13-05-2016

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

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Chinese girl hurt in parasail fall

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A

welfare park to provide care for elephants injured or retired from working in Phuket’s tourism industry will open in Thalang in August.

The Elephant Nature Park (ENP) Phuket, a sibling venture to the ENP projects in Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Surin and Cambodia, will be located near the Khao Phra Thaew

Wildlife Sanctuary, on 70 rai donated

by Montree Todtan, former owner of At Hill Adventure Park in Chalong.

Sangduan “Lek” Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, joined Mr Montree to inspect the site last week. Joining them was and Louise Rogerson, founder of the Elephant Asia Rescue and Survival foundation (EARS Asia), who will be Project Director at Elephant Nature Park Phuket.

“An elephant welfare camp in

Phuket is a necessity,” Ms Lek told The Phuket News on Wednesday (May 11). “I investigated elephant camps here and found that many elephants are too old to work, some are blind, injured and too disabled to be sent home, then they die. It’s very sad.”

According to ENP Phuket, there are 26 elephant camps in Phuket with a total of 216 captive elephants used in the tourism industry for riding and performances. At some of the elephant camps, it has been reported that el-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Tourists will be able to interact with elephants in their natural habitat. Photo: ENP

LIFE

Welfare park for elephants to offer respite from tourism

ephants... can give up to 30-40 rides per day in Phuket, the project noted.

“Almost every tourist here is presented with a tour package that includes elephant trek king, an elephant show or a baby elephant at a party. This is not impressive for the tourism image here,” Ms Lek said.

“I was asked by tourists why Phuket does not provide welfare care for its elephants. That is part of our motivation to open the park. Also, tourists must realise that wildlife is best seen…

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A crane lifts the bull elephant’s body from the ravine.

Photo: Supawatkan Khunlak

Bull elephant dies in ravine plunge A LIVESTOCK OFFICIal speculates that a captive bull elephant found dead at a popular tourist attraction in Phang Nga’s Song Praek subdistrict last weekend may have slipped and fallen to his death after being spooked by the shooting of a heron, whose carcass was also found nearby.

Images and news of the dead elephant and heron were revealed last Saturday (May 7) by a member of Chalong Municipality, who said that the elephant was found dead that morning with a chain still attached to his leg, while a dead heron with gunshot wound on its wing was found nearby.

The bull elephant was thought to have bled to death after falling 15 meters down

a thick jungle slope sometime the previous night, apparently smashing his head on a boulder and bleeding to death.

Thanawat Pansanit, an official at the Phang Nga Livestock Office, confirmed that he was aware of the incident.

“Locals and the operators [of the tourist attraction that had the elephant chained up] have conducted a ceremony for the elephant in accordance with their beliefs.

We have not yet received any reports from the police, who’re to be contacted about damage to assets,” he said.

“From here, officials will investigate further to confirm the cause of death,” he concluded.

Darawan Naknakhon

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Police dismiss insurance arson as motive for boat blaze > page 5

Roam free Continued from page 1 ... roaming free and when more care is given to the animal,” she added.

Ms Lek’s credentials in elephant welfare are extensive.

Born to a small hill tribe north of Chiang Mai in 1962, she has since been featured in documentaries produced by National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet and the BBC. In 2010, she was invited to Washington DC to be honoured as one of six “Women Heroes of Global Conservation” She was named one of Time Magazine’s “Heroes of Asia” for her work in conservation in 2005 and the Ford Foundation’s “Hero of the Planet” in 2001.

“Our new project, Elephant Nature Park Phuket will embrace a different type of elephant tourism. We will be removing the saddle and allowing our elephants to walk and forage naturally in the forest, to socialise with each other, to bathe and play in the lagoon, and to roam free,” ENP Phuket announced on Wednesday.

“Both local and foreign visitors will be able to learn about and enjoy seeing happy and relaxed elephants at our project.

It’s a win-win for everyone…

Sangduan ‘Lek’ Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, has won long-standing international recognition for her life-long work to protect elephants. Photo: ENP Times are truly changing for the Asian elephant and we thank you for being part of this change.”

Eleven elephants have been confirmed to be handed over to the park, Ms Lek said. Mr Montree will also bring elephants from his camp to the park, which will later be expanded to 100 rai,” she added.

Volunteers, vets and other specialists will be on hand to provide care for the pachyderms on site, and the number of visitors to the park will be limited.

“Thais will be able to enter

the park free, but foreign tourists will be charged the same prices charged at ENP Chiang Mai,” Ms Lek said. As with the other ENP projects, the money raised will go directly to maintaining the welfare of the elephants and other wildlife on the reserve.

“We are now working with the Save Elephant Foundation, EARS Asia, the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand and officers from the Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area Office in Thalang,” Ms Lek said.

“The park will not only be

home to elephants, but also many other forms of wildlife,” she said.

Edwin Wiek, founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, voiced his strong support for the project: “Phuket is still a hell for wild animals, with tiger shows, elephant shows and wild animals in the city and at the beach at night, being exploited all over the island… Having the Elephant Nature Park on the island will set a new standard for animal welfare and start the change the island so badly needs.”

Mai Khao cemetery businesses ‘gone this week’

Officials raided the site in Mai Khao in March, but still remained open for business earlier this week.

THE CHIEF OF THE DAMrongdhama Centre (Ombudsman’s Office) Phuket office has warned that he will order businesses at the Pru Jason Lake and the nearby cemetery at Mai Khao Beach to be removed by the end of the week.

This will be the second time he has given the order, following his directive for the illegal

structures occupying public land to be demolished by April 15 having been flagrantly ignored following raids in March.

Prapan Kanprasang on March 18 ordered illegal structures alongside the Pru Jason Lake to be removed within 15 days. Raids on another 15 temporary shops set up inside the grounds of the nearby cem-

etery that same day saw him give vendors until April 15 to remove their structures.

Mai Khao OrBorTor Chief Sarawut Srisakukam on May 10 said that his office was ready and willing to carry out the demolitions, but were waiting on approval from the Thalang District Office.

Suthicha Sirirat

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Beach vendors add to Kata lifeguards’ woes The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Li Ruitong suffered only a minor injury to her neck in the parasail crash landing on Kata Beach.

Chinese girl, 9, injured as parasail crash-lands A YOUNG FEMALE CHInese tourist was hospitalised together with a parasail guide when the parasail they were flying crashed landed on Kata Beach on May 6.

Lt Weerayuth Thanyasirisookworakul from Karon Police said that the girl, 9-year-old Li Ruitong, suffered only a minor injury to her neck and that doctors at Patong Hospital had confirmed that her xray showed no signs of a bone fracture, and she was released from the hospital.

She soon returned withher family back to Club Med in Kata, where they were staying.

“We were told that the parasail got tangled in a

tree branch before it fell to the beach. The operator, 30-year-old Prasert Boonkerd, hit the ground first and he is still at the hospital, where doctors are examining him for internal injuries,” Lt Weerayuth said the next day.

The family of Miss Li did not file any complaint as they said their daughter suffered only a minor injury, therefore, no charges were filed, he added.

“However, we will question the guide and other witnesses. He, the speedboat driver and the parasail owner will be responsible for the injury of the tourist,” Lt Weerayuth said.

Darawan Naknakhon

J

ust as monsoon season approaches and Phuket’s lifeguards prepare for the worst period of the year for drownings, the lifeguards at Kata Beach are faced with one obstacle – selfish beach vendors who are happy to ply their trade directly in front of beach warning signs, completely blocking them from the view of tourists.

Head of the Kata-Karon lifeguard group Uten Singsom told The Phuket News that these vendors are one of the problems faced by lifeguards trying to patrol the beach, as when lifeguards try to tell people it is dangerous to swim and take note of the signs, they do not now about the signs as they are blocked from view.

“I have seen vendors block the warning signs. It is pointless trying to reason with them as they simply don’t care,” he said.

“I will talk to local OrBorTor (local administration) officials about this and have

This beach vendor obviously thinks it’s acceptable to ply her trade directly in front of the rip-tide warning sign. Photo: Bjorn Ronningen them solve this problem as soon as possible. Vendors and their stalls should stay clear from any warning signs,” he added.

Lifeguards across the island plead residents and tourists to adhere to red-flag warnings at beaches, especially in monsoon season,

which are placed along the beaches when rip-currents are particularly strong.

Mr Uten urged people to be cautious when entering the water and heed to safety warnings.

He also said that foreigners often ignore lifeguards’ warnings and often get into

confrontations with them due to language barriers.

“On a number of occasions we have to call on to police to help keep people out of the danger zone,” he said.

“It is safer for people to swim near lifeguard stations, marked by yellow and red flags,” Mr Uten advised.

Regional Army chief ‘satisfied’ with beach clearings

The Commander of the Fourth Army Region, Lt Gen Wiwat Pathompak (centre left, in white shirt) visited Surin Beach to inspect progress made in the beach clearing and to gather feedback from local residents.

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THE COMMANDER OF the Fourth Army Region, Lt Gen Wiwat Pathompak, visited Phuket last Sunday (May 8) and gave his approval of the beach clearings along the west coast.

Gen Wiwat said he was “satisfied” with the clearing of illegal structures and illegal vendors from the beaches. He also advised local officials to “stay away” from protest leaders who acted “irrationally”.

Gen Wiwat and his entourage visited Patong, Kamala, Surin and Leypang beaches to check on the progress of the

beach clearing as ordered by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Among the local officials on hand to greet Gen Wiwat and his team were Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, Phuket Provincial Police Chief Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen and local administration officials.

The Fourth Army Region, based in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, is responsible for army operations throughout Southern Thailand, including Phuket.

“We want to maintain the natural beauty of the beaches

after clearing all illegal structures,” Gen Wiwat said.

“Some residents have protested the beach clearing project as they have lost their source of income, but righteousness (sic) is the key in dealing with these people. We must not negotiate with their leaders who seek to attack officials and refuse to hear anything else,” he added.

Gen Wiwat’s comments followed his visit to Surin beach, where a group of beachfront business operators handed him a complaint saying that they were suffering under the

beach clearing, and asked officials for help.

Unimpressed with the verbage used by the group’s leader, Gen Wiwat refused to answer any of the group’s questions, and instead simply received the complaint and walked away.

Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief MaAnn Samran noted, “The beach clearing in Cherng Talay is almost complete, with only two to three per cent left to go. This has been delayed due to legal issues.”

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Mr Damnoen said he swerved to avoid hitting the white Honda Jazz.

One dead, three hurt on bypass ONE MAN DIED AND AT least three others were injured in a multi-vehicle accident on the bypass road last Sunday (May 8).

Narin Saeng-anan, 44, of Nan province, was rushed in critical condition to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Police questioned Damnoen Tanya, 49, named as the driver of a pickup truck involved in the accident.

Mr Damnoen told police that leading up to the accident, he was driving from Nai Yang Beach and noticed a white car ahead of him in an accident, which prompted him to swerve and lose control of his own vehicle.

An investigation is ongoing and police have yet to appoint blame.

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Street art should stay: poll results The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

M

ore than 80 per cent of respondents to an online poll by The Phuket News voted that street art in Phuket Town should stay if it is appropriate and improves the visual aesthetics of run-down areas.

Following the high-profile controversy over the “Mardi” mural painted on the walls of the old Standard Chartered Bank building in Phuket Old Town, The Phuket News posed to our readers the simple question: “Should Phuket street art stay?”

To this, 56% of respondents voted, “Absolutely, it adds colour and a depth of culture to otherwise drab buildings.”

A further 18% said, “Yes, but only if the art in question matches/reflects the character of the neighbourhood.”

Only 8% voted, “Yes, but only in areas that are run down, in need of a face-lift.”

Not all people who voted in the poll support street art, with 19% of respondents voting, “Not at all, it spoils the authentic, historic look of

Pattcharapon ‘Alex Face’ Tangreun begins painting over his ‘Mardi’ mural on the historic Standard Chartered Bank building in Phuket Town. Photo: JP Mestanza Phuket Town and other major attractions.”

Meanwhile, Bangkokbased artist Pattcharapon “Alex Face” Tangreun on Monday (May 9) began removing his own mural from the Standard Chartered building, upholding his promise to remove the mural by May 15.

The decision was made at a meeting on April 22, where critics voted to have the street art image of Alex Face’s character “Mardi”, a child in a rabbit costume, removed from the building.

The meeting was called in response to critics espousing outrage over the modern art

emblazoned on the historic buildings walls as part of a 12-mural campaign by the “So Phuket” group to promote “F.A.T. Phuket” (Food, Art, Old Town) and encourage visitors to stroll the streets of Phuket Town.

Mr Pattcharapon on Monday told the media that he was not disheartened over having to remove his own creation.

“Everyone has their own understanding and thinks in different ways about art. Also, everyone is thinking in the best interests of Phuket, as do I,” he said.

“Anyway, street artists accept that their paintings

will be painted over sooner or later, that’s normal,” he added.

The removal of the mural from the old bank building walls was to be completed by the end of this week. However, the campaign to complete the 12 murals throughout Phuket Old Town will go ahead, he assured.

“The next location to have a mural painted is near the entrance to the Phuket Thaihua Museum,” Mr Pattcharapon said.

For the full poll results, visit ThePhuketNews.com. See also Editorial “Aesthetically unappealing urbanism” on page 8.

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Police ditch payout as motive for arson

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The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

olice have ruled out deliberate arson for insurance fraud in the investigation into the fire that engulfed speedboats in Chalong in April.

The fire, which broke out before 3am on April 19, caused an estimated B25 million in damage to six speedboats belonging to Nikorn Marine Tours.

“We do not think that the boats were set on fire intentionally, but we will wait for forensic police to conclude their findings,” Capt Wuthiwat Liangboonjinda of the Chalong Police told The Phuket News on Tuesday (May 10).

“The boats have no insurance, so setting them on fire to get insurance money is out of the question,” he added.

Capt Wuthiwat confirmed his officers were investigating a fuel drum found on board one of the scorched speedboats.

“One of the boats did have a fuel drum on board when it caught fire, but the owner said all his boats had one. Hopefully, forensic police will be able to tell us whether it had

Large rocks were placed along the beach last Sunday to reinforce the seawall. Photo: Andrey Kozhushny

Monsoon surf batters seawall The fire destroyed five speedboats and left one badly damaged. Photo: Amnoy Supawatkan fuel in it and if it was the source of the explosion that people heard,” he said.

“The guard, Donsafad Pormin, 55, admitted that he used a Zippo lighter to light a cigarette in the boat at one time, but he did not clarify whether this was how the fire started,” Capt Wuthiwat added.

“We are still looking into this,” he said.

Pisit Paphakityosapat of

Nikorn Marine Tours has called for police to speed up their investigation because he believes the fire was intentionally started.

Mr Pisit, who also currently serves as Deputy Mayor of Rawai, told The Phuket News on Tuesday, “I am not sure what is taking police so long to conclude their findings.

All evidence, including CCTV footage in the area, has been

handed to them.

“Most our boats have fuel drums and that did not cause the explosion, I believe it was something else,” he added.

“And I don’t understand why the guard lighting a cigarette would be the centre of this investigation. Those guys smoke all the time when they walk past the area, and we’ve never had a problem.” Mr Pisit said.

ABOUT 30 METRES OF A 600m section of the sea wall at Rawai Beach was eroded by unusually strong surf last week, a public works survey team has found.

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos led a team of municipality public works officials to survey the damaged seawall last Saturday (May 7).

“There’s been unusually strong surf for the last several days and we expect it [strong surf] to persist the coming few days,” Mayor Aroon said.

“Following the tsunami [of 2004] this wall and dam has was built up using concrete

over a period of about 10 years, but now parts of it have been washed away by the strong surf, which has now reached the line of pine trees, about five to six metres from the road,” he explained.

“For now, we’ll reinforce the damaged wall and dam with large boulders, and proceed with a new design for a new sea wall, with input from locals who live in the area [of the damaged sea wall].

“If there is no seawall and dam, the surf could end up reaching the road and affecting traffic,” Mayor Aroon added.

Darawan Naknakhon

Mayor halts water trucks for ravaged road

Chalong Mayor Samran said the water company would be held responsible for any further damage to the road caused by water trucks.

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CHALONG MAYOR SAMRAN Jindaphol has banned private water trucks from driving through a road towards a private lagoon, a water source, near Wat Chalong, as their round-the-clock activities have torn the newly-paved road apart.

Mayor Samran gave the order on Tuesday (May 10) after inspecting Luangporkluem Rd, which connects to Luangpor Chaem Rd behind Wat Chalong.

“We have been bombarded with complaints from local residents reporting that trucks serving a water supply business have damaged the road, which was repaved just two months ago,” he said.

Mayor Samran pointed out that 600 metres of road had been damaged by

the water trucks.

“Several side streets around this area also show signs of damage by these water trucks,” he said. “The area damaged most is where they pump water out of the reservoir.

“We were told at least two to three trucks wait to fill up at a time and today we saw a few more waiting in line for water. Today, we can see water all over the road and a lot of mud,” he added.

