure that the island has adequate water sources to prevent any future water shortages brought on by lack of rainfall as Phuket suffered in the opening months of this year. Governor Phakaphong presided over a meeting at the Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office last Thursday (May 2) to discuss plans to improve the water storage situation in Phuket in order to prevent future water shortages in the event of a drought. Governor Phakaphong said at the meeting, “As ordered by the Permanent Secretary for Interior, we will explore the various water sources on the island, both public and private, and will work on making them available for public consumption as well as carrying out repairs on existing sources that have deteriorated. “We aim to improve the
G overnor Phakaphong presides over a meeting last week to discuss the island’s water sources to prevent future water shortages. Photo: PR Dept storage of water during the wet season,” he said. “We will present various plans to the Department of Local Administration to request the required budget to proceed with the projects.” The governor also said that despite several days of rain on the island recently, water levels are still low and the distribution of water to residents in need will continue until the situation is resolved. The Phuket News
lu xu r y mansion u nder construction overlooking Bang Wad reservoir in Kathu have been given 30 days to remove the structure or face legal action. The news follows an inspection of the site by officials on Apr 24, after which it was confirmed that the building was illegal as it contravened the ban on all construction above 80 metres above sea level. “Kathu Mayor Chaianan Sutthikul on Monday (Apr 29) signed an order to suspend construction and for the building to be removed within 30 days,” Tassanee Saetong, Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) at Kathu Municipality, confirmed to The Phuket News. “Officers from Kathu Municipality have posted the order on the door of the luxury mansion to inform the owner so that the owner can comply,” she added. “After 30 days, if the owner of the luxury man-
The plot as identified on the Treasury Department Land Register for Chanote land titles issued in Thailand. Image: Treasury Dept / Google Maps sion still has not ceased construction and removed the building in accordance with the order, we will file a formal complaint with the police,” Ms Tassanee said. Amnuay Pinsuwan of the Phuket Provincial Land Office declined to give an appraisal of the value of land. Instead, he refer red The Phuket News to check through the Treasury Department website listing all Chanote titles validated in the country (http://dolwms. dol.go.th/tvwebp/). The website gives the official Land Register value for the site as B1,000 per talang wah (four square
metres), giving the prized hilltop plot of 10 rai, 16 talang wah (totalling 4,016 talang wah) an official land value of B4,016,000. Mr Amnuay also declined to speculate what the property would be valued at if the luxury mansion were completed. Waranya Prompinpiras thephuketnews
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Stepping up to save yourself Aussie Ambassador calls for better safety precautions by travellers Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
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ustralian Ambassador to Thailand Allan McKinnon has made his stance on Australians travelling to Thailand very clear: they need to read travel advisories and learn about the culture and the risks present in the places where they are travelling to, take out appropriate insurance and use common sense while abroad to not take risks they wouldn’t take back home. Amb McKinnon made his position clear to The Phuket News during a visit to the Class Act Media offices in Kathu last Tuesday (Apr 30), accompanied by Australian Consul-General for Phuket Craig Ferguson. “Most important is that people need to follow the travel advice,” Amb McKinnon said. “It’s amazing how many Australians just pack up and go and don’t give a second thought…anywhere,” he added. “Before travelling, people need to learn what the environment is, what the risks are, what the positives are – and pay attention to that.”
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Mr Ferguson, who has spent nigh on two years on the frontline in Phuket assisting Australians in need, agreed. His advice was simple: “Spend some time reading the Australian government’s travel advice for Thailand on www. smartraveller.gov.au “This advice says that Australians should overall exercise a high degree of caution. It gives helpful information about safety and security, local laws and where to get help. You can also subscribe to receive an email every time we update the travel advice,” he noted. Further than reading up on the risks and dangers – as well as the attractions to enjoy – while travelling to Thailand, and Phuket in particular, Amb McKinnon pointed out how many people do not take out adequate travel insurance to cover the activities they will engage in while on holiday here. “Don’t skimp on it. Take out the right travel insurance for situations you think you are going to face. It is common for people to use just standard coverage provided by
Being prepared and using common sense can spare travellers from a world of pain, says Ambassador McKinnon. credit card companies when people pay for their holidays using their credit cards, and not saying there’s anything wrong with that at all – but I wouldn’t want to leave it to chance. Take good travel insurance for the risks that you’re facing, whether you are going to rent a motorbike or do any adventure activities. Just make sure you’re covered,” he said. “And be sensible when you’re travelling. How many people have never ridden a motorbike before and then rent a scooter here because they
think it’s just a little thing, that they won’t get hurt – and then don’t wear a helmet because no one else is wearing a helmet, so they think that will be fine too? “People just shouldn’t take risks and do things that they wouldn’t do back home in Australia,” the Ambassador said. “Of course it’s the combination of these three things – not being aware of the risks, not taking out appropriate insurance for those risks and then taking those risks that you wouldn’t take at home – that can together be quite catastrophic, and we see the results
of that,” he added. Amb McKinnon pointed out that the number of incidents that the Australian Mission in Thailand had to deal with each year made the Australian Embassy in Bangkok one of the busiest Australian Government Missions in the world. “Even more than Washington D.C.,” he noted. Mr Ferguson’s experience shone through on the issue: “Have comprehensive travel insurance making sure it covers you for the places you’ll visit, things you’ll do and any preexisting medical conditions. “Recent research by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) revealed that 18% of people travelled without insurance, 44% of travellers take part in dangerous activities that their insurance didn’t cover and 13% had an expectation that the Australian Government would contribute to their medical expenses,” he noted. Mr Ferguson also encouraged Australians to make sensible travel decisions and use common sense. “Do some reading, know a bit about where you are going.
Be aware that you are subject to local laws,” he said. “Wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. Watch out for your mates and stay in touch with family and friends back home. Doing these things will help you avoid becoming a consular statistic,” Mr Ferguson pointed out. Amb McKinnon was in Phuket last week to attend several of the activities conducted by the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 (IDE) deployment, which saw the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) flagship HMAS Canberra, which at 27,000 tonnes is the largest ship in the RAN fleet, and the HMAS Newcastle make port in Phuket. During their four-day stay, Australian military personnel worked with the Royal Thai Navy, police and disaster-prevention agencies in a number of training activities, including a tabletop exercise on maritime security in which they teamed up to solve a simulated searchand-rescue. Amb McKinnon rated the visit an important opportunity to cooperate in security and stability for the region.
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Lives can wait
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he delay in the opening of the Chalong Hospital revealed this week is downright despicable. The plans were set in motion nearly a decade ago, and the budget delivered within 12 months. The hospital plan adopted is from other hospitals literally already open and functioning in other parts of the country exactly as set out in plans – as mandated by the Ministry of Public Health itself. Somehow, some Phuket officials are presenting themselves as above that. The so-called “need” for the extra building is pure gush delivered without any explanation of why the already-approved facility cannot open. And that’s while some B14 million in donations is being provided by a rescue foundation for of all things an x-ray room – like the original plans did not include one, and as if the Ministry of
Public Health cannot afford one. Meanwhile, here’s what the government has already spent on our illustrious underpasses, two of which have yet to open: Darasamut Underpass B600mn, Sam Kong Underpass B834mn, Bang Khu Underpass B600mn, Chalong Underpass B550mn and airport-turnoff underpass B500mn. Total price tag so far: B3.058 billion, and no secondary road network and not a single government public bus service in place. And we are having trouble getting how much for a hospital? That said, government hospitals have long solicited cash donations from the public. That practice is so open that Ministry of Public Health officials never question it. Meanwhile, the delay will see Chalong Hospital remain closed for another rainy season, when strong surf endangers – and claims – many lives.
Getting surf rescue victims to emergency care as fast as possible is critical. That’s why, thank heavens, the short-staffed and poorly equipped Accident & Emergency (A&E) Centre at Chalong Hospital was opened years ago despite the main facility being not even built yet. Although the A&E Centre is only a makeshift unit until the proper hospital opens, at least some emergency medical care could be provided to stabilise patients in the hope they survive the journey to one of the major hospitals in or on the outskirts of Phuket Town. Now with this new delay, those patients from the south of the island whose lives will soon depend on emergency medical care will have to wait, including any tourists pulled from the surf exhausted, or possibly not even breathing. After all, six months won’t kill them, right?
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Brit finally removed from Phuket Town condo British man stabbed over Thai girlfriend Australian Navy takes Patong Beach by storm Police confident Phuket airport taxi driver who wiped out six vehicles, killed motorcyclist will face formal charges soon Phuket braces for stormy weekend as weather warning issued Rent dispute Brit to be deported King’s Coronation public holiday Phuket holds mass cleanup in honour HM The King New queen named Illegal luxury mansion given 30 days to be removed
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HAVE YOUR SAY Law without the enforcement
Re: Govt to adopt ‘tough’ points-based driving penalties Well it would be nice. In reality though it needs to be implemented and enforced. Japan has a huge network of automatic number plate recognition cameras that are linked to the national database which automatically sends out tickets to violators. Also Japanese people respect the law and pay their tickets. How will this be achieved in Thailand? CaptainJack69 There are plenty of laws already in place in Thailand, The problem is with enforcement. The police are pathetic. They only stop drivers if there is a road block and it is not lunch time and not raining. I never see them stopping offenders any other time. Even outside Cherng Talay police station drivers run red lights all the time and motorcyclists drive past with no helmet. Shwe A couple of if’s: if police write the tickets, if drivers show up to court and if drivers
have licenses to begin with. Jack Taylor
A different Brexit
Re: Brit finally removed from Phuket Town condo The dude is a skeleton now, all over some rent dispute. It just means this guy was never 100% to begin with. It’s not a rational thinking guy who’s just “right” and it’s “principle” because no one is going to forgo their own health so much that you can count his ribs for a landlady dispute. He should get a psychiatric evaluation. Steini Pé Re: Rent dispute Brit to be deported It isn’t as if the authorities didn’t know where he was the entire time of the overstay. Typical blinkered view and let’s ignore what’s really been happening. Fascinated
Coronation elation
Re: His Majesty the King grants royal pardon to categories of convicts ahead of coronation That is quite an impressive act of compassion. Brendan Lines
Re: Snapshots of the auspicious occasion of the Coronation of King Rama X How beautiful everything has been done. The pictures are stunning. Long live King Rama X. Rosemary Toerien Goosen Re: King Maha Vajiralongkorn crowned Rama X of Thailand, vows to reign with righteousness Hopefully for the good of the majority – the poor of the nation. Congratulations to the Thai people all around the world. Best wishes for a long and happy life. Long live the King. Paul Cherry
Koh Siray, Siray
Re: Koh Siray clean-up: Indo-Pacific Endeavour Well done to Dr Peter Harris of the Asia Pacific Environmental Network who organised this wonderful event focusing on a community that needs a lot of education and support. Debra Mierczak
Re: Phuket Opinion: Saving the village Hmm. Good points. Let’s not forget though that the
biggest responsibility [for reducing plastic] by far rests with the manufacturers and primar y retailers. If the supermarkets stop individually wrapping pastries in plastic, for instance, it costs the consumer nothing at all. What it does do, however, is raise general awareness, which is half the battle. CaptainJack69 Saving, cleaning Koh Siray has to come from inside. From the people/community who live there, who dump garbage all over the island and in the water. The only volunteers going there should be environment professionals who teach the locals not to pollute and to clean by themselves as it will be much better for their living conditions and own health. Change the mindset. Kurt
Good deeds
On Apr 6, a kind woman called Em gave me a ride to the Robinson store. Hope she sees this comment. I tried to answer her email but by accident I erased it. Thanks again for giving me a ride. I enjoyed my vacation in Phuket. Oshika from Japan
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Govt to adopt Japanese driving points system
THAILAND NEWS
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Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok.
