13-01-2017

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

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Baz Daniel hits higher ground

Marine officials place a mooring block to protect a Racha reef from tour boats. Photo: DMCR

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO PROTECT CORALS AFTER TRY DIVE TOURS, GUIDES BLASTED FOR DAMAGE Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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arine and environment officers in Phuket have launched an array of counter-measures to prevent further coral damage by tourists and tour operators at Racha Yai Island, south of Phuket.

Officers from the Phuket-based office of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) joined conservationists in installing

artificial reefs and mooring buoys on Tuesday (Jan 10).

Pitul Panchaiyaphum, Director of the DMCR’s Conservation and Restoration of Marine and Coastal Resources division in Bangkok, said the installation of the artificial reefs and mooring buoys was being carried out as part of two auspicious Royal projects: the Area Management and Restoration of Coral Reefs under patronage of HRH Sirivannavari Nariratana and the Project of Plants

Heredity Conservation under patronage of HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The project covers a total of five rai in three provinces: Phuket, Phang Nga and Surat Thani, with the Phuket instalment to target Koh Racha’s Batok Bay, Siam Bay, Lah Bay and Teu Bay. “We will take the damaged corals that are still alive and nurse them back to health before returning them to their natural habitat,” Mr Pitul said.

“When there are more corals,

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marine life also increases, and that brings marine ecosystems back into balance,” he added.

The installation of more mooring buoys for tour boats alone is one of five demands agreed to after a meeting on Koh Racha on Jan 4.

That meeting was called after Mr Pitul blasted “Try Dive” tours for damage to coral reefs at key dive tour sites off Phuket after he witnessed a tour dive leader allowing tourists to walk on corals at Plub Pla Bay. The...

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The people on the boat were said to have been out fishing since Jan 4.

Four safe after boat sinks in big swell FOUR THAI NATIONAls were brought back to land last Saturday (Jan 8) after the speedboat they were on was hit by a large wave, overturned and sank close to Koh Racha Noi. Marine officials were notified at 10:30am that a speedboat with four people on board had sunk off Koh Racha Noi. The speedboat was called Thepsiri, Nachapong Pranit, Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Department, told The Phuket News The owner of the speedboat, who he named only as “Mr Sirisak”, and three of his friends had been out fishing since January 4, and were overcome by a storm while making their way back to Phuket.

“At the time of the incident waves in that area were between three and four metres high. The boat was hit by a wave, which caused it to overturn and sink.

“Luckily all those on board were wearing life jackets and were able to swim to Koh Racha Noi. “A passing fishing vessel, Tor Narongrit, picked them up and once on board Mr Sirisak used their radio to contact another speedboat which came and got them and brought them back to Chalong Pier,” he said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Preparations underway for Children’s Day this Saturday > page 7

Taxi, van drivers banned after drunk-driving charges rental agreement that person renting the vehicle signed in order to get the vehicle back,” Col Kamol added.

“There is no need to hold these vehicles any longer as evidence, we have what we need already for pressing charges and processing fines,” he said.

Yutthawat Lekmak reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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hree Phuket taxi drivers and two van drivers have had their driver’s licences suspended for six months after they were caught drunk driving during the Seven Days of Danger roadsafety campaign.

“Their vehicles have already been returned to them, but they have had their commercial driver’s licences suspended for six months as they were found guilty of drunk driving,” Sommai Sutkhao, Director of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), told The Phuket News last Friday (Jan 6).

“Everyone knows that the nationwide Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign was also held in Phuket, and for me this was simple enough – people must not drink and drive,” he said.

“Those who are caught doing so face the penalties, which are up to one year imprisonment, a fine of B5,000 to B20,000 or both, and having their driver’s licence suspended for six months,” Mr Sommai added.

Mr Sommai confirmed the five commercial drivers whose

Traffic Police check a Phuket taxi driver at the Kathu checkpoint. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot licences were suspended were the only commercial drivers caught breaking any traffic laws during the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign, from Dec 29 to Jan 4.

However, Mr Sommai declined to name the drivers and declined to name the companies and taxi services the drivers work for.

Col Kamol Osiri, Chief of the Phuket City Police, also declined to identify the drivers and offending tour and taxi companies.

However, Col Kamol noted that harsher penalties for drunk driving were introduced last

year. Under the new laws, the BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) limit for professional and commercial drivers, and drivers under 24 years old, is zero, he said.

Meanwhile, Col Kamol called for all drivers whose vehicles were seized during the Seven Days campaign to collect them from the police station.

“A total of 131 vehicles were seized across Phuket during the campaign,” Col Kamol said.

“In our area of operations, which comprises Talad Nuea and Talad Yai (Phuket Town),

Koh Kaew and Rassada, our officers seized seven cars and 20 motorbikes, as well as the two vans and three taxis,” he explained.

Some motorists have reclaimed their vehicles, but motorcycles have yet to picked up from the police station, Col Kamol noted.

“They can take them back now, but the owner or representative of the rental-vehicle company that owns the vehicle must come to collect them,” he said.

“If the vehicle does belong to a rental operator, then the representative must bring the

The penalties for drunk driving are: • Drunk driving: Up to one year imprisonment or a fine of B5,000 to B20,000 or both, and driver’s licence suspended for six months.

• Drunk driving causing bodily or mental harm to others: One to five years imprisonment or a fine of B20,000 to B100,000 or both, and driver’s licence suspended for up to one year.

• Drunk driving causing serious injury to others: Two to six years imprisonment or a fine of B40,000 to B120,000 or both, and driver’s licence suspended for up to two years.

• Drunk driving causing death: Three to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of B60,000 to B200,000 and your driver’s licence will be cancelled.

Whether you will be allowed to apply for a driver’s licence again during your lifetime is up to the court.

Reef preservation measures deployed at Koh Racha Continued from page 1 ...meeting also followed photos of an Asian woman tourist leaving the island with a bag of corals going viral.

Other key demands met include now having a marine official stationed on the island full time with police to together check and charge people who break laws; having officials strictly check for boats moored illegally and allowing

tourists to smuggle marine life; and officials placing warning signs on the island stating coral should not be damaged and marine life should not be caught.

A final demand met was for Racha-based dive operators setting up their own club which will set out rules regarding diving at Racha Island.

Operators from off island will be informed of the rules and

officials will enforce them.

Suchat Rattanarueangsri, Director of the DMCR Phuket office, said, “We check Racha Island twice a week, but sometimes offenders do things when there are no officers there, so we need cooperation from tour operators based on the island.

“There are already more than 20 cases filed with the court and another seven cases where tourists have been found

guilty of breaking the law,” he said.

“Since the meeting we have also checked dive boats moored off Batok Bay, we found many boats moored there which belonged to ‘Discover Dive’ and we have instructed them of the conclusion of our meeting. We have informed both their instructors and divers not to damage corals,” he said.

The DMCR barge deploys mooring buoys and sections of swimming areas to protect coral reefs at Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Dive operators move against shakedowns The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The Phuket dive industry is moving to counter police arrests for teaching tourists dive lessons in swimming pools, and allegations of ‘shakedowns’ for cash by police. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot / file “That is how they do their job when they find instructors teaching lessons in a swimming pool that is not at the registered address in the work,” was all she would say on that point.

“In fact, the main issue is that every dive instructor must have the registered address of the company they work for entered in their work permit – but in reality, if there is no swimming pool at the company’s main office, the dive instructor will need to conduct classes at a location where there is a swimming pool,” Ms Ratanpon explained.

“With any lessons, of course the instructor must teach students in a swimming pool, then the students must practice in the sea.

“For this we need to find a solution. The current situation with only the company’s registered address entered in the work permit does not match reality – and police are arresting people for only doing their job.

“I am working on ways to solve this problem. I will present to the Phuket Employment Office a list of recommendations when the draft is finished,” Ms Ratanpon said.

Governor calls for more donations to help flood victims in the South PH U K ET G OV E R NOR Chockchai Dejamornthan has repeated his call for residents and businesses across the island to donate items to help those in need in the floodstricken provinces across Southern Thailand.

The first shipment of floodrelief items were dispatched from Phuket to Nakhon Sri Thammarat last Saturday (Jan 7).

A convoy of 13 trucks loaded with donations in Patong and Rawai rolled out on Tuesday (Jan 10).

“Two of the trucks were loaded with donated food items and household items to help flood victims, and one truck was dedicated to carrying only drinking water,” Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup noted.

“The items included rice, dried food, drinking water and medicines to be distributed to flood victims throughout Southern Thailand,” Gov Chockchai confirmed.

“Thank you to everyone for coming together to help the flood victims. So far we have received donations of floodrelief items with a total value @thephuketnews

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The impact sent Jiraporn Plordpai, 21, and her motorbike flying.

‘Asleep at wheel’ taxi driver kills student

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ey representatives from the Association of Thailand Underwater Sports (ATUS) met with the Acting Chief of the Phuket Employment Office last Friday (Jan 6) to discuss action to be taken over the recent spate of arrests of dive instructors across the island.

“We learned about the spate of arrests of dive instructors only yesterday (Jan 5),” Ratanapon Promchu, Manager of the Phuket-based ATUS office, told The Phuket News.

“I went to meet with the Phuket Employment Office this morning (Jan 6). I talked with them about the gap between what a dive instructor needs to do and the registered place of work in the work permit,” she explained.

Ms Ratanapon confirmed that she was aware that in making some arrests, officers had dive instructors pulled out of training pools in the middle of classes, causing much alarm to the tourists learning to dive.

PHUKET NEWS

Thirteen trucks loaded with supplies left Patong on Tuesday and arrived in flood-struck Nakhon Sri Thammarat before nightfall that same day. Photo: PR Patong Municipality of about B300,000, as well as B18,900 in cash, but we need more” Gov Chockchai said.

“Most of the people in the flood-stricken areas have no clean water, and with no electricity they have no way of cooking, so they need canned foods. These foods must be in convenient packaging and easy to open,” he said.

Among the items suggested for donations are rice, canned fish, dried food, drinking water, sanitary towels, flashlights, medicines, mosquito repellent, dish-washing liquid, toilet paper, among other daily necessities.

The flood-relief donations centre at Phuket Provincial Hall is open to receive donations from 8:30am to 10pm.

Call 076-354 875.

“Donations may also be made at any local administration office (OrBorTor or municipality) or District Office on the island,” said Chatchai Pormlert, Director of the Phuket office Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket).

“The main donations centre at Provincial Hall will remain open every day until further notice,” he added.

Yutthawat Lekmak

Among the slew of complaints received by The Phuket News last week were recurring reports that passports and work permits were being withheld even after a court-levied fine had been paid.

Allegations surfaced that officials were looking for cash contributions of a consistent sum of B35,000 before they would return the passports and work permits.

The Acting Chief of the Phuket Employment Office, who declined to be named, also declined to comment to The Phuket News about the arrests.

A 21-YEAR-OLD FEMALE student from Phuket Rajabhat University was pronounced dead upon arrival at Thalang Hospital on Monday morning (Jan 9) following a head-on collision with a taxi.

The taxi driver later admitted to police that the collision occurred because he fell asleep at the wheel.

Thalang Police were notified of the accident, on the Thalang-Baan Don Rd in Thapkasattri, at 7:30am.

Lt Sunan Petchnoo of the Thalang Police arrived at the scene with Kusoldham rescue workers to find a white Toyota Prius registered taxi (“green plate”) with its front right wing badly damaged. Nearby was a Honda Scoopy motorbike. A crash helmet was also found at the scene.

The driver of the motorbike, Jiraporn Plordpai, had already been taken to Thalang

Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Taxi driver Anupong Janjang, 30, told police that he was returning from Phuket International Airport to his station at a hotel in Patong when he fell asleep at the wheel.

“I was returning to Patong from the airport when I started to feel tired so about two kilometres from where the accident happened I stopped to take some sleep.

“At about 7am I continued on my journey, but shortly after I fell asleep for just a second and when I came round my vehicle was travelling over to the wrong side of the road. I then hit the motorbike causing the bike and driver to be thrown 50 metres,” he said.

At last report Anupong was being questioned about the incident at Thalang Police Station.

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Workers at the bridge busted by floods in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Photo: TOT Facebook

Floods take out Phuket TOT internet TOT CUSTOMERS ACRoss Phuket and elsewhere throughout Southern Thailand were without internet and phone services on Tuesday (Jan 10) after floods in Prachuap Khiri Khan rendered the company’s fibre-optic backbone for the South useless.

TOT posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday, “As the floods severed a bridge in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, our fibre-optic cable is damaged. We are fixing it immediately and will be back to normal within two hours.

“We apologise for any inconvenience.”

The Phuket News noted intermittent internet access cut-outs throughout Tuesday.

Other reports stated the outage began at midnight Monday.

Internet access was restored late on Tuesday night.

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Bus driver tip-off stems marine-life trafficking Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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tip-off from a driver to police asking them to stop and search his own bus heading from Phuket to Bangkok has led to the seizure of several fish and protected species of marine wildlife, including tropical fish and hermit crabs.

Tha Chatchai Police led by Col Prawit Sutthiruangarun and Lt Col Thaweesak Kampeera stopped and searched the bus at the Phuket Checkpoint at 10:30pm on Jan 5.

Joining them were Suchart Rattanaruangsri, Director of the Preservation of Marine Life Section of the Marine and Coastal Resources Phuket office, and his counterpart Somnuek Boonyai, head of the Preservation of Marine Life Section of the Marine and Coastal Resources Phang Nga office.

The search party found two large foam boxes in the bus luggage compartment.

Inside the boxes were 32 marine life animals packed in

Police are tracking down who sent the boxes in order to press charges. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub plastic bags, nine tropical fish, three shrimp, and a range of other marine animals, including shrimps, hermit crabs and shells.

“We are now trying to track down who sent the boxes.

They will face legal action,” confirmed Col Prawit.

Mr Suchart noted that the

animals seized provided evidence of contravention of the Wildlife Animal Preservation and Protection Act. He estimated the value of the marine life cargo as “from B10,000 anywhere up to B50,000.”

“We are working with the Tha Chatchai Police in tracking

down the offenders and they will face legal action,” he also warned.

The marine animals seized were taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre at Cape Panwa.

“They are to be released back into their natural habitats,” he said.

Missing Swiss man, Italians flagged for national insult 79, found exhausted PR MANAGER Natchaya (Nat) Sittiprasert 088 765 5881 pr@classactmedia.co.th

A 79-YEAR-OLD SWISS national reported missing in Karon on Jan 4 was found alive but exhausted and disoriented wandering the streets of Baan Liporn in Srisoonthorn two days later.

Srisoonthorn rescue workers were called to a local grocery shop at 10am last Friday (Jan 6), where they found Peter Meier resting, some 20 kilometres from where he was last seen in Karon.

“He was lost, he did not know where he was and he could not remember how he got there,” one rescue worker said.

The rescue workers took Mr Meier to Phuket Tourist Police headquarters in Phuket Town, where Capt Eakkachai Siri of Phuket Tourist Police was able to confirm where Mr Meier was staying.

Capt Eakkachai also managed to track down the phone

Peter Meier, 79, at the Phuket Tourist Police headquarters in Phuket Town. number for the landlord for Mr Meier’s rented abode at Koktanod Rd in Karon.

“We learned that Mr Meier was staying alone. He was last seen at his rented place two days ago and his landlord said he had already reported Mr Meier as missing to the Karon Police,” Capt Eakkachai said.

“We are trying to make contact with Mr Meier’s family as we are concerned that he may wander off and become lost again,” Capt Eakkachai added.

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TWO ITALIAN TEENagers were arrested and charged with desecrating Thailand’s national flag after they were caught on video pulling down f lags hung from awnings in central Krabi while drunk.

Officers from Muang Krabi Police Station, accompanied by immigration and tourist police, arrested the men identified only as Tobias, 20, and Ian, 18, on Monday morning (Jan 9) according to Thai media.

They were apprehended at a guesthouse on Soi Maharaj 2 in Pak Nam subdistrict, just two sois from where the incident took place.

During interrogation, the two tourists allegedly admitted to being the men on the videos, saying the incident happened after they left a pub. They were very drunk

The CCTV footage showed one of the tourists pulling down a Thai national flag in front of a shophouse. and could not remember what they had done.

The Italians performed a wai and apologised to Krabi residents and the Thai public for what happened.

“We were really very drunk, we like the Thai people and we like the Thai culture,” Tobias told local media. “We didn’t know about the [flag protection] law. And we just want to say we’re really very sorry.”

Lt Khunsawai Khunno of the Krabi Police said the

men were initially charged with colluding to damage other people’s property and desecrating the national flag.

The incident occurred in front of shophouses on Soi Maharaj 4 at 3:30am on Saturday (Jan 7). Ian was filmed pulling on a hanging flag and Tobias ripped down four more flags including the one grabbed by his friend who looked on, laughing. Tobias later pushed over two flower pots while walking away.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM Police question people outside the room where the body of Ms Brown was found.

Photo: Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation

Retailers assure floods won’t affect supply lines The Phuket News reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

British woman, 26, dead by suicide, report police POLICE REVEALED ON Monday (Jan 9) that they consider the death of a 26-year-old British woman, found dead in a room on Soi Ta-iad, Chalong last Saturday morning (Jan 7), was caused by suicide.

