The Phuket News 12 Jan 2018

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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American roams airport naked, throws poo

LIFE

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Patong Rotary wraps up a successful year One of the new prison blocks rises in Srisoonthorn. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

NEW B789MN PRISON TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR INMATES FROM OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS Premkamon Ketsara thaiassist@classactmedia.co.th

I

nmates will have to wait at least another year and a half before respite can be delivered from the current conditions at the notoriously overcrowded Phuket Provincial Prison.

The new facility under construction on 108 rai at Baan Bangjo in Srisoonthorn was originally slated by contract for completion by July 14 this year – ironically, Bastille Day – but the project got off to a late start while the earthworks for the site

were completed.

Construction is making good progress now, Prison Director Somkhit Khammang said this week, though admitting that prisoners would not likely be moved into the new facility until about June 2019, at the earliest.

“The overall project is now 40% complete and the structures themselves are about 80% complete,” Mr Somkhit said.

“We have applied for a formal extension to the deadline, as the project has been delayed (during the initial stage of construction) by the

(southwest) monsoon and a lack of workers,” he explained.

The government contract to build the new prison was signed on July 30, 2015, but the first pile was not driven into the ground until February 2016, he added.

“The contractors assigned to complete the project are Sor Ruedeesongtham Ruamkit Limited Partnership and Construction Exclusiveness Co Ltd,” Mr Somkhit confirmed.

The current prison, built in Phuket Town in 1902 and worthy of preservation as a building of historical

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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value, was originally designed to accommodate only 750 prisoners.

Later modifications increased the jail’s capacity, but not to accommodate the more than 2,700 inmates currently incarcerated there.

“We have about 2,300 male prisoners and about 400 female prisoners – and even a one-month-old baby girl.

That’s more than twice the number of prisoners that the prison can handle,” Mr Somkhit said.

The new prison at Bangjo is costing B789 million to build, down from the original budget of B1.1 billion,...

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Historic mansion in Old Phuket Town to get a new lease of life > page 4

Dutch tourists injured New in motorbike collision TWO MOTORCYCLISTS from the Netherlands escaped death last Sunday (Jan 7) when the driver lost control of the motorbike they were riding on Sirirat Rd near Le Meridien Resort in Karon “The two tourists were driving from Karon towards Patong. The driver lost control of the motorbike and had a head-on collision with a car driving in the opposite lane which was being driven by a Russian driver,” Lt Col Patiwat Yodkwan of the Karon Police confirmed on Monday (Jan 8).

The accident occurred at about 5pm, he added.

“Both people on the motorbike sustained injuries and were taken to Patong Hospital. They have not yet been discharged, but I believe both their conditions are safe.

“I will have to check on their conditions again later today (Jan 8),” he said.

“They were both wearing helmets. The driver was not

York ‘poo-thrower’ on meds, roams airport The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The driver of the bike drove head-on into a car travelling on the opposite side of the road. Photo: Screengrab drunk. However, I have not yet checked if he has a driver’s licence, I will check once he has recovered.

“I cannot recall the motorbike driver’s name,” he added.

“I am not sure exactly how many people were in the car, but none of them sustained injuries,” he noted.

“I have yet to charge the motorbike driver as he is still in hospital. I will charge him for reckless driving causing injury once he is discharged,” confirmed Col Patiwat.

Shela Riva

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n American man was taken into custody late last Thursday night (Jan 4) for roaming the halls of Phuket International Airport naked, and for defecating in the hall and attempting to throw it at staff Steve Cho, 27, was taken into custody by airport security at about 11pm after his bizarre behaviour was brought to their attention. At first apprehensive to take him into custody, a total of six officers were finally forced to physically restrain Cho as he had failed to respond to requests from the security team.

Excessive force was not used, airport security said in a public statement issued on Sunday (Jan 7) in response to a deluge of comments posted after videos of the incident

Steve Cho roamed the airport departure hall naked before being taken into custody. Image: Phuket Airport / CCTV went viral online.

Airport security also noted in their statement that Cho had confessed to overdosing on “sex drugs”, and that he had defecated on the carpet in front of the toilets near the baggage check in the Departure Hall – and tried to throw it at airport staff and other passengers.

However, Sakoo Police Chief Col Jirasak Seamsak told The Phuket News on

Wednesday (Jan 10) that he had handed a pill recovered from Cho’s belongings to staff at Thalang Hospital, who he said dismissed the pill as only “sleeping medication”.

Hospital staff did not clarify specifically which drug the pill contained, Col Jirasak added.

“After the American tourist calmed down, police found the pill among his clothes,” Col Jirasak said.

“I can confirm that his behaviour was not from the effects of sex drugs, as published in the press. We sent the pill to Thalang Hospital and doctors there confirmed that it was only a sleeping pill, but said it was quite potent,” he explained.

The Phuket News was directed to contact Thanyathiya Leenanon, a laboratory technician at Thalang Hospital, to identify which pills were found, but she was unavailable at the time.

“Regardless, the man obviously had some sort of mental breakdown. We did not charge him and he boarded a flight out of Phuket with his friends on Friday (Jan 5),” Col Jirasak confirmed.

“No charges were pressed as the airport said they would take care of the cleaning bill for the carpet themselves,” he added.

Brazilians report B400k theft from luxury villa THALANG POLICE ARE INvestigating the alleged theft of more than B400,000 in possessions from a luxury villa in Baan Don, at which a 39-year-old Brazilian tourist and eight of her friends were staying for four days.

Katarine Pereira, 39, filed a complaint with the Thalang Police about the theft – at Villas Aelita Pool Villa Resort in Moo 4 Baan Don – at about 6am last Sunday (Jan 7).

“There are several villas at the scene and each villa has a high privacy wall. Authorities have inspected the scene and noted that there were footprints of the suspects inside the room,” said Capt Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police.

“We traced the surrounding area at several points including the wall behind the villa and coordinated with officers from the Police Forensic Science Centre 8,” he said.

“Ms Pereira said she and her eight friends had checked in to the villa on Jan 5 and were set to leave Jan 9.

“The day before the incident, on the evening of Jan 6, they held a party and went to sleep in different rooms at about 1am after which it began to rain heavily,” he added.

“Later, at around 5:30am, one of Ms Pereira’s friends discovered footprints and traces of a break-in at the property. He woke up Ms

Pereira and other friends and they checked and found that two rooms’ doors were unlocked,” he added.

Items reported stolen included a United States Permanent Resident card (green card), five credit cards, B7,300 and US$600 in cash. Also reported missing were a collection of high-end fashion brand-name handbags, various items of jewellery – and one electric toothbrush.

“Officers have questioned the

The alleged theft took place at the Villas Aelita Pool Villa Resort in Thalang. residents of the villa, and are checking CCTV to find the criminal/s and prosecute them,” Capt Suporn said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

New B789mn prison takes shape in suburban Srisoonthorn Continued from page 1 ...when authorities were looking to gift Phuket the best prison in the country.

The new prison will still deliver more space for prisoners who will be kept detained through full modern security features, Mr Somkhit assured.

“Bangjo Prison will be more comfortable than the Phuket Provincial Prison. There will be many ‘bedrooms’ (dormitory-style cells) of either 8mx12m or 12mx12m, with not more than 20 to 30 prisoners in each room,” he said.

“It will not be as crowded as it is now,” he noted, but added,

“Food will be the same standard as it is now.”

Local residents, who have approved the project through public feedback meetings, should feel safe, too, he added.

“We are very sure that there will be no prison break. The only problem at the Phuket Provincial Prison is that it is crowded,” Mr Somkhit explained.

“Also, transferring prisoners from the Phuket Provincial Prison to the Bangjo Prison will take only one day. We will ask the Region 8 Prison in Krabi for assistance with the transportation,” he said.

Mr Somkhit noted that a request

has been sent to his superiors asking for permission to make the new Bangjo prison a “men’s only” facility, with women to remain at the century-old jail in Phuket Town.

A formal reply has yet to be received.

Meanwhile, the socialisation program for outbound inmates coming to the end of their sentences will continue, Mr Somkhit said, as the old Bangjo prison facility used to house such prisoners before they were released back into society “The highest goal of the prison is to conduct activities to support jobs for prisoners so they can use these skills after they are released,”

he said.

“For male prisoners, we place them in jobs working with wood and cement. For female prisoners, we provide training in tourism hospitality and hotel studies and for them to learn English, as well as other skills such as creating handmade items.

“We are now in the process of taking good prisoners to work at furniture factories. They will be transferred there and brought back to the prison every day.

“Some operators have contacted us to offer jobs to some inmates so they can earn money by making fishing nets and sewing clothes.

This is good for them. Any operators who want prisoners to do any jobs at the prison can contact us,” Mr Somkhit explained.

Despite the cramped conditions at the current Phuket Prison, Mr Somkhit assures that prisoners there are being treated as well as they could be.

The prison wardens even recognise Christmas, he added.

“Each year we have an 80-centimetre Christmas tree to decorate for Christmas Day. “We pay attention to even small celebrations for prisoners as we respect every religion,” Mr Somkhit said.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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Deadly dive tours Charges pressed as Indian drowns, Japanese slashed by boat propeller Police officers, including Tourist Police and Forensic Police, investigate Ms Saori’s death at the scene off Koh Tachai in the Similan Islands National Park in Phang Nga last Friday (Jan 5). Photo: Tourist Police

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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olice have charged dive instructors, a tour guide and a boat captain after two tourists died in separate accidents while on dive tours off Phuket last week.

Phi Phi Island Police charged two dive instructors with negligence over the death of Indian tourist Alok Kumar Shukla, who drowned during his first-ever scuba diving trip on Dec 31.

“We have charged two of the diving instructors present when the incident occurred with negligence,” Lt Kanakorn Tamakhan of the Phi Phi Island Police confirmed.

“Mr Shukla had not taken off his diving weights, which weighed about 4 kilograms, when the incident took place.

However, we can confirm that he had taken off his equipment,” he said.

“A large wave caused the boat to rock, this caused Mr Shukla to fall into the water and drown due to the weights.

Although those who saw him fall jumped into the water after him, the water was very deep and it took a while to find him,” he explained.

“The hospital has already conducted a preliminary examination of the body, however, we are still waiting for results of an internal examination to confirm that he died of drowning. That is where the case is currently at,” he said last Thursday (Jan 4).

Lt Kanakorn declined to name the two instructors charged.

Georg Kereit, manager of the dive company involved, which he asked not to be named, told The Phuket News, “We would like to express our deepest condolences to family and friends of Mr Shukla, and I can confirm that we are working close with police to manage this terrible accident.

“When the incident oc-

NZ woman, 24, drowns at Phi Phi PHI PHI ISLAND POLICE HAVE REmained reluctant to reveal to the local press details about the drowning death of a New Zealand tourist whose body was recovered from Lo Dalum Bay last Wednesday (Jan 3), while the media around the world have reported that police have ruled her death as accidental.

While police declined to even name the tourist to The Phuket News, media in New Zealand and elsewhere identified the woman as Renee Hodgkinson, a 24-yearold medic in the Medical Corp of the New Zealand Army, living in Dunedin.

The Mail Online reported that Ms Hodgkinson’s parents had released a statement about her death. “Our world was shattered when we were advised of the tragic death of our precious and beloved daughter,” said the statement.

“Since then, we have been supported by friends and family, but we are still coming to terms with this most devastating of news and it is fair to say that the healing process will be long and arduous.”

Police did report that “the tourist” (Ms Hodgkinson) decided not to continue with her tour group, but instead stay on Phi Phi by herself.

“She remained on Phi Phi by herself and is believed to have drowned while swimming on Wednesday morning. However, details are still under investigation,” Lt Tanagon Tammakan of the Phi Phi Island Police said last Friday (Jan 5).

“She was found floating in the sea in Lo Dalum Bay by a Myanmar worker on @thephuketnews

Renee Hodgkinson was found drowned in Lo Dalum Bay at Phi Phi Island last Wednesday (Jan 3). Photo: Renee Hodgkinson / Facebook a boat, who notified police. Her body was then taken to Koh Phi Phi Hospital.

“The woman was wearing a blue bikini top and denim shorts,” confirmed Lt Tanagon.

“The hospital examination revealed no signs of violence on the body and the doctor ruled the cause of death as drowning. She was predicted to have been dead for about six hours prior to being found,” he added.

“She was identified because the tour group contacted police after receiving news reports that the body of a foreign woman had been found. They then confirmed her identity through her tattoos,” said Lt Tanagon.

Shela Riva

curred the customer had returned to the boat and taken off his equipment. He was about to take off the weight belt when he fell overboard.

Three people jumped in after him but could not locate him on the choppy surface, so the three people went with scuba gear to find him.

“CPR was provided immediately the body had been removed from the water and put on the boat, he was then

given oxygen before being handed over to the hospital,” he added.

“It is standard practice in scuba diving that when you get out of the water you go to a spot where your can sit down and your scuba cylinder will be secure.

“You then loosen shoulder and waist straps and get out of the unit. The next step is to stand up and remove your weight belt. After that you can get out of your wet suit,” he said.

“So procedure wise, it was normal. It was in this impossible five second window while removing his weight belt that he fell,” he added.

Meanwhile, police in Phang Nga have charged three people for the death of 37-yearold Japanese tourist Yoshida Saori, who was struck by a tour boat propeller during her first-ever dive at Koh Tachai in the Similan Islands National Park last Thursday (Jan 4).

“All three men – the boat captain, the dive instructor and the tour guide – have

been charged for recklessness causing grievous bodily harm and death,” Capt Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police confirmed on Tuesday (Jan 8).

“The Kura Buri Police (in Phang Nga) are currently considering other charges,” he added.

Ms Saori died from blood loss after she suffered multiple deep lacerations to her right thigh, Capt Ekkachai explained.

Ms Saori was on a threeday beginner course with South Siam Diver Co Ltd, Capt Ekkachai said.

“The dive instructor said that it was her first dive, to a depth of only 10 metres…

She went into the water with three other beginners and the dive instructor. She became separated from the group and was struck by the propeller,” he added.

