11-08-2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com

Friday, August 11 – Thursday, August 17, 2017

Since 2011 / Volume VII / No. 32

20 Baht

MONK HACKS TO DEATH BOY, 17, AT TEMPLE > PAGE 3

SAFETY CRUNCH

NEWS

PAGE 5

Aussies take surf safety to heart

GOVERNOR ORDERS SAFETY MEASURES AFTER THIRD TOUR BUS WIPEOUT ON PATONG HILL

LIFE

PAGE 15

Singing bulbuls hit a high note

The tour bus full of tourists last Sunday night slammed into a roadside water main, the only barrier preventing it from tumbling down the hill. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has ordered a raft of safety measures as a “top priority” in the hope of preventing more runaway tour buses after the third tour bus crash in four weeks last Sunday night (Aug 6) wiped out one minivan and a slew of other vehicles, including a tuk-tuk carrying tourists.

The accident involved six vehi-

cles, including a tour bus carrying 24 passengers. Unlike the preceding two runaway tour bus crashes in the past few weeks, Sunday’s accident did not result in any fatalities, but left dozens injured.

Two people, tour bus driver 65-year-old Prajuab Sirikul and motorbike driver Atsawadee Jesawa, 31, remained in serious condition in hospital.

Governor Norraphat and Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief

Banyat Kantha inspected the scene of the accident on the notorious hill on Monday (Aug 7).

PLTO Chief Banyat revealed that the GPS installed in the bus confirmed the vehicle was travelling at 56km/h as it rapidly descended the hill.

According to initial reports, the brakes on the bus, registered in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, “failed” before it struck the passenger van then broke through the guardrail just before the steep descent into Patong.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

The front end of the bus rammed into a water main running parallel to the road, preventing the bus from plunging down the hill.

“The tourists on the bus reported that when they were at the top of the hill, the bus was travelling at high speed. The passengers were frightened. It was negligence of the driver that caused the accident, and he is still in the care of the hospital because of severe injuries,” Chief Banyat said.

Police have yet to charge bus...

SPORT

PAGE 32

Phuket in threeway battle for play-off position

NEED UPDATED

News 2

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Phuket Town bars and clubs push for all-night trading hours > page 4

Power play hits Patong streets

Soldiers tread softly in start to tuk-tuk, taxi parking crackdown The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he first day of the crackdown to have Patong tuk-tuk and taxis provide their services from 21 “taxi stands” – instead of the 84 they occupied previously through the town – began quietly and politely Thursday last week (Aug 3), but with hints of acrimony bubbling underneath.

The highest-ranking soldier on the island, Lt Col Santi Sakuntanark, Commander of the Royal Thai Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment, which is based in Phuket, led soldiers and security personnel in accompanying Patong Traffic Police patrolling the streets.

However, despite the hard words leading up the crackdown, efforts last Thursday

Col Santi (centre) began softly with the crackdown to have tuk-tuks and taxis relegated to just 21 ‘taxi stands’ throughout Patong. Photo: The Phuket News amounted to little more than explanations of the new parking regulations to drivers found still parked outside the new “taxi stands”, which are now clearly marked by painted parking bays and signs.

Drivers found with their

tuk-tuks and taxis parked outside the new stands were not even asked to move their vehicles.

“For the first three days (Aug 3-5) we are only informing and warning them about the new parking regulations.

Some drivers might have been busy working and not been told about the new regulations, so this is our chance to tell them on the streets,” Col Santi said.

“Everything needs time.

There are a lot of drivers, maybe about 1,000 of them, and it will take time to make sure all of them know about the new regulations. Also, this has been a problem in Patong, and elsewhere in Phuket, for many years,” he added.

“We also explained to them how the new system will not damage their income at all,” Col Santi noted.

“I hope other drivers listen and understand this,” he told The Phuket News, in plain reference to the reaction so far from key representatives of drivers who have not backed down from their stance that the 21 taxi stands allocated by the

Provincial Public Transportation Committee (PPTC) were not enough.

Weerapon Kongboon, head of the tuk-tuk rank in front of the Jungceylon mall told The Phuket News, he was “fine” with the new rules – for now.

“Let’s see how it turns out.

If we find any problems with this, we will let them know,” he said.

However, Mr Weerapon added, “I have 90 cars in this queue. I would like to ask for extra parking spaces because five parking spaces is difficult to work with and manage with our 90 cars. Also, even with this number of cars, our income is not enough.” he said.

The soft start to the campaign followed a meeting at Patong Police Station on July 31, where key drivers’ frontman Anan Pluemjit vowed

that Patong tuk-tuk and taxi drivers would continue their fight against the drive to regain town’s parking spaces.

“This is not acceptable for us… Having a total 84 parking point is the solution for everything,” he said.

Mr Anan vowed that the drivers would “stand for our purpose”.

Other drivers speaking to The Phuket News last Thursday – not in the presence of soldiers or police – revealed their stance. One driver still parked illegally on Thaweewong Rd, “I don’t like the new rules. I agree with Mr Anan…”

Another driver also parked in a public space, when asked what he would do when the Army arrived – while Col Santi and his team were standing literally across the road – simply replied “I don’t care.”

Governor driven to take action Continued from page 1 ...driver Prajuab as he remains in hospital recovering from his injuries.

In response to the parade of crashing tour buses on the hill, Mr Banyat has called for buses travelling from other provinces to undergo safety inspections, including checks of the brakes, at the PLTO offices near Phuket Town.

“Most of these tour buses (in accidents on Patong Hill) were registered outside Phuket,” Chief Banyat pointed out in an official notice issued on Tuesday.

Chief Banyat also called for safety inspections of tour buses arriving on the island at the Phuket Checkpoint at Tha Chatchai to become standard.

Governor Norraphat (centre) ordered officials to make the safety measures a top priority. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub He also announced that – if approved by the government – there will be electronic scanning devices in the area before Patong Hill. Buses approved to enter Phuket will be allowed through the electronic scans.

“If the bus is not approved at Tha Chatchai, this will be

recorded electronically and the bus will not be allowed to travel over Patong Hill but must change to another route,” he said.

Buses registered in Phuket will undergo safety inspections by the PLTO every six months, he noted.

In addition, on the hill itself, authorities will create “emergency escape lanes” for drivers to use in case of brake failure, Mr Banyat added.

Exactly where the “escape lanes” will be installed so that runaway vehicles could slow down was not clarified.

Driver training will take some form, said the PLTO chief, explaining that compulsory video instruction explaining to drivers how they are to drive their vehicles safely over the dangerous hill. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Temple boy, 17, hacked to death on sacred soil Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

halang Police have arrested a monk for the murder of a 17-yearold boy who had served as a monk’s assistant at a Phuket temple for the past year.

The arrested man, now defrocked, had previously been jailed for drug crimes and murder.

The body of 17-year-old Wei Pew Ar was found by Phra Srimeangkan Songprakon, a monk at Wat Ban Don (Thepkrasattri Temple) in Thalang, at 6am last Saturday (Aug 5).

Mr Wei had been hacked to death. His right arm, believed to have been used to fend off blows from a bladed weapon, was nearly severed at the wrist.

Thalang Deputy Chief of Suppression Lt Col Amnouy Kraiwutthianan told The Phuket News last Sunday (Aug 6), “We have now found a suspect who we believe killed monk assistant Mr Wei. “Thalang Deputy Chief of I nvest igat ion Lt Col

Khitthisak Songkram, 38, has previously been jailed for drug taking and murder. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Nathaphop Phongsapan and Inspector of Investigation Lt Col Phongphan Siriphattharanukul together with Phuket Provincial Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Lt Col Patak Khwanna questioned all the monks at the temple and found that Phra Khitthisak, or Mr Khitthisak Songkram,

38, remained silent. He also looked drunk so police conducted a urine test for drugs and found it tested positive.

“Phra Khitthisak has now been disrobed and has been charged with taking drugs,” he said.

“We have also discovered that Khitthisak has previously

Airport denies ‘ICAO fail’ rumours

OFFICI A LS FROM Phuket International Airport have denied a claim posted on a Phuket Facebook group that stated the airport failed to meet the standards, including those of security, of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The claim was posted last Wednesday (Aug 2) on the Facebook page “Spotlight Phuket”, which has nearly 46,000 likes.

The post stated, “Breaking news: Phuket Airport did not pass the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) including safety standards. All standards were assessed and failed. It is a reflection of the management of the airport if safety standards are not passed.

This is a big deal. How dare you continue the service. The country is ruined.”

A representative from the airport last Thursday (Aug 3) posted a statement in a LINE group specifically for Phuket media stating, “Phuket International Airport would like to clarify a case of dissemination of information on social media about the failure of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). We have to clarify that this is not true.

“Phuket International Airport is not included in the ICAO. @thephuketnews

The airport encouraged social media users to follow up on news directly via the AoT Contact Centre at 1722 or via their website www.airportthai.co.th. Photo: AoT But we do have to be ready for a standards and security check from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. This check will take place from Aug 7-11 this year. This is only an internal process,” the statement said.

It continued, “The ICAO is launched by the Universal Security Audit Program Continuous Monitoring Approach: USAP-CMA from July 11 to July 21 2017. Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang International Airport are in this program. The results from the program did not show any issues for security. The only issue found is improvement for better service according to the standard.

“However, Phuket International Airport does not ignore safety and security. Our safety and security project continues to cooperate with offices that

are involved such as government offices including local government offices and aviation companies.”

An Airports of Thailand (AoT) official who declined to be named told The Phuket News, “We have gathered evidence such as screenshots of the posts. It is against the Computer Crime Act to spread wrong information online. Also, it is detrimental to the airport’s image.

“It is not yet certain whether we will file a lawsuit, but the evidence has been collected in order to possibly do so,” said the official.

The airport encouraged social media users to follow up on news directly via the AoT Contact Centre at 1722 or via their website www. airportthai.co.th.

The Phuket News

been jailed for drug taking and murder. After being released from jail he continued taking drugs and was sent back to prison again. After being released again his relatives took him to the temple to become a monk,” Lt Col Amnouy explained.

“Despite becoming a monk Khitthisak continued to take a lot of drugs. Sometimes he suffered hallucinations and he was afraid that somebody wanted to kill him.

“The room where Khitthisak used to live was very close to where the body of Mr Wei was found.

“However, we have to wait for the results of Khitthisak’s finger prints to see if they match with finger prints found on the knife used to kill Mr Wei. If the finger prints match then Khitthisak will immediately be charged with murder,” he added.

The fingerprint tests are expected to take a week Col Amnouy told The Phuket News on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Khitthisak remains in detention at Phuket Provincial Court.

PHUKET NEWS

3

Garbage collector Pikul Titnon found the foetus wrapped in a towel and shoved in a black bag.

Seven-month foetus dumped in garbage POLICE ARE CONTACTing hospitals in the hope of locating the mother of a 7-month-old foetus found dumped in a pile of garbage in front of a residential estate in Rassada on Monday afternoon (Aug 7).

The gruesome discovery of the foetus, wrapped in a towel and shoved in a black bag, was made by 44-yearold garbage collector Pikul Titnon near the Dusit Buri Village at 1:15pm.

Ms Pitul reported that the foetus was moving when she found it. However by the time officials arrived it was dead.

The foetus still had an umbilical cord and placenta attached, noted Capt Ronnaphum Permpoon of the Phuket City Police.

Ms Pikul told officers that

there was nothing strange about the pile of garbage, which she is tasked with clearing, in the morning.

After she returned from lunch, she found that a new bag had been placed on the pile.

“I opened the bag and found another layer with another black bag. I opened the black bag and found a foetus that was still moving. I immediately called for help,” she said.

Police said they suspect that the foetus had been dumped by a teenager or student living in the area who was not ready to have a child.

Officers are contacting local hospitals and investigating CCTV footage from the area in the hope of locating the mother.

Eakkapop Thongtub

4

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.

FRI AUG 11

SAT AUG 12

SUN AUG 13

MON AUG 14

TUE AUG 15

WED AUG 16

THU AUG 17

High: +33° Low: +25°

High: +32° Low: +24°

High: +32° Low: +24°

High: +31° Low: +24°

High: +31° Low: +24°

High: +31° Low: +25°

High: +31° Low: +24°

Wind 4 km/h

Wind 4 km/h

Wind 3 km/h

GENERAL MANAGER

Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

gm@classactmedia.co.th

The tourists reportedly ignored red flags posted along the beach. Photo: Phuket Lifeguard Service

SALES MANAGER Jittiya (Tiya) Rakdej 088 754 1371

salesmgr@classactmedia.co.th

SALES SUPPORT Siriporn (Nok) Seangmas 086 479 7470 sales@classactmedia.co.th

PR MANAGER Natchaya (Nat) Sittiprasert 088 765 5881 pr@classactmedia.co.th

www.foreca.com

Lifeguards repeat red flag warnings L I F E G UA R D S H AV E repeated their warning for swimmers to obey the red “No Swimming” warning flags after a foreign couple were rescued from dangerous waves at Patong Beach last Sunday (Aug 6).

“They were pulled out by a wave while swimming in the sea,” explained Somprasong Sangchart, chief lifeguard at Patong.

“One of us took a jet-ski to rescue them and bring them back to the beach. They were exhausted and even vomited, so they were taken to Patong Hospital,” he said.

“These kind of accidents happen many times each day at many beaches (in Phuket) When accidents happen, the only thing they can do is to say sorry,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Wind 4 km/h

Wind 6 km/h

Wind 7 km/h

Wind 7 km/h

V/Gov dodges nightlife late-closing conundrum The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok has confirmed that the legal closing time for entertainment venues outside of the entertainment zones in Patong and Karon is midnight, despite an open admission from local nightlife venue operators last week that they continued to trade until 1am.

The oddity presented itself when a group of nightlife venue operators from throughout Muang District – encompassing Phuket Town, Chalong, Rawai, Kata and Karon – submitted a petition addressed to Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong last Wednesday (Aug 2).

The petition called for the government to “extend” nightlife trading hours “from 1am to 3:30am”.

The petition was submitted by Jirayus Songyod on behalf of the entertainment operators.

With Gov Norraphat not available last Wednesday, V/ Gov Sanit received the petition on the Governor’s behalf.

V/Gov Sanit told The

Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok (in black shirt) receives the request for nightlife venues to stay open later in Muang District last Wednesday (Aug 2). Photo: PR Dept Phuket News on Tuesday (Aug 8), “A petition is a petition. In the petition they wrote that they wanted to move the (closing) time from 1am, but according to the law the closing time is midnight.

“However, some places close at midnight, some places close at 1am,” said V/Gov Sanit, without elaborating why this was the case.

In submitting the petition, former Pheu Thai Party candidate Mr Jirayus said, “Now we are getting into trouble as the entertainment closing time is 1am by law. The income we receive is not enough for the expenses.

“So we want to extend the closing time to 3:30am as

Phuket is a tourist province.

Most revellers are coming to the nightclubs at about 11pm or midnight. If the nightclub closes at 1am, we will have only one hour of service,” Mr Jirayus added.

In receiving the request, V/ Gov Sanit noted, “The letter (sic) will be forwarded to Governor Norraphat Plodthong.

The entertainment venue time closing extension has already been requested. The provincial office has already sent the request to offices that are taking responsibility for this.