“I ordered the company to stop all deliveries until workers have repaired the road. If they fail to follow my order, we will take legal action,” Mayor Samran warned.

He also urged motorists to avoid the roads while repairs were carried out.

However, Mayor Samran added that water trucks will continue to use

other roads in the area while repairs are carried out.

“Right now the owner is willing to cooperate with us and will use alternative routes for their business,” he said.

“Chalong Municipality recently repaired this road, which was not designed for carrying the heavy load of these trucks, which operate 24 hours a day, and each day making several hundreds trips in total,” he explained.

“We will try to improve the road so it can better handle heavy vehicles.

These water trucks may use the road again after it has been fixed, but if the road suffers damage from heavy trucks in the future, the water company will be held responsible for fixing the road,” he said.

Darawan Naknakhon

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Coders landing to compete

Phuket brings ACM-ICPC programming World Finals to SEA The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

U

niversity students from more than 40 countries will be arriving in Phuket this coming week to take part in the Association for Computing Machinery-International Collegiate Programming Contest (ACM-ICPC) World Finals 2016.

Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket Campus will be hosting the 40th edition of the international event from May 15-20, though the competition itself will be held at the Saphan Hin Sports Complex.

ACM-ICPC is an annual multi-tiered competitive programming competition among the universities of the world, sponsored by IBM. “The Programming Contest is held every year, with each country taking part holding their own computerprogramming competition with university student as contestants,” explained PSU Director Prof Chusak Limsakul.

“This year, more than 40,000 people competed at

More than 1,300 entrants from 40 countries will compete in the ACM-ICPC World Finals 2016 to be held at the Saphan Hin Sports Complex this week. the regional levels on each continent. In total, more than 300,000 people comprising students from more than 2,500 universities around the world have taken part in this year’s global competition in order for a chance to be in the final in Thailand.”

The contest requires students to write a new computer programme in order to solve

logic problems. In order to do so, they must overcome complex problems of programming languages, including C++ and JAVA. The winning team will go home with the World Cup Championship trophy and $16,500 cash (B545,000), Prof Chusak added.

More than 1,300 college students from all over the

world are expected to compete in the finals in Phuket, together forming 128 teams representing 40 countries, added PSU Deputy Director Prof Puwadon Butrat.

“We will provide accommodation for all 128 teams that will be joining the event. Team FEDEX from the Prince of Songkla University and team CUCP Meow Meow 3 from

Chulalongkorn University will be representing Thailand in this competition,” he said.

The Prince of Songkla University has been preparing to host this event for over a year, noted Prof Chusak.

“The event is being held in Phuket in order to develop the skills of Thai IT professionals and to inspire young Thais to gain an interest in the field of programming.

This event in particular will help government policy on developing human resources for the future, especially in the field of computing and IT. “PSU has been involved in organising this event on both the local and regional levels since 2009. The ACM-ICPC is held every year, but this is the first time that Thailand – or anywhere in Southeast Asia – has hosted the event,” he added.

Prof Chusak explained that the move for Phuket to host the finals started in 2013, when he attended the ACM ICPC World Finals in Russia. “That is where it was proposed that the PSU, and hence Thailand, host the event,” he said.

“In order for us to host this event, we received support from the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa), the Ministry of Information and Technology, Telecom Public Company Limited (CAT) as well as the Phuket Provincial Office and Phuket City Municipality,” he added.

Although the event’s formal schedule begins on Sunday (May 15), the official opening ceremony will be held on Tuesday (May 17), explained Prof Puwadon.

“The official opening of the event will be held at the Wang Iyara theatre at Phuket FantaSea and the practice session for the competition will be held at the Saphan Hin Sports Complex on May 18,” Prof Puwadon said.

The actual competition will be at the Saphan Hin Sports Complex on May 19. This will be broadcast live online from 9am-3pm at icpclive.com and icpc2016.in.th, he added.

For the full schedule of the competition, visit icpc.baylor. edu and select “worldfinals/ schedule”.

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7

Coastal fishing ban hits Koh Yao incomes Darawan Naknakhon editor@classactmedia.co.th

ome 300 villagers gathered in protest at Laem Mai Pier on Koh Yao Yai on May 6, seeking government reconsideration for a ban on coastal fishing using large vessels.

Speaking on behalf of the villagers, Tiwakorn Thongkerd, President of the “Midday Anchovies Fishing [using] Surrounding Net” group of Koh Yao Yai, said that the ban had seriously affected livelihoods of families depending on harvests from more than 30 vessels, and has had a negative snowball effect on the local economy, affecting hundreds of households.

The annual ban, which came into effect about a month ago, restricts fishing vessels weighing 10 or more gross tonnes from operating within

S The worst-affected area was the passenger terminal.

Floods hit airport, flights unaffected by deluges PHUKET INTERNATIonal Airport was hit by flash floods on May 5, though no flights were affected and the rainwater receded after two hours, with the aid of a big clean-up operation.

Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan confirmed to The Phuket News that a sudden downpour at around 9pm onward caused floods at the airport.

“The rain was ver y heavy and the drainage system was unable to cope with the amount of rain.

“The worst affected area was the passenger terminal, and many passengers were worried the airport’s flights schedule would be affected.

We were bombarded with questions about whether

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planes were able to land or take off,” she said.

“I admit that the drainage system was unable to cope with the downpour, but after the rain stopped, officials worked hard to clear the affected area and we were back to normal by 11pm. No flights were affected by the flooding.

“I want to assure people that we are ready to handle any situation during monsoon season. We know more rain will come, and I have ordered the maintenance department to check all our drainage systems for any blockages so they will work better when the heavy rains come again,” she added.

Suthicha Sirirat

The Koh Yao Yai families say the coastal ban has affected their ability to support themselves through fishing. three nautical miles of the island. The ban is part of government measures aimed at curbing overfishing, as well as clamping down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.

“Anchovies are a key part of the entire fishing system that is directly linked to other types of fishing, and many families

here depend on it. Most of the anchovies are found within three kilometres of shore,” said Mr Tiwakorn.

“Sure, there are some anchovies beyond that, but not many, and it becomes too expensive for us to fish so far off shore,” he added, noting that expense was also a reason why fishermen need to use

larger vessels.

“We used to require two vessels [per operation], one to catch the anchovies, the other to prep and boil them. Using one large vessel proved to be more economical, greatly reducing our base costs,” he explained.

Villagers handed their complaint to Koh Yao District Chief Buree Thammarak, who appeared to sympathise with the villagers.

“The district and province [of Phang Nga] are aware of this problem and have met about it recently. We agree that the ban needs to be revised for these fishermen,” he said.

He added that Narong Pipatchai of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives was to lead a committee to visit Koh Yao Yai on May 11 to hear the problem from the villagers directly “We’ll take it from there,” he said.

Police yet to identify body found in lagoon POLICE ARE TRYING TO identify the naked body of a man found floating in a pond off Wichit Songkram Rdin Kathu on Monday (May 9).

Officers found no obvious signs of injury or assault, said Lt Sawanya Eidthrong of the Thung Thong Police.

“The body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for

confirmation of the cause of death,” he added.

Police are investigating whether the body is that of Muhammad Hakiki, 24, from Indonesia, who was reported missing two days earlier.

“Mr Hakiki was last seen on the night of May 7. He was a trainee at a hotel in Patong and was staying at accommodation provided by the

hotel which is not far from where the body was found,” Lt Sawanya said.

“One of Mr Hakiki’s friends insisted that it was not that of Mr Hakiki. However, we are not convinced as the condition of the body made it almost impossible to identify, but we will see what doctors can tell us,” he said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers recover the body from a lagoon off Wichit Songkram Rd in Kathu on Monday (May 9).

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EDITORIAL

Aesthetically unappealing urbanism

T

he current public debate about street art in Phuket has stirred up much emotion, sparking a lot of dormant interest in urban aesthetics. While many agree that there is a place for street art in the historic heart of Phuket Town (see page 4), few “culturally-conscious” residents would argue it appropriate to grant just anybody with a can of spraypaint unrestricted creative license to “tag” up the town.

Nonetheless, the passion and tension surrounding this topic should be of little surprise to those who have been around for a while, who understand the sensitivities involved.

After all, it was aesthetics that was cited as the main reason to build expensive underpasses instead of more-economical overpasses along the bypass road and at Chalong Circle, and such an appeal was simi-

larly applied in the campaign to begin burying the clutter of electric cables in Old Town.

Indeed, image, face and presentation mean everything in Thailand, and Phuket is no exception.

Yet it’s bemusing why such appeals and sensitivities have yet to gain as much traction in other areas of urban planning, or lack thereof... One has to wonder how it can be so easy for such influential officials and residents who hold the island’s image in such high regard to overlook if not ignore the many other blights on the Phuket landscape: the ugly clutter of billboards along every major road, which are increasingly jammed full of disgruntled commuters, impatient speed demons and accident victims; dozens upon dozens of improper roadside dumps piled with rubbish that never made

it to the overflowing landfill and incinerator stacks; rows upon rows of cheap, prefab housing developments full of overpriced properties with “for sale” signs on every block.

Where is the public outcry to regulate and minimise these less aesthetically-appealing aspects of Phuket, which surely do a lot more damage to the island’s reputation than a street mural or two?

The Phuket News supports officialdom in the drive to “clean up” Phuket and continue to make it a more pleasant place to live and be proud of, but let us not limit efforts to the beaches and Old Town. The entire island – from Chalong to Koh Kaew to Koh Sireh to Pa Khlok – needs less concrete boxes, and other manner of greed-driven construction; and a lot more community centres, green spaces, parks and yes, meaningful art.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4

Family of Canadian man repeats urgent call for blood donations

5

Phuket police yet to confirm body found that of missing Patong hotel worker

6 7 8 9 10

Chinese girl, 9, injured after parasail crash on Phuket beach

Selfish Phuket beach vendors add to lifeguards’ woes Floods hit Phuket airport passenger terminal, flights unaffected Bull elephant ‘may have been spooked to death’ by killing of heron at Phang Nga tourist attraction

Several injured, casualty in bypass road accident Russian arrivals ripe to rebound, says TAT Teen girls may face murder rap Phuket underpass crash prompts no moves to boost safety

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY More to Russian market than TAT might realise Re: Russian arrivals ripe to rebound, says TAT Expected upgoing/rise of Russian quality tourists, or just the low- and middle- level Russians? If they return thay also still would spend less, same as the Chinese.

There seems to be a better outlook for the drinking establishments, bargirls and spa and beauty related activities.

I know Russians who own houses in Thailand, who used to come twice a year for holiday. These Russians still rent out their houses and don’t have plans to come to Thailand, as they tell they need time to recover financially and fix their debts in Russia.

Does TAT know that?

They must, as many Thais are heavily in debts this moment.

It’s not easy to clear debts.

It has nothing to do with oil prices or a currency going up a few points.

Kurt

Easily forseen Re: Rawai seawall compromised by strong surf, Mayor

orders boulder reinforcements as stop-gap What a big joke! Everybody from Rawai can see the degradation month after month of this wall as well as the pavement where people walk or dine and also the slipway at the end of the beach. This is not new at all, there was even few years ago a dangerous hole with trees faling down on the beach at each important tide.

The restaurant in front this hole was waiting almost one year for the municipality to repair. No need to be expert to see that this construction was very light and if you add no maintenance at all what happens now was easily foreseen.

Petermach The promenade beachfront has has been merely “tickled” by the long awaited monsoon season. The design and execution of the current sea wall is totally inadequate and unable to withstand a serious battering of the waves, so warnings should be put out to the public dining on the sand-bagged decking, less their fried rice fall victim to the south-westerlies.

Chinese tourists, please take note. Wear your life jackets when dining!

Who’sInCharge?

B400 idiocracy Re: Phuket underpass crash prompts no moves to boost safety This impatient and irresponsible fool was incapable of using common sense, and he risked several lives (including his own child) for no benefit.

Total a-hole. To charge this idiot B400 is beyond an embarrassment to Thailand, it is stupid and nonsensical...

Richard Vickers

Unchecked fuel vapors unsafe Re: Police dismiss insurance arson as motive for Phuket tour speedboat blaze What the police and Mr Pisit should do is to ensure safe fuel handling and not allow refueling on the beach from fuel drums. It’s not safe or good for the environment. This may not have started the fire this time but is bound to happen. With all the mini buses that support this business turning the street into one-way you can imagine

what will happen if a fire that includes exploding fuel tanks would occur. Besides that it’s not so pleasant to sit in the fuel vapors in the restaurants or bars along the beach. No-one stops smoking while walking among in the fuel vapours along the beach, not even the speed boat operators... It’s time the police and government do something about this.

The Pilot

Life’s a beach under these rules Re: Mai Khao cemetery businesses ‘gone this week’, vows Phuket official Several sites on Layan are now filthy dumps, the former business occupants having simply chucked various debris into piles. Now that there has been rain, all the garbage is collecting water for mosquitoes to breed in. What a disaster.

When will the Cherng Talay OrBorTor be held accountable for selling permits to operate when they had no authority to do so? I know as I was offered one. Where’s the money paid for these permits? Who got rich?

Christy Sweet

info@classactmedia.co.th www.thephuketnews.com

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

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

THAILAND NEWS

9

School costs bite hard

Pawnshop business booms ahead of new school year NATIONWIDE Bangkok Post

A

s the new academic year draws near, lowincome parents across the country are flocking to pawnshops to raise needed cash to send their children to school.

Pawnshops are stocking up on cash to serve customers who need extra money for textbooks, uniforms and other school necessities for their children.

The business cycle of pawnshops always peaks ahead of the new academic year, which falls on Monday (May 16) this year. That means they need to to have more cash on hand for people who may be short on funds but not short in their determination their sons and daughters will get an education.

Mana Kliengthong, director of the Government Pawnshop, an office under the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said cash reserves have been doubled to B1 billion from a year ago

A state-run pawnshop staff member in Muang district in Chai Nat helps a customer place his thumb on a fingerprint scanner. Photo: Bangkok Post / Chudate Seehawong for state-owned pawnshops in Bangkok and other provinces.

The increasing cash stockpile was due to expectations that more people in rural

areas would need its services as drought hits their pockets.

Private pawnshops do the same, with many increasing cash reserves to over B100

Benz crash driver reports to court, enters mokhood BANGKOK JANEPOB VEERAPORN, who is currently in the monkhood, has reported himself to Ayutthaya Provincial Court over a high-speed car crash in Ayutthaya that killed two postgraduate students in March.

Kritsada Rojjanasuwan, a prosecutor at the court, said Phra Janepob reported to the court Tuesday (May 10). The court earlier released him on bail on condition he report every seven days. It released him from detention last month after prosecutors wrapped up their probe.

Phra Janepob faces seven charges, including reckless driving causing death, property damage, driving without regard for safety causing death, driving while unfit to do so, drink-driving causing death, driving under the influence of drugs and speeding, after he rammed his Mercedes-Benz into the rear of a Ford carrying the students on Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district.

The March 13 collision killed the two students, who were pursuing master’s degrees at Mahachulalongkorn@thephuketnews

rajavidyalaya University.

Phra Janepob was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Bangkok on Sunday to make merit for the victims for 15 days.

Bangkok Post

A video clip from the dash cam of a vehicle recorded the high-speed accident.

million this time around.

State pawnshops charge monthly interest of 50 satang (B0.50) to B1.50, depending on the principal amount. Private

operators charge more for those exchanging valuables for cash.

Gold ornaments still top the list of pawned items, but other popular trades include

electronic appliances, computers, wristwatches and even eye-glasses.

A farmer using a state pawnshop in Muang district in Yala said on Tuesday that she and her husband could live on B12,000 a month from farming. But this was not enough when their niece goes to school, said the woman, who asked not to be named.

The popularity of pawnshops at this year is not a surprise. A poll by the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting centre released on Tuesday showed 51 per cent of parents said they did not have enough cash to pay all the bills as schools reopen.

The centre expected an extra B49 million in cash will be circulated before the school calendar starts, up 2.3% from a year ago.

The centre, run by the Thai Chamber of Commerce University, surveyed 1,210 people across the country from May 1-6. About 40% admitted to incomes between B10,001 and B20,000 and the majority lived in Northeast Thailand.

10 THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

'Upbringing' spurs violence NATIONWIDE Bangkok Post

xperts are baffled at a proliferation of serious crimes, including murders, involving youths.

Some have attributed the causes primarily to broken families, traumatic or improper upbringing, alcohol abuse and peer pressure.

Shocking video footage which circulated on social media last week showed a disabled bread deliveryman falling victim to a deadly brawl with six young men.

Footage of the murder sparked public uproar as the suspects did not appear remorseful after they were detained and brought to a police briefing on the crime. It was reported four of the suspects are children of police officers.

On May 1, Somkiat Sichan, 36, was stabbed to death in the brawl involving six young men on Soi Chokechai Si in the Lat Phrao area. One of the men was also injured in the attack.

The men were later arrested

by Chokechai police. The fight erupted after an altercation over a motorcycle accident.