BANGKOK Thodsapol Hongtong
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hailand’s new traffic laws will be based on the more stringent Japanese model, according to the Ministry of Transport. The ministry has been work i ng w it h Japa ne se Ministr y of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), according to Chirute Visalachitra, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary. MLIT has shared knowledge about its success in using a licence pointdeduction system to improve discipline among Japanese drivers, said Mr Chirute. The system will be incorporated into the new land transport bill, which merges the 1979 Automobile Act with the 1979 Land Transport Act, and is currently entering the final stages of drafting, he said. Mr Chirute did not spell out when the system will come into force as it requires the databases of a number of
King donates over B2.4bn to hospitals BANGKOK
The Japanese traffic point-deducting system comes with tough penalties and is focused mainly on protecting pedestrians. Photo: The Phuket News / file related agencies to be linked. “The Japanese traff ic point-deducting system comes with very tough penalties and is focused mainly on protecting the safet y of pedestrians,” said an official source familiar with the drafting of this law. In the draft bill, failing to stop at traffic lights would mea n t wo poi nt s bei ng
deducted and a fine of between B1,800 and B3,200. Failure to stop or slow down to allow pedestrians to use to a crossing point will be subject to a fine of up to B4,000. Licences will be suspended for up to 180 days if more than six points are deducted in any three-year period. Drink-driving carries a
Ranong immigration chief gets transferred for ‘slow service’ RANONG T H E I M M IGR AT ION ch ief of t he sout he r n province of Ranong was transferred to an inactive post in the Immigration Bureau after Myanmar accused Ranong immigration police of slow service for 200 Myanmar tourists. The Immigration Bureau said today (May 6) that Immigration Bureau Acting Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang on Friday transferred Ranong Immigration Chief Pol Col Weerayos Karoonyatorn to the operations centre of the Immigration Bureau. T he move followed media reports that Myanmar representatives f rom Kaw thaung tow n had complai ned about Thai immigration service for about 200 Myanmar tourists during a meeting between their township border committee and their Thai counterparts in Ranong on April 26. The Myanmar side said @thephuketnews
Ranong Immigration Chief Pol Col Weerayos Karoonyatorn (centre) has been transferred with immediate effect. Photo: Rayong Immigration Office / Facebook that on Feb 7, Myanmar tourists had to wait for four hours – from 8am to noon – to clear immigration in Ranong. The bureau said that local immigration chiefs we r e r e s p o n s i b l e fo r monitoring tourist traffic and deploying additional personnel when numbers increased. Media repor ted that last month Col Weerayos claimed the group of some 200 Myan mar tou r ists actually arrived in Ranong at about 10am on Feb 7, and immigration procedures
took each visitor about two minutes because some people were f irst-time visitors who had to have their fingerprints collected. The procedure for all the tourists took about two hours to finish, he said, and Ranong immigration police did their best. The incident could have been prevented if tour firms had warned of the large influx of tourists beforehand and thus allowed the provincial immigration bureau to prepare sufficient resources, Pol Col Weerayos said. Bangkok Post
potential 35-point penalty, a maximum jail ter m of five years and/or a fine of up to B300,000, as well as a five-year driving licence suspension. Passengers and owners (if not the driver) of cars involved in cases of drink-driving charges will also bear legal responsibility. Bangkok Post
H I S M A J E ST Y T H E King on Tuesday (May 7) donated more than B2.4 billion to 27 hospitals for new medical equipment purchases, according to the Royal Household Bureau. In addition to being used for equipment purchases, the donations are also aimed at helping hospitals build new medical facilities. Part of the B2.4 billion financial assistance has come from donations that were given by the public during the funeral of King
Rama IX, who passed away on Oct 13, 2016. The other part of the money was derived from revenue from the “Un Ai Rak Khlai Khwam Nao” or “Love and Warmth at Winter’s End” festival at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok. The donations were issued to hospitals around the cou nt r y i ncludi ng Siriraj Hospital and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. Also on t he list of recipient s a re Pat t a n i Hospital and Yala Regional Hospital in the restive deep South. Bangkok Post
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THAILAND NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Ex-tourism chief loses appeal Court upholds 50-year prison sentence for film festival bribes BANGKOK Bangkok Post
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he Appeal Court has upheld the 50-year prison sentence given to former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan for demanding B62 million in bribes from American organisers of Bangkok film festivals. The court slightly shortened the sentence handed down to her daughter, to 40 years. The Appeal Court’s decision was read at the Central Criminal Cou r t for Cor r upt ion and Misconduct Cases on Wednesday (May 8). The Appeal Court found Juthamas, 72, guilty of 11 counts of collusion with Gerald Green and his wife Patricia, an American couple, in facilitating their contracts to organise the Bangkok International Film
Festival from 2002 to 2007 without fair competition. Each count carried a jail term of six years and her total term was 66 years. However, the former governor could spend only a maximum of 50 years in prison for her crimes under the Criminal Code. The Appeal Court dropped one count for her daughter Jittisopha, 45, concerning alleged support for the crime. The count was considered during the trial in the lower court, but the Appeal Court ruled that prosecutors did not present clear evidence to support it. Jittisopha was thus found g uilt y of 10 cou nts, each carrying a jail term of four years, and sentenced to 40year imprisonment instead of 44 years. The court found the daughter guilty of opening foreign bank accounts to receive the bribes
paid in 59 transactions. The Appeal Court dismissed the lower cour t’s order to confiscate the B62 million in bribes, saying that confiscation had not been requested during the original trial. The lower court delivered its rulings on Juthamas and her daughter on March 29, 2017. The court found the American couple were granted sole rights to run the events despite lacking the necessary expertise, experience, or any related proven work record. Both defendants appealed. The Appeal Court had earlier rejected their application for bail in light of the severity of the sentences. After the court’s ruling on Wednesday, Juthamas and her daughter were returned to the Central Women’s Correctional I nstit ution i n Bang kok to continue serving their sentences.
Juthamas Siriwan, right, former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, at the Criminal Court in Bangkok in 2016. Photo: Bangkok Post
Increasing violence at hospitals stirs worry among medical staff BANGKOK
Police arrest many young men for a brawl at Prathai Hospital in Prathai district, Nakhon Ratchasima, late last month. Photo: Prasit Tangprasert
OV E R 55% O F M E D I C A L personnel consider their hospitals to be unsafe places to work due to violence, according to research by the Medical Council of Thailand. The council conducted the survey on April 20-30 among 1,726 medical staff at both private and state-owned hospitals countrywide. According to the Ministry of
Public Health, there have been 51 cases of violence in hospitals between 2012 and 2019, but incidents have become more frequent in the past five years. Dr Passakorn Wanchaijiraboon, assistant secretary-general of the Medical Council of Thailand, who also headed the survey, said respondents asked the authority to impose measures to make hospitals safe and free from violence. The survey showed 71% of
violent incidents take place at state hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health. Doctors were the most likely to have experienced violence at 75%, followed by 61% for nurses. About 96% of participants agreed that alcohol is the main cause of the problem and 97% said that anyone under the influence should be barred from emergency rooms. Meanwhile, 64% of interviewed doctors said that violence has made
them think about leaving their jobs. Some 58% of nurses had the same response. “The survey shows that medical staff will leave if they feel that there is no safety in their workplace,” Dr Passakorn said. Sukhum Karnchanapimai, the ministry’s permanent secretary, has announced a “zero tolerance” policy on hospital violence going forwards. Apinya Wipatayotin
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
BUSINESS NEWS
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Italthai’s hotel hopes Hospitality to see bulk of massive investment HOSPITALITY Piyachart Maikaew
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talthai Group is focused on expansion and investment, preparing a multi-billionbaht budget to double revenue to B30 billion by 2021. T he g roup is one of Thailand’s oldest construction and hospitality companies and runs four core business units: construction equipment; engineering services and construction contracting; hospitality; and lifestyle. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Italthai’s chief executive, said B5bn will be allocated during 2019-20 for the hospitality business to add 10 new hotels, serviced apartments and spas. The company manages 50 properties in eight countries. “We are very keen on both the domestic and foreign markets for hospitality,” he said. This business unit is run by Onyx Hospitality Group and includes Amari, Ozo, Shama, Breeze, The Mosaic Collection and Oriental Residence. “Our long-term roadmap is to have 99 hospitality properties, comprising 18,500 rooms in 10 countries, by 2024,” Mr Yuthachai said. Last August, Onyx signed management deals for 30 hotels under development in Thailand and overseas. They have been set to open by 2021, reaching 79 properties. The B5bn is part of this plan, covering construction of new properties and renovation of existing ones. During 2019-20, Onyx expects to open three more locat ions i n Chon Bu r i province and Laos. Two properties are in Chon Buri’s Pattaya: Amari Pattaya Ocean Tower with 350 rooms
@thephuketnews
Yuthachai Charanachitta (centre), Chief Executive of Italthai Group, joins the ‘topping off’ ceremony of the OZO Phuket resort in Kata in August last year. Photo: Supplied and Ozo Pattaya with 400 rooms, expected to open in mid-2019. These hotels aim to support tourism flows in Chon Buri and the f lagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme, Mr Yuthachai said. The new Amari chain launched in Vientiane with 200 rooms. Amari and Ozo will see further development, Mr Yuthachai said. “Amari is positioned as a four-star hotel, while Ozo is three stars,” he said. “But the first Ozo in Hong Kong is recorded as four stars.” Mr Yuthachai said the development of the Ozo chain can have a payback period of five to six years faster than Amari, so Onyx plans to develop many Ozo locations in China, Malaysia and the Maldives. “The development cost for
Ozo is B2-3 million per room, while Amari uses B5-6mn, so we plan to expand new Ozo hotels in major cities across Thailand,” he said. Fu r ther, It althai is a shareholder in the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, one of the most prestigious and oldest hotel properties globally. Mr Yuthachai said Italthai has been renovating the 143-year-old five-star hotel for seven months under a B2.5bn budget. “The number of rooms is expected to decline from 370 to 330 after completing the plan because we aim to compete against others with the suite room type amid aggressive competition in hotels along the Chao Phraya River,” he said. Italthai is also investing B200mn in a large laundry facility in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. The structure will
support Onyx’s properties in Bangkok and Chon Buri, and Onyx will run logistics routes to transport all laundry to this factory.