“However, for now, the law must be followed the same as throughout the rest of the country. In the past there has been news about

entertainment venues allowing children to enter nightclubs, drugs involvement and human trafficking, and so on.

“Local government offices must strictly keep an eye on these three issues, so the provincial office must strictly enforce the closing time,” he said.

The request filed last week followed a request from nightlife and bar owners in Patong in February, calling for the current closing time of 1am within the Patong entertainment zone to be extended to 4am. Despite repeated attempts to solicit a response, The Phuket News has yet to be informed of any decision on that request.

Woman, 60, in huge dope bust SALES SUPPORT Mantarin (Zara) Klinjun 088 765 5883

sales1@classactmedia.co.th

POLICE ON WEDNESDAY (Aug 9) arrested a man and a 60-year-old woman attempting to bring 23 kilograms of marijuana onto the island with an estimated value of more than B500,000.

Officers led by Lt Col Jaran Boonsopas of the Tha Chatchai Police seized 24 packs of marijuana during a search of a Phuket-registered Honda City at the Phuket Checkpoint as the car was being driven onto the island.

Police named the driver as Boonruang Sangjan, 44, from Phuket. His three passengers were named as Jaree Chuemkaew, 60, from Phuket, Thongphan Chuemkaew, 30, and a 3-year-old boy.

Police did not reveal the relationships among any of the four persons in the car.

The packs of marijuana bars were found hidden in

Mr Boonruang and Ms Jaree were charged with possession of a Category 5 drug after police found 23 kilos of marijuana hidden in the car they were in. Photo: Tha Chatchai Police the car’s engine bay, in the spare wheel compartment and behind the car’s spoiler.

Mr Boonruang told police, “Yesterday afternoon (Aug 8) I received a call from ‘Mr Tam’, who asked me and Ms Jaree to drive the car to Thap Put (in Phang Nga Province).

“I was told to park the car on the road near the Shell petrol station. He asked me to leave the car for one hour so

he could load the marijuana inside the car,” he said.

“After that Mr Tam asked me to drive the car to a housing estate in Thalang (in Phuket). Mr Tam asked me to turn left at the Heroines Monument, then drive for one kilometre further to the entrance to a housing estate,” Mr Boonruang explained, adding he was to be paid B10,000.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Safety in spotlight

PHUKET NEWS

5

Foreign Minister supports Phuket lifeguards Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Chief of the Phuket Lifeguard Service last Friday (Aug 4) welcomed the handing over of the first-ever Thai-language lifesaving manual, drafted by experts from the Australian Life Saving Association (ASLA), and vowed to use the manual to train lifeguards serving at Phuket beaches.

Present at Loma Park, by Patong Beach, for the handing over of the manual was Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who was in Phuket to also commemorate the official opening of the Australian Consulate-General on the bypass road.

“It is an honour for the Phuket Lifeguard Service to receive this manual and to receive Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop,” said Phuket Lifeguard Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan.

“We will use this manual to train lifeguards at other beaches, not just in Phuket but elsewhere in Thailand,” he said.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop presented a ‘worlds best practice’ lifesaving training manual to Phuket lifeguards. Photo: Chris Husted As part of the hand-over ceremony, lifeguards demonstrated their skills with a surf rescue simulation.

While the demonstration was underway, several tourists entered dangerous surf just down the beach, forcing lifeguards to spring into action to ensure the swimmers were safely escorted away from the danger area.

Speaking at the official opening of the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket earlier last Friday, Ms Bishop explained to the press that the manual had been put together with funding from the Australian Government’s aid program.

“The lifesaving movement has a very long history in Australian because Austral-

Amulet praised in banana slam A MAN WHO CRASHED when he was out delivering bananas in his battered old pickup truck last Friday morning (Aug 4) has said that he survived the accident due to his quick thinking and a sacred amulet he had in his possession.

The driver of the pickup, Thanchanok Sangmuang, 57, from Surat Thani, suffered only minor injuries in the crash.

Chalong Police were notified of the accident, on Soi Yod Sanae, at 8:40am.

Police arrived at the scene with rescue workers to find what was originally a dark-grey Mazda pickup full of bananas crashed into a taxi stand and advertisement board for Phuket Bird Paradise.

The pickup had come to rest against a corrugated tin fence with the back wheel and axle twisted out of position. Another wheel was found 15 metres down the road and bananas were scattered around the area.

Mr Thanchanok, who suffered a minor head injury but said he had blurred vi@thephuketnews

The pickup truck had come to rest against a corrugated tin fence with the back wheel and axle ripped from its mounts. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub sion, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

“I had delivered bananas to an elephant camp on Phra Yai Hill in Soi Yoi Sanae and was heading back down the hill when the brakes failed,” Mr Thanchanok said.

“My vehicle was going down the hill very fast so I changed down to a low gear.

I still could not control the vehicle as the weight of the bananas was too heavy,” he said.

“I came to the curve and tried to turn the steering wheel to avoid hitting

a pylon. I then tried to turn the other way and crashed into the taxi stand.

“It was very lucky that no other vehicles were near me,” he added.

“I believe that I survived this crash because I thought quickly and did not panic when I found the brakes had failed. I immediately thought of how to avoid a serious collision.

“I also had a sacred amulet that my son gave to me.

These two things helped me survive the accident.”

Eakkapop Thongtub

ians are lovers of watersports and spending time at the beach and so water safety is a very important part of the Australian lifestyle,” Ms Bishop explained.

“For a number of a years now Australian lifeguards have been working in partnership with lifeguards here in Phuket to ensure that Australian tourists and not just Australian residents but also Thai citizens practice water safety while here at the beach.

“So what we will be releasing today is the first Thailanguage international bestpractice manual for lifesaving focusing on drowning prevention, rescue, resuscitation and all according to world’s best practices,” she said.

Ms Bishop also highlighted the key issues of safety for Australian tourists in Phuket, especially after the tragedies of 20-year-old Emily Collie, which died in a jet-ski accident off Kata Beach in February, and that of Roger Hussey, who died after falling some 70 metres from a parasail chute off Kata Beach late last month.

Rescue workers took 20 minutes to free the woman’s leg by using hydraulic cutters. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Shoddy drain snares woman by the leg A WOMAN SUFFER ED injuries to her right leg after getting it caught in the gap in a concrete roadside drain last week.

The Narenthor n EMS Centre received report at 10:50am last Thursday (Aug 3) that a woman had her leg trapped in a roadside drain in front of the Muangthai Leasing Company on Chao Fa West Rd in Wichit.

Kusoldarm rescue workers and officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Wichit Office arrived at the scene to find the woman with her right leg stuck in the gap in the concrete roadside drain.

Rescue workers took 20 minutes to free the woman’s leg after cutting some parts of the

drain using hydraulic cutters.

Once her leg was freed, the woman, Natnicha Lakman, 22, from Phuket, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Ms Natnicha said, “I had been driving my motorbike and parked near the Muangthai Leasing Company building. I was walking to go inside the building to deliver some food.

I did not realise there was a gap in the drain and my leg went in the gap.

“People nearby tried to help me but they could not free my leg.”

An unnamed official from the DDPM added, “The drain belongs to the Phuket Highways Office. We will contact them to make repairs to the drain.”

Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 6

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

editor@classactmedia.co.th

CONTACT US

editor@classactmedia.co.th 076 612 550 KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

CHRIS HUSTED

Executive Editor

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

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

editor3@classactmedia.co.th Originally from the UK; Has over six years experience as editor and reporter for Phuketindex.com magazine and website, and InPhuket magazine.

MARK KNOWLES

Lifestyle Editor

editor1@classactmedia.co.th From Melbourne, Australia, Mark holds a BA from La Trobe University where he completed a double major in Anthropology and Media Studies.

He has over eight years experience as a journalist, photographer and editor for several magazines and newspapers.

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT Reporter 091 165 0260 reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

SHELA RIVA Reporter

062 672 6456 reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

RAPIPAN ‘GOONGNANG’ SUKSAWAT Translator 095 004 0497 translate@classactmedia.co.th

KRITSANAT ‘M’ JANTARATSOPIN NIRAVIT ‘MOS’ VORAVANITCHA NITAD ‘TAE’ MANEE THANAPONG ‘OAK’ KHAO-AMPHAIPHAN Graphic designers

The Phuket News @thephuketnews ADVERTISING

076 612 550 ext. 605 Fax: 076 612 553 info@classactmedia.co.th thephuketnews.com

99/7 Moo 1 (Billion Plaza), T. Kathu, A. Kathu, Phuket 83120

EDITORIAL

The folly of the fun police

T

he recent petition by Phuket nightlife venue operators to local government has once again highlighted the ongoing battle to extend closing times for bars and nightclubs on the island.

For years now venue operators, particularly those in Bangla Rd in Patong, have been lobbying the government to extend their legal closing times, which currently sit at either midnight or 1am depending on the venue’s location.

As a major international tourist destination, it seems logical that Phuket should be keenly aware of tourist habits and preferences, and in turn, do its best to accommodate them – with the aim of increasing tourist spending and satisfaction. In many of the countries where Phuket’s tourists come from, an active nightlife scene is viewed as a sign that a city is prospering and some even

pride themselves on being “24-hour” cities.

In turn, the social culture that has developed around nightlife often hinges on the expectation that bars/clubs will be open until the early hours. Accordingly, many tourists only begin their night out late in the evening around 10 or 11pm – a fact which is constantly asserted by venue owners seeking to extend their closing hours.

For many years Phuket’s nightlife scene has existed in a limbo, with many operators presumably paying local police “tea money” in exchange for them turning a blind eye to official closing times. On occasion, the police seem to feel need to remind owners what they are getting for their money and actually enforce the mandated closing times. Having been on Bangla Rd on one of these occasions, I can see why

bar owners get frustrated with the law. Thousands of tourists, with pockets full of money, are tossed out on to the street desperately looking for somewhere to continue their fun.

When witnessing this it is hard not to ask the question – what is the purpose of a law that forces venues to close so early? It seems like a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.

The businesses lose customers and the tourists are left wondering at the confused morals of officials who turn a blind eye to ping pong sex shows – unless of course, they refuse to close at a respectable hour.

In fact the only group that appears to benefit from the law appears to be the people collecting the “tea money” and that being the case, as with many similar laws affecting businesses in Phuket, it seems unlikely to change any time soon.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Italian man found dead in Patong hotel room Beachfront land ruling rattles Phuket M o n k ’s a s s i s t an t hacked to death at Phuket temple Phuket Opinion: Maybe you’re getting a bargain Men attacked after late-night pub row Nigerian arrested for cocaine in Patong Patong Hill six-vehicle accident leaves two in serious condition Phuket tour bus hits van, tuk-tuk, nearly plunges off Patong Hill ‘ICAO standards failure rumours false’, say Phuket Airport officials Soft start to Patong tuk-tuk, taxi parking campaign

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Praise for Phuket immigration

Immigration in Don Mueang Airport may be having problems, but I am glad to say everything is spectacularly rosy here in Phuket. I went to Immigration to do my 90day report yesterday and was in and out of the building in four minutes flat. I think this must be a record. So let’s give Phuket Immigration three big cheers!

Andy ...................................................

Honest lifeguard

Re: Tears of joy as Phuket lifeguard returns B100k to Chinese tourist What a top man this man is for his honesty. I have always thought the lifeguards are good decent people and do a great job under difficult circumstances.

LES ...................................................

Stifling tourism

Re: Phuket Vice Governor dodges Phuket Town nightlife late-closing kerfuffle A closing time of midnight is pretty pathetic anywhere in the world, let alone a holiday destination. When I first came

to Phuket the bars used to stay open all night.

It is incredibly expensive to run a bar, so if you don’t allow them to trade, they are going out of business, and the people on holiday will not return.

Bentley ...................................................

Ban the buses

Re: Patong Hill six-vehicle accident leaves two in serious condition The only solution to this ongoing problem, is to ban ALL buses from Patong Hill. Nothing else is going to work.

Agogohome ...................................................

Get with the times

Re: Don Mueang passengers suffer in four-hour queue Given that most passports issued throughout the world have biometric chips in them, Thailand should be using biometric-based automated “eGates” to reduce waiting times.

Details of the chip are authenticated, then either fingerprint or facial recognition or both, is compared to the data held on the chip. If both images are similar and the ePassport

is not blacklisted, the traveller can pass through the gate.

Better one minute processing by a machine, than a four-hour wait. What’s the point in having the technology in a passport if it’s not used?

Jor12 ...................................................

Try metering taxis

Re: Phuket muscles in on Patong taxi, tuk-tuk drivers over parking spaces All of these organisations should be banned from Phuket and replaced by metered taxis with the same rates than Bangkok as well as a songtaew [sic] with cheap price like Pattaya and no parking allowed.

Petermach ...................................................

Justice is blind

Re: Phuket Opinion: Maybe you’re getting a bargain Its the same in any town in Phuket. Just five minutes walking around you can see 20 such places. In places like Patong you don’t even have to walk, as more than three will bring the goods to you while you sit and have drink or meal.

But as the report states its common knowledge why some vendors are targeted and

others left alone. But to claim there were only three is only three vendors selling these types of goods only proves that only three were targeted for a certain reason. If it were a real raid then dozens would have been caught, if not more.

Simon01 ...................................................

All in the mind

Re: What went wrong?

Phuket downed by bottom of the league Sungaipadee It’s all in the mind… Go out thinking you are playing an easy beat team and they are desperate to not get a hiding from the top team, and you lose… happens all the time, in all sports!

Slippery Snake ...................................................

Payola party

Re: Phuket Vice Governor dodges Phuket Town nightlife late-closing kerfuffle If later closing times are legalized, the payola dries up. Do authorities believe everyone does not know this?

How many millions are taken in each year and how far up the chain does it go? The Governor earns no respect for his stance, but why would he care?

Christy Sweet

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

THAILAND NEWS

7

PM turns over airport queues Authorities must come up with plan to tackle waiting times BANGKOK Bangkok Post

P

rime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed authorities to come up with a contingency plan to tackle inordinately long waiting times at Don Mueang International Airport, after a backlash on social media from miffed passengers.

Gen Prayut said such long waiting times happen only once in a while, yet he wants those responsible, in particular immigration police, the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand (AoT), to have a plan ready in times of unexpected traffic.

According to the prime minister, passengers arriving at the airport normally spend up “three to five minutes” to clear immigration.

The premier’s remarks follow a wave of caustic com-

This scene broadcast around the world last Friday morning (Aug 4) came from the Don Mueang International Airport’s arrival hall, where it took more than four hours to get a passport stamped. Photo: Han Lian/Instagram ments directed at the airport’s management by exasperated passengers who were left to endure waiting times of up to five hours before getting their passports stamped between last Friday (Aug 4) night and early last Saturday morning (Aug 5) at Don Mueang airport.

Past reports by the AoT showed passengers had filed complaints from time to time about huge queues at the Don Mueang immigration counters, particularly during the busiest times of the day, from 5am7am and 3pm-7pm.

Gen Prayut said the chaos

was due to an unusually large number of delayed flights.

“I’ve told authorities to next time be prepared for a situation like this, which only happens once in a while.

Normally it takes three to five minutes for passengers to clear immigration,” he said.

According to Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwanawat, general manager of the airport, the long waiting times were caused by an influx of passengers from four unscheduled flights on top of the 21 anticipated ones.

