The Phuket News 12 October 2018

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A tsunami- evacuation sign near Bangla Rd, Patong, is held in place by being tucked into cables. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

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sunami evacuation routes for the popular tourist beaches at Patong, Kamala, Kata and Karon, and elsewhere in Phuket’s main coastal areas, are undergoing a full review. The move comes in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Sept 28,

leaving nearly 2,000 people dead, some 5,000 believed missing and more than 74,000 homeless.

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana ordered for the evacuation routes in main beach areas to be revised and new maps drawn up last Thursday (Oct 4).

The moves also follows a call last Thursday by an expert who helped to create the Phuket’s tsunamiwarning system to fully review the

system after it was revealed that one tsunami-warning buoy has been not working for six months and that some tsunami-warning towers were found to be ‘faulty’. (See page 2.)

Local administrations are under pressure to complete their reviews as Gov Phakaphong is expected to call relevant officials to present him with updates on their progress next week.

In handing down the order, the Governor also noted, “All tsunami-

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evacuation signs must be checked and replaced if necessary. Many have not been replaced since they were first installed in 2005.”

Prapan Kanprasang, Chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket office (DDPM-Phuket), explained that tsunami-evacuation routes are the responsibility of local administrations, not his office.

“Local administrations must...

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Tsunami-evacuation routes under full review

Continued from page 1 ...inform the DDPM-Phuket of the evacuation routes and safe assembly zones – but the responsibility for choosing the routes, having signs installed and making sure safe zones are maintained is the local administrations’ job.

“We can help them and provide support, but this is the local administrations’ responsibility,” he said.

While evacuation preparations in key tourist areas such as Patong, Kamala, Kata and Karon are already being revised, Mr Prapan also noted, “Other areas are also being checked too. The evacuation routes in those areas may change also.”

Patong Deputy Mayor Boonma Aeapsap on Wednesday (Oct 10) confirmed, “We are inspecting and collecting information on the current routes and safe zones in order to update our map as fast as possible. Most routes will remain the same, but some will change due to the construction of new buildings,” he said.

Paitoon Ponprab, Chief of the DDPM office at Patong Municipality, explained, “As there are many new buildings in Patong, some routes are no longer appropriate for escaping a tsunami. We will need to revise these.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Surin wastewater woes to get a taste of the Patong solution > page 4

Silent warning

Tsunami-warning buoy inactive for six months Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

A tsunami-evacuation sign hangs before a tangle of cables on Bangla Rd, Patong.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot Mr Paitoon also noted, “All 110 evacuation signs must be replaced or relocated. Our inspection today (Oct 10) found advertising signs obscuring evacuation signs, while other signs were simply broken and others covered by cables.

“Plus we need to update our 13 safe zones in Patong as the number of people that these zones need to accommodate has changed. There are a lot more people in Phuket. We are looking for extra sites with the space needed, hopefully to be volunteered by some people or businesses, in case a tsunami strikes,” he added.

Further north at Kamala the entire evacuation prepardness plan is being overhauled, confirmed Nopporn Karuna, Deputy Chief Executive of the Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor).

Mr Nopporn lost 12 family members to the tsunami that struck on Dec 26, 2004.

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he National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) in Bangkok has confirmed to The Phuket News that the tsunami-warning buoy located nearest to Phuket island has not been functional for the past six months, but that it is to be replaced next month.

However, the NDWC has also now confirmed that all 19 warning towers in Phuket are now functioning after several were reported to have ‘slight faults’.

Speaking to The Phuket News last Wednesday (Oct 3), national NDWC Director Suppapimit Paorik said, “I can confirm that the new tsunami-warning buoy which was deployed off Phuket in October 2017 has been inactive for the past six months. We believe that the buoy has been damaged by fishing activities.

“We have already ordered a new buoy which cost about B10 million. It will be set up in November,” he said.

“There are two tsunami-warning buoys off Phuket, the nearest buoy (Station 23461) is 290 kilometres away (this is the damaged buoy), the second (Station 23401) is 960km away.

“When the first buoy receives a tsunami warning people have 45 minutes to evacuate.

“When the second buoy receives the information people have 90 minutes to evacuate,” he added.

Mr Suppapimit went on to explain, “If one buoy is inactive, we still have

One of the tsunami-warning buoys remains out of action, but the tsunamiwarning tower at Kamala Beach (inset) is now functioning normally, reports the NDWC. Photos: NDWC / Chutharat Plerin another to catch the warnings which will then send information to the warning towers. In addition, there is a Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System unit on Mein Island which feeds information to the Royal Thai Navy.

“There is no need for people to panic.

Should an incident arise please follow up the news via the DDPM website or call their hotline 1784,” he said.

Meanwhile, when The Phuket News contacted DDPM-Phuket Director Prapan Kanprasang to inquire about the island’s 19 tsunami-warning towers, Mr Prapan first said that he was busy solving the flood and landslides in Kamala area.

However, he did say, “We test all

19 towers around Phuket at 8am every Wednesday. These 19 towers are not functioning 100%. For example, I found one tower in Kamala which did not broadcast loud enough.”

Mr Prapan said that he was not available to reveal any further details. “I told a specialist from the DDPM in Bangkok to respond. It is their direct responsibility.”

According to Mr Prapan, a specialist from the DDPM in Bangkok will come to look intro the problems soon. However, most of towers are still functional and will work should a tsunami occur.

By last Saturday (Oct 6), the NDWC confirmed to The Phuket News that all 19 towers were now functioning normally.

Jealous husband beats wife to death THE MAN APPREHENDED AFTER his car plunged down Patong Hill after hitting a motorbike on Monday (Oct 8) has confessed to beating his wife to death with a mortar, police have confirmed.

Bancha Jaichan, 42, from Nan province, was pulled from his white Krabi-registered Toyota Vios halfway down Patong Hill by rescue workers at about 11:30am on Monday after the car had ploughed about 30 metres down the steep slope after striking a motorbike.

Bancha was unconscious and trapped inside the vehicle. He was rushed to Patong Hospital but later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

Meanwhile, while police were responding to the accident, other Kathu Police officers had been called to a rented room on Soi Bangwad, Kathu, where the body of Watsana Dorlao, 31, had been found.

She had been bludgeoned to death.

Only after police questioned Ms Watsana’s neighbours did officers

Bancha Jaichan, 42, points to the mortar he used to bludgeon to death his wife, Watsana Dorlao, 31. Photo: Kathu Police learn that Ms Watsana was Bancha’s wife and that the couple lived in the room together.

Neighbours reported that the couple had been fighting over Ms Watsana having an affair with another man, and that Bancha was seen leaving the room and driving off in his white Vios earlier that morning.

Bancha later regained consciousness

at the hospital, Capt Chalermsak Aksornpein of the Kathu Police explained on Wednesday (Oct 10).

“When we confronted him with what we had learned from our investigation into Ms Watsana’s death, he confessed to killing her,” Capt Chalermsak said.

“He said he was angered over her having a lover. He admitted that he beat her to death with a mortar (stone bowl),” he added.

Bancha was subsequently discharged from hospital care and taken to Kathu Police Station, where he was charged with murder, Capt Chalermsak confirmed.

Regarding why Bancha was involved in the accident on Patong Hill, Capt Chalermsak said, “Bancha said he was confused. He was driving toward Patong but then turned around to go back to his rented room.

“He said he was not trying to run away.”

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Suspects arrested for deadly street shooting

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wo suspects wanted for the fatal shooting of the 18-year-old son of a village headman in Phuket last Saturday have been taken into custody.

The two suspects – Suthat Saarddee, 20, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, and Jeerapong Jongchitklang, 21, of Nakhon Ratchasima – surrendered themselves at Thalang Police Station, police confirmed on Monday (Oct 8).

The men’s surrender followed police at 10pm the previous night publicly identifying the men as wanted for the fatal shooting, with arrest warrants issued for the two and relayed to all police stations in Phuket.

Chakrapong Pongphat, the 18-year-old son of the Thepkrasattri Moo 4 village headman (Phu Yai Baan), was gunned down in front of his home near the Baan Don Tesco Lotus store on the Ban Don Cherng Talay Rd in Moo 4, Thepkrasattri just before 5pm last Saturday (Oct 6).

Bystanders rushed him to Thalang Hospital, but he was later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police said that Mr Chakrapong had returned home on his motorcycle after shopping with a friend, Pharadon Thavorn, when he was shot.

The two were on the same motorcycle,

Memorial services to honour the deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be held at Saphan Hin on Saturday (Oct 13). Photo: Royal Household Bureau

Mass ceremonies to honour Rama 9 The two suspects wanted for the deadly Phuket street shooting are now in custody, police have confirmed. Photo: Thalang Police with Mr Pharadon riding pillion.

While the two were returning to Mr Chakrapong’s house, two other men on a black motorcycle followed them, police said.

Mr Chakrapong pulled up in front of his house and the two men on the black motorcycle pulled up just a few metres behind. The driver of the black motorbike was not wearing a helmet, but his passenger was wearing a black helmet and black jacket, police added.

Mr Chakrapong got off his motorcycle to go into his house, when the man in

the black helmet and jacket walked up to him and shot him once in the head.

The shooter then jumped back on the black motorbike and he and his accomplice sped off, police noted.

Police said that from their initial investigation the shooting seemed to be motivated by an “individual conflict and dark business”.

However, Phuket Provincial Police and Thalang Police both reported that they are operating a joint investigation and are questioning the two suspects to learn more about the deadly attack.

Vegetarian Festival begins

TH E PH U K ET V EGEtarian Festival got underway in its traditional style at sunset Monday evening (Oct 8) as participating shrines across the island raised their Go Teng poles so that the Jade Emperor and the Nine emperor Gods may descend from the heavens.

At Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town, one of the main temples of the nineday festival, local residents and tourists took part or just stood by and observed the rituals faithfully conducted to mark the beginning of festivities at 5pm.

Present at the shrine were Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and his wife Sittinee Tavipatana, who as the Governor’s wife is now also the President of the Phuket Chapter of the Thai Red Cross.

Joining them were Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana.

The opening days of the festival traditionally feature quiet prayers and ceremonies to honour the gods, while ablutions of faith and flesh @thephuketnews

The raising of the Go Teng pole at Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town marked the beginning of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2018. Photo: PR Dept – including firewalking, bladed-ladder climbing, hot oil bathing and ‘nail bridge crossing’ – dominate the latter of the nine days of festivities.

While the festival is renowned for devotees abstaining from eating meat during the nine days, it is also a chance for people to make merit, show faith, bring harmony to the people of Phuket and also promote tourism as well, Mayor Somjai explained last week.

On Wednesday (Oct 10), there was a procession from Sanam Chai Park in front of Phuket Provincial Hall to Saphan Hin to honour His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, and a prayer ceremony for King Rama 9 at Saphan Hin at 6pm.

The Phuket News For the full schedule of events, visit https://www. phuketvegetarian.com/ebookphuketvegetarian61.pdf

MEMORIAL ACTIVITIES to honour the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama 9 of the Chakri Dynasty, will be held at Saphan Hin on Saturday (Oct 13).

The occasion will commemorate two years since the passing of the deeply revered King Bhumibol, who reigned over Thailand for seven decades.

Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung announced on Wednesday (Oct 10) that merit-making ceremonies will be held at Saphan Hin Park, on the outskirts of Phuket Town.