“This is our trial project for the hospitality business locally. If it works, we will expand to our properties in Phuket,” Mr Yuthachai said. “For Phuket, we have to adopt a desalination system at the laundry facility because that province has limited fresh water.” He said one lau nd r y facilit y can suppor t 5- 6 properties in surrounding provinces. With new opportunities in the EEC, Onyx will enter Rayong to take advantage of new flights and rail routes directly into the three EEC provinces. U-tapao airport is becoming one of the flagship terminals, while the highspeed railway linking the three main airports of U-tapao, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi is completing the bidding process and starting development. “Run ning ser viced apartments will respond to the demand of long-term residence from locals and expats, and most of them will work in the aviation city and
a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility there,” Mr Yuthachai said. “Onyx has Shama service apartments to handle the new location in Rayong.” Ony x acquired the Shama brand from Sincere Holdings Group, a Chinese property developer. Shama has properties in major Chinese and Thai cities. Italthai will position its lifestyle business to support food and beverage products for all hospitality properties, Mr Yuthachai said. In 2019, Italthai expects revenue to grow by 12% to B15.03bn. Two units, construction equipment and engineering services, contribute roughly 63% (B9.4bn) of the total, while the hospitality and lifestyle units account for 37% (B5.63bn). Mr Yuthachai said the hospitality business generates 60% of its revenue in Thailand, with the remainder stemming from overseas properties. Bangkok Post
10 BUSINESS NEWS
Tour operators urged to tout domestic tax perk TOURISM TOURISM OPERATORS have been advised to speed up marketing plans to encourage people to travel domestically and gain from a short-lived tax perk approved by the Cabinet. “As the tax measure will last for only two months through June, it is necessary for tour operators to quickly publicise the incentive deals to customers,” said Phuriwat Limthavornrat, President of the Association of Domestic Travel. The Cabinet on Tuesday (May 7) approved a slate of economic stimulus measures, including a tax deduction for spending on tourism services (accommodation and dining) of up to B15,000 when travelling to large provinces and up to B20,000 in second-tier provinces. The overall allowance is capped at B20,000. The government expects to lose B1 billion in tax revenue. Mr Phuriwat acknowledged that he was unsure whether the measure would give tourism a strong boost during the rainy season. “Generally, those who are fond of travelling during this time are individuals,
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
TAT sets sights on rise in Latino LGBT travellers TOURISM
Dusida Worrachaddejchai
Mr Phuriwat says this time of year is a low period for group travel. Photo: Bangkok Post not big groups,” he said. The scheme this time round does not cover expenses by corporations holding seminars or outings, a key difference from last year’s tax deduction. “Many companies prefer organising seminars such as team-building trips during the low season, thanks to good deals from hotels and food restaurants,” Mr Phuriwat said. He held out hope that the next government would extend the measure to last for the entire year, as the full-year scheme in 2018 helped drive domestic travel. Last year’s tax scheme offered individuals and companies a B15,000 tax deduction for tourism spending in 55 less-popular provinces. Bangkok Post
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
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he Tourism Authority of Thailand is set to increase tourism arrivals from Latin America, i n pa r t t h roug h a pla n to present Thailand as a friendly destination for LGBT travellers. L a s t we e k t h e TAT organised the first meeting of some 40 tourism operators from Latin America, including from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Colombia, along with Thai operators. Jefferson Santos, the TAT representative to South America, said there is a huge community of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people in Latin America, especially in Brazil, which has 20 million LGBT people. “We ai m to promote Thailand as a LGBT-friendly destination and show them a safe tourism space by participating in the LGBT travel forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil this June,” Mr Santos said.
The TAT plans to promote Thailand as an LGBT-friendly destination. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill The TAT will also host the LGBT+ Travel Symposium 2019 during Sept 5-6, he said. The Latin American market is not large but is emerging and has strong potential, said Runjuan Tongrut, the TAT’s executive director for the Americas. L a s t y e a r , 2 0 2 ,10 6 tourists from Latin America visited Thailand, generating B15 billion. The top three source countries were Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. The TAT meeting was expected to create business ties to help achieve a projection of 220,000 arrivals from the region this year. Before the trade meeting,
the TAT attended World Travel Market Latin America 2019 in Sao Paulo last month. The agency also held a tourism roadshow in Buenos Aires in late April to showcase Thai tourism. Ms Runjuan said many tourists from Latin America expressed interest in visiting Thailand during the fair to experience different cultures and traditions. T hailand has many beautif ul beaches and numerous islands and cliffs that are unlike the environs in Latin America. Moreover, Latin Americans are excited to try Thai foods and seasonal fruits, especially mangoes,
which are juicier and sweeter than those cultivated in Latin America, Ms Runjuan said. “Even though they have to fly for 30 hours because there is no direct flight from Thailand to Latin America, they want to visit us as part of a once in a lifetime experience,” she said. Apart from the LGBT market, families, independent travellers and honeymooners are also targeting the Latin American market. Families normally travel in July or during school breaks, while independent travellers, particularly millennials, can travel abroad year-round. “Honey mooners who consider Thailand an exotic dream destination are one of our key tourist markets,” Ms Runjuan said. “The TAT also invited Latin American tourism operators to the Amazing Thailand Romance Trade Meet earlier this year.” The Tourism and Sports Mi n ist r y said T haila nd welcomed 57,450 tourists from South America in the first quarter of 2018, generating B4 billion. Bangkok Post
Data to support bank interest taxation TAXATION THE REVENUE DEPARTMENT (RD) is now requiring all banks to submit savings account interest payment data, with all interest payments less than B20,000 exempted from tax. Account owners wishing that their information not be sent automatically to the RD must inform their bank, whereupon they will be subjected to taxation. Revenue Department Director-General Ekniti Nitithanprapas this week revealed that discussions with the Thai Bankers’ Association, the Association of International Banks, and Bank of Thailand on Apr 25 resulted in banks having to submit interest payment data to the RD, and the RD will screen it
RD Director-General Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced the news this week. Image: NNT for individuals who have received interest payments exceeding B20,000, and inform the bank to make a tax collection. Account owners can request the banks not to send their account information to the RD by informing their banks, who will however apply a 15% tax deduction from interest payments. NNT
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Phuket resplendent in coronation yellow
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
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Grab a board and ride the waves in Khao Lak
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ONE MOMENT IN TIME
The hidden wonderment of Japanese short-form poetry MUSING IN THE MIRE
David Jacklin david@littleloud.com
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uality short-form writing is generally acknowledged in literary circles as an exceptionally difficult discipline and an art form of itself. There’s many an artisan coffee drunk at book circle deliberations on the best short story ever told, and fisty-cuffs at dawn should some illiterate ignoramus belittle your favoured novella. There’s great skill and wisdom in saying in 50 words what others deliberate in 500. In George Orwell’s Six Rules for Writing, two were dedicated to prevent the amateur scribe from waffling on: never use a long word where a short one will do; and if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. But the skinniest of examples in this discipline is perhaps the most misunderstood. So I’d like to dedicate the lion’s share of this column to the humble haiku. The haiku is a form of Japanese poetry, characterised by its length of 17 syllables across three phrases. Here’s perhaps the most famous example by the originator of this style, Basho Matsuo (1644-1694): An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond, splash! Silence again. Most are amused by the supposed simplicity of the haiku poem. Indeed, the form is simple. But the skill of creating what is considered a great haiku is far from it. Basho himself expressed its hidden complexities by claiming, “He who creates three to five haiku poems during a lifetime is a haiku poet. He who attains to ten is a master.” Before a poet can compose what is considered a haiku, they must understand a profound unity between themselves and their surrounding environment. It’s a spiritual discipline which has within it a number of uncodified rules. When the haiku poem is considered with understanding of these, it sheds an illuminating and complex light on its apparent simplicity. The most basic rule of the haiku is that it should be of 17 syllables in length in the native tongue of the author. There’s something engaging in trying to reach perfection with a limited number of syllables. But why 17? The length is thought to be the same as what was @thephuketnews
Photo: Milan Popovic / Unsplash believed in ancient Japan to be the duration of a single breath, or event of ‘ahness’ or wonder. In Zen philosophy, being in the moment, the observer within one breath could reveal the universe and glimpse enlightenment. The haiku poem is a transmission, a direct experience of a passing moment. Words which define the experience and the experience itself are one. In this state the author and the environment are a unified whole, in which the poet wishes to convey no sense of time. It traditionally has a seasonal element or reference, called the kigo. Often these are direct in terms of explicit reference to the season, but in many of the famous poems this is defined by metonym, expressing something closely associated with that time of year. Blossoms on the pear tree, lighten by the moonlight, and there a woman is reading a letter. – Yosa Buson (1716-1784) To make the experience meaningful and alive, the poem often includes a ‘where, what and when’ element including the viewer’s harmony with the place where the event happened, the felt object and the seasonal word. The art is in expressing how the three elements exist as one moment, as parts of the whole.
Adding to this shortest of poetry forms’ complexity is the kireji, or ‘cutting word’. The kireji can be used to provide structure to the poem between two objects or elements, but is often used at the end phrase to cut into the stream of thought and transmit a profound awareness that arises within the captured moment.
and human foibles, often with humour and more than a touch of cynicism. These adaptations are known as senryu. Senryu have the same structure, but as a much more playful form don’t hold the seasonal or spiritual elements.
First autumn morning the mirror I stare into shows my father’s face. – Murakami Kijo (1865-1938)
– Anon
The finest poems are said to express the concept of hon-i, or ‘the heart of things’. In essence a spirit that underlies the basis of the moment and our experience with it. Uejima Onitsura (16611738), a Japanese haiku poet of the Edo period, described hon-i as, “When I think occasionally about an excellent verse, I find no artistic touch in its phrasing, or display of colourfulness in its air; only the verse flows out effortlessly; yet profound in the heart that expressed it.” The Thief left it behind. The moon at the window. – Ryokan (1758-1831) In more recent times the haiku has been adapted to express modern themes
Class reunion Where we all compete to see Which one looks youngest. The observant wife In the beautiful woman Finds some small defect.
– Anon
Haiku and senryu continue to be popular in both the East and the West, with established societies, published works and international competitions. Their diminutive size masks the skill and perception needed to produce a heavyweight verse. There’s something altogether magical about this poetry’s simplicity. Holding small moments in time, captured, suspended, for each reader to experience and remind themselves of the joy in this fleeting life. Today’s fading light Tomorrow hides in shadows Such magic and loss. – David Jacklin
12 DINING
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Raising the steaks Prime cuts and interactive dining at Butcher’s Garden Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th
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he dark tiled walls glisten in the dimly lit room. Carcasses hang ominously from meat hooks. The door behind us glides to a gentle close as the Danish chef turns and produces a cleaver from its sheath. No, I haven’t got this article confused with the opener to some gritty Scandi noir fiction; this is all part of the interactive experience of dining at Butcher’s Garden in Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong. (Admittedly, the stainless steel interiors of the dry-age room are much less imposing and Executive Chef Morten a great deal friendlier.) You see, while the hotel restaurant’s menu boasts a range of Thai and Western dishes – crafted burgers, Phuket specialities, freshly-caught seafood from the Andaman and superherothemed meals for kids – off-menu is where the fun really happens. Guests can enter the dry-age room and have Chef Morten walk them through his range of artisan-aged, hand-cut steaks. This is Butcher’s Garden after all. Best of all, guests choose the size
of the cut and pay accordingly, at great value. Once chosen, the fat is trimmed down, the meat is scored and the steak makes its way to the open kitchen’s charcoal grill. To share between two, Chef Morten recommends the 60-day dry-aged ribeye, 330 grams, cooked medium rare, and the 45-day dry-aged picanha, 220 grams, cooked medium. And who are we to argue? He has 18 years’ culinary experience overseeing some of the highest-rated eateries, including steakhouses, in Denmark, Thailand and, interestingly, the US territory of Guam. The steaks that arrive at our table – on wooden boards and with a choice of specialised, patterned knives – certainly challenge the baffling notion that Thai beef is of low quality and taste. At the risk of sounding like a Marks & Spencer advert, this is no tough, worn-out water buffalo; this is tender Charolais beef sourced from ThaiFrench cattle in the north of Thailand. While the béarnaise and peppercorn sauces are a welcome addition, the meat is flavoursome enough to be enjoyed alone, particularly the rib-eye which is slightly smoked from the grill and carries intense, developed flavours from the extensive dry-aging process.