The airport was scheduled to deal with 21 scheduled flights between 11pm and 3am but an additional nine flights – which had been delayed – landed just before 11pm.

Gen Prayut ordered immigration authorities, the airport, and the Transport Ministry to join hands in addressing problems experienced by passengers at the airport.

“There have always been transport problems, be it to do with immigration or taxi services, which are part of travelling. We have to deal with them the best we can.

We’re doing better but we’re still not at our best,” he said.

He said authorities con-

cerned have also been asked to look into the requirement that all foreign visitors and Thai citizens fill out an immigration form when arriving and leaving the country.

According to Gen Prayut, completing immigration forms can sometimes cause delays because some passengers do not know how to fill them out properly.

He told authorities to see whether something can be done about this problem and if it’s possible for Thai nationals to bypass this procedure to ease the queues.

Following the chaos, AoT president Nitinai Sirisamatthakarn said the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is expected to approve a plan to install eight more immigration counters later this month, which will almost double the passenger-handling capacity from 1,000 people per hour to 1,800, he said.

Akarakit ‘Benz Racing’, two Deadline to register new cars others enter not guilty pleas NATIONWIDE BANGKOK CELEBRITY HUSBAND “Benz Racing” and two other defendants charged with money-laundering and assisting in the drug trade entered pleas of not guilty on Monday (Aug 7) and the Criminal Court set their trial for July next year.

The two men, Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, 30, Sansern Rasanont, 25, and one woman, Angsuporn Ina, 29, were taken from prison to the court to enter their pleas and for pretrial examination of evidence and witness lists.

All denied the charges.

They refused news media permission to photograph them in their prison clothing.

Mr Akarakit is the husband of TV actress Napapa “Patt” Tantrakul, also aged 30.

On May 26, public prosecutors indicted the three on charges of money laundering, conspiracy to launder money and supporting drug trafficking.

They are accused of opening bank accounts to accept money earned through illegal sales of methamphetamine (ya bah) from drug suspect Natthaphol “Boy” Nakkham, and transferring money to other people on 53 occasions on the instructions of Natthaphol. The transferred amounts @thephuketnews

Akarakit Worarojcharoendet reports to the Criminal Court in May. Photo: Tawatchai Kemgumnerd totalled about B11 million.

Mr Akarakit is also accused of spending money he received from Natthaphol to buy a Lamborghini car and expensive motorcycles.

T he cou r t rejected a prosecution request to delay the pretrial examination of evidence and witness lists to Oct 2 after defence lawyers protested against the extended detention of their clients.

Public prosecutors presented a list of 20 witnesses and proposed 10 days of hearings for them. The defence presented 17 witnesses to be heard over four hearings.

The court approved 14 hearing days for the witnesses and scheduled them for next year, between July 3 and July 25.

Ms Napapa, her 6-monthold son and other relatives

were also present at the court.

It was the first time the family had been together since Mr Akarakit’s detention on May 26. It was a tearful reunion.

On Monday, Natthpol was also charged in court with drug trafficking and possession in connection with the extensive drug network allegedly run

by Lao national Xaysana Keopimpha, 41. Natthaphol, 27, entered pleas of not guilty.

T he cou r t post poned evidence and witness lists examination to Oct 2 at the prosecution’s request, pending the charging of another drug suspect connected to him.

In June Xaysana and two alleged conspirators denied charges they had smuggled 1.2 million ya bah pills into Thailand last year and sold them in Malaysia.

Bangkok Post

NEW CAR BUYERS USing dealers’ red licence plates will have 60 days to register their vehicles with land transport offices or face arrest and a fine, starting on Oct 1 and continuing until Dec 31 this year.

From Jan 1 onwards, they will have 30 days to register their vehicles, Department of Land Transport chief Sanit Promwong said on Tuesday (Aug 8). Fines would range from B1,000 to B10,000.

The department and the police would jointly supervise the regulation.

The two agencies would ar rest owners of private

The Department of Land Transport has given people buying new cars between Oct 1 and Dec 31 this year 60 days to properly register them or face a fine of up to B10,000. After Jan 1 it will be 30 days. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill vehicles using red licence plates on the roads outside the allowed period, and fine them.

People buying new cars between Oct 1 and Dec 31 this year must have their vehicles registered at a DLT

office within 60 days from the date they receive their vehicles.

Those who purchase new vehicles from Jan 1 onwards must register them within 30 days, said Mr Sanit.

Bangkok Post

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Beauty behind bars Inmates go from food colouring, Vaseline to recycled lipstick BANGKOK AFP

D

esperate to brighten up the gloom of Thai prison life, Prontip Mankong and her fellow female inmates used to sneak food colouring from the kitchen and mix it with Vaseline to create a homemade lip gloss.

After serving two years for violating Thailand’s royal defamation law, the former political prisoner is now on the other side of the prison gate.

But she is drawing on the same spirit of ingenuity to make recycled cosmetics for those still stuck in Thailand’s notoriously bleak jails, which are bursting at the seams in a country with the highest female incarceration rate in the world.

“The lip gloss boosted our confidence and gave us a sense of self-expression in a place where freedom is limited,” said Prontip, who was jailed for her role in a satirical play that authorities said mocked the royal family.

On a recent Sunday, the 29-year-old and other female ex-cons spent the afternoon slicing off the tops of thou-

Prontip Mankong, a former political prisoner, melting lipstick as fellow ex-inmates and volunteers help recycle cosmetics in Bangkok. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP sands of donated lipsticks and grouping them into baskets by colour.

The waxy chunks were boiled down over a stove into shimmering pink and magenta liquids, and then poured into small containers which will be donated to a women’s prison after they cool.

Of all the deprivations of prison life make-up may seem a minor one.

Yet Prontip sees the donated cosmetics as a simple way to boost morale and free up cash for inmates, whose lives are just as governed by money as those on the outside.

Inmates earn small incomes from jobs like cooking and making crafts, which they use to buy sanitary pads and other basic necessities from small convenience stores, where purchases are limited

to around $10 (B332) a day.

“Getting cosmetics was very difficult and expensive,” she said, explaining that some inmates would buy out all the beauty products from a small prison store and then jack up the price for other buyers.

This type of black market economy permeates the prison yard, with cash via prison jobs and relatives the only way to secure other comforts

like longer showers or pain medicine.

“This money doesn’t go to the prisons but goes to the pockets of the influential inmates,” said Prontip, whose chipper attitude cracks when she starts recalling her own time behind bars.

Thailand’s exploding prison population stems from the kingdom’s harsh anti-drug laws, where the possession of

just a few methamphetamine pills (ya bah) is enough to land offenders a decade in jail.

The kingdom jails more women per capita than any other nation, with more than 80% of its 39,000 female convicts in prison on drug-related offences, according to the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

Successive Thai governments have done little to reform drug laws or tackle dire overcrowding in prisons.

Many inmates sleep on hard linoleum floors in cells so cramped they have to rest on their sides or lay their limbs on top of one another.

Fluorescent lights are kept on throughout the night and dozens of prisoners have to share a single toilet in the back of the cell, with not even a curtain for privacy.

In conditions like these, small comforts can go a long way.

“Beauty can help,” said Watinee Chaithirasakul, a fashion blogger who helped collect cosmetics for Prontip’s project.

“It’s about helping them have a mentality that will allow them to live in that space.”

DSI rows with police over former land official’s death in custody BANGKOK THE DEPARTMENT OF Special Investigation (DSI) has accused the Thung Song Hong Police of filing incomplete investigation reports into the death of a former Phuket and Phang Nga land official accused of fraud, forcing a new probe to confirm the cause of death, according to a Justice Ministry source.

The Criminal Court ruled last Friday (Aug 4) that the land official, Tawatchai Anukul, died of suffocation and a ruptured liver after he was struck by a blunt object on Aug 29 last year while in DSI custody.

But the court did not indicate who was responsible for causing his death, while mystery also surrounds the exact manner in which he died, the source said.

The DSI said earlier the

66-year-old was found unconscious but still alive in a detention room after he was suspected of attempting to hang himself from a door hinge. He was said to have made a noose using his socks.

He was taken to Mongkutwattana General Hospital on Chaeng Wattana Rd, where he was later pronounced dead, the DSI said.

The DSI asked a public university to help clarify what

caused the man’s death but the “Thung Song Hong Police did not present that information to the court”, the source said.

The DSI also took opinions from doctors at the Police General Hospital and presented these as evidence in the case.

Investigators must now piece together information from various sources to try and unravel the mystery of Mr Tawatchai’s death, the source said.

These include inquest results by forensic experts from three Thai universities – Chulalongkorn, Siriraj and Ramathibodi – an X-ray scan of the corpse, accounts from staff at the hospital, and an animation demonstration whether he could have used the socks to hang himself as claimed by the DSI. At the time, Mr Tawatchai was being held by the DSI after it received a complaint from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department accusing the former Phuket and Phang Nga land official of involvement in a land encroachment case at Sirinat National Park in Phuket.

A major cause of the DSI-police feud is the alleged failure of all cameras in and around the holding areas of the DSI lock-up on the day of Tawatchai Anukul's controversial death while in the DSI's custody. Photo: Bangkok Post file He had been on the run since the National Anti-Corruption Commission implicated him in a number of crimes in 2003 relating to abuse of power, the DSI said.

He was accused of dereliction of duty for issuing land deeds for Layan Beach in Phuket’s Thalang district.

A second charge saw him accused of illegally issuing land documents for 500 rai of land in Hat Thai Mueang-Khao Lampi National Park in Phang Nga. Refusing to accept the suicide claim, his brother Mr

Chainarong has vowed to take legal action against anyone involved in Mr Tawatchai’s death.

Lt Col Suban Athiset, deputy chief of the Thung Song Hong Police, said investigators will re-examine the case once they receive a request from prosecutors.

DSI chief Paisit Wongmuang said his agency will cooperate by allowing the police to interrogate the DSI officials who oversaw his detention.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

ASIA NEWS

9

Never too old to code Meet Masako, one of the world’s oldest iPhone app developers JAPAN Karyn Nishimura-Poupee

W

hen 82-year-old Masako Wakamiya first began working she still used an abacus for maths – today she is one of the world’s oldest iPhone app developers, a trailblazer in making smartphones accessible for the elderly.

Frustrated by the lack of interest from the tech industry in engaging older people, she taught herself to code and set about doing it herself.

The over 60s, she insists, need to actively search out new skills to stay nimble.

“As you age, you lose many things: your husband, your job, your hair, your eyesight. The minuses are quite numerous.

But when you learn something new, whether it be programming or the piano, it is a plus, it’s motivating,” she says.

“Once you’ve achieved your professional life, you should return to school. In the era of the internet, if you stop learning, it has consequences for your daily life,” Wakamiya explains during an interview at her home near Tokyo.

She became interested in computers in the 1990s when she retired from her

When 82-year-old Masako Wakamiya first began working she still used an abacus for maths – today she is one of the world’s oldest iPhone app developers, a trailblazer in making smartphones accessible for the elderly. Photo: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP job as a bank clerk. It took her months to set up her first system, beginning with BBS messaging, a precursor to the internet, before building her skills on a Microsoft PC, and then Apple’s Mac and iPhones.

She asked software developers to come up with more for the elderly, but a repeated lack of response led her to take matters into her own hands.

Wakamiya learned the basics of coding and developed ‘Hinadan’ one of Japan’s first dedicated app games for the

over-60s – she is now in such demand that this year Apple invited her to participate at their prestigious Worldwide Developers Conference, where she was the oldest app creator to take part.

‘Hinadan’ – ‘the doll staircase’ – was inspired by the Hina Matsuri, a doll festival which takes place every March, where ornamental dolls representing the emperor, his family and their guests are displayed in a specific arrangement.

In Wakamiya’s app, users

have to put them in the correct positions – a task which is harder than it sounds, requiring memorisation of the complex arrangements.

The app, which is currently only available in Japanese, has been downloaded 42,000 times with hundreds of positive comments from users.

And while these figures are relatively small compared to Japan’s big-hitting apps which are downloaded in their millions, ‘Hinadan’ has proved popular enough that

Wakamiya plans to release English, Chinese and possibly French versions of the app before next year’s festival.

Its success has propelled her on to the tech world stage, despite the industry’s reputation for being notoriously ageist In Silicon Valley, workers in their 40s are considered old by some firms and according to media reports citing research firm Payscale, the median age for an employee at Facebook is 29 and at Apple is 31.

But international tech firms and start-ups are slowly waking up to the economic potential of providing for silver surfers, and Wakamiya has already met with Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook.

Wakamiya recalls: “He asked me what I had done to make sure that older people could use the app. I explained that I’d thought about this in my programming – recognising that older people lose their hearing and eyesight, and their fingers might not work so well.

“Mr Cook complimented me,” she says proudly, adding that he had hailed her as a “source of inspiration”.

Wakamiya concedes that she finds “writing lines of code difficult” but has a voracious appetite to learn more.

“I want to really understand the fundamentals of programming, because at the moment I only learned the elements necessary for creating Hinadan,” she explains.

More than a quarter of Japan’s population is aged 65 and above, and this is projected to rise to 40% by 2055. The government is struggling to ensure its population remains active and healthy – and so also see the dynamic octogenarian as an inspiration.

“I would like to see all Japanese elderly people have the same motivation,” one official said.

Wakamiya says her ultimate goal is to come up with “other apps that can entertain older people and help transmit to young people the culture and traditions we old people possess”.

“Most old people have abandoned the idea of learning, but the fact that some are starting (again) is not only good for them but for the country’s economy,” said Wakamiya, who took up the piano at 75.

Hinting that her good health is down to an active mind and busy life, she adds: “I am so busy everyday that I have no time to look for diseases.”

AFP

Elephants, tigers kill one human a day in India INDIA E N DA N G E R E D E L E phants and tigers are killing one person a day in India as humans put a growing squeeze on their habitat, according to new government figures.

But man is in turn killing a leopard a day as the mananimal tussle for space reaches new heights.

India has lost vast swathes of forests to urbanisation in recent decades, forcing animals into human-occupied zones.

According to the environment ministry, 1,144 people were killed in attacks across India in 1,143 days between April 2014 and May this year.

And there is no sign of the toll being cut.

The ministry said 345 tigers and 84 elephants were killed in the same period, mostly in poacher attacks.

Elephants are targeted for their tusks.

Siddhanta Das, the ministry’s director general of forests, @thephuketnews

said human encroachment into animal territory was causing the deaths.

“We are running awareness campaigns to minimise the casualties,” Das said.

Elephants accounted for 1,052 human deaths and tigers 92, according to the figures recently released to parliament.

West Bengal state accounted for more than a quarter of deaths. The eastern state has nearly 800 elephants and is also home to famed Bengal tigers.

Last year a herd of wild elephants went on an hourslong rampage in West Bengal, killing five people and damaging vehicles and homes before being subdued with tranquilliser darts.

But tensions are also mounting elsewhere across the country. An elephant trampled to death four people, including a 12-year-old girl, in a village in southern Tamil Nadu state in June.

There have also been cases of elephants knocking people

off scooters.

Most attacks on humans by elephants take place in so-called elephant corridors which they have used for centuries but are now being overrun by humans.

According to National Crime Records Bureau statistics, nearly 950 people were killed in animal attacks in 2015. But those statistics did not specify the nature of the incidents.

