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Plawan and his family struggle to understand reasons for axe attack

By Paritta Wangkiat

V

orasit “Plawan” Issara, critically hurt in a murderous and frenzied attack in an after-hours bar in Phuket Town on January 4, is still trying to understand

why he was stabbed and hacked almost to death.

“What the hell were they thinking?” the general manager of the high-end Sri Panwa Resort asked in a post from Bangkok Hospital to his Facebook account. “I cannot believe

this kind of place exists … we are so lucky to be alive.”

His parents, too, are trying to comprehend the mentality of the staff at the Rachada Pub on Takua Pa Rd in the grubby Poonphol area of Phuket Town.

Mr Vorasit, his bodyguard

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Songkran Issara: ‘My son was a victim of the overall decline in society’ and chauffeur and several friends – including Jeremy Renner, star of the latest Mission Impossible film and of the Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker – went to the bar in the early hours of January 4 and were attacked by staff after

a “minor misunderstanding” over a broken glass.

Two of the party were treated at the hospital and released soon after. The chauffeur, Noppadon Preechawai, spent a couple of nights in hospital being treated for a cut to the

head. He also had a tooth knocked out.

But the wrath of the Rachada staff seemed to be reserved specially for Mr Vorasit.

At a press conference on Saturday called by Mr VoraContinued on Page 2

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THE PHUKET NEWS

NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Saying ‘I do’ in paradise More Indian couples to wed in Phuket > 5

Crackdown on late So lucky to be alive night venue hours Phuket police are to rigorously enforce bar closing hours following the murderous attack on Sri Panwa General Manager Vorasit “Plawan” Issara by staff of the Rachada Pub in Poonphol on January 4, at around 3.30am.

On Monday afternoon (January 9), the new Commander of Phuket Police, Maj Gen Chonasit Wattanavrangkul, ar ranged a meeting with more than 110 owners or representatives of entertainment venues in Phuket City to discuss the laws relating to bars and the responsibilities of bar staff.

The establishments invited to the meeting included bars, night clubs, pubs, karaoke places, massage parlours and restaurants that open until late.

“One of responsibilities of bar staff is to stop customers from brawling, not to brawl with customers,” said Gen Chonasit.

He stressed the law that sets the minimum age of staff at 18, and told those at the meeting to check on the backgrounds of their staff.

He also told them to observe staff behaviour to see whether employees are using drugs

thephuketnews.com

Police chief Gen Chonasit: ‘One of responsibilities of bar staff is to stop customers from brawling, not to brawl with customers.’ or bringing weapons onto the premises.

Those at the meeting listened, but few spoke.

One who did was a representative of the Pink Lady Night Club in Phuket Town.

“It should be fine if opening hours of Phuket entertainment venues are expanded [beyond 2am],” he argued, before complaining, “When this incident occurred, every entertainment venue is dragged in to take responsibility.”

After the attack at the Rachada Pub the pub was ordered to close for 90 days

for staying open after closing time. The closure may be extended if the pub is found have been operating without a licence.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha told media on January 5 that about 200 of the estimated 700 entertainment venues on Phuket do not have licences.

Gov Tri said that he believed that most of the unlicenced venues were trying to dodge taxes. It was also easier for them “to run away from any possible problems,” he added.

From Page 1 sit’s family, doctors detailed his injuries: • Five wounds on his head from “something sharp”. (On his Facebook page Mr Vorasit said the cuts on his head were caused by a bottle being smashed over it.)

• An axe wound to his right shoulder.

• A much more serious axe wound to the left shoulder, with a deep cut resulting in two pieces of bone being separated from his shoulder blade.

• A stab wound to the left side of his stomach, going almost right through to his back. The knife nicked his large intestine but did not damage any vital organs.

• A cut on his left ankle, which damaged a nerve and two tendons.

Mr Vorasit underwent 12 hours of operations, said Dr Badin La’ied, Deputy Director of the Bangkok Hospital.

He was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital and Dr Badin estimated he had lost between one and one and a half litres of blood.

The doctors said that the leg wound would mean Mr Vorasit would be in plaster for at least six weeks, but t he leg wou ld probably recover completely.

Above, the weapons used in the attack on Mr Vorasit.

Below, an X-ray shows the damage to his left shoulder caused by the axe.

Nareubate Tednok (left) admitted to swinging the axe while Suchart Palar confessed he stabbed Mr Vorasit.

But the damage to the left shoulder may leave him unable to raise his left arm.

“We can’t say when he will be ready to leave hospital,” Dr Badin said. “We want to observe his progress for seven days before we make any decisions.”

Mr Songkran, who is managing director of Charn Issara Development PLC, developers of Sri Panwa and owners of the resort, said, “We are very grateful that my son survived.

He’s very lucky,” said.

He stressed that there was no truth in rumours that his son started the fight at the Rachada Bar in the Phoonpol area of Phuket Town.

“I want to assure the media that Plawan would never start a fight – he never has. This was over a matter of a broken glass. I can’t believe people could do something like this.

“I think he was in the wrong place at wrong time.

He had been to this bar half a dozen times before.”

Tr ying to understand the explosive viciousness of

the attack, he said, “He is a victim of the overall decline in society.”

Mr Vorasit’s mother Sivala said, “I’m sure that rumours that he started the fight are not true. Especially with people lower on the social scale, he was always nice and polite.”

But, she added, “I am not surprised it happened. It’s the kind of people who go [to the Rachada Bar].

“It’s not the kind of place he should have taken his guests to. Even if they wanted to experience a typical Thai bar, he should not have taken them there.

“It will be a lesson for him.”

Seven men have been arrested for their parts in the attack, including Nareubate Tednok, 18, who admitted hacking at Mr Vorasit with a battleaxe made from motorcycle parts, and Suchart Palar, 26, who confessed to stabbing him in the stomach.

Mr Songkran said, “We will let the judicial system take its course.”

PROUD! THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Mark Pendlebury, owner of Phuket Sail Tours, was del ig ht e d t o he a r f rom The Phuket News on Tuesd ay (Ja n u a r y 10) c o n f i r m a t io n t h a t h i s s o n Gle n , one of t he t h r e e eco-warriors held aboard a Japanese whali ng sh ip of f Au st r a l ia , is to be freed.

Twenty-seven-year-old Glen, along with Geoffrey Owen Tuxwor th and Simon Peterffy, are activists helping the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which has fought a decades-long battle to protect marine life, particularly whales being hunted by Japanese ships.

On Saturday (January 7) the trio left the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin and boarded the Shonan Maru 2, a whaling fleet security ship owned by the Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research, off Bunbury in Western Australia.

The aim of the boarding was to force the Shonan Maru to stop pursuing the Steve Irwin. The Japanese simply locked them up.

Intense diplomatic manoeuvrings ended with the

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Dad backs his son’s anti-whaling action

Glen Pendlebury (right) with fellow eco-warriors Geoffrey Owen Tuxworth and Simon Peterffy before they boarded the whaling fleet security vessel Shonan Maru 2 in the dead of night.

– Photo AFP/Sea Shepherd news on Tuesday that the Japanese would not pursue trespass charges against the activists and would release them to the Australians.

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“T hat’s g reat news,” said father Mark. “I’m very pleased. I’d like to thank Larry Cunningham (Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket)

for all his help in putting me in touch with the embassy, and also the Australian Consulate in Japan for all their efforts.”

He said that Glen had been

involved with Sea Shepherd for some 18 months. “I think whaling’s wrong myself, and I fully support his stand,” he added. “In my career I

fought for social justice and I guess I gave him a strong sense of that.”

He also responded to remarks by Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, who was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying through a spokesman, “Activity of the nature undertaken by these three Australians is unacceptable and will ultimately be costly to the Australian taxpayer.

“This sort of hazardous protest action is not the way to put an end to whaling.

The best way to stop whaling once and for all is through our court action.”

Mark Pendlebury replied, “History proves her wrong. If it wasn’t for provocative action, nothing would happen.”

An Australian customs vessel, the Ocean Protector, has been ordered to take the trio off the Shonan Maru 2.

But it is not clear when or how this will be done, not least because the Shonan Maru is still pursuing the Steve Irwin and shows no sign of breaking off the chase to make things easier for the transfer.

–Alasdair Forbes

Sunil Shankar (check shirt) at the Customs press conference last Saturday.

Indian held for smuggling Indian national Sunil Shankar, 22, was arrested on Saturday (January 7) after being searched by customs officials at Phuket International Airport.

In two hand bags he was carrying a total of 6.5 kilograms of ephedrine, the base drug used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, known in Thailand as ya ba, or “crazy drug”.

At a press conference held at the airport on Saturday evening, customs officials said that Shankar had flown to Phuket from Bangalore via Singapore.

He told officials that a

friend’s uncle had a friend based in Haad Yai who wanted some saris delivered to him.

The man in Haad Yai sent an air ticket and a cellphone sim card to India and these were given to Shankar.

Shankar, who said that he did not know there were drugs in the bags, insisted that he was not expecting to be paid for carrying the bags, and that he did not know there were drugs in them.

Customs might not have caught him had he not gone to them to ask whether he needed to pay duty on the saris.

Officials ran one of the bags through a scanner, spotting something suspicious in the bottom of it. When they opened it they found most of the bag full of saris. Below them, however, was a false bottom, and below that a wooden frame to protect the ephedrine, which was packed flat.

The amount of the drug he was carrying, officials said, was enough to make at least 100,000 ya ba pills, with a street value of B30 million.

Shankar was taken to the cells at Tah Chat Chai Police station.

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SIMON OSTHEIMER Managing Editor 08 3922 9265 managingeditor@thephuketnews.com From Hong Kong; nearly a decade’s experience as editor of magazines and newspapers in Shanghai (City Weekend, that’s Shanghai), Beijing (tbjhome, Urbane), Hong Kong (Time Out Hong Kong), Kuala Lumpur (Vision KL), Bangkok (Bangkok 101) and Phuket. Journalist for Esquire, Fah Thai, Vacations & Travel, Travel & Leisure, CNNGo, Surface and Dwell.

ALASDAIR FORBES Executive Editor 08 7884 9964 execeditor@thephuketnews.com From the UK; 40 years as a journalist and editor on magazines and newspapers in the UK, Middle East, Hong Kong and Thailand: Cheshire Observer, Chester Chronicle, Saudi Gazette, Gulf Mirror, Gulf Construction, Gulf News, Hongkong Standard, Asian Business (Editor) and Phuket Gazette (Managing Editor for seven years).

DANE HALPIN Sub Editor editor2@thephuketnews.com From Australia; Degree in Journalism, Charles Sturt University; Four years’ experience at: The Australian, The Central Western Daily, The Leader, The Canberra Times, and The Vientiane Times.

CLAIRE CONNELL

Bust nets B12.6m worth of ya ba, ice Three Thai men involved in a drug supply network were arrested on Monday evening (January 9) by an Anti-Drug Special Team (ADST) led by the Phuket Office of the Narcotics Control Board (NCB).

Seven hundred and eighteen grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 20,200 pills of ya ba (methamphetamine) with a total street value of more than B12.6 million were seized, along with three ATM cards, four cellphones, two motorbikes and two bank books showing balances of B500,000.

The arrest of the three started with the arrest of Thawatchai Boonruam, 24, whom ADST had suspected for two months of dealing in drugs.

Two hundred ya ba pills were found in his possession.

He told police that he had bought the ya ba from Thanasin Na Pattalung and Amrin Klinfung, both 25, who were described as major dealers in the drug network.

Luck was on the side of

Sub Editor

From New Zealand; BA (English) from University of Otago; Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury; Five years’ experience at the Gisborne Herald, and the Marlborough Express.

NORACHAI THAVISIN Sub Editor editor3@thephuketnews.com

SUKUNYA ‘BEAU’ PHOONPONG Reporter 08 1535 8080 reporter2@thephuketnews.com

PARITTA ‘MAI’ WANGKIAT Reporter 08 3240 5837 reporter3@thephuketnews.com

APINYA ‘BEE’ SAKSRI Reporter 08 6561 2012 reporter4@thephuketnews.com

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From left, Thanasin Na Pattalung, Amrin Klinfung and Thawatchai Boonruam. the police: as the ADST were interrogating Thawatchai, Amrin called him to demand money owed for drugs.

Amrin made an appointment with Thawatchai on Soi Ratthamanoon in Kathu.

When he and Thanasin arrived, officers pounced on them. A

search of an apartment on Mae Luan Rd in Phuket Town and a house in Kathu resulted in the seizure of 20,000 ya ba pills and 718 grams of ya ice.

The two admitted they had had received the drugs from a man know as “Bang”, believed to live in Pa Khlok area. Bang,

they explained, usually left packages of drugs at a specified location for Amarin and Thanasin to collect.

After the two had collected the money from selling the drugs, they would transfer it to a bank account specified

by Bang.

Freedom Beach land scandal escalating

editor1@thephuketnews.com

From Thailand: BA, BFA and Master of Fine Art and Design, University of Tasmania, where he worked as a painter and illustrator. Six years’ experience with the Bangkok Post, Pattaya Mail and Fine Art magazine.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Bjorn Tackmann

Danish dive guru dies in Surat Thani Phuket’s diving community is mourning the death of highly regarded dive guru Bjorn Tackmann.

Mr Tackmann, 57, died suddenly in hospital in Surat Thani on Friday (January 6) while on holiday in the area.

He had been diagnosed with cancer last year, but was believed to be in remission. He started feeling unwell last week and died two days later.

Mr Tackmann had lived in Phuket for 20 years, the last 10 of those spent working as a dive course director for Dive Asia.

Dive Asia manager Benno Brandon said the news was a shock as he thought Mr Tackmann was recovering well.

“He was a very well liked, outgoing person.”

Mr Tackmann is survived by a teenage son and wife who live in Phuket.

The spokesman of the ruling Puea Thai Party (PTP), Prompong Nopparit, will visit Phuket today (January 13) to inspect a controversial 65-rai land plot next to Freedom Beach, just south of Patong.

Freedom Beach, which can only be reached by boat, has long had a reputation as “the secret beach you shouldn’t tell anyone else about”.

The visit follows a complaint to the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) last year by a group of people calling themselves The Phuketians.

They alleged that the occupier of the land, Pantong Na Ranong, had obtained title to it through “corrupt processes” involving 11 officials.

The most prominent name on the list of those allegedly involved is that of former Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa'ngob, whose signature of approval appears on the title deed. Mr Wichai is now the appointed senator for Phuket.

In response, PACC officials visited Phuket in December to inspect the land, which covers 65 rai of sloping land with wide views over the Andaman Sea, but which appears to be inside the boundaries of the Nakkerd

Forest Reserve.

A source who has been following the case, but who did not want to be named, said he understood that the land was up for sale at B43 million per rai, or a total of B2.8 billion.

Channel 3 TV’s 3D News reported that Mr Pantong claimed to have bought the land in 1989 from Taweep Wutthithammaporn, whose father, in turn, had claimed ownership since 1937, 17 years before the forest reserve was established in 1954.

However, the PACC investigation found out that Mr Taweep had made a statement to a land official in 1976 that he occupied the land in 1967 – seven after the forest reserve was declared.

T he PACC fou nd M r Pantong had been asking the Provincial Land Office for a chanote title deed for more than 20 years, and had finally received it on April 12 last year.

However, the PACC could find no trace of a Sor Kor 1 paper for the land – an essential part of the paper trail involved in establishing ownership.

In addition, the land had not been surveyed before the chanote was issued, the PACC noted. The Land Office re-

sponded that the land had been surveyed in 1990, and there was therefore no need for it to be surveyed again.

Suspecting false statements and irregular processes in the issuing of the title deed, the PACC decided to submit the names of 10 officials from the Land Office and the Forestry Office, along with Senator Wichai, to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further investigation.

This resulted in Mr Prom­ pong’s decision to visit Phuket this week, in line with Puea Thai’s stated intention to stamp out corruption. He is expected to report his findings to the party and the NACC. In late December, Senator Wichai told media that he signed the title deeds after checking papers submitted to him by officials, which showed that the land could be owned by individuals.

These papers also stated that Mr Taweep owned the land before the Forest Reserve was set up.

“A governor’s signature is not for issuing a title deed,” said Mr Wichai. “If there are proven documents [for issuing title deeds], I am obliged to sign.”

THE PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

More Indians say The ‘I do’ in Phuket This year could shape up to be the year of the Indian wedding in Phuket, with 10 Indian couples already planning nuptials on the island.

Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office Bangornrat Shinaprayoon expects the market for Indian weddings, known for being lavish affairs, to grow considerably here this year, after numbers were reported to have dropped in 2011.

Though it is still only January, at least 10 Indian couples have already showed interest in arranging their wedding in Phuket this year.

One Indian couple will bring around 200 guests to celebrate their wedding at Angsana Laguna Phuket this February, while another Indian couple will have a three-day, three-night wedding in a luxury hotel this August.

The budget for this particular wedding is set between B5 million and B10 million.

The couple’s parents, Suresh Bathija and Somesh Batra, told Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha on January 4 that the wedding would include about 200 guests, including many who operate businesses in the shipping, manufacturing, tourism, IT and finance sectors.

Ms Bangornrat said this was a great opportunity to

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MAKING A SPLASH: Irish expatriate Liam Stewart (rear, left) cheers along with children and mothers from the Life Home Project (LHP) after he arranged a day out at Splash Jungle for them on Saturday (January 7). Mr Stewart raised money for the day out by organising a charity golf day at Blue Canyon Country Club on December 3. There was enough money, too, for swimming togs and gifts for all. Also pictured are Liam’s brother David (rear, blue shirt and white cap), Kathy Manthei Coulson (in front of him), and Peter Wood and Hélène Fallon Wood (rear, right), all of LHP.

robot kings

The accomplishments of students from Muang Phuket Municipal School were recognised at a ceremony held by the Minister of Interior on January 6 after they won the ‘Most Creative’ award at the World Robot Olympiad 2011, held in Abu Dhabi from November 17 to 23 last year.

The three grade-five students, Tipok Kijkobsin, Pakin Boonlom and Boonrit Plusen, met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Yongyuth Wichaidit at Government House.

The students explain their robot to a competition judge.

They represented Thailand the ‘Most Creative Award’ for in competition with 33 teams their garbage sorting robot. from around the world, coming The machine had previously fifth out of 34 teams in the pri- won a locally organised robot mary school division, winning contest in August 2011.

Elaborate jewellery and make-up are part of the glamour of Indian weddings.

– Photo Prakhar Amba promote Phuket tourism, as well as bring in more potential investors to the island.

She hopes 2012 w ill bring more Indian couples to Phuket to marry, after numbers dropped last year.

Debbie Dionysius, assistant vice-president of destination marketing at Laguna Phuket, told the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) in October last year, “We [saw] a slowdown in lavish Indian weddings on the island.”

Laguna Phuket is a popular location for Indian weddings, along with JW Marriott and Banyan Tree.

“India is a booming market,

but currently the occupancy of Indian tourists is under five per cent. We are looking at [encouraging] family groups with children and wedding entourages,” Ms Dionysius told the news service.

The TAT branches in Delhi and Mumbai have promoted Phuket as a wedding destination in the Indian market, a campaign that has so far received positive feedback and interest.

Thai Tourism Board statistics say 30,000 Indian tourists visited Phuket last year, while the whole of Thailand logged nearly one million Indian visitors in 2010.

500 passports still missing The representative of Philippines Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday (January 10) met Phuket Immigration Superintendent Pol Col Panuwat Ruamrak to discuss ways to retrieve passports given by Filipinos to an alleged loan shark, as security for loans made to them.

Pol Maj Kaken Nikornhatsachai, Inspector of the Immigration Police, told

The Phuket News, “[The alleged loan shark] Anthony Granata, was released on bail recently but we still don’t know where the passports are. We tried questioning him [about the passports], but he refused to answer.

“We also passed on a proposal by some of the debtors that they would repay part of their loans in exchange for their passports. At first he seemed to

agree, but later he rejected the proposal.” Phuket Immigration are currently compiling a list of all the Filipino debtors whose names appear in papers seized from Granata’s home and will send the completed list to the Philippines Embassy.

The embassy will submit the list to the Thalang Police, asking them to try to find the passports by searching the homes of Granata’s associates.

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Hospital denies ‘unethical’ care The director of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (OrBorJor) Hospital, Dr Chak Somana, has gone public in an effort to protect the reputation of the new hospital, denying that doctors and management were neglectful and unethical in their care of 74-year-old patient Pha Kongjeen, who died on New Year’s Day. Dr Chak delivered his denial at a press conference on Tuesday (January 10) after Ms Pha’s son Narongpol Suwanmosri lodged a complaint with the Damrongdharm Centre (the Phuket ombudsman) the previous day, alleging neglect and an “unethical” regard for money over life.

Mr Narongpol told The

because he had not paid them the full amount asked.

“I have no problems with the payment, and I can pay them as much as they want.

They should be more ethical in their care of patients,” he said.

His mother was finally moved, but, he said, “Instead of putting her in the ICU at Vachira Hospital, they just left her in the emergency ward, where she had no medical oxygen for almost seven hours.”

Despite the efforts of the doctors at Vachira, Ms Pha died three days later.

At the press conference, Dr Chak put the OrBorJor hospital’s case.

“She was suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and nephrosis [a

Phuket News that his mother was admitted to the OrBorJor hospital on October 22 suffering from diabetes. The fee for treatment was B300,000, he said, and he had no problem with this.

On December 29 Ms Pha’s condition deteriorated and doctors decided she should be transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Mr Narongpol was told he would have to pay a further B100,000, but with banks closed for the New Year holiday, he asked if he could pay B50,000 initially.

He said he paid B50,000 and asked the OrBorJor hospital to transfer his mother on that day.

But, he alleged, they refused to do so. He believed this was

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Narongpol Suwanmosri lodges his complaint with the Damrongdharm Centre, the Phuket ombudsman. kidney condition], which had been treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital before she was transferred here on October 22.”

He explained that on December 29, Ms Pha had trouble urinating, so the OrBorJor doctor decided she should be transferred to the main kidney centre at Vachira Hospital, which is better equipped to deal with kidney conditions.

Dr Chak said that Ms Pha could breath by herself and

could speak, and her pulse and blood pressure were normal, so there was no reason for her to be put on oxygen.

Dr Chak said that there was no problem with the payments by Mr Narongpol but added, “We are always open to negotiations with a patient if they don’t have enough money.

Doctors can treat them before payment is received.”

Mr Narongpol is now considering taking legal action.

Phuket kids gear up for their special day PR & MARKETING MANAGER

Tamakorn (Boo) Khowpon 088 766 1615 pr@thephuketnews.com

Various organisations are gearing up to celebrate National Children’s Day tomorrow (January 14).

Phuket Fantasea will offer free entry to Fantasea Village from 3pm to 5pm, with a show on stage, games, and a floating market. In the Tiger Jungle Adventure Zone children will be able to meet with Fantasea’s three white tigers.

Central Festival Phuket will hand out gifts, food and drink to underprivileged children on Naka Yai Island on January 13. The next day, at Central Festival Phuket’s Exhibition Hall from 11am there will be a bouncy castle, a pet talent show, games, a children’s singing competition, and a mini concert from Thailand performers Keng Sitthikorn and Nuknik Nichapich.

Phuket International Airport will have aircraft on display from 8.30am to 3pm as well as an airshow by the Royal Thai Air Force.

Jungceylon will have a remote control “fish” show, a dress-up competition, an art competition, art and craft workshops, games and more on both January 14 and 15 from 11am.

Phuket Provincial Administra-

tion Organization will hold an event from 8am to 4pm on January 14 at the Phuket Provincial Hall.

Patong City Municipality will organise activities at Loma Park between 8.30am to 3pm.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket will hold activities from 8am until midday.

There will be a free magic show and games, plus prizes. www.foreca.com

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast FRI JANUARY 13

SAT JANUARY 14

SUN JANUARY 15

MON JANUARY 16

TUE JANUARY 17

WED JANUARY 18

THU JANUARY 19

High: +29° Low: +24°

High: +29° Low: +25°

High: +30° Low: +26°

High: +29° Low: +25°

High: +26° Low: +25°

High: +27° Low: +26°

High: +27° Low: +26°

Wind 8 kmh

Wind 5 kmh

Wind 3 kmh

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Wind 4 kmh

Wind 4 kmh

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HAT YAI

25-31 °C LANGKAWI

During 13-19 Jan, morning cool with light fog. Slightly rises in temperature. Minimum temperature 18-23 °C, maximum 30-33 °C. Northeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. During 13-16 Jan there will be isolated rain and 1-3 °C drops.

EASTERN:

CLASSIFIED MANAGER

Jarunee Phetchmanee 088 754 1372

During 13-19 Jan, slightly rise in temperature and isolated rain. Cold in parts, minimum temperature 12-15 °C and cool elsewhere.