Picanha – or top sirloin – has become a Danish garden party favourite and it’s easy to see why. During the cooking process, the fat on this prized cut of beef reduces down into the flesh of the sirloin, making it incredibly succulent. Butcher’s Garden serves up some inventive sides too. Forget the familiar sweet potato, mash and chips; make way for Brussels sprouts Montgomery and aubergine in sesame. The former a light affair of shredded Brussels sprouts, walnuts, sheets of parmesan and spring onion; the latter a rich dish of baked aubergine in a sweet miso and tahini dressing with sprinklings of mint and a generous daub of yogurt. Bookending the steak main are the delectable starters and desserts. The tartares are particularly popular. The raw tuna tartare sees the fish cubed and served over fanned avocado and semi-dried tomatoes with ginger, sesame and green onion and a zesty lemon and soy dressing, while the dryaged raw beef tartare – a different way to experience the meat – is marinated in onion, pickle and mustard, rained upon with shredded cured egg yolk and served in a kilner-style jar. Desserts are light and manageable versions of classics such as tiramisu and chocolate fudge, orange and ginger cake from the frozen cake bar and delicate apple crumble with lemongrass ice cream, light relief after the indulgence of the main. Attentive staff walk guests through Butcher’s Garden, helping them to select their prime cuts, breads and pairings of the red and white variety. A truly interactive and personalised experience. This extends to the interiors too. The restaurant and wider hotel have been carefully designed to reflect the local culture, character and history of Patong. Both actively celebrate the locality and give back to it at the same time by sourcing local produce and supporting independent markets. The interiors are a nod to Patong’s fishing village, rainforest and nightlife. Accordingly, trawler nets and repurposed oil lamps hang overhead in the lobby, lights drape from knotted fishing ropes in the restaurant, tattoo
The restaurant’s dry-ager.
Chef Morten in action. designs are imprinted on the steak knives and vibrant neon lights adorn the en suites. If there’s this much thought in a single lobby light bulb, imagine the care that goes into the food. Butcher’s Garden is located on the ground floor of Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong at Rat U Thit 200 Pee Rd, Patong, Kathu, 83150. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day from 6:30am to 10:30pm. www.facebook.com/butchersgarden/ 076 609 999
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CULTURE 13
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Limited edition brooches were sold at Big C.
Tecoma stans in bloom.
Government officials and local residents taking part in alms-giving ceremonies at Wat Phra Thong on May 4.
Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana pays respect to the King’s image at Phuket City Hall on May 5.
AN ISLAND IN YELLOW
Phuket awash with coronation hues for King Rama X
The Phuket News’ commemorative coronation cover. Over 1,000 people taking part in a clean-up along the Bang Yai Canal on May 6 under the King’s “We Do Good Deeds with Our Hearts” project.
Flags bearing the Royal Coronation Emblem.
Yellow is the colour of Monday, which is the day of birth of the King. @thephuketnews
For most Thais, this is the first time they have witnessed a coronation.
The government is urging the public to wear yellow until the King’s birthday on July 28.
14 TRAVEL
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Surfers can expect swells, outer banks, beach breaks...
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
...coral point breaks, outer reefs, river mouths...
Surf’s up in Khao Lak Daren Jenner & Bert Burger
When longperiod swells are heading for the Andaman coast, an increasing but quiet migration begins as surfers converge on Khao Lak.
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ypically around this time of year, we begin to experience the Southeast Asian version of the changing of the seasons. From the consistent northeasterly winds of the dry season, a change starts to occur. The first sign of the change is welcome rains signalling the end of tourist high season. Normally, there’s an inter-monsoon, or inbetween period, in which Phuket may experience both dry and rainy season-type weather in alternating fashion for several weeks. Every southwest monsoon season is different, but it’s likely that Phuket is now in inter-monsoon season. Sailors, anglers, surfers and beachgoers should all be wary of rapidly changing beach and ocean conditions. The heavy chop and short time period in between waves – the hallmarks of Phuket’s surf danger season – are not upon us just yet. However, the dangerous
conditions of the persistent southwest monsoon can start at any time. At present, the west coast of the Andaman is experiencing a mild, longperiod swell along with relatively calm winds, from Kata Noi all the way north to Pakarang Cape. These conditions are some of the safest for beginning surfers. While Phuket might have a lot to offer, when long-period swells are heading for the Andaman coast, an increasing but quiet migration begins as surfers converge on Khao Lak. A quiet piece of paradise, Khao Lak is located about an hour’s drive north of Phuket International Airport on the west facing the Andaman coastline of the Indian Ocean, jungle, waterfalls, a mountain backdrop, buffalo grazing near pristine white sand beaches and fishing boats tied up with clean tropical waves breaking in the background. Bert Burger, Head Surfboard Designer for Sunova Surfboards, is a resident of this surfer’s paradise and runs a significant surfboard manufacturing facility there. Sunova exports its innovative, sleek, vacuum-bagged surfboards globally. But what is a major brand doing building surfboards in such a remote location, and what’s happening up there with the surf scene? “To be honest, moving our factory here wasn’t exactly about making money – for sure it’s more expensive being so far away from our suppliers and customers – it was more about having a life,” Bert explains. “The surfboard industry is a lifestyle business, so that includes all of our staff also having a good life. Isn’t it every surfer’s dream to live in paradise and surf perfect tropical waves? Plus I firmly believe that you must surf to build good surfboards. I want all of my staff to understand the difference between a good and bad board, to appreciate why it’s important. “I think most people are surprised to hear there is surf in Thailand, but look at the map. We are only 500 kilometres away from the Indonesian island of Sumatra which undeniably has the best waves in the world. Those same swells continue on and hit the coast between Phuket and Myanmar. “Phuket being further south often finds itself in the swell shadow of Sumatra, so it’s generally regarded that Phuket has waves during the monsoon season from storms generating wind swells locally in the Andaman Sea, but Khao Lak is actually way better during what they call the high season.
...and a mean sunset too. “Phuket can be flat while we are still getting shoulder-high waves and clean long-fetch swells that come all the way from Antarctica and South Africa. It’s not uncommon to get 23-second period swells at head high. I’ve seen swells traverse 10,000km of ocean and they are so clean and lined up when they get here. “We have a nice range of options to enjoy these swells, outer banks, beach breaks, coral point breaks, outer reefs and river mouths. I think Khao Lak is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf. Memories Beach Bar has a huge range of surfboards for rent and a solid team of surf instructors to help people out. It’s shallow, the waves break further out and the white water rolls in for a long way with power all the way to the beach. “Then 20 minutes up the road at Ban Nam Khem, Greg Hodge, an expat Australian, and Dang, his Thai wife, run ThaiSurfSchool.com. They focus more on one-on-one coaching and the waves there are generally better for someone who has progressed past the white water. Greg can virtually guarantee to have crew surfing green waves. Most of my best surfs this year have been in front of his place. “I don’t want to oversell Khao Lak as a premier surf spot – I think if you’re a lone core surfer wanting to do a surf trip, go to Indonesia – but if you’re a core surfer with a family and you want to get your kids in the water somewhere safe and enjoy a break with your missus, then come and check it out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Daren Jenner is a bodysurfer and Ocean Lifeguard in SE Asia. He is also a Marine Safety Officer for the International Surf Lifesaving Association. Bert Burger is the inventor of the parabolic rail, founder of Sunova Surfboards and co-founder of Firewire Surfboards. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
HEALTH 15
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Meditation for a modern world Breathing in the positive and exhaling the negative in your busy day LET’S GET BENT Kim White kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com
Take the cultivation of good into every pore and cell of your being, believe it, intend it and grow it with every expansion of your inbreath.
@thephuketnews
H
ello and welcome to another month and, to be honest, a little bit of a continuation from last month. In April’s column, I spoke about taking the calm off of the yoga mat. This month, I want to give you a beginner’s mediation exercise but with a twist. I constantly hear people saying they would like to go away somewhere for months, not talk to anyone and just be zen and meditate in the middle of nowhere. (Note: it’s way harder than you think to sit and do nothing but meditate all day in a temple for weeks, let alone months.) I would be one of the first people to put my hand up for that scenario to land in my lap. Yes please, I will happily go away and build calm, but while I am away being zen, who is paying my bills, feeding my cat and making me money? Not everyone has the luxury of endless holidays and weeks or months for me time. Life equals daily responsibilities and daily stress. Some people use this as an excuse to never start finding some daily calm with comments such as, “There are no quiet meditation spots in my life”. My reply to this is, “Oh well, that’s okay. Stress doesn’t really happen in that spot anyway, it happens in the middle of your normal life. Start with what you have. Find calm here, in everyday life.” A perfect scenario, location and situation to find that bliss is amazing – and take those moments when you can – but don’t wait until you get to that right moment; it may never come. Start now with what you have because this, in actual fact, is what you are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. The everyday moments are when you need to find that zen in order to feel relaxed and happy daily. My advice to you is to go and find a chair in a busy café, sit in a bustling mall, on a bus, on a train, in a beach club, anywhere that is busy like your life, and sit still for one minute. Put on some dark sunglasses if you feel uncomfortable and close your eyes. Try for one whole, honest, true minute to not twitch, move, open your eyes or fidget. Relax your mind and feel your body react to the sensation of your breathing. Breathe in and feel the body expand and open and fill up like air filling a balloon, and then when you breathe out, feel the body relax and soften and melt like air leaving a balloon. Allow your thoughts to simplify and to focus only on the expansion of the inbreath and the release and letting go of the outbreath. Work towards keeping your mind focused on this exercise for one honest minute in the chaos of the world you live in. This will start to create a new habit in your everyday life, one that will switch on when you need some daily zen. The best part about this exercise is that the tools you need are inbuilt within you. The breath is the tool you use for any sort of tension release, whether it be physical, mental or emotional. We can also use the inbreath to cultivate that which is good in our lives. As you feel the body open-
ing and physically taking in air, turn your mind to the good things, actions, words, deeds that you have done for yourself and those around you. Feel your whole intent to take these actions and multiply them. Take the cultivation of good into every pore and cell of your being, believe it, intend it and grow it with every expansion of your inbreath. Let us not forget the powerful nature of the release and letting go of the negative on the outbreath.
I do not promise much, but I do promise that if you practise this one-minute exercise daily, in a busy, crowded, not-so-idyllic location, you will get better at the exercise and you will get better at being more zen for more of your everyday. When you can do one minute, try for two minutes and so on and so forth. Happy breathing. Metta, Kim oxo
16 EVENTS
No holds barred with Umar Rana.
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Headliner Andrew Netto needs YOU to see his stand-up.
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Check Brian Aylward out.
Stand-up and be counted Don’t miss live comedy at the Marriott on May 11 The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th
E
ach month, StandUp Asia brings some of the best international comedic talent on the circuit to vibrant, multicultural audiences at the Marriott Resort, Merlin Beach. Clear your diary on Saturday, May 11 – a shift from the usual Sunday spot – to make way for Umar Rana from Pakistan, headliner Andrew Netto from Malaysia and Brian Aylward from Canada who will take to the stage for a side-splitting evening of original comedy. Here’s what to expect. Umar Rana “No holds-barred-jokes.” – Time Out Founder and resident host of Singapore’s Comedy Masala, Umar Rana has been performing comedy since 2001. In 2013, Rana was listed by Top 10 Magazine, Malaysia as one of the top ten comedians in Asia. In 2016, he made his TV debut on Comedy Central Asia presents Stand-up Asia! Rana was one of the founding members of Black Fish, Pakistan’s first and highly-acclaimed Englishspeaking improv comedy troupe. He has performed
live in various countries across the globe, including being the official opening act for Bill Burr in Singapore, and has hosted and opened for Hollywood comedian Rob Schneider. Andrew Netto “More spin than a high speed turbine.” – The Star Andrew Netto is one of the hottest comedians on the Malaysian circuit. Having considerable success on both the local and international comedy scene, Netto has performed with famed comedians Ahmed Ahmed and Max Jobrani, along with mega-comedian Russell Peters. Netto is a regular feature in shows across Kuala Lumpur, was the MC for the 15,000-people strong St Patrick’s Day celebration and is in the Malaysia Book of Records for the First Stand-Up Comedy Performance on a Plane. With his yearly laugh-out-loud show, Andrew Netto Live, Netto showcases his amazing ability to take the most mundane things in life and twist them into comedy. Primed to be the next Malaysian comedy superstar, this ambitious comedian believes that life is full of little pleasures and laughing is just one of them. Netto’s insights into the daily workings of the average Joe are bound to entertain.