Lt Somkiet Sarasit of the Chalong Police was notified on Saturday that a British woman had been found dead earlier that morning when her partner discovered her body.

However, at that time he was dealing with another incident but said that he would deal with the death as soon as he become available.

On Monday, Lt Somkiet confirmed to The Phuket News that CCTV footage showed that the woman, 26-year-old Abigail Louise Brown from Plymouth, England, returned alone to her room at 3:20am.

Some three hours later, at 6:20am, her boyfriend, who police declined to name, returned to the room to find Ms Brown hanged from the door of the room by a bed sheet.

Lt Somkiet said, “The autopsy report from Vachira Phuket Hospital states that there were no traces of assault on Ms Brown’s body. The only injuries found were around her neck, and that these coincide with her being hanged by the bed sheet,” he said.

He also said that Ms Brown’s relatives had been informed of the death and that her body was being flown back to the United Kingdom on Thursday (Jan 12).

“Our investigation into this incident is now closed,” he said.

Yutthawat Lekmak

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

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ajor retailers in Phuket are reporting only minimal effects on deliveries of fresh produce and products to the island in the wake of the deadly floods that have wreaked havoc throughout Southern Thailand.

Kamonthip Panthawong, Manager of Condiments and Fresh Produce for Tesco in Thalang, in central Phuket, said she foresaw no immediate threats to product supply lines that stock shop shelves across the island.

“So far we predict no affect on product supply to Phuket,” Ms Kamonthip told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Jan 10).

“R ig ht now we have enough in stock to meet immediate demand, and we have a supply depot in Surat Thani that has not been affected by the floods,” she said.

“We should be fine until the floodwaters have drained,” Ms Kamonthip added.

Rachain Binsaeng, Manager Fresh Produce for Big C

The major Tesco-Lotus, Big C and Makro stores in Phuket all report that the deadly floods across southern Thailand have not yet affected product supply to the island. Photo: The Phuket News / file

for Phuket, however, pointed out that his firm was taking precautionary steps in case supplies faltered.

“For now, all our smaller stores still have stock, but the bulk of our our produce comes from Bangkok,” Mr Rachain explained.

“Although so far we have had only a small impact on our supply volume, we are now already looking to source

local suppliers in case we do experience difficulties,” he said.

Asked whether this would be enough to offset any shortfall in regular supply volume, Mr Rachain said, “It depends on the demand.”

Warunee Chuthip, Fresh Produce Manager at the main Makro Phuket store on Wichit Songkram Rd, remained confident that supplies to the Makro

outlets on the island would remain unaffected.

“Our stock in Phuket is fine for now, but we are keeping an eye on the situation,” Ms Warunee said.

“We receive deliveries daily from Bangkok. These deliveries at times have been delayed by up to three to four hours due to the floods, but that is the only effect we have seen so far,” she said.

Killer visa run crash driver yet to face charges in court P OLIC E T H IS W EEK confirmed that KBV Visa Run van driver Prawit Raweewat, who has already confessed to reckless driving causing death for the accident last month that killed three people and injured six more, may suffer harsher penalties than initially reported.

Phang Nga Town Police Chief Col Suwat Kaewprom on Tuesday (Jan 10) confirmed to The Phuket News that Prawit was released on bail on Dec 27, six days after the accident.

“He confessed to the charge of reckless driving causing death and was fined B150,000,” Col Suwat said.

“However, we are holding onto his driver’s licence until this is all over. Police are continuing their investigation and the court has yet to hear the charge against him – and the court may yet hand down a harsher penalty than just the fine,” he added.

Prawit was behind the wheel of the van with his wife riding shotgun when the

The accident in Phang Nga province left three dead and six injured. Photo: Phang Nga Rescue van slid on the rain-soaked highway and slammed into a roadside power pole before spinning and crunching into the side of a house.

In the van were foreigners living in Phuket heading to the Malaysian border in Satun to obtain new visas and permits-to-stay in order to remain in the country.

Three people died in the impact: French nationals Stephane Sebastien Jean Peal, 46, and Patrick Andre Pessey, 40; and Jessica Paller, 40, of the Philippines.

Six people were injured in

the crash: Nadezhda Ageenko, 32, of Russia; Anam Wicaksoma, 43, from Indonesia; Verena Baumgartner, 38, of Austria; John Gary Olive, 48, from the UK; and Wennie Cajeras, 47, and Taresita Padewel, 53, both from the Philippines.

All six were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, Col Suwat said.

“They are all still alive and their conditions have improved, but they will stay need to stay in hospital for a few more weeks,” he said.

Yutthawat Lekmak thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

One for the kids

PHUKET NEWS

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Mukdawan Janyaporn & Nattarika Akekeaw editor@classactmedia.co.th

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f lurry of activities are being organised for this Saturday (Jan 14) as the nation celebrates Children’s Day, held on the second Saturday of January every year.

Phuket, along with the rest of the country, will host activities at many government offices and hotels across the island.

In Phuket Town, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) and the Phuket Provincial Office together will host a children’s fair in front of Phuket Provincial Hall from 8am to 4pm.

The fair will include traditional Thai children’s games and activities, exhibitions, food and gifts to be handed out to the kids.

The fair will also have on display an exhibition explaining the Royal duties and achievements of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

PPAO Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Watcharin Patomwatthanapong said, “Children in Phuket are the future of the whole country, and we

The two men were caught on CCTV, but got away with ‘borrowing’ the barber’s motorbike.

Image: CCTV / Patong Police

Foreign joyriders ‘borrow’ Patong barber’s motorbike

Children are all smiles as they enjoy the one day of the year set aside especially for them. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot would like to see children at the fair so they can take part in Children’s Day activities. By taking part in such activities, children learn positive ways to be part of the community and to live and work in society.”

In Patong, Patong Municipality will hold its festivities at Loma Park on the Patong beachfront from 8:30am onwards. The park will be host to an array of exhibitions, competitions, games, food and

live entertainment on more than six stages set up in the park. There will also be more than 4,000 gifts handed out to children.

Meanwhile, Kata-Karon Municipality hold its Children’s Day celebrations from 7:30am onwards at the Nong Harn public park (the lake near Phuket Square).

The Prince of Songkla University (PSU) along with Kathu Municipality will host

Red Cross Fair lucky draw winners yet to claim prizes SO FAR ONLY 10 PEOPLE have come forward to claim their prizes for the lucky draw of the annual Red Cross Fair which came to a close at Saphan Hin Park last Sunday night (Jan 8).

The lucky draw numbers were revealed at the fair on Saturday and Sunday.

The 10 people who have claimed their prizes so far have all been for the 30 “4th level” prizes of “one-quarter baht-weight” gold ingots each valued at about B4,875.

Winners of the top prizes, a Toyota Vios and Hilux Revo pickup truck, three 2nd level prizes of motorbikes, five 3rd level prizes of “one baht-weight” gold ingots each valued at about B19,500 , and the remaining 20 4th level one-quarter baht-weight gold ingot prizes have until Feb 28 to claim their prizes.

Ms Pornthip Ratchak, Chief of the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC), confirmed that all numbers for this year’s Red Cross Fair lucky draw had been chosen @thephuketnews

The car and pickup truck top prizes have yet to be claimed. Photo: PR Dept and that the top prize winning numbers are 39076 and 51558.

The three 2nd level prize winning numbers are 21979, 50857 and 69838.

The five 3rd level prize winning numbers are 61377, 28453, 42667, 33547 and 63094.

The 30 4th level prize winning numbers are 24255, 38244, 68754, 63748, 62390, 17412, 20024, 67322, 23492, 23416, 68806, 17736, 39272, 60702, 21539, 47448, 59180,

36831, 42864, 36896, 33015, 30157, 24039, 55916, 53189, 69792, 50021, 25696, 11081 and 46631.

Ms Pornthip added that all those who bought tickets can check the winning numbers directly at the Red Cross Office in Phuket Provincial Hall, all district offices in Phuket or via www.phuket. go.th.

“Prizes not claimed will be donated to the Phuket Red Cross,” Ms Pornthip added.

Yutthawat Lekmak

combined festivities from 7am to midday at the PSU Phuket Campus off Wichit Songkram Rd, while Phuket Rajabhat University will host activities at its campus in Rassada from 8am onwards.

In Cherng Talay, Canal Village at Laguna Phuket will be the centre of activities from 8am to midday, with three stages, a puppet theatre, a classic photo booth, a MerryGo-Round and a magic show.

POLICE HAVE CALLED off the hunt for two foreign men caught on CCTV “borrowing” a motorbike from in front of a barber shop in Patong.

The men later left the motorbike parked neatly beside the police box on the bustling Phra Metta Rd. The alarm was raised by Anan Detruang, who reported to police last Wednesday (Jan 4) that his motorbike had been stolen from in front of his unnamed barber shop on Nanai Rd. “Mr Anan said that he had left the key in the motorbike.

When he came out, his motorbike was gone. So he checked the CCTV for the building and saw that two foreigners had turned up outside his shop (at

about 9:41pm),” explained Col Somsak Thongklieng of the Patong Police.

One of the men got on the bike and casually rode off, without wearing a helmet.

Police soon found the motorbike parked by the police box at the southern end of Phra Metta Rd, Col Somsak said.

“So I went and locked the wheel of the motorbike so it could not be stolen again, and I fetched Mr Anan so he could collect it,” he added.

Police tried to track down where the two foreign joyriders went, but the trail soon went cold, he added.

“These two broke the law, and Mr Anan is lucky to get his motorbike back,” Col Somsak said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 8

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

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editor@classactmedia.co.th

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CHRIS HUSTED

Executive Editor

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

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

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

MARK KNOWLES

Lifestyle Editor

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

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

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT

Reporter

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EDITORIAL

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

A day late and a dollar short 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

W

hile visitors and islanders lie back and enjoy the usual tourist high-season weather this weekend, spare a thought for our neighbours on the Gulf of Thailand, where unrelenting downpours have wreaked havoc and claimed at least 25 lives. These include an 11-yearold boy, and as of Tuesday, a 5-year-old girl, who was swept from her mother’s arms as they tried to scramble onto the roof of the minivan they were trapped in by surging floodwaters.

More than 700,000 people have been “directly affected” by the floods. This well-worn euphemism usually heard in world news reports belies the reality that so many people, so close to globally renowned tourist havens including Koh Samui and the party island Koh Pha Ngan, are now without homes, power, access to

fresh food and some beyond direct reach of medical care.

In comparison, the floods across the South this past week are not a patch on the floods in Central Thailand in 2011 that killed more than 800 people and ground much of the country to a halt. Nevertheless, just over a month ago, 22 people died in floods in many of the same areas that are underwater today, but even having all railway lines cut off evoked nothing more than speeches and promises from the capital.

Yet with one horrific van crash, granted leaving 25 dead in one incident, authorities are quick to spout off – ready to reinvent the minivan transport industry which much of the national population relies on for inter-provincial travel. The incongruence is stunning.

For some reason, those in charge of disaster response and flood-relief efforts waited

an entire week before ordering any action. Perhaps they were waiting to see if the South could tough it out by itself? The Navy supply ship HMTS Ang Thong was finally deployed to render assistance only last Saturday, and even then it had to be redirected from its original target port in Nakhon Sri Thammrat to another locale in Songkhla, an entirely different province, because disaster officials were unaware of the situation on the ground.

If anyone has any doubts as to why the trouble in the Deep South has yet to be resolved, or why even as far back as the pre-Thaksin era of Thai politics there was so much emphasis on provincial-level autonomy in dealing with such matters independently of waiting on uniforms in Bangkok to render assistance quickly, this past week stands as a good reminder.

Rain predicted to continue in Phuket through January 9 British woman, 26, found dead in room on Phuket’s Muay Thai street 12 dead as torrential rain continues to submerge South Phuket dive industr y moves against police arrests, alleged shakedowns Samui floods, power out on Koh Pha-ngan Italian teens arrested, charged with insulting national flag Phi Phi National Park closed due to poor weather Death of British woman on Phuket’s Muay Thai street confirmed as suicide Phuket Chinese tourists safe after storm waves sink boats off Phi Phi Patong hunt called off for foreign joyriders

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Breaking ground

Re: Class Act Media makes history with launch of Khao Phuket Congratulations to the new Khao Phuket team on an excellent initiative. Fortune favours the brave.

Tim Newton Congrats to the Class Act Media team. All the best for Khao Phuket.

Duncan Worthington ...................................................

Tip of the iceberg?

Re: Phuket ‘Try Dive’ tours blasted for coral damage Last year, when I saw all the problems with the work-permit about the job and place of work, we went to the Labour Department to add all provinces where our own diving boat was sailing and they said: No, impossible.

We must apply in each province for the extension of the workpermit with an official address of our company in each province which was unrealistic.

After many meetings with senior officials, they accepted my request that I will be authorised to work as cruise director only on our own dive boat when it was sailing into Marine Na-

tional Parks in other provinces for diving and this is written in my work-permit.

If I understand what was written correctly, all hotels, restaurants, tour-operators, dive centers, diving and yacht charter companies, etc. will be able to employ as many foreigners as they want to work as freelance consultants for any job position as part-time or full-time employees without any trouble with the Labour Department and/or Immigration Police.

I don’t think so, or it will be very funny to see large international hotels and other tourism businesses without Thai staff and instead with hundreds of Chinese, European or Russian employees working as freelance receptionists, bartenders, room cleaners, valets, engineers.

Today, this is what is happening in the dive and yachting industry in Thailand where all senior positions are held by foreigners and Thai staff are only low-paid employees without decision-powers.

Asterix ...................................................

Technology is not the answer

Re: Van operators face endMarch GPS deadline

It seems the authority’s answer to everything is throw money at gadgets such as GPS tracking systems, cameras that don’t work and Wi-Fi that is not needed, costing millions.

These things are not the answer and basic infrastructure and sense should come first.

Unfortunately there’s a distinct lack of sense and continuity in the hierarchy. Deal with the basics and spend money on the people who need it first.

Su Yu2 ...................................................

Why Wi-Fi?

Re: Phuket to gain 1,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots to cover beaches Beach Wi-Fi solves a problem no one has. Toilets and showers solve a problem shared by all.

Greg the Engineer

Once every Tom, Dick and Harry jump on this free network it will be so slow it will be useless, and with their normal lack of maintenance, how long before it all falls apart?

Rorii Just running the numbers...

B240mn for 1,000 Wi-Fi spots is B240,000 for each spot.

The Wi-Fi spot I installed at my home costs about B7,400 per year including router and installation. Do I smell something wrong here?

Jome ...................................................

Twisted priorities

Re: British woman, 26, found dead in room on Phuket’s Muay Thai street “I am currently dealing with another incident but will deal with this incident as soon as I become available,” said policeman Somkiet Sarasit.

I guess the death of a tourist isn’t that big of a deal... just another dead farang. Thailand is hardly worthy of looking after visitors... and I’ll go out on a limb and guess this will be “under investigation” until they can figure out the most cost effective conclusion.

BenPendejo ...................................................

Reality check

Re: Phuket Floating Market complainants want action The floating market has been a disaster because the captive Chinese tourists on zero-dollar tours have stopped coming.

Quite simply it has no future.

Suzy Wong

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

10 THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Southern road repair costs to exceed B1bn SOUTH Cash and other valuables seized during raids on nine premises in three provinces. Photo: Chinpat Chaimon

B65m assets seized from drug network CHIANG RAI ASSETS WORTH ABOUT B65 million have been seized from the drug network of an imprisoned gang boss and five more suspects arrested during raids in three provinces.

Officers from the Narcotics Control Board, assisted by soldiers and local officials, raided five locations in the northern province of Chiang Rai on Wednesday (Jan 11) and confiscated assets owned by jailed drug trafficker Warayut Saeng-arun.

Three premises were also entered in Chonburi and one in Samut Prakan province.

Forty-four items worth an estimated B65mn in total were seized. They included nine houses, title deeds for two blocks of land, 10 cars, 11 motorcycles, gold ornaments weighing 15 baht, two guns and nine bank accounts.

Five suspects were detained in the operations – three men and two women.

They were identified as Pairat Sakulpuek, 33, Somchai Chansap, 37, both from Chonburi, Jakhue Kaosee, 30, Ms Nasu Leesa, 29, and Ms Suwalee Kheerayakul, 22, from Chiang Rai. Some of them were named in court arrest warrants. They allegedly acted as go-betweens in drug deals arranged by inmates of Rayong Central Prison.

The coordinated raids were organised after officials at Rayong Central Prison discovered some drug inmates were still arranging drug deals. Prison authorities and the ONCB jointly investigated and found that Warayut, a major drug trafficker held at Khao Bin Central Prison in Ratchaburi, and another drug inmate were behind the dealings.

ONCB Secretary-General Sirinya Sitthichai said during a media briefing on Wednesday that the expanded investigation led to the seizure of the assets and the arrest of the five suspects on Wednesday.

Bangkok Post

Bangkok Post

F

loodwater has caused B1.05 billion in damage to 188 rural roads in the South between Dec 1 and Jan 10, an official said on Tuesday (Jan 10).

The number of roads damaged by the floods was 111 in December and 77 more roads were in need of repairs from Jan 1-10, said Rural Roads Department Director-General Pisak Jitwiriyawasin.