The boat was drifting and the captain wanted to keep the boat in the same position, Capt Ekkachai explained.

Additional reporting

by Shela Riva

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PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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ix sea gypsies were ar rested by Sirinat National Park officials on Monday (Jan 8) after being accused of illegally catching marine life in a national park area.

One of the six sea gypsies arrested claims that they hadn’t caught marine life as accused, but had gone into the water to cure decompression sickness (DCS, or “the bends”).

Rawai sea gypsy representative Niran Yangpan followed the arrested sea gypsies to Sakoo Police Station and talked with them.

“I confirm that they did not catch fish in the national park area. They were on a fishing boat heading from Khura Buri in Phang Nga after fishing,” Mr Niran said.

“When they arrived at Nai Thon Beach, west of Phuket, one of them, Tanongsak

The arrested sea gypsies seen here at Sakoo Police Station.

Photo: Chaolay Rawai / Facebook Kohngam, 41, had symptoms of DCS. He was dizzy, faint and weak. They had to stop at a shallow area to go down into water. They were arrested there. Mr Tanongsak is now at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town,” he explained.

After I talked with Sakoo Police I found that they had been pressed with many charges. Bail was set at

B50,000 each. There are many offices who lent a hand to help,” Mr Niran added.

Sirinath National Park Chief Witoon Detpramuanphon explained, “In the past three days we have received many tip-offs that marine life was caught inside the national park area near coral reefs and this is what led to these arrests.

“We have ordered offi-

cials to watch out for people breaking the law. Yesterday morning we were notified that marine life had been caught in the national park area.

“A team of park officials led by Pongpan Paenoi inspected at 10am. Officials found a fishing boat parked in the area. They were in the water to shoot marine life,” Mr Witoon said.

The six arrested were named as Panya Kohngam, 46, Pichit Bangjark, 42, Anan Bangjark, 56, Thanongsak Kohngam, 41, Thaweelert Hanthalae, 50 and a minor aged 14.

“Officials seized 22 kinds of marine life, in total there were 123 marine animals weighing more than 59.4 kilograms. Officials also seized the boat, air pump, rubber tube, sharp iron rods used to catch fish, snorkel masks and others items," said Chief Witoon.

“The six did not mention

DCS to officials," he added.

“We provided them with food before taking them to Sakoo Police Station.

“They were charged with violating the National park Act 1961 section 16 (3) taking animals or by any means whatsoever endangering the animals,” he added.

“The damage cost B12,738,” he noted.

“We conf ir m that we acted according to the law.

We did not defame sea gypsies. We intended to protect marine resources. In the past we received a lot of information that marine life was being caught in the national park area, but we were failed to arrest suspects.

“The number of marine life has decreased and coral in the national park area is quickly being damaged,” he explained.

“If they feel they have not violated the law, they will have to fight the law,” Chief Witoon said.

Historical mansion to get uplift Call for donations PHUKET OFFICIALS ARE SEEKing funds to give a new lease of life to the century-old Sino-Portuguese mansion on Damrong Rd in Phuket Town where Standard Chartered Bank managers in times past once lived.

Plans to renovate the “Standard Chartered Bank House” were announced by Governor Norraphat Plodthong last Friday (Jan 5).

Gov Norraphat explained that the renovation plans include both outdoor and indoor works aimed at reaching three specific objectives: 1. To use the building as a place to welcome important visitors; 2. To turn it into a historical tourism destination; and 3. To make it a place for tourists to enjoy and relax.

“The living room will be turned into a ‘historical and local life multimedia room’, while the outdoor area will become a place for people to take photos and enjoy the beauty of Phuket’s architecture,” Gov Norraphat said.

“The Phuket office of the Treasury Department have already received funds to renovate the house in 2018 budget year, but the money is sufficient for only some fundamental work.

“Today’s meeting is aimed at seeking

of Type A blood

Plans for the first stage of renovations are to be drafted and submitted by Jan 15. Photo: Phuket PR Dept additional funds for further renovation. The plans for the first stage of the renovation shall be designed by Jan 15. Architects have to survey the building (both inside and outside) by this date and propose an estimated budget,” Gov Norraphat added.

The Standard Chartered Bank was the first foreign bank permitted to operate in Phuket. The Phuket branch opened on Phuket Rd in the early 1900s. Since 2012, the main bank building has been home to Phuket Peranakan Museum.

However, the mansion built as a residence for the incumbent branch manager was never put to any other use.

The Phuket News

A LACK OF SUPPLY IN blood Type A has left the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC) no option than to call for those with the said blood type to donate either via themselves or at Vichara Phuket Hospital.

The PRBC published a notice last Friday (Jan 5) inviting all those with blood type A and who are eligible to donate blood to do so due to a lack of supply in Phuket and the nearby provinces.

“Blood Type A is in low supply nationwide especially in Phuket and the surrounding provinces. We need more of this blood type in store to help the people living or visiting Phuket,” explained PRBC Chief Pornthip Ratchak.

“The reason for the lack of this blood type is due to a lack of donors. In addition, there are a lot of people who require this blood type,” she said.

“Furthermore, we are also

There are a lack of donors of blood Type A in Phuket and the surrounding provinces.

Photo: Red Cross Thailand in need of RH-negative blood for foreigners,” she added.

People who want to donate blood can either go to the PRBC located at 38/193 Rattanakosin 200 Pi Rd near Saphan Hin or to the blood bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

“This is a good opportunity for people who live in Phuket to donate blood and share with others,” Ms Pornthip added.

For more information call the PRBC at 076-251178 or 081-9588854.

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EDITORIAL

Safety a priority, but for who?

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t’s a platitude we seem to hear endlessly repeated and with steadily increasing frequency as high season engulfs our “world-class tourist destination”. It emerges from the mouth of whoever is Phuket Governor at the time and echoed by high-ranking officials. Yes, we’re talking about that reassuring assertion that, “Tourist safety is a top priority”.

We ususally don’t doubt the sincerity of Governors, nor of the other officials who publicly make such statements – after all, isn’t ensuring tourists’ safety is critical to Phuket’s image as an idyllic care-free playground for sun-seeking travellers. However, as earnest as these top officials are, we are left to ponder how exactly these words trickle down into practical safety improvements for tourist activities.

This writer hosted visitors

over the holiday period, and it being their first visit they were excited as countless tourists are, to take a tour to the famous Phi Phi Island. Upon their return, they said the visit was, well, okay… even after realising they had joined the thousand or more tourists who also visited that day. However, a slightly less enjoyable part of the trip was having to endure the “scariest thing we have ever experienced”.

Returning to pier, they explained, “The boat flew in at top speed. We nearly hit another boat. We were terrified! But the boat crew were thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

As if to demonstrate the disconnect between official rhetoric and reality, this incident occurred not long after officials announced “ramping up high season marine safety”.

A Japanese woman was recently killed by a boat propeller

while scuba diving. Tragically, following correct safety protocol would have saved her life.

Several tourists were also severely injured in recent motorbike accidents and you can bet your bottom dollar that the majority of them didn’t have a valid motorbike licence.

Phuket officials will surely keep mouthing feel-good notions about the priority of tourists’ safety, but such rhetoric will do little to change the attitudes and practices of the tourism operators, who are on the front line when it comes to keeping the tourists under their care safe.

Sadly, it appears that money trumps safety for many cavalier operators. Platitudes will never match a rigorous safety training and licensing scheme backed by the tough enforcement of penalties for breaching safety protocols.

Officials, please take note.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

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Two dive instructors charged over death of tourist off Phuket American tourist on sex drug, roams Phuket airport naked Three charged for death of tourist slashed by boat propeller Girl dies after being bitten in bed by cobra Body found off Phi Phi confirmed as that of New Zealand woman Dutch tourists injured in motorbike collision Thailand should recognise tourists’ driver’s licences, says poll German tourist suffers head injuries in Phuket motorbike crash Assistance sought in tranquillising pack of wild Phuket dogs Phuket Opinion: Slippery road ahead

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HAVE YOUR SAY Readers divided over soi dogs

Late law lunacy

Re: Soi Dog founder questions report, calls for ‘refocussed’ government strategy I am in complete agreement with John Dalley. I do wish people would stop complaining about the soi dogs and simply go back to their sterile countries where the only dog you’ll see is on a leash in a park, if there is one.

There are also several dogs outside the courthouse in town which are friendly and obviously well cared for, quite possibly by the restaurant outside. Well said John.

Tamsyn

Re: Patong nightlife operators fear ‘return of bribes’ The lack of late opening licenses in specified entertainment areas is an embarrassment to Thailand. Almost as embarrassing, in fact, as the rampant, obvious and unabashed corruption that allows its laws to be so easily circumvented.

For a culture so neurotically obsessed with appearance it seems crazy that Thais allow this to happen. But hey, it’s only foreigners, right?

It’s not like it’s real people or anything. Who cares what they think?

Captain Jack 69

Well, this guy is a wellinformed winner! Despite people having to stay in the hospital after being bitten he is sure, without having witnessed or investigated, that all the dogs on that beach are beloved and gentle.

I have read at least one biting story a year out of that area, I’ve also been to that beach and had dogs start barking at me as I pass, must not have been the beloved ones.

Suave

The majority of bars on Bangla/ Otop are open all day. Even live music and clubs open and start playing around 7pm. Just no customers, as tourists are just getting ready to go to eat after a day at the beach. Bars do not get busy until 9-10pm Would tourists adapt to early closing times? Yes, this trip. Next one they will pick somewhere else to holiday. Children are sent to bed at midnight, not paying tourists.

J Sombra

Why is this even an issue?

If the bars follow the law then there is no problem. If the bars close early then the customers come out early.

The customers come out late, because the bars don’t open until late.

Many bars have no staff until after 10pm and then they just sit and eat. If the bars open at 6pm then the customers come out earlier. If the bars stick to the law then they do not need to pay.

Simon 01 I understand having midnight or 1am closing times in heavily residential areas, but, why have any closing time around Bangla Road? I know, it’s for the bribes. But, to finally eliminate them would go a long way in helping Phuket’s deteriorated image.

Foot ...................................................

Beautiful Thailand

Re: Domestic travel gets tax break push Good idea from the government to promote lesser-known parts of Thailand. There are so many places still to explore in Thailand. Thailand is blessed

with so much beauty, much more than the city-state called Singapore.

De Kaaskopp ...................................................

Phone zombies

Re: Mobile charging ban draws flak They should ban personal mobiles at work. The number of people not doing their job because they are too busy on their phone, I was stood at the airport immigration whilst a guy was playing games on his phone!

Malczx7r ...................................................

Senseless death

Re: Three charged for death of Japanese tourist slashed by dive boat propeller The instructor is to blame for losing the student. However, if the Thai captain of the boat wasn’t 100% sure where all the divers were, and he was in the vicinity of the dive area, he should never have started his engines and put them in gear, his actions caused the death. It’s undeniable many stupid things happen in Thailand resulting in unnecessary deaths.

Pauly 44

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

7

Drunk drivers to face reality

Plans to have repeat offenders take care of victims of road accidents NATIONWIDE Bangkok Post

M

ore than 6,650 drivers, most of whom were intoxicated over the New Year festival, are being forced to do community service for dangerous driving.

Drink driving accounted for 90.3% of total cases, while other traffic violations included careless driving and driving under the influence of drugs, Probation Department chief Prasarn Mahaleetrakul said on Monday (Jan 8).

Officials also found a number of the drivers had committed similar offences during the New Year holiday last year.

“The number of repeat offenders increased by 99,” Mr Prasarn said.

The courts have put all traffic law violators on probation for between one and two years during which they are required to perform 21 hours of community service on average, attend traffic training classes and report to probation officers on a regular basis.

@thephuketnews

Police caught 6,650 drink-drivers over the New Year holiday, of whom 295 have had their licences suspended. Photo: Bangkok Post / file Some 295 motorists also had their driving licences suspended.

Mr Prasarn said he plans to have repeat offenders take care of drink driving victims, mostly bed-ridden patients, in the hope that seeing their suffering will help change their behaviour.

This kind of community service will hopefully steer them toward driving more carefully once they see the victims of these crimes, many of whom were disabled, said Chetsada Yaemsabai of the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation.

He himself was left crip-

pled by a drunk driver following an accident 15 years ago. In Bangkok alone, more than 1,000 people have also been left crippled as a result of drink driving.

Mr Chetsada sees himself as a “burden” on his family and spends most of his time at home because of limited

mobility and takes medication costing B100 per day.

Phakdi Sonprathet, who was once prosecuted for drinkdriving, supports the move to have wrongdoers take care of victims and see first-hand the consequences of their actions.

“I really felt remorse when seeing how they suffered,” he said when talking about when he had to perform community service.

“Some cannot use their hands, so I had to hand-feed them,” he said.

As a result of what he saw, he decided to turn his back on alcohol.

Those motorists who find they cannot keep their drinking in check need to go into rehab, Mr Prasarn said.

He said he does not think the high number of drink drivers over the New Year festival resulted from more alcohol consumption. He thought the figures reflected stricter measures to curb road accidents during the long holidays.

Meanwhile, police and Chulalongkorn University rolled out “nano-technology crash helmets” for a campaign

aimed at encouraging people riding pillion to wear helmets.

Many motorcycle taxi passengers often refuse to wear helmets because they regard them as smelly and unclean.

Chulalongkorn researchers, however, say they have solved the problem by using nano-technology to coat the inside of helmets to make them germ free, Chulalongkorn University’s deputy rector Napbun Huncharoen said.

The university will test the new crash helmets by handing out 300 to motorcycle taxis operating around the university campus and nearby Siam Square, he said.

This should help boost government attempts to have all people riding motorcycles wear a crash helmet, deputy national police chief Wirachai Songmetta said.

The university and police are also offering to clean people’s crash helmets, Gen Wirachai added.

Motorcycle riders can visit a service point located at Chaloem Phao intersection near Wat Pathum Wanaram on Rama I Rd.