Maximum 27-31 °C. During 13-16 Jan, expect isolated to scattered rain and 1-3 °C drops.

CENTRAL:

NAKHON RATCHASIMA

22-32 °C

NORTHEASTERN:

22-31 °C HO CHI MINH CITY

During 13-19 Jan, morning cool with light fog.

Minimum temperature 19-23 °C, maximum 30-34 °C. Cool to cold on mountaintops. During 13-16 Jan, scattered thundershowers. Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 metre.

SOUTHERN (EAST COAST):

Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rain from Chumphon southward especially during 13-16 Jan. Minimum temperature 20-24 °C, maximum 29-32 °C. Northeasterly winds 20-40 km/hr. Wave height 2-3 metres.

SOUTHERN (WEST COAST):

Widely scattered to scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain during 13-16 Jan. Minimum temperature 21-24 °C, maximum temperature 31-33 °C. Easterly winds 20-35 km/hr. Wave height 1 metre, 2 metres offshore.

THE PHUKET NEWS

NATIONALNEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Tiger parts in the post

Thai customs officials said last Friday (January 6) they had seized four boxes of smuggled tiger skins and bones worth millions of Baht in the post, believed to be destined for interior decoration.

The tigers, whose parts were found earlier this week, were thought to have come from Indonesia and eventually be destined for China, said Somchai Poolsawasdi, director general of Royal Thai Customs.

“There were four boxes, and each box contained one tiger skin, bones and a skull.

Each one weighed around five kilogrammes,” he told AFP. He said the parcels, thought to be sent be a trafficking gang, were en route to Mae Sai in northern Thailand and came through Bangkok’s main post office, where officials got a tip-off.

“The way they processed these tigers, I think they were meant for furniture or decoration,” he added.

Anti-trafficking group Freeland said the tiger parts were worth an estimated B1.8 million (US$60,000), warning that the poaching and trafficking of

Four boxes of smuggled tiger skins and bones were seized by Thai customs last Friday. – Photo by Freeland Foundation. tiger meat, bones and skin was a key cause of the declining wild Asian tiger populations.

“The confiscation of these tiger skins and bones is com-

mendable and has clearly hurt the criminals financially,” said Tim Redford of Freeland.

“However, with so few tigers left in the wild, stop-

ping any more ending up like this is vital.”

Thailand is one of just 13 countries hosting fragile tiger populations and is a hub of

international smuggling. Worldwide, numbers are estimated to have fallen to only 3,200 tigers from approximately 100,000 a century ago.

–AFP

Thais in the dark on Dawei plant Construction on a 4,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant at Dawai in Burma has been halted, but Thai companies remain confident in its future, despite an outcry over the plant’s environmental impact.

The Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday that Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and its partner Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc (Ratch) said they had yet to be notified and were satisfied the power plant would proceed, perhaps using natural gas instead.

“If they don’t want coalfired power plants, we have to look for other fuel sources. It

could be natural gas, and we’d need to discuss how to supply that,” Somchet Thinaphong, the managing director of Dawei Development Co, told the Post.

Ratch president Noppol Milinthanggoon said his company had not received an official report from Burma, and would be waiting for verification before making any comment.

Thun Reansuwan, a first executive vice-president of Siam Commercial Bank, the financial adviser for Dawei, says further elaboration of the project is needed.

“If the government is

concerned about the environment, then we need to discuss and understand why coal-fired power plants were proposed,” he said.

“If they decide to use other fuel, then we have to think about electricity prices.”

The decision to put the brakes on the plant follows the suspension last October on environmental grounds of the Chinese-led, US$3.6-billion Myitsone dam, a move that stunned China – Burma’s biggest ally – but won President Thein Sein political credit among sceptics at home and abroad who have doubted

his government’s commitment to reform.

Like Myitsone, Dawei has been strongly opposed by local residents and environmental groups. The government’s willingness to heed such opposition is all the more remarkable in that many among the leadership were also part of the former junta.

The 250-square-kilometre, US$50-billion Dawei Special Economic Zone will be Southeast Asia’s largest industrial area and a vital source of revenue for a government seeking to overhaul its economy and raise living standards.

Green light for B2.27 trillion in spending The Thai cabinet approved a massive B2.27 trillion spending plan on Tuesday (January 10), with most of the money earmarked for infrastructure projects over the next five years.

Projects include new intercity road links, high-speed train networks, urban mass transit systems, as well as marine, air transport and telecommunication development, the Bangkok Post reported.

They would be starting from this year, through to 2016.

The cabinet also endorsed four executive decrees to enable it to borrow B400 billion to pay for water management

projects and an insurance fund to restore investors confidence.

The approved decrees are: • An executive decree to transfer the interest-payment burden on a B1.14 trillion debt left over from the 1997 crisis from the Finance Ministry to the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF), an institution set up under the Bank of Thailand to manage the bank crises.

• An executive decree to seek B350 billion in loans for water management projects and flood restoration and rehabilitation work.

• An executive decree to set up a B50 billion fund to offer flood insurance to the business sector.

• An executive decree to amend central bank regulations to extend B300 billion in soft loans to financial institutions.

The endorsements are aimed at clearing the way for the government to borrow funds for water management projects and restore confidence in the country, said Council of State secretary-general Atchaporn Jaruchinda.

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said that

under the debt-transfer decree, the FIDF would be authorised to collect fees of up to 1 per cent of the deposit base from local banks to generate cash to make interest payments on the debt.

However, Mr Kittiratt said the fees would not be more than the 0.4 per cent fee currently collected by Deposit Protection Agency (DPA).

Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said the new fees would not affect local banks because they would benefit from a government policy that will cut the corporate tax rate to 23 per cent from 30.

Dawei will include an $8-billion deep-sea port, an oil refinery and a petrochemical factory in a project scheduled to be developed in three phases from 2010-19.

It is located in the Tanintharyi region of southern Burma on the Indian Ocean, 350 km west of Bangkok.

7

Payouts planned for victims of unrest Thailand on Tuesday agreed a B2 billion (US$63 million) pot to compensate all victims of years of political unrest and aid reconciliation in the often deeply divided nat ion, a gover n ment spokeswoman said.

The fund will pay out for all deaths and injuries sustained in a string of violent protests since 2005, involving the arch nationalist Yellow Shirts, the mainly rural workingclass Red Shirts and several smaller factions.

“The cabinet approved a B2 billion budget for all victims of political violence so they can receive appropriate and fair assistance in line with legal principle and equality,” spokeswoman Titima Chaisang told reporters.

She said the government of Yingluck Shinawatra wanted to show that it had “taken responsibility by giving to all sides”.

Families of those who lost their lives will be paid B4.5 million (US$142,000) plus B250,000 (US$8,000) for funeral expenses.

Payments to the injured range from B4.5 million for those who lost limbs and were left permanently disabled, to B675,000 (US$21,000) per person for minor injuries.

The government does not have exact figures on the number of people expected to qualify.

–AFP

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8

INTERNATIONALNEWS

THE PHUKET NEWS

Haiti: two years later In the Port-au-Prince suburb of Petionville, some 2,500 people subsist in a crowded public park near open ditches flowing with human waste, a grim scene frozen in time two years after Haiti’s earthquake disaster.

Valerie Loiseau, 28, recalled the fateful day – January 12, 2010 – when she lost ever y thi ng and her life changed forever.

“I got here at 6pm, a few moments after the earthquake, with my children, my daughter, a few months old, in my arms, and nothing else.”

Two ye a r s a f t e r t he 7.0-magnitude quake visited near-biblical destruction on Haiti, killing between 200,000 and 300,000 people, she is still in the camp with her daughter Kelida, now three.

Some 15 per cent of Haiti’s entire population of almost 10 million were either killed or displaced by the quake.

Almost 520,000 survivors still live under tarpaulin in 800 camps around the capital of three million.

Shocked in the immediate aftermath of one of the deadliest disasters of modern times, the international community promised billions of dollars of

A Haitian woman waits for a taxi in a still devastated part of Port-au-Prince. aid money. Decentralisation was the buzzword in a plan to be implemented under the watchful eye of former US president Bill Clinton.

This grandiose vision now appears to have been a pipe-dream.

Less than half the $4.59 billion pledged has been received and disbursed. While Haitian officials voice fears that the country is turning into a republic run by nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), they also admit

they have no choice.

“We are not yet ready to replace the NGOs,” Haiti’s minister of planning and external coordination minister Jude Herve Day told AFP, admitting that the outside groups bring services the state is not able to provide.

More than 50 per cent of the quake rubble has now been cleared. Most of the hundreds of thousands of people who fled Port-au-Prince after the quake have since returned to the overcrowded capital,

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–Photo AFP

desperate for work and food in a country still lacking another effective pole to attract labour.

Michel Martelly, a former carnival entertainer, was sworn in as the new president in May, promising to bring the change that the country so badly needs.

But faced with a parliament dominated by his political opponents, it took him five months to even get a prime minister appointed.

Martelly has recently tried to nurture smaller, communitybased projects such as a flagship housing program, aimed at taking residents out of six camps and relocating them to 16 neighbourhoods.

Alongside it, he has created the Carmen project, whereby approved home-owners receive funds to repair their houses under the supervision of certified engineers.

Josef Leit man n, pro gramme manager of the World

Bank-run Haiti Reconstruction Fund, sees glimmers of progress at last.

“You have a vision of where the government wants to go, and that’s just critical,” he told AFP. “Second you’ve got leadership to take that vision and communicate it to people and inspire people and third you have political will to implement the vision.”

Hundreds of thousands who lost homes in the quake are still in a legal quagmire as there was no paperwork to prove their small holdings.

A chole r a e pide m ic, blamed on UN peacekeepers from Nepal, shows no sign of abating. Nearly 7,000 have died , and 520,0 0 0 been infected.

“What we are looking at in Haiti today is not just recovery from the earthquake. It’s not just dealing with a cholera epidemic,” Nigel Fisher, the UN’s chief humanitarian officer in Haiti, told AFP. “Those came on top of a country which was structurally broken.”

Experts say the key to Haiti’s long-term sustainability lies in rebuilding its agricultural sector. But the one-time exporter now has to import rice for 80 per cent of its population and soil fertility is so poor that most crops can no longer be supported.

The World Bank in December approved $50 million for new agricultural projects, investing in key Haitian products such as coffee and cocoa.

Loiseau, like most of the quake refugees, needs a miracle. “My hope is God, not the leaders of this country,” she said. – AFP

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Scottish gov’t seeks 2014 vote on independence Scotland’s government said on Tuesday it wants to hold a referendum on independence from Britain in late 2014, after the government in London said the vote could go ahead but under its terms.

British Prime Minister David Cameron’s government announced it would give the devolved Scottish parliament temporary powers to hold the vote on whether to end the 300-year-old union with England.

The government in London said the vote should be as soon as possible because uncertainty about the issue was harming Scotland’s economy, and said it would be illegal for the Scottish parliament to go it alone.

But Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond – who commentators say is keen to stall the vote in order to build support for independence – said the decisions should be left to the people of Scotland.

“T he d ate we should have this referendum should be the aut umn of 2014,” Salmond said.

“T he date will allow people to hear all the arguments and make sure that all the political processes will be complete.”

The proposed date of 2014 coincides with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, a famous Scottish victory over the English, but Salmond dismissed claims the timing was deliberate as “stuff and nonsense”.

In elections last May, the Scottish National Party led by Salmond won the first overall majority in the Edinburgh parliament since it opened in 1999, and promised to hold a referendum on independence.

His comments on Tuesday set up a possible constitutional clash with Cameron’s government, though Salmond, while a canny politician, does not yet have the suppor t in polls for a break with England.

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, said in a statement to parliament that while the government believed the United Kingdom should remain intact, there should still be a “legal, fair and decisive referendum”.

“The UK government is willing to give the Scottish government the powers to hold a referendum which they otherwise cannot do legally,” Moore said. –AFP

THE PHUKET NEWS

INTERNATIONALNEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Romney wins at the polls

–Photo by Gage Skidmore

Mitt Romney has won the second Republican presidential voting contest in New Ha mp sh i r e, w it h Ron Paul finishing second and Jon Huntsman third, US m e d i a p r oje c t io n s showed Tuesday.

CN N, Fox News and MSNBC all called the result early in favour of the former Massachusetts governor, who is now the clear favourite to take on President Barack Obama in November after back-to-back victories here and in Iowa.

Huntsman, a for mer Utah governor who was Obama’s envoy to China before entering the race, would finish a disappointing third behind Paul, a veteran Texas congressman with

libertarian leanings, the US networks said. Romney, the first non-incumbent in recent memory to win both the opening contests of a presidential nomination battle, told cheering supporters at his campaign headquarters in Manchester: “Tonight, we made history!”

“We do remember when Barack Obama came to New Hampshire four years ago, he promised to bring people together, promised to change the broken system in Washington, promised to improve our nation,” Romney said.

“Those were the days of lofty promises made by a hopeful candidate. Today, we’re faced with a disappointing records of a failed

president.” With 27 per cent of polling stations reporting, Romney held 36 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Paul on 25 per cent, with Huntsman trailing in third on 17 per cent.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich and Christian conservative favourite Rick Santorum, a former US senator, were duelling it out for fourth place with 10 per cent each of the early vote.

Texas Governor Rick Perry, who fared poorly in Iowa, gave up on New Hampshire, and is pinning his hopes on South Carolina, which votes next on January 21, was projected to win just one per cent of the vote.

–AFP

Malaysia’s Anwar sets sights on win Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted on Monday in a stunning climax to a two-year sodomy trial and quickly set his sights on ousting the long-ruling coalition in upcoming polls.

The unexpected decision set off pandemonium at the Kuala Lumpur High Court where Anwar – a former deputy premier who was sacked in 1998 and jailed on earlier sodomy charges – was mobbed by jubilant family and friends.

“Thank God, justice has been served,” Anwar told reporters in the courtroom after being cleared of sexual misconduct with a young male aide, charges he said were

a conspiracy to cripple his resurgent opposition alliance.

An elated Anwar later told AFP he was now clear to focus on the prize he has sought since his shock ouster from the ruling party in 1998: consigning the governing Barisan Nasional coalition to history.

“Now that I am vindicated and freed, naturally I will work with my friends and... the coalition of opposition parties to ensure we can wrest control of Putrajaya (Malaysia’s administrative capital),” he said.

“Our only concern now is to ensure that the elections are held free and fair,” Anwar said.

“Given free and fair elections, I am confident, God

willing, we will win.”

Thousands of supporters who had massed at the court under heavy security erupted into cheers and celebrated in the streets.

In a brief statement, Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah said controversial DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution in the case was unreliable.

“The court is always reluctant to convict on sexual offences without corroborative evidence. Therefore, the accused is acquitted and discharged,” he said.

The r uling came as a surprise to many, including Anwar, who had said Prime Minister Najib Razak had

fixed the verdict to remove him as a political threat and shore up the coalition’s fivedecade grip on power.

Najib faces a deadline of early next year to hold new polls in the ethnically diverse and resource-rich nation, in which he hopes to reverse unprecedented gains made by the opposition in 2008 elections.

But Anwar is now free to campaign at the helm of his opposition alliance – an unlikely marriage spanning Malaysia’s dominant Malay community, conservative Muslim forces, and the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

The charismatic Anwar

had been groomed to succeed then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad until a bitter row between them forced Anwar out in 1998, and he was jailed on sodomy and graft charges widely seen as politically motivated.

He was freed in 2004 after the sodomy charge was overturned and assumed the leadership of the opposition, which seized control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats in the 2008 polls.

The new sodomy charges emerged shortly after, sparking accusations they were concocted by the government to stall the opposition revival.

–AFP

9

Taiwan-China ties could falter after poll: experts Taiwan’s warming ties with China could slow down or even freeze if President Ma Ying-jeou fails in tomorrow’s (January 14) vote to secure a new mandate for his Beijingfriendly platform, analysts say.

Ma, who won a landslide victory in 2008 on a promise of improving the economy th rough closer relations with China, is in a tight race with Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which stresses the island’s independence.

During Ma’s first term, Taipei and Beijing have adopted a series of moves to boost links and trade.

But China could be forced into a rethink if the Taiwanese electorate shows that it has been unimpressed by the rapid changes.

“If Tsai wins, it will mean a huge setback for China,” said Chang Ya-chung, a political scientist at National Taiwan University.

“Ties could freeze for one or t wo yea rs wh ile China observes what Tsai says and does.”

Chang added that, while adopting a wait-and-see approach, Beijing might suspend some exchanges, cancelling government purchasing delegations of the kind that have recently visited Taiwan to boost the island’s economy.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still claims the island as part of its territory and wants reunification, by force if necessary.

–AFP

US destroyer rescues Iranians The guided missile destroyer USS Kidd, which was in Phuket for four days in September last year, has been involved in a rescue of 13 Iranians held hostage by Somali pirates for weeks in the Arabian Sea. T he US m ilit ar y a nnounced that last Friday (January 6) the Kidd came to the aid of Iranians on the fishing dhow Al Molai, whose captain issued a call for help saying “he was being held captive by pirates.”

The destroyer, skippered

by Commander Jennifer Ellinger, responded to the distress call from the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel by sending in a Navy team to free the Iranian crew, the Bahrainbased Fifth Fleet said.

“A visit, board, search and seizure team from Kidd boarded the Al Molai and

The USS Kidd on patrol in the Arabian Gulf. detained 15 suspected pirates who had been holding a 13-member Iranian crew hostage for several weeks,” the statement said.

“The Al Molai had been pirated and used as a ‘mother ship’ for pirate operations

throughout the Persian Gulf, according to members of the Iranian vessel’s crew,” it added.

The detained pirates – believed to be Somalis – were being held on the aircraft carrier USS Stennis, said a

Pentagon spokesman, Captain John Kirby.

“The Iranians and the dhow have been released and are on their way back home,” Capt Kirby said.

The US and other navies frequently respond to distress calls sparked by pirate attacks in the region, but this incident took on special significance after a string of bellicose statements from Tehran over the Gulf.

With the West piling pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program and the EU threatening a total ban on Iranian oil imports, Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, particularly after the Stennis group passed through the strait recently.

The US Navy has said it will not tolerate any such move.

–AFP, The Phuket News

thephuketnews.com

10 LETTERS/VIEWPOINT

THE PHUKET NEWS

OPINION

Fight club MMA makes headlines for all the wrong reasons > 11

Editor’s Viewpoint

NORACHAI’S WORLD

WHAT ON EARTH WERE THEY THINKING?

That was the question Vorasit “Plawan” Issara asked friends on Facebook while lying in his painful hospital bed after being hacked and stabbed almost to death by staff of the Rachada Pub in Phuket Town’s seedy Poonphol area.

The Rachada has a reputation as an after-hours venue – a place where workers in other night venues go after their own venues close.

The owner admitted there were occasional rumbles there. It’s that kind of place.

But there has never been anything on this sort of scale.

T here are, nat u rally, questions about how wise it is for anyone to go to such a bar. Mr Vorasit’s mother herself raised this point.

But while one might expect staff to give one a thump or a good kicking for misbehaving, the reaction of the Rachada staff was – it’s hard to pick a word. Animal? Primeval? Psychotic? Just pure old-fashioned black evil?

The choice of weapons used by the staff was for the most

Caged fighters.

Letters to the Editor Dear Sir,

Firstly, happy New Year to you and the staff at The Phuket News.

I don’t know whether you are aware, but the Botanical Gardens in Chalong is now open.

I happened perchance to be driving along a secondary road near Chalong and came upon this obviously new building that turned out to be the Botanical Gardens.

Yesterday I went back and paid the hefty B500 entrance fee and wandered around the grounds, which I had to myself.

I have to say the layout of the grounds have been well thought out, but unfortunately I believe the wrong plants and flowers have been planted for this region of the country, and many of them are wilting under the heat and look quite sad.

You may wish to have one of your reporters go to the Gardens, if they have not already, as a lot of work and investment has seemingly been put into preparing them, and it could become a stopping point for bus tours to the Chalong area.

Yours truly, Gerry Cummings Ed. Read about the Botanic Gardens on p19.

Cut to the truth

Fix ‘em all

More work needed

[Re. Six arrested for attempted murder of Plawan] So which is it? A) Six arrested for attempted murder of Plawan; or b) Phuket Police Commander Maj Gen Chonasit Wattanavrangkul told media that the assault arose from “a minor misunderstanding”.

The accused believed that Mr Vorasit had thrown a glass on the floor, when in fact the glass had been knocked off the table accidentally.

In any case, although I bristle at the constant (racist) postings about the incompetence of the average Thai worker, in this case I guess it was a good thing that six men with knife, battle axe, wooden club, table leg and metal pipe couldn’t kill one guy.

Kind of like that joke about how many does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Elliot Klein

[Re. Six arrested for attempted murder of Plawan] Can we ask Khun Vorasit to ride a tuk-tuk or rent a jet ski – get ripped off, complain about it, and get beat up – maybe something will happen quickly to the tuk-tuk and jet ski hooligans?

Barry S

[Re. Britain’s Hague calls for more work in Myanmar] “Hague’s visit echoes that of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who met Thein Sein and Suu Kyi during a trip to Myanmar at the end of last year.”

But Miss Yingluck did not take time last year to meet with her neighbour’s most important woman.

A Hoeld

Cowards way out [Re. Plawan’s father sets record straight after attack] Same as Mr. Songkran, I also can’t believe people (bar staff) could do something like this (trying to kill their own customers for a broken glass) without being provoked.

This is impossible! But whatever happened and who started the fight, those cowards need to stay in jail for a very long time.

Lagrange_t

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Email managingeditor@thephuketnews.com or fax 076 612 553.

Please include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. This week, congratulations go to reader Gerry Cummings, who wins ‘Letter of the Week’, and receives a B500 gift voucher from Asia Books.

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

All at sea [Re. Woman pulled from sea – boyfriend sought] All are “innocent until proven guilty” well, at least in some countries, believe it or not, in other countries, is is assumed the opposite... however, my point is, he will be invited to come to the police station. In my opinion, he should at least be arrested and taken for questioning.

Laurie Howells

part run-of-the-mill. Table legs and iron bars are possibly permissible for subduing an unruly client. The knife used on Mr Vorasit, too, might be excused as a weapon of defence.

But the axe? This was no weapon of defence. Its only purpose is to maim or kill.

It was not something off-the-cuff. It was carefully crafted in a metal shop, honed to a sharp edge, and then brought into the bar by one of the staff. An 18-yearold. What was he thinking?

How could the owner of the bar allow such a weapon on the premises? Or a member of staff so clearly unstable? What was he thinking?

No wonder Mr Vorasit’s father Songkran described his son as a victim of a decline in society.

The solution is not easy to see, but as with so many of the other ills of society, it lies surely in promoting loving families and in serious efforts to educate children from the earliest days to grow up with a strong sense of right and wrong.

This week in history ■■ January 13, 1942: German pilot Melmut Schenk became the first person to escape from a stricken aircraft with an ejection seat.

■■ January 14, 1943: Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the first US President to travel via aeroplane while in office, when he travels from Miami, Florida to Morocco to meet with Winston Churchill.

■■ Januar y 15 , 19 70: Muammar al-Qaddafi is proclaimed premier of Libya.

■■ January 16, 1909: Ernest Shackleton’s expedition reaches magnetic South Pole.

■■ January 17, 1941: French forces defeat the Royal Thai Navy in Franco-Thai War. ■■ January 18, 1591: King Naresuan of Siam kills Crown Prince Minchit Sra of Burma in single combat.

■■ January 19, 1978 – The last Volkswagen Beetle made in Germany leaves VW’s plant in Emden. Beetle production in Latin America would continue until 2003.

MMA: A good thing THE PHUKET NEWS

HOTTOPIC 11

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

for Phuket?

T

hree kick-boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA) proponents have been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent months.

British kick-boxer Lee Aldhouse is fighting extradition from the UK to Thailand where he is wanted for trial for the stabbing murder of US Marine Dashawn Longfellow; American Jake Bordes is out on bail, awaiting trial for snatching handbags from women tourists; and professional MMA fighter Junie ‘Lunatik’ Browning was involved in a brutal brawl in Karon, the outcome of which has yet to be settled.

All three were training, or had trained, in specialist martial arts camps in Phuket at the time of their problems with the law.

Is martial arts training attracting the wrong people to Phuket? Shaven-headed, muscle-obsessed, tattooed men with a propensity to explode into violence at the slightest provocation?

Or are these three the exceptions in what is otherwise a serious sport where the only damage is done in the ring or the cage?

MMA, which seems to attract the most criticism, perhaps because of the blood that often flows during matches, is a fullcombat sport featuring two men (or much less commonly, two women), wearing shorts and fingerless gloves, fighting in a cage or a ring, the aim being to knock out the opponent or make him submit.

A wide variety of fighting

Two fighters Seung Ho ‘Tommy’ Yang (in yellow shirt) from South Korea and Macro Huusansaari from Sweden training at the Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp. techniques are allowed in a fight, both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground.