The roads were in 12 provinces: Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Phatthalung, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Trang, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Krabi, Songkhla, Ranong and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The department would require more than B1bn for the repairs because the damage was expected to rise as the flooding situation in some areas had not eased, said Mr Pisak.

Phatthalung was the province with the highest number of damaged roads (22), followed by Chumphon (11) and Prachuap Khiri Khan (9).

Mr Pisak said officials would be despatched to floodhit areas to assess the damage in early March after the situation had returned to normal.

After that, a proposal would

A Bailey bridge has been built over the opening at one end of Nong Ya Plong bridge in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan district, allowing traffic to resume on the Phetkasem Highway.

Photo: Highways Department be made for a budget for the repairs.

After the floods recede, emergency repair work would be carried out to allow road traffic. At the same time, road signs would be put up to warn motorists of spots where roads were being repaired.

Separately, Thanin Somboon, Director-General of the Highways Department, said the flooding in Prachuap Khiri Khan caused damage to 24 sections on five highways.

Four of the 24 spots were said

to be impassable.

The four sections were: kilometre marker 365 on Highway 4 in Thap Sakae district; km marker 386 on Highway 4 in Bang Saphan district; a section on Highway 3374 in Bang Saphan district; and km marker 8 on Highway 3497 in Bang Saphan district.

Temporary bridges were being built at the first two spots by engineers from the bridge construction and maintenance centres based in Pathum Thani and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Chief Chatchai Promlert had earlier revealed that 25 people had been killed and two were missing in widespread flooding in the 12 provinces.

The Bank of Thailand also revealed that as of Tuesday nine commercial bank branches had remained closed: three each of Krungthai (KTB) and Kasikornbank (KBANK), two of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and one of Bangkok Bank (BBL).

Prayut vows public transport clean-up before Songkran NATIONWIDE PUBLIC TRANSPORT HAS become the focus of a new crackdown by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who last week vowed to rid the roads of dangerous drivers and op-

erators before the Songkran holiday.

The prime minister warned rude and reckless drivers of passenger vans and buses – and owners – of harsh punishment over the next three months.

“Strict measures will be

implemented for three months before the Songkran holiday,” Gen Prayut said after last week’s cabinet meeting. He urged everyone to cooperate in the interests of road safety.

The warning came after a deadly accident on Jan 2 when 25 people died in a passenger

van and pickup truck collision in Ban Bung district in Chonburi. The van, taking passengers from Chanthaburi to Bangkok, veered into the opposite lane and hit the truck on Road 344.

Gen Prayut criticised overloaded vans, adding that private vehicles carrying an excess of passengers would also be targeted.

The prime minister was apparently unhappy with the

A passenger van passes the scene of the horrific accident in Ban Bung district, Chonburi, on Jan 2, which took 25 lives. Photo: Patipat Janthong rising death toll of the New Year break, which jumped 25 per cent from a year ago,

despite a safety campaign to curb accidents and deaths.

The Transport Ministry has already moved to carry out his orders, proposing to the National Council for Peace and Order that it use Section 44 of the interim charter to increase fines and jail terms for public transport violators.

“The Transport Ministry will wrap up the proposal regarding the exercise of Section 44, with increased punitive measures, by the end of January,” Transport Minister Arkom Termpittayapaisith said.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

ASIA NEWS 11

Challenging the norms

Servicing society, turning taxi driving into an acceptable profession JORDAN AFP

N

isrin Akoubeh checks the oil and water before getting into her taxi and pulling into Amman’s traffic for another day of shuttling fellow women across the Jordanian capital.

The mother of three works a 10-hour shift in her taxi – a rare occupation for a woman in this conservative Muslim society.

“I want to break the culture of shame and prove to the Arab world that women are strong and are able to work in any area that could be monopolised by men,” she said.

“Women have been able to drive normal cars for a long time, so why shouldn’t they drive taxis?”

Akoubeh is one of a group of women who want to turn taxi driving into an acceptable profession for women, challenging Jordan’s social norms.

The 31-year-old former nurse drives one of 10 “Pink Taxis” driven by women – for women passengers.

Jordan is relatively liberal in terms of women’s rights compared to other countries in the region, but not everyone is happy with the ‘Pink Taxis’ driven by women. Photo: Khalil Mazraawi/AFP Most of their customers are nurses, university students or mothers whose children they shuttle to and from nursery or school.

As she navigates Amman’s congested roads, Akoubeh also picks up visiting Saudi women whose husbands don’t allow them to ride unaccompanied with male taxi drivers.

“I thank God that I have lots of customers,” she said.

Ghena al-Asmar, a 19-yearold student who often uses the

service, said she feels safer riding the women-only cars.

“When I finish my studies at university in the evening or when I leave the house at night, I prefer to take these taxis because it’s a woman taking a woman somewhere,” she said.

“I don’t think there’s any shame in a woman working as a taxi driver – it’s a profession like any other profession, and it shouldn’t be limited to men,” she said.

Around half a million

Human organ trafficking cases are still common in China, which suffers a drastic shortage of donated organs. Photo: Philippe Huguen/AFP

16 jailed for trafficking in organs CHINA SI X T EE N PEOPLE I Ncluding two surgeons were recently jailed for between two and five years in China for trafficking in human organs, a practice still widespread in the country.

The group – which also included an anaesthesiologist, a nurse and an assistant doctor – were involved in a vast illegal trade in kidneys, according to the judgement cited by the official Xinhua news agency.

The court in the city of @thephuketnews

Jinan in the eastern province of Shandong said several defendants had searched online for people selling kidneys nationwide and arranged for tests and matches between sellers and buyers.

The transplants were secretly performed in the city of Feicheng, according to the court.

Patients receiving kidneys were charged 400,000-600,000 yuan (B2 million-B3mn) each, while those selling kidneys were paid a mere 40,000 yuan (B205,000).

China in 2007 issued its

first regulations on human organ transplants, banning organisations and individuals from trading in organs.

But trafficking cases are still common in China, which suffers a drastic shortage of donated organs.

Chinese tradition dictates that a corpse be buried without mutilation.

For decades most transplants used organs of executed convicts, often without the consent of their families, according to rights groups – allegations denied by authorities.

AFP

women in Jordan have driving licences, about 20 per cent of the country’s total drivers, according to the national traffic department.

Akoubeh said some people give her encouragement but “there is always someone to remind me that ‘this is men’s work and you should be in the home.’”

Jordan is relatively liberal in terms of women’s rights compared to other countries in the region, such as Saudi

Arabia which does not allow women behind the wheel at all.

But more conservative attitudes are still common.

Mohammad al-Ahmad, a 50-year-old civil servant, said driving a taxi is not appropriate work for women.

“We live in a conservative Eastern society governed by tribal customs and traditions,” he said.

“There are lots of jobs and professions women can do that fit their abilities and preserve their place in society, without them being seen in a bad light.”

But Eid Abu al-Haj, head of an investment group behind a company that runs the Pink Taxi service, says encouraging women to drive is a service to society.

“Women are more careful and cause fewer accidents,” he said. “By providing these cars exclusively for women, we are hoping to give women more comfort and privacy.”

The service was launched on March 21, when most of the Arab world marks Mother’s Day. “We started with five cars

just for women, with women drivers, and now we have 10 drivers, and we’re hoping to expand soon,” said Abu al-Haj. The concept has already been tried and tested in Cairo, another conservative city where women taxi drivers were previously unheard of.

Akoubeh said she has a good salary, health insurance, social security and holidays, and she can choose what hours to work.

Other taxi drivers in Amman say they take home at most 25 dinars (B1,246) a day after paying a share of their takings to the companies that own the cars.

Driving in Amman is not easy work. Home to four million people and 1.4mn vehicles including over 11,000 taxis, the city is prone to choking congestion.

“It takes a lot of concentration and care, especially during rush hours,” Akoubeh said.

But she enjoys the work.

“I get to know new people every day,” she said. “I enjoy my conversations with them and hearing their stories and experiences.”

12 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Children living in fear

Trapped in a Medieval cycle of blood-feud death and vengeance ALBANIA

AFP

T

hey lead a life clouded by misery, often robbed of the opportunity of going to school – and the fear of being killed is a daily reality.

Reporters met several youngsters living in dread of falling victim to Albania’s blood tradition – feuds between families in the mountainous north dating back to the 15th century that spare no male in a family capable of holding a weapon.

The boys spoke out about their plight close to Shkodra – a town 90 kilometres north of the capital Tirana on the border with Montenegro.

Klevis, 13, said he wants to be a doctor while his brother Albert, 11, aspires to be Albania’s justice minister.

Marcel, 13, wants to be a singer and Taulant (not his real name), 13, dreams of being a footballer.

But despite their lofty ambitions, none of them is able

Youngsters live in fear of falling victim to Albania’s blood tradition – feuds between families in the mountainous north dating back to the 15th century.

Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP

to go to school, join football clubs or learn music.

Their families are “bloodied”, explained Klevis, trapped in the cycle of death and vengeance which is their heritage.

Klevis, Albert and Marcel are part of the same extended family forced to hide in their spartan homes, awaiting attack by so-called “Gjakes” – an unknown assassin.

They could be attacked

tomorrow, or never – simply because they are all related to a man who killed another person in a dispute about a stream in 2010. “[They] could be the killers of tomorrow,” said Gjin Marku, who promotes reconciliation between families for local organisations.

The Gjakmarrja, or blood feud, has its origins in the 15th century “Kanun”, or social code, set up to regulate every-

day life in medieval Albania.

It has detailed rules for blood feuds which state that when someone is killed, the victim’s family can take revenge not only against the killer himself but all males of the extended clan.

The families of those involved in a blood feud live “in the knowledge that they will be killed or they must kill,” said the mayor of Shkodra, Voltana Ademi.

But Marku doesn’t hold the Kanun code responsible for their plight, instead laying the blame at the door of the country’s authorities.

“When the institutions don’t work, when the judicial system is failing, these people aren’t finding solutions to their problems,” he said.

Albania is particularly susceptible to traditional vendetta culture after its authoritarian, one-party state gave way to near anarchy in the 1990s.

That sowed the seeds for the spread of “Gjakmarrja” feuds as a means of settling disputes.

The government ombudsman responsible for tackling blood feuds, Igli Totozani, agrees that crimes stemming

from them are not just “a question of tradition”.

The authorities are reluctant to publicise numbers of those affected by blood feuds for fear of tarnishing Albania’s reputation as it continues in its bid to join the EU. “Where the state is absent, vendetta replaces it,” said Totozani, adding: “We damage Albania’s image by acting as if the problem doesn’t exist.”

An estimated 66 families with 157 people including 44 children remain in hiding, according to an official report on the issue.

Some 57 of the families live in or around Shkodra and complaints to police or officials are rare, said the report.

Marku, the expert involved in defusing blood feud violence, says there has been a steady decline in the phenomenon but estimated that some 190 children are still affected – with as many as 80 deprived adequate schooling because of it.

Others put the toll far higher, but accurate statistics are hard to come by because of fraudulent claims for asylum by those using the threat of blood feud violence as a ploy to secure refugee status abroad.

Whatever the true scale of the problem, the threat is very real in a country where, according to recent estimates, more than half a million firearms are in circulation.

Liliana Luani is a teacher who volunteers to help home schooled students trapped by Gjakmarrja.

The father of “Taulant”, one of the students she visits, became a convicted murderer in 1995 following a “quarrel”, according to Luani.

He has been hiding in a mountainous area with his two oldest children, aged 16 and 17.

Two or th ree times a month, “Taulant” ventures out to go to school.

He blushed when asked about the signet ring on his finger, saying that he had made “a female friend” there.

But he too will one day have to join his father and older siblings in hiding in the mountains.

“The Gjakmarrja weighs heavily on us,” said Taulant’s mother.

Marcel’s sister Maria Quku, 16, was fatally shot in front of her younger brother in June 2012 by a gunman who may have been targeting her grandfather, who they were visiting at the time.

Maria’s only crime was that she was the cousin of the man who killed another person in the dispute over a stream, in 2010.

Her mother, Manushaqe Quku, 40, only learnt of her death when her husband asked her to pick out clothes to dress their daughter’s body ahead of the funeral.

She lives at the end of a rocky track in a desolate house where photos of Maria cover the walls.

Her husband was an obvious target and no longer lives in the house. Their first son Marian is in hiding elsewhere but Marcel remains, eking out a meagre existence from the small strip of land around their house.

Marcel refuses to go to school and his mother has forbidden him from swimming in the lake that lies 200 metres from their home.

“I know that it will make the boy introverted, but I’m really scared,” said Manushaqe.

“Our family is completely lost,” she cried, demanding to know who killed Maria, adding: “It is very difficult to forgive.”

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Property prices not just about the beach PROPERTY Bill Barnett

W

hile Phuket is an island, most property buyers are led to believe that sea views or proximity to the ocean are a key driver of real estate value – but is this fact, or fiction?

According to data from leading online marketplace FazWaz. com the answer lays inside the numbers.

Looking at Phuket’s primary and secondary condominium sector and analysing pricing points from the ocean up to 10 kilometres inland, what is clear is that developers and sellers are not maximising what is one of the leading Unique Selling Propositions/Points (USPs) in the trade – location, location, location.

Based on the Phuket numbers from FazWaz, which lists more than 7,000 condos in Phuket, the average value of condominium units located from the ocean front up to just under two kilometres away is B100,000 per square

@thephuketnews

metre (psm), while the number actually escalates up to B117,000psm at a distance of two kilometres. Getting inside the data, what has driven the latter number is actually views versus direct proximity to the beach.

Once you move inland on the island and the views disappear, the mean average rapidly drops dramatically at midway point between three and four kilometres from the beach to approximately B34,000psm.

The storyline here is how developers have used low-cost land and delivered entry-point pricing. Underlying land cost remains a critical component of ultimate condominium pricing throughout Phuket.

As you shift away from the beach to increasingly urban areas inland from four to six kilometres, the pricing surges upward again with many units in the B80,000psm to B120,000psm tier. This recurs again when viewing city properties of eight to 10km with pricing averaging B80,000psm to B90,000psm.

Urban land prices and strong demand are key factors propelling numbers.

What is clear in the FazWaz data are two things.

First is that unlike in many comparable resort real-estate markets, developers have been unable to maximise premium pricing levels in relation to properties near the ocean.

Sea views seem to still carry greater weighting for demand with both developers and owners.

Second is that inland properties are rapidly pushing up in value as a result of key commercial, retail and transportation infrastructure. In a nutshell, moving into the next decade Phuket’s property story is not just about the beach.

While the broad trends are very telling, from our analysis of the data on how individuals projects rank in terms of engineering the highest levels of cost, the reality is that developers who have a positive reputation and experience rank high. Other key factors that push up pricing are properties offering investment units with guaranteed returns and those with strong design elements or distinctive qualities.

Bill Barnett, Managing Director of leading hospitality and real-estate consultancy C9 Hotelworks, is a key writer for the Faz­Waz Property Insider.

Visit C9Hotelworks.com and Faz­Waz.com for details.

BUSINESS NEWS 13

RPM lures Centara’s Chris Bailey as CEO TOURISM CHRIS BAILEY, FORMErly with Centara Hotels & Resorts, has joined Royal Phuket Marina in the new role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Jan 3.

Having been with Centara Hotels & Resorts for more than 12 years, most recently as Chief Operating Officer, Mr Bailey oversaw a period of rapid expansion at the hospitality group from eight properties to more than 70, and will now spearhead the drive to develop Royal Phuket Marina’s hospitality offerings and destination status.

“My vision remains unchanged from day one – to create a world-class integrated lifestyle destination right here in Phuket,” said Gulu Lalvani, Chairman, Royal Phuket Marina.

“We have a talented team at Royal Phuket Marina and I am very pleased that Chris will be joining this team, bringing with him his considerable hospitality and tourism industry experience to help realise our Master Plan.”

The Master Plan is for the entire 200 rai Royal Phuket

Chris Bailey has joined Royal Phuket Marina as CEO. Marina site, of which just one third has been developed so far.

“I’m looking forward to this new challenge at Royal Phuket Marina,” said Mr Bailey. “The site has huge potential and the groundwork to create something unique and spectacular is already there.

“The Chairman’s vision is exceptional and I’m excited to be working with Mr Lalvani and the whole team to deliver the Master Plan.”

Current Managing Director Michael Ayling will work alongside Mr Bailey in a transitional role until March 31, 2017, after which he will leave to pursue other interests, leaving in place a strong senior management team that through a new Joint Venture will focus on the next phase of Royal Phuket Marina.

The Phuket News

koot

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Market crossover opens doors

Class Act Media makes history with launch of ‘Khao Phuket’ MEDIA The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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lass Act Media, the island’s leading media group, last Friday (Jan 6) marked the launch of its weekly newspaper Khao Phuket (“News Phuket”).

The Thai-language newspaper is headed by Editor Chutharat “Um” Plerin and Deputy Editor Premkamon “Yim” Ketsara.

Ms Chutharat brings with her more than six years of covering leading news stories in Phuket, while Ms Premkamon, with her four years experience covering stories on the island, has also worked on stories with leading publications including The New York Times.

“We are very excited to see our newspaper launched today.

We have been working very hard to make it happen in time for the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), where many copies of our launch issue are being handed out,” said Ms Chutharat.