8

THAILAND NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Yingluck is in London, says Foreign Minister BANGKOK

Bangkok Post

Suvarnabhumi Airport Police display Rehahlia Toufik (seated right) with cash he allegedly stole from an Egyptian tourist, last Sunday (Jan 7). Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan

Frenchman nabbed for stealing money at Suvarnabhumi BANGKOK A FRENCH NATIONAL was arrested at a hotel in Bangkok last Sunday (Jan 7) for allegedly stealing money from an Egyptian tourist at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Airport police captured Rehahlia Toufik, 33, at the hotel where he had checked in. They recovered US$9,200 (B295,356) in cash and filed a theft charge against him.

The capture came after Egyptian Mohamed Ibrahim sought help from police at the airport last Saturday

night (Jan 6) after he had left a bag with US$10,170 (B326,497) in cash at a CAT Telecom shop in the airport after buying a SIM card for his mobile phone.

Police said security camera footage showed a man they identified as Toufik taking the bag from the shop. Police tracked him and made the arrest after finding him staying at the hotel, whose name was withheld.

A T-shirt worn by the Frenchman when he allegedly stole the bag was seized from his hotel room as evidence, they added.

Bangkok Post

F

oreign Minister Don Pramudwinai confirmed on Tuesday (Jan 9) that fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been in London since September, and possibly carries the passport of another country as her Thai passports were revoked.

Mr Don said the British Foreign Secretary had given him this information.

However, the minister said he had no information as to Yingluck’s status in the UK or whether she had applied for asylum or other visas there.

Mr Don said Yingluck may have used a passport issued by another country to enter the UK, because all four of her Thai passports were officially revoked.

Asked if the government will try to expedite Yingluck’s extradition and return to Thailand to face justice, Mr Don said the matter will be considered from every angle.

Mr Don refused to comment when asked if the government would be able to

A woman believed to be former and fugitive prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is pictured in London over the Christmas-New Year period. Photo: @zenjournalist Twitter and Andrew MacGregor Marshall / Facebook oppose any request for asylum in the UK. He only said that Yingluck being in the UK does not affect Thai-UK relations.

A fresh photo said to be of Yingluck and a friend and taken in London during the New Year period spread online early last week. It followed an earlier photo of a woman resembling Yingluck which surfaced late last month and was reported to have been taken on Dec 26

at Westfield Shopping Centre in West London.

The latest picture supposedly shows the ex-premier with a Thai woman outside what is reported to be Harrod’s in London.

National police chief Gen Srivara Ransibrahamearlier said the photo was probably authentic.

Yingluck disappeared shortly before Aug 25 when the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Politi-

cal Positions was scheduled to deliver judgement in her rice-pledging scheme corruption trial.

In her absence the court postponed the ruling to Sept 27, when it handed Yingluck a five-year jail term for failure to stop false and corrupt government-to-government sales of rice from the rice programme even though she had been told of the irregularities. It also issued a fresh bench warrant for her arrest.

Briton arrested after death plunge in Pattaya PATTAYA

Briton Reece Vella is taken to Pattaya Police Station for interrogation after he was arrested at a bar in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province, on Monday (Jan 8). Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong

A BR ITISH NATIONA L was arrested on Monday (Jan 8) in connection with the death of a woman who fell from a condominium in the nude in the resort city.

Chonburi police chief Maj Gen Nanthachart Supamongkol said Reece Vella was detained at a bar in Bang Lamung dis-

trict in Pattaya on three charges.

The 25-year-old man was accused of theft, overstaying his visa and carelessness leading to the death of others.

The arrest followed the death of Wannipha Chanhuathon, 26, who fell from the fifth storey of a condominium last Saturday (Jan 6). She was seriously injured after the plunge and later succumbed to her wounds.

The charges were filed after authorities found on him the mobile phone of the dead beer bar worker. Immigration data also showed he overstayed in the country and the footage of CCTV at the condominium showed him with Ms Wannipha.

Vella denied all charges.

Maj Gen Nanthachar t claimed the Briton said he was in the same room with Ms Wannipha but did not realise

that the woman fell from the room until he came out of the bathroom.

After knowing that Ms Wannipha had fallen, he panicked and got out of the condo with her mobile phone, the officer added.

Maj Gen Nanthachart said police were collecting more evidence to substantiate the charges.

Bangkok Post

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

ASIA NEWS

9

Poisonous and running out Thousands afflicted by polluted and decreasing water supplies PAKISTAN

Sartaj holds her 15-days-old daughter Kinza, who is suffering from diarrhoea and a blood infection, in a government hospital in Islamabad. Photo: AFP

Joris Fioriti

B

arely 15 days old, Kinza whimpers at an Islamabad hospital where she is suffering from diarrhoea and a blood infection, a tiny victim among thousands afflicted by Pakistan’s severely polluted and decreasing water supplies.

Cloaked in a colourful blanket, Kinza moves in slow motion, like a small doll.

Her mother, Sartaj, does not understand how her daughter became so ill.

“Each time I give her the bottle, I boil the water,” she says.

But Sartaj and her family drink daily from a stream in their Islamabad neighbourhood – one of several waterways running through the capital that are choked with filth. Boiling the water can only do so much.

They are not alone. More than two-thirds of households drink bacterially contaminated water and, every year, 53,000 Pakistani children die of diarrhoea after drinking it, says UNICEF. Cases of typhoid, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis are rampant. According to the UN and Pakistani authorities, between 30 and 40% of diseases and deaths nationwide are linked to poor water quality.

And it is costing the developing country billions. In 2012 the World Bank, which has warned that “substantial investments are needed to improve sanitation”, estimated that water pollution costs Pakistan $5.7 billion (B183.48bn), or nearly 4% of GDP. “Water is the number one problem for the country,” says

Professor Javed Akram, Vice Chancellor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.

In Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city, the situation is even worse than in Islamabad.

The Ravi River which supplies the city’s 11 million or so inhabitants with drinking water also serves as a spillway to hundreds of factories upstream.

River fish are eaten by locals, but “some papers show that in the fishbones, some heavy metal contamination (is) found,” says Sohail Ali Naqvi, a project officer with the conservation group WWF. The Ravi is also used to irrigate neighbouring crops, which are themselves rich in pesticides, warns Lahore environmentalist Ahmad Rafay Alam.

The lack of water infrastructure is glaring. In a country where the “environ-

This picture shows a girl filling a bottle at a water-filtration plant in Islamabad. Photo: AFP @thephuketnews

ment is not part of the political agenda”, there are “nearly no treatment plants”, warns Imran Khalid, a researcher at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute.

“Those who can afford it buy bottles of water, but what about those who cannot?” he says.

In Karachi, a megacity whose population could be as many as 20mn people, mafias fill the vacuum left by the creaking local network, selling the precious water they bring in by tanker trucks at high prices.

In the face of widespread indignation, Sindh along with Punjab province, together home to more than half of the country’s population, have already announced measures to improve water quality, though their efficacy is yet to be seen.

But Pakistan’s water is not only contaminated – it is becoming scarce.

Official projections show the country, whose population has increased fivefold since 1960 to some 207mn, will run dry by 2025, when they will be facing an “absolute scarcity” of water with less than 500 cubic metres available per person in Pakistan.

That’s just one third the water available in already parched Somalia now, according to the UN. Pakistan, a country of massive Himalayan glaciers, monsoon rains and floods, has just three major water storage basins, compared with more than 1,000 in South Africa or Canada, says Bashir Ahmad of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council.

As such any surplus is quickly lost, said Ahmad, who denounced “a lack of political vision” to counter the nationwide water crisis.

While official statistics show that 90% of the country’s water is used for agri-

culture, the massive irrigation network, built decades ago

by British colonists, has deteriorated.

Much of its use appears to defy common sense. “We are neglecting the northern areas, where there (is) a lot of

rainfall, to focus on irrigated areas like Sindh or Punjab,” says Ahmad.

There, in arid areas where temperatures can soar up to 50ºC, Pakistan grows waterintensive crops such as rice and sugar cane.

“The crisis is looming. In all urban areas, the water table is going down day by day,” warns Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources.

Pumps draw deeper and deeper into the water table, where the arsenic content is naturally higher, he warns.

An international study in August said some 50 to 60mn Pakistanis are slowly poisoning themselves with arsenictainted water.

Yet waste remains the norm. In Islamabad, roads are sprinkled to drive away dust, cars are washed daily, and verdant lawns watered generously.

“We own our houses, but not our streams,” Ashraf sighs. “That’s why we dump our waste in the rivers.”

AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

In the middle of the world A tropical island paradise with a cautious eye to growth SAO TOME Caroline Chauvet

I

t’s a nation that boasts warm azure seas and dream beaches, a landscape ranging f rom volcanic rocks to tropical rai n forest, a nd st able democratic rule – yet many people have never heard of it.

Tourists to Sao Tome and Principe, a scattering of islands off the coast of western equatorial Africa that once served the slave and sugar trades of Portuguese colonial rulers, are rare.

And though this paradise has been dubbed “the islands in the middle of the world” – because of their proximity to the zero point on GPS, with the prime meridian just six degrees to the west and the equator crossing one island – it rarely features on any radar for investors.

I n 2002, Sao Tome’s then president Fradique de Menezes announced a deal with the United States to create the deepwater port his country lacks and to build a

People are seen here enjoying the infinity pool at the Pestana hotel and resort in Sao Tome city. Tourists to Sao Tome and Principe, a scattering of islands off the coast of western equatorial Africa that once served the slave and sugar trades of Portuguese colonial rulers, are rare. Photo: Ruth McDowall / AFP US military base.

Wa s h i n g t o n n e v e r confirmed the plan, despite stakes in the booming oil industry of the region.

Today – like many other African nations – the country has turned to China to help its development, especially infrastructure.

In December 2016, Sao Tome renewed diplomatic ties with Beijing to the detriment

of its rival Taiwan, which had cooperated with the African archipelago since 1997.

“Our country wanted to join this group of countries t hat is benef it i ng f rom Chinese funding,” Finance Minister Americo De Oliveira Ramos said after the pact with Beijing.

Economic sectors such as health, oil or China’s primary interest here – fisheries – are

earmarked for development, according to the finance minister.

China is also pursuing the deepwater port proposal that went into abeyance as the Pentagon waged the Iraq War. Last Ju ne, Sao Tome signed an agreement to let Chinese trawlers ply the country’s waters alongside t hose of Japa n a nd t he European Union.

C h i n a’s a r r i v a l h a s r aise d conce r n s a mong environmentalists, particularly op p o s e d t o i l leg a l a nd intensive shark fishing.

But paradise is unspoilt in rural areas that are home to almost 600 recorded species of plant, not to mention those that remain undiscovered and unidentified.

The government is keen to encourage tourism to provide jobs and income – two-thirds of the population live below the poverty line – but without harming the islands’ natural beauty.

Renowned local chef Joao Carlos Silva – also a celebrity in Portugal – is pounding the drum for low-volume ecotourism.

He uses organic produce in his kitchen, most of which he gathers and grows in the garden of his farm.

“We live in a country with an interesting biodiversity and where we can grow crops without chemicals and with traditional techniques,” Silva says, advocating “smart tourism”, a far cry from mass arrivals.

A mong the obstacles t o g r ow t h i n t o u r i s m , entrepreneurs cite the skyhigh cost of lending.

Manuel Nazare, the owner of the Praia Inhame hotel in Porto Alegre, said in 2016: “I borrow money from the local bank at very high rates, 24%.”

Another hindrance is the price of a trip, which makes visiting Sao Tome a luxury for Europeans though the cost of living is low.

A return air fare from Lisbon costs at least 850 euros (B32,822) and connecting flights are sparse, via Gabon, Ghana or Portugal.

W h i le of f icials pla n growth, including expansion of the international airport, the toll of development on the environment is an issue.

A ve t e r a n f ig u r e i n the tourism sector said he had observed a worrying degradation of the sea floor over the past two decades.

“T he big quest ion is whether the public will benefit from development, and whether nature in Sao Tome will be preserved,” he said.

AFP

Rare giant lily pads draw crowds to Paraguay lagoon PARAGUAY AN OFF-THE-BEATENpath corner of Paraguay has become a tourist attraction this month as visitors flock to see a rare delight floating on a hidden lagoon: giant round water lilies spanning over 1.5 meters.

These aquatic plants – their scientific name is Victoria cruziana but locals call them “alligator lilies” – sprawling enough that they can provide a hiding place for a small alligator.

They appear just every third or fourth southern hemisphere summer.

Over in Piquete Cue, about 25 kilometers north of Asuncion, fans of botany, water lilies and the unusual pay about $5 (B161) for one memorable boat ride to the bright yellowish green star of the really singular show.

Amazed tourists take pict u res of each other with the other-worldly ba ckg rou nd , a nd ye s , the inevitable selfie with

People take a boat to see giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) at Paraguay River in Piquete Cue, north of Asuncion. Photo: AFP megalilies that unlike many are circular and rather recall a massive flattened pea.

“This is something that you just don’t see every day.

Or even every year. You do see lily pads all the time but not so many. And not so enormous! Some are two metres wide,” said Agustin Gomez.

The “Yacare Irumpe” are usually found in calm waters,

and tend to capture tourists’ attention both because of their size and exceptional shape.

Locals believe the plant is good for making tea to fight asthma and bronchial problems, so authorities have been warning that would-be tea makers could be fined if they harvest the area’s hot new tourist attraction.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Keynote speakers will be Thai Canal Association (TCA) Chairman Gen Pongthep Thesprateep and TCA Board Member and International Director Pakdee Tanapura.

Experts to explore mid-range, Kra Isthmus canal

Villas strong high-end sales struggle PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he main villa property market in Phuket is going from strength to strength, but the outlook for high-end villas on the island is not so bright, reports Nattha Kahapana, Executive Director and Head of Knight Frank Phuket.

The market is continuing to see healthy take-up rates, Mr Nattha noted in a Knight Frank report released last Thursday (Jan 4).