India has nearly 30,000 elephants and is home to half the world’s tiger population with some 2,226 of the big cats roaming its reserves, according to the last official count in 2014. Both are endangered species.

“Rampant killing of wildlife is ongoing in India. Hundreds of leopards, tigers and elephants are killed for their body parts,” Tito Joseph of the Wildlife Protection Society of India said.

Fatality figures for the estimated 12,000 to 14,000 leopards living in the wild are

becoming alarming, according to a 2015 census.

More than 1,436 of the animals have been killed since January 2014, according to the WPSI. There are no figures on the number of humans killed by leopards, but experts say there are hundreds each year.

AFP

An elephant attacks an Indian man in a village in West Bengal state. Endangered elephants and tigers are killing one person a day in India as humans put a growing squeeze on their habitat. Photo: STR/AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Poles revive timber floating

The Polish men who give up their all to bring back ancient tradition POLAND Maja Czarnecka

A

group of Poles have assembled tree trunks into a long raft and are streaming down the country’s longest river, the Vistula, to revive the ancient tradition of timber floating.

Their day begins at dawn with a prayer – “When dawn breaks, the earth, the sea, all of nature praises you” – which captain Zdzislaw Nikolas sings in his bass voice while the whole crew stands around an image of their patron saint.

They sing it at night too like their ancestors, says Nikolas, who sports an impressive handlebar moustache.

“Saint Barbara was the patron of those with dangerous jobs, like miners and firefighters and also raftsmen, because that too was a dangerous job: there was a strong river current in the spring,” he adds.

For centuries, timber floating brought wealth to many villages along the Vistula and its tributaries. Men sent merchandise of all kinds but

A group of Poles have assembled tree trunks into a long raft and are streaming down the country’s longest river to revive the ancient tradition of timber floating. Photo: Janek Skarzynski/AFP} especially wood from the forests of southern Poland downstream to the Baltic port of Gdansk.

“As soon as the ice melted on the Vistula and the currents of the Vistula and the (tributary) San were flowing freely, raft makers got to work and sent the wood floating down to Gdansk,” Nikolas says while

steering from the back.

“The whole village of Ulanow did this job and it was often a family affair passed down from father to son. It disappeared with the beginning of the war in 1939 when the German army’s bombs destroyed the bed of the Vistula river.”

After the war, timber float-

ing was replaced by trucks and trains.

In 1991, Nikolas revived a brotherhood of Ulanow raftsmen who organised their first descent last year.

“Ours is the most extensive timber floating today in Europe... We do it out of passion, to revive this trade. Not for financial reasons,” he said.

The crew left Ulanow, a village in the southeast of Poland, on July 2 and floated down the San. They hoped to do the 724 kilometres between their village and the Baltic in 29 days.

Two weeks in, they were docked on a beach in Gassy, a couple of kilometres from Warsaw.

Their raft is made up of four smaller ones assembled by tying together long planks of pinewood. It weighs 50 tons and is 70 metres long.

The first and last rafts are used to steer.

This year the descent is happening as Poland celebrates “The Year of the Vistula”.

It is a very wild river that has known little development and dredging. Shallow in some areas, there are tree trunks hidden underwater that can jam a raft.

Back in the day the raftsmen put a whole lot at the mercy of the river, Nikolas said.

“Wood merchants would entrust their merchandise with the raftsman, who often risked losing everything he

owned, his house, his wife and children – all of which he would bond,” he said.

“Once the wood arrived in Gdansk, it was cut in saw mills and then exported throughout the world,” he added.

“It is even said that the whole city of Amsterdam was constructed with Polish wood, all of those beautiful houses, entire neighbourhoods of the port made with pine that grew in Poland. These pines were exported to make masts for sailboats in England and Norway.”

The raftsmen sleep in traditional thatched tents and cook meals on an ever-burning fire.

“Two weeks into the descent, almost all our supplies are gone,” says Zygmunt Osip, as he added cabbage to a big cooking pot.

He did last year’s descent and joined the crew again this year.

“I did everything to get time off work and for my wife to let me leave and I succeeded, I’m here,” he said.

“For me this trip is as beautiful as first love.”

AFP

ID cards for Rasta community ETHIOPIA ETHIOPIA’S FOREIGN ministry said last week that it will issue identification cards to Rastafarians, granting rights to a community that has long complained of living in limbo in their “promised land”.

Rastafarians began immigrating to Ethiopia in the 1950s after Emperor Haile Selassie, whom they consider their messiah, set aside 500 acres of land in the southern city of Shashamane for descendants of African slaves seeking to return “home”.

But t he com mu n it y shrank after Haile Selassie’s overthrow and eventual murder in the 1970s.

These days, the Rastafar ian com mu nit y in Shashamane numbers in the hundreds, but the religion’s adherents complain that they can’t own property, send their children to university or work because they’re not Ethiopian citizens.

Many have also turned their backs on their home countries by not renewing

A photo taken on November 2, 2015 shows a rastafarian mural in Shashamane. Photo: Justine Boulo/AFP their passports, leaving them stateless.

Foreign ministry spokesman Meles Alem said that Rastafarians will now be eligible to receive ID cards that will allow them to reside and have most legal rights in the country.

However, while this card allows them residency they are still not considered citizens.

“There were questions for them to recognise their presence in the country, so that is what the government did,” Meles said.

Under the revised guidelines, the cards will also be available to foreigners who have contributed to the country’s development and to Israelis of Ethiopian descent, Meles said.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Beachfront condos unbound Court holds Mayor’s office at fault for illegally built development PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

beachfront condo project in Phuket is to be ordered to remove townhouses built illegally along the shore after a court has found Rawai Municipality guilty of neglecting to perform its duties in upholding building and environmental regulations and illegally issuing building permits.

Judge Jamgad Chunpolwong of the regional Administrative Court in Nakhon Sri Thammarat handed down the verdict last Tuesday (Aug 1).

The court found that buildings built along the shorefront as part of the Eva Beach development exceeded height restrictions, occupied a footprint greater than legally allowed and did not conform to the building permit approved, among other infractions.

The court also cast doubt on the legality of the building permit itself and whether it should have been approved.

However, when it comes to

@thephuketnews

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos (2nd from right) was present when court officials inspected the Eva Beach project in 2015. Photo: The Phuket News / file discerning how far from the water buildings are permitted, Mayor Aroon has long pointed out that there are several to choose from, depending on which law the authority chose to follow. Rawai Municipality has long adhered to the “OrBorJor line”, he noted in 2015.

In an unofficial translation

obtained by The Phuket News, Judge Jamgad ruled that “… the first accused has the duty to issue the suspension of relevant actions and to prohibit anyone from using or entering any part of the building, and issue an order that the owner of the building to correct such fault or to remove the building

depending on the case in order to observe the stipulations under Article 40, 41, or 42 of the Building Control Act 1979 (B.E. 2522) and other relevant law.

“However, as it appears that the first accused did not act on their duty to enforce the owner of the building to correct

their building to observe the law. In this case, it can be held by the context and action of the first accused that the first accused had indeed neglected their duty by law in relevance to Building Control Act and other law under Article 9 paragraph 1 (2) of the Act on Establishment of Administra-

tive Court and Administrative Court Procedure, B.E. 2542 (1999).”

Rawai Municipality has been given 90 days to “correct” its inaction.

The verdict comes as Rawai Municipality is already under fire for allowing multi-storey buildings to be constructed along the coastal road to Krathing Cape, immediately north of Nai Harn Beach, a road popular for its stunning sea view. Rawai Municipality has since ordered that new construction plans for the eyesore construction site on Krathing Cape be drawn up and clarified within 30 days.

Meanwhile, the Eva Beach verdict has huge implications for Phuket’s property market, especially in preserving property values of developments secondary from the shore where “sea views” are critical in maintaining property prices.

Despite this, Eva Group Managing Director Authanop Pankamnerd has defended the legality of the group’s projects, especially the Eva Beach development, as far back as 2012.

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Dragon scours for property

Chinese outbound investment breaks US$100 billion barrier PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

hailand is attracting the lion’s share of outbound investment in Southeast Asia from mainland China, with Phuket no exception, reports the key online property portal Juwai.com.

Juawai, the largest source for global property in Chinese language with over 2.5 million property listings spanning 89 countries, noted in its Chinese Global Property Investment Report – July 2017 that outbound property investment last year for the first time surpassed the US$100 billion (B3.327 trillion) mark.

By Juwai estimates, that figure followed an increase of some US$80bn in outbound commercial and residential property investment in 2015, an increase of 25.4%.

Sue Jong, Chief of Operations for Juwai.com, explained, “Thailand is the third most popular country in 2017 for Chinese buyers of international real estate.

It receives significantly more buyer interest than any other Southeast Asian country,

Chinese investors talk with agents of a global property investment company at the International Property Expo in Beijing. Photo: AFP / file including Malaysia – the next best Southeast Asian performer.

“And the investment into Thailand is growing quickly, with Chinese buyers making 26% more enquiries in the first quarter than a year ago.”

Ms Jong noted, “Thailand is inexpensive and easy to reach, and Chinese buyers like the relatively inexpensive luxury of the city condominiums and resort properties available in Thailand.”

Explaining how Chinese buyers were using their homes abroad, Ms Jong told The Phuket News, “Chinese property buyers in Thailand are focused on investment and lifestyle goals. They feel that in Thailand they can buy a nice place in an attractive location, that they can rent it out and – they hope – that will gain value over time. In vacation destinations like Phuket, they love owning a little bit of paradise.

“In 2016, Thailand ranked sixth for the number of Chinese real estate buying enquiries made. In the first half of 2017 it moved up to third place. Of our buyers, 64.5% say they are motivated by investment, and 63.2% are buying for their own use,” she said, noting they such buyers may choose either motivation, or both.

“Thailand is becoming more popular among Chinese buyers as a result of a steady,

years-long trend. It wasn’t as noticeable in earlier years, but even back in 2014 I think people in the industry starting to realize that Chinese buyers were playing a bigger role in the market,” Ms jong explanied.

“That is when the first developers and agents began to prepare marketing materials in Chinese and train their staff to work with Chinese buyers.

“Now, that interest has flowered into larger numbers and is much more noticeable. Chinese appreciate that Thailand is a close and approachable market, relatively affordable and offers an appealing lifestyle.

“Retirement buyers love the high quality of life and low cost of living. Lifestyle buyers like that they can own a vacation home that they can visit for long weekends, and which they can rent out when they are not using it,” she added.

Tourism still plays a vital role in feeding Phuket’s – and Thailand’s – property market.

“Many buyers first visited Thailand as tourists,” Ms Jong pointed out.

The push into the Thai property market has also

unveiled a new market segment, Ms Jong noted.

“We also see a formerly under-represented buyer appearing in larger numbers.

This is the upper middle class Chinese buyer who can’t afford property in more expensive countries,” she said.

“For example, in Sydney, Australia the median dwelling price is about US$916,000, whereas a B9 million new luxury condo in Bangkok works out to about US$270,000. The median inquiry price for our consumers in Thailand this year is $169,000.

“Two-thirds of the Chinese buyers we work with in Thailand are looking at property that costs US$250,000 or less.

“The top three destinations in Thailand for the Chinese consumers we work with are Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phuket.

The top three destinations in Bangkok for the Chinese consumers we work with are Sathorn, Sukhumvit and Bang Na,” Ms Jong explained.

“We expect Thailand to see strong buying from Chinese consumers in 2017, and it is currently on track to have the highest investment volume of any year on record,” she said.

Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous lures yachting giants YACHTING THE KATA ROCKS SUPERYacht Rendezvous (KRSR), to return to Phuket’s shores on December 8-10, has drawn an impressive collection of key international yachting figures to support the event.

“The KRSR is the most exclusive invitation-only superyacht event in Asia, welcoming superyacht owners, Kata Rocks villa owners and the Asian glitterati.

Guests can expect magnificent superyachts, bespoke activities and glamorous parties set in a relaxed and luxurious environment,” said Richard Pope, CEO Infinite Luxury.

A key signature return is that Feadship as a co-sponsor.

We are also pleased to announce that Feadship returns to the KRSR. This year the famed Dutch superyacht builder, with roots dating back to 1849, increases its involvement in the 2017 event as a co-sponsor while hosting the exclusive superyacht owner’s dinner for a second consecutive year,” said Bas Nederpelt, Com-

mercial Director Feadship.

“Following the huge success of last year’s KRSR, Feadship are again delighted to be taking a leading role this year and to once again host the Feadship Owner’s Dinner. The KRSR is helping Phuket become Asia’s top yachting destination.”

Boat International, the global media authority in super yachting, has also signed on to host an exclusive cocktail party.

“We are proud to take part in the KRSR and look forward to our cocktail party during the event.

We believe there are incredible synergies to explore when we bring together people who are passionate about superyachts to a unique destination such as Kata Rocks,” noted Stewart Campbell, Editor of Boat International.

Other partners returning for KRSR 2017 include Lee Marine, who will host a private champagne tasting, and The Surin Phuket, which will again host the private beach barbecue on day two of the three-day event.

Also, back for a second consecutive year are Burgess, Hemisphere Monaco, Nor throp &

International yachting giants are queuing up to support Asia’s leading superyacht event Johnson, Bristol Charter, Benetti, Princess, and Seal Superyachts.

Additional partners are to be announced shortly, Kata Rocks noted in a release issued this week.

“We were very impressed with the inaugural Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous. It was a professionally organised event with an excellent social programme and an impressive array of yachts joining the rendezvous,” said Richard Lambert, Head of Global Sales, Burgess.

Michael Nurbatlian, Director of Marketing at Infinite Luxury, highlighted the plain success of last year’s event.

“We are also pleased to announce that the KRSR will be welcoming an even more impressive list of leading luxury, lifestyle and superyacht media to this year’s event. Last year’s KRSR generated excellent value and exceeded all marketing goals,” he explained.

“Last year we achieved over

US$700,000 (B23.29 million) in media coverage for all the participating brands. This year we endeavour to surpass all our objectives to increase both media coverage and the number of participating superyachts,” he said.

In 2016, the KRSR welcomed 17 superyachts to Phuket’s west coast, including iconic superyachts such s the 93-metre Lauren L and the 51m Northern Sun. The organisers anticipate an even more impressive turnout this year as KRSR establishes itself as the ultimate luxury event in Thailand and the leading superyacht event in Asia.

By invitation only, the Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous is designed to bring like-minded people together from a personally curated guest list that features Kata Rocks villa owners, superyacht owners, HNW (high-net worth) & UHNW (ultra-high-net worth) individuals interested in yachting and luxury lifestyle, industry professionals plus an influential mix of international and regional lifestyle, luxury travel and yachting media.

The Phuket News

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Thailand’s favourite songbirds do battle

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

15

Baz hits the trails in majestic Khao Sok

16

Main: Dr Buathon Thienarrom sets her bowls singing to help a patient relax. Inset: ‘The Nest’ treehouse therapy rooms at The Slate’s Coqoon Spa.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Coqoon Spa offers unique Tibetan singing bowl ‘sound therapy’

Mark Knowles editor1@classactmedia.co.th

L

ong known as one of Phuket’s premier destination resorts for art, design and fine dining, The Slate is now ramping up its spa offerings with a unique and ancient healing treatment.