“I would like to thank all our colleagues for making Khao Phuket a reality. Our goal is to give the people of Phuket a voice. Making Phuket a better place does not mean hiding things under the carpet, we want to expose the problems so we can fix them together,” she added.

Ms Premkamon agreed.

“We want to focus on the problems on the island that need to be solved by the government and other authorities in Thailand. We, as Thai citizens, pay tax, and we look forward to receiving quality work from our government in return,” she said.

Editor Chutharat ‘Um’ Plerin (left) and Deputy Editor Premkamon ‘Yim’ Ketsara hold copies of the inaugural issue of ‘Khao Phuket’ (News Phuket), the latest publication launched by leading media company Class Act Media.

“Once they solve a problem, we’ll support and recognise them for that. Diligent people deserve compliments, too,” Ms Premkamon noted.

However, she added, “We don’t want our newspaper to be full of just negative articles to motivate the government to

work, we also want it to be full of lots of smiling islanders, who live in one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world, because the government pays attention to that, too.”

No other newspaper, in Thai language, is dedicated to covering just news and

events in Phuket, Ms Chutharat pointed out.

“They are either a local edition of a national newspaper, or more magazine style and cover the soft news. Further, as part of Class Act Media, Khao Phuket offers a unique crossover perspective, which bridges the gap between the Thai and the foreign communities,” she said.

Jason Beavan, General Manager of Class Act Media, said, “We are very excited and very pleased with the first issue. It’s a great way to start the new year with a new adventure.

“I feel this is the right time to launch a real Phuketfocused newspaper, with the Thai market having more disposable income than ever before, our advertisers now have a way to talk to the biggest demographic on the

island, one that is here all year round.

“A big well done to our team, our Thai editors Khun Um and Khun Yim, and our graphics team headed by Nitad ‘Khun Tae’ Manee on producing a fantastic first issue. I can’t wait for next one,” he said.

Rico Stapel, Head of Charter at Boat Lagoon Yachting, received two direct enquiries to advertisements in Khao Phuket within 24 hours of the newspaper’s launch.

“One was an enquiry regarding a corporate arrangement about hotels booking yacht charters and the other was a direct response to a job ad,” Mr Stapel explained.

“Obviously, Khao Phuket totally works when it comes to reaching out to the Thai community, business and generally,” he added.

Floating Market complainants want action RETAIL THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVing lodged a complaint with the Kathu District office, and having not received any response, a representative for vendors from the Phuket Floating Market visited the Damrongdhama Centre at Phuket Provincial Hall last week demanding that someone provides them an update on the situation.

On Sept 20 last year, angry

vendors from the Phuket Floating Market filed a formal complaint with the Kathu District Chief calling for compensation from the market’s operator after promises of hordes of tourists flooding the market failed to materialise.

The representative who went to the Damrongdhama Centre on Jan 4, 45-year-old Mrs Phimwilai Promphila, who also owns a stall at the market, said, “Three months ago, on September 20, we lodged a complaint with the Kathu District

office about our predicament but we have received no update and nobody seems to want to take responsibility.

“Vendors at the market are facing a big problem as they have lost a lot of money after investing in market stalls at the market,” she said.

“No office that we have complained to has taken any responsibility, and we want to know why the Phuket Floating Market hasn’t shown any responsibility.

“We want to know whether

officials from the Damrongdhama Centre have sent our complaint to Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan or not.

“We want to cancel our contract with the floating market and find somewhere else. We all want our money back,” she added.

When contacted by The Phuket News, an officer from the Damrongdhama Centre, who declined to be named, refused to comment on the issue.

Yutthawat Lekmak

Vendor representative and stall holder, 45-year-old Mrs Phimwilai Promphila.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Air pollution: its causes and how to reduce it

16

Golden Globe judges go crazy for La La Land

19

ADVENTURE BOUND

Our new cycling columnist Baz Daniel tackles the mountains of Phang Nga > P18 Mountain bike riders race along the paths of the Adventure Mountain Club in Phang Nga, located to the north of Phuket. Photo: Supplied

@thephuketnews

16 ENVIRONMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

No time to breath easy

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Air pollution: The importance and effective solutions

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Joe Thomas

ir pollution is now one of the most pressing global environmental concerns. While nine out of the 10 most-polluted cities in the world lie in India and Pakistan, that leaves no room for complacency amongst other countries. Partly because they too have their own issues and also because we live in a connected ecosystem. This is made abundantly clear each year in Phuket when the island is blanketed in smog and haze due to forest fires and clear-cutting to establish oil palm plantations in neighbouring Indonesia.

Air pollution is a complex topic as so many factors are responsible for the poor quality of our air. However, simply put, air pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change which causes the atmosphere to become dirty and thus risks not only our own potential for survival but also that of other animals and plants.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution can also be further divided into two distinct categories; visible and invisible. Both can lead to an alteration of the delicate balance of our atmosphere and cause problems to health on a local scale and also damage to the ecosystem globally. Air pollution can arise

Heavy industry is one of the leading causes of air pollution. in two main ways. First, pollutants can be released directly into the atmosphere and are known as primary pollutants.

Second, primary pollutants can combine to form secondary pollutants and this can be seen in the formation of phenomena such as smog.

What causes air pollution?

Fossil fuels: A main cause of air pollution is the one you might expect, namely the sulphur released from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum. We rely on petrol, diesel and jet fuel to transport not only us, but our goods, around the world in our increasingly globalised economy. In 2015 alone, nearly 3.6 billion passengers, almost half the world’s population, were trans-

ported by the world’s airlines.

Vehicle Emissions: As our reliance on cars, trucks, shipping freighters and aeroplanes increases so do the levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere – 13 per cent of global CO2 emissions, a major factor in global warming, come from transport.

Agriculture: We may not always immediately think of agricultural activities being connected to air pollution but methane and ammonia are both by-products of farming and are highly hazardous to our environment. This is compounded by the use of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers, a heady cocktail of chemicals, some parts of which make it into the air.

Manufacturing: Heavy industry leads to the release of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and a soup of other chemicals, all of which can lead to a decline in air quality. Oil refineries also release hydrocarbons which pollute the atmosphere.

Deforestation: Deforestation is caused by clearing land for agriculture, manufacturing and ever growing urban areas.

This lowers air quality because the fewer trees there are the less carbon dioxide they can absorb.

Mining: The result of mining on the health of workers and nearby residents has been clearly demonstrated over the years and in developing countries the quest to extract as many tons of natural resources as possible is having a devastating impact on the health of those working in the mines.

Indoor pollution: What we use in our own homes is also leading to air pollution. Household cleaning products, paints and varnishes release chemicals into the air which contribute to poor air quality.

What damage does air pollution do?

Air pollution damages our environment, and it also leads to a variety of health issues and even death.

Circulatory and respiratory issues: The particulates in the atmosphere have been linked to heart problems, respiratory issues and even cancer. Current estimates are that polluted air causes 5.5 million premature deaths per year.

Climate change: The rise of levels of carbon dioxide, alongside other greenhouses gases, has led to global warming which has caused increasingly unpredictable weather systems and the melting of the ice caps.

Thinning of the ozone layer: As the levels of hydro-chlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere rise this leads to a depletion of the ozone layer which protects the planet. As it

One way to reduce breathing in polluted air. does we are exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet light which can cause skin and eye problems.

Acid rain: As sulphur and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere they can combine with water droplets and fall as acid rain. The results can be devastating to wildlife, trees and the crops we rely on for our food production.

What can be done about air pollution?

Air pollution needs to be tackled at a global level through legislation and international agreements which aim to reduce pollution levels, such as the Paris Agreement which was signed in 2015.

However, there are also steps we as individuals can take to lower our own environmental impact, particularly when it comes to air pollution.

Reduce your use of private vehicles: Where possible travel to your destination on foot, by bicycle, on public transport or car pool with others in your area.

By lowering vehicle emissions you can reduce your carbon footprint.

Conserve energy in the home: Reduce your use of electricity by purchasing eco-friendly goods, keeping your thermostat turned down and insulating your property. Switch to sources of renewable energy where possible.

Recycle: Try to buy less things new and recycle household items as well as everything you are throwing out, even food scraps can go on a compost heap.

Reduce food miles: By purchasing more local food from farmers’ markets and growing your own fresh produce you can drastically reduce the distance your food travels to reach your plate.

Improve your indoor air quality: As well as the steps above you can also improve the air quality in your own home by asking smokers to light up elsewhere; avoiding harsh cleaning agents; minimising your use of synthetic air fresheners; opening the windows regularly; and including plants in your interior design.

While it is sometimes easy to dismiss poor air quality as something which doesn’t concern us, we only have to take a look at the statistics to understand the negative impact pollution is having on us and on our world. It is also important to remember that it is vital for us all to take action today if we don’t want to leave a legacy it will be impossible for future generations to reverse.

Joe Thomas is a writer from the UK, who creates articles on a range of subjects including sustainability and environmental issues. He can be contacted at: joe@allgreenpr.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TECHNOLOGY 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Getting social in 2017 LET’S GET SOCIAL

A mobile reponsive website is critical for business.

Daniel Villota

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s we enter the new year of 2017, it’s more important than ever to build and implement cohesive social media strategy for your business. Here are five things your business should be doing in the social media arena this year:

1. Engaging photography and video Every company needs to essentially become a media company. Social media is about story telling, and the best way to do that is through compelling photos and videos. In this coming year, video in particular will play a major roll for marketers. However, you don’t need to hire an expensive movie production team to develop good quality video content or a top photographer that can produce beautiful photos for a cover of a magazine.

The best way to develop content is to document what’s happening a with your business in a creative and fun way.

There are plenty of photographers out there who can help you capture great images and develop videos that won’t break your bank account.

2. Pay to play the game The power of social media platforms,

A budget for social media video and photo is essential in 2017. especially Facebook and Instagram, is in the fact that they already know so much about us – it’s actually quite scary. They know where we live, our age, interests, if we are travelling and a lot more. But from a business perspective, this info will help you find the right target audience and deliver the content to the people that really matter.

We have seen that a budget of B6,000 to B10,000 per month for a local business will definitely bring results and will bring you business locally – if you are targeting abroad, the budgets will need to be much higher.

Do not use the ‘Boost a post’ option that Facebook gives you. This is Facebook making it easier for you to advertise. However, the problem with this function is that you can’t target your audience as accurately as you need to.

Tech predictions for 2017

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o it’s time for 2017 predictions. For a start, this looks like a better year overall as far as technological improvements go, especially in light of the possible freeing-up of resources under a Trump-led US, but that of course all remains to be seen.

Though some consider it a big mistake, there will be a growing trend towards server-less technologies often lumped under the single term “the cloud”.

CFOs looking to save some money will encourage their CEOs and CIOs to move to a cloud-based system where the storage and handling requirements are done by a third-party provider. The primary attractions will be freedom from having to maintain infrastructure, along with a low barrier to entry and detailed billing information. Throw in the ability to scale up quickly if required, and this will be easy to sell. This will all change when the first large, high-profile event occurs and it becomes obvious how little control an organisation will have over its own data.

With mobile traffic surpassing desktop traffic last year, the integration of mobile devices into the enterprise mix will be more prevalent in 2017. With devices becoming more powerful and many people preferring to have a mobile device over something heavier, organisations are going to need to allow for greater access to their systems by these units.

As for the usual predictions, some are the same as last year. There will be more malware attacks but they will start to be focused on the cloud, and there will also be more attacks on mobile devices.

Regular PC sales will continue to drop @thephuketnews

Sandisk unveiled a 1TB SD card late last year and microSD cards are set to follow suit in 2017. in 2017 and more workers will move to the notebook format, many with tabletlike features. Cameras will continue to make incremental improvements, but with no major change in technology this year apart from more dual cameras on mobile devices.

This year will see at least one Chinese brand pass Apple or Samsung in unit sales, probably Huawei. Screens will max-out at six inches but with more edge-to-edge models appearing and with higher resolutions.

CPUs and GPUs will get faster and memory sizes will increase. By how much is the big question. To get something down on paper, 2TB for thumb drives, 200TB for SSDs, 16TB for regular hard drives and the microSD will reach 1TB. A wish list for ths coming year would include better battery technology, Android apps developed before iOS, less people hit by malware and ransomware because they did not use “1234” and “password” as their passwords. And for phone makers to remember to include support for microSD, a removable battery and waterproofing.

Bangkok Post

3. Be consistent across platforms Consistency is one of the keys factors to succeed with your social media strategy – telling your brand’s story in an effective way will need to be constant branding across several social platforms. This messages will consist of your business’s attributes, unique selling points and the core values of your brand. There are several tools out there that will help you plan and schedule your social media updates in advance.

4. Reply to every comment on social We see a lot of business posting and doing their best on social, but it is really sad when they are not engaging with their fans, or even acknowledging them.

If someone cares enough to write a comment or review about your company, the least you could do is reply to them. This

goes for every comment, not just the ones that could bring you business.

Remember that the aim of social media is to create a relationship with your potential clients. You will need to nurture that relationship – you can’t just treat social media as a short-term sales solution, it has to be a long-term investment.

5. Have a mobile responsive website Yes, having a mobile responsive website needs to be a part of your social media plan for 2017! Why? People will get excited about your brand on social, but at the end of the day most of the business transactions will happen on your website. If your clients need to find more info about your company, such as pricing, reviews, contact details and so on, more than likely they will go to your website to find it.

Keep these recommendations in mind for marketing your business on social media in 2017!

Daniel Villota is the Managing Director of E-Media Asia, the number one social media consulting agency in Southern Thailand. He can be contacted at daniel@e-media.asia or visit www.e-media.asia

18 EXPLORE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Sky high adventure The view from the Adventure Mountain Club’s roof deck is breathtaking. Photo: Supplied

BLAZING SADDLES Baz Daniel

When I started writing my Blazing Saddles column in May 2013 I had no idea of the kaleidoscope of outlandish experiences that the strange alchemy between bicycle and pen would bring me.

I

t’s the day after Christmas and bulging with turkey and Christmas pud, I find myself sitting in a one-man tent on top of an exposed mountain summit watching a malevolent cluster of black clouds approach across Phang Nga Bay. How on earth did I get into this ridiculous situation, and more importantly, how am I going to get out of it?

The answer, as for so many bizarre adventures I’ve undertaken over the past four years, is the Blazing Saddles column you are reading.

When I started writing my Blazing Saddles column in May 2013 I had no idea of the kaleidoscope of outlandish experiences that the strange alchemy between bicycle and pen would bring me. I am now delighted to present here my first Blazing Saddles column for The Phuket News.

On a lovely Boxing Day morning, I’d cycled across the Sarasin Bridge and then north for a few kilometres into Phang Nga Province. Taking the right-hand fork towards Krabi and Phang Nga along Highway 4,

after six kilometres I arrived at the hamlet of Ban Khlong Khian.

If you turn right here along roadway 1004, after another kilometre you’ll encounter, bizarrely enough, a giant peacock staring at you in all his exuberant, tail-feathered glory.

You have arrived at a most extraordinary enterprise in the vertiginous shape of the Adventure Mountain Club. Here, atop a dramatic rocky peak, this new club is presently being constructed, promising attractive resources and opportunities for local and visiting cyclists.

The idea of the Club is to provide an outdoor forum in which several hundred souls can camp, enjoy dining and recreational activities and lodge in the very heart of nature, just a small distance from the madness and congestion of Phuket.

Presently the club has a 25-metre outdoor pool, gymnasium, Muay Thai and yoga centre, hiking and cycling trails, camp grounds and a restaurant with a wonderful terrace commanding magnificent views across Phang Nga

Intrepid cyclist and new columnist for The Phuket News Baz Daniel. and out towards the Andaman Sea. Poolside they have a barbecue dining corner, and on a stage by the pool they also present live music concerts and corporate gala events and weddings.

The fitness centre provides a trainer for yoga, aqua-aerobics, Zumba, Muay Thai and dance fitness, so you can complement your cycling endeavours with any of these when you feel the urge, as regular daily schedules run from dawn to dusk.

For adrenalin junkies, there’s ATV-racing and ziplining, while for oldsters like me, serenity and peace abound on the mountain top campground, which is where I spent my lonely night of December 26th.

An area of over 10,000 square metres is dedicated to activities such as hiking, trekking and zip-line.

There are plenty of good mountain-biking trails and a 120-metre bike climb from the road to the top of the peak, with a current record, held by a 14-yearold boy, of just over three minutes for this lungbursting challenge.

The local cycling is also highly attractive. Turn left out of the club and you have a lovely 24-kilometre ride along quiet undulating roads to Khlong Khian Pier at the northern tip of Phang Nga Bay. Alternatively, cycle back along Highway 4 towards the Sarasin Bridge, then fork right along the road to the pleasant market town of Ban Khok Kloi, which gives access, five kilometres west, to the unspoilt sands of Natai Beach.

This is the ultimate place to complete an evening’s ride and have a cold drink while watching the sun slide over the horizon. Which is exactly what I did before retiring to my little tent on the club’s mountain top high above Phang Nga Bay. A lonely spot to spend a Boxing Day night, but the sunrise views and morning mists made it all incredibly worthwhile.

‘Bicycling’ Baz Daniel fell off his first bicycle aged three... a case of love at first slight. Since then he has spent a further 65 years falling on and off bicycles all over the world, but his passion endures.