@thephuketnews

As of the end of Q3 2017, there were approximately 1,982 units being sold out of 2,542 units on the market, and such units represented a sales rate of 78% with approximately 168 villa units sold last year, Mr Nattha explained.

On the other hand, Phuket villas priced over B300mn per unit hold gloomy prospects. Sales transactions are quite stagnant, and only a few units were sold.

On the whole, average unit selling prices will be stable or slightly increasing.

Also, there will be more

resale villas entering the market, Mr Nattha forecast.

There were approximately 2,542 villa units in Phuket.

During the first nine months of 2017, about 178 units were added as new supply to the Phuket villa market.

The majority of new villas added during the first nine months of 2017 included two-bedroom villa units with a selling price of B812mn per unit. Most of the new units are located in the central part of the island, in the vicinity of Bang Tao, Surin and Kamala beaches.

Villa buyers are still for-

eigners and expatriates living in Asia such as Hong Kong, Singapore and China, Mr Nattha pointed out.

There are also some foreigners from Australia and New Zealand buying a villa in Phuket for their second home, he added.

Buyers from China were among the top three villa buyers in Phuket after those from Hong Kong and Singapore. Non-stop flights, with only a few hours of flying time, from some cities in China to Phuket also helped boost the market, Mr Nattha concluded.

DEVELOPMENT THE BRITISH CHAMBER of Commerce in Thailand (BCCT) along with a host of the chambers of commerce in the country will hold a special Phuket Business Dinner event at the Amari Phuket resort south of Patong on Feb 1 with expert speakers explaining the current status of – and future plans for – Thailand’s Kra Isthmus Project.

With a long history of Kra Canal studies and agreements, the Kra Isthmus Project is one of the most controversial projects in the history of Thailand.

Many Thais hope that the

gigantic investment of US$55 billion (about B1.77 trillion) to begin with would help jump start Thailand’s economy. It would also create a ripple effect throughout the Asean countries, which would benefit from such an ambitious development.

Present at the event to provide their expert knowledge and opinions will be Gen Pongthep Thesprateep, Chairman of Thai Canal Association, and Pakdee Tanapura, Board Member and International Director of Thai Canal Association.

To register or for more details about the event email chonticha@bccthai.com The Phuket News

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Phuket shines on in style Local marine players outstanding at Christofle Yacht Style Awards MARINE The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

host of Phuket entries were bestowed regional titles at the inaugural Christofle Yacht Style Awards 2018, held as part of the four-day Phuket RendezVous, which concluded at Royal Phuket Marina last Sunday (Jan 7).

The awards, held last Thursday night (Jan 4), also marked the 10th anniversary of yachting and lifestyle publication Yacht Style.

The awards recognise the best of the yachting industry in Asia and internationally, and reconfirmed Phuket as an epicentre of the regional yachting scene, reported lifestyle web portal Luxuo.

The awards ceremony was held during a lavish gala dinner hosted by Phuket Boat Lagoon with up to 300 VIPs, yacht owners and key personalities in the yachting industry, in attendance.

“Our idea is to take a fresh approach to the way such

Ferretti Group, Asia Pacific Manager, Fabiomassimo Discoli (right) accepts the Best Exterior Styling – CUSTOM LINE 720 and Best International Motor Yacht in Asia – CUSTOM LINE 33 metre awards with Lee Marine General Manager Martin Holmes (left) and Jim Poulsen, Yacht Sales Executive. accolades were presented in the past, and to seek out truly innovative ways in which owners can choose to go down to the sea in sailboats or motor yachts,” said Yacht Style CEO and Publisher Gael

Burlot, who is also one of the key organisers behind Phuket RendezVous.

“They are helping to power the rapidly-increasing interest in boating in AsiaPacific waters, and many

others will be recognised for their valuable efforts in the years ahead,” Mr Burlot added.

Phuket-based new yacht and brokerage company Lee Marine took top honours in

three categories: Best International Superyacht Builder – FEADSHIP; Best Exterior Styling – CUSTOM LINE 720; and Best International Motor Yacht in Asia – CUSTOM LINE 33 metre.

“A huge THANK YOU to all the Lee Marine Team for their dedication and support throughout these 20 years of success. What an incredible start to 2018,” said Martin Holmes, General Manager for Lee Marine.

Ocean Marina Yacht Club were crowned Best Marina Development in Asia.

“It’s a proud moment for myself and all the team at Ocean Marina Yacht Club,” said Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

“We are very honoured to have been recognised for all our hard work and we will strive to further improve our facilities and deliver a best-in-class service to our customers.”

Fountaine Pajot’s new Saona 47 sailing catamaran won the category of “Best Multihull Sailing Yacht Under

15m”. Launched in 2017, the Saona 47 has garnered critical international acclaim for its remarkable space, safety, comfort and powerful performance in all conditions.

“The Christof le Yacht Style Awards were designed to showcase excellence and creative flair in the latest motor and sailing yacht models presented in the Asia-Pacific region by leading builders here and beyond. Innovation across the industry was specifically encouraged. Recipients receive Christofle Yacht Style citations marking their achievements which led to the Award,” noted Luxuo in its report.

“Christof le, closely associated with yachting in Asia since 2005, embodies French Art de Vivre and elegance thanks to its creations in silver. From tableware to home decoration and exceptional jewellery pieces, Christofle remains loyal first and foremost to the spirit of its founders, who cherished modernity and innovation in creation and production,” it added.

AirAsia launches Macau direct flights AIRLINES AIRASIA’S INAUGURAL direct f light from Macau landed in Phuket on Monday ( J a n 8) , b r i n g i n g 171

passengers who are heralded to be the first of some 70,000 passengers to use the service a year.

The new Macau-Phuket and return daily direct flights marked the airline’s fourth

Thailand route and seventh international destination departing from Macau, Celia Lao CEO of AirAsia Hong Kong and Macau told the press at the launch event in Macau.

Ms Lao said the budget carrier had been trying to get slots to operate a MacauPhuket service for years, but was granted a slot at Phuket International Airport only last year, reported the Macau Daily Times.

According to the airline’s database, travellers’ demand for f lights from Macau to Phuket is high enough that another daily flight could be added, the report noted.

Sirima Chindamat, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hong Kong office, who also attended the launch event in Macau, said that passengers flying from Macau to Phuket via Bangkok amounted to some 70,000.

The director shared that Macau and Hong Kong remains a potential market to Thailand, describing them as “quality tourists”.

“We would love to see 8% more at least, especially with AirAsia’s new route, we are positive to get this number,” she said.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Patong Rotary marks another succesful year

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

15

Jamie hits the road to find the Dragon Cave

16

A WRITER’S ISLAND LIFE

Phuket is ‘insane, but it’s never boring’, says expat author A MEAL WITH...

Baz Daniel

H

ow many octogenarians living in Phuket gained their Doctorate degree from London University studying the works of the great Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson and have just published a book about their adventures living in Phuket? The answer is of course one – Doctor Patrick Campbell – with whom I recently had the immense pleasure of sharing supper in charming Wine Lovers restaurant at Fisherman Way on Wiset Rd. As we munched our way through a meal of delicious fresh sushi and sashimi, then wonderfully healthful salads and pasta all washed asunder by an aromatic Kiwi selection from Wine Lover’s extensive stock, Patrick told me about the fascinating life journey that brought him to settle in Phuket 15 years ago.

Patrick is well known in Phuket as a colourful personality and also through his many authoritative articles in the local press, particularly about gardening and the environment.

He graduated from Keele University in England and taught English literature at Middlesex University and at several universities in North America. He has a deep interest in theatre and was the

Patrick and Baz dined at Wine Lovers in Chalong.

@thephuketnews

founder of the first Master’s Degree course in performance arts in the UK. Patrick is a man of many talents, particularly in the arts. He has written analyses of several books of poetry; intriguing books on psychoanalysis and performance; and on body art and several critical studies of poets.

Why would a man of his erudition and experience move to such a hedonistic pleasure ground as Phuket?

The answer is enshrined in Patrick’s new and partly autobiographical book Phuket Days – Life in the Island Fast Lane. He is a man much like many living here, who enjoys young, available female company and is fascinated by the kaleidoscope of human excess and folly for which Phuket is well known.

“Phuket is like a stage where everyone is an actor in an absurdist comedy of errors,” Patrick says, “It’s insane, but it’s never boring.”

It is perhaps no accident that Patrick was drawn to Alfred Tennyson for his higher studies. Tennyson, like many artists of his time, was alarmed by the quickly-changing mid-19 th century industrial and mercantile world with which he had little in common.

Growing up in rural Lincolnshire, the fourth son of the 12 children of the rector of Somersby, George Clayton, his deepest sympathies were called forth by an unaltered rural England and the conflict between what he thought of as his duty to society and his allegiance to the eternal beauty of nature seems peculiarly Victorian.

In many ways, Patrick’s own sensibilities are similarly affronted by the conflict between the advancing dehumanisation of the post-industrial era in which he is now enmeshed. He eloquently expresses his love for nature and the rural life in Plums to Persia, the autobiography of his early life in rural Worcestershire in the English West Midlands.

Having grown up within such a charmed rural idyll, it’s unsurprising that Patrick now rails against the callous urbanisation that is overtaking his beloved Phuket. His anguish is evident both in his regular articles and

Dr Patrick Campell (left) and Baz Daniel holding copies of Patrick’s latest book ‘Phuket Days – A Life in the Island Fast Lane’ a memoir of his life in Phuket. columns for this newspaper and other media, and Phuket Days clearly spells out the apocalypse that we Phuketians are creating by our behaviour.

“Phuket has undergone rapid and destructive urbanization since I settled here and many of its attractions are now under severe threat,” says Patrick.

In Phuket Days he eloquently describes two very worrying factors that seem to be determining the island’s disastrous trajectory.

“Our present rate of mainly unplanned and destructive development, without building the necessary supporting infrastructure, is just not sustainable. Waste treatment, garbage sorting and re-cycling, traffic management and control of vehicle emissions, water management and maritime protection, all these things are being ignored in the headlong rush for instant profits without longer term environmental management and protection.

“There also seems to be a complete lack of political will to manage and

protect the country from the ravages of rampant commercialization. Corruption and short-term self-interest seem to be endemic to the Thai political and administrative classes, no matter who is in power. In all honesty it is very hard to feel even the slightest optimism for Phuket’s future,” he says.

Sitting on the charming terrace of Wine Lovers overlooking the lawn and dancing fountain of Fisherman Way Business Park digesting the wonderful supper that the owner Khun Gumrai served us, it was easy to think that all was well in Phuket and the fun could just roll on forever. Yet just a few metres away from where we sat, the traffic tail back from the notorious Chalong “turning circle” was gridlocked even at 10 in the evening.

Huge coaches full of low budget Chinese tourists stood belching poisonous black fumes into the night air. It was a stark illustration of what Patrick was saying and one that Tennyson himself might well have found dramatically poignant.

14 PEOPLE

Leverage for life THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

IT guru looks to deliver freedom via crypto-investment Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Mainly through education and related fields, you are brainwashed and programmed along a certain path until in the end, you become a slave.

P

huket-based Oju Group has launched its own cryptocurrency OjuT (pronounced “ohjoo-tee”) in an ICO aimed at leveraging the company’s expansion to be upheld by realworld assets. Yet for Wu Di, the founder and driving force behind the group, the ICO represents so much more – it is a means to fulfilling his long-term dream of providing a way for people to achieve their own personal freedom.

OjuT, launched only a handful of weeks ago, currently trades at just over US$4 per OjuT unit, with more than 8.4 million OjuT units reported already sold, garnering US$125mn for the group with the price rising since the currency’s launch.

The ICO (initial coin offering) is already built on a solid foundation, with the group owning or managing 105 properties in Phuket, and marks the launch of a three-pronged strategy.

“This is just the first stage, where we are developing our own projects. We re-invest the money from this stage into property development where OjuT owners can use their tokens to buy property units,” explains Wu Di, or just “Wudi”.

“In the second stage we plan to start buying projects, purchasing hotels or hotel brands or hotel management companies that will expand our reach of where the coins can be used. In the third stage we will reach out to collaborate with partners – restaurants, spas, hotels – greatly increase marketing and brand awareness,” he adds.

A serial entrepreneur since the early 2000s and not yet 34 years old, Wudi has already made his fortune.

“I started a lot of companies. I went into IT services, web services, online games and SEO, and made a lot of money from that. I created an education company, three online game companies and sold them and went onto other things, including real estate,” he explains.

“I joined a Singapore real estate investment group, where I learned a lot about the property investment industry. At the same time I had a vested interest in education, to get the kids out of their routine.”

Yet all of this stimulated his interests and led to his personal epiphany: “What the education system and the professors teach you rarely applies in real life. There is a discrepancy there. That was my original inspiration and why I went into entrepreneurship,” Wudi explains.

“This is the part that stimulated my interest, which is that I don’t believe that the world we live in is real. We are being tricked into believing that the world we are living in is the only reality, but in fact if you step out of this limited thinking, you can start to create your real life. Mainly through education and related fields, you are brainwashed and programmed along a certain path until in the end, you (unwittingly) become a slave.

“Education around the world, is a mass brainwashing system designed to force square pegs into round holes. It destroys creative imagination.

It’s not a system designed to involve and evolve you as an individual, nor does it seek to advance and uplift mankind in general. In fact the opposite is true and the results are clear for all to see in the world today.

“So my goal has long been to inspire people to achieve their own true potential so that we can all play our part in building a better world for everyone,” Wudi explains.

“I want to show people how to escape the matrix,

Wudi, founder and the driving force behind the Oju Group, is looking to deliver people personal and financial freedom through the right property investment brought about via Blockchain and cryptocurrencies. to develop their real talents without limits. For example with the right property investments, you don’t need to depend on a salary anymore. You can start to control your own life and spend time developing new hobbies and interests. Travel can be the best education of all, seeing the world from ever-changing points of view.

“This is my original inspiration, and it started very early. I have already been working towards this goal for a very long time,” Wudi relates.