During her recent month-long visit to the resort, holistic practitioner Dr Buathon Thienarrom collaborated with therapists at The Slate’s award-winning Coqoon Spa to integrate new techniques in their signature spa packages.

Perhaps the most fascinating of

Dr Buathon’s techniques is the use of

“Tibetan Singing Bowls” to induce relaxation and free-up the flow of energy or “chi” through the body. According to Tibetan oral tradition, the existence of singing bowls dates back to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (560-480BC). The tradition is said to have been brought from India to Tibet, along with the teachings of the Buddha, by the great tantric master Padmasamb@thephuketnews

hava in the 8th century AD. Singing bowls produce sounds which invoke a deep state of relaxation which naturally assists one in entering into meditation, the ultimate goal being enlightenment. In addition to their traditional usage for meditation, Dr Buathon also uses them for deep relaxation, stress reduction, holistic healing and chakra balancing.

Many people find that the rich blend of harmonic overtones which the bells produce have a direct affect upon their chakras. Playing the bowls usually causes an immediate centring effect. The tones set up a “frequency following response” that creates a balancing left/right brain synchronisation.

Dr Buathon uses the bowls in a “sound massage” therapy where the bowls are played around key areas of the subject’s body. The resonance of the bowls’ harmonic vibrations within the human body aid balance and relaxation. They are also used to activate or balance the body’s chakras, or energy centres. The “singing” sound is remarkable, a powerful, long-lasting

harmonic hum that can be both invigorating and calming at the same time.

Dr Buathon is from Thailand, she has extensive knowledge in alternative medicine and draws influences from Taoist practices and Tibetan medicine. She has dedicated her practice to deliver a healing experience for the body, mind and spirit. Her impressive repertoire includes celebrities and royalty.

Along with her extensive background in nursing, psychology and health sociology, Dr Buathon gradually developed ZenNaTai, a unique approach to holistic healing allowing the body to release emotional and physical tension, generate chi flow and promote a calm mind.

She is also the founder of the recently established Sukkasart Institute of Healing Arts, which trains spa professionals to integrate the “science of happiness” with spa services to promote the well-being of the spa clients. Using a range of healing elements including energy and sound therapy, guests will now be able to experience these unique healing

therapies at the luxurious Coqoon Spa – set amongst a lush tropical garden. It’s cutting edge design features a tree house ‘The Nest’, sumptuous spa suites and individual treatment rooms.

Along with Dr Buathon’s training sessions with the Coqoon Spa’s therapists, the spa has acquired six authentic Tibetan singing bowls, three of which are meant for the heart chakra and the other three for the solar plexus chakra. The bowls themselves are made in the traditional way, created only on the day of the full moon, and consisting of a mix of nine different metals.

Dr Buathon’s techniques have now been incorporated into Coqoon’s two signature massages – the Coqoon Rebirth and the Coqoon Awakening, the latter of which features two dedicated therapists to provide massage therapy and tailor the experience to each individual guests requirements.

For more information and bookings, please contact spa@theslatephuket. com or 076 327 006

14 EXPAT LIFE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Life and death on Phuket’s beaches Veteran volunteer lifeguard speaks out about funding cuts and lack of training

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

his week, The Phuket News received a letter from a long-serving foreign volunteer lifeguard in Phuket who wished to remain anonymous.

The letter outlines his experience of working with the Phuket Lifeguard Service for five years and describes some of the challenges facing the organisation due to funding cuts and the lack of training and support from local government officials. In line with The Phuket News’ regular coverage of beach safety issues, we have reproduced the letter here in full: For five years now, I have served as a volunteer lifeguard on Phuket’s west coast beaches. Soon after I started I quickly found myself battling dangerous surf, participating in numerous life and death rescues, riding with critical patients in the ambulance to hospital and recovering bodies with my fellow lifeguards.

It started in early 2013, as I arrived on Phuket to enjoy my retirement. I looked forward to a more

This dilapidated lifeguard station is a result of under-funding.

healthy and stress-free lifestyle on the island. I soon took up ocean swimming to maintain my health and get fit. I started in Kamala, swimming as far as I could. At first it wasn’t very far. But I didn’t quit.

After a few months, I was able to swim from Kamala to Laem Singh and back. By May of 2013, I was able to swim from Kamala to Surin Beach, bodysurf for an hour or two, and then swim back to Kamala.

It was on one of my swim/bodysurf sessions to Surin Beach that I encountered the local lifeguards doing some training. By then, I had read several news articles about frequent drownings, along with some graphic photos. I remembered a news article where the local government pleaded with the public to volunteer at the beaches to help stop the drownings.

So when I saw the lifeguards training that day, I nervously approached them. To be honest, a couple of the guards looked a bit rough, and I was worried they might laugh at me, or tell me to leave them alone. I don’t know why, but those news stories and graphic photos of the deceased I saw stuck in my mind. So I walked up to them, swim fins in hand, and asked if they accepted volunteers.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

When they understood what I was asking, and realised I was sincerely interested in what they do, the lifeguards welcomed me to train with their squad. It was just a few weeks after I finished training that I made my first major rescue – hauling in a Singaporean tourist from the heavy Phuket surf.

It all happened very fast and my 20 years of experience as a licensed paramedic kicked in. The lifeguards asked me to ride with the victims in the ambulance to Thalang Hospital. Actually, they sort of pushed me in, as I was reluctant. One of our two patients was in serious condition with res-

Sadly, scenes like this are all too common on Phuket’s popular beaches. piratory difficulty and was gasping for air, coughing violently and vomiting sea water. EMS and I worked together in the back to keep his airway open, and oxygen flowing to his lungs, while we made our way to hospital.

The look of fear and panic on that man’s face, as the ambulance sirens yelped and wailed, remains etched in my mind. At that moment, he was fighting for his life. I asked what his name was. He could barely respond. I held his hand.

Using his first name, I told him over and over, “We got you, you’re out of the water, everything is okay now. Try to relax. You’re going to be fine.” And, gradually, he did relax. He was able to take better and deeper breaths of the oxygen. After two days in hospital, he returned to Singapore, fully recovered.

In the last five years, I have spent over 2,000 hours on Phuket’s beaches as a volunteer lifeguard.

I have rescued many, and I have seen some die. I have weathered monsoon rain and lightning on the beaches, alongside the Thai lifeguards, under the tents. I understand how difficult and dangerous this job is.

Since the 2017 lifeguard budget cut, however, I have observed a steady decline in lifeguard effectiveness on Phuket. In my opinion, this is not primarily caused by lack of training. (Although more training never hurts!) The yellow lifeguard tents, designed for light

Members of the Phuket Lifeguard Service patrol Nai Harn Beach in the south of the island.

Warning signs on the beach seem to have little effect, lifeguards must be ever vigilant. winds and fair weather, are not safe to use during monsoon season.

Several have already been blown apart this year.

On the beach, monsoon squalls with heavy winds, rain, and lightning, often appear on the horizon suddenly. Two weeks ago, a fastmoving storm squall took us by surprise, and we moved a tourist couple and their two children to “safety” under the tent. But the wind and rain continued to increase, and I wondered if the tent would blow away, and all of us under it would go with it. I was relieved when, over an hour later, the wind started to subside.

Surely we must do better than this!

The continuous postponement of promised outside training for ALL of Phuket’s lifeguards (it has been put off four times this year), lack of safe shelter, and worn out equipment long past it’s useful life, is taking it’s toll on the lifeguards ability to do the job. Money that is being spent elsewhere should be immediately diverted to replacing old equipment, constructing safe beach facilities and hiring and training additional lifeguards.

Until this happens, the weekly tragedies will continue.

Every time I read about another preventable drowning, my heart breaks all over again. When will Phuket’s lifeguards receive the support they need to succeed? thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 15

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Every weekend in open spaces across Phuket owners bring their birds to compete.

The battle of the bulbuls

Bird singing competitions are a very popular and fascinating part of Thai culture Alasdair Forbes

Bird singing contests take place all over Thailand but are particularly popular in the south, where big competitions can attract hundreds of entrants and big prize money.

A judge marks a bird’s score for the round.

A judge indicates a bird has sung four times. @thephuketnews

F

rom time to time at a variety of locations around Phuket, strange lattices are erected on an open piece of ground. They look like extensive clothes-drying racks, or perhaps something to hang orchids from. But they are not for either of these purposes. They are for hanging cages from.

The dozens – sometimes hundreds – of cages contain songbirds, most commonly the smart RedWhiskered Bulbul. Bird singing contests take place all over Thailand but are particularly popular in the south, where big competitions can attract hundreds of entrants and big prize money.

At first, watching a songbird contest can be confusing. There’s a lot of shouting and people waving their hands. It all seems a bit chaotic. So here’s a brief guide.

The most common contest is not about quality of birdsong, but about quantity. Known as “singing in four rounds”, it’s a question of how many times the bird will sing (the bulbuls sing in short bursts) in a given period.

Standing on a platform above the fray is the timekeeper. His equipment consists of a whistle, a microphone, a large clear glass jar filled with water, and an ornamental tin bowl with a hole in the bottom of it. He places the bowl on the surface of the water and blows his whistle (amplified by the mic) to begin the session.

The bowl gradually fills and finally sinks. When it touches the bottom of the jar, the whistle goes again.

End of session – usually around 20 to 25 seconds.

Below, judges listen to two birds apiece, indicating the number of times each sings by holding out fingers.

Watching them is like being a spectator at some exotic dance. When the second whistle goes, the judges mark cards hanging from the cages with the number of times the bird has sung in this round.

There are four rounds, during which each bird must sing at least three times in order to advance to the next round. Good birds may trill as many as eight times in a round. All around, the bird owners lean against ropes strung to keep them back, yelling and whistling to their birds to encourage them. It’s a wonder the judges can hear anything, but they do.

Gradually the numbers are whittled down as birds fail to keep up with the pace, until finally a winner is declared. Prize money can be as much as B30,000, or more in big competitions, and winning birds are worth hundreds of thousands of baht.

Other less commonly-held contests judge birds on their quality of voice, on their clarity, even on the way they hop around in their cages while singing. Judging is of course highly subjective, and some heated disputes can arise between the judges and bird owners.

Everyone’s an expert.

Other contests involve doves rather than bulbuls, but these are rarely staged in Phuket. Going to a bird singing contest is a colourful and unique experience.

They are normally held on Sundays, so if you come across one go and have a look. The bird owners are

Owners encourage their birds to sing. always welcoming and happy to explain what’s going on. They’ll usually know someone there who speaks English and will drag them over to help explain.

The beautiful wooden bird cages also serve as a decoration for many local shops and houses. The cages, and the birds to go in them, can be purchased at shops in Phuket Town, such as the one opposite the Honda motorbike dealership on Bangkok Rd, about 300 metres south of the Suriyadej Traffic Circle. Cheaper,

less ornate versions are sold at the large SuperCheap north of town.

There are several main birdsong contest grounds on Phuket, though smaller competitions can pop up anywhere on the island. So next time when you are driving around the island of a weekend, just keep your eyes open – you’re bound to see a group of people, surrounding dozens of ornate cages hanging from eye-level racks, getting a competition underway.

16 EXPLORE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Rock around the clock at Khao Sok!

A macaque searches for food amidst dense bamboo thickets in Khao Sok National Park.

Just north of Phuket is one of SE Asia’s most stunning national parks BLAZING SADDLES Baz Daniel

This is most definitely mountain biking territory and the trail abounds in steep, often rocky, climbs and descents.

W

e reached Khao Sok National Park on a rain-sodden green season day after heading north across the Sarasin Bridge, then up coastal Highway 4 to Takuapa, then east on the 401 across the Isthmus of Kra towards Surat Thani. It took about three hours, with our mountain bikes roped to the bed of our pickup.

As we approached the park, it was like awakening in another, far more peaceful, universe.

You know you are in for something special when the scenery along the route becomes at first dramatic, and then simply breath-taking, with huge limestone cliffs rising sheer from the verdant rain forest and towering majestically skywards… serrated giant’s teeth, festooned with vegetation, jaggedly etched against the lowering clouds.

These are the remnants of the same 250 million year old coral reef that marches through Sarawak, Phang Nga Bay and eventually emerges in Halong Bay in the north of Vietnam. The Earth’s tectonic plate collision extruded this coral ever-higher over the eons and indeed continues to do so, albeit at a mere centimetre or two a year nowadays. A well-marked left turn off Highway 401 takes you onto the little road to one of the world’s oldest and most pristine natural rain forests – Khao Sok National Park.

Khao Sok, and a few last remaining places like it in Southeast Asia, represent what renowned environmentalist Thom Henley termed “the geography of hope for plant and animal diversity and most importantly, for the human spirit”. Thom’s poetically-titled book Waterfalls and Gibbon Calls is the Bible on Khao Sok and is well worth reading if you venture to these parts. It was here that our cycling adventure really began.

Dropping our gear in one of the lovely riverside wooden cottages at Our Jungle House Resort (www. khaosokaccomodation.com), we then cycled to the park entrance, paid B300 for a (Thai nationals pay B40) day ticket and we were on our way.

We pedaled past the Visitor Centre and across the bridge over the Sok River and followed the left hand fork as it climbed a steep hill into the body of indige-

The drive to Khao Sok features stunning roadside scenery.

A guesthouse bungalow nestled in the blanket of jungle.

Baz hurtles along the road in Khao Sok. nous rain forest. This is most definitely mountain biking territory and the trail abounds in steep, often rocky, climbs and descents.

It’s somewhat technically challenging with some rock jumping and sand surfing, and you also have to bear in mind that you share this path with a bipedal tribal ape known as Homo sapiens, not to mention sundry elephant, tiger, leopard, gibbons, barking deer, Malay sun bears and scaly anteaters.

This is not exactly your common-or-garden Phuket ride to the local Tesco!

We rode the seven kilometre outand-back trail, with a cooling splash in the deep pool at the turning point to revive our jellied legs. Sweat poured, gibbons hooted and occasionally hikers cheered us on. It was exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure, but ex-

You might have to share the road with elephants. tremely gratifying by ride’s end.

We had supper back at the lovely Our Jungle House Resort, which has gained international fame as the best place to stay near to Khao Sok National Park and boasts a global travelling clientele that reflects this fame. The wood-built cottages and tree houses are all beautifully integrated into the rain forest itself and bring you close up and personal with nature in this amazing location on the bank of the Sok River, with the huge limestone cliffs vaulting hundreds of metres above the resort.

The resort’s Thai cuisine was excellent and the sociable environment conducive to the consumption of many cold ones after a satisfying day’s ride, and on this score I believe we acquitted ourselves with honour! We did indeed rock around the clock at Khao Sok! thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ENVIRONMENT 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Buried in our own plastic tomb Billions of tons of plastic waste are piling up and there’s no end in sight Kerry Sheridan

T

he world has a plastic problem.

More than 8.3 billion metric tons of it have been produced on Earth, with most dumped into landfills or the oceans, US researchers reported last week.

The report in the journal Science Advances is described as “the first global analysis of all massproduced plastics,” and warns that an even more dire scenario lies ahead.

At the current pace, 12bn metric tons of plastic waste will be discarded in landfills or in the environment by 2050. This amount is about 35,000 times as heavy as the Empire State Building in New York City.