Brian Aylward “One of Asia’s most influential stand-up comedians.” – The Korea Times Founder of Stand Up Seoul and Mad About Comedy Bangkok, Brian Aylward stepped on stage for the first time in 2005 at a rowdy expatriate bar – on a bet. Since then, Aylward has established himself as an international stand-up act. With his commanding stage presence, Aylward delivers a brand of comedy that mocks aspects of society, culture and himself, while somehow maintaining an undeniable likeability. Aylward has won numerous competitions, and his most recent accolades include being named Best Stand-up Comic at the 2016 Canadian Comedy Awards and nominated for Best Comedy at the 2017 Fringe World in Perth, Australia. A brilliant comedic mastermind. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now from B350 (early bird), 600 THB (show only), B950 (burger, two Moosehead beverages and show), B990 (hotel buffet and show) or B1,450 (VIP, free-flow drinks from 7-10pm and meet-and-greet with the comedians). Get your tickets via the Phuket Ticketmaster website.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
HISTORY 17
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Kathu’s 19 Century Treasure th
The discovery of tin in the jungles and swamps in the 1790s HISTORY OF PHUKET Colin Mackay
K
athu had previously been an area frequented only by hunters chasing flocks of waterfowl in the swamps or rhinoceros, tigers, deer and boar in the forests. In 1870, Dr. D. B. Bradley, publisher of the Bangkok Daily Advertiser, visited Phuket and tells us the history of the early development of these new mines at Kathu. “The island was, some few years ago, divided into two provinces, called Salang [Thalang] and Poket. Before the division, the island consisted of only one province called Salang, the principle inhabitants of which were Malays, with a few Siamese, and they cultivated rice and caught fish sufficient for their own consumption. “The Governor of the island was then Phra Phalat. He was sent to Poket when it was only a fishing village and being an enterprising sort of man he determined to see what treasures were concealed beneath the soil and was so far successful as to find some thing which he thought would in a few years amply repay the outlay which he might make … The Chinese soon flocked in numbers to Phuket and Phra Phalat furnished them with funds to commence work and the place prospered and grew apace.” Access into Kathu at the time was up the crocodile-infested Klong Bang Yai, the stream (now very silted up and in most places encased in concrete as a stormwater culvert in Phuket Town) which runs down from Kathu past Sam Kong (by the Tesco Lotus store) into Phuket City, past the Thavorn Hotel and then enters the sea at Saphan Hin (the bay here was known formerly as “Bukit” or “Tongkah” Harbour). Small flat-bottomed boats poled supplies, equipment and people up this river, through thick jungle, to the primitive Chinese mining camps being set up in clearings (in the area around Get Ho village in Kathu today). By 1800, about a mile up this Klong Bang Yai from the sea, far enough inland to deter pirates, a ramshackle Chinese shanty port town appeared to supply these prospectors and miners with food, equipment, opium and gambling and to smelt their tin ore. This settlement
became known as “Bukit”, “Poket” or now “Phuket” town. By the early years of the 19th cen tury, tin production in the region had increased to around 400 tonnes a year. Some years as much as 40 tonnes was transported to Bangkok as tax and much of the rest was used to buy weap ons and cloth, which also had to be transported to Bangkok. Due to the constant threat of piracy, it was unsafe to ship these valuables via the Strait of Malacca to Bangkok. Instead, they were usually sent by the old trans-peninsular route overland from Marid Town (Thap Phut today) in Phang Nga by river boat upstream, then carried by elephant or ox carts over the Khao Sok Pass (near the Ratchaprapa Dam today), then downstream by river to Surat Thani, where they were loaded on to junks for Bangkok. The route was arduous and slow and many goods were lost en route. For example, one late 18th century Thai document tells us that the governor of Takua Thung in Phang Nga, who, as a gift for the King, brought from India a shipload of “piece goods and silver ves sels enameled in various colours as used at court… The Governor had all these valuable things conveyed under his personal supervision to Tha Khao Sok.” There, they were loaded on boats to go downriver to the Bay of Bandon on the east coast, but “owing to a sudden flood in the river, the Governor’s boat sank and all the enameled ware was lost.” Many other goods were lost in the crossing, both to the river and to dacoits and bandits, who preyed on these transpeninsular trade convoys. In 1804, Phraya Surindr-raja, a respected Thai commissioner for the region, set about building a new and easier route “for the conveyance of Royalties in kind and other dues over the peninsula… as the Khao Sok route was hardly practicable on account of the numerous rapids and [water] falls in the streams, hence crown property had gone many times lost… The King approved of the scheme and granted el ephants for the purpose… to cut a track through the jungle from Pak Phanom to Phang Nga.” A squabble soon arose with the viceroy of Ligor and Phraya Surindrraja about who would collect tolls along a section of the road that passed through Ligor’s lands, a squabble which Phraya Suridr-raja won. This was a first early sign that Phuket, with its increasing wealth from tin, was
Workers mining tin in Kathu.
@thephuketnews
A Chinese tin smelter. beginning to challenge the traditional dominance of the ancient city of Ligor. This newly cleared route reduced the peninsular crossing time to four or five days. It also meant that Bangkok’s previous remote and distant rule over Phuket was becoming closer, as the island became more valuable. (Note: Around the early- to mid-19th century, visitors and foreigners started
to refer to the ancient city of Ligor – today called Nakhon Sri Thammarat in Thai). Adapted with kind permission from the book ‘A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region’ by Colin Mackay. Available from good bookshops and Amazon.com. Order the softcover 2nd edition directly at: www.historyofphuket.com
18 ISLAND SCENE
A futuristic pair.
Staff, family and friends turned out in support.
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Pretty in plastic.
Smiles all round.
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Ready for the catwalk.
Ms Thali, the school’s new art teacher, hosted the event.
STUDENTS GO ALL ECO-CHIC AT QSI’S 11TH ANNUAL TRASH FASHION SHOW QSI International School of Phuket hosted their 11th Trash Fashion Show on May 3. Students carefully designed and created outfits from recycled material and then took to the catwalk to show them off. The theme this year was ‘universe’, and many of the outfits were truly out of this world! Well done all.
Justin, Bam and Phill.
Nana, Zara, Jaco, Cheryl and Nick.
Jim, Graeme, Craig, Ian and Jeroen.
Louie, Ikie, Nico and Kit.
ROCKING THE BOAT AT GROW BOATING MONTHLY NETWORKING EVENT May’s Grow Boating Networking Evening was held at The D’Deck Bar at Ao Po Grand Marina on May 3. As ever, the event kicked off at 5pm with tasty hamburgers on the grill and gourmet hotdogs ready to eat, sponsored by The D’Deck Bar, and C & C Marine generously agreed to be drinks sponsor. The evening saw a healthy representation from Simpson Marine, The Moorings, C & C Marine, the Superyacht Services Guide, Multihull Solutions, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Waterline Marine Surveyors & Consultants, among others. Grow Boating is supported by media partner The Phuket News. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Australian Ambassador to Thailand Allan McKinnon PSM, Australian Consul-General for Phuket Craig Ferguson and Michael.
Anthony, Lee and Josh.
ISLAND SCENE 19
Cave diving rescuer Richard Harris and Rungkarn Ellis.
Andrew, Scott and Dan.
GUESTS WELCOMED ON BOARD HMAS CANBERRA AS IT DOCKS IN PATONG In the evening of Apr 29, lucky attendees boarded HMAS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy’s largest warship, where they enjoyed drinks and explored the 27,000-tonne helicopter landing dock. The flagship docked in Patong Bay between Apr 27-30 as part of an Indo-Pacific Endeavour which saw Australian and Thai personnel working together in training exercises and community activities.
Out on the waves. Photo: Lance Cpl. Nicholas Filca
Safe swimmers and surfers. Photo: Lance Cpl. Nicholas Filca
PERSONNEL HOLD PHUKET SURF LIFESAVING TRAINING DAY IN PATONG On Apr 30, U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and Australian Defence Force Sailors conducted a swim and surf survival event on Patong Beach as part of an Indo-Pacific Endeavour. They taught a host of children about safe surfing and CPR and presented them with lifesaving equipment.
Allan McKinnon PSM, Jason Beavan and Craig Ferguson.
AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR PAYS VISIT TO CLASS ACT MEDIA OFFICE The Australian Ambassador to Thailand Allan McKinnon PSM and Australian ConsulGeneral for Phuket Craig Ferguson stopped by The Phuket News offices on Apr 30 for a chat with Class Act Media General Manager Jason Beavan. Top of the talking points was making sure Aussies take out the right level of travel insurance before travelling to Thailand and the role of Australians in developing our lifeguards in Phuket. @thephuketnews
All in white.
THANK YOU & SUMMER SEASON OPENING PARTY AT CATCH Apr 27 saw Catch Beach Club host a Thank You & Summer Season Opening Party. Guest turned out in their droves, dressed to the nines in white, and enjoyed drinks, canapés, live jazz and saxophone players, DJs and dancers.
20 EVENTS
FRI
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
10 MAY
favorite Free-Flow Beverages. Treat your Saturday to the fullest. Let’s Brunch! *THB 2.399++ per person (including free-flow beverages) *THB 1,699++ per person (including soft drinks). *50& off for children aged from 6-12 years old. Reservation, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, dtlpfb@dusit.com, 076 362 999 ext.7310
Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www. twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.
– roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.
MON
SAT
21st Phuket International Rugby 10s The Aussie Bar Phuket International Rugby Tens 2019 will be hosted at Thanyapura Sports Club over the weekend of May 24-26. Teams in the men’s & women’s open along with the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers vets tournaments will be vying for honours come the finals on Sunday. Entry is free so come on down and enjoy a weekend of fun & excitement and help us raise funds for the Asia Center Foundation.
ANDREW NETTO IN PHUKET Do not miss ANDREW NETTO (Malaysia) with special guest BRIAN AYLWARD (Canada) and host UMAR RANA (Pakistan). Tickets are on sale now from 350 THB (early bird), 650 THB (show only), 950 THB (burger, two selected drinks & show), 990 THB (hotel buffet & show), or 1450 THB for VIP tickets, which include free-flow drinks from 7-10 PM and meet & greet with the comedians. Get your tickets today at: www. phuketticketmaster.com
Phuket Sundowners - May 24, 2019 AustCham Thailand is delighted to invite members and guests from AustCham and partner chambers to join our Phuket Sundowners to be held on Friday 24th May, 2019, at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort. Price: Baht 500 for AustCham members, partner Chambers’ members, and Australian Alumni Members. Baht 900 for non-members.
6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
Phuket Business Networking - May 2019
11 MAY
FRI
24 MAY
13 MAY
All you can eat BBQ night
A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBN is all about. Location - Ramada Plaza Phuket Chao Fah. Register your attendance here - https://www.facebook.com/ events/390911998417752/ or call Jason - 086 479 7471.
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Light and Fresh Buffet
THU
SUN
26 MAY
16 MAY
The Watercourt is presenting a line of tasty Italian Cold Cut, Gourmet Salads, Hearty Soup, Flavourful Desserts and Seasonal Fruit. From THB 1,200 net per guest (Choice of Meat & Seafood grilled - Additional). Banyan Tree, The Watercourt, fb-phuket@banyantree.com, 076 372 400.