Techniques are adapted from conventional boxing, Muay Thai, various kinds of wrestling, judo, karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other styles, and combined to devise the most effective offence and defence.

Professional MMA was introduced in the United States in 1993 by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, still the largest MMA promotion company in the world. The noholds-barred violence of early m at che s shocke d m a ny Americans to the point where many states banned matches.

The sport was slammed as “human cockfighting”.

But by 2001, MMA had introduced rules that allowed the sport to be sanctioned by most state athletic commissions, which resulted in it being legalised in 45 states in the US plus countries such as Canada and Sweden. Weight classes, the wearing of small open-fingered

gloves, and time limits were introduced. Head-butting, eye gouging, hair pulling, biting and a variety of other actions were banned.

Despite ongoing criticism that MMA is brutal and degrading, it has gone from strength to strength ever since.

But debate continues as to whether MMA promotes violence and aggression, not only among fighters but also in the live and TV audiences.

Behavioural studies have been carried out on various martial arts but the results are inconclusive.

Some studies purported to find links between adolescent viewing of violent TV and risk-taking behavior. But a recent study of the relationship between watching MMA and violence concluded that watching cage fighting may actually promote social bonding and may encourage people to take up active sports.

The 2007 study, by Dr Nancy Cheever, assistant professor of the Communica-

Ray Elbe (in black T-shirt) shows combative techniques to his attentive students.

–Photo by Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp.

Ray Elbe and his student. -Photo by Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp tions Department of California State University Dominguez Hills, was based on an online survey of 3,500 MMA fans throughout the world.

Ninety per cent of them, the study concluded, found fighting skills and techniques the most interesting part of the spectacle, and the one that sparked the most discussion.

Less than 20 per cent of the viewers admitted to enjoying watching blood fly and men damaging each other.

More than half of the respondents reported that they never felt like fighting after watching a match, and less than 15 per cent admitted to engaging in aggressive behavior directly after watching a fight.

Dr Cheever concluded that MMA fans in general appear not to posses the hypermasculine traits associated with combat sports enthusiasts, nor do they seek out danger or take unnecessary risks.

One man a great deal closer to MMA is ‘Magical’ Ray Elbe, 29, head MMA instructor at the Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp in Rawai.

Surrounded by the thud of boxing gloves on sandbags, jiujitsu black belt holder Elbe admits with a grin, “Some people think MMA looks like a dog fight.” He winks before adding, “Different cultures. Different ideas. You have to see the techniques.

You can’t judge from men

fighting in a cage.

“MMA is sport, just like other sports. You come [to it] with your own reasons.

Then you have to work out every day to push yourself as hard as you can.”

He has observed that people are drawn to MMA for a variety of reasons: to boost self-confidence, to help them lose weight, for the pleasure of making new friends, or as an outlet for self-expression.

One of the professionals training at the Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp is Korean Seung Ho ‘Tommy’ Yang, 21, who says he’s been practicing MMA for six years because it makes him “a better person”.

When he was young, he says, and before he started training in MMA in South Korea, he was a “cocky guy”.

But now, he says, “When I fight, I feel like I can do something good. I’ve learned to respect people, and I’ve learned to be humble.”

To defeat his opponent, Tommy believes he must respect the opponent as much as he respects himself.

Respect for others in practitioners seems to be a theme of martial arts training. Before MMA was born, a 1989 study

by T A Nosanchuk and M L MacNeil examined the aggressive tendencies of participants in combative sports such as karate, tae kwon do and jiujitsu

offered in seven schools.

They concluded that these kinds of combat improved participants’ mental health.

The study also charted a correlation between the length of time practicing and participants’ respect for others.

Nosanchuk and McNeil’s research also concluded that, in general, the more advanced a participant was, the higher his levels of respect for others.

However, intermittent reports of fighters’ arrested in connection to crime still leave the lingering question: Does MMA result in violent or aggressive behaviour?

The statistics seem to answer, no. A check through various online media sources during 2010 and last year shows that in the US and Canada approximately 40 professional cage fighters were arrested on charges varying from brawling, drug abuse, theft, driving under the influence and reckless driving to sexual assault and murder.

But the number is not extreme by any means. For example, in the same period some 73 National Football League (NFL) players were arrested for various offences.

Tiger Camp instructor Elbe, who has been practicing MMA for 10 years, uses the pro-gun lobby argument (that guns don’t kill people; people kill people): “Crime is about crazy people.

It’s not about MMA.”

thephuketnews.com

12 BUSINESS/TOURISM

THE PHUKET NEWS

BUSINESS Michael Koopman

Anantara appoints new ME chief Michel Koopman has been appointed Director of Operations in the Middle East for Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, as well as General Manager for Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara.

The Anantara hotel chain, which includes properties in Mai Khao and Krabi, is owned

by Bangkok’s Minor Group.

Mr Koopman’s responsibilities include overseeing the running of all of Anantara’s UAE based hotels and resorts – Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort and Desert Islands Resort & Spa, plus Al Yamm Lodge and Al Sahel Lodge (both set to open on Sir Bani Yas Island in 2012) alongside the GMs of these properties.

Mr Koopman will also spearhead the launch of Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa which will be Anantara’s first city hotel in the Middle East and is set to open in 2012.

Mr Koopman joins Anantara Hotels & Resorts from InterContinental Hotels Group where he held the position of A Dutch/Australian national, his hospitality industry experience spans 27 years across Europe, Australia and Asia. He speaks multiple languages, including English, German, French and Dutch.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Reprieve for land sellers Treasury delays updating of official land values > 14

B452m budget set to improve tourism sites The Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Tourism Department will use a B452 million budget to improve tourist attractions and related infrastructure across Thailand.

Tou r ism De pa r t ment Di rector General Supol Sripan, said it will require a B452,221,050 budget for more than 20 projects across the country.

“We will strengthen tourism efficiency as part of the government’s Miracle Thailand Year programme that seeks to highlight celebrations linked to HM the King’s 84 th’s birthday and other royal activities up until HM the Queen’s 80th birthday in August 2012.”

Mr Supol added: “Over B200 million will be used to improve roads to tourist attractions.” If the budget

is approved this week, the department will support improvements at Thung Thale Luang in Sukhothai; Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani; Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village in Surin; King Rama II memorial park in Samut Songkram; and Kao Tao in Surat Thani.

In Mahasarakam province, the tourism department will develop attractions in Bueng Kui, Nong Kha Public Park, Wat Phra Yuen, and Nakhon Jumpasri.

Other attractions are Agricultural Occupation Promotion and Development Centre in Suphanburi; Chao Phraya River at Ayutthaya’ Jaofasang school and Somdet Phra Ratcha Pitucha Palace; beachfront of Wat Sawang Arom in Sing Buri; Royal Fruit Development Centre

in Chanthaburi.

There are plans to support the Greater Mekong Subregion specifically in Chiang Rai. Other improvements will focus on the following: • Phu Tai in Kalasin; • 150 million year-old shell fossil and dinosaur fossil museum in Nong Bua Lamphu; • The old town hall in Phetchabun; Historical sites in That Phanom district in Nakhon Phanom; • Nam Pud Na Lao in Chaiyaphum; • Hua Ro market in Ayutthaya; Sa n K a m ph a e ng hot springs in Chiang Mai; Attractions in Nong Khok On sub district in Buri Ram; • Destinations in Prasat district, Si Sa Ket. –TTR Weekly

The area around Wat Phra Tat Phanom, next to the Mekong River, is one target of the ministry’s intended largesse.

–Photo Guido Johannes Joerg.

Top 10 Ethical Destinations named Non-profit organisation Ethical Traveler has announced its ‘Top 10 Ethical Destinations in the Developing World’.

They are, in alphabetical order, Argentina, The Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Latvia, Mauritius, Palau, Serbia and Uruguay.

Ethical Traveler says that in compiling its list it first identifies the most popular destination in the developing

world and then looks at environmental protection, social welfare and human rights in those places.

Report co-author and Ethical Traveler executive director Jeff Greenwald said, “It’s always an honour to compile this list.

“It gives us great pleasure to express our admiration for these countries, and we hope they’ll reap real economic and social benefits as

a result of our endorsement.”

Researcher Natalie Lefevre noted, “None of these countries are perfect, but the countries that are on this list deserve their spots – thanks to their effort to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on their country and their people.

“I hope that the countries that didn’t make it onto the 2012 list will feel motivated to work harder

on their environmental, social and human rights records, so they might be reconsidered in 2013.”

The first Ethical Destinations report was issued in 2006.

Thailand has yet to make the top 10.

The full report can be downloaded from: ethicaltraveler.org/wp-content/ files_mf/ethical_destinations_2006. pdf

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BUSINESS/TOURISM 13

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

DSI ‘plans to crack down’ on foreignowned companies The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is to crack down on foreign-owned businesses, especially those using Thai nominee shareholders, the Bangkok Post reported on Saturday (January 7).

“DSI chief Tharit Pengdit unveiled his plans after the cabinet had given the agency the authority to investigate nine more categories of special cases, including human trafficking, computer crime and foreign business,” reported the Post.

The Post cites the Foreign Business Act of 1999, which puts businesses such as newspaper publishing, radio broadcasting, television, logging, rice farming and land trading off-limits to foreigners.

Amendments to the act in 2007, however, stipulate that these businesses may not be run by companies with majority foreign ownership.

Mr Tharit pointed to a number of ways in which foreigners have been trying to circumvent the law.

Initially, foreigners had used Thai proxies to control land for their own use. More recently, however, they had

been using proxies in order to go into real estate, land development and condos.

Other businesses foreigners have entered included rockblasting and crushing, sugar mills, tourism, engineering and architecture, he added.

In Phuket recently, the Tour Guides Association complained that tour firms, particularly those run by Koreans, had been listing secretaries and other staff members as shareholders in a bid to get around the 51 per cent Thai rule for shareholdings in Thai companies.

Under Thai law, Thai shareholders in a jointlyowned company must be able to show that they have sufficient wealth to be genuine shareholders, though they do not have to show that they actually invested.

The Post reported that the DSI had also heard reports of a group of foreign gangsters extorting protection fees from other foreigners.

Mr Tharit said some of these foreigners had used Thai nominees to set up shell companies which they used as a front to launder money.

Figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for November 2011show continued growth in international air passenger travel.

In aggregate, airlines based in the Asia Pacific region carried 15.7 million international passengers in November, a 4 per cent increase compared to the same month last year, maintaining the trend for 2011.

International passenger traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms grew by 3.5 per cent.

However, the average international passenger load factor for the month was 1.7 percentage points lower, at 74.4 per cent, as a 5.9 per cent expansion in available seat capacity marginally outpaced the growth in demand.

International air cargo traffic demand suffered a further decline in November as a result of continued moderation in export and import markets. Asia Pacific carriers registered a 6.5 per cent fall in cargo traffic, in freight tonne kilometre (FTK)

Destination to sell Courtyard Patong The Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Patong was put up for sale this week, just days after Marriott announced that it was pulling out of its contract to manage the hotel.

The sale, by Bangkok-based owner Destination Properties, also includes the premises of the Hard Rock Café on the ground floor, though this will continued to be managed under contract by Hard Rock.

Real estate agent CBRE, which has been given the job of finding a buyer, said in a press release on Monday (January 9), “It is very unusual for such a prime freehold property to come to the market in Patong, particularly with the benefit that the property will be sold without the restriction of a long-term hotel management contract.

This, said CBRE, gives the buyer “complete flexibility in positioning the property to capture Phuket’s growing tourism market.”

The hotel, formerly the Phuket Grand Tropicana, has 390 rooms and was extensively renovated in 2008 before reopening as the Courtyard by

Any takers? The Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Patong was put up for sale this week.

Marriott Phuket at Patong Beach in May 2008. The Hard Rock Café opened the following January.

“We are extremely excited to take on these instructions.

A hotel in this prime location is rarely made available to the market. Importantly, the hotel is not tied to a long-term management contract, giving … investors the opportunity to introduce their preferred brand to the lucrative Patong market,” said David Simister, Chairman of CBRE Thailand.

“In addition, the Hard Rock Café and Shop can also be acquired; this part of the property is operated under an agreement with the Hard Rock Group. It is one of the best performing Hard Rocks globally,” he added.

Destination Properties, also owns the Courtyard by Marriott Hua Hin, on which the management contract was also cancelled, and which is also for sale through CBRE. Destination lists another seven properties in its portfo-

lio, including the Ramada in Karon and the former Kamala Bay Terrace Hotel, a victim of the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

It had been announced that the latter would be managed

by Marriott, but work on the hotel is currently suspended.

The company also launched the now defunct Destination Air, which operated a seaplane ferry service for a short time out of Phuket International Airport, mostly to points around Phang Nga Bay, before running into licensing problems.

Air travel ‘is still growing’ in Asia terms, in November compared to the same month last year.

Offered freight capacity fell by just 0.6 per cent, resulting in a 4.1 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor, to 64.9 per cent.

“Despite growing concerns about a further slowdown in the global economy, so far passenger travel markets have held up reasonably well, with Asian airlines seeing a 3.6 per cent increase in international air passenger numbers for the first eleven months of the year.

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14 BUSINESS/PROPERTY

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

By George, that’s beautiful Scott Gorsuch Design Matters

The beach road in Patong is looking at a possible rise in official value to B60m a rai. –Photo by Rene Ehrhardt

New official land values postponed The Phuket regional office of the Treasury Department has announced that changes to official land values, which were due to have been introduced on January 1, have been postponed.

Official land values – on which land sales taxes around Thailand are based – are reappraised every four years. The last time this took place, the revisions were introduced on January 1, 2008.

However, the Treasury has decided not to introduce the new values because of the flooding last year in 62 provinces of the country, and the effect it has had on land

thephuketnews.com

values in those provinces.

Tamrong Tongtan, director of the Phuket office, said, “We will continue to use the 20082011 valuations for another six months. During this time the Treasury Department will observe the condition of land around Thailand before looking at assessment values again.”

If introduced, the new 20122015 land values will see a whopping 51-per-cent rise in official land values from the 2008-2011 rates, with the most expensive land in Phuket being plots along Thaweewong Rd in Patong, which the new valuations put at B60 million a rai, up from B34 million.

Regular readers of Design Matters may recall a discussion in this column a few weeks back regarding the viability of Balinese building techniques in Thailand. “Beautiful but... not practical here. The materials are not the same. The Balinese are better craftsmen.

Thailand lacks a local building tradition.” So went, and still goes, the refrain.

Generally tinged with regret (and, truth be told, no small amount of edifice envy), these are the familiar lamentations of Thailandbased-but-Bali-obsessed design aficionados.

Oh to have that open plan house, that garden feeling, those natural materials, that tropical feel – the stuff of dreams for the erstwhile island dweller. Be happy with what you have, the Buddhists would teach us. Abandon desire.

Forgo attachment. Live simply.

Great advice. But why does it seem so much easier to live simply in a house that is simply well designed, and equally well crafted? Perhaps more meditation will provide the answer.

Personally, I prefer to meditate in an open-air structure made from natural materials.

There is something about that wide plank floor, those timber rafters, the grass roof, and the stone bath, all of which put me in a natural state of mind.

In that earlier column, I feebly attempted to make a case for this style of construc-

The best designs come naturally: The bedroom and living sala (below) designed and lovingly constructed on Koh Yao Noi by George Cortes and the local craftsmen he taught. tion here in Phuket. I would like to be more convincing, to somehow prove that it is indeed possible.

And now I have discovered that I do not have to prove anything. George has done it for me.

Meet George Cortez, social anthropologist and architect.

George has been knocking around Southeast Asia for 20 years, having started out in Luang Prabang well before it became the gentrified destination that it is today. What did George do in Laos so many years ago? Sip French coffee and munch baguettes alongside the Mekong? No. He studied vernacular roofing techniques and the use of local building materials. In detail.

Later, as George moved about Asia, he committed to memory the specifics of indigenous construction methods.

He also applied an architect’s eye and a craftsman’s obsession with quality to local materials and techniques, improving and adapting them to the present. Over the course of 20 years, he has perfected these methods and adapted them to the available materials in any environ.

To inspect the case that George has made for this style of construction, drive up to Bang Rong Pier and take the local boat over to Koh Yao Noi – it’s about a 20 minute trip and you’ve been wanting a mini vacation anyway. Ask the local tuk-tuk to take you to George’s paradisiacal island resort of Koyao Bay Pavilions and be prepared to be amazed.

The beachfront houses are a sublime blend of exquisite architecture and remarkable craftsmanship, using – here’s the best part – all local materials. George is modest, or at least understated. This is

some of the best alang-alang (grass roof) I’ve ever seen.

“Did you import it from Bali?” I ask him. “No, it’s Thai,” says George. “You found workers here who know how to produce thatch of this quality?” Again, “No, I taught them how to do it myself.

Stitch by stitch.”

“These columns of polished coconut wood are perfectly round, straight, and tall.

Where did you find them?” I continue. “On the land we are standing on,” says George.

The giant timber bamboo must be from the North though – that species doesn’t grow in Southern Thailand. “Yes it does. You have to know where to look.”

But where did you find this much teak, and the carpenters to finish it so beautifully?

“It’s Takien Tong. I showed them how to do it myself.

Piece by piece.”

And so it goes, from the selection of materials to special treatments to preserve them through the finishing techniques. Thank you George, you’ve proved my point. Forget Bali – this is how it’s done.

Scott Gorsuch is Principal, Leisure Design Group, a Phuket based design development and project management company. Email: sg@leisuredesigngroup.com

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January 12, 2012 www.thephuketnews.com

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16 ART

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

CULTURE

BIG LIST: Freaks of nature > 22

Nowhere man This week’s thoughtful Random View comes from local photographer ������������ Paradon Ket� kaew. “I took this snapshot of an old man sitting by himself

in Suanluang Park. It evoked in me feelings of loneliness and solitude – though of course he may have just been taking a rest on a hot day.”

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOUR PHOTO www.facebook.com/ThePhuketNewspaper1 twitter.com/thephuketnews managingeditor@thephuketnews.com www.thephuketnews.com/random-view.php

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focus

Indian dancer and painter Sejal Surendra Sood wore a striking mask as she danced in front of her large paintings, that are themselves colourful movements of dance and music.

Earlier in the day, alterna� tive practitioner Christopher of the Wolves, of trancevision. com, sat on the stage and blew into the Australian Aboriginal didgeridoo to announce the opening of the recent Phuket Art Festival at the Phuket Royal Marina Exhibition Centre.

Among some 100 artists exhibiting in this inaugural art fest were women painters Julia Oscarson and Robin Gillow, who were standing in front of their works chatting to brows� ing art-lovers. Burly Australian Chris De Meo, a bikie turned painter, was proudly showing his large drip-paintings that had been very much inspired by those of Jackson Pollock.

This was the first time he had a chance to show his new passion – one which may even lead to a career change.

From repairing motorcycles covered in oil and grease, Chris these days is more likely to be found on his back lawn drip� ping paint onto large canvases lying flat on the ground.

Just around the corner lean� ing against another partition was painter Prasert Kongwut� thiwet, who stood in front of

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21 & 50 Soi Bangla, Patong, 086 682 9130, info@kingartstudio.com; kingartstudio.com. Open daily 10am-midnight.

Lat Design and Art Garden:

95/33 Sai Yuan Rd, Naiharn, 086 294 3971, ja_rassri@hotmail.com.

Little Monk Gallery:

95/33 Saiyuan Rd, Naiharn, 086 294 3971.

Clockwise from top left: Indian dancer and painter Sejal Surendra Sood; alternative practitioner Christopher of the Wolves; Thai abstract painter Prasert Kongwutthiwet.

99 Art Studio:

23 Lagoon Rd, 076 270 845, s.niamkhuntod99@gmail.com.

Phuket Modern Art:

5/28 Haad Patong Rd, Patong, 089 646 8838, phuketmodernart.com.

Red Gallery:

Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 087 323 321, redgallerythai@yahoo.com; phuketredgallery.com.

Sarasil Art Galllery:

121 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 076 224 532, somkiatkaewnok@yahoo.com; oilpaintingsphuket.com.

Open daily 8pm-9pm.

The Love Art Studio:

28/13 Soi Naya 2, Naiharn, 089 471 5653, pui.t.l.a.s.@hotmail.com; theloveartstudio.com.

The One Gallery:

53 Srisoonthorn Rd, Cherng Talay, 083 634 6840, inone_111@yahoo.com. Open daily 11am-9pm.

his serene painterly abstracts, fielding questions from univer� sity students, looking pleased to be the centre of attention at that particular moment.

He had brought work there from his own Siam Gallery at the entrance to Laguna Phuket in Cherng Talay.

Prasert was practically sur� rounded by the always quirky and pleasing little metal sculp�

tures of John Underwood, the Australian painter and designer well-known for his interior decoration work in resorts in Phuket and elsewhere in Asia.

Unfortunately, as a large venue in Phuket Town to hold an art show this size does not exist, the impression was that this Koh Kaew site was a little out of the way to attract more visitors during

the three days of the otherwise successful festival.

However, busy organisers of the festival, Michael Earle and Trisha Miller of Think Design magazine, were pleased with the number of exhibitors that took part. Their idea of establishling a creative network to promote the arts in Phuket was off to a good start.

–Norachai Thavisin

Veerachan Usahanun:

110/34 Cherng Talay, Bang Tao Beach Rd, 081 490 4359, usahanun@live.com; veerachanusahanun.com.

Vichen Gallery Bzenter

Behind Da Vinci Restaurant, Saiyuan Rd, Rawai, 087 8903722.

Open daily 3-9 pm. (Telephone to view before 3 pm.)

Watcharin Art Studio:

27 Yaowaraj Rd, Phuket Town, 088 386 1449, watcharintinorodnit@hotmail.com, rindamagicalart.com.

Wua Gallery and Studio:

1 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 076 258 208, wua.artgallery@gmail.com; wua-artgallery.blogspot.com.

THE PHUKET NEWS

PEOPLE 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

It’s all the doggone truth Jackie Perry

■■ W hat k i nd of music are you most into?

Both classical and the shows.

I love Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music in particular.

Honorary dog judge ■■ What were you doing before you moved here?

Much of the same, as I have been a housewife and mother of four children most of my life, but with heavy involvement in the world of dogs: breeding different breeds, showing them, and then travelling throughout the world judging shows. I write dog columns for different papers (including this one) and like to help those with a doggie problem.

■■ Where has your dog competition judging taken you around the world?

My dog judging has taken me to all the continents and most of the countries in the world over the past 35 years.

It is a fascinating hobby which enables me to meet many new friends and catch up with old ones, as often there are around 10 to 20 judges doing one big show.

I get to go to some fascinating places such as San Francisco and Wichita in the US, Canada, Scandinavia, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and New Zealand.

My favourite trip was perhaps to judge at the world’s Premier Show, Cr ufts in England. To be invited to judge at this the most prestigious show on earth is every dog judge’s dream.

■■ How long have you lived

■■ What is the best tip you have for people thinking of moving to Phuket?

Come and stay here for at least three months before you make your final decision, to be quite sure you are going to fit in with the pace of life. When on holiday everything looks great, but it all can change when you actually have your everyday living to contend with and may prove not what you expected.

Exposed on the island and why did you move here?

Have been here now almost nine years, having lived in Asia most of my life: born in India, brought up in Singapore, got married there and subsequently moved around Malaysia, back to Singapore, then to Fiji and Cambodia with my husband. We decided when retirement time came to move to Phuket, which was a lovely quiet island.

Time has changed that quite a lot but we still enjoy the weather and the easy living.

■■ Tell us about your invo l ve m e nt i n t h e d o g community in Phuket.

I really have done little here in Phuket although I did organise a dog show way back in 2003 which was quite a success; I have been asked many times to do another one. The Kennel Club of Thailand is interested to get the dog scene moving here and when I manage to be at home I will find the time to organise another one. I do judge shows fairly regularly in Bangkok and shall be doing my next one there in January.

■■ What’s the best advice you can give to dog owners?

To give them a good place to sleep, to feed them the best you can, and to be vigilant every day to any changes in their health. We can all become

■■ What is the funniest thing that has happened to you whi le l iv ing on the island?

I think it would have to be at the dog show which I organised when one lady arrived into the showring with her poodle dressed in a pink ballet tutu and with a tiara on its head!

She thought obviously that it was like a human beauty show where lovely clothes were judged along with the dog!

Jackie Perry pictured with her four-year-old Japanese Chin dog, named Geisha. complacent and not notice when they lose weight or are not eating too well. This is usually a sign they need a trip to the vet to check them out.

Give them some excercise daily, play with them and the rest is just to love them to the best of your ability as they surely will love you with all their might.

■■ How many pets do you

currrently own?

I now have only two toy dogs: a 10-year-old Pekingese and a four-year-old Japanese Chin.