Government officials are to wear the official white uniforms, while private or-

ganisations and educational institutions may wear their own uniforms. The general public are asked to wear yellow.

The activities will begin at 7am with a mass prayer led

by Buddhist monks, followed by the merit-making giving of alms to 89 monks at 7:30am.

The laying of wreaths in front of an image of King Bhumibol will begin at 9am.

A candle-lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30pm, with 89 seconds of silence to be observed nationwide at 7pm.

Police have confirmed that there is no official alcohol ban over the weekend, but bars in Patong have been asked to be respectful.

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Pipe dreams run on MaAnn admits Surin wastewater failure

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The German tourist, Patrick Starke, sustained injuries to his head and arms. Photo: Supplied

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CHALONG POLICE HAVE confirmed that four suspects are being sought for an attack on a German tourist in Rawai last month involving a sword and a long knife.

Col Pakkayot Tanongsak of the Chalong Police confirmed on Monday (Oct 8) that officers are investigating the assault on German tourist Patrick Starke by four suspects with weapons at 10:30pm on Sept 27.

The attack, which left Mr Starke with wounds to head and arms, was caught on CCTV in front of a 7-Eleven near Soi 11 Sai Yuan Rd. “We have learned that prior to the attack, the tourist was acting crazy because he was drunk. He then came across the four suspects who decided to attack him,” Col Pakkayot said.

“We are trying our best to help the tourist because he sustained quite bad injuries.”

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he Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), MaAnn Samran, has admitted to the new Phuket Governor his failure in attempting to resolve the wastewater issue at Surin Beach.

However, Mr MaAnn also said that he has a resolution to the problem and that it will be resolved in two months.

Mr MaAnn was speaking at the new Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana’s first Governor Meets Press function held at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday (Oct 5).

Residents of Surin and Bang Tao have continuously complained about black, pungent wastewater being released into the sea at their respective beaches and that the issue has never been resolved.

In March this year, local residents yet again voiced their angry complaints about black wastewater – complete with a foul stench – fouling the tourist-popular Surin Beach, on Phuket’s west coast.

Worse, tourists also complained of an itchy sensation from entering the water at the beach.

“We need to thank the media for questioning the problem of water pollution at Surin Beach. I admit that I have failed in my attempts to resolve the wastewater issue at Surin Beach,” Mr MaAnn said.

“Let’s just say that the wastewater treatment project of the Cherng Talay subdistrict is a prototype project that

Black wastewater – complete with a foul stench – fouls the tourist-popular Surin Beach, on Phuket’s west coast.

uses an underground system. It does not use a surface treatment system.

The project is divided into two areas: Bang Tao Beach and Surin Beach. The most common problem occurs at Surin Beach,” said Mr MaAnn. Repeating to Governor Phakaphong what he had already said in March, Mr MaAnn explained, “We pushed for a long time for the budget to build a wastewatertreatment system, which we finally were granted to install a system that collects the first-phase wastewater [from Bang Tao Beach and Surin Beach].

“We received B248,773,025 from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Cherng Talay OrBorTor provided B106,746,975. In total, we received B355.52mn. The construction took five years, from 2012 to 2017.

“So, we had a B300mn project set up to install a wastewater-treatment system,

but the system has not been used. We were later told that some parts of the system were not working,” he said.

“We have tried to get a company to take care of the wastewater-treatment system for B5mn per year, but no company has ever submitted a request to manage the system. The process of procurement has been repeated three times,” he added.

Mr MaAnn went on to say that he had good news regarding the wastewatertreatment system in the Bang Tao and Surin Beach areas.

“Today I received some good news.

The company that manages the wastewater-treatment system in Patong has agreed to take care of the Cherng Talay wastewater-treatment system.

“Their bid has now passed the TOR [Terms of Reference], and they will start to take care of the system in two months,” he said.

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Police hunt alleged attempted rapist POLICE ARE HUNTING FOR A MAN who allegedly attempted to rape two women after they returned to their rented room after hanging out at an apartment in Phuket Town on Sept 30.

Lt Sakchai Chunyong, an investigator from the Phuket City Police, who is leading the investigation into the case, confirmed to The Phuket News last Thursday (Oct 4), “This incident happened in the early hours of Sept 30.

The two woman are from Surat Thani province and aged 23 and 25 years old.

Asked whether the two women recognised the suspect, Lt Sakchai confirmed that they had never seen the man before.

“The information the woman have provided into the suspect’s actions are still a little blurred,” he explained.

“The women told us that somehow the suspect managed to enter their rented room in an apartment block on Phoonpon Rd in Phuket Town. He hit both of the women on their faces and bodies. These women claimed to me that this man then tried to rape both of them. For some reason he failed to do (that) and he then

Police are hunting for this man who allegedly attempted to rape two women in a rented room in Phuket Town on Sept 30. Photo: Nam made his escape away from the scene.

“The two women came to report the incident at the police station later the same morning,” he said.

Lt Sakchai added, “Right now I have not drawn up any charge against him yet. I need to question him first. I am looking for this suspect.”

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

PHUKET NEWS

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Cash for clearance is over Airport Immigration chief ‘thankful’ for ‘Please No Tips’ order Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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he chief of the immigration officers stationed at Phuket International Airport told The Phuket News on Monday (Oct 8) that he is ‘thankful’ for new Immigration boss Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn ordering his officers to no longer accept cash ‘tips’ from tourists arriving in the country.

Gen Surachate gave the order last Thursday (Oct 4), just four days after taking up the position of Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau last Monday. His appointment as Immigration chief followed his high-profile performance as the Deputy Commander of the national Tourist Police.

In taking up his new position, Gen Surachate last Monday vowed to take action on the issue of officials allegedly extorting tour operators, promising the public to tighten the regulations “to prevent the issue from damaging the image of Thailand”.

He said banners will be erected to inform tourists that

Phuket Airport Immigration Chief Pol Col Supachok Yongstar this week confirmed that the ‘Please No Tips’ signs had now been posted at Phuket Airport – in Hindi, Chinese and English. Photo: Phuket Airport Immigration there are no extra charges for immigration processing. In addition, an investigation into the matter will be launched to find the culprits. Violators will be prosecuted and are likely to face embezzlement charges, he said.

Last Thursday, Gen Surachate made good on his promise with signs being posted at

Survanbhumi International Airport clearly labelled ‘No Tips Please’ in Chinese and English.

The next day (Friday, Oct 5), two senior immigration officers had been transferred pending an investigation into visa brokers bribing the officers in order to obtain illegally issued visas by using falsified

Beach evictions clear legal hurdle MAANN SAMRAN, CHIEF of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), has assured newly arrived Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana that he will carry out Supreme Court evictions on 178 rai of beachfront land at Layan and Leypang beaches, on Phuket’s west coast.

Mr MaAnn was questioned about his ability to carry out Supreme Court evictions during the new Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana’s first Governor Meets Press function held at Phuket Provincial Hall last Thursday (Oct 4). “ T he d ism a ntl i ng of structures along Layan and Leypang beaches is on hold because five new people filed their appeals to the Court of Appeals claiming to own the land. The Court of Appeals dismissed these claims last month,” Mr MaAnn said.

“Next I will send a letter to Phuket Legal Execution Department (PLED) to reclaim this land for the Government.

The land will be public and beautiful,” he added.

Mr MaAnn did not specify when the letter to PLED will be sent. As of last Friday (Oct 5), it had yet to happen. @thephuketnews

Occupiers of beachfront plots at Layan and Leypang beaches were given until March 5 to vacate their plots or face having their businesses demolished. Photo: Supplied “We are still waiting for this letter from Mr MaAnn because actions can be taken only after a complaint,” a PLED official told The Phuket News.

In accordance with the “final warning” from Phuket officials, occupiers of beachfront plots at Layan and Leypang beaches – mostly restaurants and other businesses that cater to tourists – were given until March 5 to vacate their plots or face having their businesses demolished.

Contacted by The Phuket News on March 5, Mr MaAnn said he was ready to proceed with demolition but needed instructions from PLED.

“I’m ready. I am waiting for PLED to inform me of what action is to be taken,” Mr MaAnn said.

“I can only take action by command from the Legal Execution Office only,” he added.

PLED officials at that time expected local authorities to make the first step.

“Phuket officials must go to check that people have vacated the land. If they have not, the officials must come to report it at the PLED. Our role is just to support officials in enforcing the law. That’s all,” PLED Director Kattakamon Tunwun said.

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documents in applications.

And by last Saturday the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau had posted on its official Facebook page the warning: “Please be announced that Please No Tip to the Immigration. (Tip = Bribe) If you see any immigration officer do anything like that please let us know or inbox

us immediately.”

The number given to report any such extortion – or bribes – was the Immigration hotline 1178.

Gen Surachate also posted on his own Facebook page last Sunday his clear understanding that ‘tips’ were ‘bribes’ or cash being extorted by officials from tourists, and that officers at Don Muang international Airport were under investigation for money received from Chinese tourists.

Phuket Airport Immigration Chief Pol Col Supachok Yongstar on Monday confirmed to The Phuket News that the signs had now been posted at Phuket Airport – in Hindi, Chinese and English.

“Finally our commander has insisted this. There is no ‘fast track service’ anymore,” Col Supachok said.

“We have responded immediately by setting up the ‘No Tips’ signs. Everything is going well right now,” Col Supachok assured.

“I think the fault is not only Immigration Police, but there is the tourist side. They must not ‘give in order to receive’

at all. I am glad that’s so clear for everyone about ‘tips’ for fast track (service),” he added.

“Taking extra money for fast track service has ended.

It is in the past already. The past is gone. There is no need to talk about it again,” Col Supachok said.

Meanwhile, in response to a complaint that The Phuket News was already investigating involving a Ukrainian tourist who said she was forced to pay an extra B400 to be issued a visa on arrival as ‘a processing fee’ at Phuket Airport, Col Supachok denied his officers were acting inappropriately.

“Let’s start for the future, as Maj Gen Surachate has finished this already. There is no longer a fee for fast-track service,” he said.

While The Phuket News was investigating the complaint by the Ukrainian tourist, Ministry of Tourism & Sports officials stationed at the Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) at the airport confirmed that such complaints were not uncommon – and were referred to the appropriate superior officers.

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EDITORIAL

For Palu, just give

T

he powerful, shallow earthquake that rattled the northern coast of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Sept 28 and the ensuing tsunami has killed nearly 2,000, with some 5,000 believed missing and left more than 74,000 others homeless.

The suffering inf licted on the population rekindled memories of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, in which Aceh, a few hundred kilometres southwest, suffered the most.

For Phuket the Palu disaster is much closer to home, bringing forth the memories of the loss of life and destruction of the tsunami on Dec 26, 2004, to which Thailand suffered a reported 4,812 confirmed deaths, 8,457 injuries, and a further 4,499 missing.

Most of the confirmed deaths and missing were from the local Khao Lak area.

Long-term expats remem-

ber that fateful day, and the days, weeks and months that followed as search-and-rescue efforts turned to clean-up-andassistance campaigns.

In terms of financial assistance to the Palu disaster, the Thai government immediately provided a B5 million donation via the Indonesian Embassy and was coordinating with Thai investors in Indonesia to access another B10mn in aid. The Thai government was instantly flamed for the pithy donation, but also admitted that it was a gesture of good faith of more support to come.