SUN
12 MAY
Saturday Brunch & Bar
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet
From Grilled Seafood - Premium Meats - Sushi Corner Salad Bar Appetizers and Delectable Desserts to all time
Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding
BACK TO THE ’70s & ’80s EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Cajun Grilled Chicken Breast served on a wooden plate with mashed potato, red wine sauce, and bearnaise sauce for ONLY 395 THB. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY 95 THB. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8:30pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at WWW.TWOCHEFS.COMor find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/TWOCHEFSTHAILAND COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN! Reservations, Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076-330-065, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914
BANG WAD A THON Community Ride / Scoot / Walk A Thon at Bang Wad Dam. Minimum donation of 200 baht per person. Snacks and Drinks available for purchase. Sausage sizzle. All proceeds to benefit RIDE 4 KIDS V3.0.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
MON
27 MAY
Ride 4 Kids 2019 Ride 4 Kids V3.0 is in full swing, riders will be cycling 700 kms from Phuket on the 27th May – 1st June 2019, all to raise money for The Good Shepherd, PHBGTU and Outrigger’s Share4Change. Join the coming home party at Metzos on 1st June and meet the team, tickets available for 2500 thb per ticket, please email organizer and LIVE 89.5fm host Donna Toon lunch@classactmedia.co.th and visit www.ride4kids.co for more information.
SAT
EVENTS 21
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
SAT
8 JUN
SUN
30 JUN
EVERY DAY
Laguna Phuket Marathon 2019
Prime at Rock Salt
Laguna Phuket Marathon has been at the front of that growth and has helped to put Phuket on the map as a running mecca, delivering an event to the highest international standards that is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, is professionally timed by Sportstats Asia, and is certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races). Laguna Phuket Marathon 2019 offers six distances: 2 km Kids Run, 5 km and 10.5 km will take place on Saturday 8th June in the afternoon while the Half Marathon (21.0975 km), Marathon (42.195 km) and Marathon Relay (42.195 km) will take place on Sunday 9th June in the morning. For the full schedule, visit http://www. phuketmarathon.com/race-schedule
Prime at Rock Salt is the home of smoke and fire at Naiharn Beach. An exclusive eatery, Prime offers a collection of roasted, smoked and chargrilled creations from its custom-designed kitchen. The al fresco dining experience is completed with panoramic ocean views across Naiharn Beach. Open Daily 6.00 – 10.00 pm at Naiharn Beach For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or rocksalt@ thenaiharn.com
THU
13 JUN
2 Major Freshwater Fishing Events June 30th and July 6th. 2 Major Freshwater Fishing Events at the amazing Exotic Fishing Thailand. Huge prizes valued at 1 million Thai Baht. Free entry for spectators, great afternoon out for the family. Exotic Fishing Thailand, Exotic Fishing Thailand, Phang Nga, exoticfishingthailand@gmail.com, English 088 379 9377 and Thai 081 199 5922.
FRI
1 JUN
9 AUG
BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Networking & Briefing British, together with American, Australian, European Association, German, Netherlands, Singapore and Swedish Chamber of Commerce Thailand, cordially invites you to BCCT MultiChambers Phuket Briefing & Networking on Thursday 13th June at X2 Vibe Phuket Patong from 5 – 9 pm. The briefing by Grant Thornton Chairman, Chris Cracknell, will cover current global economy updates, followed by a networking. For booking, please call 02-651-5350 or e-mail Urosesri at urosesri@ bccthai.com
Crest Resort & Pool Villas - Art Exhibition From Apr 19 till May 19, 2019 Crest Resort & Pool Villas presents So What, Latitudes 2 year anniversary exhibition. On display: all the artists who made the covers of the magazine since its beginning. 7-10 pm at Atmos Restaurant. For more info - www.facebook.com/events/354307668523902/
PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2019 Celebrate Thailand’s finest developers by nominating them for the industry’s most prestigious awards. With a professionally run judging system supervised by the award-winning team of BDO, one of the world’s largest auditing and accountancy firms, the Asia Property Awards is the gold standard in real estate. Gala Dinner & Awards on 9 August 2019 at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok.
The Phuket News - Match Play Starting June 1st. All proceeds to go to Phuket Has Been Good to Us. Open to all players with a recognized Handicap* Each round to be played at a course where one player is a member. If both players are members the higher handicapper choses the course. Laguna GC to offer special price to any pairs matched against each other where neither golfer is a member at Phuket Club. To be played from white Tees unless agreed by both players. 500thb entry fee / 300thb fee per round. All losers in round one to play in ‘PLATE’ Competition. Standard match play, FULL difference of handicaps to be given. Trophies for winner and Runner both main event and plate. Vouchers for all semi finalists. *All club handicaps recognized – Society handicaps accepted but may be adjusted. Email queries to matchplay@classactmedia.co.th Entry fees paid via phuketticketmaster.com
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Phuket Wellness Connection 2019 Before April 15, 2019 - 8,000 baht (registration free is 12,000 baht) Free Oilgoscan testing (8,000 baht value). Novotel Phokeethra Hotel Phuket, heatantiaging@gmail.com, 061 401 0345
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. The Don’t Make A Wave Committee later became which world-known organisation? 2. American teenager Michael P. Fay in 1994 became renowned for what? 3. Which countries border Lesotho? 4. ‘Avengers: End Game’ just became the second-highest grossing film of all time. Which movie still holds the record? 5. Which company has held the Guinness World Record since 2012 as the largest tire manufacturer in the world? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Hard
Across 66. Steakhouse order 1. Compass direction 67. ___meter 4. Island off Italy (measures 9. Treaties distance travelled) 14. Fishing equipment 68. Color 15. Part of a table 69. Test format setting 70. Maintained 16. Test during pregnancy, briefly Down 17. “St. John the Baptist” 1. Interweave painter 2. Vacillate 20. Java is in it 3. Star 21. Paycheck abbr. 4. Civil War inits. 22. Song from the West 5. Credit card Indies company fine 26. Nixes print, abbr. 31. Mrs. sheep 6. Pea container 32. Polly, to Tom Sawyer 7. Fiddler’s place? 34. Texas border city 8. Bengali language 35. Ms. Jamie Lee group 37. Starting __ __ the 9. Stately dance bottom 10. “What a good boy 38. Painter ___!” 42. Singer Mitchell 11. News source 43. Oil source 12. First O of O-O-O 44. Established 13. “___ lied!” 47. Challenges moguls 18. Senate vote 48. ___ de mer (cruise 19. Part of USNA blues) 23. Simon of Simon & 51. Starting points Garfunkel 53. Radical 24. Katie and Tom’s 55. Founder of New girl York’s Public Theater 25. Ready to be drawn 57. Seventh Greek letters 27. “Million Dollar 58. Painter Baby” diretcor 65. Rial spender 28. Sea eagle
29. Jim Carrey, in a 1997 movie 30. One who can’t pass the bar? 33. X 35. “Gosford Park” actor Owen 36. Vampire hunter’s weapon 38. Modeled 39. Barge ___ 40. Computer system trademark 41. Brown shade 42. File format for some pics 45. Vivacity 46. Semimonthly tide 48. Falling star 49. Actress Plummer 50. Period of instruction 52. Rash 54. Confederate flag flier 56. Bars 58. Pool 59. Brit. record label 60. Beach bonus 61. Abbr. at the bottom of a letter 62. ___ Gatos, California 63. Part of a cell nucleus 64. One-eighty
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Greenpeace Foundation; 2) Being caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism; 3) South Africa (entirely); 4) Avatar; 5) LEGO
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
2
tablespoons of honey would give a bee enough energy to fly around the world.
10
hours is how long divers who went missing off the coast of Indonesia in 2008 spent in shark-infested waters before finally reaching “safety” on a remote island… Only to find that the island was full of hungry Komodo dragons.
120
cats live on “Cat Island”, off the coast of Japan. The island is home to 22 residents – that’s 6 cats per person.
2014
was the year that Kim Jong-un had one of his own officials executed by a flamethrower. He wanted no trace of him left behind… not even his hair.
140 million
Paws on board. Photo: Christie Wood, Bodhi dog shelter Pa Khlok Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
This week in history May 10, 28 BC A sunspot is observed by Han dynasty astronomers, one of the earliest dated sunspot observations in China.
May 15, 1905 Las Vegas is founded when 110 acres (0.45 square kilometres), in what later would become downtown, are auctioned off.
parts Independence, Missouri for California, on what will become a year-long journey of hardship and cannibalism.
US dollars is how much it cost to make the movie “Pearl Harbor”, as much as the actual rebuilding of Pearl Harbor. The movie is also a full hour longer than the actual attack.
May 11, 1949 Siam officially changes its name to Thailand for the second time. The name had been in use since 1939 but was reverted in 1945.
May 13, 1787 Captain Arthur Phillip leaves Portsmouth, England, with 11 ships full of convicts (the “First Fleet”) to establish a penal colony in Australia.
Source: Uberfacts
May 12, 1846 The Donner Party of pioneers de-
May 14, 1939 Lina Medina of Peru becomes the
The First Fleet entering Port Jackson on Jan 26, 1788 by Edmund Le Bihan. youngest confirmed mother in medical history at the age of five. She is still alive today, at age 85.
May 16, 1888 Nikola Tesla delivers a lecture describing the equipment that will allow efficient generation and use of alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
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Jobs
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International Sales Support
APR is an international company dealing with customers in Asia and Australia, as well as decorative surface suppliers from Europe. Asia Pacific Representatives Ltd. are looking for: Support staff for our sales team Age: 20-35 years Thai National Excellent English language skills required Knowledge of Microsoft office Comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Excel Office location: Phuket – Chalong Tasks will include: - Project tracking and follow up - Communication with international suppliers and customers - Understanding of our products and services Please submit your resume and recent photo jobs@apr-pfleiderer.com
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Personal Assistant
For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort. Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354.
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Art House Real Estate company
Looking for Thai Marketing manager at the property booth, Patong Area, for more detail please contact: info@arthouse.asia
Thai Yoga Instructor
Position available now - Full Time Position - 24 Yoga Classes per month. Wellness Skills - Certificated to teach various Yoga Styles. Additional Health Skills i.e. Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, etc. - Assist with Yoga Class inquires and Retreat health consultations. English Speaking - Thai National only 25,000 to 30,000. Kenneth Miller 0866041333. www.ccshideaway.com/wellness.htm
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE 42ft Sport Yacht, Reduced Price
Monterey 415SY. Perfect condition. 1 owner. Regular maintenance in authorised centers. Twin Volvo IPS600 435hp, joystick control, Engine Hours: 670. Furuno radar. GPS. B6,900,000. 0878970501.
FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320
250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYacht Agency. com, 081-894 -3234 (French/ English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/ English).
BUSINESSES FOR SALE UR
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Refurbished Restaurant & Bar
Recently refurbished restaurant & bar for sale in Karon, Phuket, with accom located above. CCTV fitted throughout the building. The business is up for sale for 1.9MB or near offer and includes all fixtures, fittings and stock at point of sale. 062 210 1368. newconceptbars.thailand@ gmail.com
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Golden Business Opportunity
Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. B900,000 ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_ lek55@hotmail.com, 099 362 7979
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CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT G UR
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Car rental @ fair prices
We offer car rentals at affordable prices. Monthly from 10,000 Baht. Daily from 400 Baht. Call us to find out what we offer. 10,000 Monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2 T Paklok A Thalang 83110 Phuket, stigisaan@gmail. com, 0848474377.