“The cryptocurrency is only my latest (effort) in this. I started this a long time ago, with my interest in education, to try to get the kids to break their routine and start learning to live their lives… property investments came much later,” he notes.

“This is why I moved to Phuket, where I started a property company quite a few years ago, because the returns on Phuket property compared with other areas around the world are relatively high, especially compared with China, where the returns are very low.

“Through property investment people can get regular and stable returns that are higher than the salaries they earn, which means they don’t need to get the salary anymore,

then they have the time to move out of the regular routine to start their real fresh life.

“Actually every business I have ever started has had the same purpose: to free people.”

GAMECHANGER To Wudi, the advent of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies have together presented the perfect opportunity to deliver his dream.

“This is what is so outstanding about Blockchain and the cryptos.

It creates a system that there is no centralised control. Not the banks or any one country,” he says.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are a financial revolution that is going to change the entire world from the ground up. Cryptocurrency is so revolutionary because we are moving away from the banks.

“The banking system is not designed to bring you financial freedom. The banks’ goal is to enslave you in debt and control the worlds assets,” Wudi adds.

“Comparing to what I did before, in education, the influence I could make to create positive changes was very limited. This is because powerful interests have installed a top-down system that does not allow bottom-up changes to disrupt the status quo.” thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Change of the guard New President Karen Eidsvik-Moody. Photos: Denis Carpenter

Andy (left) presents Stewart Petersen his Emeritus membership.

Sam Fauma reports on his three months as acting president.

Patong Beach Rotarians elect club’s new board for 2018 at AGM Alastair Carthew

T

he Rotary Club of Patong Beach (RCoPB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, Dec 15 in order to elect a new board to serve the club in the coming year. A total of 21 Rotarians squeezed into the Chalong Room One at Millennium Resort in Patong for an excellent lunch and managed to elect a new board 19 votes to two.

Stewart Petersen was presented with an Emeritus membership award for his incredibly generous B1 million donation to the club. Then Dr Peter Harris gave an impassioned and stirring speech about service to the community. There were also a few changes to the club’s by-laws that were approved.

The AGM started with Gary Eidsvik-Moody’s stern warning about not switching off mobile phones (at the risk of a B500 fine), Peter then went mysteriously missing in action at the hong naam.

Larry Amsden went on to read some words from his own personal script along with some quite good singing.

Bier Namsanguan did not need a script. Andy Becker outlined the “good, the bad and the ugly” of his first six months as President.

He emphasised that the board is getting tough on attendance, a hot topic this year past. Andy also said the ‘Helmet’s for Kid’ program needed a further push and that the Hong Kong Rotary Club wants to become a sister club and support the RcoPB. “We have a pipeline full of projects and they have a pipeline full of money,” quipped Andy, who, with Walter’s support, said he is looking into providing medical equipment to Patong Hospital as his @thephuketnews

presidential project for this year.

Sam Fauma then reported on his three months as acting president in Andy’s absence; Treasurer Hans Krake reported on the finances and Karen Eidsvik-Moody reported 31 members with Jared signalling he is to leave.

Then Peter presented his projects committee report, holding everyone spellbound with a riveting account of children in need and facing daily challenges around crime, cleanliness, learning to read and the perils of early marriage to young people.

He exhorted Rotarians to work to improve the quality of life for such children. Peter reported on the various projects, including upcoming events for the “Kamala Yellow” helmets being prepared at Kamala School and the visit by up to 90 young American dentists to conduct clinics at Patong Hospital in April, 2018.

Stewart then told the sad and harrowing story of his brother’s death in Pattaya, of finding money and keys to motorbikes and cars and

of his decision to donate B1 million to the Rotary Foundation. Stewart was presented with an Emeritus membership certificate and was thanked by all members for his tremendous public spirit.

Sam explained how the donated money could, over a period of time, be multiplied many times over for the benefit of the community. OB then updated everyone on the “Caribbean Sun Splash” fundraiser on April 7, 2018 at Dream Beach Club. He wants to make it a fun beach party to raise

money for the education of children.

The new board for 2018-2019 was then voted on by ballot, as required under the by-laws. Duly elected were: Karen Eidsvik-Moody (President), Alastair Carthew (President Elect), Gary Eidsvik-Moody (Vice President), Walter Wyler (Secretary) and David Arell (Treasurer).

The meeting was well summed up by Alastair Carthew.

“That was some AGM. It had pathos, emotion, humour, good order and solid decisions made,” he said.

16 EXPLORE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

A modest shrine inside a cave at Tham Paya Nakarat, also known as Dragon Cave Temple. Photos: Jamie Monk

In search of the dragon’s cave Jamie explores a little known temple hidden in the hills of Phang Nga JAMIE’S PHUKET Jamie Monk editor@classactmedia.co.th

I

don’t drag my kids out to temples that often these days now they are getting older and have their own things to do, but even they were impressed by Tham Paya Nakarat temple. Certainly worth a Sunday afternoon drive and we were back home in time for the kids to get a couple of hours wakeboarding in.

Tham Paya Nakarat is built into a rocky limestone hill with caves and huge stalactites, and I was surprised that I’d not heard of it until I got a message on Twitter a couple of weeks ago asking for directions to the Dragon Cave Temple. Never heard of it. A little Googling found some tour companies in Khao Lak visiting this temple, but I found no Thai name or map. So using Google image search I tried to find other pages with similar images and finally found a location on Google Maps, with a photo

that matched the name Dragon Cave Temple, but on the map it just said “Monastery”. Well, it looked like we’d have to take a drive to see what we could find! Over the years we’ve done many of these drives exploring back roads and we always make it into a nice family day.

After lunch at Dairy Hut Seafood, just outside Phang Nga Town, we took the main road east to the small town of Thap Put which we drive through often on the way towards Surat Thani and Chumphon. At the junction in Thap Put Town, almost everyone turns right, but we headed to the left. This road heads into the hills and eventually back to Phang Nga Town. I have seen it written on maps as the “Road of 100 Bends” and it is indeed a twisty road and climbs up and down, lots of views, and some steep drops by the road. We’ve been this way only a couple of times before, but did not know about Tham Paya Nakarat, down a small side road marked with a dilapidated sign.

A narrow road heads south for about one kilometres and there is a rather unimpressive concrete building to the left and lots of parking space. Was this it?

No sign of a cave or temple, although I could see monks robes hanging around on the balconies of the building. We drove in and parked, then we could see a stairway heading up the cliff.

The stairway was lined with bells.

I am never quite sure if I should ring these bells. Best not unless you are sure of the spiritual significance. But I rang some anyway. I hope that is good luck.

At the top of this stairway we passed a doorway with a sign saying “Please remove shoes” and found a Buddhist shrine, along with a desk staffed by a young guy (not a monk), a donation box and a table of temple items for sale, and stairways heading up in two different directions.

We took the stairs to the left of the shrine heading up the cliffside. No idea how many stairs there would be. Maybe 1,000 plus like the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi? Luckily not so many! The whole place is built into the side of the cliff with giant stalactites hanging down and the jungle growing up into the cave. On this higher level you start to get some views across the valley. The floor here has been either tiled in some places or covered with sand in others.

The path is not long, maybe 100 metres, passing a small chedi before you get to the big view, with another shrine

Ornate brass bells line the cliffside staircase. and collection of Buddha statues. Now, this is a view I could sit and admire for a while.

This place is shown on the map as a monastery, or a meditation centre rather than a temple and I think the viewpoint is a good place to meditate and it made the trip worthwhile!

At this viewpoint next to the shrine is a wooden bench and a giant snakelike creature, which could maybe be mistaken for a dragon (maybe why some tour companies call it Dragon Cave Temple), but this is a Naga, and not just any Naga, this is Paya Naga, the king of the snakes, leading to the name of this temple. The Naga is part of Hindu mythology and is also shared

by Buddhism (which is related to Hinduism). So this is the cave of the King of the Snakes.

We walked back and down the steps to the first level again and then up a different stairway into a system of caves which went further back than I wanted to explore due to a very rickety looking bridge which I felt might not hold my weight! Inside the caves were shrines of Buddhist and Hindu origin.

A fascinating and beautiful place. I notice on Google Maps that the small road passing this temple seems to keep going south all the way back to the main Phang Nga-Thap Put road about 5km east of the Dairy Hut Seafood restaurant. A small potentially scenic road that I need to follow one day.

I’m very glad to have found out about Tham Paya Nakarat. Sure, you might not drive all the way from Phuket just to visit this one temple, but combined with lunch, visiting Wat Suwan Kuha or Wat Bang Riang (near Thap Put Town) and maybe Wat Thamtapan in Phang Nga Town and you have a selection of interesting temples in this small area. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT 17

Asia Pop 40 counts down the hits

Tune in to Live 89.5 as Asia Pop 40 plays 2017’s 140 biggest hit songs The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

hroughout January, the region’s first and only syndicated radio chart countdown program, Asia Pop 40, will once again count down the most popular 140 songs from 2017, over four weekly episodes. Asia Pop 40 airs on Phuket’s Live 89.5 FM every Friday from 9pm till midnight and on Sat from 1-4pm.

This year marks the fourth annual countdown of the top 140 songs on the Asia Pop 40 chart, based purely on their ranking in the chart and the number of weeks they appeared.

Creator and Executive Producer of Asia Pop 40, Rob Graham, said, “We have always been committed to creating a year-end highlight package of the show and in previous years our listeners have reacted very positively to the round-up. What better way to showcase 52 episodes, or 156 hours, of programming? We believe our annual countdown is another first for Asian radio and we’re very proud of that.”

Graham added, “As per previous years, we will be honouring the Asia Pop 40 No. 1 Song Of 2017, the Asia Pop 40 Artist of 2017 and the Asia Pop 40 Group/Duo Of 2017.”

@thephuketnews

Asia Pop 40 airs on Phuket’s Live 89.5 FM every Friday from 9pm till midnight and on Sat from 1-4pm.

The Asia Pop 140 chart of 2017 consists of: • 75 collaborations • 36 tracks from solo female artists • 60 tracks from solo male artists • 44 tracks from groups • 76 tracks from the Americas • 3 tracks from Australia /New

Zealand • 22 tracks from Europe • 34 tracks from the United Kingdom • 9 ex-One Direction member tracks

The Asia Pop 140 will air throughout January, culminating with the announcement of the No. 1 Song of 2017 on Saturday 27 January, 2018.

Asia Pop 40 is the first regional weekly chart countdown radio show produced in Asia specifically for Asian radio, now heard in over 90 markets across Asia in English and Mandarin.

Each week Asia Pop 40 counts down the most popular downloads on iTunes across Asia, showcasing iTunes charts from multiple markets to produce a pan-regional radio program.

Asia Pop 40’s English version is hosted each week by Asia’s own Dom Lau. Dom is one of the most recognised personalities in Asian media thanks to his work as anchor for E! News Asia.

Dom established his music credentials as a VJ for five years on FOX International Channel’s music network, Channel [V].

Asia Pop 40 is supported by a multifaceted, multi-lingual website, www. asiapop40.com, featuring the chart, artist interviews, celebrity gossip, social media plug-ins and links to the iTunes store, making it an essential platform for any advertiser wanting to reach a young, affluent Asian audience.

EON’s Executive Producer Rob Graham stated, “The Asia Pop 40 chart is the main reference source for what’s hot in Asian music for the world’s music media. And because AP40 is made in Asia for Asia, this makes the Asia Pop 40 chart truly relevant for Asian audiences by being Asia’s first-ever official regional chart.”

Asia Pop 40 is three hours in length and apart from showcasing the latest music, also features latest movie reviews, albums reviews, artist interviews and massive competitions.

Listen on your radio at 89.5 FM or stream online: thephuketnews.com/radio

18 ISLAND SCENE

Diners were taken on a journey through Australia's Margaret River region.

Dusit’s Executive Chef Bernhard Koll treated diners to some sumptuous dishes.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Connoisseurs from across Phuket came to enjoy some fine dining.

Guests enjoyed panoramic sunset views of the Andaman Sea.

BEACHFRONT SUNSET PAIRING DINNER AT DUSIT THANI’S CASUARINA Dusit Thani’s Casuarina Beach Restaurant was the venue for the last specialty pairing dinner of the year recently (Dec 17). Selected beverages from the Margaret River region in Australia were harmoniously paired with refined recipes from Dusit’s Executive Chef Bernhard Koll. The evening also included a talk from special guest speaker Sunthorn Lapmul, an in-house sommelier from Wine Dee Dee Company.

The colourful costumes certainly enhanced the evening’s ‘Wonderland’ theme.

There was plenty of action to keep revellers entertained throughout the party.

XANA BEACH CLUB NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY GOES DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE Angsana Laguna Phuket celebrated a New Year’s Eve beach party at XANA Beach Club. The stylish party had a “Wonderland” theme and gave guests a magical night of fun with Alice and her friends from Wonderland. The event featured the March Hare, Cheshire Cat, magic poker and a series of other characters from the classic fairy tale.

Pierre-Andre Pelletier (3rd from right) welcomed the students.

Hash House Harriers’ members present the donated goods to staff at the facility.

RAJABHAT STUDENTS STUDY WITH AMARI PROFESSIONAL HOTELIERS

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS GIVE TO PA KHLOK ELDERLY CARE FACILITY

The Amari Phuket team, led by Pierre-Andre Pelletier, Regional Vice-President, Operations – Southern Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives, gave a warm welcome to a group of students from Phuket Rajabhat University during their visit for a special lecture on hospitality on Dec 29. The students are studying Tourism and Hospitality Management (International Program) at the Faculty of Management Sciences.

Several members of the Phuket Hash House Harriers made a visit to the Elderly Care Facility in Pa Khlok on Jan 5 to present a donation of much-needed items that included adult diapers, absorbent bed pads, several types of cleaning liquids, a variety of scrubbing brushes and brooms, sugar, salt and small bottles of drinking water. The Elderly Care Facility houses 76 senior-age residents, of whom 27 are bedridden. The majority of the care at this facility is provided through personal donations with government support covering only a portion of the food requirements. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

The Lee Marine team were out in force.