I lost my three dobermanns which I brought to Phuket with me, the male from a cobra bite and the two females from old age. I did have one litter of puppies here and three of them were sent overseas

wih the remaining six being homed locally. I have bred dobermanns, shih tzu, dalmatians, basset hounds and pekingese and have made champions in all those breeds throughout the world.

■■ What is your favourite childhood memory?

M ov i n g t o S i n g a p o r e , where my life really began.

■■ W h e r e o n P h u k e t would you most likely take someone on a first date?

My goodness – I think at my age I can barely remember a first date! However, I would think perhaps to somewhere romantic and beautiful such as Mom Tri’s restaurant.

■■ What would be your favour ite place on the island, and why?

Nikita’s bar and restaurant on Rawai Beach as it is our home away from home where we can sit with a lovely breeze blowing all year round and enjoy a couple of beers and a meal with good friends.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

A happy mechanic Chaiyun Maneefun sits relaxed in the cool shade behind the Esso service station garage on the bypass road, Phuket Town, where he works as a mechanic. It’s Tuesday – his one day off for the week.

Because of this, he has time to sit and chat, after spending part of the morning fixing a car’s airconditioning as a private job.

Born in Trang, he moved to Phuket and worked for some time as an attendant on the regular Phuket to Bangkok coach runs for one of the local tour companies.

Then he learned how to

repair engines by tinkering and helping other mechanics – enough to become responsible for the engine of a Thai fishing boat that sailed to fish in the seas around Indonesia, each trip lasting a month and a half.

Work at the service station, where he has been for six years now, is easier. On average, six or seven cars come in each day to have their oil changed and their lubrication done. And a cool wind blows through the open service area most of the time.

There is also always private work at lunch time and

after hours, that brings in more needed income.

“Life in Phuket is good … and bad,” he says, his face graced with a strawberrycoloured birth mark. “Bad because of the higher costs.”

He looks at his little second-hand car, parked next to his basic accommodation room provided by the service station.

“We’ll all go to eat seafood by the sea soon at Rawai or Chalong, just for fun and to pass time,” he says with a smile.

The oil changes start again early tomorrow.

Mechanic Chaiyun Maneefun works at the Esso service station in Phuket Town.

thephuketnews.com

18 HEALTH

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Healthy eating may help ADHD Simply eating healthier may improve the behaviour of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if therapy and medication fail, a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics said.

Researchers, however, said that their review of recent controlled scientific studies had shown conflicting evidence on the impact of supplements and restricted diets – in some cases they were no better than the placebo effect.

Nutritional interventions should therefore be considered an alternative or secondary approach to treating ADHD, not a first-line of attack, said the review by doctors at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

“Supplemental diet therapy is simple, relatively inexpensive, and more acceptable to patient and parent,” than strict additivefree diets that have been popular in the past, said the study.

“Public education regarding a healthy diet pattern and lifestyle to prevent or control ADHD may have greater longterm success.”

The study reviewed research published on the sugar-restricted, additive-free Feingold Diet, megavitamin therapies, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and

thephuketnews.com

the suspected link between ADHD and a “Western-style” high-fat, low-fibre diet.

Three to five per cent of US schoolchildren, or nearly five million youths, are diagnosed with ADHD, which involves hyperactive behaviour, inability to pay attention, and impulsivity. It is often treated with stimulant medications such as the controversial Ritalin drug.

The precise causes of ADHD are unknown, although studies have pointed to hereditary factors as well as social and environmental influences.

Eating high-sugar and high-fat foods may exacerbate symptoms, some research has shown.

But while proposed interventions such as giving iron supplements or cutting out additives and food dyes have soared in popularity in recent years, the Pediatrics article said there is little solid science to back up those claims.

For instance, the muchhyped Feingold Diet which advocates no red or orange colour dyes in food as well as no apples, grapes, deli foods, sausages or hot dogs, was highly touted in the 1970s and 80s for improving symptoms in more than half of ADHD children.

“Controlled studies failed to confirm the effectiveness of

Scan of brains with (left) and without ADHD the diet to the extent claimed,” said the Pediatrics review, also noting that the regimen was very difficult for many parents to follow.

Similarly, studies focused on getting rid of potential allergens in the diet such as wheat, eggs, chocolate, cheese and nuts, have shown limited success with some ADHD kids “but a placebo effect could not be excluded,” said the study.

Even when it comes to sugar and diet soda, two elements which many parents believe can

-Photo by National Institutes of Health

trigger hyperactivity in children, scientific studies have been unable to prove a definitive link.

“The majority of controlled studies fail to demonstrate a significant adverse effect of sucrose or aspartame,” said the study.

The authors noted that avoiding high sugar foods in young children “may prevent diet-related exacerbations of ADHD”.

But when parents restrict a child’s sugar intake in order to ward off bad behaviour,

their inherent belief that it will work is likely to blur any objective assessment of whether it works or not.

“In practice, the link between sugar and hyperactive behaviour is so universal in the opinion of parents of children with ADHD that no controlled study or physician counsel is likely to change this perception.”

The suspected role of zinc and iron-deficiency deserves further study, while megavitamin therapy has not been proven to work and

may even be dangerous in the long term, it said.

For many parents, simply paying more attention to feeding their kids a healthy diet, rich in fish, vegetables, fruit, legumes, and whole-grains, is likely to help.

“A greater attention to the education of parents and children in a healthy dietary pattern, omitting items shown to predispose to ADHD, is perhaps the most promising and practical complementary or alternative treatment of ADHD,” said the study.

Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioural paediatrics at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Centre of New York, who was not part of the study, said more research is needed into dietary treatments for ADHD. “We have more questions than answers,” he said. “It is unfortunate that more research is not being done to examine the role of dietary interventions for the treatment of ADHD. “Since some of these nutritional interventions cannot be patented, drug companies are not willing to underwrite the costs of the needed research.”

–AFP

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Seeking the green

ENVIRONMENT 19

GREEN thumb

To protect Phuket’s natural environment, a green awareness among the island’s youth must first be cultivated. One of the best ways to do this is to give our children practical exposure to the environment.

Unfortunately, Phuket has a dearth of ‘green’ educational destinations, meaning people have few opportunities to understand the serious environmental problems we are facing in the province.

Most of Phuket’s admittedly few museums (see Explore, p26) focus on history and culture, with notable exception the Phuket Aquarium attempting to spark interest with its various activities.

Now, we have one more ‘environmental educational’ destination, the Phuket Botanic Garden, which was officially opened on December 5.

The garden is located on a 15-rai piece of land close to Wat Chalong, and comprises of gardens, 12 bungalows, a planned four-storey hotel, souvenir shop, cafe and restaurant.

The gardens, meanwhile, are divided up into various categories: there is a small

Maligned monitor

paddy field, fern park, and orchid, lotus, Balinese, Japanese, herb, palm, ivy, cactus, and rainforest gardens.

In term of environmental benefit, a botanic garden plays a main role in both plant conservation and educating people on environmental issues, while still entertaining visitors with plant diversity.

Unfortunately, Phuket’s latest attraction, perhaps understandably with an eye on the tourist dollar, focuses

more on entertaining rather than educating visitors.

The gardens are seemingly designed to make a pretty picture, filled with terracotta sculptures and a huge waterfall made from artificial rock. A planned butterfly garden will be completed soon.

While at a glance visitors will learn the names of plants and their general characteristics, they are unlikely to understand any real aspects about nature while strolling through the gardens.

Adopt a dog

Still, perhaps something is better than nothing, with the Botanic Garden possibly benefiting the environment in terms of bringing visitors close to nature, even though it’s an artificial creation.

Ultimately, education and entertainment can and should work together hand-in-hand, with tourism and the environment an equal priority. Otherwise Phuket’s environment will be completely ruined.

–Paritta Wangkiat

This week’s native usually makes surprising and dramatic appearances out of ponds and canals.

As the size of the monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) ranges from approximately a metre long to two or three metres, these often alarming encounters are usually like visits from the prehistoric past.

“Ai hia,” (loosely translatable as “bloody lizard”) is a very common Thai swear word, hia being the muchmaligned water monitor’s name in Thai – it’s lower in the animal hierarchy kingdom than dogs.

Lowly or not, people from the northeast region of Isaan, love to catch and grill this lizard for food.

As well as Thailand, water monitors are commonly found throughout most of Asia, ranging from

MEET

the natives Sri Lanka to India, Indochina to Malaysia, and the islands of Indonesia, living in areas close to water.

An excellent swimmer (it uses the raised fin on its tail to steer), the monitor is a carnivore that eats fish, frogs, rodents, birds, crabs, and snakes, and even turtles, young crocodiles and crocodile eggs.

Like its cousins the Komodo Dragon and the Australian Goana, which is also sought-after as food by aboriginal Australians, it will often scavenge for carrion. But despite its unjustified bad press in Thailand, it’s a rather fascinating and harmless reptile.

–Norachai Thavisin

Pet of the Week

MAYO NEEDS A LOVING HOME!

This sweet little girl is seven months old and eagerly awaiting a new home. She was dumped in Phuket when only two months old and rescued by Soi Dog. She’d make a wonderful addition to a family as she’s sweet & friendly. She’s also a small, light framed dog and would not need a lot of space. Mayo is sterilised and fully vaccinated. If you can give her a good home please call Soi Dog today on 0817884222. For more information regarding adoptions please email cindy@ soidog.org. You can also visit our website www.soidog.org or follow us on Facebook!

If you are interested in adopting a dog please do not buy from the markets. Soi Dog Foundation has over 200 dogs and puppies available for adoption at any time. For more information on how to adopt visit soidog.org. All animals are fully vaccinated and desexed. Young puppies will be desexed free of charge as soon as old enough.

This cute poodle named Mini is three years old and belongs to Sherin Peace.

Want to see your pet here? Email your photos to: editor1@thephuketnews.com

thephuketnews.com

20 EDUCATION

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

School term changes scrapped Thailand will not change its school year terms to synchronise with Asean Economic Community 2015 guidelines, the Ministry of Education confirmed last week.

Tourism industry executives had asked the Ministry of Education to provide ample warning of school term were changed as it would alter outbound travel peak seasons that are linked to school holidays.

However, Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul confirmed there would be no changes for mainstream school.

“The major holiday break in Thailand falls in April during the hot season and the second break is in August through to September during the rainy season. Weather factors need to be considered as they impact on students and that is the main consideration.”

He noted a change would only benefit 10 per cent of all university students, who are considering study overseas.

The Council of University Presidents of Thailand announced they were keen to make the change to accommodate AEC 2015 objectives, but it will not trickle down to primary or secondary schooling.

CUPT sitting head, Prasart

There are major term differences between Asean nations.

Suebkha, said universities and schools providing an international curriculum will change to a new school year in August or September 2013, while other universities under the CUPT will adopt the same terms during the following year.

“It will make it easier at university level to coordinate exchange programmes in ASEAN member countries after the 2015 agreement takes effect,” he said.

Meanwhile, the next CUPT head Somkhid Lertphaithoon, said in the long-run a change throughout the entire educational system would benefit students. He did not elaborate, other than to say it would bring the system closer to European

school terms.

“CUPT will not back down on its decision, but will first work with universities to gradually readjust all schedules.”

Earlier, travel industry leaders said they would need time to adjust their travel sales if the ministry ordered a change in school terms and holidays.

The outbound and domestic travel peaks are linked to university holiday months and all the leading travel associations organise travel fairs a month or so before school breaks to tap the vast family travel market.

Under the proposal, the first university term would start in September and close in

late-December instead of the current term June to October.

The final term would convene in early January and end in May. Today, the final term runs from November to March.

Association of Domestic Travel president, Maiyarat Pheerayakoses, said the academic calendar change could boost domestic tourism and outbound travel bookings

June through to August, the summer peak season in Europe, parts of China and North America.

Destinations in North Thailand that are popular in the cool season November through to February might lose some bookings.

It might also have a detrimental impact on bookings to Australia and New Zealand

as the main holiday would fall in the cold winter months rather than autumn an ideal time to visit the two Pacific Ocean destinations.

“If the change comes in then the government should give us at least a year’s warning to prepare packages and adjust to the changes,” Ms Maiyarat said.

–TTR Weekly

South African dancer visits Sunshine Village Ricardo Koopman, a dance director from Cape Town in South Africa, held free dance classes for orphan children at Sunshine Village Foundation in Koh Sirae, east of Phuket Town.

Mr Koopman spends his vacations in Phuket, and on this visit wanted to give back to the island.

“I have been teaching dance for 25 years to children aged 5 to 18, and I run two dance studios in South Africa under the name Ricardo’s Modern Dance Studio.

“I am delighted to give my time and skills to these wonderful children. I love working with children.”

Every Saturday for the last month he has spent two hours teaching around 40 children how to dance, even though many of the children can’t understand English.

“The children were very well behaved and very eager to learn. I taught them to develop listening skills and to understand how the art of dance can make a huge impact on their lives.

“I believe that dance can

thephuketnews.com

Ricardo Koopman teaches dance to Foundation children. save your life,” he said.

“I am very grateful that I could share my knowledge with children at the foundation. I saw the most beautiful smiles followed by the most beautiful graceful arm movements and crazy leaps.

“I have also learned so much more about Thai culture and the language.

“I love working with these eager and beautiful children from Sunshine Village Foundation, and if I have a chance I will come again.

A big thank you to the staff at the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, who supported me with this project,” he added.

More info: www.ricardos dancestudio.co.za

TIMEOUT 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS BOOK

MUSIC

FILM The Darkest Hour

89 minutes Rating: G Director: Chris Gorak Starring: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Rachael Taylor

The Orphan Master’s Son Adam Johnson Random House, 464 pages

Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother – a South Korean singer kidnapped by Pyongyang – and an influential father who runs Long Tomorrows, a work camp for North Korean orphans.

It is in this camp that Jun Do is given his first taste of power, picking which orphans eat first and which will be lent out for manual labour.

Recognised for his loyalty and keen instincts, Jun Do comes to the attention of superiors in the state, rises in the ranks, and starts on a road from which there will be no return.

Part thriller, part story of innocence lost, part love story, The Orphan Master’s Son is also a riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty, but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love.

The Weeknd Echoes of Silence self-released

House of Balloons introduced the world to Abel Tesfaye’s (aka The Weeknd) beautiful R&B falsetto early last year.

Now Tesfaye closes out a completely massive 2011 with Echoes of Silence, and with it doing the nearly unheard of: releasing three genre classics within the span of a single calendar year, all without being signed to a label.

The mood is still dark, druggy and claustrophobic, but this time Tesfaye is channeling a pain that’s less cold emptiness than traditional heartbreak and longing.

And while many may find the oppressive darkness hard to relate to, increasing numbers of fans are finding themselves deeply seduced by it.

You can almost see the terror in the eyes of the major labels as they watch an artist like this bypassing all of their established infrastructure and building his career on his own terms.

When it comes to the creative design of its aliens, The Darkest Hour opts for a less-is-more approach.

While this is often a recipe for success, unfortunately in this case, less is just plain less, as the space invaders of this surprisingly thrill-less Moscowset thriller are invisible for much of the film. Even when you can see them, they resemble little more than floating Windows screensavers.

Working from a story that is about as derivative and unimaginative as they come, director Chris Gorak sends two internet entrepreneurs (Emile Hirsch and Max Minghella) to Moscow to finish a business deal. When they learn that a Swedish opportunist (Joel Kinna-

man) has stolen their idea, they head to a nightclub to lick their wounds and distract themselves with a couple of female tourists (Olivia Thirlby and Rachael Taylor).

There the four – and the scheming Swede – will remain for the next few days as fireballs from outer space transform most of humanity into untidy piles of ash.

But while we wait for the core cast to be reduced, we have time to ponder the pointlessness of the Moscow

setting, seemingly chosen primarily to allow the filmmakers access to stock Russian stereotypes – like the crazy inventor and the band of armed-tothe-teeth resistance fighters.

It’s almost like this apocalyptic fantasy expects dramatic shots of a depopulated Red Square to make up for a flatlining screenplay and the absence of even a single compelling character. It doesn’t.

After his intriguing twist on biohazard drama in 2006’s Right at Your Door, director

Gorak is slavishly obedient to genre expectations here, finding no way to enliven a by-the-numbers survival tale.

And, really, it doesn’t get any more lazy t h a n i nv i s i bl e a l ie n s .

If you’re going to tease the audience with nothing but flickers of light for threequarters of the film, you need to have a supremely original and compelling reveal up you r sleeve.

But if all you have is the equivalent of exploding garden gnomes – which is what these aliens amount to – then your problems are greater than a disposable cast and a filming style as flat as the depressingly grey colour palette.

As the film switches dramatically from survival horror to resistance fighting, you really should be rooting for the humans, but you might as well be rooting for the blobs.

Most likely, though, you’ll just be rooting for the credits.

–Dane Halpin

As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed. For up-to-date information, visit sfcinemacity.com, or phone the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076 209 000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076 600 555.

SFX COLISEUM PHUKET (CENTRAL FESTIVAL) The Adventures of Tintin (E/3D) [G]: 11:15, 13:30, 15:45, 18:00, 20:20 The Darkest Hour (E) [G]: 12:15, 14:15, 16:15, 18:15, 20:15, 22:15 The Darkest Hour (E/F) [G]: 13:15, 15:15, 17:15, 19:15, 21:15 Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (T) [15+]: 12:30, 15:00, 17:30, 20:00, 22:30 M:I: Ghost Protocol (E) [13+]: 17:05, 22:25 Real Steel (E) [G]: 12:00, 14:40, 17:20, 20:05, 22:40 Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (E) [13+]: 11:45, 14:25, 19:50, 22:35 Sor Kor Sor Sweety (T) [15+]: 11:30, 14:05, 16:40, 19:20, 22:00

SFC JUNGCEYLON PHUKET (PATONG) The Adventures of Tintin (E) [G]: The Darkest Hour (E) [G]:

11:15, 13:30, 15:45, 18:00, 20:15 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30, 20:30, 22:30

M:I: Ghost Protocol (E) [13+]: Real Steel (E) [G]:

11:45, 17:05, 22:30 12:00, 14:40, 17:20, 20:00, 22:35

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (E) [13+]: Sor Kor Sor Sweety (T) [15+]:

14:25, 19:50, 22:25

11:30, 14:05, 16:40, 19:15, 21:50

BRAIN TEASERS is a long way away. (4) 20. Duck-billed cliché?

(9) 1. The end of the 23. Thingamajig may decision. (10) perform no love bite. (9) 6. Pit belongs to me.

25. Trash 500 difficulty.

(4) (4) 9. When Ian becomes 28. Correct, then Easterner. (5) improvize political view.

10. This month in the (5-4) street. (4) 30. Al’s got a brief 12. Colors note. moment in a place to Affirmative! (4) remember. (5) 13. Little Christopher’s 32. Sheep memory. (3) gear. (3) 33. Sir, I back into part 15. The ones here for the of 37. (4) quarter. (5) 35. Try confusing no 16. Staleness of deer and beginner. (4) French city. (9) 36. She’s part-Canadian18. Half of old Djibouti Italian. (5) 37. Looks and sounds like affirmatives. (4) puzzles 38. Take command?

Broadly speaking, perhaps. (10) Across

Solutions to last week’s

Down 1. Applaud transport?

Rubbish! (8) 2. I break appendage to make a row. (5) 3. Student wrote “Connected”. (6) 4. Is appropriate for city types. (5)

5. Catch ten in return.

(3) 7. Poison league? (3) 8. Three cardinals about, say, writings. (6) 11. Begin the French shock. (7) 14. Booger? In short, it is not. (4) 17. Lowest part of twisted drain. (5) 19. Oddly, no gal as a companion. (5) 21. Fortuitously, Lily takes you and Calvin Klein. (7)

22. Do away with bad boat gear. (8) 24. Hospital consumed bad blood. (4) 26. Cook support? I have quarter. (6) 27. 1,000 – am in front of Alabama town. (6) 29. Fumble for gravity cord. (5) 31. Ali, bravo! I make excuse. (5) 34. Drug? I see the point, so to speak. (3) 35. Jerk back intestine.

(3)

thephuketnews.com

22 WEIRDWORLD

Scientists create new ‘supersoldier’ ants Nightmarish “supersoldier” ants with huge heads and jaws have been created by scientists, though it’s unlikely they’ll be taking over the world anytime soon.

Rather, the monsterous ants may be a genetic throwback to an ancestor that lived millions of years ago.

Scientists created the ants by activating ancient genes that trigger their development. They showed that ordinary ants of the species Pheidole morrisi contain all the genetic tools needed to turn them into supersoldiers.

By dabbing their larvae with a special hor mone, they were able to induce the development of “supersoldiers” instead of normal worker and soldier ants.

Not a creature you'd want to ever meet in a dark tunnel.

Supersoldier ants can occur naturally in the wild, but only rarely. In the deserts of America and Mexico, their job is to protect the colony from

raids by invading army ants.

The supersoldiers use their enormous heads to block the nest entrance and attack any enemy ants that get too close.

Scient ists i n Canad a created the monster ants in the laboratory by activating the ancient ancestral genes Authors Dr Rajendhran Rajakumar, from McGill University, Canada, and colleagues wrote: “We uncovered an ancestral development potential to produce a novel supersoldier subcaste that has been retained throughout a hyperdiverse ant genus that evolved 35 to 60 million years ago.”

The results suggest that holding on to ancestral development toolkits may play an important role in evolving new physical traits, say the researchers. The results also suggest that science can be awesome.

Shark attack Cat: meat hot pot at 7,000 feet

It’s every swimmers worst fear – a shark circling ominously.

But few airline pilots have experienced such trepidation, until last week.

A shark was spotted by the pilot at an altitude of 7,000 ft over Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand.

Glen Kenny, president of the New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association, explained the inflatable shark actually had very little bite.

“Helium is an inert gas, so there’s no issue in that regard. The biggest hazard would be startling the pilot.”

The bizarre sighting was just one of a string of unusual flying shark sightings across New Zealand, many reported to police, thanks to the popular Christmas gift known as Air Swimmers – remotecontrolled helium fish.

The Air Swimmer toy, which measures 1.44 metres in length, is remote-controlled with a radio receiver attached underneath the toy, helping with steering the body.

The toy fish can be operated from 15m away, though obviously has a tendency to drift far beyond that range.

Irish Pubs • Restaurant • Guest Houses

Draft Beer Great Food Cool Rooms Good Music Live Sport

thephuketnews.com

It was supposed to be a civilised chat over a casual meal of, ahem, cat meat hot pot.

But police in southern China have detained a man suspected of murdering a billionaire tycoon over a financial dispute by poisoning the cat meat they shared.

Long Liyuan, who made his fortune running a forestry company in wealthy Guangdong province, died last month after sharing a dinner of cat meat hot pot – a local delicacy – with two associates.

Last Monday authorities in Yangjiang city, where the incident occurred, said police had detained one of the two associates, Huang Guang, a local forestry official, on suspicion of poisoning the meal after a business deal went sour.

“Huang, who was helping Long take a lease on a forest, had himself used funds provided by Long. This led to an economic dispute and gave Huang the idea to kill Long with poison,” a statement on the city’s official microblog said.

Long’s brother claimed at the time that the billionaire, a Guangdong provincial people’s congress delegate, had been poisoned, and his family posted a 100,000 yuan (B5 million) reward for information about his death.

All three men fell ill after eating the meat on December 23, but Huang and the third diner recovered, the Southern Metropolis Daily newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The paper said that Huang had snuck into the restaurant kitchen to poison their food.

“He tasted the cat meat,

Cute, but deadly. saying it needed to boil longer, then asked the owner of the restaurant to go fetch him three bottled beverages,” said the Guangdong-based daily.

“Her [the owner’s] husband then went out to buy cigarettes, which is when Huang is now suspected to have slipped in some gelsemium elegans,” it added, referring to a poisonous plant native to China.

Before the dinner, the three men had gone to inspect woodlands that Huang wished to sell to Long, the report said, adding that the official had previously helped the tycoon buy woodlands and got other officials to grant permits and public development funds.

Long or his firm appeared to have paid Huang a total of 3.5 million yuan (B17.5 million) for various services and Huang had recently been trying to raise more money to settle debts, it said.

Huang, who earlier told the newspaper of his “great sadness” at Long’s death, had sent a text message to the billionaire giving him his bank details, the paper said.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

THE BIG LIST Freaks of Nature We all know that scientists are really just the world’s biggest pranksters. I mean, they created a giant-headed supersoldier ant just because they could (see left). So, instead of imagining what other kinds of crazy mutants they’ve knocked up on their lunch break, we’ve made a list.

Got milk? Have you ever looked at a cow and thought, ‘Man, I wish that gorgeous beast had a nice ol’ set of human breasts I could drink from’? Scientists in China apparently have, creating genetically modified cattle that produce “human” milk in a bid to make cows’ milk more nutritious.