But when it come to cash donations, you may remember that Thaksin Shinawatra, as Thai Prime Minister during the 2004 disaster, refused direct monetary donations to the Thai government from major relief agencies and other governments. Maybe he was well aware of where some of

those funds might end up.

What resulted was the ideal outcome that people around the world made direct donations to internationally respected relief organisations that arranged their own efforts by coordinating with local government agencies. In short, cash donations resulted in direct, immediate efforts on the ground, where it was needed most – and most urgently.

The Thai government has opened a bank account named ‘Thai Hearts to Indonesia’ with Krung Thai Bank, account number 067-0-13037-0, and invited people to make donations for relief for those in Palu in need.

The Phuket News urges all people to donate to their preferred relief agency to help the Palu survivors. It doesn’t take much, and we, the people of Phuket, knows what it feels like.

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Heavy weather warning issued for Phuket, Andaman Disaster officials warn of Phuket flood, landslide dangers Rain to impact Phuket until Sunday, district chiefs should prepare for evacuations Phuket Airport Immigration chief ‘thankful’ for No Tips order Two senior officials transferred over visa scam Phuket sees 50% drop in Chinese tour groups arrivals Tour firms up in arms over Maya Bay closure Patong Mayor holds emergency meeting over floods, landslides Street gang brawl kills, injures tourists Swedish expat, 76, found dead in Phuket house

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HAVE YOUR SAY Crazy Taxi

Re: Reader’s letter sent in on the comparison between Bangkok and local fares Among the things I would be interested to see by the new Governor of Phuket is a review of the high cost of taxis on the island. Having recent experience, visiting Phuket from October 3-5, I can contribute.

The cost of my metered taxi from home to the airport in Bangkok, disregarding a small tip, was a little under B240. The taxi journey took marginally over one hour.

Upon arrival in Phuket I found a metered taxi by going into the car park and standing near some of the parked taxis.

There seems to be no defined area for metered taxis now.

The driver of the taxi said he was willing to take me to my destination provided we agreed a ‘tip’ in advance. It seemed pointless to debate with him the nature of a tip.

So I did not, but agreed the tip he required. Upon arrival at my destination it became clear that the ‘tip’ he required was marginally more than 15% of the fare.

I noticed that the price on

the meter was going up more quickly than the one in the Bangkok taxi did in similar circumstances. I asked the taxi driver about it and he said the meters in Phuket taxis are not the same as those in Bangkok.

I can see no justification for there being any difference.

This is another issue which should be investigated.

The two journeys were very similar. I timed both journeys. The one in Bangkok took just over an hour. The one in Phuket took one hour ten minutes. Although the journey in Phuket took 10% longer, the cost (excluding the additional amount I chose or agreed to give) was over 100% more expensive.

Peter

Society’s concern

Re: Phuket Opinion: Stand up and be counted Well, I guess it is good that a few people are thinking about this, but there remains a deep misunderstanding as to what real sustainability is all about. It goes beyond hotels buying paper straws and having recycling bins. It is virtually impossible to practice sustainability in a place where

there is little awareness or concern throughout society, and about ZERO support from the government.

BenPendejo I know a retired guy who used to clean some part of the beach close to his home. He was arrested and fined by RTP because he did so without a work permit. Talk about support from authorities…

Alf

Left hanging

Re: Phuket Airport Immigration chief ‘thankful’ for No Tips order Both Pattaya and Phuket Immigration offices are charging for Residential Certificates, which should be free. Asking for a receipt gets your application handed back with a surly look. Try to report it to the hot-line and you’ll be given a number that never answers.

Christy Sweet Yep the inefficiency and corrupt practices of airport immigration are the tourists’ fault thanks to Col Supachok.

I follow his logic. If there were not so many of them they would have fewer problems

and temptations. A few hours in line after a long flight will fix that.

MartinK

Clouseau!!!

Re: German tourist’s Phuket assault case is being investigated, say police Investigation consisting of “lift, sweep and replace carpet”? Seriously though nice of the police to give the four suspects warning that warrants are to be issued to allow them some time to slip away. Brilliant!

Discover Thainess

Up in smoke

Re: Tribhum structure ‘conformed with municipal regulations’ Did you watch the video?

Look at the photos? The entire structure was completely gone in less than 20 minutes. The fire department didn’t put the fire out. The fire ran out of fuel. That black smoke would have been deadly. Why would anybody believe any ‘official’ anyway? They have been ‘compensated’ to rubber stamp all blueprints, how could they admit to unsafe materials?

Timothy

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8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

No air safety plan until 2022 Thai authority monitored to ensure it comes up with measures BANGKOK Bangkok Post

A

ir transport officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said on Tuesday (Oct 9) that they will have an official air safety master plan, but not before 2022.

The 2022 deadline for the air safety plan was revealed on Tuesday.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has been monitoring the Thai authority closely to ensure it comes up with measures to reduce risk.

This news coincided with the ‘excursion’ off the Suvarnabhumi airport runway late Monday (Oct 8) of a Thai Airways International 747 with 115 people aboard.

Stuck in mud off the runway, the Boeing jumbo jet blocked and delayed at least 179 arriving and 264 departing flights until it was finally hauled back onto blocked runway 19/17 at 2:30pm on Tuesday, and the area was cleared for normal airport traffic.

An official report by the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd on the incident said five other flights had to be re-routed away from Bangkok because of the heavy traffic.

Thai Airways International’s Flight TG679 from Guangzhou ploughed off the Suvarnabhumi runway on Monday night after landing in heavy rain. Photo: via Twitter/@AeroChapter CAAT director-general Chula Sukmanop announced the deadline for the safety plan after the aviation authority’s fifth meeting of the year on Tuesday. He said the authority had floated the idea among government officials and airlines in preparation for mandatory safety policies to be enforced.

The ICAO, the United Nations aviation watchdog, is developing a 2020-2022 global safety plan for civil aviation. Mr Chula said Thailand must adhere to it in full.

Mr Chula said the Thai master

plan will feature new performance indexes that air operators must satisfy and will apply to all aviation authorities in the country including Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd, the state-run air traffic operator.

One key addition will be that authorities must immediately inform the CAAT of any mistakes they make, or face penalties. Mr Chula said this is designed to pre-empt cases of negligence that could lead to accidents.

“We’re holding talks with authorities concerned as it could take

a while to get the law changed,” he said. “Next month we will hold another meeting to discuss matters in greater detail and talk about what new standards the CAAT will observe.”

At present, the CAAT adhered to its National Civil Aviation Security Program, which was last updated in 2016. This requires aircraft operators to submit their security measures to the CAAT for approval. Aircraft businesses must at present abide by the Air Navigation Act BE 2497 (1954).

The act contains penalties for safety violations, such as a failure to submit a journey logbook, or submitting an incomplete logbook to the CAAT. In such cases, the air operator would be fined up to B80,000, face a maximum jail sentence of two years, or both.

“These policies are quite outdated. We need to make changes to conform with the internationally accepted ICAO standards,” Mr Chula said.

The ICAO red-flagged Thailand in June 2015 after it uncovered safety concerns and organisational issues in the country’s aviation industry.

It prohibited Thai airlines from establishing new international routes.

It lifted the status in October 2017 after an ICAO audit was conducted on Thailand the previous month.

The ICAO’s latest audit shows the country ranks below the global average in all eight effective implementation categories.

The United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given Thailand Category 2 status since December 2015, shortly after the ICAO imposed its red flag.

The FAA said the country has fallen short in terms of various international standards, for example pilot qualifications.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Yacht show stand-off is over

Key organisers combine to create the island’s ‘only boat show’ MARINE The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he ongoing uncertainty over whether Phuket will host just one or two yacht shows within the span of three weeks in January has been resolved with the announcement that the Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous will take place at the multiaward-winning Royal Phuket Marina on Jan 10-13.

In a joint statement issued this week, Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina; Andy Treadwell, CEO of Verventia Pte Ltd; owners of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS); and Gael and Olivier Burlot, owners of Asia RendezVous, announced that the three parties have agreed to collaborate in producing one combined boat show in Phuket next year.

Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina, said “I am delighted to welcome the combined teams to work together and produce the best boat show Phuket has ever seen, here at Royal Phuket Marina in

The Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous will take place at the multi-award-winning Royal Phuket Marina on Jan 10-13, 2019. Photo: Royal Phuket Marina January. As the host venue, my team and I will be showcasing Thailand’s marine industry to the world and will work with the organisers to achieve our common objective – to make Phuket and Thailand the central marina hub for the whole of Asia.

“The move was precipitated by a request earlier in the year from the Tourism Authority

of Thailand (TAT) to gather the industry together in one major event in Thailand so as to demonstrate united support for the government’s yacht tourism initiative,” said the release issued on Monday (Oct 8).

“At the same time, since the announcement in August of the Phuket Yacht Show, the yachting industry voiced its strong opinion that there

Chinese tour group arrivals halve TOURISM THE NUMBER OF CHInese tour groups arriving in Phuket is down by half over safety worries and serious efforts are needed to restore confidence and bring them back, the Phuket Tourist Association has warned.

Association president Bhummikitti Ruktaengam said last Wednesday (Oct 3) that the Phoenix boat disaster had a major impact on the feelings of Chinese people and had put them off visiting

@thephuketnews

Tour boats remain docked as local tour operators urge the government to woo back Chinese visitors. Photo: Bangkok Post / File Phuket. On July 5 the tour boat Phoenix capsized off Phuket during a storm, killing 47 Chinese tourists.

“About 50% of the tour groups are not making their

normal arrivals. Chinese tourists have stopped visiting Phuket because they are worried about their safety,” Mr Bhummikitti said.

“The problem must be solved at its root cause. In the meantime, the salvage of the boat has made no progress.”

The government needed to increase human resources to ensure public safety and communicate better with Chinese visitors. Communications from the Chinese government might not effectively reach its people, he said.

Bangkok Post

should be only one boat show and requested such a ‘get together’, with Royal Phuket Marina being the industry’s preferred venue. The three organisers were able to come to an agreement in principle last week to merge the Phuket Yacht Show team into the already-announced Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous,” the release added.

Andy Treadwell explained in the release, “It’s obvious that we needed to make this all one event, and it’s great that we’ve been able to do so in a relatively short space of time – entirely thanks to the industry coming together and getting everyone to agree. The TAT, our partners and main sponsor of the Thailand Yacht Show, also asked us earlier in the year to try to put everything into one show instead of competing and dividing the industry.

“We’re all now looking forward to getting on with the job and building this event over the next few years into a proper international marketing platform for the yachting industry, and for Thailand as a world-class yacht tourism destination.”

Gael Burlot also added in the release, “We are very pleased to have everyone on board and a clear plan to develop the boat show. The luxury industries are starting to prosper again in this region, and with the right collaborative promotion in the right strategic places like Thailand,

the yachting industry should start to see significant growth in this beautiful part of the world, where there is so much opportunity.”