The suspects reportedly bullied

E

An 18-year-old woman is locked up after she was charged with instigating and goading six male friends to attack and kill a disabled bread delivery man - and then threatening a lawyer who came forward as a witness. Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya Somkiat about his disability and his job.

The suspects are Akkaradet Thatsana, 22, an 18-yearold man police did not name, and four sons of police officers: Phiraphon Kerdjapo, 21; Arin Yotphonganan, 20; Mek Phonkraison, 19; and Monmanas Saengpho, 22.

An 18-year-old girlfriend of one of the suspects has acknowledged charges of collusion in the murder. She told police she was with the suspects during the attack but denied

she posted a Facebook message threatening the lawyer of the victim's family.

Acting city police chief Sanit Mahathaworn has promised a "speedy probe", which will be handled by Chokechai police.

He also assured the victim's family they had no reason to worry about bias in the investigation because some suspects came from police families.

A day after the clip went viral, the first suspect was detained. Afterwards, four of the six suspects were con-

firmed to be the offspring of police attached to Chokechai police station handling the investigation.

A preliminary police investigation showed this group of suspects had an altercation with the victim in front of a bread shop. They made fun of his disability and he allegedly argued with them.

After the argument, the victim made his way to a house where the suspects gathered and yelled insults.

The suspects later followed

him back to the bread shop where they were seen attacking and stabbing him to death.

The suspects were initially charged with murder and trespass.

The murder gave behavioural experts and police plenty of information to analyse the growing tendency for violence perpetrated by young people.

Speaking generally, Chokechai police station deputy chief Prathuan Malaengthap said many young delinquents came from broken families.

Citing information provided by the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection, he said a quarter of 36,763 criminal cases in 2013 were committed by youths with troubled family histories.

"What we've learned from this latest case is the average age of young criminal suspects is getting lower and lower," Pol Lt Col Prathuan said.

"There are no other factors to blame but the way these kids have been raised in their families shapes a person's character and disposition."

Department of Mental Health deputy director-general Panpimol Wipulakorn said juvenile delinquency usually involves two main factors:

alcohol and peer pressure.

While the inf luence of alcohol disrupts the decisionmaking process in the youths, the influence of their peers normally drives them into embracing a gang mentality.

When someone in the group does something even though it is wrong, his friends follow suit, Dr Panpimol said.

At the very moment they act together and commit crimes, the young criminals simply aren't aware of the implications of what they are doing. They cannot control themselves and are unable to calm themselves down, she said.

The young criminals aren't suffering mental conditions but are facing a troubled psychological development. They are normally pulled back from doing wrong when they anticipate the negative outcome of the violence, she said.

To prevent youths from becoming young criminals, she said, it is crucial to detect their tendencies to become violent and give them a proper psychological intervention.

Experts say this can mean working with the youngster's family, or contacting his friends or school.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

ASIA NEWS 11

‘Rana Plazas everywhere’ Danger still haunts Bangladesh’s garment factory workers BANGLADESH

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s they jostle for space on the floor, with the door to their fire escape padlocked, the seamstresses cannot help but recall the carnage when another of Bangladesh’s garment factories collapsed three years ago.

“We always worry what will happen if a blaze breaks out or the building caves in,” one woman worker said on condition of anonymity.

“We’ll just die like the workers of Rana Plaza.”

More than 1,100 people died when the Rana Plaza complex collapsed on April 24, 2013, prompting shocked calls for better working conditions in the world’s second-largest garment exporter.

But three years on, only a fraction of Bangladesh’s 4,500 clothes factories have been certified safe and experts warn another industrial disaster could happen at any time.

While there have been improvements at some of the larger factories, many of the

A mourner (right) grieves for her relative, missing and presumed dead, at the scene of the 2013 Rana Plaza garment building collapse in Savar. Photo: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP smaller sub-contractors have yet to be inspected and appear to have done little to address safety concerns.

When a journalist visited one backstreet complex in the Rampura suburb of the capital Dhaka, workers could be seen crammed elbow to elbow on the floor while they stitched tags of Western retailers into garments.

The fire escape stairwell

was blocked by a padlocked iron gate, while cigarette butts littered the main passageway floor.

The handful of fire extinguishers around the building, which is yet to be formally inspected, were are all out of date.

“We know our factory is not safe. It is not a compliant factory,” said a 25-year-old worker who refused to give

Nepali girls ‘marry’ Hindu god to protect from widowhood NEPAL I T’S A BIG DAY FOR nine-year-old Nepali schoolgirl Riddhima Shrestha and her three-year-old sister, Ishita, as they dress up in silk brocade and gold jewellery, preparing to wed a Hindu god. The two sisters are among dozens of girls taking part in the “ihi” or “bel bibaha” ceremony – a coming-of-age ritual practised

by Kathmandu’s indigenous Newar community, whose customs combine elements of Hinduism and Buddhism.

The two-day ceremony, usually held several times a year in the capital’s historic durbar (royal) square, sees pre-pubescent girls “marry” the Hindu deity, Vishnu, symbolised by the local “bel” fruit.

The centuries-old custom is believed to protect girls from the stigma of widowhood by ensuring that a Newari woman’s first husband – the god – will inevitably outlive her mortal spouse.

During the ceremony, girls hold the bel fruit, also known @thephuketnews

Nepalese children from the Newari community take part in the traditional ‘bel bibaha’ ceremony in Kathmandu.

Photo: Prakash Mathema/AFP as a wood apple, in one palm and touch a statue of the god with the other, symbolically giving Vishnu their hand in marriage.

The girls’ parents also secure their place in heaven by performing “kanyadaan” – the practice of giving away one’s daughter in marriage – according to the priests who conduct the ceremony.

“These are t raditions handed down by our ancestors, we have to follow them and keep them alive. It is our

culture,” said Dipendra Shrestha, father of the two girls.

After the rituals end, with gifts for the bride followed by a feast for family and friends, it’s back to school for thirdgrader Riddhima, who is the first of her classmates to go through the ceremony.

“My friends were curious about it, it was fun to tell them about it, Riddhima said.

“I really enjoyed myself, I felt like a grown-up, like a bride.”

AFP

her name for fear of losing her job at Style Fashion Ltd, one of four textile firms housed in the complex.

Production manager Mohammad Khairuzzaman said all four factories were subcontractors for local manufacturers and said safety concerns were being addressed.

The fire extinguishers “will be changed very soon,” he said, adding that “in the event of

an emergency, we’ll open the gate,” motioning to the bolted fire escape.

Bangladesh is second only to China when it comes to clothes exports, shipping US$27 billion (B951.9 billion) worth every year and employing some four million people in the industry, mainly women.

But it has a woeful safety record. A fire at the Tazreen factory in Dhaka in 2012 killed 111 workers, many of whom were unable to escape due to a lack of proper fire exits.

“If they search properly, they’ll find Rana Plazas everywhere,” said Israfil Hossain, a worker who was trapped in the building’s ruins after it collapsed.

For two years after the disaster, the 25-year-old was too traumatised to return to the garment industry but finally took a job in a workshop in a Dhaka flat out of necessity.

“These factories easily get workers like me to do their jobs.

After all, we need to buy food to fill our stomachs.”

The Rana Plaza tragedy triggered international outrage

and put pressure on European and US clothing brands to improve pay and conditions at the factories that supply them.

Bangladesh’s government increased garment workers’ wages by 76 per cent immediately afterwards and improved labour laws to allow a record number of unions into factories.

But the initial push to improve safety standards has wavered, with factory owners dragging their heels on undertaking the expensive repairs deemed necessary by inspectors.

“A major accident can happen anytime,” said Mesbah Rabin, managing director of industry safety monitor group the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety.

“There were several major fires last year. We’re lucky no one has died.”

Bangladesh authorities have said all of the more than 1,500 factories they have inspected required safety improvements and hundreds of other smaller outfits still need to be investigated.

AFP

12 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

War refugees, sex slaves LEBANON

T

he iron-gated doors and blacked-out windows keep the room dark at all hours of the day. Lingerie is splayed across the floor and a whip hangs over the bed.

This nightmarish setting north of the Lebanese capital is where Soha, a 26-year-old Syrian woman, was trapped for eight years with dozens of other Syrian victims of sex trafficking.

In a recent interview in southern Lebanon, Soha – a pseudonym for the soft-spoken brunette with black-polished nails – recounts her traumatic experience.

“We had to sleep with 15 to 20 men every day, sometimes 40 if we had a lot of ‘work’,” she says, taking deep breaths to steady her shaking voice.

“We weren’t allowed to leave. The guards would bring us clothes, make-up and food.”

Four months ago, Soha managed to escape from her captors and tried to get legal help.

Then in early April, security forces stormed the building where they were being held, breaking up the largest known sex trafficking ring in recent years.

At least 75 women – mostly Syrian – were freed.

More and more Syrians made vulnerable by war are becoming victims of sexual exploitation, including in Lebanon and Jordan, police and international organisations say.

People in Lebanon were shocked by the women’s horrifying ordeal, as well as by

A Syrian sex-trafficking victim applies nail polish at her safe house at an undisclosed location in Lebanon. Photo: AFP accusations that the “moral police” were complicit and that a gynaecologist had carried out at least 200 abortions on the trapped women.

Originally from southern Syria, Soha was tricked into going to Lebanon in 2008.

She was told she would be working as a waitress, but was terrified to find she had been “sold” to the head of a powerful sex trafficking ring.

“When I refused to be a sex worker, he beat me,” she says.

The gang leader who had imprisoned Soha and so many other women was a former officer in Syria’s notorious air force intelligence service.

Security sources say the man – identified only by the initials I.R. – fled to Syria after his operation was broken up.

For years, he had managed Chez Maurice and Silver, two of the most infamous brothels in Maameltein, a town known

as Lebanon’s red light district.

Prostitution is illegal in Lebanon, and police shuttered both locations earlier this month.

Wringing her hands and chain-smoking cigarettes, Soha says she and other women were tortured at Chez Maurice.

“They could do anything to us. If we refused anal or oral sex, or sex without a condom, or if a client wasn’t satisfied, they would whip us until the morning,” she says.

I.R. would tie the girls to tables, throw cold water on them and hit them with whips or plastic piping – often in front of other women to serve as a warning.

One girl was so badly beaten that she was bedridden for a month, Soha says.

“The only time a girl was allowed to leave was when I.R. would bring her to his house for the night to ‘test’ her

as if she was merchandise,” she says.

“During those eight years, I felt filthy, like trash... I couldn’t feel my body. It belonged to my torturers, my clients.”

Since the war in neighbouring Syria broke out in 2011, increasing numbers of women fleeing the conflict have been trafficked in Lebanon.

Joseph Mousallem, press officer for Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces, says traffickers intentionally target orphans or “girls from vulnerable families”.

“As soon as they arrived in Lebanon, the girls were imprisoned and their papers and cell phones were confiscated,” Mousallem said.

The girls had nowhere to turn to in Lebanon, he says, and some try to commit suicide.

Traffickers often lie to young Syrian girls, offering

them jobs or promising they will be engaged when they arrive in Lebanon, according to Maya Ammar from KAFA (Enough!). KAFA is one of several NGOs that manages safe houses for trafficked women and offers medical, psychological and legal support to help them rebuild their lives.

“Many girls are raped on the first day to force them to obey,” Ammar says.

Some girls were indefinitely tied to a specific trafficking ring, while others would be “lent out” for months at a time to different gangs, Soha says.

Forced abortions were common “either at the doctor’s clinic or at the brothel by swallowing pills”, she recounts.

“The foetuses would be buried in the back yard at Chez Maurice,” she alleges.

Abortion is illegal in Lebanon, but a gynaecologist who regularly saw the trafficked

girls and carried out more than 200 abortions on them was only brief ly detained before being freed. Lebanese institutions are rife with corruption, and the Chez Maurice case has sparked accusations of officials turning a blind eye to trafficking and prostitution.

Nearby residents had alerted the police to screams coming from the building, but gang leaders were somehow tipped off before the authorities showed up.

Leading politician Walid Jumblatt has even accused “high-level officials in the moral police” of being “complicit” in the operations.

KAFA’s Ammar criticised segments of Lebanese society for being shocked at the “headlines” of sex trafficking when many brothels in Maameltein are an open secret.

She says “artistes’ visas” issued by the authorities are often covers for eastern European women to work as prostitutes.

While prostitutes can be charged and imprisoned under one Lebanese law, a second decree from 2012 says victims of sexual trafficking should be treated as victims.

The 2012 law specifies a prison sentence of between five and 15 years for traffickers, Ammar says.

The Syrian women freed recently will not be charged, but will remain haunted by their experience.

Soha says she is furious that her tormentors are still on the loose as she tries to piece herself back together.

“They destroyed our lives.”

AFP

Sharp-toothed cat scares off British postmen UNITED KINGDOM POSTMEN HAVE LONG been wary of dogs biting

their fingers, but in one British home, a cat is causing so much trouble that the postal service has threatened to stop deliveries.

Royal Mail wrote to the owners of four-year-old Bella to warn that unless she could be restrained, it would no longer deliver mail through

the letterbox.

“Your postman has reported that when he pushes the mail through your letterbox your cat snatches the mail and puts his fingers at risk of injury,” the letter said, according to The Times newspaper.

Owner Laura Lowe, a mother of two children who lives near Bristol in southwest England, said she initially found it hard to believe that her “lazy” black-andwhite cat could be attacking postmen.

“I did notice there was blood around the letter box – not a huge amount but definite smudges. I thought the postman must have had a paper cut,” she told the paper.

“Bella doesn’t realise she’s doing anything wrong, she thinks it’s a game when she tries to grab things that come

Attacks by animals are a regular occurrence for British postal staff. Photo: Andrew Cowie/AFP through the letterbox.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail said, “We have now spoken to Bella’s owners who have agreed to install an external mailbox that will allow the postman to deliver safely to the property.”

Attacks by animals are a regular occurrence for postal staff and in recent years the

Royal Mail has developed “posting pegs”, strips of plastic that allow them to push letters through a door while keeping their hands clear.

“Incidents involving cats are rare, however there were nearly 3,000 dog attacks on postmen and women in 20145,” the spokesman said.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Trading as usual

BUSINESS NEWS 13

Clampdown on illegal hotels yet to gain traction The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

fforts to crack down on illegal hotels in Phuket have yet to form despite claims by Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada that a task force had been assigned to tackle the issue by the end of March.

According to business operators, local officials in Pranburi (south of Hua Hin) are cracking down on illegal hotel accommodation properties, reported Bill Barnett, Managing Director of hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

“Currently across Thailand travel industry groups such as THA (Thai Hotels Association) are becoming increasingly vocal about the issue of illegal hotels who are becoming predatory to the sector,” said Mr Barnett.

“In Phuket, condominium hotels and villa projects are selling properties on a widespread basis with guaranteed returns despite not complying with Thailand’s Hotel Act. “It’s expected that the island’s residential sector will face increasing pressure from

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As of Monday (May 9), Airbnb still boasted more than 300 listings for Phuket alone. both the national and provincial government in the near future over licensing and tax issues,” Mr Barnett added.

Yet in Phuket, the ‘task force’ is still compiling information on illegal hotels, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Pakpoom Intarasuban told The Phuket News this week.

“All information gathering will be concluded by the end of this month, we will then report it to the Phuket Governor,” Mr Pakpoom said, adding that Gov Chamroen was unavailable for comment

when contacted by The Phuket News on Tuesday (May 10).

Gov Chamroen in March said he had assembled a task force specifically to tackle the illegal hotel issue in Phuket.

At that t i me, A noma Vongyai, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office pointed out that she was awaiting for instructions from the Governor before attempting to rein in illegal accommodation operators.

Speaking to The Phuket News on Tuesday, Ms Anoma distanced her office from the

issue. “Actually, TAT Phuket does not have any role in direct enforcement. Governor Chamreon is currently behind the push for all hotels to be registered,” she said.

“We just support tourists by giving information, but the only hotels we present to tourists are legal and registered.

Other than that, the tourists’ choose their own accommodation,” Ms Anoma added.

Santi Pawai, Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket office, concurred. “I don’t have direct responsibility to enforce hotels or accommodation venues to be registered. That is the responsibility of the Phuket Provincial Office,” he said.

Regarding illegal rentals, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul in March made it clear that the “Airbnb problem” would be a focus after the ministry resolved problems surrounding tour company nominees.

Last year, Ms Anoma of the TAT Phuket office revealed that her office knew of 93,750 rooms available in 1,800 hotels in Phuket – but that only 376 of these venues were registered.

The Excise Department aims to double its take to 2 trillion baht by 2027 and already has mapped out massive tax rises. Photo: Bangkok Post

Revenue Department mulls hiking taxes THE EXCISE DEPARTment is studying a plan to impose higher taxes on fuel, alcohol, beer, tobacco and telecommunications services with the aim of doubling revenue to almost B1 trillion by 2027.

With the changes, the taxcollecting agency’s revenue is estimated to reach B829 billion by 2022 and B960 billion by 2027, said directorgeneral Somchai Pulsawas.