When not in traction, he found time to become Senior VP of the world’s largest advertising and communications group, finally retiring to Phuket in 2006. He has been penning his Blazing Saddles column, chronicling his cycling adventures in Phuket and beyond, since 2013. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ENTERTAINMENT 19

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

La La Land sweeps Golden Globes

W AFP

himsical modern-day musical La La Land pirouetted its way into major Oscars contention on Jan 8 as it swept the board at the Golden Globes, the glitziest party of the showbiz year. Damien Chazelle’s nostalgic tribute to the “Golden Age” of Hollywood musicals picked up all seven of the statuettes for which it was nominated – giving the film momentum as it launches its campaign for next month’s Academy Awards.

Its success struck an optimistic note during a three-hour ceremony marked by impassioned political speeches voicing anxiety over Donald Trump’s election following a campaign which stirred simmering racial tensions.

“This is a film for dreamers,” said Emma Stone, who took home the prize for best actress in a musical/comedy for her role as aspiring actress Mia. “I think that hope and creativity are two of the most important things in the world. And that’s what this movie is about.”

Co-star Ryan Gosling, who played jazz pianist Sebastian, won best actor honours, while Chazelle took home prizes for best director and screenplay.

La La Land had earned awards for best original score and best song for City of Stars shortly after the glitzy ceremony began – setting the tone for a

Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and La La Land director Damien Chazelle. Photo: AFP record-breaking night.

Prior to Sunday, the record for the most “Globes” was shared by the 1975 release One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the 1978 movie Midnight Express, with six wins apiece.

Gosling joked about breaking up his statuette to share with Stone and Chazelle, before getting serious with a heartfelt tribute to his partner, the actress Eva Mendes.

“I would like to try to thank one person properly and say while I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second, and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer,” he said.

Asia pop 40 host Dom Lau (centre) with the band 5 Seconds of Summer. Photo: Supplied

Asia Pop 40 top songs of 2016 countdown on Live 89.5

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hroughout January, the region’s first and only syndicated radio chart countdown program, Asia Pop 40, will be counting down the most popular 140 songs from 2016, over four weekly instalments. Phuket listeners can tune in to hear the epic 2016 countdown on Live 89.5 FM on Fridays from 1-4pm and Saturdays from 9pm12am.

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

Creator and Executive Producer of Asia Pop 40, Rob Graham, stated, “We have always been committed to creating a year-end highlight package of the show and in previous years our listeners have reacted very positively to the round-up. What better way to showcase @thephuketnews

52 episodes, or 156 hours, of programming? We believe our annual countdown is another first for Asian radio and we’re very proud of that.”

Graham added, “As per previous years, we will be honouring the Asia Pop 40 No. 1 Song Of 2016, and the Asia Pop 40 No. 1 Artist Of 2016. We have added another award this year: the Asia Pop 40 No. 1 Group/Duo Of 2016.”

“The 2016 countdown will also include the announcement of the brand new fan selected Asia Pop 40 Artist Of The Year. Over the month of November, we asked fans to vote for their favourite artist of the year, and we had an overwhelming response with nearly 11 million votes.”

Listen on your radio at 89.5fm or online at: www.thephuketnews.com/radio/

Kenneth Lonergan’s unflinching Manchester by the Sea earned a Globe for Casey Affleck as best actor in a drama, but the film lost out to Barry Jenkins’s coming-of-age movie Moonlight for best drama.

But that coveted prize was the only one for Moonlight, a disappointing haul considering it had six nominations, including for the director and cast members Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali. There was also a shock in the best actress in a drama category, where Natalie Portman was expected to pick up the award for her intense turn as Jackie Kennedy in Jackie.

Instead, the award went to Isabelle Huppert for French rape-revenge tale

Elle, which also captured best foreign language film over the heavily favoured German-Austrian dramedy Toni Erdmann.

Viola Davis picked up best supporting actress in a film for Fences, the screen adaptation of August Wilson’s play.

On the television side, FX true crime anthology The People vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story took home prizes for best limited series or TV movie, and best actress for Sarah Paulson for her portrayal of prosecutor Marcia Clark.

But AMC crime drama The Night Manager swept up three acting prizes for Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman.

Netflix newcomer The Crown, a saga about Britain’s royal family, picked up statuettes for best drama series and best actress for Claire Foy, who stars as a young Queen Elizabeth II. The 32-year-old British actress said she wanted to thank some “extraordinary women” including the queen, who she praised for her more than 60 years on the throne.

“I think the world could do with a few more women at the centre of it, if you ask me,” she said.

Actor Donald Glover – who is due to star in the next Star Wars spin-off film – picked up the best comedy television series award for Atlanta, which he created, and later won a best actor statuette.

20 MOTORING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

From concept to road reality in 2017 The Volkswagen ID is set to feature Autonomous driving tech. Photo: VW

S

Richard Leu

ome new cars are being sneak peeked in official teasers before their world debuts in the first quarter of this year.

Audi Q8 Concept It may still be billed as a concept, but Audi freely admits that its new style-led flagship SUV is a near-production article for the showroom to rival the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Expect the Q8 to bear an aggressively looking and chunky front grille, and sleek streaming body lines. Audi claims that there’s spacious seating for all four occupants, with plenty of headroom. It’s powered by a 330-kW plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Honda Odyssey Honda’s seven-seat MPV is set to enter its fifth generation in North American outfit with new drivetrains and a more advanced packaging. Although no technical details have been announced yet, expect a downsized four-pot turbo engine or possibly hybrid in place of the longstanding 3.5-litre V6.

Kia Picanto Kia is promising sassy exterior and interior design for its third-generation Picanto A-segment hatchback. One highlight is said to be a freestanding monitor on the fascia accommodating the latest in infotainment. Unlike the rest here which made their debut in Detroit this month, the new Rio will make its splash in Geneva in March.

Kia Silhouette After teasing the public with the GT Concept some five years ago, Kia will unveil the production-ready version complete with rear-wheel-drive and fastback-style body to undercut the BMW 4-series GranCoupe in price. Tech details are most likely to include a 300hp-plus V6 and eightspeed automatic gearbox.

Lexus LS Toyota’s upscale nameplate will take the wraps off its fifth-generation flagship saloon after previewing it in LF-FC concept form in Tokyo two years ago.

The LS sits on the new GA-L rear-drive platform, first used in the LC luxury coupe. It’s claimed that the new LS can use hybrid and fuel cell drivetrains.

Volkswagen ID Concept After revealing the first ID in fivedoor hatchback form in Paris last year, VW is preparing to reveal the second EV member in MPV form. The ID is based on the brand’s MED (modular electric drive kit) architecture with two electric motors driving all four wheels. Autonomous driving tech will also be touted.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace To cash in the lucrative SUV market, VW will be offering a seven-seat version of its latest compact SUV which shares the same platform as the Skoda Kodiaq. The Allspace sees the wheelbase of the regular Tiguan stretched by 110mm. The main markets will be North America, China and Europe.

Bangkok Post

Royal Enfield expanding to provinces

B

oosted by active sales, Royal Enfield, the manufacturer of classic motorcycles, will expand its service centres to four provinces this year.

Arun Gopal, head of international business for the Indian maker of Royal Enfield motorcycles, said the new centres will be located in Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima, Pattaya in Chon Buri and Chiang Mai, and are due to start operations by the first quarter of this year.

There is no word yet on whether Phuket is likely to see a dealership coming anytime soon.

Local partners will invest in the provincial service centres, while service quality and spare parts supply will be controlled directly by Royal Enfield.

According to Land Transport Department, Royal Enfield had 809 deliveries

to customers over the first 10 months.

It received 102 bookings from the latest Thailand International Motor Expo, which ended on Dec 12.

Founded in 1893, Royal Enfield is the oldest British motorcycle brand, but its home production base closed in 1970. In 1994, Royal Enfield became a division of Eicher Motors.

Royal Enfield motorcycles are produced in three factories in Chennai, India.

In the past few years, Royal Enfield has steadily expanded its global footprint in major cities such as London, Madrid, Paris, Dubai, Bogota and Medellin as well as in Asia and Southeast Asia.

The company entered Thailand and Indonesia in 2015. In Thailand, the company appointed General Auto Supply Co

Royal Enfield motorcycles is planning to increase its presence in Thailand this year. as its authorised importer and distributor, running a flagship outlet in Thong Lor. Mr Gopal said Thailand and Indonesia have the most market potential in Asean with combined annual sales of 8.1 million units (1.6 million for Thailand and 6.5 million for Indonesia).

“We’ve sold roughly 700 motorcycles in Indonesia now and the expansion

plans for service centres to other central locations are similar to the plans for the Thai market,” he said.

According to Mr Gopal, the midsized Indonesian market’s prospects are promising, with annual sales of 50,000 to 60,000 motorcycles. Royal Enfield defines mid-sized motorcycles as those with 250-750cc engines.

“As the mid-sized segment stays in the middle of pyramid between 250cc and 750cc, we see ample room for growth,” he said. “Midsized motorcycles can be used for both day-to-day uses and as recreation and are affordable,” said Mr Gopal.

There are three models available in Thailand – Bullet, Classic and Continental GT priced within B179,800-B219,800. The Himalayan will also be introduced this year.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Clear waters for Rotary gala Charity dinner aims to raise funds for clean drinking water at Phuket schools ore than 650 million people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water – that’s double the population of the United States.

Thousands of those people, many of them Thai school children, live on Phuket.

The Rotary Club of Patong Beach (RCoPB) aims to change that through the provision of up to 1,000 Kohler Clarity water-filtration system units that can purify dirty water into dozens of litres of drinkable water for just a few satang.

Kohler Clarity water-filtration systems, which eliminate more than 99%

of contaminants, are able to filter up to 40 litres per day using a gravity system that draws the dirty water through a ceramic filter into a clean-water reservoir. The units are easily assembled and taken apart for cleaning.

To this, the “White: Water: Gala” event will be held at the Latitude Marquee at Laguna Phuket on Saturday, Feb 4, to raise funds to buy the units.

Guests are asked to wear white for the event.

“White: Water: Gala” organiser OB Wetzell said, “We recognise the worldwide need for access to clean drinking water exists right here on our doorstep.

We hope by holding fundraising events like this we can start by providing water to schools in Patong and then expand the project to the rest of Phuket.”

The water filters are low cost and simple to maintain.

Entertainment The evening will feature entertainment by the Colin “illy” Hill Band featuring Luisa Scarpa, who offer a unique blend of soulful music crossed with a more aggressive rock style that is a combination that has to be heard to be believed. The added aural beauty of three-part vocal harmonies is the icing on the cake. There will also be numerous food stalls from top Phuket restaurants. Other entertainment includes a live auction, silent auction and raffle.

The top door prize will be a flight for

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

M

@thephuketnews

Local school children drink clean water from a Kohler Clarity water filter. two on the Nok Air network (details to be confirmed closer to event date).

Wash Your Hands Project The filters will initially be distributed to schools in Patong under RCoPB’s water and sanitation project in schools, which includes a “Wash Your Hands” program. In this way more than 2,500 children will have access to clean drinking water on a daily basis.

The schools to benefit from the first phase of fundraising are Ban Sainam­ yen School (1,200 children), Wat Patong School (250), Happy Home (80), two kindergartens (1,100) and Kalim School (120). The Rotary Club of Patong Beach formed in 2001 and currently has 30

members from more than 12 countries.

Its key focus is delivering funding to support improving the education and health of children around Phuket.

Where, When, How? “White: Water: Gala” will start at 7pm on Saturday, Feb 4, at the Latitude Marquee at Laguna Phuket in Cherng Talay. The evening’s dress code: White.

Tickets cost B2,500 for advance bookings and B3,000 at the door.

Tickets available online at: rotarypatong.org/new event/whitewatergala.

Email: whitewatergala@gmail.org The Phuket News is the proud media sponsor of this event.

22 ISLAND SCENE

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KAJONKIET INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

NAI YANG BEACH RESORT

From left: Um, Pangchan, Jason, Nok, Guide, and Goong-nang.

From left: Ratchanee Boonrat from KIS with Nok and Um from Class Act Media.

JW MARRIOTT PHUKET RESORT AND SPA

LA FLORA RESORT & SPA KHAO LAK

From left: Jason W, Jason B, Chris and Nok with Oriol Montal (rear), GM of JW Marriott Phuket.

From left: Golf, Tiya and Apple.

LOOKING FORWARD TO A FANTASTIC 2017 AT THE CLASS ACT MEDIA OFFICES Well-wishers from across Phuket dropped by the Class Act Media (CAM) office this past week to present some lovely gifts to the CAM team. Thank you to all our clients for their support throughout 2016 and we hope all our readers and clients have a wonderful and successful 2017.

From left: Mrs Avasada Pocmontri, wife of the Honorary Consul of Lesotho, His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho and Mr Apichart Sudswang, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Thailand.

CENTARA GRAND WELCOMES THE KING AND QUEEN OF LESOTHO His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seesio of Lesotho recently visited Phuket and were welcomed with an official dinner at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket on January 2.

The Westin Siray Bay team and guests on stage at the party.

THE WESTIN SIRAY BAY RESORT & SPA PHUKET NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket recently hosted its ‘Venetian Masquerade’ themed New Year’s Eve party. The spectacular night featured live performances, an exquisite dining experience, a lucky draw and an impressive fire show.

Members of the Almaty Symphony Orchestra pose for a photo before taking to the stage at Le Meridien.

LE MERIDIEN HOSTS ORCHESTRA ON THE ROCK CONCERT A unique collaboration of geniuses of classical and the best rock musicians performed together on one stage at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort for the Orchestra On The Rock concert on January 3.

Nepalese dignitaries and Phuket politicians took to the stage during the event.

TOURISM TO NEPAL PROMOTED AT ROYAL PHUKET CITY HOTEL Guests enjoyed a fine cultural show and dinner courtesy of the Nepal Embassy from Bangkok, which is promoting that country’s many tourism opportunities as part of its 'Nepal is Beautiful: Visit and Enjoy Nepal' tourism campaign. Those in attendance at the event, held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on January 6, included Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok and Nepalese ambassador Dr H.E. Khaga Nath Adhikari and Mrs Pranee Sakulpipatana, Nepalese Honorary Consul in Phuket. thephuketnews

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ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

From left: Sarayuth Mallam, Andy Dowden, Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan, Pruet Boobphakam and Gulu Lalavani officially open Pimex 2017.

BUMPER TURNOUT FOR PIMEX 2017 DESPITE WILD WEEKEND WEATHER The 14th edition of the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), held at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina, showcased a spectacular display of yachts, marine equipment and lifestyle products, once again emphasising its position as the most important consumer boat show in Thailand.

Organisers said this year’s turnout was one of the best yet with thousands of boat-lovers braving the wild Phuket weather to visit the show and view some of the watercraft on display.

The Live 89.5 radio team broadcast live from PIMEX throughout the four day event.

From left: Natjakorn, Ying and Oliver.

From left: Nick Wheatley, Andy Dowden and Jason Wilder.

From left: Paul Poole, Pruet Boobphakam and Martin Carpenter.

@thephuketnews

The team from Harley Davidson Phuket with the Class Act Media team.

From left: Hans Lange and Hakan Lange.

From left: Roly Cooper, Peter Smith and Chris Raily.

24 EVENTS

FRI

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SUN

13 JAN

15 JAN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

12-6pm! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavoured with Thyme and Garlic.

Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN! www.twochefs.com. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914

Fridays Wine & Tapas night WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong from 12-6pm! Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Cajun Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavorbursting chicken and more! Come for the FOOD Stay for the FUN at Two Chefs!!! www.twochefs.com.

Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

All you can eat Tapas with one bottle of Regular White or Red: Baht 1,490 net per person. Premium White, Red, Rose and Bubbly: Baht 1,790 net per person.

Tapas starts: 19:00 – 22:00. Located Vanilla Sky Bar, Cape Sienna Hotel, Kamala. 076 337 300.

SAT

14 JAN

Sunday Brunch Every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Enjoy an exquisite Sunday Brunch with a variety of seafood selection on ice such as crab, oysters, king prawns and more wide variety of cuisine available from classic dishes to signatures. Prices starting from 1,200++ Baht for buffet and free flow soft drinks. Reservations, HYATT REGENCY PHUKET RESORT, fnb.phuhr@ hyatt.com, 076 231 234.

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar

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

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

Children’s Day at Phuket Boat Lagoon Come over to Phuket Boat Lagoon as we celebrate Children’s Day at Boat Arcade from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Bring your kids for a fun filled day at Boat Arcade and join the activities that are in store for the kids.

It’s the time of the year, WHEN KIDS SAY CHEESE.

The Banyan Tree Seafood Brunch experience returns with a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exception Lobster dished, Japanese starters, mouth-watering meats, Asia wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12.00-15.30, price start from 2,800net per person.

Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com, 076 372 400.

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with french fries, your choice, your style: nature, marnière, provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

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

Saturday Live Music Every Saturday live music by the Soulcoustics, 9pm til late. Cariocas Bistro & Lounge Phuket Town, near BKK Hospital.

Mediterranean Sunday Brunch at Metzo’s Feast to your heart’s content on our Mediterranean menu of mezze and tapas served family style at your table, live cooking station, kids’ corner and dessert buffet. After brunch, why not relax and take in the view of the Andaman Sea with complimentary access to the resort swimming pool. Starting from THB 990++ per person. Reservations, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, metzos@outrigger.co.th, 076 360 600.