David Hunter, Managing Director for Torqeedo Asia Pacific, one of the show’s main supporting partners, commented, “As the pioneers of the future of electric mobility for the marine sector, we are delighted to continue our support for the Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous, and we are very pleased to hear that it will now be held at Royal Phuket Marina next January which is a great setting for us and our partners BMW. “Our participation at this year’s TYS was a huge success, resulting in us winning contracts with the Thai government, including an all-electric passenger boat which will shortly be launched by the Prime Minister. We have also had several other new projects endorsed by the Minister for Tourism and Sports, who greatly enjoyed his experience at TYS and now fully supports our efforts to drive sustainable mobility.”

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Harnessing the power to heal ourselves

12

The inspiring success story of Chalong Bay

15

THE LIFESTYLE VILLAGE An ambitious future for Phuket Boat Lagoon

David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

A

fter covering a late-night event in Mai Khao, I dropped into Phuket Boat Lagoon for a little refreshment before heading home. Having recently returned to the island after a five-year absence in the West, I was surprisingly taken aback by the upgraded aesthetics and clear investment into the Lagoon Quay boardwalk since my last visit.

Phuket Boat Lagoon has always had an old-school charm, a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere than the more modern developments on the island.

But the refurbishment of recent years appear to have delivered on a contemporary style whilst retaining the unique heritage of the island’s long-standing marina.

And this, I was about to find out, is just the tip of the iceberg on Phuket Boat Lagoon’s future plans.

So I engineered a great excuse to return for an interview with the marina complex’s highly amiable Executive Director, Wicky Sundram. Wicky took up the position over two years ago, having previously spent 17 years overseeing one of Southeast Asia’s premium marine destinations, the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.

Phuket Boat Lagoon is a family run business, the brainchild of its founder, Kanit Yongsakul, some 30 years ago, who continues to oversee his investment with three of his kin who entered the family trade. It was clear they wanted an experienced and forwardthinking director within the marine industry to help steer their precious ship.

“I had known about the marina’s success story and have been coming to this marine industry hub for many years,” says Wicky. “But there’s a hidden secret inside the gates of Phuket Boat Lagoon, which is the @thephuketnews

range of facilities and attractions on offer which we’re transforming into a world class destination.”

On a grand tour of the marina complex I was duly surprised by the size and diversity of the operation.

All in all more than 263 rai which covers not only professional marine and boat-handling facilities, but residential homes, a holiday resort, business and conference facilities, an early learning centre, ice rink, a shopping arcade, retail outlets and a medley of restaurants, bars and cafes and… breathe…

The marina is continually broadening its facilities and space. A large area of land expansion is currently underway near the marina’s harbour entrance, which will facilitate the expanding tour boat operations.

Wicky adds, “The quality and services of the marine and boating business has always been well established here.

“The developing land gives us the opportunity to expand and move all the marine services to this new area over time, making it easier to launch and service the boats directly from our harbour channel. This will also free up premium space around the marina for the development of additional retail outlets and consumer-facing attractions.

“With the hotel we are currently exploring massive redevelopment plans to provide a premium holiday experience. With a modernised resort, shopping and dining attractions, and the facility for island tours and day trips all within the complex, we will be creating the ‘next level’ in the experience of a marina destination. It will also be the ideal location for corporate groups who are also looking for a retreat.”

Wicky talks about this transformation into the ‘future-proofed’ ideal marina complex as a five-to-10year plan. Whilst their marine service and facilities are already ahead of their industry associates, his fo-

Wicky Sundram, Executive Director. cus is to create a more family-orientated destination.

With plans for development of further low- to midrise housing, the elegant and contemporary SinoPortuguese architectural setting, a schedule of entertainment events and the range of on-site consumer outlets, it does indeed paint a rather idyllic picture of life around the picturesque harbour setting.

Wicky Sundram certainly has a pioneering vision for Phuket Boat Lagoon, which he fondly calls…

‘The Lifestyle Village’.

Phuket Boat Lagoon 22/1 Moo 2 Thepkasattri Rd. Kohkaew Muang Phuket 83000 Website: https://www.phuketboatlagoon.com/ Phone: 076 239 888

12 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Is the human immune system the answer to our fight with cancer? Image: www.medindia.net

Immunotherapy A How the treatment works. Image: Columbia University Medical Center

The Nobel Prize winning cancer treatment Daniel Lawler

The therapy has enabled us to harness the power of the body to help heal itself.

revolutionary cancer treatment pioneered by the winners of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Medicine has been hailed as the future of fighting the disease – and it has fewer devastating side effects than chemotherapy.

While chemotherapy destroys cancerous cells along with normal cells – often with toxic and debilitating effects on a patient – immunotherapy unleashes the body’s immune system to target tumour cells.

James Allison of the US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan won the Nobel last Monday (Oct 1) for identifying two different brakes on the immune system which, when turned off, allow the body’s defence system to attack cancerous cells faster and more effectively.

Allison was one of two scientists to discover the blocking effect for one such brake – or checkpoint inhibitor molecule – called CTLA-4 in 1995. Honjo discovered another, PD-1, around the same time.

Once these brakes were identified, researchers were able to work on how to turn them off and get Tcells – white blood cells – to start attacking.

“The goal is to neutralise these molecules, among them CTLA-4 and PD-1, and these are what the recipients of the Nobel prize have been working on,” said Pierre Golstein, emeritus professor at the MarseilleLuminy Immunology Centre. “We neutralise these and the white blood cells can get to work on the cancer cells.”

Sheena Cruickshank, an immunology lecturer at the University of Manchester in Britain, said the therapy has “enabled us to harness the power of the body to help heal itself”.

“A lot of conventional cancer therapies are about destroying cells and can be quite damaging, but this is much more targeted and much more specific because it’s enabling our immune cells to come in and actually kill the tumour cells directly,” she said.

Booming field The therapy has only been used on patients for a few years, and is less effective for certain cancers such as pancreatic and brain cancer.

But 800 clinical trials were in progress worldwide and more than 30 drugs under development as of June, according to the American Cancer Society.

And the pharmaceutical industry has heavily invested in research in the field.

The US Food and Drug Administration has already approved a number of immunotherapy treatments, including some targeting PD-1.

“The booming field of immunotherapy that these discoveries have precipitated is still relatively in its infancy, so it’s exciting to consider how this research will progress in the future,” said Charles Swanton,

Tasuku Honjo of Japan and James Allison of the US receiving their Nobel Prize. Image: AFP Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician.

Golstein, whose team first identified the CTLA-4 molecule in 1987, said the results have been very promising. “Immunotherapy is now possibly the most important recent discovery for cancer therapy in general, as an alternative to chemo,” he said. “For example, immunotherapy can control between 20% and 50% of certain advanced melanomas, which is something considering that situation would have been a death sentence not too long ago.”

But it’s also not totally harmless, he added. “Activated immune cells can cause certain auto-immune complications in certain organs, but we can control those,” he said.

A study released in June tested a form of immunotherapy against chemo for non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common lung cancer worldwide.

It found that the drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) – which famously helped former US president Jimmy Carter stave off advanced melanoma that had spread to his brain – helped lung cancer patients live four to eight months longer than chemo.

Not for all cancers However, Karl Peggs of the University

College of London said the therapy is not for everyone.

“We know that some patients have a very low chance of responding... those with little evidence that these pathways are actively restricting the immune system, or those with cancers that are less heavily mutated,” he said.

While in theory it should work for most forms of cancer, it’s most effective on those with the highest numbers of mutations such as melanomas, lung cancer and smoking, he added.

And it has sometimes been met with too much enthusiasm by patients. In the US, some have reportedly asked their doctors to immediately use immunotherapy instead of traditional treatments like chemotherapy, even when they are more effective.

After his big win on Monday, Allison warned that immunotherapy will not replace all other cancer treatments. Instead, it is “going to be part of therapy that potentially all cancer patients will receive in five years,” he told a press conference in New York.

Honjo, meanwhile, said he wanted to continue his research “so that this immune therapy will save more cancer patients than ever”.

AFP thephuketnews

14 CULTURE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Examples of old Chinese style tableware.

An audio-visual display is part of the experience.

Hidden history trove Peranakannitat Museum in Phuket Town JAMIE’S PHUKET Jamie Monk

R

ight in the heart of old Phuket Town you can find the Peranakannitat Museum (also called the Baba Museum), which was officially opened in May 2017 by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. But then soon after the grand opening it closed again, mainly because the items on display for the visit of the princess were all borrowed from local Phuket people, and not permanent museum exhibits! It is now finally open again, and in addition to its historical artefacts it does have two plus points – free entry and aircon.

The main entrance to the museum is on the corner of Phuket Rd and Phang Nga Rd. This building was

originally the Chartered Bank, built around 1900 I believe, just when Phuket Town became the main town on Phuket Island and the tin-mining industry was booming.

It was the first bank in town and the police station was built directly opposite.

Inside the room was largely empty, save for photos of the princess on the wall and a couple of displays of old Chinesestyle tableware. And on the far side of the room a desk and several surprised-looking young ladies, a couple of whom were dressed in old Baba/Nyonya-style clothes. Oh my goodness! A visitor! One of the young ladies spoke decent English.

I signed in to a visitors’ book and was given an information brochure.

Behind the desk is a back room that was originally the bank vault.

Inside is a small collection of jewellery and some explanations of what the jewellery was for.

I should explain a few of the meanings of words. Peranakan is the name given to people of mixed Chinese and Malay decent. By “Malay” I don’t mean “from Malaysia” but “from the Malay peninsular”. In the early 19th century many Chinese left Southern China and settled in places such as Singapore, Malacca, Penang and Phuket. The majority of the Chinese were male and many married local ladies.

Phuket had a huge influx of Chinese at a time when the tin-mining industry was taking off. The names Baba and Nyonya are also used: Baba are the men, Nyonya are the ladies. There is a big Baba wedding ceremony here in Phuket every year which I have attended a couple of times.

So I was informed by the muse-

The main entrance to the museum is on the corner of Phuket Rd and Phang Nga Rd.

um staff that an audio-visual presentation would start at 1:30pm on the upper floor of the museum. The presentation takes place five times per day at 10am, 11am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm – every day except Monday, when the museum is closed.

The audio-visual presentation took place in several small rooms.

One of the volunteers guided me, and several Chinese tourists, who also turned up to watch halfway through the first part. It started well with a film showing Chinese heading away from war-torn Southern China to seek their fortune and ending up in Phuket after many weeks at sea.

The second part might have been good but the sound was not working – showing the Chinese settling in Phuket and having families. Then we had a display showing family life in a typical shop-house style house with the skylight in the middle, followed by small displays about Nyonya clothing and some local foods.

The museum maybe needs a little more work, maybe more signs explaining things, but as a free

attraction gives some interesting insights into life on Phuket in an earlier era.

Over the road in the clocktower building, work is underway with some more presentations of photos and information. I think I’ll head back next year and see what’s been added. I’m a big fan of museums although I do realise most people visit Phuket for beaches, and museums may not be top of the list of things to do! But my column does try to suggest more than just the usual attractions, and I do recommend looking around old Phuket Town, so why not have a quick look at this museum while you are there.

The Peranakannitat Museum website: https://peranakanphuketmuseum.com/ Jamie Monk works at liveaboard dive specialists Sunrise Divers.

For more information call: 084 626 4646 or visit: sunrise-divers.com.

You can read more about Phuket on Jamie’s Phuket Blog http://www.jamiesphuketblog.com/ thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PEOPLE 15

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Chalong Bay Wonderland

Marine and Thibault.