Mr Somchai said. The Excise Department would add 40 satang (B0.40) a litre to the petrol tax this year to make it B5.35, followed by a one-baht hike next year to B6.35 and an increase to B8.35 in 2021.

The excise tax on diesel will rise by 40 satang a litre to B6 this year, climbing to B9 by 2021. The ceiling rate is set at B10 a litre.

The study also extends to products that are considered harmful to the environment and health such as tea, coffee and lubricants. These would generate an estimated B6 billion in tax revenue a year, Mr Somchai said.

The hikes on alcohol, beer and tobacco excise tax are expected to contribute an additional B20 billion a year.

The excise tax on telecommunications services is expected to be imposed in 2022.

Bangkok Post

Russian arrivals ripe for rebound

Foreign tourists sunbathe at a beach in Pattaya, a top spot among Russian visitors. Thailand expects to welcome one million Russian tourists this year thanks to a strengthening rouble. Photo: Bangkok Post

@thephuketnews

RUSSIAN TOURISM IN Thailand is expected to recover this year as the rouble has made gains on the back of rising oil prices.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts Russian tourist arrivals will reach one million this year.

The rouble, buoyed by a surge in oil prices, buys 60 satang (B0.60) at current rates, up from an average of 50 satang last year.

The number of Russian visitors began to rise in February and kept growing in March

said Tanes Petsuwan, TAT’s executive director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

That momentum is expected to continue throughout the year, he added.

The 13 per cent increase in Russian visitors forecast by the TAT would be prominent relative to visitors from Europe as a whole, whose numbers are expected to increase by 6% to 5.66 million.

This boost would follow a rocky two years in which Russian arrivals dropped consistently, said Mr Tanes.

“I think the Russian tourist market has already bottomed out,” he said. “Growth from now on may not be as sharp as it was in the past. We are likely to see a U-shape from the growth of the Russian market.”

In 2014, Russian arrivals fell to 1.6 million after the market peaked in 2013, when Thailand welcomed 1.7 million Russian travellers. Russian arrivals then nosedived to 884,085 in 2015. The effects of this drop were felt at major tourist destinations, especially Pattaya, which has long en-

joyed a large Russian tourist presence.

Although Chinese arrivals have offset the drop in Russians travellers to Pattaya, they typically spend less money.

In 2013, spending by each Russian visitor stood at B3,800 a day. That amount has risen to B4,500, or B300 higher than the European average.

Apart from dining out and frequenting drinking establishments, their entertainment choices are becoming more varied.

Bangkok Post

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Commodities in a tailspin PHUKET EXPAT FINANCE

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ost people are probably aware that until recently global commodity prices have been in a tailspin. All natural resources have fallen by some degree or another over the last two years, from fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil to base metals including copper, iron and steel to crops such as wheat and corn to soft commodities, including coffee and pork bellies, cattle and sheep.

The Goldman Sachs Global Commodity Index has fallen 60 per cent, and even the Rogers International Commodity Index, a more diversified index, less weighted in oil and gas, is down over 50%.

Many people’s livelihoods have been affected by this downturn. In this region alone, several countries have large oil and gas sectors, which employed tens of thousands of expatriates. Many of these individuals now find themselves out of work, and can only sit and wait for things to pick up again.

This slowdown has impacted not only those developing nations whose economies rely heavily on commodities, but also more established countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

At the time of writing the oil price sits at just over US$45 per barrel. While this is still far higher than prices during the Asian crisis, when oil went as low as USS$10 per barrel, the sheer level investment over the past few years means even $45 is simply not high enough to sustain many recent projects. The volume of new ventures placed on the back burner or cancelled altogether, according to the Financial Times, has resulted in over

Many bonds issued by new oil exploration companies – once thought to be magic money trees – have deteriorated to junk status.

US$400 billion (B14.0466 trillion) in future oil investment being withdrawn from the market.

A number of theories persist as to why commodities have seen such a big drop.

With oil, one school of thought is that Saudi Arabia deliberately pushed prices down to disrupt or stifle the US shale industry. This would seem like a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face, because if current prices persist the Saudi economy would certainly suffer.

Some analysts believe that OPEC has actually lost its traditional power to control production, and with it the oil price. Even at current low prices, Saudi Arabia and the newly sanction-free Iran are still pumping oil as if their existence depended on it.

And no one is paying much attention to talk of massive oversupply, or what can be

done to address this.

Households seeking secure income or investments have also lost out. Many bonds issued by new oil exploration companies – once thought to be magic money trees – have deteriorated to junk status. The risk of defaults will continue throughout 2016, and with an estimated US$2 trillion of these bond issues outstanding, there could be a lot more pain to come.

Most of these companies can’t survive $45 per barrel oil proces, and have closed the bulk of their fields, with operations unlikely to resume until oil prices are once again at levels that allow them to cover overheads. Others can’t wait that long, and have either closed their operations or filed for bankruptcy.

It is not only the oil industry in trouble. With steel prices down over 50%, Tata, the Indian conglomerate, has

Oil price per barrel as listed on the Nasdaq as of May 9. stated that it would give away its UK steel mill holdings rather than lose millions of pounds per day to keep them open. Tens of thousands of jobs are at stake, and the challenges ahead seem so dire, there are still limited takers.

We have heard every possible reason for the fall in commodity prices over the last two years: OPEC manipula-

tion, Saudi vs shale producers, Iran vs Saudi Arabia, China slowdown, hedge funds and traders, with the occasional odd conspiracy theory thrown in for good measure. But it is perhaps far less sinister and much less complex than all of these might suggest: good ol’ supply and demand.

What will it take to turn things around? As the old

saying goes: the cure for low commodity prices is low commodity prices. When prices fall, new investment comes to a standstill, and mines, mills and oil fields close down.

Over-production and falling demand will always lead to lower prices, and when prices stay too low for too long, under-production and increased demand will ultimately turn things around again. The free market has always worked like this.

Although they all have their own dynamics, commodities have always had a habit of ebbing and flowing together, especially over longer-term secular cycles, and the current position in which the commodity markets find themselves was simply a plot on the chart of a cycle.

The under- and over- investment seen at the beginning and end of the cycle becomes contagious, and spreads from one to all markets over time.

Let us not forget that sentiment plays a huge part in any capital market. Shifting sentiment in one market is generally the catalyst for a move in all commodities markets, and the reversal can be unexpectedly and swift.

What next? Well, that’s a difficult call to make. Gold miners, for example, have had a very strong Q1, and analysts are eager to see if that will be sustained.

However, if we continue to see the supply glut mopped up across all industries in the months ahead, a wide-spread turnaround in all commodities could materialize by the second half of 2016.

If would-be investors would like to know how to make consistent returns on movements in commodity markets, then contact us on: chatwithus@ phuketexpatfinance.com

Hard Rock Cafe opens on Samui, fourth venue to open in Thailand HARD ON THE SUCCESS­ ful heels of its venues in Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya, Hard Rock Café earlier this month opened a new outlet on Koh Samui.

The 1,250-square-meter, state-of-the-art café is located in the heart of Koh Samui’s entertainment hub of Chaweng.

“Hard Rock has been an established presence in ThaiHard Rock Café Koh Samui opened its doors earlier this land for nearly 25 years, and month to become the fourth Hard Rock venue in the we look forward to expanding country, after Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya.

our dynamic brand to the lively dining and nightlife scene in Koh Samui,” said Steve Yang, Asia Area Vice President, Franchise Development & Operations for Hard Rock International.

“Hard Rock Cafe Koh Samui marks our fourth location in Thailand and speaks to our continued commitment to expand to iconic cities throughout the Asian market.”

Hard Rock Cafe Koh

Samui is represented by Destination Resorts, which has already helped to successfully expand the brand in Thailand as the franchisee of Hard Rock Cafe Phuket.

Located on the Chaweng Beach Road, Hard Rock Cafe Koh Samui features indoor seating for 200 guests and an outdoor terrace and bar that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

“We are pleased to further strengthen our partnership

with Hard Rock with the opening of a new cafe in Koh Samui, a vibrant and bustling city with a unique connection to food and music,” said Gary Murray, CEO of Destination Resorts.

“Hard Rock Cafe Koh Samui will undoubtedly be a must-see for both visitors and locals alike, and we look forward to continuing the brand’s success in Thailand,” he added.

The Phuket News

thephuketnews

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Ways to warm up from Master Toshi

WASTE

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

16

From catastrophe to a home: Barnhem

NO MORE Kirk Gillock makes boats from bottles > Page 19 @thephuketnews

18

8 metres long and made from up to 6,000 recycled plastic bottles.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

16 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

How to prepare for exercise

Alternatives for stretching that are not harmful Toshi Toyoda editor1@classactmedia.co.th

A

s mentioned last article, do not stretch before you exercise! Some experts and trainers disagree on this, but this is common with professional athletes and the fitness world now. Many people find that stretching may harm more than it helps, for two main reasons.

First, stretching decreases muscle tension, which in turn decreases performance between 10 to 20 per cent, and second, stretching may cause injury as muscle inhibition prevents protection for the joints.

Countering the suggestion that stretching is not good for before exercise, many people ask about yoga or pilates, where stretching is central. The answer to this question varies based on a person’s experience. Some experts have been yoga instructors for a decade or more, practicing yoga every day. Their muscles are also inhibited by stretching, but their muscles are activated in less than 15 minutes. Others do not train every day, and their muscles are not activated for many hours. This creates pain in the lower back and in joints, as these are not protected by muscle, furthering the chances of injury.

It helps to understand how stretching causes muscle inhibition. The sliding filament theory of muscle contraction states that the head of myosin cross-bridges can attach to an actin binding site and bend slightly, pulling the actin filaments with it. So myosin and actin help muscle to produce movement. One of the major muscle functions is contraction to change muscle length to move, which creates motion.

A second major function of muscles is joint protection. For instance, the cocontraction of biceps and triceps creates protection for elbow joints. Stretching prevents myosin from cross-bridging, and attaching to the actin binding site, which means that joints are not protected as they normally are during muscle movement. You should strive to do just about anything but inhibit muscles before exercise. Not only stretching, but massages, acupuncture, chiropractics, osteopathy, jacuzzi and hot baths all loosen muscle tension and similarly prevent muscle inhibition.

Needless to say, no one runs marathons after a nice relaxing massage.

The question remains, what can we do to ready ourselves for exercise? Fortunately it’s not so complicated. There are three methods to stimulate muscles without stretching: (1) Motion warm-up – You keep moving your range of motion first then

Movement expert Toshi Toyoda. move wider and wider gradually to warm up muscle. As your muscles activate, your range of motion expands, preparing you adequately for more vigorous exercise.

(2) Muscle activation techniques (MAT) – Manipulation to activate muscle. I am the only one master of this in Asia, my techniques help restore normal body alignment, thereby, decreasing pain and reducing the risk of injury.

(3) Active isolated stretching (AIS) – Stretching over eight seconds causes muscle inhibition. The AIS technique requires holding each stretch for only

two seconds. This method of stretching is also known to work with the body’s natural physiology to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia.

Currently living in Phuket, Toshi became a Resistant Specialist Master and a Master Specialist eight years ago. If you have any questions, visit biomc.com or call Toshi on 099-3621005.

The Phuket News featured a story on him back in January and will be featuring a series of important muscle and exercising facts over the next few months.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TECHNOLOGY 17

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Do you use Facebook adverts?

Getting through to your target audience on social media effectively LET’S GET SOCIAL Daniel Villota

In this new column we will work towards connecting hospitality businesses with the right customers through social media channels. It’s a brave new world for business and we will do our best to equip you for it!

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urrently, there are more businesses using Facebook advertisements than ever before, which is great! Facebook ads are definitely a way to reach potential customers. Though may sound a bit creepy, Facebook knows a lot about us as individuals – age, nationality, gender, email, interests, location, if you are a tourist, expat or a local, and even what type of device you use.

If you are connected with their apps on your phone, chances are that they probably even know your phone number.

From a Facebook user’s point of view it may seem a little intrusive, but what does it mean for your business? It means more opportunities to reach potential clients and even opportunities to help develop your relationship with current clients.

However, there are different ways to target your audience with Facebook and

@thephuketnews

each type of advert has a different objective, whether it be to drive traffic to your website, to promote your page, or to create more awareness for your posts and generate leads. To be effective with these types of ads you really must test different approaches with each.

The advantage of these ads is that you can change or even stop using them if they’re not giving you the results you desire. Set your budget, but be sure to keep an eye on different metrics such as engagement, cost per click or click through ratio to be sure

your ads are performing well.

A helpful tip – don’t use the ‘boost a post’ option that Facebook offers you on every post you put out there. It may seem like the easiest way to promote your posts, but it doesn’t mean the exposure will convey itself into customers, and you’ll end up wasting money.

The best way to create an advertisment is through the Power Editor. For instance, if you’re a restaurant and your main clientele are tourists, you can select the option “people who are traveling in this location” and “only people con-

nected with WIFI”. By selecting these options Facebook will narrow your advert audience to tourists only. There are many more options to select a specific audience available, you just need to play around with the settings and see what best suits your business’s needs.

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 email daniel@e-media.asia or visit webiste: www.e-media.asia

18 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Susanne Janson worked in advertising in Sweden until the 2004 tsunami.

Forward from catastrophe Barnhem has become a community cornerstone Shayan Amin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

B

arnhem Muang Mai has come a long way from its initial purpose of an orphanage and shelter for children and families affected by the 2004 tsunami. They’ve become a cornerstone, regularly contacted by local teachers and family members of children who either do not have a parent, or otherwise need a place to be cared for. Susanne and Hans Janson and Khun Wow currently care for 31 children between the ages of five and 17. A lot of thought is gone into the care of these children, even before taking them in.

“If we believe we can help the child, and that the child will be better off, then we take them,” explained Hans.

They conduct home visits and do as much research as they can to find relatives who could possibly take the child in, making sure that Barnhem is only a last resort for children.

Built six weeks after the 2004 tsunami, the basic facilities were sufficient for the needs at the time, but the hasty construction was not built to last. The last time The Phuket News followed up with Barnhem, they were looking to build new dormitories. They have completed those, as well as a large roof and a concrete floor for the children’s playground, and have now moved on to re-

furbishing the older buildings to ensure their safety and structural soundness.

This can be attributed to the fundraising done by the Barnhem Refurbishment Project, launched in 2014. Barrie Buck, one of the co-founders of the project, explained: “There was a lot of stagnant water. That allowed a lot of mosquito larvae to grow; the waste water wouldn’t go, which attracted vermin, then snakes. A friend in construction looked at it and said it was a danger, especially to the children.”

It was with this friend, John, after talking about it overnight, that they formed their plan to rebuild the compound with the children’s safety in mind, and they broke ground last November. Their initial plan was to ask for material donations: cement, bricks, labour hours and so on, but these were not sufficient to cut into the total costs of over B14 million. Luckily, The Alba Care Foundation reached out to Barnhem and made a massive donation, and this, together with major donations from Paresa, Happy Child Foundation, The Sam and Ruby Charity, Odd Fellow and Lars and Helena Tenerz, raised enough funding to build the new dormitories, and to continue the improvements on the compound.

The refurbishment of the older dormitories, where they are improving the structural soundness of the buildings as well as sanitation and electrical wiring and similar repairs in the dining room and kitchen, are expected to be

Hans outside of the newly completed dormitory for the children. completed by September this year. They will have a total of 16 rooms for the children, and each room is built to accommodate up to three children.

For the Jansons, it is important for the children to have a sense of family, and especially maintain their identities as Thai children. The facilities are planned with that in mind, focused on providing cleanliness, sanitation and basic safety, making it possible for the children to develop a sense of belonging and familial ties with one another.

There is no formula for getting this right, but with one of their former students studying multimedia at Mae Fah Luang University and their eldest

also on his way to getting to university, it’s safe to say that Barnhem has more than exceeded their own expectations from when they first started.

With 10 full-time staff and a rotation of volunteers, Barnhem also allows for corporate social responsibility activities from companies such as Siam Guardian Services, Paresa Resort, Dewa Resort, Twinpalms and Gecko Community School. A Swedish man, Calle Wollgard who has biked from Sweden to Phuket with four companions to raise money for Barnhem, will be conducting a second bike trip around the world for the same reason; work done at Barnhem continues to inspire.

Seedlings Phuket’s first graduation

L Two graduates from Class of 2016, who were also Laguna Phuket Kindergarten’s students back in their preschool years. In this photo, the two are with the proud Kindergarten’s Principal (centre.)

aguna Phuket hosted a Graduation Ceremony on April 28 to celebrate the success of Seedlings Phuket’s first group of underprivileged interns, Class of 2016, who started their journey in October 2014 and just completed their 18-month job skills training and career mentorship programme.

Seedlings Phuket exemplifies how hotel and resort companies can use their resources and commitment to invest back into the sustainable growth of local communities. The 45

interns were chosen for their enthusiasm for a career in the food-andbeverage industry and commitment to service and hospitality.