Professor Ning Li, the scientist who led the research and director of the State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnology at the China Agricultural University, insisted that the GM milk would be as safe to drink as milk from ordinary dairy cows, but why should we trust someone who thinks it cool to drink milk from a cow?

Rodent’s revenge: If human breastmilk’s not your thing, how about a nice refreshing glass of rodent nectar? It’s all about lactoferrin, apparently, a substance in breast milk that boosts infant immune systems.

Human milk contains only four to five grammes of the stuff per litre, but mice milk that includes up to 160 grammes.

Scientists must anesthetise the mice and then attach tiny pumps to their itty-bitty mouse teats to harvest negligible quantities of milk (yes, just like in The Simpsons). This process is admittedly hilarious but extremely inefficient and difficult to produce on an industrial scale.

Venomous veggies: Remember when your mum always told you to finish your greens? Well she may as well have told you to finish eating your scorpion poison glands, because that’s what future children may have to look forward to. Scientists have recently taken the gene that programmes poison in scorpion tails and looked for ways to combine it with cabbage. Why would they want to create venomous cabbage?

To limit pesticide use while still preventing caterpillars from damaging cabbage crops. These genetically modified cabbages would produce scorpion poison that kills caterpillars when they bite leaves — but the toxin is modified so it isn’t harmful to humans. So who wants to try it first?

Buzz off: Hands up if you hate mosquitoes. Now everyone put your hands down. It should please you then to know that the same British biotech company involved with the GE bollworm has created mosquitoes that are specifically programmed for sudden, early death, kind of like the computers of the insect world. The idea is to release quickdying males to mate with wild females, passing on lethal genes that kill the young before they can reproduce. The short-lived bugs could help control the spread of dengue fever and other diseases. Despite having some critics, the only real down side of this terminator gene is losing out on the satisfaction of a mosquito killing revenge rampage.

Fluro felines: In 2007, South Korean scientists took the GloFish and stepped it up notch, altering a cat’s DNA to make it glow in the dark, and then took that DNA and cloned other cats from it — creating a set of fluffy, fluorescent felines.

Here’s how they did it: The researchers took skin cells from Turkish Angora female cats and used a virus to insert genetic instructions for making red fluorescent protein. Then they put the gene-altered nuclei into the eggs for cloning, and the cloned embryos were implanted back into the donor cats – making the cats the surrogate mothers for their own clones.

THE PHUKET NEWS

SHOPPING 23

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

LIFE&STYLE Wachiraporn Putrakul

Mother-daughter team create cafe of cool > 25

ACCESSORIES

fashion file

1

Chonlanee Pahhihang

Student

Student

Her waistcoat (B199) is from Naka Weekend Market.

Her black and white dress (B650) and belt (B320) are from Spike at Surin Circle.

Her mini skirt (B199) was another find at Naka Market.

I Am 2 Hobbies

The fashion bracelet (B250) is from Bevery shop in Sam Kong.

The Armani Exchange bag (B8,000) was purchased at a store in Central Festival.

3

4

She bought her Shada shoes (B690) from Ocean Department store in Phuket Town.

She also picked up her DK N Y shoes (B2,900) from a shop in Central Festival.

1. Fan-shaped wallet B900 2. Beach hat B550 3. Handbag B850 4. Garden handbag B950

Handmade accessories from ‘I Am Hobbies’ at Cake Box Cafe on Thalang Road in Phuket Town.

Open daily 9am-9pm. Khun M: 086 950 2060.

Handmade excellence

When Ban Boran Textiles first set up shop over 14 years ago, unique handicraft shops in Phuket Town were few and far between.

However, a stroll around t he a r e a now u nc ove r s many shops selling original Thai silk, clothing, bags, and jewellery. This list includes Ban Boran Textiles, one of the most prominent names in the area.

Phu ket local Wandee Kaewthawee is the face of the shop and owns it along with her Japanese friend Ichii.

Despite Phuket’s omnipresent heat, the most popular item on sale are the Thai silk scarves, which come in a variety of colours and are priced at B450 (cotton) and B600 (silk).

“Tourists really like the handmade products, especially ones with embroidery,” says Ms Wandee.

Clothing is also popular at Ban Boran Textiles, including hippy favourite fisherman’s pants for just B250.

Live in the moment

Laguna Phuket’s street markets showcase best of local tradition

Phuket local Wandee Kaewthawee is the face of the shop.

Priced a bit higher, cotton skirts cost between B800 and B1000, while ladies silk dresses are B2,000.

The attractive large silk hangings that adorn the shop walls are B7,500 up.

The colourful decorative handbags are sourced from

hill tribes in northern Thailand, while the shop’s rather extensive silver jewellery collection is made by people specifically from the Karen hilltribe in Chiang Mai. Necklaces start at B2,500, r ings B500, and beaded necklaces from B800.

According to Ms Wandee, handmade silver ornaments made by Ka Riang tribes in the north are the most unique items sold in the shop, as no other retailer in Phuket stocks them, she says.

W he n t he shop f i r st opened, Japanese tourists

were the main customers, though today Ban Boran Textiles sells products to a large spectrum of tourists, many of whom are western.

Ban Boran Te x t i le s , 51 Yaowarat Rd, Phuket Town, 076 211 563.

Laguna Phuket’s Canal Shopping Village is being transformed into a traditional-style Thai walking street flea market each Thursday afternoon and evening.

Visitors can browse more than 50 stalls selling a variety of local arts and crafts, clothes, souvenirs, snacks and refreshments.

Vendors are registered under OTOP, the provincial government scheme that encourages local villagers to earn livelihoods through traditional arts and crafts.

“By supporting the markets, visitors can enjoy a traditional Thai experience while providing muchneeded income for our local communities to help preserve their skills and livelihoods,” said Khun Chureeporn Manabutr, Canal Shopping Village assistant manager.

The markets – staged each Thursday from 3pm8pm for the foreseeable future – also feature traditional and contemporary Thai music, as well as entertainment.

More information see: lagunaphuket.com

thephuketnews.com

24 DINING

Cooking with love

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

P

eople working at the Andara Resort on Millionaires’ Mile in Kamala say the smiling face and warm personality of executive chef Supreeda ‘Ooy’ Khemkhang is largely responsible for the success of the resort’s Silk restaurant.

C e r t a i n l y, f r o m t h e minute I first meet Chef Ooy she is beaming, and totally friendly and relaxed.

“She’s very positive,” Andara’s e-marketing manager Thitipong Kingkaeo says. “She’s always smiles and never gets angry. She cooks with love.”

Chef Ooy is also modest. It’s her team who makes her happy, she says, and a happy chef translates into good food. And good food it is indeed, with Silk restaurant having a fine name among the island’s expats.

Her personality and cooking talent led to Chef Ooy effectively being headhunted by one of Asia’s most high-profile businessmen, Allan Zeman.

Chef Ooy has come a long way from her days training to be a waitress at a technical college in Songkhla province.

As part of the two-year hospitality certificate, she found herself completing her training at the Holiday Inn in Patong.

While she was here she was spotted by the head chef, who said “You can cook, I’m sure. I’ve got a position for you.” Her first job was working in the cold kitchen at the hotel but she learned fast and other jobs followed, at the Layan Beach Resort and then later at Amanpu-

Sandro Aguilera has been promoted to Executive Chef.

ri. She was working in the kitchen at Amanpuri when Dr Zeman was a guest at an event there. Impressed with the cuisine, he contacted Chef Ooy at least four times to ask her to consider becoming his private chef in his Phuket residence.

She turned him down, but he then made an offer she found she could not refuse: head chef at Silk. She accepted and has been running the restaurant ever since.

Dishes on the menu are a mix of Western and Thai. Chef Ooy says the Thai dishes are a mix of recipes created by her mother and ones she devised herself. The restaurant’s signature dishes include Goong Sarong (prawns wrapped with Phuket noodles served with a homemade mango sauce) Miang Pla Grob (Deep fried white snapper with ginger, lemongrass and cashew nuts).

Another dish which Chef

Above: Executive Chef Khun Ooy with freshly made spring rolls. Below, Thai salads at Silk restaurant. –Photos

by Thitipong Kingkaeo.

Ooy rates as one of her best is the Massaman curry with sweet potatoes and peanuts.

The restaurant’s newly introduced barbecue evenings (B1,400++) are held every Thursday evening and include fresh seafood (Phuket lobster, tiger prawns, blue f in tuna steaks and blue crab) plus roasted pork belly,

sushi, Thai salads, Thai desserts, and more.

–Claire Connell Silk is located at Andara Resort & Villas 15 Moo 6, Kamala Beach, Kathu, Phuket . Tel . 66 76 338777 ext 680 e-mail silk@andaraphuket.com, or visit silkphuket.com

Promotion for Centara’s Chef Aguilera Sandro Aguilera has been promoted from Executive Sous Chef to Executive Chef at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, following the departure of Executive Chef Andreas Hameder.

Mr Aguilera first began at Centara Grand Phuket in August 2010, after a stint working as Chef de Cuisine at 55 and Red Sky restaurants at Centara in Bangkok.

Following his new appointment, Mr Aguilera will take charge of the kitchens at The Cove Restaurant (international and Asian cuisine) and Mare Restaurant (Italian cuisine)

at Centara Grand Phuket in Karon. Most of Mr Aguilera’s signature dishes are made from foi gras, duck and the turbot flatfish.

Mr Aguilera is a native of Barcelona, Spain, and served an internship at three Michelin star restaurant El Bulli, which closed last July to the dismay of foodies everywhere.

He has previously worked at some of Ba rcelona’s most revered – Comerc 24, El Cingle and Estany Clar – where he lear ned many of the skills and techniques he uses today.

The interior of La Trattoria at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

Dusit Thani celebrates world Italian food day

Waitress Kantawee Chankaew pictured with ossobuco.

thephuketnews.com

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket’s award-winning Italian restaurant, La Trattoria, will participate in the International Day of Italian Cuisines (IDIC) on January 17.

The official dish of IDIC 2012 is ‘Ossobuco in Gremolata Alla Milanese’, a trademark veal dish that originates from the Lombardia region in

northern Italy. The dish will be celebrated by hundreds of Italian chefs in more than 40 countries, who will serve it on their restaurant menus.

La Trattoria executive chef Silvano Almolini will include it on the restaurant’s menu from January 17.

For more information on the promotion, see dusit.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

A bowl of Khun Ae’s delicious homemade green curry.

Vietnamese spring rolls are a fresh, healthy dining option.

DINING 25

A moment in time Phuket resident Noppamas “Ae” Mungwiriya and her mother Jutharat Sakubol form the perfect mother and daughter team at Live Present Moment cafe on Millionaire’s Mile in Kamala.

Originally from Chiang Mai, the interior of Khun Ae’s cafe is decked out with high-quality designer furniture from her own custom made architecture and furniture company, Aka Casa.

Featuring a blend of redwood and teak furniture, including a large funky mirror, and Jim Thompson fabrics, the venue combines chic style with a substantial menu.

“I just wanted to do something different and I think we are in a great location. I saw the potential here in Kamala for a cafe that incorprated art and design features,” says Ae. “I can’t change the fact that there are heaps of bars here, but perhaps I can give people something a bit different.”

Options on the menu include an all day breakfast (B180), buttermilk pancakes (B150), and various Thai dishes (B200 and up), plus desserts and cakes including tiramisu, panna cotta and chocolate cake (from B90).

Khun Ae says her raw

Noppamas ‘Ae’ Mungwiriya and mother Jutharat Sakubol run Live Present Moment cafe. green smoothie, made from organic vegetables and fruit, is particularly popular because of its great taste and health benefits (B70-B90 each).

So where did she pick up her culinary skills? “I like to cook. I have a lot of foreign friends who are chefs and I

learn from them.” She’s also picked up cooking tips from her mother, who used to run a Thai restaurant in Germany, and from her father, who is a chef in Japan.

“It’s great working with Mum. We get along really well and only get frustrated

with each other sometimes,” she says with a laugh.

Live Present Moment, 16/15 Moo 6 Rim-hard, Kamala (on Millionaire’s Mile just before the 7-Eleven), 089 191 8488, livepresentmoment@ gmail.com

The Pavilions hosts French chef Guillaume Salvan French chef Guillaume Salvan is in Phuket and will host gourmet wine dinners tonight (January 13) and tomorrow evening at The Pavilions, Phuket, in Cherng Talay.

Chef Guillaume is from Michelin one star restaurant La Falaise in Toulouse, France. The dinners are priced at B2,800++ per person, and B3,800++ including wine pairing.

At La Falaise (the Cliff), Chef Guillaume has forged a reputation as an innovator, yet has not forgotten his southwestern French roots.

Here, his culinary creativity extends to cannelloni black pudding with crab meat broth with lemongrass and saffron tapioca, and duck pâté hot

steamed vegetable in broth, foie gras and confit. His menu for The Pavilions includes: scallops combawa and green apple tartar; deep fried tiger prawns, green asparagus, citrus and galanga reduction; grilled red mullet and green mango served with asian turnip, sesame and praline raviole; warm homemade pâté, foie gras and confit duck in a Rau Ram stock; and pineapple shaves and vanilla crème brulee, coconut tapioca, tamarind sorbet and passion juice.

For restaurant reservations, please call 076 317 600.

thephuketnews.com

26 EXPLORE

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

PHUKET MUSEUMS Chinpracha House

This elegant colonial-style mansion was completed in 1907 by wealthy Chinese immigrant Tan Ma Siang. Chinpracha House is one of the most integral ancient remains on the island.

Old photograph, Italian floor tiles, imported furniture from China and old utensils are wellmaintained in the house’s interior.

98 Krabi Rd, Phuket Town, 076 211 281. Open daily 8am4pm. B100.

Kathu Mining Museum

Phuket initially made its fortune through tin mining (as well as rubber plantations and fishing) with many immigrants heading here from China.

Phuket Mining Museum JAMIE’S PHUKET If anyone is at all interested in the history of Phuket, and at the same time interested in getting a little off the beaten track, the often-overlooked Phuket Mining Museum is very much worth a look.

The location is a bit odd – on a road that many people don’t know about that winds through the hills between Loch Palm Golf Club and the British International School. However, it’s great for children.

Located around the large central courtyard are rooms that have been lovingly decorated and made to look like old streets or filled with old pictures and dioramas of mining techniques.

Phuket made its fortune through tin mining (as well as rubber plantations and fishing) well before any tourists first arrived. There’s no mining any more, but it was tin that made Phuket, built Phuket Town and changed the face of Phuket, with many immigrants heading here from China.

Built according to colonial architecture, imitating a mansion of a tin miner, the museum shows the origins of Phuket’s culture and history especially from the mining era.

Several indoor exhibition rooms display different themes such as Phuket architecture, mining , T h ai - C hin e s e way of life, Chinese immigrants’ life, the Baba’s marriage and the solar system.

The outdoor exhibition displays equipment including a dredge and hydraulic mining.

Muang Thoa Sung Rd (behind Loch Palm Golf Club), Kathu, 088 766 0962. Open daily 9am4pm. B50 for Thais, B100 for foreigners, children half-price.

Philatelic Museum

The museum is in an old preserved building, housing old equipment such as telegraph tickers, telephones, parcel-weighing machines and collections of Thai stamps issued since 1951.

There are also a small library and a souvenir room.

Phuket Post Office, Montri Rd, Phuket Town, 076 224 883.

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm.

Sat 9am-12pm. Free entrance.

Seashell Museum

So real that you could almost step right into the painting.

Basic dredging equipment played a large part in mining.

In the first room is a traditional island bus, while the next room is filled with old furniture, and displays of old household items.

Then you have the real meat of the museum: a very well presented educational section all about geology, with information presented in both English and Thai.

This leads through to the history of mining, with models of stone age people banging rocks together, and more specific information and life

street with shops, a little café, a shrine and much more. It’s very well done, and you can see that the people involved in the museum must take a lot of pride in their work.

The artwork is very good, with many walls painted with street scenes that have receding perspectives, so you feel like you could almost just step into the painting and take a walk through old Phuket. My daughter even tried...

One of the best things about the museum is the low

size dioramas about local tin mining techniques.

From mining, you then move onto tin processing, a room full of technical information and photos, as well as a big bench full of rocks for kids to look at. I was very pleased when my boy agreed that sand, viewed with a magnifying glass, looks like little rocks – I love watching my kids learn.

However, my wife’s favourite part of the museum is a mock up of old Phuket, a whole

entry fee, although, if you’re a tourist reading this, it’s not the kind of place a tuk-tuk driver will want to take you (no commissions!). In sum, the museum suits those who want to learn something and see more than just beaches.

Read more of Jamie’s posts at jamie-monk.blogspot.com.

Jamie works at liveaboard dive specialists Sunrise Divers in Karon. More info: 084 626 4646, info@sunrise-divers. com; sunrise-divers.com.

Over 2,000 species of sea shells that were collected by the Patamakanthin family are now displayed in the museum.

The collection includes fossils dating back 380 million years, rare golden pearls, giant clams and left-handed Noble Volute shells.

2/2 Moo 2, Viset Rd, Rawai, 076 613 666; www.phuketsea shell.com. Open daily 8.30am5.30pm. B100 for Thais, B200 for foreigners, children half-price.

Thai Hua School Museum

The museum is in the main Chinese-language school built in 1934. Classrooms inside were renovated as exhibition rooms, displaying Phuket Thai-Chinese culture and tradition of the past and present.

28 Krabi Rd, Phuket Town, 076 211 224; www.thaihuamu seum.com. Open daily 9am-5pm.

B50 for Thai, B200 for foreigners, add extra fee for photograph.

Thalang National Museum

The museum focuses on history and archaeology of Phuket and nearby provinces. Archaeological finds such as ancient statues, pre-historic beads and tools are on view here.

On 4027 Road (east of the Heroines monument), Thalang, 076 379 895. Open daily except public holiday 9am-4pm. B20 for Thai, B100 for foreigners.

Thavorn Hotel Lobby Museum

Located in the walkway from lobby to the dining room of Thavorn Hotel, this small museum corner shows old photographs, posters, ornaments, utensils, mining tools from the Phuket’s mining era and World War II, collected by the owner of the hotel.

All aboard! A traditional island bus is part of the display.

thephuketnews.com

74 Rassada Road, Phuket Town, 076 211 333. Open daily 8am5pm. B30.

THE PHUKET NEWS

TRAVEL 27

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

TG starts 2012 with fare bargains Thai Airways International intends to boosts travel during the first quarter through a discount offer on economy and business fares.

The latest campaign, dubbed Fly to the World 2012, is good for bookings until March 31 and departures through to March 31.

Ticket validity is 14 days for economy class and one month for business class.

Compared to its lowest standard fares, discounts vary from 8 per cent to 30 per cent in economy class and from 4 per cent to 20 per cent in business class.

Economy class fares on most of Asian routes save more than 20 per cent; Tokyo (36 per cent), and Seoul (29 per cent).

Sample economy fares are: B36,865 to Zurich; B41,155, London; B31,605, Moscow; B27,740, Sydney; B17,405, Seoul; B16,025, Shanghai; B18,695, Tok yo; B12,125, Taipei; B9,620, Singapore; B8,040, Vientiane and Yangon and B14,110, Delhi.

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket in T+L ‘500’ Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has been voted one of the 500 best hotels in the world by the readers of Travel+Leisure for the second consecutive year, while the island’s JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa was also named on the prestigious list.

Each year, the magazine’s readers vote on thousands of hotels worldwide based on factors including the standard of rooms, as well as location, services, dining options and overall value for money. The 2012 T+L 500 World’s Best Hotels winners will feature in T+L’s January edition.

“On behalf of the entire Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket team, we are delighted to be once again awarded by Travel+Leisure readers worldwide,” said Peter Komposch, General Manager of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket. “This award represents an important imitative for providing world-class hospitality and outstanding services. It is the best possible New Year’s gift to all employees.”

In celebration, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has launched a special promotion called ‘Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Kob Khun’. Guests will enjoy

-Photo by Bryan

EVA’s launches fare promotion

complimentary bonus gifts, from a cash voucher valued worth B1,000, B1,500 and B2,000 per booking. The package also includes two nights accommodation with a room upgrade (subject to availability) and a daily buffet breakfast for two. The package starts from

B11,000+++, and is valid from January 16 until April 2012.

B o ok i ng s shou ld b e made directly via e-mail to dtlprsvn@dusit.com, mentioning promotion code ‘KOBKHUN’. Terms and conditions apply. dusitthanilagunaphuket.dusit.com

EVA Air is promoting its services to the United States and Canada with discounted fares until January 31 for travel through June 30.

T he de als i nclude: B35,600 to New York; B33,500 to Los Angeles and San Francisco; B34,500 to Seattle; B34,000 to Vancouver and B42,400 to Toronto.

Connecting times in Taipei are pretty seamless to all North American destinations ranging from one to three hours.

EVA operates 10 flights to San Francisco, twice daily to Los Angeles, four weekly to Seattle and New York, three weekly to Vancouver and Toronto.

For more information on this promotion, call 02 269 6300 ext 1 or contact a travel agency.

For flights to Europe and

North America, the airline is co-operating with KTC World, Majestic Travel International and Six Stars Travel on selected routes under a X-Treme Fares scheme, with quotes to London, B29,200; Amsterdam, B24,100; New York, B35,600 and B32,300 to LA and Seattle.

The booking period ends January 20 and travel is limited from January 11 to March 31 for European routes and January 11 to February 26, to the US. Customers can pay for their fares in threemonthly installments with 0 per cent interest using their KTC credit card.

Contact 02 631 3444 ext 2 for KTC World; 02 652 2000, Majestic Travel and 02 835 3844, Six Stars.

–TTR Weekly

thephuketnews.com

28 ISLANDSCENE

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: At the opening of new Kamala restaurant Papa’s, are, from top left, Olaf Duensing, Paul Edden, Tony Paterson and Kevin Gerhold; Pia Yttermyr and Katarina Boner; owners Rade and Maria Perija; and Leif Boner and Roger Yttermyr.

JUNGLE PARTY: Bangkok Hospital Phuket held a new year’s party named Party in the Jungle at Baan Maksong Hotel on January 8, attracting lots of colourful dress up costumes in the jungle theme, as seen right.

A BLOKE’S NIGHT OUT: Around 70 people attended An Evening with Cricket Legend Phil Tufnell, pictured third from front left, at The Village, Coconut Island, on January 6. A charity auction, including two cricket bats signed by Phil, raised B53,000 for the Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation. See our interview with Phil in Island Sport.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

ALL WHITE NIGHT: Pictured at the SALA Phuket New Year’s Eve White Party Dinner are, from top left, Chanchit Sae-Lee, Purchasing Manager, and Mr. Muncho, Spanish artist and actor; Ake Laochan; Executive Assistant Manager Meiji Anorma, Kevin Cook and Vimonthree Chaisit, Front Office Manager; and SALA Phuket GM Jon Ashenden, Front Office Manager Vimonthree Chaisit, and Food and Beverage Manager Jose Luis Duran.

ISLANDSCENE 29

CELEBRATION: At the Siam Nirimit official opening for Phuket VIPs on January 7 are the Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong, left, and Siam Niramit’s Managing Director Pannin Kitiparaporn. Above, a talented performer shows an eager guest how it’s done.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: James Firth, president of the International Business Association (IBAP) and volunteers honour the association’s annual tradition of giving presents to sick children at Vachira Hospital. The presents were given out on January 8 this year.

FRENCH TASTE: French Chef Regis Marcon, from three-Michelin-star restaurant Regis & Jacques Marcon, hosted a variety of wine dinners, cooking classes and wine tasting events at Six Senses Yao Noi Beyond Phuket last week. Mr Marcon, right, is pictured here with Manish Puri, General Manager of Six Senses Yao Noi.

thephuketnews.com

30 ENTERTAINMENT

IN BRIEF Jay-Z song celebrates birth of daughter Blue Rapper Jay-Z has released a new song celebrating their birth of his baby daughter with Beyonce, and revealing that the couple had struggled for years to get pregnant.

Called Glory, the song released on Jay-Z’s social website on Monday, followed the birth in New York on Saturday of daughter Blue Ivy Carter – the first child of the music power couple.

The actor hit headlines last year for his bizarre behaviour, and was sacked f rom hit TV show Two and a Half Men after he made a number of r ude statements about creator Chuck Lorre in public.

Sheen insists his life has taken a turn for the better as he spoke at Sunday night’s Fox Network Television Critics Association party in California. “ I’m not c r a z y a ny more. That was an episode.”

Russell Brand gets new comedy show

Snoop Dogg arrested over pot

Irreverent comedian Russell Brand has signed up for a new late night TV comedy show on the US network FX, starting later this year, a spokesperson said on Monday.

The brash Get Him to the Greek star, who last month split with singer Katy Perry after 14 months of mar riage, will give US audiences his take on politics, news and pop culture in a six episode show filmed before a live audience.