The people behind the improbable success story David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

“Y

ou know what the issue is with this world?

Everyone wants some magical solution to their problem, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.” - Alice in Wonderland Not so in an incredible wonderland located in a quiet and leafy plot in Chalong. A community of passionate and dedicated individuals have worked their magic to create a reality from a dream that was born more than 12 years ago. That dream belonged to Marine Lucchini and Thibault Spithakis.

Two young and adventurous entrepreneurs who aspired to produce a premium artisan beverage valuing Thailand’s natural resources that had previously only been associated with the Caribbean and Latin America. That wonderland is the home of Chalong Bay, Southeast Asia’s first distillery of its kind.

Chalong Bay’s innovative craftsmanship has now produced an award-winning beverage of incredible character, originality and smoothness, giving full expression to the 100% natural Thai sugarcane contained within.

The growing team create a truly original handcrafted drink using sustainable production that binds the traditional French art of distillation with the rich sugarcane heritage of Thailand.

To Marine and Thibault, as much as the product, it’s all about distilling their unique spirit into the community and team that work closely together to make it the most unusual and inspiring international success story on the island.

On meeting the dynamic duo at their beautifully designed distillery site, which now includes the mighty fine Chalong Bay Bar and eatery, it’s evident to see the standard of quality and detail that goes into every aspect of their business.

Along with their Thai partners, P

Chalong Bay Bar.

@thephuketnews

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Happy, sustainable sugarcane farmers.

Lek, Pang and Dao, the co-founders are extremely hands-on, with Thibault now focusing on the business development and sales, whilst Marine oversees the production process and brand creative.

From meeting on an MBA course in the US, and being left uninspired to follow a conventional career path, they ventured to Thailand in their twenties armed with the history of craft production from their French heritage, and a mission to use the region’s sugarcane that naturally grows in this Kingdom.

“When we arrived in January 2011, it was our dream to create our product here in Thailand, using the rich varieties of sugarcane for flavour and taste,” said Thibault. “Our first bottle sold was on October 1, 2012. In October 2014 we went through a major re-brand and began exporting to international markets that recognised our unique process and quality. It’s a luxury as a small company to source and work directly with the farming community to create our distinguished blend.”

Chalong Bay is as much a way of life as it is an internationally renowned brand with a premium product. Along with the ‘family feel’ community that work in-house at the Chalong site, Marine and Thibault personally oversee a sustainable supply chain and support for their Thai sugarcane suppliers, which is a core principle of the company’s values.

They specifically selected smallscale farmers who struggled to make a living and pay higher wages for the organic, clean farming methods they require of their sugarcane standards.

Positively, this has led to their suppliers being able to leave the sugar factories’ quota system, and become independent farmers with responsible, non-intensive harvesting methods.

Marine sums up their approach clearly in the way that everybody works together. “It’s critical for us to maintain a sustainable business ethic, from our supply chain through to our production family. Our Chalong Bay community has strong and passionate values. We are all similar at heart.”

It’s evident that this is also very much at the heart of their future business model.

“We would never compromise on

quality or our method,” Thibault confirms. “The more we grow, the more we are able to do. Allowing farmers to become independent from the quota system and employ sustainable harvesting techniques. Along with our awardwinning unique flavour, our values will enable us to compete with the international brands and provide a positive model for future generations.”

As I complete the interview, and,

like Alice, am tempted by the beautifully crafted ‘Drink Me’ bottle and sample the effects… I too believe in magic.

Chalong Bay Distillery and Bar 14/2 Moo 2, Palai Soi 2, Tambon Chalong, Amphur Muang Phuket, Phuket 83130 Website: www.chalongbay.com Call: 093 575 1119

16 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Australian Masterclass

Guest Chef Stuart Chant at Banyan Tree The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

F

rom October 24-27, Australian New Age Chef Stuart Chant will bring his vibrant culinary approach to The Watercourt Restaurant at Banyan Tree Phuket for a series of highly anticipated dinners. After hosting a masterclass and special lunch on October 24, the Victoria native will prepare a series of limitedseating pairing dinners for a transcendent fine dining experience.

The set menu will include three

Innovative and inspired dishes.

courses, with three options available for each.

For the first course, selections include pickled barramundi, poached snow crab, and Wagyu beef tartare, each with a unique garnish to highlight the delicate taste of the dish. Diners will then select from Parisian gnocchi, lamb loin, and fresh rockling with pineapple salsa for their mains, together with delicious accompaniments.

A choice of gourmet desserts will bring the dinner to a delightful finish, as diners enjoy the beverage pairing.

Participants at the masterclass will receive an inside view of Chef Chant’s unique style of food preparation, learning valuable culinary techniques developed and refined in South Australia. The instruction session will be followed by lunch and conversation, with a special beverage selection to complement the meal.

As head chef and instructor at Wild Oak Restaurant and Cooking School near Melbourne, Stuart Chant found great success with his signature take on regional Australian cuisine. His stellar reputation earned him the privilege of working alongside various Michelin star chefs, and cooking for the Australian Prime Minister.

New Age Chef Stuart Chant.

Chef Chant also expanded his culinary horizons through work at Park Society and Beach Society restaurants in Bangkok and Hua Hin respectively.

His interest in pursuing opportunities in a variety of settings has now led him to introduce his exciting flavours to southern Thailand, as the first in a series of guest chefs for the coming season at Banyan Tree Phuket.

“In Australia, we have a truly unique mix of coastal and rural produce, both native and introduced.

This, combined with our diverse cultural influences, has given us the opportunity to both create new and inspired dishes, and also the freedom to put our own little twist on some classics,” Mr Chant said. “My philosophy is to work with local beverage makers, fromageries, farmers and producers to put the best of our Australian produce on the table in a new and inventive fashion.

The Watercourt is one of the celebrated fine dining venues at Banyan Tree Phuket, the island’s premier lux-

Preparing his signature regional Australian cuisine. ury resort. Entry to the masterclass and lunch on Oct 24 costs B3,500 net/ person, including beverage pairing.

Bookings to any exclusive dinner from Oct 24-27 cost B2,800 net/person, or B3,500 net incl. beverage pairing.

For reservations or inquiries, contact Banyan Tree Phuket at +66 76 372 400, or send an email to: fb-phuket@banyantree.com.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

GARDENING 17

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Marilyn Monroe hybrid tea rose.

Dusty Springfield rose.

Pink Floyd rose.

What’s in a (Plant) Name?

The complexity in botanical titles and celebrity hybrids GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell

E

leanor Roosevelt, wife of the US president had a rose named after her. She was duly gratified – until she studied the cultivation notes which explained, “No good in a bed; better against a wall.”

At least she could joke about it. New cultivars are often named after celebrities. Hybrid tea roses top the list with names such as “Elizabeth Taylor”, “Dusty Springfield” and “Jacqueline du Pre”. There is a pink shrub rose named after the creator of the herbaceous border, Gertrude Jekyll, even roses that pay homage to pop groups such as “Pink Floyd”, or hit singles such as “A Whiter Shade of Pale”. No prizes for guessing the rose’s colour.

The fashion is less in evidence with tropical shrubs. But a striking mussaenda honours Queen Sirikit (it is, of course, named after Thailand’s Queen) and many plants contain the name of the botanist who discovered or bred them, and are therefore included as part of the Latinate tag – for example a white ixora is called ixora finlaysoniana. Again, a natural mutant dieffenbachia, accidentally found in the Roehrs’ nursery in New Jersey in 1936 is the form from which most mottled cultivars have since been spawned. Its name: “Rudolph Roehrs”.

Some names are more revealing about plants. When I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I thought Japonica was the name of a shrub in our English garden. But Japonica merely means that it is a native of Japan – just as alpinus means ‘from the Alps’, borealis – ‘from the north’, or montanus - ‘from the mountains’. The term could be, and is, attached to other plants.

Nonetheless, the Japanese quince (chaenomeles) is usually the shrub in question, maybe because the first name (which is always the name of the species) is such a mouthful. A very @thephuketnews

pretty shrub too, with glowing red flowers produced in early European spring on nearly leafless branches.

If Japonica gives you a clue that a plant prefers cooler conditions than Phuket’s, some epithets refer, more specifically, to the colour of the blooms, the shape of the leaves or the habit of the plant. Thus albus is ‘white’, argenteus - ‘silvery’, coccineus – ‘red’ (as in Ixora coccineus), luteus - ‘yellow’.

An acerifolius shrub has maple-like foliage, quercifolius means ‘oak-like’, laurifolius - ‘laurel-like’. Most of these epithets are easy to work out because there are similar English words, but I suppose a classical education does help. After all, the Latin for oak tree is quercus.

The overall shape of a plant may be described as altus (tall), arboreus (treelike), contortus (twisted), scandens (scrambling or climbing), compactus (bushy and compact). Imperialis or spectabilis (as in bougainvillea) means ‘showy’, maculatus means ‘mottled’ as in the aforementioned dieffenbachia.

It’s worth remembering that a cultivar (which is shorthand for cultivated variety) is normally marked with an ‘x’ to indicate which two species or existent varieties have been crossed to produce the new hybrid. The new cultivar’s name - for example “Queen Sirikit” is not italicised, but enclosed in quotation marks.

You may well wonder why people bother with these complex and often long-winded titles. After all, many plants have common names which describe them admirably – “red cat’s tail”, “scrambled eggs”, “buzy lizzie”, “spider lily”, “powder puff”, “stag’s horn fern” and so on.

But scientific names are more precise than common ones; indeed some nicknames are used confusingly for more than one plant. “Black-eyed Susan” or “Spanish broom” are cases in point. It is of course even better if you can learn the Thai names as well, for these are the ones known to local horticulturalists and nurserymen. Dok meaning ‘flower’ is a start. But if it is all too

much hassle, just remember to carry an illustrated book around with you.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Patrick has been writing for ten years about gardening in Phuket and allied

topics.

If you have horticultural or environmental concerns, please contact him at drpaccampbell@gmail.com. Many of his earlier creative and academic publications can be found at Wordpress: Green Galoshes.

18 ISLAND SCENE

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Tim Sargeant, Director of Marketing; Chef Rey, Culinary Director; and Conor O’Leary, General Manager.

New Zealand author Alastair Carthew with his new book ‘Proud’ and caricature portraits of iconic New Zealanders.

Over 110 guests celebrated the launch at Firefly Pool and Restaurant.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

The Pavilions Phuket team showcasing a range of Kiwi delicacies throughout the event.

THE PAVILIONS PHUKET’S NEW ZEALAND WINE & FOOD SHOWCASE On Friday (Oct 5) The Pavilions Phuket hosted the New Zealand Wine and Food Showcase, which was a huge success attended by over 110 guests as they celebrated the launch of new Schubert Wine vintages to the island, thanks to Global Wines, paired with New Zealand cuisine at Firefly Pool and Restaurant. The event marks the start of new and exciting experiences coming to the resort, with Culinary Director Executive Chef Rey and General Manager Conor O’Leary both joining the team.

Plangfha, Sukanya and Somwan from the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The panel presentation event.