Since the launch of this CSR initiative in October 2014, Laguna Phuket has successfully recruited and mentored three classes of interns – a total of 45 young adults. The graduation ceremony included certificate presentation and congratulatory address by Dr Tatiyaporn Jarumaneerat, Associate Dean for Administration and

Research, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus, the programme’s partner.

Seedlings Phuket will continue its paid internship programme to extend career opportunities to more young adults in Phuket and neighbouring provinces. For more information about how to participate or to donate to Laguna Phuket Foundation, please visit www.lagunaphuket.com/CSR thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

ENVIRONMENT 19

On a boat made of garbage Kirk Gillock’s recycling campaign is making waves around Thailand Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

The river brings life to so many people, and it was sad to see people treating it this way.

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ommunity beach clean-ups are the new craze these days, in Phuket, and throughout Thailand, where increasing numbers of eco-conscious locals and expats can be seen at beaches, putting their hands and hearts together to pack plastic bags full of litter before posing for a group photo, giving each other high-fives and calling it a day.

With all this trash collected and properly disposed of, the logical assumption is that ground is being gained on the environmental front, yet truth be told, Phuket’s solid-waste disposal system continues to be overwhelmed with well over 700 tonnes of new trash brought to Saphan Hin’s landfill every day – some of it sent to the incinerator, yet the bulk of it gets piled up in overflowing pits, with some ultimately leaching back into the environment.

American expat Kirk Gillock has taken Thailand community trash clean-ups to another level with his nationwide campaign “Think Before You Throw” (in Thai: คิดก่อนทิ้ง), initiated in Nong Khai, making waves, literally, throughout the Mekong River basin: he sailed Thailand’s first plastic-bottle catamaran hundreds of kilometres along the mighty artery in 2011, broadcasting messages in both Thai and Lao languages to “get both sides of the river”, actively drawing in and engaging with the local community, who would come out to see his vessel, constructed entirely out of wood and recycled plastic bottles.

“For years I had been living in Thailand and noticed a lot of people throwing their trash into the river, and to them, it was ‘gone’ because they couldn’t see it any more. But it’s never really gone, it just relocates to somewhere else… The river brings life to so many people, and it was sad to see people treating it this way,” said Kirk.

Motivated to change the status quo for the better, Kirk, a graphic designer by trade, knew he needed to do something interesting to get people’s attention.

Though he’d never built a boat before, and had only gone on some leisurely sails on friends’ boats, he had a strong vision, and passion, which rapidly materialised into some sketches. After consulting with an architect and engineer friend in Nong Khai, Alec, his vision soon became a reality.

That initial eight-metre-long boat was built over approximately four months by volunteers from all

The eight-metre boat sailed 500m, from Nong Khai to Ubon Ratchathani.

Kirk takes keeping the environment clean very seriously. @thephuketnews

Catamaran under construction – to be completed by the end of May. over the world, using donated wood for the frame and about 6,000 plastic bottles, a third of which sat below the waterline, enabling the vessel to float.

“I set off from Nong Khai around July of 2011, and sailed the boat some 500 kilometres downriver, ending up in Khemmarat [district] in Ubon Ratchathani, where the journey concluded due to strong weather.”

Kirk ended up donating that boat to the Mayor of Khemmarat, where the boat was moored for a few years on display for locals before it was finally dismantled, and all the materials recycled.

Fast forward to the present day, where Kirk, now armed with valuable design and engineering lessons from his initial successes, has relocated to Prachuap Khiri Khan, along the Gulf of Thailand, where he is constructing an even bigger plastic-bottle catamaran – a 14-metre-long seaworthy sailing vessel, whose buoyancy will be enabled by between 12,000-15,000 recycled plastic bottles.

“All the bottles were donated by the local community, and we’ve gotten a lot of attention from the Thai media.

So many volunteers have contributed in various ways, from the welding by students and teachers at the local vocational college, to solar panels, and ultimately the engines,” he said, noting that he has funded the rest from his own savings.

About 95 per cent of the project is

Kirk welding the new boat’s frame. finished, and Kirk is hoping to launch the vessel by the end of May, when he will conduct safety tests and make any necessary adjustments, before sailing the vessel up shore to continue the “Think Before You Throw” campaign”.

“I plan to sail up to Phetchaburi, then ultimately up to Bangkok and Samut Prakarn, where I intend to attract more media attention, before continuing on down the coast to Laem Chabang, and Chonburi, and perhaps around to Rayong, and even Cambodia,” he enthused.

Depending how things go, Kirk expects to use the boat for six months or so, before salvaging and recycling it.

He may end up popping around down to Phuket, and continuing the campaign, or starting a new one, in the Andaman region. No doubt, we sure could use more initiatives like this.

For more information, be sure to visit plasticbottleboat.com, and their page facebook.com/PlasticBottleBoat

20 ENTERTAINMENT

Our Man in Phuket

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Piecing together an extraordinary life

Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

A

lan Cooke has written a book. Let’s face it, it’s not his greatest achievement. After all, this is the man who as a youth served as a Royal Engineer, completed a tour in Cyprus and took a “stroll up the beach in Egypt” during the Suez Canal crisis.

He also started the Hash House Harriers in Phuket, was instrumental in building Phuket’s Deep Sea Port and served as the British Honorary Consul in Phuket from 2001 to 2008. For the latter, his dedicated assistance provided to British nationals, especially during the 2004 tsunami and the disastrous crash of OneTwo-Go Flight OG 269 at Phuket International Airport three years later, saw him awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) personally received from HM Queen Elizabeth II. “Cookie”, as he is affectionately known on the island, has achieved much more than that, as his autobiography Our Man in Phuket details. At only 190 pages, his memoirs are not overly terse, nor boring. A self-confessed “contract-signing itinerant expat”, his work and travels have taken him all over the world – the Seychelles, Libya, Ghana, the Bahamas, Sumatra, Wales – with tales to be told from every stop.

At first glance, the long list of Alan’s achievements, it may appear that Our Man in Phuket is nothing more than an extensive resume. That Alan is nothing more than a career man, though an extraordinary one whose accomplishments are well worthy of recording in print. Nothing could be further from the truth, and the book provides a glimpse into who Alan Cooke really is.

The book is testament to Alan’s boundless energy. Even his “retirement” in Phuket could not contani him to his “little” furniture store, Island

Sukit Sukrakan at the exhibition opening. Photo: Dan Miles

Furniture. Alan found himself also called to help create the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), act as initial consultant to Gulu Lalvani in the construction of Royal Phuket Marina, and to lobby successfully in the abolition of some and the reduction of other boat import taxes and duties to Thailand.

His journey to Phuket has been a long one, starting with Alan, recently demobbed back to the UK at the age of 20, simply responding to an advertisement in the Evening Standard saying “Diver Wanted”. The rest, as they say, is history.

His distinguished career in submarine construction has seen him work on the massive Dubai Dry Docks and even the Channel Tunnel.

The portraits Alan paints of life in far-flung places lost in another era are vivid, from Libya before Muammar Gaddafi and still under the reign of King Idris to Dubai as a shamble of mud buildings to Ghana, still lost in post-colonial whimsy, complete with cricket.

Yet it is his exploits along the way, and the people Alan has met that people should read this book for, which lends itself greatly as to why Alan found himself inextricably drawn to the Hash House Harriers, the famed international “running club with a drinking problem”, of which he formed the Phuket chapter during his visit whilst building the island’s Deep Sea Port.

Alan’s fondness for the Hash, and for cricket, are both well known, and made very clear in the book for those who are not familiar with him.

And both will stand among his lasting legacies in Phuket, especially with the Alan Cooke Cricket Ground (ACG), serving as the home of Island Cricket League.

If anything is missing, from the pages, it is family. Alan in the early pages of the book admits he is a parent much like his own: children are loved, raised and sent free into the world to live lives of their own. This book is Alan’s tale, and not of his wife of 38 years or their children.

For those with any doubt as to what Phuket has to offer, Alan, literally a man of the world, had this to say about his retiring here: “Had I made the right decision about Phuket?

After a year the answer was a clear yes.”

Our Man in Phuket, published by Kris Books Co Ltd, is available at Island Furniture, the Alan Cooke Cricket Ground in Thalang and at select Sengho Books shops for B800, and on Amazon and Book Baby for Kindle, Nook, Apple and other readers for $9.99. For more information about the book, visit OurManInPhuket.com

The collection features sights from all over Europe and Southeast Asia. Photo: Dan Miles.

Selfie-worthy display. Photo: Dan Miles.

Flawless technique makes watercolour wonder-collection Shayan Amin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

S

ukit Sukrakan’s annual “Happiness with Water Colour” will be on exhibition at Art Exhibition Room by Kanicapat until May 30.

A consummate perfectionist, Mr Sukit not only spends three hours every day solely practicing his watercolour skills, but travels all over Thailand

and to Europe, where he can relay the beauty of his observations in paint.

“Watercolour needs daily practice, quick decisions, commitment. The fewer strokes the better,” he says.

Mr Sukit, despite his decades of experience as an art teacher, still considers himself a student of his craft, faced with a different technicality to wrangle every day in his effort to depict the beauty that he sees. He aims

to create a body of work that is expressive and creative, holding himself to no particular standards and making decisions that are contextually appropriate to his work.

His efforts pay off, the exhibition is reverent in detail, with a sense of vitality that is consistent throughout the entire collection. Considered by many as one of the best watercolour artists in Thailand, Mr Sukit’s latest exhibit

is worth dropping by to experience the beautifully emotive paintings that are on display.

Pab Khien Thai Art Gallery is open from 10am to 7pm at 1 Thepkrasattri Rd, near Thalang Rd and Phuket Rd, Phuket Old Town. You can also get in touch on facebook.com/sukit.sukrakan.

Thanks to Wirachai Pranveerapaibool for acting as translator for this article.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 21

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Sunday brunch on the beach at Mai Khao Dream Villa Jason Beavan gm@classactmedia.co.th

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ai Khao Dream Villa Resort and Spa launched its Sunday Brunch on Russian Easter Day, May 1, complete with a traditional Russian Easter cake.

Packing up the family, we embarked on a pleasant 25-minute drive from the centre of the island to Mai Khao Beach, a relief when we were expecting to face heavier weekend traffic.

Awaiting us was a scene stolen from a travel guide, tables set up on the sand under the shade of towering pine trees, just metres from the sea. Centre stage were rows of fresh fish, crab and prawns on the grill. All of the tables surrounded the buffet, providing a clear visual of the offerings and making it very easy to decide what to get next before even standing up.

All the Sunday brunch regulars were on offer, plus a few unexpected surprises. My favourite was the deep fried pizza: put together like calzone, but fried like a samosa. Strange to think of, but it tasted fantastic. Looking back I should have gone for a few more, but I had overdone the visits to the roast lamb and beef stations. Others at my table tucked in to the abundant selection of fresh seafood – fish, crab, prawns and oysters. It would have been rude, of course, to refuse a piece of the Russian Easter cake with a side of coconut ice cream, and it was an excellent ending to the meal.

The generous spread of seafood was one of the many highlights for the brunch crowd.

General Manager Elias Pertoft explained the concept of the Sunday brunch at Mai Khao Dream Villa Resort and Spa, “Sunday is a family day, so we want to keep that feeling when you have Sunday brunch with us. We have limited the number of guests to around 50, that way we can ensure very attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere at the same time.”

With a playground where kids can swing and climb, an enclosure with rabbits to pet, and activities such as face painting for children, the arrangements are ideal for families. As the kids played, the adults enjoyed great conversations with other guests, the swimming pool, a live band and DJ and free flow,

Deeprom Thai-Chinese food STREET EATS Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

D

eeprom’s Thai-Chinese restaurant has come to Phuket via Bangkok, providing noodles, hot porridges and Chinese soups for the late-working crowd.

Opened in October of last year, the restaurant offers food traditionally found at Amphawa Floating Market and Yaowarat Rd in Bangkok.

Nattapong Wimonchaijit, the 37-year-old owner of Deeprom said, “All kinds of Chinese food found on

Khao haeng topped with duck. @thephuketnews

Yaowarat Rd in Bangkok has settled down on Yaowarat Rd in Phuket Town.”

All items on the menu start from B50, with several options to tailor your dish to your preferences; spe- Varieties of pork in rice porridge. cials run for B60 and jumbo dishes for B70.

To end your meal, DeeKhao haeng, steamed prom also has traditional rice topped with stirred Thai desserts on offering, meat and served with a including lod chong (tapioca side of soup can come with flour noodle) in coconut milk, fish, shrimp, chicken, pork which we would recommend. and duck. The most popular option is with slices of pork L o c a t i o n : 3 6 9/7 0 - 74 organs and crispy pork. The Yaowarat Rd, Phuket (Near choices of protein can also Tops Daily Supermarket) accompany rice porridge.

Phone: 082 451 8946

which made for bonus points.

If you’re looking for the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the week, then head for The Pine Beach Club at Mai Khao Dream Villa Resort, where the perfect option for a mouth-watering Sunday brunch is waiting for you. Advance bookings needed, B1,500++ per person.

MAI KHAO DREAM VILLA RESORT & SPA, MAI KHAO, PHUKET Mai Khao Beach, Thalang, Phuket 83110 076 371 371 maikhaodream.com facebook.com/Maikhaodreamhotels

22 ISLAND SCENE

Albert and Darren.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Goldie, Scott and Fraser.

Goldie, Scott and Fraser.

POP UP AT BLISS - MAY 07, 2016

Bryan and Jason.

Phuket Has Been Good To Us put on another fantastic event on May 7 at Bliss Beach Club, with over 250 guests enjoying the food prepared by 11 awarding-winning chefs from Anantara Phuket Layan Resort, Angsana, Aziamendi at Iniala, Bampot, Bliss Beach Club, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach, ENZO, Higher, Kata Rocks, Metzo's Bistro & Bar at Outrigger Laguna Beach Resort and Paresa Resort.

Josh and Chanapa.

From left: BBQ Don, Pom and Westie.

POM FUNDRAISER @KANGAROO BAR Despite it being a remarkably quiet night by Bangla Rd standards, there were still around 30 people in attendance at Kangaroo Bar for a fundraising event for disabled street vendor Pom last Friday night (May 6). The fundraiser was to help pay towards a mobility scooter for Pom who was born with several disabilities. thephuketnews

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ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

From L-R: Mr. Pongpunt Wongnongteoi, Ms. Wen Mo, Mr. Supon Vichienchai, Mr. Brian Connelly, Ms. Suwida Tanghom and Ms. Thitima Hoongcharoenwong.

MISS THAILAND WORLD MODELS AT XANA BEACH CLUB On Friday May 6, Angsana Laguna Phuket hosted Miss Thailand World 2016 contestants at XANA Beach Club. The event was one of the highlights of the year, with a meet-and-greet with 30 of the most beautiful ladies in Thailand. The participants walked the runway in outfits of their own choosing and made 10-second speeches introducing themselves to audiences across Thailand. Contrary to popular belief, the models also ate dinner, after which the award for Best Dressed contestant was handed out, the winner being chosen by the crew at the Angsana Laguna Phuket.

Prapa Hemmin of Laguna Hotels & Resorts and Anoma Vongyai of TAT Phuket Office

Contestants competed for a variety of accolades.

@thephuketnews

Figen Bulut of Angsana Laguna Phuket presenting the Best Dressed Award.

24 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

13 MAY 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.

All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs & Chicken Every Friday

Weekly all you can eat BBQ pork ribs & chicken every Friday in all Two Chefs. Restaurants 12:00 - 00:00. Only 395 B. Come for the food stay for the fun. Reservations.

BISP Art exhibition - The Mad Artists Tea Party

British artist Goldie MBE will open ‘The Mad Artists Tea Party’ on Monday 21 March at 3pm in the main lobby at BISP. The Grand Opening is open to the general public, and the exhibition runs until 27 May 2016. For more information about visual art at BISP, please visit bisphuket. ac.th/visual-arts.

OeP Create Space Open Day #2

The Oasis ed. Phuket Create Space is back for round 2 with their next (bigger, better!) Open Day! Somewhere between a festival, an art exhibition, an open house and big community party. This Open Day is the perfect opportunity to come along and check out exactly what Oasis ed. Phuket does. With live displays of art being made, including woodwork, sculpture, jewelry making and more, all the teachers will be on hand for you to chat with. Visitors are also encouraged to bring along musical instruments to join a drumming jam session later in the day. For further details please visit www.oasisedphuket. com or contact Kez via kez@oasisedphuket. com or call 0849462171 This event is generously sponsored by The Phuket News, The Kids Club, Phuketstagram and Negarta.com Khun Kerrily Jennings, kez@oasisedphuket.com.

Time 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com

Welcome to Ceramic Kitchen Bar and Restaurant, a charming Phuket restaurant serving Western and Thai food in the cozy atmosphere of a clay house. Open every day 12pm - 12am (except Tuesdays). Book your table for this weekend! Live entertainment Friday and Saturday evening. RSVP, 185/15 Moo 7, Srisoonthorn Rd., T. Srisoonthorn Thalang, Phuket, Thailand 83110, 099 410 0956, www.facebook.com/ceramickitchenphuket.