Sheen is done with being crazy Charlie Sheen insists he’s ‘not crazy any more’.

thephuketnews.com

Rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested over the weekend after border control agents found what they said was a small amount of marijuana on his tour bus. The singer and producer, 40, was stopped at the Sierra Blanca, Texas, checkpoint on Saturday.

Black Sabbath’s Iommi has cancer Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, according to a statement. The British heavy metal group’s original lineup is writing and recording its first album in 33 years.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Winners of Live 89.5’s Massive Monthly Prize To register to win the Live 89.5 Massive Monthly Prize, all you need to do is find the Live 89.5 car. That’s what Mr David Lourey did, and he ended up winning a three day, two night stay at the The Imperial Adamas Beach Resort valued at B37,000.

The runner-up prize of two days, one night at The Imperial Andamas Beach Resort Phuket (valued at B11,000) was won by Miss Onkamon Ruangnim.

This month the Massive Monthly Prize is a stay at SALA Beach Resort, valued at more than B33,000. To register, listen to Live 89.5 to find out where the car is parked. Once you find the car, you can register for the draw. See phuketliveradio.com/blog/ massive-monthly-prize for details. Mr David Lourey (centre) collects his massive prize at the offices of Live 89.5.

New ticket booking service launched On Tuesday (January 10), an innovative new ticket booking service was launched on the island.

Phuket Ticketmaster is an online booking engine that allows event organisers to easily sell tickets for their events through www. phuketticketmaster.com or www.thephuketnews.com/

ticketmaster.php Customers will also be able to buy tickets instantly for events through the same websites.

For event organisers, the many benefits include providing them with an additional avenue to sell tickets for their events far in advance; and providing increased payment options for customers

that the organiser may not have access to (including credit card, PayPal, Counter Service and others).

According to Phuket Ticketmaster Managing Director Simon Samaan, the service will be a perfect complement to his existing media businesses The Phuket News and Live 89.5. “The existing

audience on thephuketnews. com means additional exposure for organisers, leading to increased sales. It is also a cheap method of selling tickets, with comparatively low commission and ‘real time’ tracking of sales.”

For more information on the service, visit the website or call: 076-612-550 ext 600.

32 EVENTS

THE PHUKET NEWS

WHAT’S ON IN PHUKET

List your events here for as low as B99 per line, or online at www.thephuketnews.com/events.php • Kids’ Fashion show

JANUARY 14

JANUARY 14 Central Festival Phuket Kids & Family Day Fun Fest 2012 At Grand Hall first floor, Central Festival Phuket : Building B (homeWorks). Start 11am onwards. Activities : -Mini concert from Coke Music Awards.

-Singing contest and dancer in Thai folk song (Look-Tung).

-Special show from pet: monket and dog.

-lots of fun and prize.

• Kids’ Zumba dance demonstration

Thailand National Children’s Day

• Water games and activities

Is celebrated on the second Saturday in January. Children are considered as the most valuable resource of the country.

Many organisations from both government and commercial sectors have celebration activities for children. The Prime Minister usually gives each Children’s Day a theme that can be summarised by its motto.

Many Government offices are open to children and their family. In Bangkok: this includes the Government House, the Parliament House Complex and various Military installations. A notable example is the guided tour at the Government House, where children have an opportunity to view the Prime Minister’s office and sit at the bureau.The Royal Thai Air Force usually invites children to go and explore the aircraft. And also there are activities around Phuket on that day.

• Jewelry making, face painting, and much more!

Join Us!21-22 Us! 22 January 2012 ~ Investing in Phuket’s Phuket’s Sustainable Future ~

New year’s Thai buffet B100 per person. Fundraiser for the Phuket Pride Celebration raffle prizes for all. start from 5 pm to 9 pm. Contact CC Bloom’s Hoel 84/21 Patak road Soi 10, call 076 333 222. Email: sales@ccbloomshotel. com, www.ccbloomshotel.com.

SEEK Sustainable Phuket Envisioning Workshop

For reservations, please contact Divine Restaurant, call +66 (0)76 336 000 Email: divine@thanyapura.com www.thanyapura. com.

JANUARY 30

At Thanyapura Mind Center, Center Phuket

Stakeholders Sunstainbility Workshop Overview Envision & Indicator Development Workshop

SEEK Phuket stands for “Society, Environment, Economy, Knowledge”, which seeks to build a sustainable Phuket while enriching lives and communities.

This 2-day day workshop aimed at bringing together Phuket stakeholders to work together, to build a shared vision of a Sustainable Phuket, with clear, specific and measurable goals and outcomes, outcomes, along with a draft set of integrated sustainability indicators aligned with the vision goals and outcomes and important issues.

Systainability Asia, The atkisson Group, IUCN Southeast Asia and SEEK Phuket will be bringing together the key stakeholdSustainable Phuket Compact commitment to actions ers to start writing the Sustainability plan for Phuket. Hosted by the Phuket provinWorkshop Fee : 10,000 baht Fee : 10,000 cialLet’s Government.

Workshop work together to For more Information Please Contact transform Phuket to be a model of Sustainability in Information Mr. Sean Panton baht For more Please Contact Thailand and the AsiaE-mail: sean@synergysportsls.com Pacific Region!

083 391 5869 sean@synergysMr. Sean Panton.Tel:E-mail: portsls.com, call 083 391 5869 SEEK was formed in 2011 by a diverse group of passionate and committed civic, NGO and business leaders in Phuket.

In early 2012, SEEK has chosen to use the AtKisson Sustainability Compass for helping them to frame, thinking about and implement an integrative ive and holistic approach to transforming Phuket to be a model of Sustainability in Thailand and in the Asia-Pacific Pacific Region.

We will also create space for discussing the possible avenues of action that should be taken en following from this workshop which we will frame as the : that will guide the groups’ decisiondecision making and actions going forward.

The Compass

Thao Thepkrassattri Thao Sri Suntorn Festival The festival celebrates the island’s victory in 1785 over an invading Burmese force.

Anyone travelling from Phuket Airport towards the south part of the island will have seen the famous Heroines Monument, commemorating the two sisters who led the people of Phuket to victory.

Classical Music Concert

Using the AtKisson Compass of Sustainability

MARCH 13

For parents: While the kids join in the fun, settle in for a delicious brunch at DiVine Restaurant. Adult: B750* per person.

Children 12 years and under: B375* per person. *Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 7% applicable government tax.

JANUARY 20-21

JANUARY 22 CC Bloom’s New Year’s Party 2012

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

H.E. Adm. ML Usni Pramoj will perform at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale. ML Usni Pramoj, a Privy Councillor is also an accomplished conductor, composer and violinist.

-Accompanying ML Usni will be Tasana Nagavajara- violin. Siripong Tiptan - violin and Kittikhun Sodprasert - violoncello.

-Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet Op.96 in F major “American” M.L.Usni Pramoj: String Quartet No.2 Time 6pm reception, from 7 pm concert.

Tickets B500 per person. Contact 076 333 569, pr@villaroyalephuket.com, www.villaroyalephuket.com.

This is an attraction that will give you with a deeper understanding of local culture and history.

APRIL 6 Chakri Day A public holiday to honor the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I.

APRIL 13-15

FEBRUARY 14

JANUARY 23 JANUARY 26 Australia Day

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on January 26, the date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of British settlers at Sydney Cove in 1788.

Chinese New Year Colourful dragon processions take place all over Phuket City, culminating in a popular and large fireworks display.

28-30 JANUARY Old Phuket Festival

Songkran Festival

This year’s event will be the 13th anniversary of the popular Old Phuket Town Festival, held in collaboration with Chinese New Year. Contact: TAT on 076 212 213

Songkran is the old Thai New Year , and is an occasion for family reuinions. Many Thai people return to their homes and families for the three day festival. It is celebrated each year between the 13th and 15th of April.

29 JANUARY

Record Breaking Mass Wedding at Promthep Cape FEBUARY 2-4 Wahoo Thailand 2012 Sport Fishing Tournament This is Thailand’s largest-ever international sport fishing tournament. Prize money totalling over B3,000,000 (US$100,000).

Boats and teams are filling fast. For further information, please contact Warren Crowe on 081 270 4291 or email: info@rawaibeachfishingclub.com.

thephuketnews.com

Thanyapura Fair Join us at the Thanyapura Fair! This festive family event showcases fun kids’ games and activities, live music and a delicious brunch for parents. Venue: Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club. Event includes: • An organic cookie decorating workshop

The island is aiming to break the national record for the biggest mass wedding on Valentine’s Day next year. ��������������� The Thai traditional style mass wedding for 108 couples at Laem Promthep, the best sunset in Thailand. Other activities include offering alms to 99 Buddhist monks and planting trees as part of a schedule running from February 12-15, 2012.

Contact Suanluang Inter Wedding 076 221 976, email: info@interwedding phuket.com. See interweddingphuket.com.

It was originally a religious holiday.

Songkran begins with early morning meritmaking, by offering food to the monks. Paying respect to elders and ancestors is also an important custom of Songkran.

Young people pour scented water over Buddha images and on the hands of elders to show respect, and to seek their blessing.

Another custom of Songkran is to clean houses and anything old and useless must be thrown away. It is believed that anything bad belonging to the old year will be unlucky to the owner if left and carried on to the coming new year.

The most prominent custom of the festival is throwing water. Everybody throws water on each other, during the three day festival. The most popular place for water throwing is in Chiang Mai.

THE PHUKET NEWS

EVENTS 33

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

WHAT’S ON IN PHUKET FRIDAY

IBAP Networking Meeting

List your events here for as low as B99 per line, or online at www.thephuketnews.com/events.php

All Major Sports Live

BBQ Ribs All You Can Eat

On the big screen. F1, MotoGP, Tennis, Golf, AFL, NRL. Irish Times Irish Pub, Jungceylon, Patong.

Only B295 per person at Shakers. Rat-UThit Road, Patong. Reservations call on 081 891 4381.

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Friday, January 13th @ IndoChine Stereo Lab in Surin Beach. This meeting will be a great night to enjoy old friends and make a few new ones, and what a location. http:// ibap-phuket.org or call 081 970 7910.

20% Off All Pizzas

Quiz Night @ Peppers

At Shakers. Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim areas.

Reservations call 081 891 4381.

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SUNDAY

Quiz Night every Wednesday at Peppers Sports Bar near Laguna. Great food, great music, great beer. Contact 081 728 1010.

Facebook Peppers Sports Bar.

Pool Competition

Sunday Roast Pork or Beef Dinner

Pool Competition at 9pm. Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com.

Every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong B290 per person.

Stilton with Port or Wine Every Sunday 2pm onwards B290. See www.expathotel.com.

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Exclusive Dining at Paresa Recipe by Ryan is an innovative culinary dining venture, indulge in intricate dishes created by Paresa’s Executive Chef Ryan Arboleda, featuring a six-course set menu prepared in a live cooking environment.

Time: 6pm to 10pm. Call 076 302 000.

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Special Friday @ Indian Feast This Authentic Home-Made Indian Buffet will be prepared and served by our very own in-house Indian Chef Padum Kahtri.

Reservations are recommended, so please call “Les Anges” on 076 360 803.

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BBQ Ribs All You Can Eat Only B29 5 per person at Shakers.

Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. For reservations call on 081 891 4381.

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Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Start November 2011-January 2012. Every Fridays, all-you-can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person.

Draught beer B50. 7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.

SATURDAY

THURSDAY

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Best Sunday Carvery in Phuket Roast beef, BBQ ham, chicken, pork and Yorkshire pudding. All you can eat B399.

Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.

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Half-Chicken Spit Roast Only B225 per person at Shakers. Rat-UThit Road, Patong. Reservations please call 081 891 4381.

MONDAY Roaring Bhoys Live Music every Monday night. The largest selection of draught beer in Phuket. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.

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BBQ Buffet All You Can Eat Only B325 per person at Shakers. Rat-UThit Road, Patong. Reservations 081 891 4381.

TUESDAY Pool Competition At 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong. See map at www.expatguesthouse. com.

Laguna Phuket “Flea Market” Laguna Phuket’s Canal Shopping Village is transformed into a traditional Thai flea market each Thursday from 3-8pm, creating a fascinating experience for hotel guests and local residents alike. Visitors can browse more than 50 stalls selling a variety of local arts and crafts, clothes, souvenirs, snacks and refreshments.

Vendors are registered under OTOP, the provincial government scheme that encourages local villagers to earn livelihoods through traditional arts and crafts – so visitors can enjoy a traditional Thai experience while providing income to help local communities preserve their skills and livelihoods. The market also features Thai music and entertainment by local children.

For more info please call 076 362 300

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BBQ at Expat Hotel

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BBQ Buffet All You Can Eat

Time 7.30pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsports bar.com.

Lose Weight Now

Only B325 per person at Shakers. Rat-UThit Road, Patong. Reservations 081 891 4381.

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Exclusive Dining at Paresa Recipe by Ryan is an innovative culinary dining venture. Indulge in intricate dishes created by Paresa’s Executive Chef Ryan Arboleda, featuring a six-course set menu prepared in a live cooking environment.

Time: 6pm to 10pm. Call 076 302 000, email: dining@paresaresorts.com.

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Saturday Brunch The B-Lay Tong Saturday brunch will be held every Saturday. From 11.30am to 3pm.

B1,200 net per person. Two people receive one bottle of house wine between them.

For reservations please contact +66(0) 76 344 999 and +66(0) 76 680 666 or e-mail rsvn@b-laytong.com.

Ask Thai Weight Loss how! Take advantage of our free weight loss seminar from 7.15pm. Contact Michael 087 897 8997, 076 304 108, www.thailandweightloss.com.

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Half-Chicken Spit Roast O nly B2 25 per per son at Shaker s.

Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. Reservations call 081 891 4381.

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Rotary Club of Patong Beach Weekly meeting in English. Dinner out on first Tuesday of the month. rotarypatong.org.

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AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.

Colin Hill Colin Hill performs (duo) now every second Saturday at Legends Bar in Kamala, with local guitarist Florian. 081 079 1069.

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Half-Chicken Spit Roast O nly B2 25 per per son at Shaker s.

Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. Reservations call 081 891 4381.

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AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.

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AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle.Contact 081 895 4763.

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Lose Weight Now Ask Thai Weight Loss how! Take advantage of our free weight loss seminar from 7.15pm. Contact Michael 087 897 8997, 076 304 108, www.thailandweightloss.com.

Chef Dinner Wednesday at Surin Gate Kitchen, four-course chef’s menu, B750 per person. Great food with unique flavours by awarded Chef Daniel Isberg and Chef Coki.

Reservations by email suringatekitchen@ gmail.com or call 076 324 4577.

Watch all the sport that is on TV this weekend with us. Located between Loch Palm Golf Course and Kathu Waterfall. Call 087 471 8747.

WEDNESDAY

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Quiz Night every Wednesday at Peppers Sports Bar near Laguna.

-Great food -Great music -Great beer.

Contact 081 728 1010.

Facebook: Peppers Sports Bar.

Brew Great Beer

Chef’s Dinner

.

Wednesday Quiz Night @ Peppers

DAILY Phuket’s one and only small batch handcraft beer. Open every day for lunch and dinner 11am until midnight. Live music from 7.30pm onwards. Behind the ship, the port zone at Jung­ceylon. For reservations call 076 3667 753. Facebook.com/fullmoon brewwork.

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Chef’s Dinner Chef Dinner Wednesday at Surin Gate Kitchen, four-course chef’s menu, B750 per person. Great food with unique flavours by awarded Chef Daniel Isberg and Chef Coki.

Reservations by email suringatekitchen @gmail.com or call 076 324 4577.

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Grizzly’s Sports Bar & Restaurant

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Interactive Pub Quiz Night

Sunset Happy Hours & Ninjazz

St ar ts from 8pm ever y Wednes day night. The largest selection of draught beer in Phuket. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.

Don’t miss the Sunset happy hours. Between 5pm and 7pm. “Buy one get the same one free” promotion. The Luna Bar, Centara Grand Beach Resort. 076 201 234.

Brew Great Beer Phuket’s one and only small batch handcraft beer. Open every day for lunch and dinner 11am until midnight.

Live music from 7.30pm onwards.

Behind the ship, the port zone at Jung­c eylon. For reservations call 076 3667 753.

Facebook.com/fullmoonbrewwork.

thephuketnews.com

34 JOBS

THE PHUKET NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS JOBS IN PHUKET Cleaner Part Time: Location Patong behind football ground beach road.

Call 089 972 3861.

Massage Shop Staff: New massage shop on Karon needs staff for massage, facial treatment and manicure.

Salary plus commission.

12 a.m to 12 p.m. 6 days a week. 089 128 4783 Pui (Thai).

Apple Mac Sup port: Apple Mac technical support needed to help with computer issues in Surin area.

Please email admin@ esxoasia.com.

Native English Te a c h e r : C h a l o n g

Divemaster Internship: Well established diveshop at Nai Yang Beach offer Divemaster Internship to the right candidate (male, thai national, basic english)from Open Water Diver all the way to become a PADI Divemaster with the possibility to work for us. Please send email to caroline@aqua-one.net.

K indergar ten is l o oking for experienced teacher for class of 1012 c h i l dr e n a g e s 3 -7 years old. Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm. Start January 4. Call 080 624 7060.

Resume to phuketpre school@yahoo.com.

Beverly Hills Kata: 3 bed B14 million incl. furnishings > 37

To advertise here visit: thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php information about yourself to ltnesneg@aol.com.

Looking for a Team-Member

Companion/Social Secretary: Single fe-

Portfolio Analyst (full time)

male 20-32. Good English, slim and attractive only. Live in separate high-end condo accommodation. Able to travel internationally. Position requires day-to-day activities of semi-retired English/Canadian businessman. Can be part time. Salary 15 - 40K per month. Photo application to bggvirgo@ gmail.com and call 089 054 4354

A unique opportunity to join this pioneering wealth management boutique in Phuket. We are looking for a highly-motivated employee, who has a passion for client service and for the investment profession. Candidates will grow with our company and must be able to multi-task numerous projects. The role involves regular contact with our high net-worth clients around the world.

Elite Fitness: Personal Maid: Live in Thai maid Trainer – Classes instructor To take care of house in Chalong and give daily massage to Farang. Pay B14,000 per month with motorbike to use. Age 35 to 50 and speak English. Email

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

(Aerobics, Body Combat, Body Pump, Yoga Etc.) Thai or foreigner, Male/ Female. Contact Tiya 089 600 0041. Email: tiya@ elitegyms.net.

Employment - Scuba Diving: Urgently seeking two instructors to run a small dive shop in Phuket. SSI Instructor is a big plus, good English a must. Please send CV to office@sea-bees.com or call 076 381 765.

Expanding Our Team: Looking for Finnish or Swedish speaking Instructor to join our existing team in secluded but busy location. Please send your CV to office@ sea-bees.com or call 076 381 765.

Remuneration: thb 30k - 35k / month + annual bonus Working Place : Office in Phuket Boat Lagoon Applicants must: be female and of Thai nationality; speak and write excellent English; have a university degree in finance or business; have a minimum of three years' experience in finance or business; have strong PC skills, in particular MS Excel.

The role consists of: investment portfolio performance analysis and reporting; investment product analysis and new product research; regular client contact, including new client account opening and ongoing account administration; liaison with our trading platforms and banking partners.

Please send your curriculum vitae to: Jaruwan Naksalab, assistant to Managing Director: jaruwan@securewm.com www.secure-wealthmanagement.com "i n d ep en d en t a d vi ce for t h e n ew fi n a n ci a l er a "

Talent/Performer for must be focused, disci- ence required, excellent Event company: Event plined and organised. Eng- salar y on of fer. Please

Class Act Media publishes The Phuket News – Phuket’s leading English language newspaper – and broadcasts Phuket's most vibrant and coolest English language radio station – Live 89.5 FM.

We are currently seeking

SALES MANAGER (THAI OR FOREIGNER)

RESPONSIBILITIES: - Reaching sales target - Developing and following up new sales leads - Self discipline in developing and managing sales volumes - Preparing regular sales activities reports to the General Manager - Excellent communication and negotiation skills - Self driven and motivated with a positive attitude - Work well under pressure and achievement oriented Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses, Friendly work environment, social security (10%) paid by the company, excellent career progress opportunity INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE INVITED TO APPLY BY SENDING A FULL RESUMÉ IN ENGLISH WITH A RECENT PHOTO & EXPECTED SALARY TO:

Class Act Media Co., Ltd. 99/7, Moo 1, T. Kathu, Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 Fax: 076 612 553 E-mail: gm@thephuketnews.com www.thephuketnews.com

thephuketnews.com

Company is looking for bands, singers, dancers & any kind of single or group performers. hr@phuketeventcompany.

lish fundamental. Please contact info@thinkdesignmagazine.com or call 087 281 0994.

contact K. Rin at 076 203 012 or send CV to guy@ sensivehill.com.

Driver Wanted: For priW a i t r e s s / W a i t e r vate car, good English, part Sales Executive: Ex- and Recept ionist: time. Call 089 054 4354. perienced sales executive needed to join expanding public ation. Candidate

Urgently required for Sensive Hill in Kathu. Similar background and experi-

Staf f Needed: Bliss Boutique hotel is looking for reception and kitchen staff. Are you interested or want to know more info?

Salary starting at B7,000 per month. Give us a call at 085 619 4963.

Sales Genius Wanted: International operating company is building a Google-like street tour.

Apply at max@panomat ics.com.

Native EnglishSpeaking Teacher: Need native Englishspeaking teacher with ability to speak, read and write Thai. Call 081 803 7189.

English- Sp eaking Waitresses: Deepaval Restaurant/The Lounge bar in Bang Tao requires three English-speaking waitresses. Conatc 080 722 3377.

THE PHUKET NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 35

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET BOATS & YACHTS

To advertise here visit: thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

BUSINESS SERVICES Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@tile-asia.com.

Pegasus 8.2M - Late 2006: SUZUKI 140 HP 4 strokd - 300 hours. Fully equipped. Location: Boat Lagoon. Price: B700,000.

Contact 086 268 7901, martin@pertinax.asia.

Phuket Consult Services: Insurance, personal assistance, legal assistance, police and emergency assistance, property management sales and rentals, company registration, visa and work permit and accounting. Call 081 691 9679.

Prot ec t your ho m e w i t h CCT V: C CT V &

Private Luxury Yacht Charters: Luxury day and overnight yacht charters with crew and chef on board. Rates from B49,000 per day. Contact 089 971 0278, Visit our website at www.yacht-char ter-thai land.com.

Alarm service. Protect your home with high-quality CCTV camera,and GSM alarm. Free survey and quote. Please call 086 105 8144 or click www. huketechnology.com.

ware. Presented by Blue D Zine Co., Ltd. See bluedzine. com.

260HP Mercruisers, Aircon. Navigation, TV/DVD/ surround, fridge/freezer, coffee machine, vacuum, flush, full bimini enclosure, many other options. Immaculate condition, a steal at B3.99m. eddyelan@ yahoo.com, call 089 971 0278.

Dinghy Size 2.45 metre:

Your specialist of imported food and drinks in Phuket. Visit our shop at the Billion Plaza, opposite Tesco Lotus. Contact 076 612 733, 076 248 900. www.phuketfood.com.

Indo Construction: 40 years experience of more than 20 years at your service in Thailand. Main contractor: study project, architecture design and construction and management. Contact 076 381 895.

CARS FOR RENT

Inflatable tubes. Rigid hull and cover. Used only in fresh water.

B65,000. (new B100,000) 081 728 0140 or email milou2612@ gmail.com.

Car for Rent: Car in good condition, short and longterm rental with first class insurance and delivery service.

Contact 086 690 6007, email: k.niwatt@hotmail.com.

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

A1 Car Rentals: Fully-

Bar Bangla Road for Sale: In popular Soi Crocodile. Three years lease paid.

Price B2.7 million only. Contact tomarell@hotmail.com for more info.

insured. Starts at B12,000 to B18,000 per month. Please call 089 831 4703. Email for more info: a1carrent@gmail.com.

CARS FOR SALE

Very profitable bar on main road. Owner returning to Australia in high season. Has one bedroom with ensuite, three FS TVs, pool table, stock, furniture. etc. Price negotiable.

Call Chompoo 084 844 3504.

Jeep Wrangler 2 .0 Li t re Manual for Sale: B300,000.

Call for more details on 086 268 8701.

Car for Sale: Teana top model 2010. Travelled 22,000 km. Sell B1,240,000. Please call for more details on 087 276 0529.

less, disc-brake, powersteering. B440,000.

C a l l 0 8 6 2 6 8 8 7 0 1.

Kiddies Home Nursery: Award for top Nursery for Phuket Province 2011. Ages 3 months to 4 years. Open 7 days a week and from 6.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Rock Garden Village. Call 076 528 862, mobile 082 539 8252, kiddie shomenursery@gmail.com.

Buds Nursery: Phuket’s oldest bi-lingual international child care facility. High-quality, time-proven schedule and curriculum. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1½ -6. Monday to Friday, 8am5pm. Bus service available.