BCCT PHUKET PANEL DISCUSSION & NETWORKING EVENT AT THANYAPURA British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), in collaboration with AustCham, EABC, FTCC and NTCC, hosted the Phuket Briefing on Thursday (Oct 4) at Thanyapura Health and Sports Resort. The briefing, led by Hughes Krupica Consulting, covered important information and updates on ‘Thai Company Nominees: What are they, allegedly?’ with a panel discussion. After the briefing, members and guests enjoyed great food and drinks arranged by Thanyapura.

Boon Kwee LIM, COO, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, with Gordon Aeria, GM, Dusit Thani Laguna.

Chef Mirko Sernissi, Boon Kwee LIM, Chef Bernhard Koll, Thomas Pfodte, Gordon Aeria.

AN ITALIAN EVENING TO REMEMBER AT RELAUNCH OF LA TRATTORIA Chef Mirko Sernissi wowed guests with an incredible array of Italian specialties at the relaunch of La Trattoria evening event at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket last Friday (Oct 5). thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

ISLAND SCENE 19

Emily, Russell and Sassy.

Dave and Wicky.

The inside action at the Oktoberfest tent.

Jason and Jeniffer.

OKTOBERFEST 2018 ENTERTAINS THE CROWD AT PHUKET BOAT LAGOON On Saturday (Oct 6), despite the rain, over 600 people turned out to join the festivities at the Oktoberfest 2018 held at Phuket Boat Lagoon. The annual German festival was free to enter and the attendees enjoyed a range of great regional foods and the traditional big jug beverages supplied by Global Wines. Whilst the adults were duly entertained, the kids had their very own bouncy castle area, which looked a little more Despicable Me than Deutschland.

The proud award winners on the night.

Boom, Shayne and Nichole from Island Curtains.

OSPITALITÀ ITALIANA AWARDS AT KATATHANI PHUKET BEACH RESORT On Friday (Oct 5) the ‘Ospitalità Italiana’ award ceremony took place at Katathani Phuket Beach Resort in Kata Noi. The event was under the patronage of the Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce, and was attended by the President of the institution and Italian Honorary Consul for Phuket Dr Francesco Pensato. The award winners on the night were Chef Alfredo Sibaldi Bevilotti from La Dolce Vita (collected by Mr Alessio), Massimo Pettinau from Bocconcino, Francesco Grego of Plum Restaurant, and Davide Spighi of La Scala Phuket.

The Lambert Brothers team.

Auychai Tantipiriyaporn, Chubb Phuket Branch Manager; Pongpanu Damrongsiri, Senior Vice President, Chubb Samaggi Insurance Plc; and Pornpimol Chimsakul & Mike Haynes of Lambert Brothers. @thephuketnews

LAMBERT BROTHERS CELEBRATE A DECADE OF SERVICE ON THE ISLAND Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers celebrated 10 years in Phuket on Thursday, Sept 27, with a gala dinner for over 150 invited partners and clients, held at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

12 OCT

broiler with the unique sear and smokiness only charcoal could deliver. Starting from THB 1,200++. Reservations, Bodega & Grill, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

SAT

13 OCT

Gang, De La Soul, Run DMC...the list goes on! Have fun in the sun with huge pool inflatables, disco balls, giant Rubik’s cubes and be entertained with our sexy Club Tropicana dancers and live musicians all day. **Selected Dream drinks from THB 80++ **Poolside bites from THB 198++ Get your groove on for some Saturday Pool Party Fun at Dream Beach Club!

Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@ dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.

SUN

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

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 Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076344-914.

14 OCT

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 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 - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.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 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com

MON

15 OCT

An Italian Evening

All you can eat BBQ night

Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers.

Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht.

Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.

WED

17 OCT

Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550. Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/

CLUB TROPICANA 80’s & 90’s Retro Pool Party!

Charcoal Friday Charcoal BBQ at Bodega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal

Join us for our brand new retro style pool party, every Saturday where we take you back in time with music and fashion of the 80s, 90s & beyond. Let us take you back in time as our resident DJs drop iconic tracks and remixes – think Wham, Madonna, Queen, Spice Girls, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Kool & The

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht!

Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic.

Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket. com or call 076 338 888.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

20 OCT

Saddle Up To Two Chefs Get some good old wild, wild west experience with Two Chefs Bar & Grill’s Wild West Country Night at Two Chefs Kata Center on the 20th of October 2018.

Live music starts at 8pm until late. Indulge in our All You Can Eat Chef’s Special Southern Fried Chicken for only THB395 per person. Make your reservations NOW! Call 076-330-065.

SUN

21 OCT

The 14th Mai Khao Marine Turtle Fun Run The 14th Mai Khao Marine Turtle Fun Run and Half Marathon 2018 The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation will host its annual fundraising sports event which will be taking place on Sunday, October 21, 5.30 am – 8.30 am, Phuket Gateway. There are a 3km family run, a 5km fun run, a 10km mini marathon, a 21km half marathon; and a VIP run for all distance. Walk-in registration at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, October 1-10, from 10am to 5pm. Follow us on the social media channel https://www.facebook.com/maikhaomarineturtle­ foundation Contact Aorn Silla­pasathit­­wong at: info@ maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org, Tel: 076 338 040.

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

SUN

4 NOV

STUDENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES; get your team ready for a fun-filled afternoon! Special prize for “Phuket’s Smartest Family”. Entrance: B150 students & B300 adults, Kid’s Mania Kids Club for 1-8 year olds at B250 (incl 50% donation) All proceeds to “Good Shepherd Centre, Phuket Town” .

TUE

6 NOV

@thephuketnews

2018 Colour Fun Run Gather up your friends or gear up solo for this vibrant race. The Colour Fun Run takes place annually and combines sport with family fun, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join in on this fantastic and colourful day out. Tickets for this event sell very fast, so book now to avoid disappointment. Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort, events@thanyapura.com, 076 336 000.

Melbourne Cup 2018 Brunch

WED

28 NOV

Christmas Market Date: 7th & 8th December 2018 from 6 pm. - 10 pm.

“Booths available” rate 2 days/1,000 THB.phuket Boat Lagoon, phuket Boat Lagoon, events@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext 318.

EVERY DAY

On Tuesday 6th November watch The Race That Stops The Nation at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. From 9am to 2pm enjoy this elegant fundraiser with five hours of free flow food and beverages, Fashions on the Field, amazing prizes and much more.

Book now with Donna Toon at lunch@classactmedia. co.th Tel: 0812 702 180.

FRI

9 NOV

Phuket Business Networking PBN #6

Fun Run 6km and Mini-Marathon 12km on October 27, 5.30 - 11.00am at Bang Ward Dam. Register online now! Bang Ward Dam, 083-505-5235.

FRI

7 DEC

Phuket Schools Quiz Challenge

27 OCT

Better Together 2018

SAT

10 NOV

A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBN is all about. Exact location in Kathu to be advise very soon. 086 479 7471, facebook.com/ events/172583063661011/

18th Architect & Hotelex Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition.

All types of construction materials from floors to roof tiles. Hotel supplies and home decoration items. See the latest breakthroughs in construction technology, interior design and building maintenance. Learn how to design a smarthome for multi-million-dollar project IPTV, 4G Internet, IP Phone, Mobile phone, CCTV and other high-tech devices. PIC Phuket, 076 217199.

Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant Spoil yourself with seafood set from noon – 10 pm every day! Come and crack open some crab legs, grilled mussels, peel some prawns, rock lobsters, sip some spicy tom yam soup and toast to your perfect night at this beachfront restaurant in Patong overlooking the sea (sunset) views. Start from THB 450. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impia Resort Patong, patong@impiana.com, 076 340 138.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. In the Star Wars movie Solo, how old is Chewbacca?

2. In electronics, what is a PCB? 3. Who was the first woman from a Scandinavian country to become world number one on the Women’s Tennis Association Tour?

4. French electronic music duo Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter are better known by what name?

5. Original American colonist William Bradford was the first to call the passengers of the Mayflower what?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across Maria 1. Destroy 60. Auld lang syne 6. Buttonhole, e.g.

64. Chinese gelatin 10. Use the soap 65. Vertical flyer 14. Multitude 67. Remote option 15. Member of a 68. Came to rest Bantu people 69. Playful aquatic 16. Garage occupant animal 17. Motorized hang 70. Hunt for glider 71. Blackthorn fruit 19. Hollywood favorite 72. Messes up a 20. Spanish coin drive 21. In single file 23. Entrepreneur’s Down deg.

1. Trounce 25. Chalice 2. Lady Macbeth, 26. Wife of Saturn e.g.

27. Hypocrites 3. Cultural doings 33. Reproductive cell 4. PC storages 34. Greek sandwich 5. New Zealand 35. Cunning parrot 36. Euripides drama 6. Kicker’s target 38. Day break?

7. Sled, racing 40. Propelled a boat 8. An Ionian island 44. Automobile sticker 9. Shows fig. disapproval 46. De____ the 10. “Hold on!” computer 11. Sound signals 48. Blotter letters 12. Defeat 49. The Concord, e.g. decisively 52. E.U. member 13. Stories can be 54. Fanciful story full of them 55. Besmirch 18. Consisting of 56. Italian educator, rich soil

22. A formal defense 24. New York 27. Funnyman DeLuise 28. Personal contraction 29. Blue 30. Tea server 31. Bread units 32. Colorful rug 37. Outback runner 39. Quid ___ quo 41. Sovereignty, in India 42. Stretch, with “out” 43. Not dis 45. Ginza girls 47. Bit of high jinks 49. Capitol group 50. Vend again 51. Secret 52. Islamic leaders 53. Scalawag 57. Arduous journey 58. Mishmash 59. Bar mitzvah, e.g.

61. Comics canine 62. Raise a stink 63. Drops the ball 66. “___ Baby Baby” (Linda Ronstadt hit)

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 190 years old; 2) Printed circuit board; 3) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark); 4) Daft Punk; 5) Pilgrims

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

5

different parts of your brain are used to understand and laugh at a joke.

30

different Batman logos have been used since 1940.

521

years is the half-life of DNA, which means that genetic material can’t be recovered from dinosaurs and ‘Jurassic Park’ is impossible.

1,250

to 1 is the probability that a plane you’re traveling in will get hit by lightning.

136 million

dollars per year in printing costs would be saved if the US government used the Garamond font exclusively for all of its documents.

Source: Uberfacts

Patong Beach. Photo: Michael Rafael Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history Oct 12, 1810 First Oktoberfest: The Bavarian royalty invites the citizens of Munich to join the celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

Oct 13, 2010 The mining accident in Copiapó, Chile comes to an end as all 33 miners arrive at the surface after surviving a record 69 days underground awaiting rescue.

Oct 14, 1973 In the Thammasat student uprising over 100,000 people protest in Thailand against the Thanom military government, 77 are killed and 857 are injured by soldiers.

Oct 15, 1529 The Siege of Vienna ends as the Austrians rout the invading Turks, turning the tide against almost a century of unchecked conquest throughout eastern and central Europe by the Ottoman Empire.

in the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute. (See photo.)

Oct 17, 1091 A tornado of T8/F4 strength, with wind speeds of 330-418km/h, strikes the heart of London.

Photo: Angelo Cozzi Oct 16, 1968 United States athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos are kicked off the US team for participating

Oct 18, 1867 United States takes possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million. Celebrated annually in the state as Alaska Day. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS Website operator

Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: Siam.serenity.th@gmail.com, 0874178715. @thephuketnews

Teacher wanted for child

Native English qualified teacher needed for child 5yo with autism. Speech, ABA, occupational therapists will have priority.