Andrea Asoli - New Age Venetian Michelin Star Chef From the 13th to the 18th Jan 2017. Daily signature 5-course menu with suggested premier beverage pairings. THB 3,500 nett per person. Master Class 13th Jan 2017: Culinary demonstration followed by a 3-course lunch menu with premier beverage pairing. THB 3,000 nett per person. Chef’s Table 14th Jan 2017: 5-course degustation dinner menu with premier beverage pairing. THB 4,500 nett per person. Reservations, Tre at Banyan Tree, fb-phuket@banyantree. com, 076 372 400, 076 324 375.

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

Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Beach, Kata Center, Karon and Patong for Only 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites from

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MON

EVENTS 25

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

16 JAN

Cherngtatey. Ticket THB 2,500 includes grand buffet and one beverage. Ticket and info at info@piwcphuket.com

SAT

28 JAN Family Coloured Obstacle Challenge An activity filled afternoon for the whole family in support of Phuket Has Been Good To Us! Have fun with all the family completing a course featuring physical obstacles and brain teasers. Participants receive medals and goody bags! Everyone can enjoy the fantastic carnival atmosphere with food and drink stalls and music from DJ Tank! Sat. 4th February, 3 pm Royal Phuket Marina Adults 500 THB; Children (5-16) 300 THB; <5 KidsMania entrance for 250 THB. Book at 076-278146 or info@phukethasbeengoodtous.org

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

WED

18 JAN

Dine 4 Pay 3 Oriental Buffet Dinner Extravaganza

Night Run 2017 Try the unique experience of running through Phuket’s Old Town at night for charity. Phuket Night Run 2017 on January 28th, 2017, from 22:30-24:00 hrs at Limelight Avenue Phuket. Every 50 Bht from registration fees go to help bed-bound patients in Phuket City. The three running categories are 3.2km night walk, 5.8km fun run and 11.2km mini night marathon. Registration at: www.phuketnightrun.com or follow registration schedule posted in Facebook: Phuket Nightrun, call: 088-7574119. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

SUN

STEVE AOKI Live at Illuzion Steve Aoki debuts at ILLUZON Phuket The mostpopular EDM DJ will be spinning an EXCLUSIVE LIVE SET and of course throwing his popular CAKES! WEDNESDAY 22nd FEBRUARY -------------------------Standard pre save Ticket 1,000 THB. VIP RESERVATION: +66 98.024.6369 | rsvn@illuzionphuket.com

EVERY DAY

Phuket Cycling Race

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

SAT

21 JAN

day breakfast, just like mum makes. Lavazza Coffee, healthy snacks & salads. Find us at the Entrance of The Royal Paradise Complex, Patong. Mon - Sat 8.30am - 4.00pm. Facebook: CafeSiamGuesthousePhuket 081 676 9411.

29 JAN

Embark on a journey to the four corners of Asia and enjoy a lavish array of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and other Oriental recipes. Develop your taste buds and experience new flavours; ranging from spicy curries to barbecued meats and local noodle plates, while watching our Chefs work their magic in the lively kitchen every Wednesday from 18:00 – 22:00 for THB 999 per person at Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas. Reservations, Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas, h8109@accor.com, 076 231 999.

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

WED

22 FEB

The 3rd Thanyapura Phuket Classic Cycling Race is the first major sporting event for the new year! The exciting and competitive race takes riders on two different distances: the 45km and the advanced 106km.

Cycle through Northern Phuket’s lush jungles, mountains, scenic roads, and exotic coastlines. Registration: (1) Purchase tickets online at: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/thanyapura-phuket-classic-cyclingrace-tickets-26478598200 (2) At the reception desk (Thanyapura Club Services). For contact information see: events@thanyapura.com. Proudly sponsored by Live89.5 Radio.

SAT

4 FEB

Fire & Ice Annual Fundraising 2017 Fire & Ice Annual Fundraising 2017 by Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC). Firefly at The Pavilions,

@thephuketnews

Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. World of Curries @790 THB++, Thai & International Buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++,Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++.

The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. For reservations, email rimtalay@amari.com or call 076 340106-14 #8027

La Gritta’s Discovery Menu

Two Chefs Do you love flavourful, mouthwatering and innovative cuisine? Come try our wide array of international and local cuisine at Two Chefs! Enjoy our weekly specials and exciting daily Chef’s specials. They’re guaranteed to please! Every Monday Receive 50% Off All Desserts, Tuesday enjoy 20% Off All Tex Mex Dishes, Every Friday enjoy All You Can Eat BBQ Ribs & Chicken for 395 Baht from 12-6pm and Every Sunday enjoy All You Can Eat Sunday Roast for 395 Baht from 12-6pm. Don’t miss out! Come enjoy relaxing evening with our Two Chefs House Band nightly from 8pmlate. RESERVE Now: Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076344-914. Website: www.twochefs.com

White: Water: Gala Enhance the lives of poor Thai kids in Phuket. Put on your best white clothes and join the Gala. Funds raised will pay for 1000 Kohler Clarity clean water filters. Features: The Colin ‘illy’ Hill Band featuring Luisa Scarpa; numerous top restaurant food stalls, fabulous Nok Air ticket door prize; outstanding silent auction prizes. 7pm, Latitude, Laguna, 4 February. Tickets: http://www.rotarypatong.org/newevent/whitewatergala

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay

All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam Aussie bacon & egg rolls NOW at Cafe Siam. All

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

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

26 TIME OUT

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. In London cockney slang, how much money is a ‘Monkey’?

2. Which ‘father of science’ died one year before Sir Isaac Newton was born?

3. A dye producing which colour was named after a 1859 battle?

4. Henry Dunant is best known as the founder of which organisation?

5. Which colour identifies the live wire in a UK electrical plug?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Across 1. Fungal spore sacs 5. Bashes 10. Quarrel 14. Pettifoggery 15. Figurative 17. Makes a poor purchase 19. Aim 20. In a bowl 21. Riyadh resident 22. Puffed up 24. Fey 26. Rag 32. Oriental tie 35. Pastoral sounds 37. “___ Her to Heaven” (1945 Tierney film) 38. Getting older 42. Separate the strands of a rope 43. Word with steel or snare 44. Put the kibosh on 45. Go up and down 47. ___ one 50. Theories 52. Iran-Contra Affair figure Oliver 56. English playwright John 61. Some computer programs

62. Gambled, in a way 65. Scientific instruments 66. Midmonth time 67. Swindle, in London 68. Beneficiary 69. Latin infinitive .

Down 1. Old Jewish scholars 2. “King Cotton” composer 3. South American rodent 4. Private 5. Goggle 6. Singer DiFranco 7. Time delay 8. Out 9. Voiced 10. Dwelling: var.

11. Desktop feature 12. Gridiron move 13. Vamoosed 16. ___ furnace 18. Seed covering 22. Choice dish 23. Word jumble 25. Hoover’s org.

27. HBO’s “Da ___ G Show”

28. Shamus 29. Bit of filming 30. Square 31. Tear to bits 32. ___ probandi 33. Shade of white 34. Cruise stopover 36. Dashes 39. Father figures 40. Scandanavian rug 41. “Interesting!”

46. Out of breath 48. Chinese leader?

49. City slicker 51. Brief brawl 53. Busts 54. Mulgas, e.g.

55. Wiesbaden’s state 56. Decides 57. Did in 58. Island east of Java 59. Court cry 60. Ad ___ (relevant) 61. Bishop’s seat in ancient churches 63. Biddy 64. It comes before long

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 1) £500; 2) Galileo Galilei; 3) Magenta; 4) The Red Cross; 5) Brown

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

January 13, 2012 The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia sinks off the coast of Italy due to the captain’s negligence and irresponsibility. There were 32 confirmed deaths.

1

plastic bag used requires a cotton bag to be reused each day for a year to cancel out the negative impact on the environment.

January 14, 1972 Queen Margrethe II of Denmark ascends the throne, the first Queen of Denmark since 1412 and the first Danish monarch not named Frederick or Christian since 1513.

11

-year-old British composer Alma Deutscher has written her own Cinderella opera, currently being performed in Vienna.

January 15, 2001 Wikipedia goes online.

50

January 16, 1412 The Medici family is appointed official banker of the Papacy.

people only out of 20,000 could tell when someone was lying based on body language with more than 80% accuracy.

35,000

January 17, 1917 The United States pays Denmark US$25 million for the Virgin Islands.

Photo: Matt Wade

UK schoolchildren last year unwittingly took part in an antidrug program based on the principles of Scientology.

1 billion

waffles have been sold by US franchise Waffle House since its first store opened 60 years ago.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

January 18, 1591 King Naresuan of Siam kills Crown Prince Mingyi Swa of Burma in single combat, for which this date is now observed as Royal Thai Armed Forces day.

Ending the holidays at Naithon Beach. Photo by Petch Manopawitr Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

January 19, 1883 The first electric lighting system using overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

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

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Buy&Sell

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LOST & FOUND Missing Person

Martin Perter Ingram (son of Roy Percival Ingram). Last known of in Thailand in 2010. Any person with knowledge of the current whereabouts of Mr Ingram is request to contact Title Research in the UK (info@titleresearch. com) or our local agent Spectrum Asia (02 626 0250).

ACTIVITIES, GROUPS Sign up today for a discount code

The new website for Tiya’s hammocks is ready! Visit now at: native-habitat.com and subscribe for a discount code to use for online shopping. Tiya: hammockphuket@yahoo.com, 076 631 841.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Long Tail Boat For Sale

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

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

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat. New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com, 080 695 3933.

Steel boat for sale

32 metre steel boat for sale. Built 2012, 2 x Cummings engines, 10hrs work only. International REG. Excellent for live-aboard or ferry. Price 6MB. Contact: call Joe 087 8918912 or email joe@similan-divers.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Business for sale

Phuket Car Rentals and Internet Shop is for sale as the owner has to return to his country to obtain a pension. The cost is US $27,000 and includes 4 cars, 2 scooters, 1 motorbike and 8 computers. Rawai is a pleasant area to live. The shop has pleasant accommodation upstairs. Ownership allows a work permit and 1 year visas. 0987075945, bobskibarnett@gmail.com

Beauty Salon with Equipment

For Sale, Nai Harn Beauty Salon with Equipment & lease, B290,000. Salon Equipment replacement cost is more than B300,000. All equipment shown as new. Must view to see excellent opportunity to purchase Salon for extremely good price in prime location. Call Nok for details 098 017 8818.

Looking for investor / partner

Looking for investor / partnership for Patong beach front location to start with Japanese and Indian restaurant.

Narin, narinpga@gmail.com, 081 826 9390.

Price reduced for quick sale

No, not a bar or guesthouse, but a manufacturing business for wooden window blinds.

All the machinery and inventory of parts to be up and running in a matter of days. A very successful business in Phuket for over eight years. Price reduced to 2 mil Baht. Owner will partially finance. lamsden@phuketemail.com, 081 487 4812. @thephuketnews

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES REST-BAR-LOUNGE RAWAI BEACH

Beautiful decoration - Private terrace - Seaview - Sound system - Led lights - Air conditioned - Fully equipped - 400sqm - 2 levels - Parking - Ready for work: superstaronthebeach@ hotmail.com, 092 526 0222.

Looking for a Partner Investor

I am looking for a Partner/Investor to expand my Dive business. Anyone interested please email me to discuss the proposal. rwhi690169@bigpond.com

Restaurant set up for sale

A fully equipped restaurant in the highly sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna.

Stainless steel kitchen, Wi-Fi, bar counter, service area. Ready to go in days. Email: jukeboxphuket@gmail.com, 081 090 1608.

CAR FOR SALE BMW 323i

323i. One owner since new. No accidents; excellent condition. 105,000km; cared for with BMW service. Full history available. 395,000THB, Thalang, Phuket, jrh1@me.com, 086 989 0919.

Convertible

Mercedes CLK 200 Cabriolet W-209 Brabus Package - seat 4.

Excellent condition and fun to drive.

37,400km. 1,199,000 Bht. Eng - Thai 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G VVTI

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

CAR FOR SALE n r ge

U

t sa

le

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc Auto

57,000km. One owner since new.

Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and Insurance until the end of June and available now at right offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIPS Life Time Family Membership

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

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

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226

Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. ฿485,000, the Loch Palm transfer fee of ฿72,000 will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. Contact J. Trenton Early, jtrenton.early@gmail.com

MOVING SERVICES Looking for Moving Company?

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

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Phuket real estate tour

Real estate investment tours are specially designed to help you to achieve your investment goals with the right property in the right location. You will get advice on the multitude of lucrative investment opportunities in Phuket. md@ tourasian.com, 080 826 4665.

32 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy&Sell

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @thephuketnews

WEBSITES, IT For Sale: hoteldealsphuket.com

PHD has 125,000 pages indexed in Google and an average of 22,000 page views per month! See stats image. Also see the selling points on the link below. Quick sale: 33.000B!, Mark, mr.m.hopkins@gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Condominium for sale

Foreign Freehold 150 SQM Huge Ground Floor 2 Bed, 2 Bath condo. 150m to Nai Harn Beach. 7.7M THB. Owner, paulover@hotmail.com, 089 875 4173.

House for sale

Rawai Samki 3 with Chonote. 2 Bed, 2 Bath, big living room, 1 storage, 1 laundry. House 160 sqm, land 280 sqm. 3MB. rico9963@hotmail.com, 083 640 9041.

House for sale

Good location in Chalong area. 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, 200 sqm.

House on 800 sqm plot. Including furniture, 084 745 5546.

PoolVilla Mission Heights

villa with salt pool, 330qm 3bed 3.5 bath, 900qm chanote, owner finance, near mission hill golf 2km.

6km PIA, 8km airport 087 060 8400.

16.900.000. picharly@gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Apartment

1.65mill. 60qm 2bed 2bath + 30qm balcony, liv-kitchen, 3 a/c, quality doors/wind., Dream Village near mission hill golf, tel: 0873838709.

Land for sale in Saku - Phuket

1 to 5 Rai. Chanote. 10 min south to the airport. Nice quiet location near Naiyang - Naithon Beach. Fixed price only 2.6Mil Baht per Rai. Kanchana, kanchanajit09@gmail.com, 087 076 6016.

X2 Vibe Phuket Bangtao

Welcoming investor with high yield return 21%. X2 is a privately owned chain of design hotel based out of Thailand 4.59 m. Hot deal Pro, Full Fur, Irene, 139 Soi Cherngtalay 16, Srisoonthron Rd., Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, sales@oceanstone phuket.com, 095 037 8150.

Apartment Country Golf Club House

One room with kitchen in main house Country Club. 6th floor with balcony 75sqm. Membership in Country Club included. Price 3.3 Million THB. Contact pzw@gmx.at Per Dompert, 086 043 4315 (English and German)

HERE IS THE FUTURE. 17 RAI FOR SALE

New Sea View Villa

Premium villa 8B in the prestiques Sunrise Ocean Villas development is now for sale.

Being built on the highest point in the estate, only 80 meter from the ocean and located 3 mins away from Grand Ao Po Marina, 10 mins from golf course, 20 mins from the airport, shopping centers, schools and hospitals, this villa is a perfect place to live with no traffic, no polution and no mass tourism.

Over 600 Sqm usable building area, 3 bedrooms, guest apartment, maid quater, games room, 10 metre infinity swimming pool, roof terrace and breath taking views. Can be ready to move in within 8 weeks and still can be customized to the wishes of new owner. For sale at only 27.9 mill baht.

For viewing or more information please contact our sales director, Khun Montha on: 081 343 0777 or email: montha_phuket@yahoo.com

Beautiful Land in Rawai For Sale

Beautiful mountain view with option of sea view land of 742m2 for sale in Rawai with chanote title. For more information contact 085 790 2021.

Kay McDonnell

I have a number of FIRE SALE PROPERTIES from 1.5 MTB to 47MTB. Condos/Houses/Villas Please contact me if you are looking for bargains in the south of the island.080 124 1245, kay@pare.com

COMMUNITY

Between Kok Loi and Thai Muang, 38 km from the airport, we are selling a beautiful peice of land with 2 new houses. A perfect place for artists or a sport resort.

The land is more than 17 Rai, full of old trees, with a big private lake and located directly behind the river. Chanote title. With a canoe it takes 20 min to paddle to the sea.

A great opportunity for a fair price. Price 9.5M, Yupin, residler@gmail.com, 081 817 4805 Thai, Eng, Deutsch.

Outstanding Beach Front Pool Villa

A rare opportunity to purchase a 4 bedroom beachfront villa in a 5* resort at The Village Coconut Island.

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;snipâ&#x20AC;? at 22m THB. Contact email aadmo@btinternet. com, Somjit, aadmo@btinternet.com, 081 9791945. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 33

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Buy&Sell

PROPERTY FOR SALE Land For Sale

Land for sale. Anuphas Golf Ville, Kathu. 81 sq wah. Golf course view of Phuket CC. Quiet village, convenient location. E-mail for details Contact David, d1jarvis@hotmail.com

Prime Land near Natai Beach

13 Rai. Prime flat land, Full Chanote. 5 mins to beautiful Natai Beach, 5 mins to Khok Kloi, 20 mins from Phuket Airport. Close to temples, beach & mountain views, perfect for large property or subdivide for development.