Contact 076 282 232.

ABC International Nursery: Education for chil-

SK A L I nt er nat ional Phuket: Skål is a professional organisation of leaders from all branches of the travel and tourism industry. www. skalphuket.org.

B u s i n e s s f o r S a l e: Phuket slingsshot, Thailand’s only, and bumper cars. Call 082 419 0742.

EDUCATION

service and repairs, WLAN a speciality. Free telephone advice. Contact 0846 257 744 or email computermanphuket@ gmail.com.

DIVING Phuket Scuba Club: PADI 5 Star Centre. Half-day, day-trips, live-aboards and diver education. Contact 076 284 026.

Guitar Lesson By Pro Player: Guitar/bass lessons

Under Water Video Package For Sale:

beginner to advanced. Personal one-on-one or by DVD. Diploma of Teaching (Aust) degree. Call 089 777 3063.

Sony CX150 HD Vid.Camera with Equinox HD6 housing. B35,000 or best offer Call 084 630 2165.

International Kindegarten: International Kindergar-

All 4 Diving: 5/4 Sawatdi-

ten. Native English teachers, UK and Singapore curriculum, small class sizes. The best choice. Call 082 323 1188.

CHILDCARE

CLUBS Jeep Wrangler 2.0 Lit re Auto: St ain -

rak Road, Patong Beach. Call 076 344 611.

English Computer man: Sales (new and used),

dren 18 months to six years old with experienced native English teachers following the UK EYFS curriculum. Contact 089 971 1813.

Kamala Bar for SALE!:

Phuket to join “Singapore Club Phuket”. Contact Robin on 081 803 7189, 076 303 500.

COMPUTERS

Toursys: Tour operator soft-

Farang Food Paradise:

35ft Bay Liner Motor Yacht: Year 2009, twin

runs well B190,000 or nearest offer. Call 081 728 0140 or email: milou2612@gmail.com.

1943 Model Jeep (Ford) Singapore Club Phuket: for Sale: Well-maintained, Calling all Singaporeans in

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Deadline: Monday 12pm (noon) for that Friday’s issue

Please hand in this form at our office or fax to: 076 612 553

thephuketnews.com

36 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

BUY & SELL/HOMES IN PHUKET EDUCATION Learn Thai at Home: Female Thai teacher with 8-9 years experience gives Thai and English lessons for company/hotel staff and Thai cooking at your home.

Full course with conversation practise and home study material. Both at beginner and more advanced levels. Call 081 797 1497 or Email teacher joy_phuket@hotmail.com.

Native German Teacher: Native German TEFL teacher is teaching German and English to single students at home or small groups in Chalong. (German/English) 080 778 1220, (Thai) 081 810 9115.

Cooking School: Fire up

your creative flare with Food Ser vices Cooking School.

Italian, Western and Thai cuisine. Try our famous pizza school. Call 082 816 0126, email: info@foodservicesth. com.

R a w a i P r o g r e s s i ve School: International private school for ages 3-12 years, offering Montessori education.

See our website montessorithailand.com.

Dos & Don’ts of Thai Culture: Learn Thai and Thai culture that is necessary

To advertise here visit: thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

51 Inch Plasma TV: Samsung PS51D450, 2 weeks old, can see working. Free delivery in Patong. Beautiful picture. Price B20,000 ono.Call 0824231247, graeme_lowe@ hotmail.com.

Moving Sale: Sign frame and alluminium C slats s i z e, 10 m x 3 m . A i r- c o n .

(1)40,000BTU, (2)20,000BTU. Shop glass front. All going cheap, call 087 276 0529.

H eal t h Fo o d Sto r e: Online health food store in Thailand. Good karma, all natural healthy, natural and organic products. Contact 0822761675.

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE CBR 150 modified 30K: CBR 150 9 years old, modified w/ 250 fork, rear. Big 250 rubber, one of a kind motobike.

B30,000. Call 080 530 9555.

PROPERTY CONCIERGE

bypass road. Contact 085 785 4440.

for enjoying life in Thailand.

Group classes three days per week, learning about the real dos and don’ts of Thailand.

The Genius Language School, call 089 203 9270 (Aooddy).

Visit www.thegeniuslanguag eschool.net.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

PERSONAL SERVICES

H o n d a Ph a n t o m 200cc 2007: Good

Selling or Renting Your Property?: We

condition with green book and insurance. B57,000.

Call 080 700 5560.

have buyers for foreign freehold, sea view properties and land. Call 080 143 2929 or visit realestate.phuket. net.

Mali Massage :Mali Massage,100 9-10 Soi Post Office Patong Beach Phuket Kathu 8 315 0. The most beautiful, serene and tranquil facilities in Patong Beach.

Yamaha Serow for Sale: 220cc, year 1996.

Sale B45,000. Please contact Khun Nicolas (farang) 083 176 4265. Khun Ball 081 084 9532 (Thai).

MOTORBIKE SERVICES

This is an all inclusive original Thai massage shop.

Original Thai massage, Deep Thai, Swedish, foot massage and many more. Facial, aroma therapy full service manicure, pedicure including acrylics. Hair-braiding, waxing. Fish spa too. w w w.malimas sage.c om.

Open Daily 10 am - midnight.

Call 081 087 2460.

Atmanjai: World’s best natural health programmes to improve health, reduce stress, weight loss, detox, rejuvenation, vitality and overcome disease. See more info at www. atmanjai.com.

PROPERTY FOR RENT

American Health Clinic: Chiropractic spinal adjustment with an experienced chiropractor can take away the pain almost as quickly as it began.

Call 076 612 707.

Bon Café Phuket: A producer of premium coffee blends and powdered mixes as well as selling, maintaining, servicing and repairing all major brands. 076 355 600-1.

Dynamic Tyre Balancing: Dynamically balance your motorcycle tyres for a smoother ride with DYNA BEADS! Available at West Coast Service Center Phuket.

Your big bike specialist on the

English-Thai Law Office: Visa, work permit, com-

PET ADOPTION

pany formation, property transfer etc. Please telephone for advice. Contact 084 063 9223.

Kata Beach Centre Phuket: Apartments for rent and lease in luxury building with pool. Per day, week, month, year and 30 years.

Contact Scott Bolls, email: sbolls@hotmail.com, call +66 81 828 0972.

Beach Frontage: One bedroom self-contained holiday villa Rawai. Rental Day/Week Call 081 677 1641.

Live Music By Colin Hill: Popular expat pro musician (guitar/vocals) with work permit. Can perform solo, duo or band. www.play-guitar.net, 089 777 3063.

Phuket Visa: Offers consulting and services on company registration, work permit, visa, accounting, auditor, legal advice. Contact for details on 081 892 9960.

five years old, short hair, a bit skinny, has black spot on the tips of both ears. Lost from home in Tungthong village Kathu. Anyone see please contact 083 391 1700.

Kata Hot Yoga: The most

Why buy a pet?: Soi Dog

popular Yoga for men and women in Phuket. Four classes every day. Kata yoga, it works! www.katahotyoga.com, Contact 076 605 950.

Havana Cigar Shop: Opposite HomePro Village Chalong. Contact 081 956 2024. Email: vinoltds@hotmail. com.

Techworx: Custom design & installation. Professional service and support. Premium service: home cinema, home automation, marine AV and IT, lighting control and multiroom audio-video. Call 084 443 9863.

thephuketnews.com

Lost From Home in Kathu: Shizu dog, male,

Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption. Fully-vaccinated and sterilised.

Contact 087 050 8688, email: john@soidog.org.

PET HOSPITAL Chaofah Pet Hospital: 8/28–29 Moo 9, Chaofah East Road. Contact 076 283 365.

POOL TABLES Phuket Pool Tables: www.phuketpooltables.com.

Your number one billiard and snooker supplier in Phuket.

Sales, rent and profit-sharing.

All accessories and services.

Call 081 823 4627.

Rawai Beach Front House: Rawai beach front house for sale/long term rent. Three beds, three baths with three air-con.

Cable TV, ADSL on area 1600 sq metre. Call 089 649 9939.

Apartment for Rent in Patong: New condo with swimming pool, security 24/7. 46sq metre, furnished.

Daily/monthly. 089 728 4005 or email: thamad17@yahoo.com.

THE PHUKET NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 37

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

HOMES IN PHUKET PROPERTY FOR RENT

To advertise here visit: thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

Cable TV. 19.5 million Thai Baht. +66 (0) 88 381 0012, email: office@palm-beachentertainment.com.

46sq metre, freehold: B2.9 million. Contact 089 728 4005 or email: thamad17@yahoo.com.

available rental daily and monthy basis. Please check more info at www.awphuket.com.

Rent Kata One-Three Bed Apartments: Superb apartments and pool penthouses 115-375 sq metre, less than five minutes walk to two beaches (Kata and Kata Noi) Call 081 078 1246.

Nice Three Bed House for Sale: Three-bedroom

house in Moobaan Tarn Thong Villa opposite Moobaan Chao fa California. B3.1 million. Contact Lee on 081 803 7189.

Apar tment for Rent in Rawai: Business nine

Land for Sale: 11 rai,

apartments, fully-furnished with swimming pool & office.

Contract 081 893 2165.

one kilometre from Naiyang beach. B6.5 millions per rai.

Please call : Siriporn +66 (0) 896 499 939.

Thai Style House for Sale: Teak wood floors,

stairs, walls, 2 bedroom.

Land 330 sq metre, peaceful location, five minutes to Patong, Chanote title. B5.0 million. 086 268 8701, email: f430spiderf1@hotmail.com.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Patong Guesthouse: 8 rooms, internet cafe and apartment. B1.3 million. Call

THE SUNRISE OCEAN VILLAS

for details on 0857946530

Kata Phuket Luxury Studio/Apartment: 60

SEAVIEW LAND FOR SALE: Near Chalong pier,

sq metre. Lease hold 30+60 year option. Free furnishing and tranfer. B3.0 million.

Contact Scott Bolls, email: sbolls@hotmail.com, call +66 81 828 0972.

150 metres from the sea.

Three rai and one ngan plot.

Chanote title. Price: B20 million per rai. No agent. Call 087 278 7206

Luxur y Villa, Phuket Loch Palm: Plot: 650 m²,

Seaview Land Ao Makham for Sale: 33 rai

own water, solar, living area 280 m², furnished, carport, 80 m² pool, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, 5 flat tv, ADSL,

land upon hill with seaview.

Very easy access from road.

B5 million per rai. Email: wapeebow@gmail.com.

JINDARIN BE ACH CLUB & RESORT: Ocean-

front Eco Resort on Coconut Island (three minutes off shore from Phuket). Private pier, private boat taxi, beach, beach pool, spa, sunset restaurant, elegant cottages. Coconut Island is only 20 minutes from Central Festival shopping.

Hurry, 26 plots already sold.

Call 083 520 0020, 076 238 732. Web: jindarin.com.

After a great success of the first phase, the Sunrise Ocean Villas is now starting to build the 8 other villas of "Phase2". The price of 17.9 million baht makes the project one of the most compettitive on the island for being only 60m from the beach.

Best Offer B4.85 million Townhouse: Two bedroom

townhouse. The owner wants quick sale hence below market price asking B4.85 million.

Contact 081 396 0880.

Sale or Rent: Spacious

New Apartment for Sale Patong: Condo: swimming

four beds/ four baths home in secure estate, fully-furnished inc 50” plasma TV. Pool & sala, 10 minutes to BIS, HSI, Central and three golf courses.

pool, security 24/7. Furnished,

Modern Pool Villa: Stunning three-bedroom pool villa, five minutes from Laguna 600 sq metre plot in peaceful location. Finished to a very high specification “MUST SEE” Selling price B12.9 million. Please contact 084 994 9303 or email phuketpoolvilla.info@ gmail.com.

Sale B15.9 million negotiable! Rent B65,000 per month, owner pays common area and garden. Minimum 12-month lease. Contact Jen 083 967 5777.

Private Pool Villas: Intira

Villas is a development of 15 boutique villas in the heart of Rawai. Second phase open now! Only a few villas available. Contact 083 594 9279.

URGENT Land for Sale:

tact Stan on 087 978 5804-3.

Perfect land for villa. Approx three rai, with chanote title, 2 km south of Thai Muang town centre. Just 24 km north of Sarasin Bridge. Good road access and electricity. Very quiet, green area. Urgent sale for just B5 million total, non-negotiable. Contact 089 652 1951 or email phuket.pn@gmail.com.

Sea view villa: Luxury seaview Patong-Karon villa, four bedrooms, private pool.

Sell for B22 million, and also

Come visit the villas and you will be wonderfully surprised by the quality of the project as well as the quality of life you can find here.

For appointment or more details, contact the project director Khun Monta at 081 343 0777 (Thai, English & German) Email: thesunrise villas@yahoo.com.

By Mission Hills Golf Course.

-1/2 rai of land (Chanote) B1.6 million. -6 rai, sea/mountain view. B4.2 million per rai. Con-

Perfect Land for Villa:

Each villa has an living area of over 300 sqm, has 3 spacious bedrooms, all sea views, 5 bathrooms, a 10x4m infinity pool, maid's quarter and a covered 2 car-parking. The houses are specially designed to guarantee a complete privacy, with an open panoramic view of the sea.

www.thesunrisevillas.com

Boat Lagoon Pool Villa: Modern four-bed-

room, four-bathroom villa with 8x4 metre pool for sale freehold with chanote title or leasehold. Newly-built, 316 sq metre internal area.

In beautiful marina complex, just 5 minutes drive to British International School.

Photos and price online: See www.thevillaphuket.com.Contact owners to view: 081 270 1970 (Josh) and 081 270 2070 (Michi). Agents welcome.

Two Rai Beachfront Land Khao Lak: Freehold Chanote land at Khao Lak Beach, 3,312m2, price only B5,500,000 a rai. Call 081 651 9687.

Nice Garden Villa in Nai Harn: Private sale. Must see.

1,600 sq metre land, 240sq metre living area. Located in a quiet area. www.villa-sophiaphuket.com. Call 087 823 7371 (Deutsch and English).

thephuketnews.com

38 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

TRADES IN PHUKET

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

To advertise here visit: thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

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thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

ISLANDSPORT 39

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Young narrows sights on F1 MOTORSPORT Phuket-based Australian racing driver Dylan Young’s prospects of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport – Formula One (F1) – have been given a boost, with the 22-year old receiving an offer to drive in the 2012 GP3 Series.

The GP3 series is two levels below F1, and races at all of the European Formula 1 Grand Prix events.

The offer comes from the Marussia Manor team, the junior squad of the Marussia Virgin F1 team. More importantly, the team gives its drivers the opportunity to have a test drive with the Marussia Virgin Formula 1 team in November.

T he F1 t est d r ive is awarded to the highest placed Marussia Manor GP3 driver at the conclusion of the 2012 championship, giving Young a one in three chance of getting the opportunity.

Young said: “It’s a big confidence boost to receive this offer and to know that despite the financial setbacks we have suffered for the last two years, people are still recognising my talent on the opportunities I have had to race.

Spanish Formula One Grand Prix in May. The first stage of the career vision aims to begin with a GP3 series assault in 2012 before moving up to GP3’s big sister, the GP2 Series from 2013-2014 as a final preparation for a Formula 1 seat.

“I’m hoping with this career plan we have set out, that I can carry the Phuket name right into F1 in the coming years. As we are getting closer to Formula 1 it means we have some really exciting offers for anyone wanting to come onboard and I’m inviting people to contact me to find out what’s in store for these limited partnerships this season and in the next three years.”

It was Young’s stunning performance at last year’s Young’s stunning performance at last year’s Singapore F1 Grand Prix support event caught the eye of the Marussia Manor GP3 team. –Photo by Sutton Images Singtel Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix in the JK Rac“It’s a pretty exciting time around the world dream of [to down the door into F1.”

The first pre-season test ing Asia Series support event to receive the GP3 offer from drive an F1 car] so I’ll be doing Dylan’s handlers are se- of the year takes place from that particularly caught the a prominent team and have everything possible this year lecting a core group of long February 21-22 and Young eye of the Marussia Manor the opportunity to drive the to win the F1 test. An F1 test term European based spon- advised that if there is any GP3 Series team, and they Marussia Virgin Formula 1 car this November would make me sorship interests to support interest on the island, sponsor- have since been in contact this November. Even though hungrier to achieve my goal of the career plan to Formula ship partnerships need to be in with Dylan about a drive I have to finish ahead of the breaking into the pinnacle of 1. However, Dylan says he place around the testing dates. for this season.

Dylan can be contacted Fur ther tests are also other two Marussia team motorsport and it would also is keen to reserve a place in mates, I’m confident in my assist me to develop myself the core sponsorship group scheduled in March and April directly at info@dylanyounability to do so. as a driver to the next step in for members of the Phuket before the commencement of gracing.com or by visiting “It’s something millions GP2 before finally banging business community. the GP3 Series season at the dylanyoungracing.com.

Fighters win Bangkok DARE Two MMA fighters from a small Phuket gym shone at the DARE Fighting Championship in Bangkok on January 7, with both achieving good wins.

Representing Phuket at the event were Major Overall from the US and Ammar “Rock” Tchalabi from Saudi Arabia.

For the last 12 weeks both Major and Rock have been training at Phuket Top Team, a Chalong gym owned and operated by Australian Boyd Clarke.

Major won with an impressive rear naked choke submission only 1 minute, 38 seconds into Round 1. The fight was fierce and swift. Fighter friend Rock also won his fight by verbal submission only 1 minute 34 seconds into Round 1, after he hammered his opponent Andre “Capo” Signorini.

Clarke said Phuket Top Team was very proud of the fighters for doing so well in the tournament, and helping to put Phuket on the MMA map.

“We are just a small gym and we have been open less than six months. Having two great fighters that won their fights within seconds means that we must be doing the right thing.”

Though the results are likely to lead to an increase of inqui-

Soft tennis comp Phuket Soft Tennis Club held the first round of the “Soft Tennis Thailand Open 2012” at Saphan Hin Tennis Court on January 7 and 8.

Around 30 players from across Thailand competed, which consisted of under-15,

u nder-18 and open age group divisions.

Soft tennis is played on an identical court to regular tennis, though uses a softer, rubberised ball, specialised racquets, and is more accessible to all athletic abilities.

Ammar “Rock” Tchalabi, a student at Phuket Top Team, lays into Andre “Capo” Signorini.

–Photo by Luke Chaya and DARE FC ries, Clarke intends to keep student numbers small. “For now we want [a] maximum 60 students per month so we can be able to focus on quality. I truly believe in quality over quantity and it’s proven to be the right virtue with Rock and Major.

“Of course we will grow, but I’ll take it slow and steady.”

Major, 30, is part Japanese, Native American, African American and European, and was once a US Government employee, then later an English teacher in Taiwan. He gave up

his day job at age 26 to train in MMA and is hoping to make a career out of it.

Being a small man, Major opts for simple moves and maneuvers to make his opponent submit, without having to use much physical strength. He takes his time analysing his opponent before making a move.

However, if Major is all about brain, his fighter friend Rock is all about brawn – opting to stand his ground and wear down his opponent with

strength. His nickname comes from a reputation for being tough and immovable – often maintaining a straight, expressionless face during his fights.

Rock, aged 25, began learning karate, taekwando and other martial arts at age 11. He arrived at Phuket Top Team last year, and like many other fighters who already have a Brazilian jiu jitsu or grappling background, started immediately training in Muay Thai and MMA. –Kazira Hans

31/1/2012

thephuketnews.com

40 ISLANDSPORT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

The Cat recalls his many lives CRICKET Cricket legend Phil Tufnell was the image of an Englishman when he turned out at The Village Coconut Island last Friday night – he was sporting a sunburn the colour of a cricket ball, not that it appeared to dull his usual geezerish personality.

‘Tuffers’ was in Phuket on a two week vacation, and while he had obviously spent a little too much time “chilling and relaxing” in the sun, he took a night out to entertain a group of fans at The Village, recounting some of his memories from his career as an English spin bowler.

A n d i s prop or t ion at e amount of those memories seemed to involve him being hit out of the ground.

“The first time I bowled to Sachin Tendulkar he came up and thanked me afterward.

He scored 195.”

And the ‘Little Master’ wasn’t the only batsman to get the better of Tufnell, it seems. “I had the privilege of bowling to Brian Lara – for two days,” he said.

It was this apparent ease of scoring he provided which earned Tufnell one of his many nicknames; The Waugh brothers of Australia called him

Above: Phil Tufnell demonstrates his questionable batting prowess. Right: Two framed autographed bats were put under the hammer.

–Photos by Absolute World Group ‘Vindaloo’, “because every time I bowled to them I gave them the runs.”

His more popularised moniker, ‘The Cat’, is derived from his well-publicised off-field antics. “Out all night, sleep all day. Taking a piss in the next door neighbour’s yard. I’ve never been rogered by a ginger bloke called Tom though.”

‘The Cat’ was always one to walk on the wild side, making headlines both on and off the field. Though as he puts it, he never had much of a chance; “[Former English Test captain] Ian Botham – he was my role model, which wasn’t the best start. He used to have a rule that

he would never come home on the same day he went out on.”

But despite his self-depreciative humour, Tufnell is still regarded as one of the best spin bowlers of his era, even if his Test bowling average of 37.68 is not reflective of the talent he possessed.

What ability he had with the ball must have come at the expense of his batting though, because Tufnell averaged just 5.1 in Test cricket, making him a strong claim for the worst international player ever to wield the willow. He was a born number 11, though if you ask him, “I batted at number 11 because I didn’t like walking

off alone.”

Despite most bowlers giving him a fairly difficult time when he was at the crease, if there was one man he feared most, it was West Indian paceman Curtly Ambrose.

“Curtly is a scary man on and off the field. I’ve seen him

in the shower. When he gets out, there’s just footprints and a line on the floor.”

But since his success – and a few failures – on the field, Tufnell has moved on to a successful career in television, a transition he has made with apparent ease.

For him, the change of pace from the rigors of Test cricket is a welcome one.

“You just turn up really, and have a good time. It’s great... the only way they could improve that for me is if they hold it in a pub.”

The Cat didn’t get the chance to check out Phuket’s new dedicated cricket oval, the Alan Cooke Ground, but expressed some surprise that such an established league exists on the island.

“It never ceases to amaze me where you can find cricket being played,” he said, though ruled out any chance of making a cameo appearance in the Island Furniture League.

As to whether the game has a bright future in Asia, “Who knows? Australia is not far away. India is not far away. It’s got a lot more to give than just the game.”

So what was next for this cat who has lived more than his fair share of lives?

“I’m gonna finish this beer, then who knows?”

The evening at The Village also saw two framed autographed bats go under the hammer, raising B53,000 for the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.

–Dane Halpin

Lizards left to lament missed opportunities CRICKET The seventh match of the Island Furniture League season on Sunday saw a battle between two former champions, Island Cricket Club (ICC) and Liquid Lounge Lizards (LLL) at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).

Both teams were languishing at the bottom of the table going into the clash, and were each looking to secure their first win of the season.

LLL won the toss and decided to bat. They got off to a steady start, surviving the first 10 overs without loss.

However, immediately after the drinks break, Ian Lenton (19) was bowled by D Vaigankar with the score on 38.

Steady progress continued until fellow opener Neil Thatcher (16) was run out shortly before the second drinks break in the 19th over with the score on 65.

Ian Henry (44) then took on the anchor role of the innings, while partner Neill Culpan (40) improved the run rate for a 78 run partnership before Henry was dismissed in the 35th over with the score on 143.

thephuketnews.com

The Island Furniture League TEAM

PLAYED WON LOST POINTS

Laguna CC

2

2

0

12

The Village

2

2

0

12

Patong CC

2

1

1

8

Thanyapura News Tigers

2

1

1

7

Island CC

2

1

1

6

Liquid Lounge Lizards

2

0

2

3

Phuket Leopards

2

0

2

1

Culpan and LLL captain Nifty Catts (11) then pushed the score along to 163 before Culpan was dismissed in the 38th over with the score on 164. At the completion of 40 overs, LLL had posted a defendable total of 188 runs for the loss of five wickets.

Pick of the bowlers for ICC were P Bokar (1-39) and A Chand (1-36).

In reply, ICC were watchful at the start of their innings, hoping to see off LLL’s pace attack of Culpan and Catts.

However, Catts struck in the seventh over, bowling V Kumar (11), and Culpan sought to outdo his captain by striking twice in the next over, clean bowling ICC opener I Khan (10) and then removing ICC captain Chand for a duck.

Culpan struck again imme-

diately before drinks, bowling D Vaigankar (1) to leave ICC reeling at 4-32.

However, after S Kumar (59) survived a dropped catch on zero, he and B Dessai (39) put on a match-winning 97 run partnership.