From left: Gael Burlot, Norraphat Plodthong and Gulu Lalvani.

FIRST PHUKET RENDEZVOUS WOWS VISITORS AT ROYAL PHUKET MARINA The inaugural Phuket RendezVous was held at the five-star, award-winning Royal Phuket Marina from January 4-7, 2018. Built on the 14 years of ever-growing success of the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), the Phuket RendezVous showcased the very best of yachting and luxury lifestyle. VIP guests enjoyed exclusive access to selected attractions and superyachts, while thousands of visitors explored the scores of unique exhibits on show.

From left: RPM Chairman Gulu Lalvani and Lee Marine Founder Joshua Lee.

The inaugural Christofle Yacht Style Awards 2018 were held as part of the four-day Phuket RendezVous.

RPM Chairman Gulu Lalvani (standing) meets with some members of Disabled Sailing Thailand.

The team from Mana Smokehouse. @thephuketnews

Exhibitor Mette Hejselbjerg with her son Christian.

Models showcase one of the dozens of boats on display at the inaugural Phuket RendezVous.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

12 JAN

13 JAN

All you can eat BBQ night Boat Lagoon Weekend Beats and Bites The Italian Michelin Star Chef Andrea Cannalire @ JW Marriott Phuket The International Michelin Star Chef Andrea Cannalire has taken some time off from his one Michelin starred Restaurant Cielo’s to cook for you. The celebrity Chef will travel from Italy for a four-day promotion. Dining events include a live cooking demonstration, an 8-course set menu, “the Italian Job” buffet dinner and a 6-course gala dinner. Reservations: 076 338 000 or fbdiningexperience@marriotthotels.com

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style.

Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Music and Food and Fun. January 12-13, 2018 from 6pm till 10pm at Lagoon Quay.

Phuket Boat Lagoon: 095 012 2442 / 076 239 888 ext. 618.

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

SUN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

er, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic.

Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy.

Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed

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

14 JAN All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet 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.

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD www.twochefs.com

XANA’s Sunday Brunch Spend quality time with friends and family, enjoying a one of a kind Sunday brunch on a perfect day of sunshine by the ocean of XANA Beach Club. Every Sunday from 12.00 to 15.30 hrs. From 1,850++THB. Reservations, XANA Beach Club, info@xanabeachclub.com, 076 358 500.

MON

15 JAN

All you can eat BBQ night

Traditional Sunday Roast

Curry Cravings In Karon Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast every Friday (starting Dec 1, 2017), in Karon Beach. Try out some of our delicious appetizers and mains such as: Aloo Tikki, Samosas, Chicken Tandoori, Aloo Gobi, Navrang Korma, Butter Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Naan, Rice, Salads, Chutneys / Achars, Gulab Jamun, Fruits, Onion Bhaji, Bomay Potatoes, Dal Makhini, Icecream etc etc. (Menus subject to change and variety). For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks. Booking: 076 286 464 Ext 4.

BBQ Seafood Buffet at Sala Bua Beachfront Restaurant BBQ Seafood Buffet at Sala Bua Beachfront Restaurant at Impiana Resort Patong.

Spoil yourself with a Seafood BBQ Buffet featuring a variety of main dishes cooked in BBQ style. Come and crack open some crab legs, peel some prawns, and sip some spicy Tom Yum, Sushi and Sashimi, grilled mussels, grilled squid, rock lobster, salad and dessert! Available for dinner every Friday from 6.30pm to 10pm. Price: THB 990 net / person Tel: 076 340 138 Email: fb.patong@impiana.com

Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 320 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com

Sunday Roast All Day All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Cent-

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squid, 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

17 JAN

SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS ALL YOU CAN EAT! GRILLED AUSTRALIAN RIB EYE STEAK, TERIYAKI MARINATED CHICKEN AND GRILLED

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

TIGER PRAWNS WITH BBQ SAUCE, RED WINE SAUCE AND BEARNAISE SAUCE CEASAR SALAD AND HERB SAUTEED POTATOES. ONLY 495 BAHT. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. WWW.twochefs.com Karon 076286-479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Kata Center 076-330-065 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!! Reservations, TWO CHEFS KARON – PATONG – KATA CENTER.

FRI

19 JAN

and variety). For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks. Booking: 076 286 464 Ext 4.

SAT

20 JAN

Meeting - Rotary Club Patong

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

THU

18 JAN

The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites guests and prospective members to attend its regular meetings. The cost for non-members is THB 500 and includes lunch. The meeting begins at 12 p.m. at the Millennium Resort in Patong. Please visit www.rotarypatong.org for additional information.

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.

WED

31 JAN

Boat Lagoon Weekend Beats & Bites Music & Food & Fun. 2-3 February 2018 from 6.00pm till 10.00pm at Lagoon Quay.

Phuket Boat Lagoon, 095 012 2442 / 076 239 888 ext. 618.

SAT

10 FEB

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style.

Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

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

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

FRI

2 FEB

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD www.twochefs.com

The 21st Bay Regatta The 21st Bay Regatta is expected to be the biggest yet and will firmly stand out as one of South East Asia’s finest yachting events.

Taking place with a backdrop of some of the most beautiful scenery the region has to offer the four days racing and daily prize giving dinners will bring a buzz of excitement to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Visit: Facebook.com/bayregatta, email Kae Wattana at bayregatta@regattas.asia or call 081 538 8848.

THU

1 FEB

Everything’s Groovy - PIWC Annual Fundraiser Dinner The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, Bell Bottom Jeans, Billowing Caftans, “Hair,” psychedelic Colours Galore and Flower Power. Wrap yourself in the “Swinging 60s” for a night. “A Hard Day’s Night” & “Good Vibrations” are guaranteed. Dress: Optional but crazy 1960s gear preferred to look groovy. From 6.30pm at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. Come along and buy a “Ticket to Ride.” B2500 for buffet and one drink. All proceeds go directly toward helping Thai children’s education. Silent auction, raffles, MC Garry Holden of The Thaiger radio. Contact: Lyn Carthew, President, Event Organiser. Email: lyncarthew@hotmail.com

EVERY DAY

Phuket Business Dinner PIWC - Couples dinner at Firefly @ The Pavillions Instead of the monthly lunch we will have a Couples dinner at Firefly @ The Pavillions in Cherngtalay, a romantic dinner in a magical place under the starlights. Bring along your husband, partner, lover or one of your girlfriends. Registration starts at 18.30pm followed by a superb 3-course dinner created by Chef Belinda Tuckwell. Will be somewhere around 1,100 or 1,200 baht net p.p. Bookings info@piwc-phuket.com

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Curry Cravings In Karon Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast every Friday (starting Dec 1, 2017), in Karon Beach. Try out some of our delicious appetizers and mains such as: Aloo Tikki, Samosas, Chicken Tandoori, Aloo Gobi, Navrang Korma, Butter Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Naan, Rice, Salads, Chutneys / Achars, Gulab Jamun, Fruits, Onion Bhaji, Bomay Potatoes, Dal Makhini, Icecream etc etc. (Menus subject to change

PHUKET BUSINESS DINNER by British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) on ‘Update and Future Plans for Thailand’s Kra Isthmus Project’ on Thursday 1 February 2018 at Amari Phuket. Speakers:Gen. Pongthep Thesprateep, Chairman of Thai Canal Association & Pakdee Tanapura, Board member and International Director of Thai Canal Association. Cost & Payment: THB 890 per person . Payment at the door direct to hotel. Booking on website: http:// members.bccthai.com/BCCT/asp/eventdetail.asp?EventID=3172&SponsorID=-1 Greg Watkins, Amari Phuket, greg@bccthai, 02 651 5350-3.

CHEF PABLO’S DEGUSTATION MENU Celebrating our Thailand Tatler’s BEST Restaurants Award: Come and indulge in a succulent 5 course tasting menu including Foie Gras, pumpkin soup, Alaska Scallop, slow cooked Duck breast & Baba au Rhum. “Grape juice” pairing available! THB 1,390++ Reservations and full menu: dedos-restaurant.com 076 325 182 8 Lagoon Rd., Laguna, Cherng Talay.

22 TIME OUT

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What name connects several groups of Native Americans to a twin-engine lift helicopter?

2. Which scholar supposedly exclaimed ‘Eureka!’?

3. What is the literal translation of the Latin word ‘trivia’?

4. In which wine-growing country is the Rapel region situated?

5. What does the ‘WH’ stand for in the name of the book store franchise chain WHSmith?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. Presage 5. Pastries of Pop variety 10. Cruel pirate 14. At all times 15. Hello or goodbye 16. Brought into play 17. Style of the Chrysler Building 18. Involving only main features 19. Biblical verb 20. They try to bring influence to bear 23. Good-bye 24. “Say what?”

25. “Anna Karenina” author’s first name 27. False!

28. Battering wind 32. Part of MOMA 34. Cuspid 36. ___ Klemperer 37. What an army might be ordered to do 40. ___ and groan 42. Fishing nets 43. Clothes holder 46. Desolate 47. Network 50. Paycheck dispenser 51. Biology class abbr.

53. Hair raising 55. A spa visit might take care of it

30. Inventions, so to speak 31. Wrapped up 33. Zhivago and No? 34. Road construction marker 35. Islamic nobility title 37. Minor league baseball affiliate 38. Book collector’s suffix Down 39.

Renaissance 1. Hospital room fiddle object 40. Wharton grad 2. Lay it on 41. Like some pitches 3. Scammer’s skill 44. “We Three Kings 4. Irregular 5. Popular cologne of Orient ___” 6. Endowed with 45. Hesitant wings 47. Musical 7. Table wine composition 8. Choice for a dark 48. Ecological meat fan groupings 9. Spine base 49. Population 10. Antelope of counter? corkscrew horns 52. Nincompoops 11. Line on a map connecting some 54. Laughing gas alternative points 56. Beef cut 12. End of a meal 13. Toxic insecticide 57. Road hazards 58. Upstate New 21. Dearie York’s ___ Canal 22. “So that’s it!”

26. Bed in participant 59. Top spot 60. Note 29. Mandela’s org.

60. Stead 61. Seize by force 62. Have the ___ for (get a crush on) 63. First of all 64. Revisit the laces 65. Isaac’s firstborn 66. Rope material 67. Vintage auto 68. Motown great, Diana

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Chinook; 2) Archimedes; 3) Three roads; 4) Chile; 5) William Henry

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history Jan 12, 1967 Dr James Bedford becomes the first person to be cryonically preserved with intent of future resuscitation.

6

people in the US die from alcohol poisoning every day.

88

per cent of New Year’s resolutions fail.

250

Jan 13, 2012 The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia sinks off the coast of Italy.

There are 32 confirmed deaths. The captain is later jailed for 16 years for negligence. (Photo: AFP)

per cent is how much using a warm air dryer after washing your hands can increase the bacterial count on your hands.

666

Jan 14, 1960 The Reserve Bank of Australia, the country’s central bank and banknote issuing authority, is established.

is the sum of all the numbers on a roulette wheel.

Jan 15, 2001 Wikipedia, a free wiki content encyclopedia, goes online.

370,000

Jan 16, 27 BC Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus is granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.

tons of wood are burned each year in pizza ovens in São Paulo, Brazil, becoming a surprisingly significant source of pollution.

360 million glasses of champagne are estimated to have been consumed over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Source: Uberfacts

Jan 17, 1991 Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm begins early in the morning. Iraq fires eight Scud missiles into Israel in an unsuccessful bid to provoke Israeli retaliation.

Early morning reflections. Photo by Neil Hunt Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Jan 18, 1778 James Cook is the first known European to discover the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the “Sandwich Islands”.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Jobs

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Jobs

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Trades & Services

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ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

EDUCATION

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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classifieds@thephuketnews.com

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

PRESONAL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

OTHER

ADVERTISE HERE

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CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS Reservations Manageress

The Expat Hotel group are seeking a female with a high standard of English language fluency, good computer and inter-personal skills and experience working with online travel agents. Knowledge of Cloudbeds is an advantage.

Negotiable. Email: pauljames@expathotel.com

BUSINESSES FOR SALE Sailing School/Charter Company

Established in 1999 - Sailing School & Charter Service. For sale complete - Company - Capital for 4 work permits - Yachts, Dinghies, Vehicles, Advance sales with all staff and Infrastructure in place. Many opportunities for growth and expansion. Sale is due the principal’s health. Email: inq@sea-yss.com or call +66 (0)81 370 1995.

Profitable business for sale

Located on main road in Karon, motorbike rental business, with 30 bikes and helmets, office equipment all included for 2.5MB call 083 777 4766 or Line: namaqua.j.

New cat café for sale

Brand-new 3-floor building in Samkong. Thais & foreigners are loving my café, been doing really good since the opening in September. Unfortunately I have to go back to my country cause of family problems. I invested 1.4MB in this café. We have 12 cats from Bengal (B36,000), Maine Coon (B25,000) Persian, Siamese and Thai cats. They all have the vaccine and they all 6 months. Upstairs, bedroom fully furnished, 4 new air con in the building. Kitchen and bar fully furnished with new equipment. Music speaker and phone. License, work permit company. Lease 3 years can extend when finish. Rent B30,000 per month. Price: B600,000 negotiable. No deposit if take over. Email: thephuketcatcafe@hotmail.com or call 099 432 1733.

New Salon for SALE

Stylish brand-new salon with all equipment and stock for sale at Bang Tao Tinlay Market with all furniture and fixtures. Contact through email at: naveenmarapana@gmail.com or call Kunal on 080 370 6131 or Chin on 081 899 0919.

SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

Totally renovated, Italian design & furniture, all-new imported kitchen & bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden, 40 rooftop. Pablo: 080 143 5541.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Diving boat for sale.

Asia Adventure: length 18.00m, width 4.60m, depth 1.70m, gross tonnage 35, maximum capacity is 40 passengers and 3 crew. 1 million baht. Contact: K. Vladimir, Joy Dive Adventures Co.,Ltd., Email: sales@JoyDive.Asia or call +66 (0)84 182 8685.