B13,500,000, Antoine (Thai & English), 081 979 9307, dannyred@hotmail.com

Ten Room Villa for sale

With 5 Rai land. 5 sleeping rooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 balcony, 2 kitchens, big living room, play room, lobby, car port. Hillside Maikhao Beach sunset seaview. Asking price 24 MB. julius_schuster2001@ yahoo.de, 087 267 1192.

House for Sale

3 bed, 2 bath, living/dining, Farang & Thai kitchens. Back/both sides under cover. Water fall/relax area.

BBQ area under cover/car port. 4 aircons/7 fans. Very private, close to all services, 500 meters from Heroines Monument. 4.9 mil. o.n.o. Contact Randy. Email randyalltime@gmail.com

LAND NEAR WATERFALL FOR SALE

Beautiful, gently sloping land for sale near Bang Pae waterfall. Good road, 3-phase power. NS3 paper (upgrade applied for). 7 rai, B4m/rai. 087 884 9964 (En) or 087 272 5594 (Th). alasdair.phuket@gmail.com

House for Sale

House at Land and House for sale. 2-storey with 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, balcony, jacuzzi, library, laundry. Near to kid playground, two swimming pools, sauna, gym. Enough land to build a second house on the same plot. Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

Sale by owner Apartment ‘The Pearl of Naithon’ Leasehold

Total area 226,66 SQM including terrace 41,25 Sqm, 50 meters from the beach, 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms, Owner purchased at THB 22.5 million, now reduced to only THB 11.5 million for quick sales. MP + 66 (0) 89 814 1458.

MAI KHAO LAND

Beachfront land in Mai Khao. East coast. 3 rai 2 ngan 24sqw. For sale: 45 million baht. 45 million. @thephuketnews

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Waterfront Condominium

The Cleat Condo, residence project in Krabi Boat Lagoon Marina. Price 3-9MB, size 37-119 Sq.M., 1 or 2 bedroom, marina view. For rent/sale. marketing@phuketpropertytrip.com

PROPERTY FOR RENT Karon Beach House for rent

96 sqm. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 40 sqm. living room. Only long lease.

18,000, Narumon, naruchai@gmx.de, 082 576 6162.

PRIME LAND+BLDG @CHALONG PIER

Seaview Building with land 50m to Chalong Pier for Rent/Long Term Lease.

1.5Rai+bldg. Ideal for Hotel, Community Mall, Restaurants Wirote, 081 931 5189.

House For sale or rent Baan Manik (Cherngtalay)

Attractive 3 bed, 2 bathroom detached house for sale or rent. Set in quiet surroundings but with easy access to Laguna, Boat avenue, PIA, airport, Surin, Bangtao and Layan beaches. The property boasts many additional features including, Auto-gate, Western styled kitchen, security system, natural stone floors, imported ceiling fans, 12volt LED Garden Lighting and air-con throughout.

Asking 4.5 Million Negotiable Rent 25K Per Month Fully furnished or 20K per month unfurnished. 081 9686 051.

CHALONG BEACH FRONT LAND

Beach Front 40m. Long and short term. 1 and half rai(600sq.m.) Mr. Narin, narinpga@gmail.com, 081 826 9390.

Family Pool Villa Rawai

4 Bedroom 4 bathroom 5,000 Baht per night/3 bedroom 3 bathroom 4,000 Baht per night. Quality Furnishings. Contact: rawaihillvillasphuket @gmail.com or 091 654 6249.

Apartment for rent

Quality 1 Bedroom serviced apartment 65sqm for rent. Central Patong.

Short or long term. For details email ianscondo21@gmail.com

Vassana Residence. Rawai

Fully furnished 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom. WiFi and cable TV included in price. 160M.S. in size. Jacuzzi in each Apartments. BBQ area on the roof. Contact vassana.residence@gmail.com Art, Rawai / NaiHarn, Eng.087 882 9604.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Kata Western Apartment

1 and 2 115M2 furnished apartments, full kitchen, huge covered terraces, mountain and seaview.

1 month minimum, 1 year lease starting 20,000/month. gordy240@hotmail.com, 084 840 1262.

Kathu Condo forSale/Rent

36 Sqm Fully Furnished with Pool & Fitness. Rent start 9,000 monthly.

Close to Patong, Central Festival Phuket and Prince of Songkla University. Lily Line ID: 0841094466, flyfreelily@gmail. com, 084 109 4466.

Office/Shop for Rent

Ground Floor space with excellent positioning on Chalong Pier Road.

For more information, please call 081 416 4177 or 076 381 341.

Two condos for sale/rent

2 condos for sale 48 sqm. - sale price $60,000 (developer’s price $116,000) & 54,5 sqm. - sale price $70,000 (developer’s price $128,000). Fully furnished, near Central, Big C, BIS, Lotus, hospitals, schools. Communal pool and gym. Short & long time rent available 48 sqm. – THB 10000-15000 per month; 54,5 sqm. – THB 15000-20000 per month + electricity&water, Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

ROOM FOR RENT

Room for rent in attractive house Baan Manik (not far from Anthem wakeboard park). Convenient location for access to Laguna, Boat avenue, Airport and PIA. House is equipped with, Air-con, Internet, Expat-TV, foreign kitchen, washing machine, fridge ect ect. 8000 Baht PCM + Share of Bills. Please email bluebeyond@me.com or call 081 968 6051 for a viewing.

Kamala Villa for rent

5 Bedrooms Villa available for long term, normally 10,000 Baht Nightly price Long lease 70,000 Baht monthly for 1 year minimum, Include pool, garden, courtyard maintenance. Suitable for large or two families. Wanphen, kamalagym2@gmail. com, 080 697 7729.

Villas & Apts Rent-Chalong

2- and 3-bedroom pool villas, 2-bedroom townhouses & studio apartments. Special prices from 700/night or 8,000/month. Rates include WiFi, maid service, cable TV, furnishings. Great location near Big Buddha. info@chalongapartment.com, 086 282 6221, www.chalongapartment.com

34 PROPERTY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

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SPACIOUS 2 BEDROOM CONDO IN SECLUDED AREA, Rawai

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 134 sqm

With Stylish wooden interior, this freehold condo is also nestled right on the beach overlooking the Andaman Sea. Roughly 5 minutes to the shops and restaurants of Rawai and 10 minutes to Nai Harn Beach

Studio Bedroom, 1 bathroom, 35 sqm

This unit is luxuriously appointed with stylish decor and situated right next to Bangla Road. Ideal for someone who wants to be in the middle of Patong.

4,000,000 THB

R e Pr duc ic ed e

10,900,000 THB

FREEHOLD CONDO 300M FROM PATONG BEACH, Patong

FREEHOLD STUDIO WITH SEA VIEW, Patong Studio, 1 bathroom, 38.4 sqm

Located in Patong with it’s a wide array of local and international eateries.

Stunning view over the city and ocean. Excellent common areas facilities.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 262 sqm

Measuring 162 sqm internally with a wonderful roof terrace with Jacuzzi, BBQ and seating area. Just a short walk from Bang Tao and Surin Beach, the condominium has a proven track-record of netting 1.1m THB through rentals.

11,500,000 THB

B e in st Su Va rin lue

3,900,000 THB

FREEHOLD PENTHOUSE, Surin

2 BEDROOM CONDO 700 METERS FROM THE BEACH, Karon 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 92 sqm

8,800,000 THB

This unit features view of the sea and located 0.6km from Karon night Market, 0.7km to Karon beach and only 100m from Karon Temple Wat Suvarnkiri.

HIGH QUALITY MOUNTAIN VIEW VILLA, Naithon 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 389 sqm

15,900,000 THB

FREEHOLD CONDO, Surin Studio, 1 bathroom, 27 sqm

Priced nearly 35 % lower than other units, a motivated seller has 4 units on offer in this newly completed development. Beautiful communal rooftop with gym and views over Bang Tao.

LEASEHOLD LAKE VIEW CONDO, LAYAN

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 117 sqm

Nestled in the valley between Naithon and Nai Yang Beach, this high quality

This leasehold 2-bedroom offers a spacious terrace, open and bright. The colo-

pool villa has a private pool on a sizeable land plot. Just a few minutes from

nial style development is very well maintained with lots of greenery, swimming

Phuket International airport

2,700,000 THB

6,900,000 THB

pool, kid’s pool and outdoor seating areas. Must-see development.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

PROPERTY 35

Call us today to schedule a viewing or visit Thailand’s leading online marketplace to seach 1000’s of properties in Phuket and all other major locations across Thailand - go to FazWaz.com

LUXURY 3 BEDROOM VILLA WITH DIRECT BEACH ACCESS Bang Tao 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 167 sqm

14,000,000 THB

A luxury beach front estate set around a 20 meter private swimming pool and a large patio with garden view. Also conveniently located near international restaurants and a 5 minute drive to Laem Singh and Surin Beach.

ICONIC SEAVIEW APARTMENT, Kata 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 334 sqm

Situated within one of Phuket’s most luxurious and iconic seafront development, this 4-bedroom sky duplex offers the highest quality finishings.

65,000,000 THB

ed uc M ed 1 R by

CHARMING 3-BED WITH BIG GARDEN, Chalong 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 200 sqm

12,465,000 THB

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 115 sqm

Set on an expansive 1900 SQM land plot this standalone house is conveni-

Surrounded by jungle and a waterfall 100 meters away, this apartment features

ently located between Wat Chalong and Chalong Pier. Completed in 2004, the

vaulted ceilings with skylight windows. Wonderful of the common area pool and

garden space has endless opportunities to add additional value to the property.

FREEHOLD 3-BED DUPLEX, Bang Tao 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 232.8 sqm

Unique opportunity to own a townhouse style condominium under a freehold title. Great location by between main shopping amenities and Bang Tao Beach with the new Catch Beach Club a few minutes away.

3,200,000 THB

mountains. Reduced from 4.5m THB to facilitate a quick sale.

IMPRESSIVE SEA VIEW APARTMENT, Ao Po 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 110 sqm

Situated in a quiet 32 apartment complex. Large terrace with a spectacular sea view with surrounding islands as a calming backdrop. Well-managed estate.

7,500,000 THB

R e Pr duc ic ed e

9,800,000 THB

TOP FLOOR SPACIOUS APARTMENT, Kamala

LAKEFRONT VILLA IN GREAT CONDITION, Laguna 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 490 sqm

35,000,000 THB

@thephuketnews

Situated on a lakefront corner plot of 1200 sqm, this classic Laguna has recently undergone full cosmetic repair. Terrific location near Boat Avenue and the Bang Tao Bay. Must-See property!

WELL MAINTAINED POOL VILLA, Nai Harn 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 210 sqm

Well-appointed villa in a gated community. Ideal location near shops and restaurants and a 5 minute drive from Nai Harn Beach. Good potential for a high rental return.

7,400,000 THB

36 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Phuket Night Run 2017 Sightseeing, exercising, supporting those in need – all in one event SPONSORED

Race Itinerary • 7pm-9pm: Open for Buddy Run registration • 9pm – 9:40pm: Live music • 9:40pm-9:45pm: Singing of the Royal Anthem • 9:45pm-9:50pm: Playing of the late His Majesty’s “Love at Sun Dawn” • 9:50pm-10pm: Donation presentation to Phuket City Mayor • 10pm-10:20pm: Live music • 10:20pm-10:35pm: Race warm-up with Thanyapura • 10:35pm-10:45pm: Race countdown dance by Dance World • 10:45pm SHARP: Start of Mini (Night) Marathon • 10:45pm-10:50pm: Dance intervention with Dance World • 10:50pm SHARP: Start of Fun (Night) Run • 10:50pm-10:55pm: Dance intervention with Dance World • 10:55pm SHARP: Start of Night Walker • 11:45pm-midnight: Trophy presentation • Midnight-12:15am: Lucky draw

I

have seen an incredible phenomenon recently with many of the people around me starting to become more and more involved in exercise of various forms. Some run, some bike, some play tennis or badminton and many have made the big move into triathlon.

To me, as a long-time runner, seeing people exercise always makes me feel good, not just because I will have more friends in my circle, but more importantly, because it is definitely good for them both physically and mentally.

Some time ago I came across a guy who is also a runner, but not only that, he has been involved with a nu mber of large-scale Phuket projects including the Smart City and Creative Gastronomy City initiatives to name a few.

But most recently, this man organised a very interesting running event, the

The event will take runners through the most scenic parts of Phuket Town. Photo: Phuket City Municipality Phuket Night Run, which this year will be held on January 28 for the 3rd year running.

Yes, a running event that takes place at night, and the best thing about this event

is that the route takes you through the beautifully lit Phuket Old Town during the darkest time of the day.

The route also takes you past some of the old town’s

most symbolic places including the fountain circle (hopefully, there will actually be water flowing from the fountain when we pass), clock circle, and few more.

“This will be the 3rd consecutive year of the Phuket Night Run and we expect a high number of runners to turn out for the race.

“Last year we had runners from Bangkok and nearby provinces join us. We even had runners from Macau and Hong Kong too,” said race organiser Mr Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, who is also Vice President of the Phuket Tourist Association.

“Running at night will be fun. Runners do not need to

The race course for the 11.2 kilometre night run.

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

worry about the sun, or getting up early. And you still have some time to have fun after the race,” he added.

The Phuket Night Run is an annual charity r un with this year’s donations, which is B50 of each race entry fee, going directly to a project which helps bedbound patients in the city.

Anyone wishing to take part in the 3rd Phuket Night Run, which takes place at 10:45pm on Januar y 28, can apply via www.phuketnightrun.com; check out their Facebook page, Phuket Night Run 2017, or simply call 098-9951954.

Want to know if I’m going to join the run? Definitely.

This is a unique run, and not only will you have fun, you will also be donating to and supporting those in need in the city.

See you at the start line!

Run: #1615: Saturday January 14 Run Start Time: 3:30pm Hares: Dr F Jekyll, Murkury Location: Kathu - Red Mountain Golf Area Directions: From Patong continue east past the CalTex gasoline station and head towards the main Tesco-Lotus (bypass road). About 500 metres after the second set of lights turn left onto the new road just before the Shell gasoline station. Follow the HHH signs to laager. From the bypass/ Tesco-Lotus intersection head west toward Patong. Just beyond the Shell gasoline station turn right and continue on to laager.

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Laguna Golf clinches 11 Industry Awards L

@thephuketnews

Andy from Dirty Nellies takes a rest.

PPL resumes, 1Bar stay top of league

GOLF aguna Golf Group has recently clinched a harvest of 11 awards at the prestigious Asia Golf Awards 2016 in Hua Hin, World Golf Awards 2016 in the Algarve, Portugal and IAGTO Awards 2017 in Mallorca, Spain.

Presented only for the third time by Asia Golf Awards, the G roup was crowned Asia Pacific Custodian of the Environment, in recognition of the Group’s outstanding global outlook and stewardship in sustainability care and environmental maintenance at its three distinctive courses.

Laguna Golf LăngCô was voted for the first time as 2017 IAGTO Golf Resort of the Year, cast by 640 IAGTO member golf tour operators in 66 countries.

Laguna Golf Phuket won Asia’s Best Golf Course by World Golf Awards 2016, Asia Pacific Business Initiative Award by Asia Golf Awards 2016 and 2017 IAGTO Sustainability Award for Community Value, in recognition of the Club’s keen in-house initiative of undertaking the

SPORT 37

POOL

Laguna Golf Phuket won Asia’s Best Golf Course by World Golf Awards 2016, Asia Pacific Business Initiative Award by Asia Golf Awards 2016 and 2017 IAGTO Sustainability Award for Community Value. Photo: Laguna Golf Phuket “New Look, New Experience” renovation program, breathing new life and sustainability into the course.

Winning its very first award after an extensive 12-month upgrade project, Laguna Golf Bintan was voted Best Renovated Course of the Year by Asia Golf Awards 2016 with its emphasis of restoring the green complexes,

enhancing the natural surroundings, and aligning the facilities with top international golf destinations.

Mr Paul Wilson, Laguna Golf Assistant Vice President/Group Golf Director enthused, “Laguna Golf, part of the Banyan Tree Group, is proud to be recognised by the established awards organisers with these prestigious awards.

“Echoing the g roup’s ethos of Asian-inspired hospitality and sustainability, winning these awards are testaments to the team’s passion and dedication. We will strive to continually raise the bar for service excellence and be forward-thinking in sustainability to create exceptional golf experiences,” Wilson said.

T H E PA T O N G P O O L League (PPL) resumed last Thursday night (Jan 5) after a three week break for Christmas and New Year, and 1Bar picked up exactly where they left off before the break sealing a comfortable 8-3 home win over Genius Bar and once again keeping top spot in the table.

However, during the break the league welcomed a new team in the shape of the Queen of Hearts Bar. The team caught up with the rest of the teams playing three games during the break, and with them also playing last Thursday they are now equal on games as all other league teams.

And to make things a little bit more interesting, Goh, who played for 1Bar and is definitely one of the top players in the league, has jumped ship to Queens of Hearts, and this is bound to make the league more even.