Dessai was eventually dismissed in the 31st over with the score on 138. A Khan (25) then came to the crease and was dropped early in his innings before being adjudged lbw off the bowling of Catts with the score on 7-175 in the 36th over.

LLL were still in with a chance if they could remove Kumar, but they were unable to do so, and ICC eventually picked off the runs to achieve their target of 189 in the final over of the innings. Pick of the bowlers were Neill Culpan (4-41) and Nifty Catts (2-29).

THE PHUKET NEWS

ISLANDSPORT 41

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

Last minute deal keeps FC Phuket on the island FOOTBALL Plans to rename FC Phuket and move the side to Bangkok have been sidelined following a backlash from supporters and a last minute sponsorship deal.

“Let me tell you here; we have been in deep red. Have been for a while now,” club consultant Paitoon ‘Ko Men’ Chutimakornkul told The Phuket News.

“Our lifeline was the OrBorJor, like many other local football teams around Thailand. So when the Office of the Auditor General Thailand froze OrBorJor funding, we were in serious trouble.

“Do you know [FC Phuket Chairman] Nauruebat ‘Ko Lek’ Aryupong had to borrow B3.5 million against his house and borrowed B2 million from his sister to keep FC Phuket above water?”

That money, apparently, has been used to pay footballers over the past month since the OrBorJor funding dried up.

But Ko Lek had stretched his funds to the limit.

“He asked businesses in Phuket to step in and take charge from him. He said he was more than willing to let them run the team, but only on one condition: FC Phuket must stay in Phuket. But no one seemed to want to step in,” Ko Men said.

“Then there were a few groups interested in FC Phuket.

There were Belgian investors, through Robert Procureur [of Muang Thong United], Khun Vinit Lertrattanachai, and some Dutch investors, but they seemed to lose interest quickly.

“We had no choice but to approach Khun Rawi Lohthong of Siam Sports Group. Khun Rawi had told us that he would act as the last resort for us; we could come to him only if we couldn’t find anybody else. So we went to see him.”

Siam Sports Group is owned by Thai Premier League club Muang Thong United.

Club consultant Ko Men proposed the idea that chairman Ko Lek would hand over FC Phuket to Khun Rawi. Ko Lek could then build a second division team in Phuket using

Paitoon ‘Ko Men’ Chutimakornkul, right, pictured here on his Facebook page with former Bayern Munich manager and Germany captain, ‘Der Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer. some of Muang Thong United’s footballers.

Ko Lek planned to call his new team ‘Phuket Town’ and compete in Division 2 Southern Region. He submitted an application to the FAT (Football Association of Thailand) for Phuket Town on December 19 last year, and announced that he would hand over the rights of FC Phuket to Khun Rawi, But when plans were announced to relocate FC Phuket, fans started to express their anger and disappointment.

The team’s Facebook fanpage was loaded with emotional messages bidding farewell to their beloved team, as well as directing anger towards politicians who they believed were responsible for their side’s decline.

The news spread quickly, and Chairat Prasert, a Phuket Wittayalai student and avid fan of FC Phuket, wrote a farewell piece on Facebook that was then published on Thailandsusu.com, recalling his time as an FC Phuket fan and lamenting how different his life would be without the club.

This article was picked up by the heir to Siam Sports Group – the son of Khun Rawi, who took it to his father.

Over the past two years, Khun Rawi Lohthong has been supporting FC Phuket financially.

Khun Rawi agreed to let his son take charge of FC Phuket, but he had his own condition; Ko Lek and Ko Men must remain with the club.

“Khun Rawi’s son will take care of players, marketing, administration, PR and coaches,”

said Ko Men, “but Ko Lek and myself must remain with the team, at the very least as advisors. If we agreed to this, FC Phuket would remain here.”

It was then that Ko Lek dropped his idea of building a Phuket Town football team, and agreed to the ‘One Province One Football Team’ idea; one FC Phuket for Phuket.

All this happened just days before their January 7 game against Bangkok FC. At the game, Ko Men announced the news to FC Phuket fans at Surakul Stadium, who at that time were thinking that the match would be the Southern Sea Kirin’s last ever home appearance.

When Ko Men took to the microphone and announced the news, the fans went ecstatic; most were not even concerned at the 1-4 loss that ensued.

The decision to keep the side in Phuket could have been prompted by the actions of a local businessman who had been supporting FC Phuket for a long time.

When he learned of FC Phuket’s dire situation, Khun Pramuk Achariyachai, owner of Kata Group, phoned Ko Men, asking to be put in contact with Khun Rawi Lohthong to discuss a sponsorship deal for the side.

“Khun Pramuk and Kata Group had been great supporters of FC Phuket over the past years, but lately they were out of touch with FC Phuket’s internal issues,” Ko Men said.

“He [Khun Pramak] was quite upset to learn that FC Phuket would end this way, without any help and sup-

port from local business, so he decided to do something about it. He called for an alliance between Kata Group and Muang Thong United.”

Ko Men said: “I can’t tell you in any detail until the deal is agreed to. But I can say that it will be FC Phuket with Muang Thong United helping on the sidelines, and Kata Group as the main sponsor.

“As to the footballers, we might see more coming from Muang Thong United as they have many footballers – over 80 of them – that can play in Division 1, but we will have to see how things go.

In words that most of the island’s football fans have been waiting to hear, he added: “FC Phuket will be here for a long, long time.” –Kazira Hans

Thai Division 1 Team

P

W

D

L

GF GA Points

Buriram FC Chainat BBCU PTT Rayong Songkhla Bangkok United Saraburi Raj Pracha Phuket Suphanburi Bangkok Air Force United Chanthaburi Rangsit JW Customs United Chiangmai RBAC Mittraphap

33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 32 33 32 33 33 33 33

25 20 17 16 15 15 11 13 11 9 13 10 10 9 10 7 5 6

7 3 9 8 10 6 14 7 12 14 2 10 8 9 5 8 10 6

1 10 7 9 8 12 8 13 10 10 18 12 15 14 18 18 18 21

83 65 38 52 52 53 39 40 45 38 54 36 33 29 39 34 24 33

Thai Honda

17 42 25 28 37 47 30 52 44 37 61 51 47 41 53 53 55 67

82 63 60 56 55 51 47 46 45 41 41 40 38 36 35 29 25 24

thephuketnews.com

42 INTERNATIONALSPORT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

Manchester United goalie Anders Lindegaard stretches to save Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero’s shot during the sides’ FA Cup third-round match

-Photo AFP

United beat 10-man City Costel Pantilimon says Manchester City have emerged from the FA Cup loss to Manchester United with their confidence intact as they prepared to face Liverpool in a League Cup semi-final first-leg clash on Wednesday.

The Premier League leaders saw their four-pronged trophy bid ended with a 3-2 defeat to rivals Manchester United in Sunday’s thrilling FA Cup third-round showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

However, City at least

FOOTBALL emerged from the contest with their heads held high having fought back from a 3-0 deficit with 10 men following skipper Vincent Kompany’s 12th-minute dismissal.

And goalkeeping understudy Pantilimon, who was handed a rare start ahead of Joe Hart, insists their selfbelief has not been dented because of the way they fought back.

“It has not damaged our

confidence,” he said.

“It was an interesting game, but losing a player after 10 minutes is not normal. It was a foul but a normal foul and not a direct red card.

“We were surprised that the referee gave a red card after 10 minutes.

“At this level it is not normal and when you play a team like United it is important you have 11 men.

“But this is football and anything can happen. In the second half we played better,

scored two goals and had a chance to get the draw.”

City appealed against Kompany’s red card, but the appeal was dismissed on Tuesday.

The Belgium international will miss the next four matches having already been sent off once this season, meaning will miss both legs of the League Cup semi as well as matches against Wigan and Tottenham.

Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy says Liverpool will be out for revenge against his former

club following their recent 3-0 defeat to City in the league.

“For me, I didn’t believe the 3-0 scoreline was quite correct and this is not just me with my Liverpool head on, but if I was watching the game as a neutral we had 66 per cent of possession, which is a lot for an away side, especially against a team of Man City’s calibre.

“It was all about taking opportunities. Pepe (Reina) made a mistake for the first goal but the other goals came

THE PHUKET NEWS TIPPING COMPETITION: 20

THIS YEAR’S GRAND PRIZE IS SPONSORED BY:

WEEKEND OF HIGH DRAMA There were no Barclay’s Premier League matches played over the weekend, meaning ranks and results in The Phuket News tipping competition remain the same. However, there was still plenty of action on the football field as the third round of the FA Cup got underway.

The pick of the round was the blockbuster match at Etihad Stadium, where a fighting 10-man Manchester City eventually went down to a fortunate Manchester United.

thephuketnews.com

FOOTBALL Premiership side Wigan fell to Swindon on Saturday, but top-f light Tottenham, Norwich and West Brom are all safely through.

Meanwhile, Stevenage, Sheffield United and Watford all have their names in the hat for the fourth round draw, while Newcastle left it late to dash the dreams of Premier League rival Blackburn.

Wiga n took t he lead against Swindon, but were

pegged back by Paolo Di Canio’s giant killers, and Paul Benson netted what proved to be the clincher in a stunning 2-1 win for the Robins.

A spectacular solo effort from Hatem Ben Arfa and a stoppage-time winner from Jonas Gutierrez ensured that Newcastle remain in the hunt for FA Cup glory, with a forgettable season for Blackburn hitting a new low.

Tottenham swept aside in-form League Two side Cheltenham, with Jermain

Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Giovani dos Santos easing them to a 3-0 success.

The Barclay’s Premier League gets back underway this week, with what should be a few decent matches.

Arsenal will be keen to ride the jubilation of Thiery Henry’s fairytale return when they take on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, Chelsea will be keen for a comprehensive win over Sunderland, and Man City will be keen to put their FA Cup loss behind them by racking up a big win over Wigan.

This month’s competition winner will take home a B3,000 voucher from Australia Bar and Grill in Kata, where you can watch all the international sport on 50’’ plasma screen TVs or on the big screen.

Albatross Lufthansa City Center have also jumped on board as major sponsors for the tipping competition, and will be donating the major prize for the year: A return flight from Phuket to the UK. You can jump online and get your tips in by visiting: thephuketnews.com/ match-user.php

from a corner and a penalty.

“We were knocking on the door. Stewart [Downing] had a great chance and in the second half we had chances we could have made more of.

“It’s a two-legged match and we have to make sure we are still in the tie. We have the second leg at Anfield and this club knows all about two-legged games, so if we can get it back to Anfield still very much in the tie we will have a great chance of getting to Wembley.

Phone +66 76 270958 abpoffice@yahoo.co.uk www.lcc-albatross.com THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION IS SUPPORTED BY:

ROUND 19 RESULTS: Man City Tottenham Wigan Fulham Aston Villa Blackburn QPR Wolves Sunderland West Brom

3-0 1-0 1-4 2-1 0-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 - 0 0-1

DANE’S TIPS ROUND 20

Liverpool West Brom Sunderland Arsenal Swansea Stoke Norwich Chelsea Man City Everton

TOP 10 PERFORMERS (JANUARY): 1. Farang2005 2. apollo131 3. Chaochao 4. Dane 5. mickyleeds 6. stegee

7. Clare Bolzon 8. keefers 9. Mal Kenyon 10. Patrick

30 25 19 19 19 19 18 18 18 18

Tottenham v Everton Aston Villa v Everton Blackburn v Fulham Chelsea v Sunderland Liverpool v Stoke Man Utd v Bolton Tottenham v Wolves West Brom v Norwich Newcastle v QPR Swansea v Arsenal Wigan v Man City

home win home win draw home win home win home win home win draw away win away win away win

TOP 10 (OVERALL): 1. gafferworld 2. apollo131 3. chasman 4. alanphuket 5. Mal Kenyon 6. MRB

7. dcoutts 8. Farang2005 9. scottkip 10. Paul614724

316 300 280 278 274 274 272 265 257 255

INTERNATIONALSPORT 43

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

Premier League Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Man City Man United Tottenham Chelsea Arsenal Liverpool Newcastle Stoke Norwich Sunderland Everton Swansea Aston Villa Fulham West Brom Wolves QPR Bolton Wigan Blackburn

Ligue 1

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A

Pts

20 20 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

15 14 13 11 11 9 9 8 6 6 7 5 5 5 6 4 4 5 3 3

3 3 3 4 3 7 6 5 7 6 3 8 8 8 4 5 5 1 6 5

2 3 3 5 6 4 5 7 7 8 9 7 7 7 10 11 11 14 11 12

56 49 36 39 36 24 29 22 30 27 20 20 22 22 19 22 19 25 18 29

16 20 20 25 28 18 25 31 35 23 22 23 26 26 28 36 35 43 41 43

48 45 42 37 36 34 33 29 25 24 24 23 23 23 22 17 17 16 15 14

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Team

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Pts

Southampton West Ham Utd Cardiff City Middlesbrough Reading Hull City Blackpool Leeds United Derby County Burnley Crystal Palace Leicester City Brighton Birmingham Peterborough Barnsley Portsmouth Watford Bristol City Ipswich Town Millwall Nott’ Forest Doncaster Coventry City

25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 23 25 25 24 25

14 14 12 12 11 12 10 11 11 11 10 9 10 9 9 9 8 7

5 5 9 9 6 3 8 5 4 3 6 8 5 7 6 6 7 9

6 6 4 4 8 10 7 9 10 11 9 8 10 7 10 10 9 9

47 40 41 30 32 26 39 39 30 37 24 33 26 31 44 35 27 27

28 23 27 23 25 25 31 36 33 33 24 28 28 25 41 38 25 34

47 47 45 45 39 39 38 38 37 36 36 35 35 34 33 33 31 30 27 27 26 24 22 19

25 24 25 25 25 25

7 8 6 7 6 4

6 3 8 3 4 7

12 13 11 15 15 14

23 34 24 21 22 20

34 47 28 39 43 34

Bundesliga 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

P

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D

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F

A

Pts

Paris SG

19

12

4

3

31

17

40

2

Montpellier

19

11

4

4

39

23

37

3

Lille

19

9

9

1

33

19

36

4

Lyon

19

11

2

6

31

21

35

5

Stade Rennes

19

9

5

5

29

23

32

6

Marseilles

19

8

7

4

27

18

31

7

Toulouse

19

8

7

4

20

17

31

8

Saint-Étienne

19

8

6

5

23

21

30

9

L'Orient

19

6

6

7

18

21

24

10

Bordeaux

19

5

8

6

20

22

23

11

Evian TG

19

5

7

7

27

29

22

12

Brest

19

3

12

4

19

19

21

13

Valenciennes

19

5

5

9

18

21

20

14

Caen

19

5

5

9

24

29

20

15

Auxerre

19

4

7

8

26

30

19

16

Dijon

19

5

4

10

20

35

19

17

Nice

19

4

6

9

21

23

18

18

Nancy

19

4

6

9

17

26

18

19

Sochaux

19

4

6

9

21

34

18

20

Ajaccio

19

3

6

10

20

36

15

Serie A

The Championship 1

Team 1

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Team

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F

A

Pts

Milan Juventus Udinese Lazio Internaz’le Napoli Roma Catania Fiorentina Cagliari Palermo Genoa Atalanta Chievo Parma Siena Bologna Novara Cesena Lecce

17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17

11 10 10 8 9 7 8 5 5 5 6 6 6 5 5 4 5 2 3 2

4 7 5 6 2 6 3 7 6 6 3 3 8 5 4 6 3 6 3 3

2 0 2 3 6 4 6 5 6 6 8 8 3 7 8 7 9 9 11 12

37 28 24 24 27 32 23 20 18 15 19 19 23 13 21 19 16 18 9 17

16 11 10 17 19 19 19 25 15 17 23 27 21 20 31 17 24 33 24 34

37 37 35 30 29 27 27 22 21 21 21 21 20 20 19 18 18 12 12 9

Coming up Barclay’s Premier League

Team

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Pts

B Munich Dortmund Schalke Borussia M Bremen B Leverkusen Hannover Stuttgart Hoffenheim Köln Hertha Berlin Wolfsburg Hamburger Mainz Nuremberg K'lautern Augsburg Freiburg

17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17

12 10 11 10 9 7 5 6 6 6 4 6 4 4 5 3 3 3

1 4 1 3 2 5 8 4 4 3 8 2 7 6 3 7 6 4

4 3 5 4 6 5 4 7 7 8 5 9 6 7 9 7 8 10

43 35 38 25 30 22 20 23 19 27 24 23 21 22 17 13 15 21

10 12 22 11 31 22 24 20 19 35 26 34 27 29 28 21 28 39

37 34 34 33 29 26 23 22 22

21 20 20 19 18 18 16 15 13

(Times in Thailand) Saturday January 14

West Brom v Norwich

Aston Villa v Everton

22:00

Blackburn v Fulham

22:00

Chelsea v Sunderland

22:00

Liverpool v Stoke

22:00

Man Utd v Bolton

22:00

Tuesday January 17

Tottenham v Wolves

22:00

Wigan v Man City

22:00

Sunday January 15 Newcastle v QPR

20:30

Swansea v Arsenal

23:00

03:00

Hash House Harriers Run 1349: Saturday January 14 at 3:30pm Hares: Nothing & Chicken George Directions: Chao Fa West. Turn up the hill at the PTT station (HHH), on the road where Ratatouille’s restaurant was, and carry on up past the end of the tarmac.

Bus: Baan Rim Klong, Kamala: 14:00 and Expat Hotel, Patong: 14:30.

Serena Williams serves at the 2011 Rogers Cup.

–Photo by Zanka M

Battle for No. 1: Kim, Serena lurk

Only a brave punter would bet against one of the ‘Big Four’ lifting the Australian Open men's title, but picking a winner from the women’s draw is a hazardous task.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – the top three in the men’s rankings – have an enviable haul of 30 grand slams between them in a golden period for the men's game. Just behind them lurks the hungry Andy Murray.

In sharp contrast, the top three female players have a combined total of just one slam and last year there were four different champions in tennis’ blue riband events, as the women’s game waits for its next big thing.

And acknowledged superstars Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams, both ranked outside the top 10 but sharing 17 major titles, are nursing recent injuries that could take the edge off their title challenges.

Belgium’s Clijsters, currently ranked 12th, is defending champion at the year’s opening grand slam, after beating Li Na in the 2011 Melbourne final, before the Chinese player went one step further at the French Open.

Second seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic won on grass at Wimbledon and Australia’s Samantha Stosur took the US Open title, upsetting home favourite Serena Williams in the September 11 final in New York.

The name missing from the 2011 list of winners is top seed Caroline Wozniacki, still yet to

TENNIS win her first grand slam, whose world number one ranking is under imminent threat from rising star Kvitova.

Third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus has never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne but reached the Wimbledon semis last year.

By contrast, fourth seed Maria Sharapova has grand slam pedigree, with three major titles – the last in Melbourne in 2008 – but the Russian is again battling injury as she struggles to shake off a left ankle problem.

Stosur will have the crowd behind her as Australia’s first women’s grand slam champion in decades, but she has already admitted feeling the pressure after early exits in Brisbane and Sydney this month.

Li, last year’s runner-up, is back in form after a disappointing second half of last season.

Venus Williams remains sidelined, and world number 10 Andrea Petkovic pulled out on Wednesday with a stress fracture in her back.

Also confident of being fit is five-times winner Serena Williams, still the biggest draw in the women's game, who was forced to withdraw from the Brisbane event after painfully spraining her ankle.

The 13-time grand slam winner has won on three of her past four visits to Melbourne, and has not lost a match since falling to Jelena Jankovic in the 2008 quarter-finals.

–AFP

‘Sports Talk’

Saturdays 9AM - 12PM. thephuketnews.com

44 INTERNATIONALSPORT

THE PHUKET NEWS

SPORT

Exclusive:

Phil Tufnell on balls, bats and getting the runs > 40

KING HENRY GOAL CAPS FAIRYTALE RETURN FOOTBALL

Thierry Henry tried to play down expectations after marking his Arsenal comeback with the winning goal in the Gunners’ FA Cup victory over Leeds.

The 34-year-old France World Cup-winner, Arsenal’s record goalscorer, came off the bench to slot home the only goal of the game with a typically composed finish to seal a 1-0 third round success in front of his adoring fans at the Emirates Stadium here on Monday.

Henry, who left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, has returned to north London on a short-term loan deal from New York Red Bulls with Major League Soccer now in its close season.

And there remains the possibility he could feature in the derby against archrivals Tottenham, currently third in the Premier League table and six points in front of Arsenal, at the Emirates on February 26.

In the meantime Henry urged Arsenal fans not to get carried away by the manner of his return.

“I know I scored, but that is not going to happen every time I play. I don’t know if my runs were intelligent or not but that’s the way I play,” Henry said.

“I am going to try to bring what I can. Maybe another

-Photo AFP time it won’t be enough, but I will always try my best.”

Henry, who recently saw a statue of himself unveiled outside the Emirates, added: “I love the club – I say it so many times. We are not going to redo the story – I just love the club and that’s how it is.

“If the boss [A rsene Wenger] needs me for 30 seconds, a minute, if he doesn’t

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012

need me, I am going to try to be around the guys and help in the dressing room.

“I am here to be another player, to help the squad and that is it.”

Wenger was delighted to have his compatriot back on board.

“What is good for the young players at the club is that a guy like Thierry, who

has done it all, comes and prepares 100 per cent, warms up, is focused and motivated, and comes on with an immense desire to do well.”

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was not surprised

by Henr y’s perfor mance against Leeds.

“I watched the game and knew Henry would score, it was written, some are meant

to happen. It was just amazing,” Redknapp said.

“I hope he doesn’t make too big an impact because we want to finish above Arsenal this season, which is not going to be easy, but I am sure he will have some impact on the football club.

“Having people like that around the place is worth their weight in gold.” –AFP

Raikkonen determined to prove F1 doubters wrong MOTORSPORT Kimi Raikkonen on Thursday blasted critics who claim he’ll struggle to recapture his world championship glory days when he returns to Formula One with Lotus this season.

The Finn won the 2007 world title before leaving for the World Rally Championship where he spent two years.

“There has been quite a bit of noise in the press about my comeback and there have been a lot of rumours,” Raikkonen told the Lotus official website.

“It has no effect on me.

“Sometimes you hear nonsense and sometimes you hear nice things. The main thing is that coming back is what I wanted and I have a good opportunity with the team so I’m happy.

“I have never really looked at what people say or think. I do my own thing and as long as I’m happy with it then that’s the main thing for me.”

Raikkonen will undergo his first testing session later this month.

The 32-year-old – winner of 18 grand prix before he switched to the World Rally Championship in 2009 – will drive the car in Valencia on January 23 and 24 and will test out this year’s model with team-mate Romain Grosjean in early February.

Britain firm in defence of lifetime doping ban The British Olympic Association (BOA) on Tuesday reaffirmed its hardline stance in wanting to impose lifetime bans for drugs cheats, a policy which the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) wants to overturn.

The issue, which has split the two organisations in a public row, is set to be decided when the Court of Abritration for Sport (CAS) meets on March 12 to rule on the validity of the BOA's 20-year-old bylaw that imposes a lifetime ban on any known doper from

thephuketnews.com

representing Britain at an Olympic Games.

If the BOA lose the case, it could mean that athletes such as cycling's David Millar and sprinter Dwain Chambers – both convicted drug cheats – could be free to represent Team GB at this year's London Olympics, which start in July.

WADA have argued the BOA bylaw goes beyond their own regulations and amounts to an extra sanction for a doping offence.

But BOA chairman Colin Moynihan said on Tuesday:

OLYMPICS "The current WADA policy of a serious doping offence just leading to a two-year ban is sending out absolutely the wrong message to young people across the world "Our message is different.

Our message is: if you go out there and you take a cocktail of drugs and you knowingly cheat a fellow member of your team out of selection from the British Olympic team, you will never be selected.

"That message will have

stopped a lot of athletes who might have been tempted to take drugs to enhance performance in the past from ever going near them.

"That's why we have had very few positive tests because everyone knows the consequences to those who use drugs to cheat.

"If they are taken away, we think that would be wrong and it would be sending out simply the wrong message.

"We want to make sure we select clean athletes for the Games and we want to make

sure that aspiring athletes know that we are going to take a very tough line."

Moynihan added: "We will not select those who have knowingly cheated to deny clean athletes selection from the British Olympic team.

"It's a bylaw that has been supported by 90 per cent of our athletes for 20 years and it's one that we will vigorously defend."

The BOA have engaged a high-powered legal team but, should they lose their case at the Swiss-based CAS, Moynihan will continue his

bid for WADA reform.

"If we don't win on March 12 then we will be campaigning hard to see far-reaching changes and reforms within WADA itself," he said.

In November, Moynihan delivered a stinging attack on the agency, saying it had "failed to catch the major drug cheats of our time", adding: "Marion Jones and countless others have flourished during the WADA era – isn't that enough to prompt an independent audit of the organisation tasked with policing sport?”

–AFP