Price at 799++, RSVP, SKYE Beach Club at Naiyang Beach, 093 582 7700.

Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast first and third Friday of the month, in Karon Beach. Try out our delicious Aloo Tikki, Samosas, Chicken Tandoori, Aloo Gobi, Navrang Korma, Butter Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Naan, Rice, Salads, Chutneys/Achars, Pistachio Ice Cream, Gulab Jamun, Fruits. Extra dishes on the menu: ONION BHAJI, BOMBAY ALOO, DAL MAKHINI, VANILLA ICE-CREAM. For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks.

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

SUN

15 MAY

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

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

Friday BBQ Buffet at SKYE Beach Club

Indian Curry Night on Fridays

on Sunday, May 15, 2016 from 09:30 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. at C.S. Bowl, BIG C Center Entertainment ( 3 rd floor), BIG C PHUKET. In view of insuring that our objective “TO SERVE” is reached with success, we invite you to joint us by sponsoring this Charity Bowling, “A RAY of HOPE 5” as follows:A. Support a team (3 players) by filling the enclosed “Intention Form” with Baht 3,000 per team B. Sponsor Baht 3,000 without sending a team (give us your Advertising Sign) C. Donation in the form of complementary Voucher or other itemsProudly supported

by Live 89.5.

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach

BBQ at Expat Hotel

Live entertainment Friday and Saturday night at Ceramic Kitchen

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

SAT

14 MAY

Bollywood Phuket’s Weekend Special Indian Lunch Set

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.

Come and enjoy authentic flavours of India by indulging in our special weekend lunch set for only B399++ per person between 11am-3pm. Menu includes 3 starters, 4 main course and dessert served with Gulab Jamun/Phirni Vanilla Custard/ Ice Cream (choose 1). All for just B399++ per person. For more info please call 076 304 034.

SUN

15 MAY A CASUAL SUNDAY BRUNCH BY THE POOLSIDE

Biggest and Coolest Half Moon Festival

“Twilight In Paradise” on the island with a professional open air beach SUPER PARTY production and famous international DJs. Paradise Beach, Patong, info@paradisebeachphuket. com, 076-609-609.

‘A RAY OF HOPE 5’ CHAIRITY BOWLING COMPETITION

The Lions Club of Phuket Pearl is organizing a Charity Activity to raise funds for our continued actions in the various sectors in our community in need of our support. The event will take place

Relaxing afternoon by the poolside featuring a lavish spread of international delicacies and fresh seafood from the Ocean. Special Promotions: (1) A group of over 10 people receive 20% discount. (2) Birthday celebrations – birthday person receives a complimentary Brunch. The rest of the party, if over 10 people receive 20% discount. All prices are subject to a 7% government tax and a 10% service charge. Children’s prices are applicable to those aged from six to twelve. Children under the age of six dine with our compliments. RSVP, HYATT REGENCY PHUKET RESORT, fnb.phuhr@hyatt.com, 076 231 234.

thephuketnews

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EVENTS 25

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

SUN

15 MAY

es. Reservations recommended THB295 P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

missed! Saturday May 21, 2-5 pm. Afternoon Tea at 500 THB. The Plantation Club @ The Pavilions, Cherng Talay. rm.phuket@thepavilions. global.

Every Wednesday!

All-you-can-eat Pasta and Pizza

Sunday Brunch at Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort Indulge yourself in a culinary experience like no other: a wide selection of Thai delicacies alongside sushi platter, pasta, pizza, meat carving station and a variety of desserts. Only THB 399++ per person. Toddlers below 4 years old eat for free. Children aged 4-12 receive 50% discount. Advance booking recommended.

RSVP, info@novotelphuketsurin.com

MON

16 MAY

All you can eat BBQ night

6pm – 11pm: beef, pork, chicken, burgers, sausages, prawns & squids, salad buffet, choice of potatoes & sauces, bread, buns & garlic bread Reservation recommended 350 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

WED

18 MAY

Every Wednesday eat all you can - pizza and pasta only for 500 Baht. Drink all you can Peroni & Belleville only for 450 Baht or both EAT DRINK ALL YOU CAN ONLY FOR 890 Bath with DOUBLE EXPRESSIONS LIVE! Wednesdays 6pm to 11pm. info@pastabellini.com. Located at Chalong Circle, Chao-Fa East.

THU

19 MAY

Weekly BBQ Every Wednesday

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

6pm – 11pm: All you can eat BBQ ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauc-

@thephuketnews

TUE

24 MAY

Toastmasters Phuket

PIWC May luncheon

Not to be missed. May 19, 2016 – Phuket International Women’s Club Monthly lunch at Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon at the Orient Asia Restaurant. Registration starts at 11.30 am. Members 600 baht, nonmembers 750 baht. Reservation essential: please contact Maggy Wigman at info@ piwc-phuket.com.

SAT

21 MAY

DRUMMING TO BEAT CANCER

All you can eat Aussie BBQ only 495 Baht.

Fresh off the BBQ Two Chefs famous ribs as well as great selection of mixed grill favorites.

Enjoy also our selection of fresh salads, dips and canapes. Come for the food and stay for the fun.Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Beach.

Open Mic @ TwoChefs Reservations, Two Chefs Karon

Come and join a very unique and free drum circle called DRUMSTRONG: Non-stop 2 hours of drumming and dancing at Yoonique Stone Music Cafe at Nai Harn lake - Saturday May 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. DRUMSTRONG raises awareness & funds for cancer research, through Rhythm. This event will represent Thailand in a world wide collaboration to beat cancer (www. drumstrong.org). Come out and PLAY or dance; we’re drumming to BEAT cancer! Proudly supported by The Phuket News.

The High Tea Party Gather the girls and get ready for our yearly shopping extravaganza in support of The Good Shepherd charity, a High Tea Party not to be

SAT

4 JUN

Looking to develop your public speaking and leadership skills? Ignite your career?

Join Toastmasters Phuket and start making yourself a leader today! Invitation only.

Contact Jason on 086 479 7471 for more info.

FRI

27 MAY 11th LAGUNA PHUKET INTERNATIONAL MARATHON 2016 Asia’s largest destination marathon, the Laguna Phuket Marathon, will be taking place on 4-5 June 2016. More than 8,000 runners from around the world are expected to enjoy 2 days of races and fun. The 10.5km run, 5km Walk & Run, and 2km Kids’ Run will take place the afternoon of 4 June while the half marathon and marathon will start early morning on 5 June.

For more info and to sign-up, visit www.phuketmarathon.com or www.gotorace.com Proundly Supported by Live 89.5

The 2016 HOOTERS Phuket International Rugby Tens The excellent facilities at the Thanyapura Sports Club will showcase some excellent rugby in both the Vets and Open divisions as the Phuket Vagabonds attempt to retain the trophy they won for the first time last year. As is traditional the tournament will kick off Friday with the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers vets Tournament with 16 teams showing the silky skills of a bygone era and reliving past glory. The Open tournament action will kick off on Saturday morning with 24 teams going for glory. Teams from Australia, Dubai, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The UAE and the UK will battle it out in what will be one of the closest tournaments in our 18 year history.

The overall standard this year promises to be some of the most competitive and whoever wins Sundays final will be worthy winners of what is one of the premier tournaments in the region.

Entry to the tournament is free so come on down and support your local team, support the ACF & support rugby. Contact phuketrugby@gmail. com for more information Proundly supported by The Phuket News and Live 89.5 radio.

EVERY DAY

Great Mexican, Thai and Flamegrilled Burgers in a beautiful setting!

If you have time this month get down to Sea Breeze located in Royal Phuket Marina. Open 9am to 10pm everyday serving home-made mexican specialties, flame grilled burgers and Thai specials! All sport available shown live, Contact: Reservations, info@seabreezerpm.com, 076 360 806.

26 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across 1. Which book is the first in the Dollanganger Series, and is followed by Petals on the Wind and If There Be Thorns?

2. James Brine, who died in Ontario, Canada, in 1902, was a member of which group?

3. Which European capital is located by the River Pedieos?

4. Who is noted for his guitar solo on Stairway to Heaven?

5. In the TV series Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch is Sherlock Holmes, but who plays Doctor Watson?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

65. Determines one’s relative position 66. Public assemblies 67. Eggs on 68. Like Santa’s cheeks 69. Big tournament

26. Follow 27. Sonata section 1. Gangster’s blade 28. Country’s 5. Choir part Brooks 9. Investment 29. It might be 14. Topological airtight shapes 30. Brown ermine 15. Certain vendor 32. Accept 17. Rivers 33. ___ a high note 19. Craving 34. Stinks 20. Underside Down 36. Last Greek 21. Piles consonant 22. Whimsical 1. E”Don’t move!”

37. Bloke 23. Go (for) 2. Web page 40. Squeezed 25. Get sidetracked 3. Neighbor of 41. By and by 28. Bombast Pakistan 46. Analyzed 31. Wedding helper 4. Namely 48. Subcompact 35. Unwrinkle 5. Bother 50. Brewer’s 36. Equivocate 6. Extended equipment 38. Latish lunchtime 7. Blockhead 51. Itinerant 39. Rivers 8. 1952 Olympics 52. E.P.A. concern 42. Secreted site 43. Soldier’s 9. D.C. politico, for 53. Novice: var.

54. Three oceans knapsack short touch it 44. Corner 10. Corrupts 56.

Defunct ruler 45. Incline 11. Pond organism 57. Former Yugoslav 47. Chart maker 12. Hoard leader 48. Dawns 13. Blows it 58. Lummoxes 49. Difficulty 16. Expo 59. Clip 51. Tonic’s partner presentation 52. Commendation 18. Do as directed 60. Charge 55. Get 22. Phyllis Diller’s 61. Extended family 63. Powers that be 59. Certain “husband” refrigerant 24. Feline vibrato? 64. Blinking light, 62. Rivers 25. Suspires maybe

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 1) Flowers in the Attic; 2) The Tolpuddle Martyrs; 3) Nicosia; 4) Jimmy Page; 5) Martin Freeman

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

■■ May 13, 1989

Large groups of students occupy Tiananmen Square and begin a hunger strike.

1

■■ May 14, 1948

in six people would sulk if you used their favourite mug.

Israel is declared an independent state and a provisional government is established. Israel is attacked by neighboring Arab states, triggering the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

19

■■ May 15, 1928

prisons in the Netherlands closed in 2013 as there were not enough prisoners to fill them.

Walt Disney character Mickey Mouse premieres in his first cartoon, Plane Crazy.

1,000

■■ May 16, 1988

A report by the Surgeon General of the United States C. Everett Koop states that the addictive properties of nicotine are similar to those of heroin and cocaine.

emojis must be written out by students at China’s University of Electronic Science and Technology every time they are late to class.

60,000

■■ May 17, 1980

General Chun Doo-hwan of South Korea seizes control of the government and declares martial law in order to suppress student demonstrations.

people a year are hospitalised for injuries sustained while opening food packaging.

2.8 million tracks by Prince and at least 650,000 of his albums have been sold since his death.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

■■ May 18, 2005

A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirms that Pluto has two additional moons, Nix and Hydra.

Everyone enjoying sunrise at Friendship Beach. Photo by Rick Nuffer Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

■■ May 19, 1542

The Prome Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in present-day Burma.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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Trades & Services

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CATERING SERVICES

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EDUCATION

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

STORAGE

SURF BOARDS

Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

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

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

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Buy&Sell JOB OFFER Marketing & Sales Positions Seeking friendly Thais and Chinese who speak English and/or Mandarin.

Full & part time needed. EXCELLENT salary+bonus. Work at office, or from home. Jim, Mai Khao Plaza, hello@ivacasia.com, 094 679 1182.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Dual banana boat for sale Dual banana boat for water activities. 4.2 m long, 1.6 m wide. Up to 14 riders. This banana boat is brand new, packaging still intact. Stored in a warehouse in Chalong.

40000, Vladimir, sales@joydive.asia, 084 182 8685.

Dive boat for sale Dive boat Asian Adventure, Length–18m, Width– 4.6m, Depth–1.7m, 1 Eng–315 H.P. capasity 40 passengers +3 crew. Located in Chalong, sales@ joydive.asia, 084 182 8685.

1 engine speedboat for sale Honda 250 H.P. 15 passengers+3 crew, Length–8.10m, Width–2.40, Depth-1.6. Excellent conditions, sound system Located in Chalong. Vladimir, sales@joydive.asia, 0841828685.

Boston Whaler conquest 255 Immaculate condition, Mercury 150hp x 2 very low hours, Thai registered. This boat comes with full inventory. Lying AoPo marina Phuket. mikehigh1@gmail. com Mike, mikehigh1@gmail.com, 088 768 4701.

Yacht Chartering and Resort Big A Swan 55 Yacht Chartering and Resort in Phuket Thailand Sailing : Big A Swan 55, Accommodation: Big A Resort 076-383080 Email: bigasail@samart.co.th.

ACTIVITIES, GROUPS Roof top Patong Mini Golf

The best sea view 18 Holes, roof top Mini Golf. Located on the 4th floor of Banana Walk Plaza in Patong, 091 762 2628, http:// patongminigolf.com

ACTIVITIES, GROUPS Free Tiya’s Hammocks campaign Win Free hammock from Tiya’s Hammocks Phuket. Winner will get V Weave hammock, handmade from North of Thailand, weight capacity 250 kgs. Value 5,200 THB. More details visit Facebook: Tiya’s hammocks, Contact: Tiya, tiya@ tiyashammocks.com, 089 600 0041.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant for Take over Fully equipped restaurant in Rawai for Take over in a popular tourist spot. High density crowd. 10,000FT and air condition. June, Rawai, senajune@gmail.com, 081 978 5989.

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

Bangla agogo club for sale

A newly refurbished bar/club with great returns is for sale. Fully fitted out over 2 floors. Very cheap and very low rent. Reliable landlord. Steve, stevepearcergj@hotmail.co.uk, 089 587 0819.

Business for Sale Non tourist/bar related business for sale, yearly turnover of 15MB. Call 087 276 0529 or 081 968 6051 for more details.

Newly renovated hotel for rent Newly renovated hotel/guest house in Patong’s heart for rent from owner. 12 rooms, 2 shops to busy street, many facilities. More details check thephuketnews.com, search Listing ID 55398 or call +66(0)81 538 1399.

Restaurant on Main Street

Large, tastefully decorated restaurant in Cherngtalay. Fully fitted and equipped kitchen, 100 seats, bar. Walk in and start business. Now only B790,000, 089 400 5907.

German bakery & deli & snack

Main road, 8 years clientele, take over + incl. training complete equipment, staff room, 3 or 5 years leasing contract. Yearly volume 4 mio. hansibakery@gmail.com, Price: 3.5 million, Contact Mr. Stark.

Best Deal Rawai business for sale. Area approx 2Rai, can do restaurant or other business.Five mins from beach. Long term lease, yearly rent B200,000. 4 bedrooms house included. Reduce from B980,000 to B520,000. Contact Khun Asoke at 089 646 7176 / big_redchili@yahoo.com

CAR FOR SALE 2012 FORD RANGER Ford Ranger 2.2 Diesel Hi Rider 22 Inch wheels,tonne cover, sheep skin seat,cover, showroom condition, 24,000 Kms., by careful expat driver. 660,000, dougwatson@ hotmail.com.au, 097 045 2788.

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PETS

CAR FOR SALE TOYOTA CORALLA ALTIS TRD Sept. 2011. 57000 km. 1 farang owner no accident.

Toyota service. Top condition. Tel: 086 043 4315 (English and German). 440,000, Per Dompert, Phuket, perdompert@hotmail.com, 086 043 4315.

Horse and Dog Vet Hospital Open from 10am. – 8pm.*Service all types of animals. * Experienced professionals.Contact: 076 620 136 /084 210 6868 and contact@horsedogvet.com www.horsedogvet.com

TOYOTA ALTIS 1.6G AT

2008. 62K kms. White. Usual G refinements.

Insurance, FSH, Lady driver 395K baht ono 395K, Clive Roberts, crob58@gmail.com, 081 087 9237 or 086 270 8727.

Pets Magic Planet

Chevy Captiva LT 2008 Chevrolet Captiva LT 2008, 499,000 Baht, 62.000 KM, 1 Owner, 2.0L Turbo Diesel, Full Chevy Service History, No Accidents, 1st Class Insurance. Tel. 082 804 1742.

Open from 9am. - 7pm. *The best international brands. * The ultimate choice. * Luxury accessries & jewels.

Contact: 076 620 106 / 091 040 4000 and contact@petsmagicplanet.com

TOYOTA Fortuner 2009 7 seats, Silver, GPS video, Family car Diesel 2,694cc, Blue book Service history Toyota Pearl 78,000kms. AUTOMATIC transmission, golfguru2005@yahoo.co.uk, 076 615 827.

t sa

le

Looking for Moving Company?

Model 2014 17,000km. New price 1.7Mln NOW 1,050,000Baht Eng: 081 788 8280 Thai: 090 163 2140, Contact Maurice, maurice.phuket@gmail. com , 090 163 2140.

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.