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. Email: beachsando1@ gmail.com or call 080 695 3933. @thephuketnews

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE 6.2m Hypalon Stingray RIB

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

“Ready to go” w 175hp 4str Suzuki w 130hrs, 8hp aux, dble axle trailer, Garmin 521S, 160L fuel and full set of gear. Top condition. Call Harry: 081 273 1740.

We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! office@tcm-asia.com, 086 943 9834, 076 385 081.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS

Tenancy of Clubhouse for sale

Tenant required for already established bar and Clubhouse in the Thalang area of Phuket. The prospective tenant should have previous chef/catering experience and want to establish their own style of management and expertise in building up their business. The Owner of the venue is extending and refurbishing the current building to include a new kitchen space and secondary bar with an extra seating area. The Tenancy will require a 1.5 million Thai Baht security deposit, subject to agreed terms and conditions, to include a new fitted commercial kitchen plus new and existing furniture. Flexible lease terms based on a 3+3 year agreement are available. Existing catering needs of the venue will have to be considered when reviewing the business options.

Expressions of interest along with current resume and contact details should be sent to: info@jandgroup.com

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE 2007 Toyota Fortuner Smart V

2007 Toyota Fortuner Smart V 4WD 3.0L diesel, black/tan/carbon fibre in great condition, 128,000km, single owner, tow hitch (never towed), recent brakes, rotors, tires, battery, belts, well maintained. Front seats typical wear and tear. Email: russbo@gmail.com or call 089 999 7597.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL Cryptocurrency Market Trading

If you can store your Bitcoin and purchase Cryptocurrency market Trading from TRC trade then you can loan your TRC and you get a day by day advantage. Your month-to-month benefit is up to 45% and your yearly benefit is likewise huge.

Email: taurusbit123@gmail.com or call 021 180 427.

Restaurant Tester (expat)

Review and rate restaurants in general and the taste of their dishes in the following locations Surin, Kamala, Patong, Kata, Karon. Candidates must have excellent knowledge of different cuisines as well as communication skills. ​For more information please send email with the subject “Restaurants” to sh@vetliner.com

MEMBERSHIPS Golf Membership

Golf membership. Loch Palm 350,000 Baht, P.c.c. 310,000 Baht, buy both 630,000 Baht. Buyer pays all fees. Email Borst: borst.jg@gmail.com or call 083 388 5566

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Kawasaki Z300 ABS for Sale

Kawasaki Z300 ABS for sale. Good condition, from owner. Year: 2015. Colour: yellow and black. Price: 150,000 baht. Bo in Cherngtalay/Pasak, email: cherngtalay@gmail.com or Call 076 615 810 or 076 615 811.

OTHER Cheapest Dedicated Server

ServerWala is an established web hosting company providing the best and cheapest dedicated server hosting at a cheap price.

Along with amazing up-time, incredible technical support and reliability since inception. 35% off on winter offer at dedicated server hosting. Why choose ServerWala?

24/7 Live Technical Support and Monitoring – 30min response guarantee. Fully Owned Hardware: Servers, Power, Network Equipment and IPs.We do not Resell.

Brand Name Genuine SuperMicro Hardware. Email: serverwalaseo@gmail.com or call 977 222 2179.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

OTHER CONTAINER SHOP READY TO MOVE

AIRCON, SHELVES & OPEN DOOR SYSTEM INCLUDED. CAN BE MOVED TO ANY LOCATION. B225,000. koy@urbanoutfitters.co.th 095 274 2463.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Property in Phuket!

Looking to buy property in Phuket?

International Property Advisory (IPA) can help! Give us a call today on 076 604 260/ 098 064 4408/ 080 886 9660 Email: info@ipa. black, utopia@ipa.black Website: www.ipaphuket.com

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Chatta Real Estate

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. Chattha Real Estate and Professional Rental Management in Phuket. SELL-BUY-RENTMANAGEMENT-MAINTENACE-GUARANTEED RENTAL. Inquire NOW! www.chattha.asia, 076 636 244 or 090 179 6635. Contact Chanapa at Chattha Real Estate Co., Ltd., Email: info@chattha.asia

PROPERTY FOR SALE Freehold studio at low price

Freehold 36m2 Studio, opposite the Lotus Tesco hypermarket of Phuket Town, Freehold condominium; perfect for long stay or for investment B1.9 million. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.

80m2 freehold condo in Patong

Freehold 80m2, 2-bedroom apartment in quiet condo with swimming pool in Patong. Ideal investment in most active tourist area in Phuket. B5.9 million, Michel GUILLIEN, Andaman Beach Suites, Unit 1604, Patong, Phuket. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.

t sa n e rg

U

le

Babylon Sky Garden Condominium

New Rawai Sea View Freehold Condominium with roof-top garden and 2 swimming pools. Rental Guarantee Program available 7% x 3yrs or 5% x 5yrs Starting price 3.5 mil THB. Email: sales@babylonskygarden.com or call 099 406 7068.

Karon condo For Sale

Luxury 5-star 156sq metre Foreign Freehold Condo. 2-bedroom 2-bathroom. Partial sea view and great pool views. Completed in 2008, 3 buildings, 24 condos. This condo is on the second floor of the highest building 'Royal Lotus'. 5-min walk to Karon Beach and 10-min to Karon Central. All furnishings, new 65" smart TV, Netflix, Karon Cable and 3BB Internet. 062 448 8838.

B9.5 million. Ray Dixon, Patak Rd Soi 24 4/5 Royal Lotus building Karon Muang. Email: drray@netspace. net.au or call 062 448 8838.

KOH MAK ISLAND

3 rai with 50 metres of beach, 2 floor bungalow with 4-bedroom and living room. Very good/nice view from bungalow. About 2km from James Bond Island» only 4.4 million baht, Jostein Pedersen, KOH MAK ISLAND. Email: jospeder@live.no or call 089 872 6895

Property for Sale

Ocean View Kata.Fully furnished 1-bedroom condo 44.2.sqm."Sea and sunset views over Kata Bay". For details email: ianscondo21@gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE sa nt e g r

le

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Large Pool Villa For Sale

Large house for sale with private swimming U pool, 3 floors, walled garden with private parking and 656sqm of land. 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom with maid's room. Home office and nice outdoor living space by the pool. Located in Soi Kokyang - Saiyuan (Rawai/Naiharn area). Just 5-mins from Naiharn Beach. Freehold by owner.

B12mn. Leena: ldewis77@gmail.com or 095 061 2868.

COMMUNITY

5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai

3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. THB19,750,000. Contact Mrs Simpson by email: thaivillaonline@gmail.com or call 084 447 7248. More info at: thaivillaonline.com

PROPERTY FOR RENT Apartments for Rent in Phuket

Apartments in Phuket with fully furnished, cable TV, WiFi, swimming pool and gym. 12,000 baht/month. The Royal Place, Kathu, Phuket and Phuket Town. Call 087 633 1472 or 063 413 3557.

Property for rent YAMU

Very big house. 400sqm, Land 4400sqm. Available May 1st . 4-bedrooms and 4-bathrooms, swimming pool. Close to BIS, UWCT. Must see. Long-term lease 130,000 baht/month including pool and garden service. Contact Khun DIDIER: aouichedidier@hotmail.com or 093 717 9343.

Phuket Dream Home

“The Dream” 5-mins to Laguna Phuket Ocean. Very big house, 300 square metres, land 500 square meters. Rent or buy, or both. Available from November 3, 2017 to January 15, 2018. Contact Paul in Cherng Talay: 085 795 5159.

Great Business Opportunity

Canal Village is a newly-renovated, stylish shopping centre located in the heart of Laguna Phuket Resort. Shops for rent start at 50 sq/m. Preferable Tenants: Sport bar,miniature golf and F&B outlets. Nichchaa Tubkaeo, Laguna Resorts & Hotels Public Company Limited: Tubkaeo@banyantree.com 076 362 330. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Kawin set to join Belgian team OHL FOOTBALL THAILAND GOALKEEPER Kawin Thamsatchanan will join Oud-Heverlee Leuven (OHL) later this month, the Belgian second division club said on Tuesday (Jan 9).

OH L C E O A iyawat t Sr ivadd hanaprabha said Kawin’s current club SCG Muang Thong United had agreed to let the goalkeeper join the Belgian side owned

by Thailand’s King Power Group.

“I’d like to thank Muang Thong United for allowing Kawin to join OHL,” said Aiyawatt, an executive of King Power.

“We have followed Kawin for a long time and we are confident that he is good enough to play for OHL. We contacted Muang Thong and we reached an agreement. We will bring Kawin to Belgium before the end of the transfer market [in Europe] this month.”

OHL are currently fifth in the eight-team play-off round of Belgium’s second division.

It is u nclear whether

Moriya looks to take first LPGA Tour title Bangkok Post

Goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan. Photo: via Bangkok Post Kawin will play for OHL on loan or on a permanent basis.

Details of the deal were to be unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday (Jan 10), Aiyawatt said.

When King Power Group took over OHL, Aiyawatt said he wanted to take Thai players to train or play there.

Kawin, 28, has been the No.1 goalkeeper for his club and country for several years.

He was a product of Muang Thong and started his career at the Kirins in 2008.

He has won four Thai League 1 and four League Cup titles.

Kawin claimed the gold medal at the 2013 SEA Games with the Thai U23 side and won the AFF Suzuki Cup with the national senior team in 2014 and 2016.

Bangkok Post

F4 SEA

@thephuketnews

Breakthrough time GOLF

F4 SEA gladiators to descend on Buriram T H E N EW Y EA R H AS dawned a fresh start for the F4 SEA – fuelled by PETRON – calendar. This event takes place on the second weekend of the year in Thailand’s premier motorsport playground, Buriram United International Circuit, supporting Asian Le Mans on Children’s Day. Located some 400 kilometres east of the Kingdom’s capital city Bangkok, the 4.554km long Buriram United International Circuit will field amazing local talents such as hot-shot rookie Kane Shepherd.

The young Thai has already been crowned rookie event champion, but he’ll be bringing the heat to the rest of the grid in a bid to take home the Thai crown this weekend.

“Rookie champion? Yeah that’s great and all but what I really want to achieve this season is to be the overall champion” said the Bangkok native.

The teenager has been on the F4 SEA podium five times thus far out of 11 races, proving that he is on the right path to victory on home soil.

Challenging him for glory is the lightning-quick Daniel Cao who has already won

SPORT 29

The fastest drivers in Asia will battle it out on the tarmac at the Buriram United International Circuit. Photo: Supplied two events, as well as the Grimes brothers from the Philippines who brought the fight in Event 2.

Malaysian wheelman Nazim Azman, who brought home the cheers in Event 1, will be returning to take his place with the rest of the grid as they give Shepherd a run for his money.

In its inaugural visit to the high-speed circuit last year, F4 SEA saw Maori Faine Kahia clench his event champion’s trophy proudly atop the podium, having competed against ace drivers such as Indonesia’s Presley Martono and Akash Gowda of India for the title.

This event of the 2017-18 F4 SEA Championship promises its share of thrills and spills as the fastest drivers in Asia battle it out on the tarmac for the prestigious title of Thailand Event Champion at the Buriram United International Circuit.

The Phuket News

M

oriya Jutanugarn is aiming to win her maiden title on the LPGA Tour this year.

“It was a good campaign last year,” Moriya said after she and sister Ariya signed a new one-year sponsorship deal with SCG on Monday (Jan 8).

“I will try to secure my first win on the LPGA Tour this year. I think I am going in the right direction.

“I feel that I am better at solving problems and staying focused. I believe my efforts will bear fruit soon.”

World No.22 Moriya, 23, has come close to winning a breakthrough title in several tournaments, including the Evian Championship last year.

No.6 Ariya, who has won seven times on the LPGA Tour, said she had highs and lows in 2017 and that made it one of the best seasons of her career.

Ariya won her first title of 2017 at the Manulife Classic and took the top spot in the world rankings. But she then missed the cut in four consecutive majors before bouncing back with a win at the seasonending Tour Championship.

“For this year, I hope to stay healthy and will use the driver more often,” said the 22-year-old.

Meanwhile, Moriya is one

Moriya Jutanugarn competes during last year’s Evian Championship women’s golf tournament. Photo: AFP of six players who have a great chance to break through this year, according to lpga.com.

“She’ll enter 2018 coming off the best season of her career. She climbed inside the top 25 in the world with 11 top-10 and 21 top-20 finishes in her 28 starts in 2017,” said an article on the website. “[Moriya] Jutanugarn finished ninth on the LPGA’s money list and was in contention frequently towards the

end of the year. She finished second at Blue Bay, fifth in Japan and third at the Evian Championship.

“Jutanugarn showed massive improvement compared to 2015 and 2016 when she totalled just three combined top-10 finishes. Top two reasons to believe she can win in 2018? She led the Tour in birdies in 2017 [428] and ranked fifth in putts per green in regulation [1.75].

“Also, if she needs any advice on what it takes to win, she doesn’t have to look far. Sister, Ariya, has seven career wins.”

The other five are Marina Alex, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Angel Yin, Nelly Korda and Nicole Broch Larsen, according to lpga.com.

Ariya and Moriya will begin their 2018 campaign at the season opener in the Bahamas from Jan 25-28.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

‘England can’t hide the truth’ Boycott labels England ‘false’ following chastening 4-0 Ashes defeat CRICKET AFP

B

atting great Geoffrey Boycott labelled England “false” for attempting to play down the gulf in class with Australia as a post-mortem began following their chastening 4-0 Ashes defeat.

The home side ruthlessly finished off England in Sydney on Monday (Jan 8) to record their fourth comprehensive win of a one-sided series – including two innings victories and a 10-wicket win.

Several England players and coaches have repeatedly stressed in recent weeks that the main difference between the sides is that Australia have seized the crucial moments across the series.

But Boycott told BBC Radio 5 Live that the series result was a fair reflection of the

gap between the two teams, with most of the standout performances coming from the home side.