High salary, flexible working hours. European nations only. ksenia, dcondosale@ gmail.com

CHINESE SALES MANAGER WANTED

Art House Development Co., Ltd. Looking for Chinese sales manager, good communication skills, native Chinese speaker. For more details please contact. Tel: 089 594 6888. Email: info@arthouse.asia

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CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234- FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086-269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH. UR

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Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arranged. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

@thephuketnews

@thephuketnews

BUSINESS FOR SALE RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Riviera sport fishing boat

Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42’ Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel. 9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au

The Phuket News

Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). ZERO Debts/Leases/Loans etc.

Low Overheads, Hi-Margins, Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales).

Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: ZERO COMPETITION …

ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job Pymt 20-30hpw) + Monthly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Profits Dist. Genuine + Rare business opp – serious enquiries only please.

2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, PHUKET, MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime).

BUSINESS FOR SALE Chalong Boatbuilding Business

Boatbuilding business with 300sqm Office + 300sqm Workshop/Store.

Chanote 0.5rai. 30ft Speedboat plus moulds for more production. 16,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130, simonj@cscoms.com, +66878832542.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

Hyundai Veloster TURBO

Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000 km, Price from new 1,749,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tires, all options. Now just 850,000THB. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 0843058363 TH

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Amazing Deal!

2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket.

It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 495,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

UR

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000.

Call 081 427 5168.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu, office@tcm-asia.com, 086-9439834,076-385081.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

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Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE House Lots on Coconut Island!

230-300 sq.m. 1.4-1.9 million baht. New Chanote titles.

Government road. Electricity. 200 METRES TO OCEAN !! Financing available. Tel. 095-068-1672chrisfisherii@ gmail.com

Unique Investment Opportunity

Unique investment opportunity not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www. thegardenkptphuket.com

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Mulstristrada 2012

081-734-8309

2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com,

OTHER Hotel Laundry Sevices

Exceptional commercial laundry services in Patong. increased capabilities are allowing us to expand to support 500 additional rooms.

Competitive, Chonticha, Patong. candk servicespatong@gmail.com, 0991658538.

POOL TABLES AMAZING DEAL NOT TO BE MISSED!

Like new English Riley Pool Table for sale. Measures 320cm long by 170cm, comes with six pool cues and cue rack as well as game counter. Pick up in Chalong no delivery. Only 50,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

SERVICES One to one and family therapy

Young Minds Phuket is now fully set up and is offering one to one therapy, family and parenting support and support to schools. www.youngmindsphuket.com 0992382783.

Property Phuket Law

Properties hot deal for sell & buy, legal Advisor & Litigation Nationwide, accounting, visa, work permit, 083 599 4514, 087 014 9736,095 325 5654.

House for rent

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Inked Machine™ Tattoo

Good morning to all of you. Today I present the “ Machine Tattoo". This tattoo shop is located in Patong. When you are at the roundabout of Patong Beach, take a right and walk the beach. After 300 meters, you will find the Inked Machine Tattoo on your right at the entrance of the self ‘mor watthana’ (Watthana Clinic Soi’). You will be very made welcome and enjoy the cleanliness of the place (everything is new), but above all the quality of the tattoos that are made; traditional bamboo or machine (Demographer) – all your tattoo ideas will be satisfied. A team of several professional tattoo artists are waiting for you, the atmosphere is very nice and you will have a good time getting tattooed while listening to music. On Site you can buy T-shirts and other products in the image of the shop. The prices are very correct so do not hesitate to visit the site to make a beautiful tattoo during your stay on the island of Phuket.

For more information and details, I invite you to contact them and they will answer all your questions. I sincerely recommend it. Facebook : @InkedMachine.PhuketTattooStudio Instagram : Inked_Machine_Tattoo Soi Mor Watthana Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83150.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Loch Palm Golf Villa

2 bedrooms - full furniture - hole no 17 - Includes 2 golf bags, 2 bicycles, an exercise machine and golf membership until 21/02/2040. 11.2 Million Baht, philippe andre, Loch Palm Golf Club, philippediavel@gmail.com, 098 682 9069

7535.

A sea view house in the garden on the mountain at Ao Makham. 2 bedrooms.

Porntip, piranunt@icloud.com, 086 996

Villa Mission Heights big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. only email please. picharly@ gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT

ENDLESS POTENTIAL

12.5 rai walled w/ auto gate, water pound & transformer.

4200m2 slab, 9 Bed, 11 Bath, swim pool, ideal for school, detox, sport center 300,000 baht per month. lionel01@hotmail.com (66) 081 821 4064.

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/ out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. contact only via email. picharly@gmail.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

SPORT 29

Fishing the exotic

All you need to know on fishing in Phuket and surrounding area FISH THE EXOTIC

T

he Exotic Fishing Thailand team would like to introduce ourselves as the new fishing columnist for The Phuket News monthly fishing article.

Fishing is a very popular sport that can be appreciated by all ages on many different levels. Whether it’s serious anglers or families enjoying fun fishing, this diverse sport has something for everyone and especially in and around the Phuket area.

In future articles we will cover both saltwater fishing in the surrounding Andaman Sea and freshwater fishing in both, beautiful man-made lakes and the natural lakes and rivers of the nearby Khao Sok area.

As an angler of over 40 years I have learned to always do some research before every fishing outing. Fishing is not a perfect science but a well informed angler will always catch more fish. To assist you, the reader, we will provide accurate information in all articles so you can make informed decisions on how to spend your

EFT’s lake inhabitants include over 60 different exotic fish species. Photos: Supplied valuable recreational time and hard earned money.

We will happily share tips and techniques to help you maximise return from your efforts. Watch for interviews with credible captains, professional guides and resort owners who are committed to your fishing success.

We will focus on the freshwater fishing scene this month and highlight one of the most well-known fishing lakes in the area. The beautiful lake

The man-made lake of 10 acres is set in a beautiful setting surrounded by stunning limestone karsts and wild jungle.

resort known as Exotic Fishing Thailand (EFT) is conveniently located just one hour north of Phuket Airport and and 80 minutes from Krabi and Khao Lak. The man-made lake of 10 acres is set in a beautiful setting surrounded by stunning limestone karsts and wild jungle.

The most exciting thing about EFT is the lake’s inhabitants which include over 60 different exotic fish species.

The most sought after specimens are the Amazon monster Arapaima and the Thai heavy weight the Giant Mekong Catfish, both of which are present to over 150 kilograms.

EFT has the largest concentration of Arapaima of over 50kg in all of Thailand.

Most of our fish are grown from fry sourced in Thailand from breeding stock originating from Thailand’s popular aquarium industry. Other popular species include Sia-

He’s a winner: Congratulations to Andy Heath (Pugwash), who with 26 points

was one of two joint monthly winners of The Phuket News Premier League Predictions Competition for September. Andy won himself a B1,500 voucher to spend at Angus O’Tool’s in Karon. @thephuketnews

mese Carp, Amazon and Asian Redtail Catfish, Alligator Gar, Goonch Catfish and many other Thai and Amazon favourites.

All equipment and a reasonable amount of bait is provided along with direction and/ or assistance from enthusiastic fishing guides. All fishing is ‘Catch and Release’ and no

Lure Fishing or outside equipment is allowed in an effort to guarantee the safe release of all fish.

When netted, fish are kept in the water where they are given oxygen and sprayed with an antiseptic spray where required.

Fishing is done from comfortable lakeside fishing huts built for privacy and shelter from the elements. Luxury Mountain View accommodation is also available in modern spacious bungalows.

The lakeside restaurant is well known for its Thai and international dishes which can also be served in your sala while fishing. A kids favourite is the fish park where both kids and adults can feed the Arapaima and other species in several feeding ponds.

The best prices are available directly by email request with specials for families and groups. Fishing at this location is not cheap but the opportunity to catch some of the world’s biggest species makes it great value.

If you have questions about fishing in and around Phuket please feel free to contact us by email and we will do our best to help you with an accurate answer or direct you to another reliable source.

By Mike Bailey, Exotic Fishing Thailand Co Ltd Email; exoticfishingthailand@gmail. com Telephone; English 0883799377 or Thai 0811995922 facebook; h t t p s ://w w w.f a c e b o o k . com/E xotic-Fishing-Thailand-427820143951674/ Website; www.exoticfishingthailand.com

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Hamilton twists the knife Surely now Hamilton’s world championship is a mere formality BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

I

f a fifth Lewis Hamilton world championship wasn’t inevitable before his unstoppable march to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, surely now it’s a mere formality.

There wasn’t a moment across the entire weekend in which Hamilton, at the very peak of his powers in a car that has finally found its competitive sweet spot, looked likely to be beaten to the chequered flag. Even during Friday practice, a day that offers little to get drivers pumping with adrenaline, he could barely contain his enthusiasm as he surfed a wave of confidence.

“This track is awesome!” he whooped mid-lap over team radio.

“I’m having the best day!”

One might cynically suggest ulterior motives in Hamilton’s public enthusiasm as the Briton sought to apply the blowtorch to the fumbling Ferrari team, but the championship campaign of sole title rival Sebastian Vettel was already freely unravelling on its own.

A lack of practice pace proved a portent, but the real damage was done in qualifying when an inexplicable tyre strategy deprived both Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikkonen of a chance to set a

Lewis Hamilton receives the victory trophy on the podium after the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka last Sunday (Oct). Photo: Toshifumi Kitamura / AFP competitive time.

Both were sent out on wetweather tyres in anticipation of rain but were greeted by a dry track, and by the time they switched back to slicks, the rain began to fall, leaving Raikkonen fourth and Vettel ninth.

Title leader Hamilton, on the other hand, led an uncontested Mercedes front-row lockout, and he didn’t spare Ferrari any blushes.

“It’s so difficult out there to make the right call,” remarked the Briton. “When it comes to being under pressure, making the right

decisions, the right calls, that’s why we are the best team in the world.”

Ferrari principal Maurizio Arrivabene, feeling the weight of another lost championship, was furious.

“I am very angry. It is not the first time that these mistakes have occurred,” he told Autosport.

“Sometimes it is more useful to take your eyes off computers and watch the track, using common sense.”

But the worst was still to come for the Scuderia.

Vettel crashed into Max Verstappen as he attempted to make up for ground lost in qualifying, sending himself spinning from fourth to last on lap eight, wiping out his podium chances. Ferrari then botched Kimi Raikkonen’s strategy, dropping him to fifth behind Verstappen and teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

With the Italians imploding behind them, Mercedes engaged cruise mode, and Hamilton finished the race more than 12 seconds ahead of his teammate in second place after leading every lap.

It had been a masterclass not only in executing a clean race weekend but also in breaking down your opponent.

“I think together we can claim credit for applying the pressure, and ultimately that’s what happens in head-to-head battles with top competitors,” Hamilton said. “It’s the psychological war that we’re in.

“To go head to head with the guy you’re competing with and to see who breaks earliest and who falters is always the ultimate challenge of your mental stability under that pressure.”

It was Hamilton’s fourth win in succession and seventh victory in the last 10 races, bringing his championship advantage to a whopping 67 points – significant enough for him to wrap up his fifth world championship at the upcoming United States Grand Prix if he wins the race with Vettel third or lower.