“Most plastics don’t biodegrade in any meaningful sense, so the plastic waste humans have generated could be with us for hundreds or even thousands of years,” said Jenna Jambeck, study co-author and associate professor of engineering at the University of Georgia.

“Our estimates underscore the need to think critically about the materials we use and our waste management practices.”

Researchers compiled their data from production statistics for resins, fibres and additives from a variety of

@thephuketnews

North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone where plastic accumulates. industry sources. The report found that as of 2015, nearly 6.3bn metric tons of plastic waste was generated on our planet. A total of 79% of that plastic waste accumulated in landfills or the environment, including the oceans.

Despite widespread efforts toward re-usability, only 9% was recycled. Another 12% was incinerated, a process that can also be harmful to the environment. Recycling is not much help when it comes to plastics, because they do not dissolve in the environment.

None of the plastics in widespread use are biodegradable.

Just over two tons of plastics were produced globally in 1950, when mass

Garbage of all descriptions is a common sight on many beaches.

manufacturing of the durable material began, said the report. By 2015, that number skyrocketed to over 440 million tons, outpacing most other manmade materials, with the exception of steel and cement.

About half of the total amount of plastics produced from 1950 to 2015 has been made in just the past 13 years. While steel and cement are used for years, most plastic is used in packaging – think plastic water bottles or snack food packaging that are used once and discarded.

“Roughly half of all the steel we make goes into construction, so it will have decades of use – plastic is the op-

posite,” said Roland Geyer, lead author of the paper and associate professor in University of California, Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management.

“Half of all plastics become waste after four or fewer years of use.”

The share of plastics in municipal solid waste increased from less than 1% in 1960 to more than 10% by 2005 in middle- and high-income countries.

Plastic debris can now be found in oceans all over the world. The same team of researchers reported in 2015 eight million metric tons of plastic entered the oceans in 2010.

AFP

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (2nd from left) and Consul-General to Phuket Craig Ferguson (centre) pose with consular staff and Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawad during the official opening ceremony last week.

Leading law enforcement attended the grand opening event.

FOREIGN MINISTER JULIE BISHOP OFFICIALLY OPENS AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop arrived in Phuket on Friday, August 4, to preside over the official opening of the Australian Consulate-General office on the island. Local officials and prominent Australian expats welcomed the minister to the island following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the consulate in Kathu.

From left: Harry and Susan Usher with Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan.

Phuket’s shining expats and their families attended the event.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at the handing over of the training manual at Patong Beach on August 4.

Many prominent expats also attended the event.

The driving force behind the world’s best practice lifesaving training manual, David Field (left) and Phuket Lifeguard Service Chief Mr Prathaiyuth (2nd from left) are joined on stage by friends.

Members of the Phuket Lifeguard Service with some young volunteers.

AUSTRALIAN TIES WITH PHUKET LIFEGUARD SERVICE STRENGTHENED The Chief of the Phuket Lifeguard Service on August 4 welcomed the handing over of the first-ever Thai-language lifesaving training manual, drafted by experts from the Australian Life Saving Association (ASLA), and vowed to use the manual to train lifeguards serving at beaches along Phuket’s west coast. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop officially presented the manual to Phuket Lifeguard Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan during a ceremony on Patong Beach. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Local foodies flocked to Chef Stefan’s masterclass.

The cooking masterclass was one of a series of distinguished dining events hosted by Banyan Tree Phuket.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Guests also got a chance to sample the Michelin Star winning food during the masterclass.

Chef Stefan (3rd from right) and his team were welcomed by staff at Banyan Tree.

BANYAN TREE PHUKET HOSTS TWO MICHELIN STAR CHEF STEFAN HEILEMANN On August 3, Banyan Tree Phuket invited Phuket foodies to treat their palates to an array of flavours at a distinguished masterclass at Tré restaurant, featuring culinary artistry from Chef Stefan Heilemann from Germany. Then, from August 4-8, Chef Stefan curated a three-course set dinner daily at Tré so diners could sample the dishes that earned him the coveted nod from Michelin.

Vice Governor Snith Siriwok (4th from right) accepts the donation.

Members of the Thai-Nepali Association of Phuket.

THAI-NEPALI ASSOCIATION OF PHUKET DONATES ESSENTIALS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS On August 1, representatives of the Thai-Nepali Association of Phuket presented much-needed packaged food to aid victims of the recent flooding in Sakon Nakhon Province in Northern Thailand. A total of 1,680 kilograms of rice, along with canned fish and noodles, was received by Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok, who will channel it to the government’s flood-relief efforts.

Owner of the Ritz, Khun Tuk (centre), with two TV celebrity comedians at the event.

Local media stand on the deck of the ‘Superstar Libra’.

STAR CRUISES’ ‘SUPERSTAR LIBRA’ CRUISE LINER DOCKS IN PHUKET The Superstar Libra, one of Star Cruises’ luxury cruise liners, docked at the Phuket Deep Sea Port on August 5. The ship’s crew invited local media to tour the massive vessel while its passengers took in the sights and sounds of Phuket on a shore-leave break. @thephuketnews

THE RITZ CAFE AND RESTAURANT HOSTS GRAND OPENING PARTY The Ritz Cafe and Restaurant in Kathu invited guest and media to celebrate its grand opening party on August 5. The Ritz serves authentic Thai food including many regional delicacies as well as hot and cold drinks.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

11 AUG

Only 495 baht. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. www.twochefs.com Karon 076-286479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333370, Kata Center 076-330-065 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!

THU

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

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

1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: nature, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Sunday Brunch

MON

14 AUG

SAT

12 AUG

Chalong Bay Experience by Marriott Resort Phuket Merlin

Kids eat free when order any entree. Face painting and Balloon making. Reservations, Hard Rock Cafe Phuket. sales1@phuket-hrc.com 076 366 381

SUN

13 AUG

1,950 THB net price per person. 3 PM - 5 PM leaving at 2 PM. Including transportation, distillery tour, cocktail class and Thai pantry dinner with Chalong Bay. Reservation at 076 335 300.

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

WED

16 AUG

Happy Mother’s Day Free entrance for Mom! And a 10% discount for food and beverage. Promotion runs from 12-14 Aug 2017. For more information please contact 076 372 111. Splash Jungle Waterpark.

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otools-phuket.com

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Steak Night Delicious special cuts of beef are offered especially for meat lovers. Reservations, HYATT REGENCY PHUKET RESORT, fnb.phuhr@hyatt.com, 076 231 234 # 5106.

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

17 AUG

It’s Sunday, Enjoy the most family friendly brunch of the island !! Wide selection of Thai & international dishes - Foam party for the kids – All sports events covered at Champions and more for the parents!

Only 499 THB! Served From 12.00 until 15.00 Booking strongly advised. Tel: (0) 76 303 300. Reservations, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort.

Kids Summer Bash Mussels night @ Shakers

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

RETRO NIGHT The Two Chefs band will take you back to the ’70s & ’80s with some old goodies and take requests! Every Thursday @ Two Chefs Karon – Patong – Kata Center.

Chef’s Retro Special: Flambeed Rib-eye Steak 300g Only 495 Baht. Banana Flambe - Only 95 Baht. www. twochefs.com Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344914, Kata Center 076-330-065 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces.

Reservation recommended. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS All you can eat! Grilled Australian rib-eye steak, teriyaki marinated chicken and grilled tiger prawns with BBQ sauce, red wine sauce and Bearnaise sauce, Caesar salad and herb-sauteed potatoes.

PIWC Luncheon August The July Lunch will be at Tawai Restaurant in Chern Talay on the 17th August. Registration starts at 11.30 am followed by Lunch at 12.15 pm. Please send reservations to info@piwc-phuket.com attn. Maggy Wigman.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

19 AUG

tions comes to the island on September 3 2017, following the highly-popular King of the Mountain Trail Run on the same day. The Thanyapura Mountain Bike Classic features a new route through Northern Phuket’s 23 sq km rainforest. Bikers can test their endurance in four distances: the 4km fun race, the 9km, the 18-km (two loops of 9-km laps) or the 27 km (three loops of 9-km laps). Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

7 Soccer Charity Thanyapura is helping to raise money for Yaowawit School Kapong, a school built for underprivileged children in the province of Phang Nga, Thailand. If you work in a hotel and love football, don’t miss out on this event. All proceeds are donated to the school, the first location in Southeast Asia to pioneer “PreVocational Education” concepts with Marriott International’s Thailand Business Council. The event starts on Saturday August 19 and runs from 9am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday. From Monday to Friday August 25 the event runs from 4-8pm. This event is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

SUN

27 AUG

King of the Mountain Trail Run 2017 King of the Mountain Phuket Trail Run, one of Thanyapura’s most popular races, returns on September 3 2017. Beginner and experienced trail runners can compete in three distances: the 4-kilometre fun run, the 8 kilometres and the 15 kilometres along steep hilly terrain amid beautiful waterfalls of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

TUE

19 SEP

The Joint Mexican Food Bar & Lounge Welcome to THE JOINT PHUKET! Floor 1: plays the latest in movies & TV shows while providing you with the only authentic Mexican food on the island. Floor 2: provides a full spectrum of music in our bar & night lounge area, bringing a bit of Patong to Chalong. Floor 3: is a rooftop, where you can smoke, mingle, and take in the beautiful sights that is Phuket. Please Follow @thejointphuket & @fallenangel510 on Instagram & Facebook for all updates, parties, events, and weekly specials as we look to unify people through food, fun, and music by providing you what you asked for! 11/64 Moo 5, Chaofah road, Chalong, Phuket, Thailand. 096 858 4848.

Food Buffet New Lounge bar in Rawai where you will spend hours relaxing in our lounge area, in the company of classy appetizers, expertly prepared by our bartenders, or if you are a billiard fan we have many professional tables available to help you in challenges or tournaments from us organized, all immersed in a truly exclusive environment. Francesco, Shot Lounge Bar Phuket, shotloungebarphuket@gmail.com, 061-718-8781

TWO CHEFS FAMOUS CRAYFISH FEAST!

INSPIRED PHUKETIANS

Jay Jay Yankomut: Confidence, Speech and Presentation = Success Held monthly, and open to the public, this event gives an opportunity for well-lived people to share their life experiences. Inspired by the famous TED Talks, it’s a great way for people to really connect with authentic ideas that will benefit their well-being and happiness in general. All of the speakers are chosen because of their ability to share an idea that connects with and inspires people. Limited to 55 seats only and priced at B350/pax/net including one drink and pass around canapé. Register now by email to sales@skyelakeclub.com. Skye Lake Club, Cherng TalaySponsored by The Phuket News and Live89.5. *The presentation will be in Thai with a Powerpoint in English.

SUN

3 SEP

Join us at our KATA CENTER location Saturday September 19 for our annual crayfish buffet. Only 995 THB per person includes an amazing variety of buffet dishes as well as ½ kg of crayfish. Our Chefs have prepared amazing dishes for you to enjoy including; dill prawns, cold smoked salmon, skagen, ceviche, grilled ribeye steak, pancetta wrapped chicken and more Two Chefs special dishes. Our famous band will be preforming for your entertainment throughout the night. We strongly recommend making reservations as this event is very popular. Two Chefs Kata Center Email: katacenter@twochefs. com, mailto:katacenter@twochefs.com Phone: 076330065. We look forward to seeing you!

EVERY DAY

SEE-FOOD Eat It!

Mountain Bike Classic 2017 A new mountain bike race through Khao Phra Thaeo nature reserve highlighting ecological tourist destina-

@thephuketnews

Seafood Promotion for THB 250 / dish: Seafood Basket, Fish Fillet “Parmigina”, Fish Kebab, Salmon Croquettes.

Mixed Drinks for THB 150 / drink with any of the dishes *from selected crafty beverages. The Drunken Leprechaun Irish Pub Phuket, Swissôtel Resort Phuket Patong Beach. For reservations: Priyagrn.Suwanphanya@swissotel.com, 076 337 000

Cooking Classes Every Day Do an afternoon cooking class with Nan and discover why the Halfway Inn has been rated in the Top 10 Thai restaurants in Patong on TripAdvisor for the last 4 years running. Classes can be booked any time between 2pm till 6pm any day of the week. Google Halfway Inn, Patong’ for more details or call Nan to arrange a very fun and unique Thai culinary experience. Line:+66(0)852533278. Khun Nan, Halfway Inn Patong, halfwayinnpatong@hotmail. co.uk, 085-2533278.

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

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. World of Curries @790 THB++, Thai & International Buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++, Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. For reservations, rimtalay@amari. com or 076 340106-14 #8027.

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. How old is famed movie director Ridley Scott?

2. The original version of Monopoly was based on the streets of which American city?

3. Which organ in the human body produces insulin?

4. Which is the only planet that rotates clockwise?

5. The hairdryer, stapler and neon lighting were all invented in which country?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

Across 1. Caesar’s sidekick Imogene 5. Taper off 8. Drain part 12. Mimicry 14. Aaron in a duel 15. Fine-tune 16. Starbucks treat 17. Math student’s calculation, sometimes 18. What Charlie Brown says when he’s mad 19. Headed for Sugar Loaf Mountain 22. Recover from a break, say 23. One of a Vegas pair 24. Karaoke necessity 27. Being two 30. Network 33. Target of certain fees 34. Dermatology concern 35. Enjoy lunch 36. Get angry on a Tour de France spill?

41. Pipe fitting 42. Presque Isle Bay city 43. ___ and desist 44. “__ be a pleasure!”

45. Abates 48. Kind of tradition 49. Polynesian paste 50. Word with chop or sweat

52. They glide between trees 60. Oafish one 61. One hand’s indication 62. Really weird 63. Seat of King Olaf V’s rule 64. Dancer’s woe 65. Start of something 66. Flatten by pounding 67. What the band’s gonna play 68. Europe’s tallest active volcano

24. Schwarzkopf’s ordinary duds 25. Seagull spot 26. Worked (up) 28. Smarts 29. Coiffure color 30. Tree native to North Africa 31. Toy plane material 32. Carnegie’s product 37. Wanted poster figure 38. Transportation charges 39. Long-tailed bird Down 1. Young mammal 40. Synthetic rubber 2. October gem 46. Forcibly lay claim to 3. Metropolis 47. 21st Greek letter 4. Protagonist with 49. Spike for climbing likability issues 5. Overseas exchange 51. Nabisco cookie 6. Coffee or tea 52. Complete failure 7. Wield; breakfast 53. Be an unsuccessful item? gambler 8. Violent spasm 9. Noise from a pride 54. Season to be jolly 10. Prefix with tank or 55. Like a running trust back after a game 11. Cancún coin 56. Go cold turkey 13. Actor-dancer Kelly 57. While beginning?

14. Ill 58. Dibs on collateral 20. Travel aimlessly 59. Words before 21. Brand of breath mints “date” or “trap”

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 79; 2) Atlantic City, New Jersey; 3) Pancreas; 4) Venus; 5) France

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history

1

Aug 11, 1984 “We begin bombing in five minutes”: US President Ronald Reagan, while running for re-election, jokes while preparing to make his weekly Saturday address on National Public Radio.

28

Aug 12, 1765 Treaty of Allahabad is signed. The Treaty marks the political and constitutional involvement and the beginning of Company rule in India.

in every 30 million lobsters is yellow.

kilometres per hour is the estimated top speed of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, barely outrunning a professional soccer player.