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc Auto

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n r ge

MOVING SERVICES

57,000kms. One owner since new. Regularly U serviced by Honda. Tax and Insurance until the end of June and available now at right offer. Reduced by 40,000bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com

CARS WANTED Urgent need Toyota hilux vigo Want to sell your Toyota hilux vigo Champ ? vigo4u is the best palace to sell your Toyota.

Vigo4u now in Phuket, Pataya and Bangkok also. 084 344 3444, 02 810 8117.

CAR WASH DELIVERY Tired Of Waiting?

We clean your car at your place - at your time. No.1 car wash delivery in Phuket.

Call 076-355-042 or go to CleanCar.me for more details.

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE MAX SYM 400I Big comfortable 2012 scooter one expat owner. Only 2,600 Kms., has had 1st service a great bike, reason to sale leaving Thailand. 150,000, Doug Watson, Phuket, dougwatson@hotmail.com.au, 097 045 2788.

Kawasaki Versys 650 ABS 2012 Showroom condition, new from Kawasaki Phuket May 2012, 2,000km, Hepco & Becker Engine Bars & Rear-rack, Kawasaki Handguards and Pyramid Hugger., 220,000 THB, Paul, 084 1 303 234, Plongmore@hotmail.com

PERSONAL SERVICES De Laguna By Dr.JaQ International Clinic English Speaking Doctor By Appointment 095 0851188 FB: DrJaq Warnnissorn Providing Anti-Aging (Botox, Filler, Live Cell Therapy, Alternative Cancer Treatment, Chelation Medical, House Call). Integrative and Advancement in Medicine for individualized treatment programs for patients of all ages and with various disorders, Email: tosawcute@gmail.com

FURNITURE FOR SALE Swinging Sun Loungers For Sale Swinging, sun loungers, brand new, excellent quality- 6,000 baht only, Contact: Eddy, eddyelan@ yahoo.com, 0899710278.

PETS FOR ADOPTION Two cute Poodles We are 2 cute Poodles, both under 5kgs & the best of friends & wish to find a new loving home together, both of us are sterilized, vaccinated & healthy. Please contact Sherin.peace@gmail.com for adoption enquires.

Blue Canyon Membership Blue Canyon Membership for sale. 1 corporate nominee for sale THB 630,000 inc transfer fee. grahamhaslam@hotmail.com

PUBLIC NOTICES Notice In June 2016, Bangkok Hospital Phuket will have to destroy patient records being inactive for over 10 years. For assistance & information, call 1719 or e-mail us at info@phukethospital.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Sea View Land 265 Met. Pub.Rd. Great investment. 3/5 Rai Plots. NS3G Titles.

Price start 4 M/Rai. Full infra. 265 Met. Pub. Rd. Frontage. Located on Koh Yao Yai resort area, just 25 min. speed boat from Phuket.

We can make easy half day trip 10am-2pm. Call Charlie /more info, charlesaraines@hotmail.com, 062 069 1965.

Laguna - Luxury 1 Bed & Golf Membership For Sale

Totally renovated: new kitchen, wood floors, furnished, sound system. Price includes Laguna Golf Membership and Privilege Card. THB 6.9M. Owner 084 247 1632 - E-Mail: phuket3203@gmail.com

Patong Tower and Andaman Beach suite for sale Mountains and Sea Views, Call David 080 692 6114, email: patongrealestate@gmail.com

Karon Beach New House For Sale/Rent

OTHER For Sale Industrial over locker. Whitehouse Brand. 3 Thread. Brand new never used.

Full tool kit. Bargain at 12,000 Baht. Call Sandi 087 264 0778.

Office Space Laguna

Office Space Laguna - Plaza del Mar Fully Furnished offices 4 Office Suite plus boardroom Rent entire unit or individual office 080 045 4474.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Horst Lakits Resort for sale/lease long term, in Chalong/Rawai Area own big well 22 rooms 2 Rai land large pool Restaurant parking No Agents. lets talk, Horst Lakits, 67/18 Soi Sermsuk, bigasail@samart.co.th, 086 940 1860, 076 383 080.

2 New Resale Condos 3.9 MB. 7%net ROI 1 bed condos on the market 7%net ROI for 14 years! Rare Pool access modern hilltop unit. Panoramic views of Andaman Bay & city lights of Patong.

Also 1 bed city & ocean views, fully furnished & professionally managed.

You just collect 7% net/year hassle free. Contact phuketjon@gmail.com, 084 842 2262.

COMMUNITY

80 Sqm. 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Terrace carport. Nice Sea view.

Sale 5.8 MB. Rent long term 18,000 per month. Gunter Kraus, Phuket, naruchai@gmx.de, 091 040 2471.

Luxury Apartment hotel in Kata Luxury Apartment hotel for sale in Kata beach.

356sqm, 3 floors. 12 rooms, all have sea view, kitchen, Thai chanote or 90 years lease. 30 MB., Noi (Thai & EN), Kata Beach, t_senrum@live. com.au, 083 391 5525.

Villa For Sale / Rent Located at Naiharn beach Soi Naya 3, Mountain view, Swimming pool, Balcony, 2 floor, 4 bed room. Total 92 sq.m. Thai 081 958 0542 ENG 081 956 6813.

Owner Sales Appartment “ The Pearl of Naithon “ Leasehold Total area 226,66 SQM including terrace 41,25 Sqm. 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms Price THB 13.5 million. MP: 089 814 1458.

Chalong Villa for sale

Living area 450 sq.m, Land 800 sq.m. 1st floor: Living room, Master bdr with en-suite bth, Kitchen, Seaview terrace, Pool, Carpark. 2nd floor: 4 bdr with bth, 2nd living room, Office. 19.5M, oliver@thurmanngroup.com, 087 877 2320.

SPACIOUS 4-BED RAWAI VILLA Sale/rent. Beautiful, spacious home in 1,038sqm gardens.Three en suite beds, guest house, 9x4m pool, maid’s room. Living space 320sqm. Reduced to 12,000,000, alangath@gmail.com, 08727 30141.

Two-story house in Phuket City Land 400 sq. m, living area 344 sq.m, 6 rooms, 3 bathrooms, maid’s room with bath.

Fully furnished. Very good for living and business. 15,000,000.-, Pauline Haldemann, haldemwa@hotmail.com, 081 895 0038.

The Base Downtown - Sale/Rent 1 Bed (35sqm) & 2 Bed (60sqm), fully furnished, pool view. Near Central, BIS, Big C, Lotus, Siriroj hospital, Darasamut School, Thai Hua School (Close to new Central Embassy- good investment). Swimming pool, fitness & library. Rent:15,000-25,000 THB/month and 35,000-45,000 THB/month. Panattaporn.c@gmail.com, 093 639 4654.

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CLASSIFIEDS 33

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Buy&Sell

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PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Alexander Kolesnikov

House for sale

Land & 4 storey Commercial building for sell.Patong. Just 60 m from the beach. Guesthouse 6 luxury rooms + restaurant 40 seats. 17 MB, Contact Alexander, alexkolinz@gmail.com, 089 651 3250.

Private pool villa with lovely garden half a rai.

Quite and safe area. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom open kitchen. 160 m2 Situated in Ban Pahra.

12 minutes to PIA, Phuket Airport, Nay Yang beach, and Blue Canyon Golf course. 2 min to Mission Hill Golf course.Price 8 million baht, 225 000 euro, bergsstigen@ telia.com, 090 701 4204.

SMALL RESORT BY LAGUNA

4 Luxury villas, office, 2 pools, 1 Rai - Chanote. Secure investment, price below replacement cost, money maker. Owner 82 retiring. 30 Mil Baht.

Lets talk. Owner, 089 594 4067.

Phuket Beach Front Land

House For Sale

14 RAI Beach front Phuket,Phungnga Close 5 -7*hote,Chanode title,90 meters of water frontage More than 100 m wide beach&small piece of land close to the beach 25MB/ RAI, Ms.Pam, phuketmyhouse@gmail.com, 089 868 8668.

Located in Rawai soi Samaki3 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 1 Laundry room 1 storage room Living area 160 sq.m, Chanot title 280 sq.m. 3.2 MB., Rico9963@hotmail.com, 083 640 9041

Fire sale 7 shop houses for sale, 20 meters from Chalong round about. On the way to pier for Sale. 25 Million, kieranpmadden@hotmail.com, 096 924 4661.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Brand new 3 bed villa Onyx

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

Being built on the highest point in the estate, only 80 meters from the ocean and located 3 mins away from Grand AoPor 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 pollution and no mass tourism..., Over than 600 Sqm usable building area, 3 bedrooms, guest apartment, maid quarters, games room, 10 meter 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 24.9 mill Baht. For viewing or more information please contact our sales director, Khun Montha 081 343 0777 Email : montha_phuket@yahoo.com.

Living area 160 sq.m. Land 200 sq.m. Fully luxury furnished. Open plan living room with kitchen, Private & Peaceful area, Security gate estate, Gym. 8.9M, oliver@thurmanngroup. com, 087 877 2320.

Villa for sale Exclusive Villa with Pool and Garden In Phuket, Rawai/Nai Harn, Land size: 1’700 m2, build up area 400m2. Private sale, no agents please.

36 MB, JasminConsulting@gmx.net

New Sea View Villa

Make money NOW - Kata Beach House for sale West coast Phuket Great Location, Spa, 7 Bedroom, 7 Bathroom, all with kitchens. Rent or live with good income. 5 minutes walk to Kata beach. ขายของได้ 9 MB or Offer, Khun Arreerat, kataari@ yahoo.com, 086 595 8512, 081 970 4638.

@thephuketnews

Land for sale - Mission Height NICE LAND FOR SALE AT MISSION HEIGHT, JUST OVER ONE RAI. Phone 093 629 4400 English, 082 421 4842 Thai.

Alexander Kolesnikov 3 Bedroom Villa for sale. Building 320 s.m. Land 900 s.m. Nice garden, 2 cars garage, study. Just 3 minutes from BIS. 15 MB, Contact Alexander, alexkolinz@gmail.com, 089 651 3250.

34 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy&Sell

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

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@thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

PROPERTY FOR RENT Apartment for rent

Luxury 1 bedroom ground floor apartment.

65.s.q.m. Central Patong. Short or long term rental. For details email ianscondo21@ gmail.com

2 BDR Bungalow, Nai Harn Beach For rent with “Free UBC Platinum cable TV”, Security, Air Con, Fridge, stove, quiet area, at end of cul-de-sac, 12,500 per month.

Call 098 017 8818 or 087 884 8972.

Rawai Sea View Condominium For Rent

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE Ocean View Land Kamala

Beachfront House

Half rai 797sq.m. cleared and leveled, power connected, sealed road, MUST SELL 6.75million. For ENG 090 492 3101 THA 093 768 6694.

4-Bedroom house on semiprivate beach available for sale and rent. Can easily be divided into two separate and identical properties. The rental/sale can also include a self-contained 1-bedroom bungalow, Price: 18.2 MB, Rent 110,000 THB, Alex Seago, home@thaivillaboutique.com, 087-8923876.

Waterfront Condominium

Sale. Semi detached house

In Thalang area 2.5 Rai beautiful, flat land with access road, Chanote title, only 5 minutes from Thanyapura (PIA International school). sk.thanya@ gmail.com, 081 737 8624.

Living room 2 double bedrooms 1 fitted furniture and en-suite fitted kitchen office bathroom carport garden Land 188sqm, house 75sqm.

2,000,000, Khun Peter, Baan Pleunjan 2, Paklok, Talang, lowprofile@mail.com, 086 905 1406.

Townhouse for sale. Chalong.

Vassana Residence. Rawai

Fully furnished 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom. Swimming pool on ground. WiFi and cable TV included in price. 160M.S. in size. long term only. 35,000, Art, Rawai / NaiHarn, vassana.residence@gmail. com, Eng.087 882 9604.

Townhouse 150sq.m, 2 storey, 2 bedroom, living room, kitchen, 2 balcony, 2 bathroom, office, parking. Fully furnitured. Chalong circle, Price: 3700000, Contact: Mariya, mvs97@yandex.ru, 0822751146, Fax: 0918053725.

Kata Seaview Condo For Sale

For Sale/Rent (5 Days - 6 Months)

4 Floors, 6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms. Fully furnished. Kuku, Phuket Town. Contact Joy, 093 596 2757, joyfulphuket@gmail.com

House in Karon for Sale. Hard

LUXURY POOL VILLA

BY LAGUNA

to find 3 bed room , 3 bath room house for sale in the perfect location near Kata & Karon beach, well maintained with a salt water pool, Price : 16,000,000, Narrisara (Tic), 7/8 Patak Soi 10, Karon, g-a-coates@ hotmail.com, 0991642991.

Anuphas Golfville House- Kathu

Land 162 sqwa. Large Pool/Jacuzzi-3 Bed-4 Bath-Office-2 Storage Building-Alarm System and much more. Reduced 22MB to 18 MB for Quick Sale. mrgeoffcurry@yahoo.com, Si +6681 970 8896 TH/ENG, Geoff+6681 854 0061 ENG.

For Sale or Rent

House For Rent at tennis club

2 bedrooms,1 en suite bedroom,2 bathroom, living area and big veranda. Idea for tennis Coach.

Prefer long term rent. Viewing by appointment only.

Patra, patbittersweet@gmail.com , 081 607 2805.

Land For Sale 3 Mil Baht

New 1 bedroom with great sea and sunset views! 44sqm. Leasehold with foriegn freehold available. Swimming pool, sauna and clubhouse. Flexible furniture options. Great management and rental program, 082 254 0760.

4 bedroom 3 bath room excellent view Chalong bay 3 storage,Fully furnished all new swimming pool in quiet area Rawai beach. All inquires. Tidarat, 087 466 5635.

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.

Partner for resort wanted

5 Rai. hillside Maikhao beach. Main buiding finished. Nice sunset seaview, 087 267 1192, Julius_schuster2001@yahoo.de

The Cleat Condo, residence project in Krabi Boat Lagoon Marina. Price 3-9MB, size 37119 Sq.M., 1 or 2 bedroom, marina view. For rent/sale. marketing@phuketpropertytrip.com

Short/long-term rental. 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, Stunning sea view, Fully furnished, Large swimming pool, Lift. reservation@ almaliresidence.com, 0935742533

Sea view land in Patong

gmail.com, 089 967 5373.

The Last Piece of Sea View Land on Prime Location in Patong, just 500 m. from Patong beach, 1.3 KM. to Jungceylon Shopping Mall, Contact: Karuna, kpattarawalee@

Retail space for rent

Retail space available in the Ocean Plaza Patong for massage, beauty, coffee, souvenir shops etc. Low rent contracts for up to 12 yrs. For info call Natty at 086 281 8883 or 076 343 506. 3632, Nattida Thaboondee, g.cummings@hotmail.com, 086 281 8883.

Chalong Villa for rent

Outstanding Villa for sale

3 bed/3 bath, Living area 370 sq.m, Land 600 sq.m. Located at the 4 Star Residence. Spacious living quarters, open plan living, dining areas, gourmet kitchen, private pool. 14.9M, oliver@thurmanngroup.com, +66 (0)87 877 2320.

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Has everything, comfort, security, live in a small resort - lush tropical garden. 35,000 Baht per month. Long lease. Owner, 089 594 4067.

4BED 4BATH GOOD LOCATION

A secure 4-bed 4-bath with a swimming pool in Baan Suan Loch Palm. 5 mins to BIS, 12 to 15 mins to Central, Patong and Phuket Town.

65000THB, jenjiramountford@gmail.com

Living area 450 sq.m, Land: 800 sq.m. 1st floor: Living room, Master bdr with en-suite bth, Kitchen, Sea view terrace, Pool, 2nd floor: 4 bdr with bth, 2nd living room, Office. 90,000/month/ year., oliver@thurmanngroup.com, 087 877 2320.

Amazing Sea view Penthouse in Rawai

FOR RENT Amazing Sea view Penthouse in Rawai.

360 p ํ anoramic breathtaking views of Chalong bay, mountain view and big Buddha. Two bedrooms, 310 sq.m of spacious living area and balconies. Please contact Izzy 086278 8300 or Danai 090 170 0429. propertysales@serenityphuket.com

2 bed house for rent,Kathu

Furnished 2 bed house for rent in kathu, quiet area within easy reach of Tesco Lotus, Central, golf courses and fresh market. 15,000, Nok Roper, daveroper@live.com, 095 257 5382.

Phuket Office Share @ RPM

Searching for a prime location address as your office on Phuket? We are offering small companies or individuals to join us in sharing our office space @ ‘Royal Phuket Marina’. Email us or call us on: 076390482 for full details. Phuket Luxury Living, info@phuket-luxuryliving.com, 076 390 482.

RAWAI: MORE FOR LESS

Rent/sale. Beautiful, spacious family home.

3 en suite beds, guest house or office, maid’s room. Gardens 1,038sqm. Cut-price longterm. alangath@gmail.com, 087 273 0141.

Surin Andaman Apt - 2 beds

100 sqm w 2 beds, close to Surin & Bangtao beaches. Common Pool.