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Car for sale
Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 2.8 CC. 4X4 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 janthisa jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บล ศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัด ภ เู ก ็ต, info@lifestyleinthailand.com, B 725,000
Car For Sale
Ford Fiesta 2012 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 Janthisa Jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร ี ส นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัดภ เู ก ็ต, B 250,000 info@lifestyleinthailand.com, 0826291419
Subaru XV
Cross trek bought new 2013. Well maintained, glass coating, rust proofing, new tires, single owner. Must see! Nicha Residence, 0892873128.
BLUE CANYON GOLF MEMBERSHIP
425,000 THB and Seller pays the transfer fee. For more information call 098 946 0709. Rob George.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
BABY GRAND w/ DISC PLAYER
“Classic” Baby Grand Piano with “Disc Player”. In perfect condition. 7 years old. Original price 428,000 THB. 170,000, Phuket Town, daryldavies9@gmail. com, 080 159 5239
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PROPERTY WANTED 3 Bedroom Condo Wanted
Looking for 3 Bed Condo/Apartment any area of Phuket for 3million Thai Baht or thereabouts. Please email mick11468@gmail.com. Thanks! B3,000,000, Mike
Mandala Condo Freehold Wanted
Foreign Freehold Wanted for Mandala Condominium in Kamala. Please email details to mick11468@gmail.com.
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE GYM EQUIPMENT TREADMILL
LIFE FITNESS F1 TREADMILL - FOLDABLE Brand new: THB 35,000+(VAT) from retail price of 188,000 Compact foldable treadmill. 35000, carolinelaleta@gmail.com, +66869504961
PROPERTY FOR SALE Apartment Block in Soi Ta-Eiad
Amazing residential block for sale comprising of 5 x 190sqm fully furnished 3 Bedroom Units. Highest quality fixtures and finishing’s with exceptional build quality. All units have internal surround sound systems and wireless internet routed in the walls. Full Western kitchen in all units. Rooftop Salt Water Swimming Pool with 8 person Jacuzzi and bar. Spectacular panoramic views. Units currently being rented out with almost 100% occupancy, so fantastic investment opportunity. Potential returns of 9% per annum. B61,500,000, Tina, phuket@thairesidential.com
PROPERTY FOR SALE 2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent
Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale
Karon Butterfly hillside condo for sale just 800m from beach. Amenities close by. Fully furnished and condo facilities. Great investment in great area of Phuket. Shuttle Bus to Beach and Rental Program. A must see!!!! B4,300,000, Dmitry , phuket@thairesidential.com
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Phuket Town 1 Bed Condo
Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!! Fully furnished and conveniently located. Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities. B2,500,000, Tina, phuket@thairesidential.com, 0948411918.
Rawai 1 Bed Seaview Condo Sale
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RPM by owner
Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREE HOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white. Jacuzzi. All round beautiful views. Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand. Available to agents. Priced just REDUCED to 15MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com
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PROPERTY FOR RENT Property for rent YAMU
Very big house. 400sqm, Land 4400sqm. Available 1st May. 4 bedrooms- 4 bathrooms , swimming pool. Close BIS, UWCT. Must see. Long term lease 110,000 baht/month including pool+ garden service. Khun DIDIER, aouichedidier@ hotmail.com, 093 717 9343 (English+French)/ 089 552 9303 (Thai)
Shop for rent at Amari Phuket, Patong Beach
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Located at Amari Phuket's lobby building. Size: 33 sqm. Partly furnished: shelves, counter, airconditioner and telephone line. 40,000 THB/ month (negotiation available). Khun Mallika, mallika.t@amari.com, 076 340106 #8006
1 Bed Condo in Kamala
Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach. Comes with pool and on- site restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment. B5,417,000. Call Andy. 083 800 1888
Fantastic seaviews. Fully furnished. Condo facilities including pool and gym. Close to amenities. This 53sqm condo at Babylon Sky Garden is a great buy. B4,297,277, Andy, phuket@ thairesidential.com
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2bd/2bth furnished house for rent in Kathu near Loch Palm Golf Course. See link for more photos and details. www.kathuhouseforrent.com B13,500, May or Wes, wes@pillarmarketing.com, 0899733276
PROPERTY FOR RENT
COMMUNITY
Paul MOORHOUSE
‘Frontline’ sea view villa overlooking Ao Yon Bay and the southern islands. Magnificent property with private elevator, 4 bedroom suites/6 bathrooms as well as 2 living areas, European design kitchen, games room, bar, sauna, steam room and wonderful pool deck with in-ground jacuzzi, infinity pool and waterfall. Fabulous property reduced to 65 million Baht for quick sale. 0898737075.
1 Bedroom Condo Kata Sale
1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai
Saturdays Residence beautiful condo in Rawai. Tastefully decorated with class. Short drive to beach. All condo amenities. Looks so good that you do need to see to believe. You will fall in love at first sight. B6,300,000, Dimitry, phuket@thairesidential.com, 082 030 7199
1 Bed Condo in Kamala
Lovely condo at Utopia Kata for Sale. Completed in 2017 and close to Kata Beach. Fully furnished. Close to restaurants and amenities. Great views. Rental programme. Full facilities. Dimtry, 082 030 7199. B7,100,000
MontAzure Twinpalms Residence-Great condo located in Kamala. The ultimate in luxury. Has got to be seen to be believed. Fantastic facilities in this resort condo. B15,800,000, Tina, 0872699206.
Mai Khao 1 bed condo for sale
Mai Khao beach condo. Great new condohotel. 470 meters from the sea. 36 sqm. Wonderful place in Phuket. B3.5mn, +66812958526, Victoria.
2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket
Mandala Condominium - Wonderful spacious condo. Great location near Bangtao beach and Laguna. 184sqm with private pool and tropical gardens. B15,900,000, Andy, 083 800 1888
Dream Village Phuket house
2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 English/German. Email: picharly@gmail.com, B4.9mill.
Royal Phuket Marina 2 Bed
2-Bedroom Royal Phuket Marina Condo. Seen to be believed. 195m2 Stylish, Tastefully-Decorated Condominium Fully Furnished Overlooking Yacht Marina an absolute bargain @ 13.5 Million BahtTina, phuket@thairesidential.com, 948411918.
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
Private location in prestige area. Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.
Renovated 3bed Home Boat Lagoon
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: Beautifully renovated & decorated 3bed+mezzanine, 250 sqm contemporary house featuring: boat berth, rooftop jacuzzi, open kitchen, wine cooler, 2 parkings, storage & laundry area. B 75,000 per month, Henry Cumberlege, hcumberlege@gmail.com
Stunning Ocean Views!
4 bed/bath large pool villa. Privately located in Cape Heights Cape Yamu. Furnished. Gardens. Fiber WiFi. 80,000/rent long term or 30 million to sell. Richard, Cape Yamu, Phuket, richarddesmondcapeheights@yahoo. co.uk, +66824203270, WhatsApp
Villa in Patong prime location
One of the last Villas available in Patong. in top condition. 24 hour security. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Fully furnished, garden. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411.
Villa Mission Heights Big Pool
3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quiet area, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/ german 12.9MB, picharly@gmail. com
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
SPORT 29
Ferrari’s moment of truth Pressure mounts as the Scuderia tries to close widening gap BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com
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his weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix may be just the fifth round of the 2019 Formula One season, but already Ferrari’s championship hopes have reached the lastchance saloon. T h e I t a l i a n t e a m’s preseason expectations of title contention have been blown out of the water by an unprecedented display of Mercedes dominance. Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton have led the German team to four one-two finishes to open the year, setting the record for the best start to an F1 season in history. The points standings are revealing. Mercedes holds a 74-point lead over Ferrari, just 10 shy of its 2018 championship-winning margin, while Bottas leads Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc by 35 and 40 points respectively on the drivers table.
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Sebastian Vettel takes part in tests at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo in the outskirts of Barcelona on Feb 26. Photo: Lluis Gene With 17 of 21 rounds remaining, Ferrari has time aplenty to fight back, but the question is whether it can. Such doubt is a far cry from the preseason optimism emanating from the Scuderia. Winter testing is notoriously difficult to read, but paddock consensus confidently picked Fer r a r i a s t he st a ndout performer while Mercedes
appeared to struggle under new regulations. Making the season’s results tally with those expectations has been difficult for pundits and Ferrari alike. Mercedes dominated in Australia and had a small but decisive edge in China and Azerbaijan. Only in Bahrain did Ferrari show race-winning pace before engine problems cruelled
Charles Leclerc’s charge. “Four races in the season, no win for Ferrari, four wins for Mercedes – no doubt they are very strong, certainly they’ve got a slightly better car,” Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto conceded after defeat in Baku. “But I think that the gap is not so big and the points of the results are not reflecting the true potential of the cars.”
The matter of true potential has exercised minds so far this season, but the question will be put to rest at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 12, the first race of the European leg of the season. The Spanish race is run on the Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya, the same circuit used for preseason testing. Drivers and engineers know each of the 16 turns inside out, which means there’s nowhere to hide for a team performing badly. If Fer rari tur ns up in Barcelona this weekend and is unable to replicate the sort of performance it demonstrated during preseason testing on the same track, serious questions will be asked about the legitimacy of its championship campaign. “I’m pretty sure [Mercedes] will be very strong as well in Barcelona,” Binotto said. “But more important I think is being focused on ourselves. “We’ve got the potential for pole, and if you’ve got a car fast enough to score potentially the pole, you’ve got a good car overall.
“We need to look at our weaknesses and try to address them.” Addressing his team’s shortcomings – operational as well as mechanical, for even in execution the team has been found lacking – may go some way to closing the gap, but Binotto must also be worried that Spain will serve only to validate that Mercedes has made substantial steps since March. The German marque has been confidently building upon the B-spec aero package it brought late to preseason testing, enough to keep ahead of Ferrari even when the Italians fast-tracked a first major update to Baku. The reigning constructors champion has a ferocious history of development, and the concern for the Scuderia must be that its own slow progress understanding its machine has allowed its rival a costly head start. To all these questions Spain will finally reveal some hard answers, and it’s no exaggeration to say the title could be at stake.