Aug 13, 1905 Norwegians vote to end the union with Sweden.

Aug 14, 1975 T he Rock y Horror Picture Show, the longest-running release in film history, opens in London.

80

per cent of studied cultures eat insects.

40,000

Aug 15, 2015 North Korea moves its clock back half an hour to introduce Pyongyang Time, 8½ hours ahead of UTC.

Americans are injured by toilets every year.

55 million

years ago, the North Pole had tropical weather, with alligators and palm trees.

Source: Uberfacts

Aug 16, 1962 Pete Best is discharged from the Beatles, to be replaced two days later

by Ringo Starr.

Hermit crab at Sirinath National Park. Photo by Mark Knowles Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Aug 17, 1998 US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony that he had an “improper physical relationship” with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

24 CLASSIFIEDS

Jobs

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

FISHING CHARTERS

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

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

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

TRAINING

HOME DECORATION

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE For Sale: 1-, 2,- 3-engine speedboats

3-engine speedboat: Length 13.5m; Width 3.4 m; Capacity 45 passengers + 3 crew. Front seats. 2-engine speedboat: Length 11.6 m; Width 2.83 m; Capacity 32 passengers + 3 crew. Front seats. 1-engine speedboat: Length 8.1m; Width 2.40 m; Capacity 15 passengers + 3 crew. All boats are in good condition. Prices start at 600,000 THB. Vladimir, sales@ joydive.asia, 084 182 8685.

Long Tail Boat For Sale

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

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

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat.

New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com 080 695 3933.

CABLE TV PULSE TV. ASIA’S No.1 EXPAT TV

140 channels (HD & SD) in English, French, German & Thai. All Premiership & Euro Leagues live plus all your favorite Soaps & Series from back home. ONDemand Movie/TV Series library with over 700 of the latest titles, more added daily & with our CATCH-UP Facility (Records all Channels for instant Playback) you’ll never miss a show. This is not kodi – Our high quality set-top boxes come pre-loaded with our own in-house developed App backed up by our own highspeed Asia based Servers & Online Support Network.

PULSE TV, sales@pulse-tv.net +66(0) 99 316 6212.

CAR FOR SALE Convertible

Mercedes CLK 200 Cabriolet W-209 Brabus Package - seat 4. Excellent condition and fun to drive. 37,400km. 1,199,000 Bht. Eng - Thai 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G VVTI

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

2014 Nissan Juke For Sale

2014 Nissan Juke, one owner, full history, leather interior, rear sensors, climate control. Perfect Phuket runabout, only 82000km. 530,000, soiana56030@gmail.com, 0950 924 729

Ur

t ge n

s al

e

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc Auto

57,000km. One owner since new.

Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and Insurance until the end of June and available now at right offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +6684 690 9144, andysmalster@gmail.com

Car for sale

BMW X5, Gasoline, Year 2003, 195,000 km. Full options. 475,000 Baht only. First to see will buy. Owner: 093 584 1213. @thephuketnews

FINANCIAL, LEGAL Bangkok law firm in Phuket

The Bangkok law firm PUGNATORIUS Ltd. provides its foreigner-focussed legal support and assistance through a trusted partner law firm in Phuket. For a protected corporate structure in full compliance with the law. For a comprehensive due diligence which truly lives up to its name. For a most efficient hotel business licensing process. For a more competitive design of the property development. The PUGNATORIUS advantage is badly needed at a place where foreign investments are typically built on sand. Protect your investment in paradise. phuket@pugnatorius.com, (00) +66 22 072 647

HOME IMPROVEMENT TechWorX Projects

TechWorX Projects now offer a full Electrical Contractor service. This complements our existing offerings of AV, IT, Home Automation, Home Cinema and Security systems. If you are planning a new build or renovation please contact us for a free consultation.

Daragh, 393/8 moo 1 Srisoonthorn road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, daragh@techworx.asia, 084 443 9863.

MOVING SERVICES Looking for a Moving Company?

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

OFFICE MANAGER General Manager

Boutique hotel with 14 rooms and 26 apartments in Kathu is looking for full time manager. Must have experience with foreign guests. Excellent command of English speaking and writing, good organisation skills and able to lead a small team.

Interested candidates please forward your application to: brunohaag@yahoo.com Bruno, Kathu, Phuket, brunohaag@ yahoo.com, 062-019-1421.

PERSONAL SERVICES Rawai Custom Tailor store

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

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

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

Rawai Tailor – Ladies and Gents custom Tailor Store. Serving local and international clients for the past 10 years, get a free shirt for each suit ordered, fully air conditioned, clean environment, friendly staff, parking space, quality materials, good workmanship and money back guarantee. Located within walking distance from major hotels in Rawai, opposite Sea Shell Museum on Viset road in Rawai. Visit us for free consultation, no obligation to buy. www.RawaiTailor.com Thomas Ghimiray, 158/2, Moo 2, Viset Road, Rawai, Phuket. info@RawaiTailor.com, +6681-415-4883.

Phuket Country Club Golf Membership

PUBLIC NOTICES

MEMBERSHIPS Life Time Family Membership

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

Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. 400,000 baht, the Loch Palm transfer fee of 72,000 baht will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. sales@ joydive.asia

Relocation of Major Office

Phuket Plus Co.,Ltd, Corporate Registration Number 0105549008784 has relocated its head office, originally located at 580/123, Moo 2, Saimai Sub-district, Saimai District, Bangkok, Thailand. The company’s head office is now located at 45/11, Moo 4, Kamala Sub-district, Kathu District, Phuket, Thailand. This announcement is on behalf of Mr Manusanan of Phuket Plus Co., Ltd. 45/11 Moo 4 Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83120. Contact: rattana65992@gmail.com, 076-525-848, 076-525-715.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Property in Phuket!

Looking to buy property in Phuket?

International Property Advisory (IPA) can help! Give us a call today on 098-064-4408/Email: info@ipa.black/Website: ipaphuket.com K.Pat Nongnut, International Property Advisory, utopia@ipa.black, 076-604-260, 098-064-4480.

Chatta Real Estate

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Chattha Real Estate and Professional Rental Management in Phuket. SELL-BUY-RENT-MANAGEMENT-MAINTENACE-GAURANTEED RENTAL. Inquire NOW! www.chattha.asia, 076-636-244, 090-179-6635.

Chanapa, Chattha Real Estate Co., Ltd., info@chattha. asia 076 636 244, 090 179 6635.

PROPERTY FOR SALE House for Sale in Karon

House for sale the price is negotiable.

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Karon with a salt water pool. Great opportunity to buy in a good location where houses rarely come up for sale.

Good as an investment or a place to call home. 16,000,000 Baht, ณริศรา โคทส์, g-a-coatesy@outlook.com, 063-541-5642.

Royal Place Condo For Sell

Royal Place Condo is located at the center of Phuket town, opposite the Tesco Lotus, Close to international school, 3 minutes to BigC and Phuket international hospital, 4 Minutes to Central Festival. 45SQM, 5th floor, Corner Room, 2 balconies, 1 bedroom, 1 living room Before price 2,800,000 Now Available for 2,250,000 2250000, Harry, h.jabary@ gmail.com, 0842490526.

1 BRM UNITS FOR SALE

Spacious, modern 90sqm luxury European style apartments in a Golf Resort for sale. For further information please contact 062-019-1421. 4.9 Million THB, Bruno, Golf Resort, brunohaag@yahoo.com, 062-019-1421.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 4 bedroom house in Chalong

4 king bedrooms (one with ensuite, the others with dedicated bathrooms), 5 bathrooms (1 with a bath, the other showers), Living room, Morning room (lounge/diner), 2 studies, Home cinema, 7 seater, DVD/CD library, 2 carports, 3 separate entrances (+ 5 French windows, a total of 8 exits). Property is at the end of a quiet soi near Big Buddha, no passing traffic. It overlooks a stream and jungle. The garden is 12 years old with bananas, papayas, mulberry bushes, cherry bushes, flowering plants and shrubs and several palm trees. There are frequent bird visitors…2 birdbaths. Just a few minutes drive from Tesco and Villa/Home Pro on Chao Fa West. Only 12 min drive to Central or big Tesco/Big C/Makro. 16.9MB (negotiable). Area of the site: 137.9 square wah (approx 560 square metres). To view, call 081 415 5522 or email m.allen.phuket@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT Rawai Naiharn with spa pool

Unique Thai style home, open plan, close to beach and shops, AC, 3-bedroom 2-bathroom with spa pool, must see! Eng: 090 867 4849 Thai: 081 081 9875.

House for Sale/Rent

Locate Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu. Fully furniture with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms. Large entertainment area. Very convenient location. Close to BIS, Headstart School, shopping centre, Central, Tesco Lotus, 10 min to Patong beach. Easy access to the Airport. Long term lease 65,000/month including pool + garden service. Sale 13.5 millions baht (negotiable). Khun Bea, Loch Palm Kathu, I.thumwong@gmail.com 098 194 9351.

Long term luxury Villa

Luxury 2 bed villa available for long term rental 10 minutes from Patong with outstanding sea views from B95,000 per month. We have other villas available for shorter rentals. Contact Justin 084 242 6952 (Eng) or Tan 094 596 2558 (Thai).

To rent: 1800 m2

To rent: 1800 m2 of concrete slab with 5m high walls + 500 m2 of parking. Heroines Monument area. Roofing may be arranged, long term and serious interest only. Open to ideas, Leo: 081 821 4064. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

SPORT 29

Kubica on brink of comeback

Six years on from near-fatal rally crash, driver eyes F1 return BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

F

ormer F1 rising start Robert Kubica is on the brink of an unlikely Formula One return more than six years after almost losing his life in a rally crash.

At 32 years old, Kubica, F1’s first and only Polish driver, has successfully completed a series of tests conducted by the Renault Formula One team to assess his ability to return to the cockpit.

Kubica was destined to become one of the sport’s most formidable talents when a 2011 Italian rally crash struck down his F1 career.

A metal guard rail pierced the front of his car and entered the cockpit when his Skoda left the course at high speed.

His right arm was almost completely severed, and he had suffered substantial blood loss by the time he was extricated from the wreckage.

Hours-long surgeries were required to save the limb, and

@thephuketnews

The wrecked car of former Formula One driver, Robert Kubica, is loaded onto a tow truck in Andora, on February 6, 2011. The 26-year-old Lotus Renault GP driver from Poland was behind the wheel of the Skoda Fabia during the Ronde di Andora Rally in Liguria in the north-west of Italy, when his vehicle left the road and crashed into a wall. Photo: STR/AFP though he has since been able to compete in other forms of motorsport, the nerve damage to his arm has left him without the flexibility required to operate within the confines of the cockpit.

Doctors said it would be impossible for him to resume his Formula One career, but slowly the Pole has charted his path back to the pinnacle

of motorsport.

Tests in Formula E and GP3 cars earlier this year suggested he had sufficient dexterity to resume single-seater racing.

Renault, the team he had begun racing for in 2010, was then persuaded to give him a testing day with a 2012-specification car alongside test driver Sergey Sirotkin. Kubica not only completed his programme,

but he outpaced Sirotkin.

A second test ensued in the same car in July, this time with a more targeted programme to assess the extent of his abilities, and his performance there convinced the team to give up one of its four in-season testing days to conduct a full evaluation in modern machinery.

The test, conducted in Budapest following the Hungarian

Grand Prix, was the first occasion on which Kubica had set foot in a Formula One event in more than six years. Cheered on by legions of Polish fans who had made the trek south to watch, Kubica finally returned to the F1 arena.

Around the twisty and technical Hungaroring in 36-degree heat Kubica completed a mammoth 142 laps, and though testing times are notoriously difficult to read, he was unquestionably impressive.

On the same tyres he set a best lap just half a second slower than Renault full-time driver Jolyon Palmer’s qualifying time, and his long-run pace was comparable to that set in the race by both Palmer and teammate Nico Hülkenberg.

“It was a fantastic feeling for me to be here today,” Kubica said. “Hungary we know is a difficult track; it’s one of the most physical tracks.

“I have answered many questions to myself.”

The team likewise had many questions answered, leaving just one: what to do next?

Kubica and Renault have remained tight-lipped about

their future, but it is no secret that full-time driver Palmer, out of contract this year, is a marked man after failing to score any points so far this season, materially affecting the team’s ability to secure its targeted fifth place in the championship.

Circling for his seat already is Renault development driver Oliver Rowland, who sits second in the Formula Two championship – but will Renault be able to resist the charms of a man who Lewis Hamilton calls “one of the quickest drivers I have raced against” and who Fernando Alonso identifies as the best of his generation?

And if not, will the team make its move as soon as the next round in Belgium at the end of the month?

Real life rarely delivers fairy tales, but with Renault and Robert Kubica one gets the sense that Formula One might be set for a happy ending.

Don’t forget to tune in to Live89.5 every Saturday from 9am for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Surfing requires specific skills

The fundamentals of surf coaching is hitting the right areas

G

ood surfing requires specific skills right?

And the best way to develop those skills is specific practice. This is fundamental to all sports coaching.

In our case – it’s best we go surfing. Cool.

But how about when there are no waves?

How can we condition ourselves to remain surf fit when there are no waves? Here are some options to consider.

Surf Training Option One: The best surfers are good surfers. So… ‘surf’ anyway you can – skate, flow ride, wake board – have fun.

Surf Training Option Two: The best surfers are surf fit.

What does that mean? Well… from a training and performance perspective, fit surfers have paddle power, and endurance, good cardiovascular (aerobic and anaerobic) conditioning and are blessed with excellent coordination and timing. They typically also benefit from good

There are many components you can add into your surfing workouts to enhance your surfing fitness and performance. alignment, flexibility and a strong core. Plus an ability to focus and build confidence.

I could go on… but hey… you get the picture, there are many components you can add into your surfing workouts to enhance your surfing fitness and performance.

But here’s where it gets interesting.

Surf Training Option One Just surf, skate and board. This is a brilliant lifestyle – one that I love to live myself. However if this is all you do year in, year out, the science indicates that ‘just surfing’ will probably

lead to muscular skeletal imbalances, joint wear and tear and injuries. Just look at how many surfers over the age of 45 that grew up only surfing, skating and boarding and are still in the water today with good postural alignment, no niggling injuries and surf with the energy of Kelly Slater. Look around. Not many.

Surf Training Option Two Specific surfing fitness. This is where a lot of surfers go wrong, thinking that any old training will do. Or even worse, thinking that by jumping onto an exercise ball or an Indo board,

that is ‘surf training’.

Now while these items may have a place in surfing workouts, they are not the be-all and end-all of surfing conditioning. In fact – they come in pretty low.

Specific surfing fitness that delivers solid results teaches surfers to follow protocols similar to these; alignment, body weight basics and core with cardiovascular conditioning. I call these the fundamental ABC’s of surfing training.

You see if you just ‘surf train’ without addressing these fundamentals, you are probably

going to end up with the same problems that arise from following Surf Training Option 1. That’s not good. Especially if you are paying someone to condition your body.

Surf Training Option 1 is fantastic and most of us love it.

However, if you want more bang for your buck, supplementing with Surf Training Option 2 (when performed correctly) can greatly benefit your surfing body for the long-term and thus enhance the quality of your surfing and your life – especially as you age. Find out more by downloading a copy of your free Surf Training e-book at SurfTrainingSecrets.com.