“I think we have gone from strength to strength this year as a team,” Hamilton said, reflecting on his impending milestone. “Austin is usually a good track for us, so I can’t wait to unleash the beast there.”

A warning, then, that Hamilton and Mercedes are in no mood to stop the pummelling.

Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

UFC boss: Nurmagomedov won’t be stripped of UFC title MMA U N BE AT E N K H A BI B Nurmagomedov will not be stripped of his UFC lightweight title despite his role in a post-match brawl last Sunday (Oct 7), UFC president Dana White said in a website posting on Wednesday (Oct 10).

The 30-year-old Russian kept his crown with a fourth-

round submission victory over Ireland’s Conor McGregor in Las Vegas, improving to 27-0 in his professional career and 11-0 in UFC bouts.

McGregor was issued a 30-day competition suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) after the bout, among several short-term bans for fighters on the card in what is a common move after MMA bouts, with no

contact allowed until October 28 before McGregor’s ban expires November 6.

Nu r m a go m e d ov h a d barely released his hold after McGregor tapped out when he launched himself over the Octagon fence, apparently targeting McGregor’s training partner, Dillon Danis, as security tried to quell the chaos in the crowd.

Nurmagomedov was hus-

tled out surrounded by security officers as a pro-McGregor crowd jeered and threw drinks at him.

While UFC president Dana White did not present Nurmagomedov the title belt, fearing arousing the crowd’s ire, he told TMZ in a video posted on the UFC website that the Russian would not be stripped of the title and any punishment for the melee after UFC 229 would likely come from the NAC not the UFC. “He absolutely keeps his title,” White said. “And he’s going to get suspended (by the NAC), so maybe you give him a four-to-six month suspension.”

White said the NAC has not given Nurmagomedov his prize money pending an investigation of the situation and could impose a fine for his actions. “(The NAC) took his whole purse right now and they are talking about keeping his purse. I do not think that should happen,” White said.

“You should not be able to keep his whole purse.”

Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) chases down Conor McGregor in their UFC lightweight championship bout in Las Vegas. Photo: Harry How / AFP White said he thought the NAC should take a $250,000 fine.

White told TMZ payper-view record MMA sales numbers above two million buys for the show made him “a little giddy” but he added that Nurmagomedov made the wrong decision to enter the crowd after a heckler from McGregor’s camp.

“I don’t think there’s too many people who don’t understand why he did it, but he shouldn’t have done it,” White said. “He’s the world

champion. He just beat Conor in front of the entire world.

Stand up, get that belt wrapped around you. You won. The guy who’s yelling at you means nothing.”

White wasn’t sure what the future held for Nurmagomedov as far as opponents. McGregor says he wants a rematch but the NAC must rule first on just when the undefeated champion can return to the Octagon.

“We have to see how this stuff plays out with Khabib,” White said.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Three reasons Arsenal are now back on track FOOTBALL

MAIN SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90 minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for October 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at any one of the island's Two Chefs outlets.

AFP

A

EPL PREDICTIONS

rsenal have matched their best winning run in 11 years after thrashing Fulham 5-1 to make it nine successive victories in all competitions.

It is an unexpectedly strong start to the season for the Gunners after their dismal form in the final campaign of Arsene Wenger’s reign, equalling their nine straight wins in 2015.

Here we take a closer look at the reasons for Arsenal’s revival under new manager Unai Emery: Emery makes his mark Unai Emery arrived at the Emirates Stadium to find a club in turmoil after the painful end of Wenger’s 22-year stay, but the Spaniard has quickly won over his players with his relentless work ethic.

Emery was pushed out at Paris Saint-Germain after failing to win the Champions League but he knows the recipe for success after lifting the French title and landing the Europa League with Sevilla.

Emery relies on intense training sessions and video footage that can improve his players and find weaknesses in opponents.

That attention to detail has allowed Arsenal to adapt to Emery's desire for a hightempo pressing game and a commitment to passing out from the back.

Emery has also shown he is not afraid to take on the team’s under-achieving stars.

Earlier this season he reportedly made it clear to German playmaker Mesut Ozil that he

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Arsenal’s Unai Emery gestures on the touchline during the EPL football match between Arsenal and Manchester City, on Aug 12. Photo: AFP

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needs to work harder if he is to keep his place.

The breakdown of Aaron Ramsey’s contract talks is another thorny issue that Emery has so far navigated successfully, as the Wales midfielder showed his class with a committed display and superb goal at Fulham.

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Star strikers shine Finding a way to balance the talents of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has restored much-needed menace to Arsenal’s forward line.

Under Wenger, Arsenal were often guilty of overelaboration as their attacks would peter out due to an apparent desire to score the perfect goal every time.

Aubameyang quick ly emerged as a force following his January move from Borussia Dortmund, but the

Gabon striker’s arrival pushed Lacazette into a bit-part role.

Emery has solved that problem by playing Lacazette as his central striker in recent weeks and using Aubameyang in a wider role.

The revitalised Lacazette is a far more dominant and demonstrative figure in his second season, with his brace at Fulham taking his goal tally to five this term.

Aubameyang already has six goals after coming off the bench to score twice against Fulham, while Alex Iwobi has also emerged as a more influential figure on the flanks.

Luck of the draw Although Arsenal are enjoying a fine run, it has not escaped the notice of their more eagle-eyed fans that the success has come against a collection of teams unlikely

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1706: Saturday Oct 13 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Singha, No Hope Location: Thalang Showgrounds Directions: Head north from Heroines Monument towards Thalang and at the main traffic lights in Thalang turn left back towards Cherng Talay (no HHH sign). After approximately 600 metres turn right on the sharp bend (HHH), follow the road towards the airport for approximately 900m and turn left into the Showgrounds (HHH). Follow the road around to the laager site. HHH truck will be marked. Dog washing facilities available.

From Cherng Talay turn left at the police station traffic lights and head towards Thalang. Turn left at the sharp bend marked as the airport shortcut just before entering Thalang (HHH). Follow the road as above.

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

@thephuketnews

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to be parading silverware at the end of the season.

Arsenal’s nine victories have been amassed at the expense of West Ham, Cardiff, Newcastle, Everton, Watford and Fulham in the Premier League, while Brentford were beaten in the League Cup, along with wins over Vorskla Poltava and Qarabag in the Europa League.

Some of the performances in those matches were far from convincing but Emery’s men still deserve credit for a ruthless streak that deserted them against the lesser lights under Wenger.

Defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea at the start of the season suggest Arsenal’s clashes with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United in November and December will prove better evidence of whether the revival is sustainable.

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Arsenal match their best winning run in 11 years > p31

SHOWING THEIR CLASS

Division A leaders Black Sheep give masterclass in Round 10 of RPL POOL Richard Hearne

B

lack Sheep cemented their position as Division A favourites in Monday’s (Oct 8) Rawai Pool League action, while Roses Bar continue their unbeaten run in Division B. The Division A leaders put on a masterclass to show why their prospects are so strong this season. Playing away at Spot Bar, the Black Sheep players didn’t allow their hosts to get a single game on the scoreboard, winning the match 0-7 on aggregate and each individual game by 0-2 scorelines.

So complete was the drubbing that the match was completed by 10pm.

Second-ranked Shot Bar played host to Tropical Sands.

The home team coasted to a 6-1 win over their guests, with only Ryan getting a win on the board for the visitors.

Ryan’s 0-2 win over Shot’s Pan was a very good win, especially given Pan’s top-10 individual ranking.

Elsewhere, Division A’s remaining four games all concluded with identical winning margins.

White Hart played host to their nearest neighbours Future Bar with the singles matches providing plenty of close games.

White Hart secured three of the four games with 2-1 margins, while Future Bar’s captain managed to pull one game back beating Neil 1-2.

The match was sealed by the hosts with their 2-1 victory in the opening doubles match.

Jon Pickles playing for Islander A at Baroque Bar, with the home team winning out with a 5-2 scoreline on Monday night. Photo: Supplied Future Bar managed to claim consolation victories in the remaining two games, but their loss leaves them in an unchanged fifth place in the league.

White Hart, meanwhile, moved up to a shared second position with Shot Bar. Masaya Bar provided a near-identical 4-3 scoreline in their home win over Orange Bar. Playing without their travelling owners, Orange Bar had few answers in the singles, leaving Masaya in a commanding 3-1 lead going into the doubles games.

The match was settled with Michi and Mark us winning their doubles game against Alex and Pierre. Orange managed to pull back the final two games, but it was too little, too late.

Next door, Pita Bar wel-

comed Black Pearl in a highly anticipated match. The singles games were notable for the conservative play by the visitors, with Black Pearl’s Dave laying multiple snookers to score his side’s sole singles win over Pita owner Ding.

In other singles games, Pita’s Richard ran the table from both of Bang’s breaks to secure his 2-1 win, while Stefan made quick work of good friend Grega with a 2-0 scoreline.

Black Pearl pulled back the first doubles, but the match was decided in the next game.

Black Pearl took some consolation with a free drink in the beerleg.

The last Division A match of the night produced the late finish we’ve come to expect from Freedom Bar. The difference this week, though,

was they were playing away to hosts Mango.

Freedom put on a very strong showing in the singles to take the match to 1-3, but a comeback from Mango saw the match go into the beerleg evenly balanced at 3-3. The visitors won out in the beerleg, but not without all three frames.

Mango Bar drops two spots to fourth, while Freedom Bar moves up to seventh in the table.

Division B leaders Roses Bar continued their winning ways with a 3-4 victory at Black Bull. The singles games were a one-sided affair, with only substitute player Andy getting points on the board for the home team against Roses’ Noom.

That win could not hold back the current Division B

leaders, and the match victory was sealed shortly after in the first doubles game.

The hosts did manage to pull back the remaining two games, but Roses Bar unbeaten run remains intact.

Both Islander teams suffered defeats this week, with the A boys going down heavily to a female-heavy Baroque Bar team.

Only Andy Moore (pictured) managed to get singles points on the board for the visitors, and the home team played out the match with a 5-2 scoreline.

Meanwhile, Islander B played host to the all-girls Pink Sheep. Spoils were shared and both teams sat on three game wins each going into the beerleg. But the Pink Sheep girls pulled off their fifth consecutive win

to take them up to joint sixth in the B table.

Not a good week for the Islander, and some excellent wins from the growing number of lady players in the RPL. In other matches, O’s bar welcomed the players from White Hart BBQ. That welcome may not have endured a dramatic thrashing of the hosts by the guests, with the scoreline reading 1-5 with the beerleg remaining.

The home side took consolation from their free drink and beerleg points, but the match ended as a one-sided event.

Kilt’n Haggis played host to Stor Bar, and the match was wrapped up before the doubles began.

Stor ran away with a 0-4 scoreline, and the remaining games left the hosts nursing a 1-6 defeat including a beerleg loss.

No happy endings for the Kilt.

The final Division B match saw Moonlight visit The Stoned Crab, but could the visitors shine?

It turned out to be a cloudy night, and the hosts ran out with a convincing 5-2 win, including the beerleg points and drinks.

Moonlight Bar stay second from bottom.

Better luck next time Moonlight!

For information about the Rawai Pool League visit our website at http://rawai. pl or the Facebook group at http://rawai.pl/fb. The Rawai Pool League is sponsored by Thailand Pool Tables.

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