Elsewhere in the league last Thursday, Martin Swiss narrowly lost to Ting Tong Bar 5-6 as did Dirty Nellies against Wet Dreams, San Sabai picked up a big 9-2 win at home to Simon and Oils, Champs Bar won big against Caddyshack (Kathu) walking away 10-1 winners, Happy Ending Bar lost 5-6 at home to Green Mango, while Cool Hand Lukes lost 5-6 at home to league newcomers Queen of Hearts.

Matt Pond

League Standings 1Bar

36

Cool Hand Lukes

27

Queen of Hearts

24

Dirty Nellies

24

Genius

24

Ting Tong

24

Wet Dreams

23

San Sabai

22

Martin Swiss

20

Champs

19

Caddyshack

19

Simon & Oils

18

Happy Ending

15

Green Mango

13

Premier League Predictions:

Local boy takes first place at try-outs:

Congratulations to Kate Young, who with 43 points was the December 2016 monthly winner of The Phuket News Premier League Predictions Competition. Kate came to the Class Act Media office on Wednesday (Jan 11) to collect her prize, a B3,000 voucher to be spent at any one of the Two Chefs outlets on the island.

Try-outs were recently held by Assumption College Thonburi, one of the best sports institutions and football academies in Thailand, for all the 10 and under football players in Southern Thailand. Over 500 of the best players showed up for the try-outs where Cruzeiro Soccer School and M’Den Academy player Ben Lindstedt was chosen as the number one on the day.

Well done Ben!

38 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Murray looks to banish his Aussie Open blues

Alex Thomson skippering Hugo Boss was in a three-way race for the lead entering day three of the Vendee Globe. Photo: AFP

TENNIS

Vendee Globe winner expected on Jan 19 YACHTING FRENCH LEADER ARMEL Le Cleac’h or second-placed British rival Alex Thomson are expected to be first home in the Vendee Globe yachting race on January 19, organisers said on Tuesday (Jan 10).

“Given the weather forecast we’re thinking of a possible arrival on January 19 for the first boat,” deputy race director Guillaume Evrard said.

“The weather models mean that the difference between the two boats could come down to a one-hour difference.

“One hour over eight days of racing is the equivalent to a moment when one of the skippers is a bit tired and doesn’t want to go and sort his sail out. That’s enough to

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

make up the deficit.”

Le Cleac’h remains 100 nautical miles ahead of Thomson, according to Evrard.

“All it needs is the slightest technical problem or the slightest accident and it could all go in favour of Alex Thomson,” he said.

Frenchman Le Cleac’h’s Banque Populaire was 2,576 miles from arrival at 1400 GMT on Tuesday, the 65th day of racing, with the Hugo Boss of Thomson, who failed to finish in 2004 and 2008, 102 miles behind.

Another Frenchman, Jeremie Beyou (Maitre Coq), was meanwhile hanging on in third 619 miles off the pace as the yachts bear down on the arrival port of Les Sables d’Olonne in the western French region of La Vendee.

AFP

AFP

N

ewly knighted Andy Murray will bid to end a run of heartbreaking defeats at the Australian Open and see off his chief rival Novak Djokovic as he enters his first Grand Slam tournament as world number one.

‘Sir Andy’, knighted in Britain’s New Year Honours list after a magnificent 2016 saw a second Wimbledon crown, a successful Olympic title defence and the year-end top ranking, has lost five Melbourne finals, four of those to Djokovic.

But after years of playing second fiddle to the 12-time major-winning Serb, Murray is coming off a break-out year when he knocked Djokovic off the top spot to become world number one for the first time.

The 29-year-old Scot may have relinquished his unbeaten run of 28 competitive matches to Djokovic in this month’s lead-in Qatar Open,

Recently knighted Andy Murray has lost five Australian Open finals, four of them to Novak Djokovic. Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP

but feels he’s in the right shape to finally hoist the trophy at Melbourne Park.

“I think physically it was a good test to start the year, and I did good in Qatar,” Murray said. “My body feels all right just now, so that’s positive.

Still think there are things I can do better.”

As the top two seeds, Murray and Djokovic will be

on opposite sides of the men’s draw and seeded to meet each other in the January 29 final.

Murray, who lost to Djokovic in the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 Australian Open deciders, trails the Serb 25-11 in their encounters, but the Scot dominated the second half of last year.

In contrast, Djokovic’s season imploded after a third-

round loss at Wimbledon, followed by a first-round exit to Juan Martin del Potro at the Rio Olympics and defeat to Stan Wawrinka in the US Open final.

But with six titles, Djokovic will make history as the player with the most Australian Open victories if he manages to win the tournament again.

Djokovic, who had a messy split from coach Boris Becker in December, said he is looking to use the Doha victory as a springboard into the new season.

“Playing five matches and then three hours against the number one of the world, biggest rival, and winning in a thrilling marathon match is something that definitely can serve as a positive incentive for what’s coming up in Australia,” he said.

“I hope we are going to play against each other. We make each other work hard and improve and continuously work on our games and ourselves. We strive to get better, both of us.”

Technical chief leaves world champs Mercedes FORMULA ONE PADDY LOWE ON TUESday (Jan 10) left his position as technical chief of world champions Mercedes, amid media reports linking him with a return to Formula One rivals Williams.

The respected 54-yearold Briton played an integral role in Mercedes’ domination in the sport in recent times, culminating in a hat-trick of successive constructor and driver titles.

Lowe, whose contract with Mercedes was due to expire in May, has been placed on gardening leave.

Highly rated British designer James Allison, who left Ferrari last August, is expected to replace Lowe at Mercedes.

“I have had a fantastically successful and enjoyable three and a half years at Mercedes working with an incredible team of people,” Lowe said in a Mercedes statement.

“I am now looking forward to a new challenge and wish everyone well at Mercedes.”

Lowe, who joined Mercedes in 2013, is tipped for a leading role at Williams after chief technical officer Pat Symonds parted company with the British team last year.

It would mark Lowe’s second career at Williams following a six-year stint with the team before a 20year spell at McLaren prior to his Mercedes move.

“Paddy has played an important part in our success during the past three and a half years and we thank him for his contribution to this significant chapter in Mercedes motorsport history,” team boss Toto Wolff added.

“Success in Formula One is not about single individuals but about the strength in depth and technical capability of an organisation.

“We have the talent in place to continue our success

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s Technical Chief Paddy Lowe walks down the pit lane during the first practice session ahead of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest in July 2016. Photo: Andrej Isakovic/AFP of recent years and we plan to build upon it in 2017 and beyond.”

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho leaves the pitch following the EFL Cup semi-final against Hull City. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP

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The overall competition winner receives a two day/one night private fishing charter to Racha Island on board Wahoo Yacht Charters Phuket’s Reel Blue. Total prize value: B180,000 The monthly competition winner for January 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O'Tools in Karon.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

OVERALL STANDINGS

YanuiPla AAY adamrosindale CAFC lufc

8 7 7 7 7

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The Red Card Gang Sidwell Guduka scottkip carst chook

120 117 116 115 115

English Premier League 2016 - 2017

Mourinho tells fans, players to step it up FOOTBALL AFP

M

anchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he, his players and even the club’s supporters will need to raise their game when arch rivals Liverpool visit Old Trafford this weekend.

United ground out a 2-0 win against Hull City in Tuesday’s (Jan 10) League Cup semi-final first leg and it took an 87th-minute header by substitute Marouane Fellaini to make the game safe.

United have now won nine games in succession, but with Liverpool five points above them in second place in the Premier League table, Mourinho wants everyone to be at their very best on Sunday (Jan 15).

“I was a bit disappointed with the first half,” he said.

“They were well organised defensively. It wasn’t easy for us, but we were a bit sloppy.

“We complicated things; always one more touch, delaying the decision, giving them time to regroup. It was not our best first half.

“I think in the first half the players have to do better, I have to do better, the fans they also can do better. In the second half we all improved a @thephuketnews

little bit, just a little bit.

“I think now about Sunday.

And Sunday I need to do better, the players they need to do better and the stadium they need to do better.”

United captain Wayne Rooney went into the game against Hull needing one goal to set a new club scoring record, having equalled Bobby Charlton’s tally of 249 in last Saturday’s (Jan 8) 4-0 FA Cup win over Reading.

His moment appeared to have arrived six minutes into the second half when he was picked out by Paul Pogba’s glorious pass, but he rattled his shot wide of the left-hand upright.

Juan Mata broke the deadlock five minutes later, ghosting in to volley home from close range after Henrikh Mkhitaryan had headed Antonio Valencia's cross from the right back across goal.

Pogba left the post quivering with a free-kick before Fellaini netted a potentially pivotal goal with a header from Matteo Darmian’s inswinging cross.

The Belgian midfielder had been booed by his own fans prior to coming on in United’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur a month ago and he celebrated his goal by bear-hugging Mourinho on the touchline.

“I think he wanted to show that he knows how much I supported him in a couple of difficult moments for him,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“It was probably because I told him he’d score the second goal. It was nice for him to score the second goal in front of the fans and a second goal that can be an important goal.”

United were missing 18goal top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to illness, but Mourinho said he expected the Swedish striker to be fit to face Liverpool.

Fellaini’s goal was a body blow for Hull, who welcome United to the KCOM Stadium in the second leg on January 26.

Hull manager Marco Silva was only able to name six substitutes due to injuries and saw both Markus Henriksen and Josh Tymon hobble off

during the course of the game.

Asked if Hull could still turn the tie around, the Portuguese replied: “We’ll see, we’ll try. It’s an obligation always to try to do better and continue with our dream.

“Our dream is to play this final. It’s difficult, but when it’s time to play we’ll compete.”

Hull are reported to have turned down an offer from West Ham United for their set-piece specialist Robert Snodgrass.

Silva said he was unaware of any developments regarding the Scotland international, but with his squad so thin, his priority in the January transfer window is to buy rather than sell.

“In this moment we don’t want to sell important players,” he said. “We need to improve our roster with quality players.”

Team

MP W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Chelsea

20

1

3

42

15

27

49

2

Liverpool

20

13

5

2

48

23

25

44

3

Tottenham Hotspur

20

12

6

2

39

14

25

42

4

Manchester City

20

13

3

4

41

22

19

42

5

Arsenal

20

12

5

3

44

22

22

41

6

Manchester United

20

11

6

3

31

19

12

39

7

Everton

20

8

6

6

28

23

5

30

8

West Brom

20

8

5

7

28

24

4

29

9

Bournemouth

20

7

4

9

29

34

-5

25

10

Southampton

20

6

6

8

19

25

-6

24

11

Stoke City

20

6

6

8

24

32

-8

24

12

Burnley

20

7

2

11

22

31

-9

23

13

West Ham United

20

6

4

10

23

35

-12

22

14

Watford

20

6

4

10

23

36

-13

22

15

Leicester City

20

5

6

9

24

31

-7

21

16

Middlesbrough

20

4

7

9

17

22

-5

19

17

Crystal Palace

20

4

4

12

30

37

-7

16

18

Sunderland

20

4

3

13

19

37

-18

15

19

Swansea City

20

4

3

13

23

45

-22

15

20

Hull City

20

3

4

13

17

44

-27

13

16

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT

START STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Test 3, Johannesburg

South Africa v. Sri Lanka, Day 2 Northampton v. Castres

Friday January 13 Cricket

14:50

22:30

Saturday January 14 Rugby Union 19:55

22:00

Champions Cup

22:00

00:00

Champions Cup

Wasps v. Toulouse

00:30

02:30

Champions Cup

Glasgow v. Munster

Soccer

19:30

21:30

EPL

Tottenham v. West Bromwich

22:00

00:00

EPL

Swansea v. Arsenal

22:00

00:00

EPL

West Ham v. Crystal Palace

22:00

00:00

EPL

Watford v. Middlesbrough

Cricket

07:00

14:50

ODI 1 - Brisbane

Australia v. Pakistan (D)

Cricket

14:50

22:30

Test 3, Johannesburg

South Africa v. Sri Lanka, Day 3

Rugby Union 19:55

22:00

Champions Cup

Scarlets v. Saracens

22:10

00:00

Champions Cup

Toulon v. Sharks

00:25

02:30

Champions Cup

Exeter v. Ulster

00:30

02:30

EPL

Leicester v. Chelsea

20:30

22:30

EPL

Everton v. Man City

23:00

01:00

EPL

Man United v. Liverpool

Cricket

14:50

22:30

Test 3, Johannesburg

South Africa v. Sri Lanka, Day 4

Cricket

14:00

23:00

ODI 1 - Pune

India v. England

Sunday January 15

Soccer

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017

Runners on the line for Phuket Night Run 2017 > page 36

48 TEAMS IT IS Like it or not, FIFA expands team participation for 2026 World Cup International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino gestures while speaking during a press briefing closing a meeting of the FIFA executive council on Tuesday (Jan 10). Photo: Michael Buholzer/AFP

FOOTBALL AFP

F

IFA voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026 in a victory on Tuesday (Jan 10) for its president Gianni Infantino but derided by critics as driven by money and politics.

In a deeply divisive move which will enrich scandaltainted FIFA’s coffers, its ruling council unanimously adopted an expanded format with 16 groups of three nations that will bring “benefits without negatives,” said Infantino.

“We have to shape the World Cup of the 21st Century... football is more than Europe and South America,” the FIFA president, who had pushed hard for the change, said after the vote.

“Many more countries will have the chance to dream.”

It represents the first major

alteration to the World Cup since the tournament was boosted from 24 to the current 32 teams for the 1998 tournament in France.

But its many critics strongly oppose the latest move and it was branded a “money grab and power grab” by New FIFA Now, a group campaigning for reform of FIFA. Infantino took over the body 11 months ago with a vow to repair the damage done during Sepp Blatter’s tenure by growing football across the globe.

Enlarging the World Cup was the centrepiece of that vision, but opponents say a bigger tournament will dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players, particularly in Europe’s money-rich leagues.

Football’s powerful European Club Association reiterated its strong opposition, describing the current World

Cup model as “the perfect formula”.

“We understand that this decision has been taken based on political reasons rather than sporting ones and under considerable political pressure, something ECA believes is regrettable,” the body which represents Europe’s leading clubs said in a statement.

Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish La Liga, made no attempt to hide his disgust.

“FIFA is doing politics.

Gianni Infantino is doing politics,” he thundered.

“To be elected he promised more countries at the World Cup. He wants to honour his electoral promises. But the promises made to professional football, he’s not sticking to.

“It is without our agreement and it makes us very angry.”

European governing body UEFA offered a tepid acceptance, saying it decided to back

the plan once “it was clear that all other confederations were overwhelmingly in favour”.

The new format envisages 80 matches – 16 more than the current set-up – but crucially will still be played over the same 32 days, a nod to opponents who fear player burn-out.

Two teams from each group will advance to a 32-nation knock-out round.

A confidential FIFA report seen projects a 48-team tournament would bring a cash boost of $640 million (B227 billion) above projected revenues for next year’s finals in Russia.

Africa and Asia could be the big winners with a rise in their number of World Cup places – currently five for Africa and between four and five for Asia.

A source close to FIFA said that Europe could get 16 places, an increase of three, with Africa earning nine.

Infantino said no decision was made on how the extra places would be allocated, but assured all regions “will get more” berths.

The council weighed five proposals during the meeting at FIFA’s snow-covered Zurich headquarters, including maintaining the status quo of 32 teams.

Defending Infantino, CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani said there was unanimous backing because the debate was based on “facts and the figures, not on a wink and nod”.

“Maybe the time has come where we don’t do things on winks and nods any more,” added the head of North and Central America’s governing body, in a clear jibe at the disgraced Blatter administration and the corruption that threatened to bring FIFA to its knees.

Some have pointed to Euro

2016 – which expanded to 24 nations – as evidence that competition can remain fierce with more countries involved, noting the stunning achievements of football minnows such as Iceland and Wales.

Bidding to host the 2026 tournament has not yet opened, but FIFA opened the door to shared hosting among up to three countries.

Montagliani, a Canadian, said a joint US-Canada-Mexico bid was “possible”, while Morocco has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Tuesday’s landmark decision is the latest overhaul of the World Cup, which has seen its global popularity and financial might surge since the inaugural edition in 1930.

That contest, won by Uruguay, had just 13 countries.

The World Cup expanded to 24 teams in 1982 in Spain before moving to its current 32-team version in 1998.

Karon shines a light for night volleyballers VOLLEYBAL KATA-KARON MUNICIPALity is installing high-powered floodlights on Karon Beach so that volleyballers can continue playing long after the sun has gone down.

A total of eight pylons fitted with 200W LED lights are being installed on the beach near the Naga Statue, about halfway along Karon Beach, said Kritsana Kaewwong,

Kata-Karon Municipality’s Public Works division.

“More and more people, especially foreigners, are coming to play volleyball here on the beach,” Mr Kritsana told The Phuket News this week.

“At this stage it is too early to tell how long the lights will be on each night, but these lights will also be good for when government and non-government organisations hold activities on the beach,” he added.

The floodlights will sit atop eight pylons, each nine meters tall, Mr Kritsana explained.

“Although the lights will be bright, they are LED and will use little energy to power them,” he added.

“The project actually started last September with a budget of B800,000, and we expect to complete installing the lights by the middle of January,” Mr Kritsana said.

Mookdawan Janyaporn

The floodlights will allow volleyballers to play well into the darker hours. Photo: Aaron Guy Leroux/Flickr

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