In a nutshell, the following points are highly recommend to supplement into your surfing workouts alongside your surfing, skating and boarding lifestyle.

Improve your swim technique and include water drills to develop power and speed with some basic endurance work thrown in. Add some funky breathe work to help with lung capacity.

Work on your physical alignment and muscular skel-

etal balance – inclusive of quality breath and mind work.

Yoga, Pilates, stretching. (Also remember massage therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, etc. may help) Master basic body weight movement patterns and surf strength exercises performed with excellent technique – planks, press ups, chins, squats, etc. before hitting the gym.

More on this in another article.

Hayden Rhodes (Club Manager of Phukets finest health club - RPM Health Club) is creator of Surf Training Secrets. com and is known for his enthusiasm and lifelong love of health, fitness, personal development and surfing. He has been helping people improve their surfing and snowboarding around the world for more then 20 years.

Hayden believes everyone has the ability to improve their lives and promotes health as much as he promotes fitness.

He continues to study, surf and snowboard around the world and looks forward to helping you up grade your lifestyle.

Visit SurfTrainingSecrets.com

Tisa Shayka from Nepal (left) and Michael Rasolonjatovo from Madagascar (right).

Thanyapura swimmers break 9 national records at FINA SWIMMING

FIVE YOUNG ATHLETES who train in Phuket under the FINA Scholarship Programme at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort broke national records for their home countries at the 17th FINA World Championships held in Budapest, Hungary from July 14-30.

• Ayman Klzieh (Syria): 200 metres butterfly • Michael Rasolonjatovo (Madagascar): 100m, 200m and 4x100 freestyle

• Emily Muteti (Kenya): 4x100m freestyle and 4x100 I.M. mixed relays • Tem Strickland (Cook Islands): 50m and 100m freestyle • Tisa Shayka (Nepal): 100m breaststroke Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort is a FINAapproved training centre for budding swimmers training for the FINA World Championships and the Olympic Games. The FINA Scholarship Programme provides funding and training to each country’s top swimmers.

Scholarship recipients work with top-level coaches at world-class Aquatics facilities to reach their full potential. The programme reaches out to swimmers and national federations with the greatest needs in FINA’s six aquatic sports.

Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort offers swimmers with professional coaches such as Miguel Angel Lopez Alvarado, who has a proven track record of leading his athletes to break national records in the last two decades. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Guardiola goes back to Man City drawing board FOOTBALL AFP

R

attled by a chastening first season in England, Pep Guardiola has gone back to the drawing board in an attempt to fashion Manchester City into Premier League champions.

Expectations were sky-high when Guardiola alighted in Manchester after years of being courted by City, but a title challenge failed to materialise and his side did not make a mark in any of the cup competitions.

They return to the fray this weekend having spent around £200 million (B8.68 billion) on players and Guardiola believes an exciting new team is taking shape.

“With all respect to the players, last season we were one of the oldest teams in the Premier League. We didn’t buy full-backs for five, six years,” said Guardiola.

“We decided last season we could change the team to make the team younger for the next four or five years.

“Danilo is 26, (Benjamin) Mendy is 23, Bernardo (Silva) is 22, Ederson is 23, so we bought players who are going to be stable for the next years.”

There were some promising signs last season – an opening salvo of 10 straight wins, a stunning Champions League victory over Barcelona – but

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola reacts ahead of the last season’s match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP City never found any consistent form.

Guardiola seemed unprepared for the rude physicality of English football and was derided for saying he was “not a coach for the tackles” after a one-sided 4-2 defeat at Leicester City.

City’s football was, occasionally, dazzling and they were only outscored by champions Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, but finding an effective defensive configuration gave Guardiola a constant headache.

John Stones looked shaky following his big-money move from Everton and Guardiola’s dissatisfaction with his fullback options saw midfielders Fernandinho and Jesus Navas deployed in the wide defensive positions.

There should not be any

shoehorning of players into unfamiliar roles this season after Guardiola signed three top-level full-backs – Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo – at a combined cost of around £124mn (B5.35bn).

Guardiola hopes to have put his goalkeeping problems to bed as well, having reacted to Claudio Bravo’s travails by bringing in Brazil goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica in a £35mn deal (B1.51bn).

Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, arrived from Monaco, further strengthening a stellar attacking department that also contains Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.

“Manchester City have the best team on paper,” exEngland midfielder Owen Hargreaves told the Premier

League official website.

“It took a bit of an adjustment for Pep Guardiola, but City are my favourites.”

Back-up goalkeeper Willy Caballero, full-backs Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy and wingers Jesus Navas and Nolito have all left, while the unwanted Joe Hart has gone out on loan again to West Ham United.

Guardiola has tested out a three-man defence in preseason, with Stones lining up alongside Nicolas Otamendi and captain Vincent Kompany, whose ability to remain fit will once again be under scrutiny.

Playing three at the back may enable Guardiola to associate Aguero and Jesus in attack, after he generally used a single-striker system last season following Jesus’s arrival in January.

Even more so than his old foe Jose Mourinho across town at Manchester United, if Guardiola cannot at the very least orchestrate a sustained title challenge, his gilded reputation will take a sizeable hit.

Last season was the first time in his managerial career that he finished a campaign without having added at least one trophy to his collection.

Another season without silverware will raise serious doubts as to whether he really is the man to carry City to the summit of European football for the first time.

Sparrer Malignaggi slams ‘scumbag’ McGregor BOXING FOR M ER BOX I NG champ Paulie Malignaggi says he has no regrets about quitting Conor McGregor’s training camp, describing the mixed martial arts fighter as a “scumbag” who surrounds himself with “a bunch of yes men”.

McGregor is preparing to face boxing star Floyd Mayweather in a Las Vegas boxing ring on August 26 in what could be one of the richest fights in history.

Malignaggi, 36, who retired from boxing five months ago, walked out on the camp last week after he said McGregor used him like a pawn, disrespected him and housed him and other sparrers in dumpy accommodations. @thephuketnews

Paulie Malignaggi reveals what it's like sparring with Conor McGregor. Photo: Screengrab “He’s a scumbag,” Malignaggi said in an interview Monday (Aug 7).

He also gave a detailed breakdown of how their sparring sessions went, no doubt providing Mayweather with a blueprint on how to beat McGregor.

Malignaggi, a former multiple world champion, said despite training little during retirement he had no trouble getting the better of McGregor.

Malignaggi said McGregor is more concerned about putting on a spectacle in training camp than getting ready for a serious boxing debut against one of the greatest fighters of all-time.

Malignaggi was also upset about training camp pictures made public that show the Irishman in a positive light.

“The guy is all about his ego. He’s actually not trying to get better. He’s got a bunch of yes men in his corner who tell him he’s doing good even if he’s doing bad. It is just about him and cheerleading,” Malignaggi told MMA Hour.

He said he asked McGregor to stop releasing misleading sparring photos that showed the MMA fighter getting the better of the exchanges. McGregor refused.

“At this stage I’m waiting

for Ashton Kutcher to walk into the dressing rooms and tell me I got Punk’d. I thought it was a joke. I thought there was no way this guy is that much of an asshole,” he said.

“I said ‘I can’t deal with this.’ His team is a bunch of cheerleaders. They are not improving him. I don’t need to be around these people. It is not like they brought me in for anything tactical.”

He said the training camp accommodations were better suited to drug dealers. “They put me in some kind of a crackhouse,” he said.

He said McGregor’s biggest asset against Mayweather will be his excellent conditioning.

“Conditioning wise he could push the issue a little bit more than I could,” he said.

AFP

Premier League fixtures (Week 1) Saturday August 12 Match

Time in Thailand

Arsenal

vs

Leicester

1:45am

Watford

vs

Liverpool

6:30pm

Chelsea

vs

Burnley

9pm

Crystal Palace

vs

Huddersfield

9pm

Everton

vs

Stoke

9pm

Southampton

vs

Swansea

9pm

West Brom

vs

Bournemouth

9pm

Brighton

vs

Man City

11:30pm

Sunday August 13 Match Newcastle Man Utd

Time in Thailand

vs

Tottenham

7:30pm

vs

West Ham

10pm

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT START STOP Friday August 11 Rugby League 15:00 16:50 16:50 18:45 Aussie Rules 16:30 19:30 Saturday August 12 Rugby Union 20:00 22:00 22:10 00:00 Rugby League 11:55 13:50 14:25 16:30 16:30 18:30 Cricket 11:20 19:30 Soccer 18:30 20:30 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 23:30 01:30 Motor Bikes 16:00 20:20 Aussie Rules 10:30 13:30 13:30 16:30 16:30 19:30 Sunday August 13 Aussie Rules 10:00 13:00 13:30 16:30 Rugby League 11:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 Cricket 11:20 19:30 Soccer 19:30 21:30 22:00 00:00 Motor Bikes 14:30 19:20

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

NRL NRL AFL

Eels v. Knights Broncos v. Sharks Western Bulldogs v. GWS Giants

Currie Cup Currie Cup NRL NRL NRL Test 3, Day 1 EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL MotoGP AFL AFL AFL

Cheetahs v. Griquas Western Province v. Blue Bulls Dragons v. Titans Storm V. Roosters Panthers v. Cowboys Sri Lanka v. India, Pallekele Watford v. Liverpool Chelsea v. Burnley Crystal Palace v. Huddersfield Everton v. Stoke Southampton v. Swansea Brighton v. Man City Qualifying, Spielberg Sydney Swans v. Fremantle Brisbane Lions v. GC Suns Essendon v. Adelaide Crows

AFL AFL NRL NRL Test 3, Day 2 EPL EPL MotoGP

Melbourne v. St Kilda Port Adelaide v. Collingwood Warriors v. Raiders Tigers v. Sea Eagles Sri Lanka v. India, Pallekele Newcastle v. Tottenham Man United v. West Ham Grand Prix of Austria

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1645: Saturday August 12 Run Start Time: 4PM Hares: WTFIA, Kiss My Ring Location: Rawai - Soi Suksan 2 Directions: From Chalong circle travel southwards and make a U-turn at the traffic lights at Soi Saiyuan (2.3 kilometres from Chalong Circle).

Continue back northwards past the Green Lemon fuel station (600 metres). Between Family Market and 7-Eleven turn left into Soi Suksan 2. Follow along approximately 0.8 km, Laager on the left side.

Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:15pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 2:45pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

Sport

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

Six years after neardeath accident, Kubica’s back > p29

PLAY-OFF BATTLE Phuket in three-way tussle with rivals Chumphon and Pattani to secure second spot Phuket’s Nattapoom Maya (7) scored his 12th goal of the season against Pattani FC last Sunday. Photo: Puvadon Kosol Klabpadung

FOOTBALL Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

W

ith Satun United h av i ng a l mo s t already secured their place as Euro Cake Thai League 4 champions, Phuket are now fighting for the 2nd slot in the southern league table with Chumphon FC and Pattani FC. Due to team numbers, the 2nd placed team in the Thai League 4 Southern zone will then have to take on the 3rd placed team from the Northeastern zone for a place in the Champions League play-offs which will see 12 teams battle for two promotion places to Euro Cake Thai League 3.

Phuket’s chances of sealing that vital 2nd slot inched closer last Sunday night (Aug 6) following a well deserved 2-1 win over Pattani.

Last Sunday’s win follows on from a hard-fought 3-2 win over Phatthalung FC on Aug 2.

From the off you could tell that the game against Pattani was going to be a

closely fought battle with both teams looking to strike early and take possession of the game.

And in just the 11th minute it was Pattani who struck first.

A long ball from Pattani’s defence found Rofeedeen Samae (7) on the left flank, his cross found South Korean forward Yoon Sug-hee (99) and his well struck leftfooted shot from the edge of Phuket’s penalty box was curled nicely into the bottom right of Phuket’s goal.

Despite going down to an early goal Phuket were unfazed and piled on the pressure hoping to pull the goal back before the half-time whistle. Sadly that pressure was not enough to result in a goal and the teams went in after the first 45 at 0-1.

Coming back after the break it was clear that Phuket were not prepared to leave Surakul Stadium with zero points as they did in their recent game against lowly placed Sungaipadee FC, and they had most of the possession and goal scoring chances in the early part of the second half.

They passed the ball well, created chances and pretty much had control of the game, but it took until the 80th for them to get their just reward.

Phuket’s Aphichat Denman (10) floated in a beautiful cross from the right, it found the head of the league’s top scorer Nattapoom Maya (7) just on the edge of Pattani’s six yard box and he neatly headed the ball home to bring the score level at 1-1.

Nattappom’s goal brings his tally for the season so far up to 12.

And this goal was the turning point for Phuket FC, now they weren’t going to be happy walking away from the game with the single point, they wanted all three points.

The pressure they put on Pattani, which was already heavy duty, got even heavier, all the action was taking place in Pattani’s half and Pattani started to make forced errors.

And with only minutes of the game remaining Phuket thought they had sealed the three points.

Phuket’s Thai forward Suttipong Yaifai (9) put a great cross into Pattani’s penalty

area from the left, Pattani’s keeper Sarawut Wae-Asae (29) came out catch the ball but fumbled it, the ball fell to the feet of Nattapoom who smacked the ball home.

No goal! The linesman on the right had deemed Phuket’s Cameroonian centre forward Yannick Pairice Touguessong (29) to have been offside when Nattapoom’s shot was taken.

But Phuket didn’t give up, with the pressure they were putting Pattani under they had the three points in their sights, and they got those points four minutes into additional time.

Phuket were awarded a free-kick some 20-25 yards out from Pattani’s penalty area, defender Tevarit Junsom (26) played the ball into the centre of Pattani’s box and their Thai defender Soranan Sataworn’s (88) attempted clearance deflected off his foot and into the top of the net.

Three points sealed for Phuket FC. Having now played eight games in five weeks, Phuket will be on a much needed 10day break before returning to action.

Team

P

W

D

L

GD Pts

1

Satun United

19

14

3

2

21

45

2

Phuket FC

19

11

4

4

13

37

3

Chumphon FC

19

10

5

4

10

35

4

Pattani FC

19

10

3

6

7

33

5

Phatthalung FC

18

5

7

6

-3

22

6

Yala United

18

6

3

9

-4

21

7

Hat Yai FC

19

5

5

9

-7

20

8

Surat Thani City FC

19

3

2

14

-17

11

9

Sungaipadee FC

18

2

4

12

-20

10

Date

Time

Match

Home/Away

Wed Aug 16 6pm

Phuket FC vs Chumphon FC

Surakul Stadium

Sun Aug 20

6pm

Phuket FC vs Satun United

Surakul Stadium

Sun Aug 27

6pm

Phuket FC vs Hat Yai FC

Surakul Stadium

Sat Sept 2

6pm Phuket FC vs Surat Thani City FC

Sat Sept 9

4pm

Phatthalung FC vs Phuket FC

Surakul Stadium Phattalung Provincial Stadium

Please note that Phuket FC's home game fixtures are all set for 6pm kick-offs.

They now only have five games remaining in the normal season, and the first of those five games will be against one of the teams currently vying for the 2nd place slot, Chumphon FC, who sit

just below Phuket in 3rd in the league table on 35 points.

Phuket are in 2nd on 37.

T he g a me i s s e t for Wednesday August 16 at Surakul Stadium with kickoff at 6pm. thephuketnews