30 SPORT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
His Majesty during a football match. Photo: Facebook / siamfootball
His Majesty and Queen Suthida at the Happy and Healthy Bike Lane at Suvarnabhumi airport in November. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
His Majesty participates in the Bike for Dad event in 2015. Photo: Pattarachai Preechapanit
FIT FOR A KING SPORT
Bangkok Post
H
is Majesty the King, whose coronation was held over the past weekend, is a fine athlete and a patron of sports. The King has shown keen interest in sports since he was young and his love for sports runs in the family as his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was a great athlete. The King lear ned horseback riding when he was about 11 years old and
soon became a capable rider. While studying in Thailand and abroad, he played several sports with friends including football, rugby and rowing. A skilful footballer, His Majesty played football at Bangkok’s Chitralada School, Millfield School in England, and Royal Military College, Duntroon in Australia. The King was trained by coach Samroeng Chaiyong, a former national player. He first played as a forward and later became a centre-back. Because of his ability in the sport, he earned the
nick name, the ‘Football Prince’. After his graduation from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, His Majesty played for the Rak Muangthai (Love Thailand) team in friendly matches with military officers and journalists. The officers who played with the K i ng i ncluded Gen Yutthasak Sasiprabha, former defence minister and ex-president of the National Oly mpic Com m it t e e of Thailand. According to Yutthasak, the King did not act like he
was a prince. “ Eve r yb o dy playe d seriously,” said Yutthasak. “We still have a lot of photos of His Majesty playing football at the Thai Olympic office.” Yutthasak added: “His Majesty could play in every position especially as a forward.” His Majesty also competed in sailing with King Bhumibol and sister Princess Ubolratana when they were staying at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin. His father and sister were joint champions in a sailing event at the 1967 Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games, now the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Over the past few years, His Majesty has become renowned for his involvement in cycling. When he was the Crown Prince, he initiated the hugely popular Bike for Mom and Bike for Dad events in 2015 in honour of his parents. The events attracted a large number of participants in every province across Thailand. He graced these events not only to celebrate his parents’ birthdays but also to encourage the Thai people to exercise for good health. The King has played a key
role in the growth of the sport in the Kingdom, according to Gen Decha Hemkrasri, president of the Cycling Association of Thailand. He has been donating trophies for winners of the Thailand Championships since 2000, Decha said. Following the success of the Bike for Mom and Bike for Dad events, Decha said: “The two events will remain in the hearts of the Thai people.” Accordi ng to Decha, the King once told him to organise cycling competitions throughout the country as the sport “helps create unity, is a good exercise and is fun”. In November, the King, along with Queen Suthida, presided over the opening ceremony of the Happy and Healthy Bike Lane at Suvarnabhumi airport. The 23.5km cycling venue is now open to the public. In December, he presided over the Bike Un Ai Rak event with the King leading a 39km bicycle round-trip parade between the Royal Plaza and Samut Prakan’s Phra Pradaeng district. The King has also been patron of the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand. He once told officials to help preserve the sport
which is considered a national heritage. His Majesty sees sporting spirit and promoting the country more important than winning. T h e K i ng o n c e t old t he T hai delegat ion for a n i nt e r n at ion al eve nt: “Everybody wants to win. But it is normal that there are wins and losses in sports competitions. A win should not only be in a competition – you should also win the hearts of your opponents and spectators.” He added: “[As Thai athletes competing in international events] you have two roles – one as athletes and the other as Thai citizens. Apart from trying to get the best results, you should try to be true athletes and preserve Thainess. Doing so will help you earn praise from other athletes and participating countries.” Fittingly, His Majesty’s daughters, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, also love sports including cycling. HRH Princess Sirivannavari has taken part in the Asian Games and SEA Games as a badminton player and an equestrian rider.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
SPORT 31
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Sarri gets lifeline with unexpected top 4 finish FOOTBALL
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The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for May 2019 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O'Tool's Karon Beach.
EPL PREDICTIONS
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Steven Griffiths
fter a turbulent first season at Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri goes into Sunday’s final Premier League game against Leicester savouring some much-needed breathing space. Sarri has spent most of the campaign engaged in a struggle to win over his sceptical players and fans. At one stage, it appeared the Chelsea manager was fighting a losing battle as a miserable run of results sparked reports he was on the verge of the sack. Amid repor ts that Chelsea’s stars were sick of Sarri’s inflexible game-plan, monotonous training sessions and habit of criticising them through the media, the nadir came in February when Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted during the League Cup final defeat against Manchester City. Sarri has side-stepped one crisis after another just deftly enough that he has emerged from a bleak winter with his prospects of avoiding the axe looking brighter after Chelsea secured a top four finish in the Premier League last weekend. With a place in next season’s Champions League sealed with a game to spare, Chelsea can turn their attention to winning the first trophy of Sarri’s reign. Winning the Europa League against Arsenal or Valencia in Baku would strengthen the Italian’s hopes of convincing the Chelsea hierarchy he deserves more time to impose his philosophy on a squad that has so far been unable, or unwilling, to adapt to ‘Sarri-ball’. There remain doubts in
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Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change
SPORT START Friday 10th May
STOP
EVENT
TEAMS / INFO
Rugby Union 14:30 16:40 00:10 Rugby League 15:00 17:00 Golf 16:30 Aussie Rules 16:30 Cricket 21:20
16:30 18:30 02:00 16:45 18:45 00:30 19:30 00:20
Super XV Super XV Super XV NRL NRL British Masters AFL IPL Qual 2 - Visak
Blues v. Hurricanes Rebels v. Reds Bulls v. Crusaders Tigers v. Panthers Sea Eagles v. Broncos Day 2, Hillside GC, Southport Sydney Swans v. Essendon Super Kings v. tbc
Rugby Union 12:10 14:30 20:00 Rugby Union 23:00 Rugby League 14:30 16:30 Aussie Rules 16:30 Soccer 18:00 23:00 Golf 19:00 Motor Racing 20:00 Cricket 16:30
14:30 16:30 22:00 01:00 16:15 18:15 19:30 21:00 01:00 23:30 21:30 01:00
Super XV Super XV Super XV Heineken Cup Final NRL NRL AFL EFL Play-Off EFL Play-Off British Masters Formula 1 ODI2 - Ageas Bowl
Highlanders v. Jaguares Chiefs v. Sharks Lions v. Waratahs Leinster v. Saracens Warriors v. Dragons Storm v. Eels Port Adelaide v. Adelaide Crows Aston Villa v. West Bromwich Derby County v. Leeds United Day 3, Hillside GC, Southport Qualifying, Barcelona England v. Pakistan
Soccer Rugby League Aussie Rules Rugby Union Golf Soccer
20:00 14:45 17:00 15:00 21:00 22:00 22:00 23:00 20:00 22:30 00:20
SPFL NRL AFL Super XV British Masters EPL EPL EPL Formula 1 Formula 1 IPL Final - Hyderabad
Rangers v. Celtic Rabbitohs v. Cowboys Fremantle Dockers v. Richmond Brumbies v. Sunwolves Day 4, Hillside GC, Southport Brighton v. Man City Man United v. Cardiff Liverpool v. Wolves Raceday, Barcelona Spanish Grand Prix Indians v. tbc
Saturday 11th May
Maurizio Sarri has earned some breathing space with Chelsea's top four finish. Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas some quarters about Sarri’s ability to make his tactics work in the Premier League after the former Napoli manager’s troubled year. Chelsea supporters are still under-whelmed by Sarri, despite their team’s qualification for the Champions League, which is worth at least an estimated £35 million (B1.45 billion. At half time of Sunday’s game against Watford they responded to a turgid display with jeers – the discordant soundtrack to Sarri’s woes. Chelsea roused themselves to secure a 3-0 win that proved enough to seal their top four berth after surprise draws for Arsenal and Manchester United. Despite winning only once in four league games, Chelsea stumbled over the finish line in fittingly chaotic fashion. Even Sarri conceded they were “lucky” to beat Watford after such a disjointed opening. It has often been that way for the 60-year-old this term.
The biggest issue with Sarri’s system has been his conviction that his handpicked pre-season signing Jorginho must play as the lynchpin in front of his defence. Jorginho’s tepid displays would have been bad enough without the perception that Sarri was playing favourites with his former Napoli player. Sarri moved N’Golo Kante from the defensive midfield role to make room for Jorginho. Chelsea appeared far more fragile as a result. At a club where grievances are aired, including Gary Cahill’s accusation that Sarri doesn’t treat his players with respect, it would have been no surprise if Kante had seized the opportunity to voice his disdain for the coach after picking up a hamstring injury against Watford. Sarri admitted he shouldn’t have risked Kante because he knew the France midfielder was tired and in danger of being injured. Yet Kante was happy to
play peace maker. “I had no problem before the game, I was fine and it (the injury) just happened,” Kante said. “We are doing better, I think we understand the idea of the manager.” AFP
Sunday 12th May
18:00 13:00 14:00 13:00 16:30 20:00 20:05 21:00 Motor Racing 19:15 20:00 Cricket 21:20
Sport
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
editor3@classactmedia.co.th
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019
Ferrari faces moment of truth in Spain > p29
EAGLE EYED Phuket teen turns pro ahead of Singha Laguna Phuket Open GOLF Lee Blake
P
huket-based student Napat “Toy” Parama charoenroj has turned professional at the tender age of 17, making his professional golfing debut at the Singha E-San Open at Singha Park, Khon Kaen in February and having since competed at the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation tournament and the Singha Chiang Mai Open held last month. T he year 12 pupil at British International School, Phuket (BISP) will next weekend (May 16-18) join an international field of 144 players at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open. Napat was awarded his professional tour card in December at the final stage of the All Thailand Golf Tour Qualifying School (Q-School) at Watermill Golf Club in Nakhon Nayok. He f i n ished withi n
the top 35 by meeting the tournament’s rigorous scoring standards. Applicants must meet certain conditions to enter a Q-School golf event, including having a handicap of five according to a recognised handicapping system. Napat’s coach at BISP, Oliver Bates, said turning professional is a milestone achievement in Napat’s young career and a testament to his strong work ethic and passion for the game. “Napat is an extremely hard-working and dedicated sportsman, with the right mindset,” said Bates. “He has huge potential and we’re thrilled that he gained his pro card through a qualifying tournament.” Napat has a busy season ahead as he prepares to play in several more men’s professional level events on the 2019 All Thailand Golf Tour. “Playing in professional events is a new challenge for Napat, filled with new learning and development
opportunities,” Bates added. Napat has spent his entire education at BISP, enrolling as a Year 1 student in 2008. He started playing golf at age eight, developing his passion at the local Phunaka driving range. Already showing great promise in the sport, Napat joined the BISP Golf Academy when it launched in 2014. Being in the Academy h as given Napat the flexibility and opportunity to travel to many tournaments over recent years, where he has claimed several domestic and international victories. “The Academy has given me a chance to work closely with coaches and improve my game, especially my sho r t-g a m e d u e t o ou r high-performance training facilities,” commented Napat. “This has really helped me lower my scores.” Napat now hopes that play i ng i n professional tournaments will help him to further hone his skills. “Turning professional isn’t
Napat ‘Toy’ Paramacharoenroj, just 17 years old, at the Faldo Series Championship in November. Photo: BISP a very common thing to do at my age,” he said, “but doing so will allow me to p lay against top golfers and develop the necessary skills to compete at the highest level.” Napat is in his first year of the IB Diploma Programme. BISP Athletics Director, Jeff Lamantia, believes Napat’s positive attitude and dedicated
approach towards his sport and studies make him a fantastic role model for other BISP students. “ Napat has ma naged to balance the demands of training and competing at an elite level with his academic schedule. He is a positive presence in our school and we wish him every success
for his upcoming professional tournaments,” he said. Looking ahead, Napat hopes this is just the beginning of what will be a long, fulfilling career in golf. “In five years, I hope to have earned a tour card for the European or PGA tours and to be climbing the world rankings to the top 100.”
Cruzeiro 3-on-3 tournament gets underway as teams battle for points FOOTBALL IT WAS AN EXHILARATING start to the Cruzeiro Soccer Schools 3-on-3 tournament last Saturday (May 4), with the players assigned to
teams South Africa, Japan, Uruguay, Nigeria, Egypt and Serbia. Japan and Egypt share the lead in the U9/U11 league, while South Africa, Nigeria and Japan all share the lead in the U13/U15 league. The league continues until June 15.
Latest Scores: U9/U11
U13/15
South Africa
3
3
Serbia
South Africa
6
4
Serbia
Japan
3
0
Uruguay
Japan
5
4
Uruguay
Egypt
7
5
Nigeria
Egypt
3
5
Nigeria
The league table as it stands: U9/U11 Table
U13/U15 Table
Team
For
Against
Difference
Points
Team
For
Against
Difference
Points
1
Japan
3
0
+3
3
1
S Africa
6
4
+2
3
2
Egypt
7
5
+2
3
2
Nigeria
6
3
+2
3
3
S Africa
3
3
+0
1
3
Japan
5
4
+2
3
4
Serbia
3
3
+0
1
4
Uruguay
4
5
-1
0
5
Nigeria
5
7
-2
0
5
Egypt
3
5
-2
0
6
Uruguay
0
3
-3
0
6
Serbia
4
6
-2
0
The second round will recommence on May 11.
thephuketnews