“I think it’s a little false by a number of the England players to say at times they were quite close and that there were moments here and there.

Quite honestly they were far better than us in nearly every department.”

Boycott compared Test cricket to chess and believes England, and in particular the batsmen, were at times guilty of possessing a Twenty20 mindset.

He added: “I think a lot of people over the last 10 years, since the IPL [started] in India, are saturated and have got it in their head about scoring rates. Test cricket is not that, it’s like 11 people in whites playing chess.”

The Daily Mail’s cricket correspondent Paul Newman said the tour had been blighted

What’s on at the ACG Date

Time

Activity

Sat Jan 13

10am

Private Sports day BISP

Sun Jan 14

Midday

PCG Local Cricket

Wed Jan 17

5pm

Children’s Cricket Coaching

Fri Jan 19

5pm

Children’s Cricket Coaching

Sat Jan 20

2pm

Natures Playground

Sun Jan 21

Midday

PCG Local Cricket

Wed Jan 24

5pm

Children’s Cricket Coaching

Children’s cricket coaching.

Boycott compared Test cricket to chess and believes England, and in particular the batsmen, were at times guilty of possessing a Twenty20 mindset. Photo: Justin Tallis / AFP from the start.

“From the moment Ben Stokes cast a giant cloud over the series by becoming embroiled in an incident outside a Bristol bar to off-field drinking controversies, a ‘head-butt’,

allegations of unacceptable sledging and even suggestions of match-fixing and balltampering, this Ashes had just about every ‘scandal’ going.”

Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, who lifted

the urn in 2005, agreed that England had been second best throughout but took solace from their fighting spirit, which he believes was lacking when the side were whitewashed 5-0 in 2013/14.

“The England side four years ago, you felt as though the white towel came out very early on the tour. You didn’t feel that this time around,” he told BBC’s Test Match Special.

Former England captain Michael Atherton, writing in the Times newspaper, described the series as “onesided” but said the mood did not feel as desperate as in 2013/14.

“England have been battered, bruised, badly beaten but not, in my estimation, completely broken,” he wrote.

“There was no sense at the end that England had hoisted the white flag as they had four years earlier, when a three-day defeat and subsequent recrimi-

nations brought a swift end to a bright era of English cricket.

“It was hard to recall a more stomach-churning capitulation than that, but here England hung in for a while, grimly, trying their hardest until the end but just beaten by a better side in the conditions.”

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew said Australia set the tone for the series in the first Test in Brisbane, bemoaning England’s lack of preparation.

He tweeted: “I hope this series ends the practice of providing too little, poor quality preparation. England as guilty as anyone. No chance for out of form players, so series become one-sided and predictable. Not in interests of Test cricket.

“Too many teams are strong at home, but lose away partly because they can’t restore form and confidence with such little time between Tests.”

Wet Dreams finally wake up in Patong Pool League POOL THE THIRD ROUND OF the Patong Pool League, sponsored by Thailand Pool Tables, was played last Thursday (Jan 4) with one of the favourites to take the championship title, Wet Dreams Bar, finally getting their act together and walking away with a comfortable 9-2 win over their opponents.

Wet Dreams had a slow start to the season up until last Thursday’s action, but the team now appears to have got their act together with their win over Simon & Oils and will be hoping to bridge the gap between themselves and other title contenders in the coming weeks.

Team members of Hole in One and Martin Swiss.

In other games last week, Hole in One had a fierce battle against Martin Swiss, who took along their strongest team to-date to their opponents in Kathu.

However, the team wasn’t quite strong enough to pick up a win and it was Hole in One who walked away winners with the final score being 7-4.

Caddy Shack had a home game in their newly renovated premises and too had a com-

fortable 7-4 win over their opponents Red Light Bar. This season’s favourites Natalie Bar were up against Ting Tong Bar in last Thursday’s action, and the current league leaders managed to keep their place at the top of the table following a narrow and hard-fought 6-5 win.

But the most dramatic match last week was between Wombat and Happy End. In the decisive last game of the beer

leg a re-rack had to take place because Wombat were unable to play their ball without hitting the ball of Happy End first.

Then to make matters worse, in the final game, Wombat potted the black and the white leaving Happy End victors with the score at 5-6.

Following last week’s action Natalie Bar still top the table now on 21 points.

Matt Pond

League Standings

Natalie Caddy Shack Hole in One Martin Swiss Ting Tong Wet Dreams Wombat Happy End Red Light Simon Oil

21 19 19 17 17 17 17 15 15 8

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

‘I will not forget’ war of words says Conte FOOTBALL

Mourinho looks on as Chelsea coach Antonio Conte gestures during a match against United in April 2017.Photo: AFP

AFP

A

ntonio Conte says he will “not forget” Jose Mourinho’s personal slight about match-fixing, but the Chelsea manager added on Tuesday (Jan 9) that he wants to call a halt to the increasingly bitter dispute with his Manchester United counterpart.

The 48-year-old Italian – who served a four-month ban in Italy in 2012 in relation to a match-fixing scandal but has always denied wrongdoing relating to his time as coach of Siena – said he did not want the League Managers’ Association (LMA) to intervene.

“He said serious words, he has used serious words. And I won’t forget this,” he said ahead of his side’s League Cup semi-final first leg with Arsenal on Wednesday (Jan 10).

“I think it’s not important,

MAIN SPONSOR

MONTHLY SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a Sri Panwa one bedroom luxury private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 120 minute spa treatment for two persons. Total prize value: B123,000 The monthly competition winner for January 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O’ Tool's Karon Beach.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

malcmanning 9 cskaza.com 8 giggs 8 poonchai 8 robknight 8

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

thailand express 124 TC 123 adamrosindale 121 malcmanning 121 scottkip 120

English Premier League 2017 - 2018 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

the association, you understand. It’s not important.

“This is not a problem for the club, it’s a problem between me and him. Now I stop. Stop.”

Conte – who was acquitted of sporting fraud charges in 2016 over accusations he failed to report episodes of matchfixing while in charge at Serie B side Siena in 2011 – said

he had no regrets about his response to Mourinho’s attack.

The former Juventus and Italy coach labelled Mourinho “a little man” over his remarks on match-fixing, and prior to that suggested the Portuguese was suffering from senile dementia for forgetting how he used to celebrate wildly on the touchline.

Mourinho had provoked

the latter riposte by saying he no longer “acts like a clown” on the touchline which was seen as a barb at both Conte and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“Do I have the look of a person with regret? I don’t think so,” said Conte.

“I think we both said things, and we’ll see what happens in future.”

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

Manchester City Manchester United Chelsea Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal Burnley Leicester City Everton Watford Huddersfield Town Brighton Newcastle United Crystal Palace West Ham United Bournemouth Southampton Stoke City West Brom Swansea City

22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22

20 14 14 12 12 11 9 8 7 7 6 5 6 5 5 5 4 5 2 4

2 5 4 8 5 6 7 6 6 4 6 8 4 7 7 6 8 5 10 4

0 3 4 2 5 5 6 8 9 11 10 9 12 10 10 11 10 12 10 14

64 45 41 50 42 40 19 34 25 31 18 17 20 20 25 22 21 23 16 13

13 16 16 25 21 28 19 32 34 40 35 27 30 33 40 34 32 47 30 34

+51 +29 +25 +25 +21 +12 0 +2 -9 -9 -17 -10 -10 -13 -15 -12 -11 -24 -14 -21

62 47 46 44 41 39 34 30 27 25 24 23 22 22 22 21 20 20 16 16

Premier League fixtures Saturday January 13

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT START STOP Saturday January 13

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Rugby Union 20:00

22:00

European Champ Cup

Ulster v. La Rochelle

22:10

00:10

European Champ Cup

Exeter v. Montpelier

00:25

02:20

European Champ Cup

Northampton v. Clermont

Rugby Union 00:00

02:00

European Champ Cup

Harlequins v. Wasps

22:00

00:00

EPL

Chelsea v. Leicester

00:30

02:30

EPL

Tottenham v. Everton

22:00

00:00

EPL

Newcastle v. Swansea

22:00

00:00

EPL

Huddersfield v. West Ham

Soccer

Soccer

00:15

02:00

EFL

Notts Forest v. Aston Villa

Cricket

14:50

00:00

Test No. 2 - Centurion

South Africa v. India, Day 1

22:00

European Champ Cup

Leinster v. Glasgow

22:10

00:10

European Champ Cup

Racing 92 v. Munster

Rugby Union 20:00

22:00

European Champ Cup

Toulon v. Benetton

Sunday January 14 Rugby Union 20:00

Cricket

10:20

18:30

ODI1 - Melbourne

Australia v England

Cricket

18:30

00:00

Test No. 2 - Centurion

South Africa v. India, Day 2

Soccer

20:30

22:30

EPL

Bournemouth v. Arsenal

23:00

01:00

EPL

Liverpool v. Man City

@thephuketnews

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

Run #1667: Saturday, Jan 13 Run Start Time: 3:30pm Hares: Singha, No Hope Location: Ban Hin Lat Directions: Head North on Thepkasattri Rd (Route 4002) towards the airport and turn left at the Old Airport Rd traffic lights (Route 4031), carry on West for 2.5 kilometres then turn left at the second left hand junction – Ban Namuang (HHH sign). After 1.1km turn right at the junction (HHH sign), then right again at the next junction marked Ban Hin Lat (700m) (HHH sign). Drive to the end of the road (1.4km) where laager site has been before. Please park in the quarry or to one side of the road to enable others to pass. HHH truck will be signed in the quarry.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 2pm Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

Match

Time in Thailand

Chelsea

vs

Leicester

10pm

Crystal Palace

vs

Burnley

10pm

Huddersfield

vs

West Ham

10pm

Newcastle

vs

Swansea

10pm

Watford

vs

Southampton

10pm

West Brom

vs

Brighton

10pm

Sunday January 14 Match

Time in Thailand

Spurs

vs

Everton

12:30am

Bournemouth

vs

Arsenal

8:30pm

Liverpool

vs

Man City

11pm

Tuesday December 16 Match Man Utd

vs

Time in Thailand Stoke

3am

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Moriya hopes for LPGA breakthrough in 2018 > p29

THE FUN ONE Racing, relaxation and parties all part of 21st The Bay Regatta

Last year’s winner Sergey Khamtsov’s ‘Megazip’ will battle with teams travelling from Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

SAILING

2018 Regatta Programme

The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

O

ver 40 sailing yachts and 250 competitors will arrive in Phuket this month, to join this year’s Bay Regatta being held from January 31-February 4.

Now in it’s 21st year, The Bay Regatta is different from Phuket’s famous King’s Cup Regatta as it takes the fleet from Phuket, through the spectacular scenery of Phang Nga Bay to a new anchorage each evening, holding awards parties in a wide variety of different locations.

The event attracts a range of sailors, from first time racers joining just for the experience of sailing through some of the world’s most amazing maritime scenery, to professional racers, who return year after year for the opportunity to race and stay overnight in some fantastic anchorages, which are carefully selected to allow the participants to have the choice to sleep on their boats or ashore at local resorts.

Often billed as “Asia’s

Beachside dinners are a regular fixture for those who take part in The Bay Regatta. fun regatta”, the hallmark of this event is the casual, funfilled atmosphere with many families and faces familiar to Phuket’s yachting scene returning to the race course, preferring the regattas more relaxed approach to racing for the four-day adventure.

Despite the relaxed atmosphere, yachts are divided into six race classes based on their designs. The “Racing” class will see a number of new entries this year with teams travelling from Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore to challenge Sergey Khamtsov’s Megazip.

The Bareboat charter class returns in force emphasising that Phuket remains one of the

world’s best yacht charter opportunities with a strong entry from the New Zealand, Russia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cruising Yachts will be split into two divisions and see an ever expanding range of yachts joining to challenge locals, Kevin Gillow and Jim Ellis for the title.

The Multihull class will be divided into racing and cruising divisions, With two current King’s Cup champions, Henry Kaye’s Thor and John Newnham’s Twin Sharks renewing their battle from 2017.

The cruising fleet challenge is lead by Robert Hossack’s Raptor, crewed by regatta legends David Yourrief and Alistair Purves.

The 2018 competition starts on the Jan 31 with registration and the opening party held at the Chandara Resort and Spa, Ao Po on the northeast coast of Phuket.

The first race day will head out from Ao Po and race north to the top of Phang Nga Bay, past the famous ramparts of Ko Phanak, the Ko Hong group of islands and James Bond Island. Crossing the bay and anchoring between Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi for a presentation evening under the stars at the Koh Yao Chukit Dachanan Resort.

The second race day will see the fleet running through the many secluded islands of the Ko Pak Bia group before

• Wednesday, January 31 – Registration from midday till 5:30pm at Ao Po followed by the Opening Party starting at 6pm.

• Thursday, February 1 – Race Day 1 Party and presentations at the Koh Yao Chukit Dachanan Resort, Koh Yao Noi starting at 6pm.

• Friday, February 2 – Race Day 2 Racing to Krabi area (Free Night).

• Saturday, February 3 – Race Day 3 Racing around the Ko Dam group of Islands.

Party and presentations at The ShellSea Krabi.

• Sunday, February 4 – Race Day 4 Party and presentations at Kan Eang II, Ao Chalong. starting at 7pm. heading East, for a free night to sample the delights of Krabi’s Leam Nang Peninsular. This year’s regatta will race in Krabi for two nights, encouraging some of the many boats now berthed in Krabi’s new marinas out on the water.

Day Three consists of a number of “Around the Islands” courses including the famous “Ko Dam Group”, finishing off at Ao Nang Beach for a prize giving Party at the 5-Star “The ShellSea Krabi”.

The final day (4th) will see an early start off Ao Nang for a final race around the islands before a spectacular “Spinnaker downwind sprint” to Phuket’s all year anchorage of Ao Chalong.

The last night closing party will be held at Kan Eang II, Ao Chalong and will include live music, a buffet dinner and presentation of the overall prizes.

The Phuket News is proud media sponsor of this event. thephuketnews