Fully furnished with AC, fans, internet, cable TV. Short term possible.

24,000 THB, 081 273 1740.

House for rent - Near Pah-klok

Long term, quality furnishings, near Heroines Monument, 3 bed, 2 baths plus office. Good garden. THB35,000 per month. Call 087 878 5804.

PATONG: 1 and 2 Bed Apartments

2-Bed/2-Bath & Studio for rent. Balcony. Full A/C. Western Kitchen. Modern furnished. All Extras. Fast WIFI free. Ouiet Location & well maintained.

Email : khunrei@gmail.com, 084 185 8536.

CHALONG BEACH FRONT LAND

Direct beach front land for rent. Long and short term. Area 2400 sq meter with beach front of 40 meter, Contact: Mr. Narin, narinpga@ gmail.com, 081 826 9390.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

SPORT 35

A Phuketian in Pattaya SAILING

T

he Top of the Gulf regatta has just concluded an awesome four days on the waters off the beautiful crescent of Jomtien, in Pattaya.

Some strong winds prevailed throughout the regatta, with all sailors and friends enjoying a fantastic time, thanks to the skilful organisation of the Ocean Marina staff and their partners.

The 90-year-old classic sailing yacht Selma, a sixmetre vessel restored at Krabi Boat Lagoon, was in good company, alongside many of the regular participants in the Phuket regattas. Selma’s home is Phuket, but it doesn’t matter if she goes away for a few weeks, to be part of the show in other waters. We know that she’ll be back soon. What follows is a brief interview with the boat herself:

Did you have fun?

Oh yes, the water was gorgeous, the wind was good, I travelled as far as Koh Chun, passing the busy shipping lanes leading to Laem Chabang, on Day 2, and to Koh Ra on Day 3, avoiding the underwater rocks

@thephuketnews

Don’t let the age fool you, Selma may be 90 years old, but she’s still full of life. between Khram Yai and the mainland, returning each day to Ocean Marina where they gave me a prime spot under the eyes of all the guests. I really felt very special. Many people climbed on my deck to take some selfies, many of them young sailors or non-sailors, all seemingly having a lot of fun.

How well did you do against the other boats?

Well, I had a great first and second race, as the sea was calmer, the wind was not too strong, and the other boats in my class where struggling a bit to get going. On the long passages, I did less well, as the sea was choppy and my bow kept bouncing around, as my crew probably gave me a little too much power. But they were keen to go fast, I understand.

On the last day, I must admit that the wind shifts did surprise me a bit. I stalled in a spot with very funny winds shifting all around the place... On the way back, my spinnaker pole broke, so I had to goose wing back to the finish. I was greeted by professional photographer Guy Nowell and his seasoned camera. You should see the pictures he took of me, they are a real treat! Overall, I finished third in the Cruising 4 division, behind two boats skipped by some experienced Thai sailors. I was new to the Pattaya waters, but still managed to be on the podium.

How does it compare to the other regattas you did in Phuket?

Well, the wind was definitely more established here

and the water is more open.

The waves are more regular.

I like Phuket a lot, but Jomtien is definitely a great spot.

What are you next plans?

Well, I wish that I can go back to Phuket soon, as I miss my many friends there. I registered for the Phuket Race Week in July. The Samui Regatta is still an open question. If any of your readers want to participate, please speak to my management team. They would be happy to sort that out. I’d love to be competing again soon. This year is my 90th birthday and I am feeling as strong as ever!

Fo r m o re i n fo r m a t i o n , visit www.facebook.com/ 6 m RT h a il a n d o r w w w. selma1926.com

New boxing stadium to open in Chalong BOXING PH U K ET IS SET TO gain a brand-new sporting venue, Republic Boxing Stadium.

The opening of the venue, located in the premises of Republic Phuket in Chalong, is set for Sunday (May 15) and will feature a fight headlined by famous Thai boxer Sura “Khaosai Galaxy” Saenkham.

Pramookpisitt Achariyachai along with boxing promoter Mr Sura held a press conference at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Bangkok on May 2 to announce the opening of the Republic Boxing Stadium which will also include

the Khaosai’s Muay Thai Gym. Speaking at the press conference, Mr Pramuk said, “Khaosai will enter the ring for a fight which will be one of many fights set for the grand opening.

His match will be against a surprise opponent, but we guarantee that people won’t be disappointed.”

Mr Pramook, who will also preside over the opening of the venue, also said that the main aim of hosting the event is to promote that Phuket now has a boxing stadium that is up to international standards and will regularly host boxing competitions.

“This venue will attract tourists from all over the world,” Mr Pramook said.

36 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

Heat on for swimming Gala KIS swimmers aiming for podium finish in fourth edition of PISAC event SWIMMING

T

he fourth edition of the Phuket International Schools Ath let ics Conference (PISAC) Swimming Gala is set to be held on Wednesday, May 19, from 1pm until 6pm, at Kajonkiet Suksa School’s (KSS) Kathu campus.

To find out more about the event, The Phuket News sat down with Mr Cairncross, Kajonkiet International School’s (KIS) P.E. teacher, as well as coach to the school’s

elite swimming squad, The Barracudas.

“About 50 swimmers from each of the participating PISAC schools will be invited to compete, not just members of the schools’ respective elite squads,” said Mr Carncross, who noted that PISAC also includes British International School, Phuket (BIS), Phuket International Academy (PIA) – soon to be known as United World College Thailand – Headstart International School (HIS), and Quality Schools International, Phuket (QSI).

“However, QSI are un-

Swift like a Barracuda KIS Barracuda Swimming Squad representatives Sonya Wake (C), Ellie Fordham (R) and Alina Yelin (L) finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively, sweeping the field in the Girls 8 and under 50 meter breast stroke at the “BIS Flying Fish Swim Meet” last weekend.

able to send a team this year, so we’ve invited KSS as the only non-PISAC school. They have participated in previous editions and will host the competition at their pool which has sufficient seating for supporters,” he added.

The gala will feature 93 swimming events, including 92 heats contested by students ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old, who will compete for points in butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle competitions.

Each school will use the same lane throughout the competition, and top finishers for each race will be awarded five points; four points for second place; three for third; two for fourth and one point for fifth.

Meanwhile, their teachers will also get in on the action in a freestyle relay to conclude the Gala.

“The KIS teachers relay team have a good chance to win our relay race as in all previous editions,” exclaimed a confident Mr Cairncross, who said his students will be competing hard for a podium

Top finishers of each of the 92 heats will be awarded ribbons and school points. finish for the overall gala, an honour usually seized by BIS, HIS and PIA. PISAC is not only about swimming, Mr Cairncross adds.

“Cur rently, there are annual PISAC competitions for swimming, football, athletics and cross-country running. Every year we plan to add another sport, starting with basketball next year,” he said.

It’s not just about winning and losing, either, the coach explained.

“These events provide a good opportunity for the young athletes to take pride in their school and make friends from other schools, while also getting more healthy competitive experience. It’s the first time some students get to compete, and gauge how much they like the sport. Some go on to join the elite squad,” he said.

As for pre-competition prep, Mr Cairncross, who recently started a Nutrition Club at KIS, went on to reveal some valuable tips.

“For fuel, athletes should load up on carbs 24 hours before the competition, and lots of good sugars and fats on the day of, such as those found in fruits, seeds and nuts. Save the protein for after the competition,” he concludes.

Rio 2016 hopefuls break natl records in qualifiers SWIMMING NAT IONA L R ECOR DS were broken and personal bests were set as the Thanyapura-FINA “Targeting Rio” Olympic hopefuls competed at the Malaysian Open from May 5-8. The meet served as a qualifying event for the Summer Olympics this Augist in Rio de Janeiro..

Sri Lankan Sajan Prakash took silver in the 400-meter freestyle with a 3:58’08, a “B” standard qualifying time that puts him on a wait list for the Olympics.

Prakash also recorded a new personal best this year in the

1,500-meter freestyle.

Prakash’s teammate Cheran de Silva broke a 16-yearold national record in the 50-meter butterf ly, almost breaking the 25-second barrier at 25’07 and winning the silver medal. In the 100-meter butterfly he stopped the clock at 54’99, also setting another national record.

Sajina Shahidh of the Maldives broke their national record for the 100-meter breaststroke by 2.7 seconds and the 50-meter breaststroke by over 1.5 seconds, and claimed the women’s 400-meter freestyle gold. Tem Strickland of the Cook Islands and Eroi Maniraguha from Rwanda set new respective

national records in the 50-meter breaststroke. Maniraguha also broke the Rwandan record for the 50-meter butterfly.

Ayman Kelzieh of Syria qualified for the final in the 200-meter individual medley with a personal best time and was only 0.6 seconds away from the national record.

Since May 2015, over 20 sponsored athletes have been based in Thanyapura Phuket, the official FINA swim training center for South and Southeast Asia. FINA’s “Targeting Rio 2016” worldwide scholarship program helped identify, qualify, and prepare athletes for the Olympic Games this summer.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

SPORT 37

Dragon downed by Dugongs FOOTBALL

AIS SOUTHERN REGION DIVISION 2 Team

T

he Andaman Dragon have fallen two spots, to seventh in the 12club AIS Division 2 Southern Regional league, following a 2-1 loss away to Trang FC. The match, played at Trang Provincial Stadium last Sunday (May 8), was the sixth match of the 22-fixture season for both sides.

At half-time, the match remained in a scoreless deadlock, but it was the home team who broke the ice in the 65th minute through a corner kick, which was converted through Trang’s Japanese striker Daiki Konomura.

The Dugongs doubled their lead just three minutes later, when a long cross from near the touchline found Trang’s other foreign striker, Ivorian Guina Roland, who was loosely marked in the area, where he had little challenge in controlling the ball and diverting it into the net, just out of reach of the keeper.

Phuket FC had several attacking fronts though, making Trang’s defenders nervous, but were lacking the final finishes.

In added time, the Andaman Dragon finally scored,

MP W

D

L

GD Pts

1

Pattani FC

6

4

0

2

8

12

2

Suratthani FC

6

4

0

2

1

12

3

Ranong FC

6

4

0

2

-1

12

4

Nara United

6

3

1

2

5

10

5

Hatyai FC

6

3

1

2

0

10

6

Yala United

6

3

0

3

0

9

7

Phuket FC

6

2

2

2

0

8

8

Trang FC

6

2

2

2

0

8

9

Phatthalung FC

6

2

2

2

-1

8

10

Satun United

6

1

1

2

0

6

11

Phangnga FC

6

1

1

4

-7

4

12

Nakhorn Si Heritage

6

0

0

4

-5

2

Phuket FC fans reach out to Japanese earthquake victims Phuket FC fans joined together with members of the Japanese People of Phuket club in a jersey auction fund raiser event, raising a total of B74,000 to help Kumamoto residents who were displaced by the recent earthquake. Phuket FC defender, Yusuke Sato, whose home town is Kumamoto, paid the money transfer fee of B2,149 out of his own pocket, wiring the cash off on May 9.

Phuket FC’s ‘super-substitute’, Sarod Jedsanoh (right) managed to net a goal in injury time of the second half. Photo: Phuket FC Fanclub / Facebook however, when Sukree E-tae dribbled towards the goal line and sent a slick pass through Trang’s back line towards the far post, where it found the end of Sarod Jedsanoh’s boot.

FULL TIME: Trang 2-1 Phuket FC.

As a result, Trang, now with eight points and an even goal difference, moved into eighth place, while Phuket FC, also with eight points and an even goal difference, dropped to seventh in the table, having the edge over Trang with eight

goals scored versus seven.

The Andaman Dragon will next take on third-placed Ranong FC (12 points) away on Saturday, May 14.

Class Act Media is a proud media sponsor of Phuket FC.

Phuket’s Thai Youth Home boys head to Hong Kong tourney FOOTBALL A PHUKET SQUAD WILL be represented in a prestigious Hong Kong youth football competition to be held from May 20-22, which will be contended by top-name clubs from all around the world.

Making their debut in the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) Citi Soccer Sevens this year, the Thai Youth Football Home (TYFH) are set to play three group matches on May 21.

If they are to have a shot

@thephuketnews

The squad ready for Hong Kong. at the knock-out round on May 22, they’ll have to prove themselves by earning points in matches against FC Seoul (South Korea), Kashima Ant-

lers (Japan) and HKFC Captain’s Select (Hong Kong).

The TYFH is a Phuketbased charity that cares for, educates and provides pro-

fessional football coaching for orphans and underprivileged children from across Thailand.

The home, which accommodates 32 boys and 32 girls, was founded a decade ago by former HKFC member Henrik Lorenz, who passed away 10 years ago. Strong emphasis is placed on football schooling with a number of former players, such as Germany’s 1990 FIFA World Cup winner Uwe Bein and former Republic of Ireland international Liam Brady, playing an active role in the children’s development.

TYFH will bring a squad mainly featuring players who have graduated through the orphanage and now represent Thai Premier League side Chonburi as well as regional sides Phuket FC and Ranong.

Hannu Tuukkanen, TYFH Sport Manager, explained that the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens is one of several international tournaments its members will take part in this year, including events in Singapore, Helsinki, Finland and Schalke, Germany.

“Our Hong Kong squad comprises boys, aged 18-21,

who have left us and play football for various clubs around Thailand. Our captain will be Wuttichai Sooksen, a Thailand Under-21 player, and is also part of Phuket FC, loaned from Osotspa M-150.

“The squad also includes another Phuket FC player, Phonlawat Nanta, who is on loan from Chonburi FC. “We are only sending this squad to be friendly. As this is our 10th year running this foundation. We will have a big event in November with our friends, patrons and trustees,” Hannu said.

38 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

22

To the Max! BOX OF NEUTRALS

Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

F

orget Rosberg vs Hamilton and forget Ferrari vs Mercedes – there’s only one story set to dominate the Formula One narrative at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s shock announcement that Max Verstappen and not Daniil Kvyat will partner Daniel Ricciardo at the senior Red Bull Racing team from Barcelona onwards sent reverberations through the sport in the first significant move of the 2016 driver market.

The history of Red Bull in Formula One has been a ruthless and bloody one – it is the story of a team hell-bent on success by discovering and owning

Max Verstappen at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. Photo: AFP new talent, but one devoid of mercy when faced with a driver of anything less than extraordinary talent – the list of Red Bull rejects far outstrips that of its champions.

So while Verstappen’s promotion to the senior team, tipped

to compete for race wins after Renault’s mid-season power unit upgrade in Canada, is the latest chapter in his meteoric singleseater rise, Kvyat is staring down the barrel of a 17-racelong sacking during which he must rebuild his F1 reputation

or fade into obscurity.

His punting back to development team Toro Rosso, where he will fill Verstappen’s vacated seat alongside Carlos Sainz, raised eyebrows up and down the F1 paddock, partly because the move is unprecedented in even Red Bull’s bombastic driver management system, but also because it hinted at the turmoil rocking the system behind closed doors.

While many were quick to point at what appeared to be the most obvious reason for the switch – Kvyat’s embarrassing two crashes with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the opening three corners at the Russian Grand Prix, which claimed Ricciardo’s race as collateral – the truth of the matter is far more convoluted.

Instead, Kvyat’s demise can be linked back to the teenage sensation about to commandeer his car. Since Verstappen’s phenomenal debut season the Dutchman catapulted himself onto the radars of not only Red Bull Racing but its heavy-hitting competitors, and despite his young age and inexperience the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes have been heavily rumoured to be seeking his services in the short term, potentially as early as 2017.

Guided by his savvy father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen, there is little doubt pressure from the Verstappen camp on Red Bull management

played a part in the capitulation of the driver structure, with Kvyat’s Russian crashes and consistently poor showings against Ricciardo bargaining chips in a wider negotiating game. Toro Rosso, too, could stand to benefit once the dust has settled after the sudden uprooting. The Italian team is rife with division along driver, and driver-and-engineer management lines – indeed, just days after the driver swap announcement race engineer Xevi Pujolar and data engineer Olivier Helvig were reported to be leaving the team.

Kvyat’s return and added experience could yet calm the nerves to enable the Toro Rosso to score the early-season points it so desperately needs before its 2015-spec Ferrari power unit is totally outgunned by upgrades brought to its competitors’ cars.

But while the ructions at Toro Rosso are of interest, the real fascination will be the imminent battle between young hotshot Verstappen and established Red Bull star Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo, who is similarly rumoured to be the source of interest from Ferrari as a Kimi Räikkönen replacement, will risk damaging his stocks should he be unable to convincingly shut down Verstappen’s lunge for podium places, while Verstappen may yet find overachievement in the midfield is but fleeting glory without results

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1580: Saturday, 14 May 2016 Run Start Time: 16:00 Hares: No Hope, Not Cleaver and Singha Location: Heroines Monument - East 10 km Directions: At the Heroines Monument circle turn East on [4027] toward Paklok.

Drive approximately 10 km turn LEFT HHH beside the 7/11 (staggered cross-road intersection before the greedome Mosque). Continue on approx 500 m then turn Left HHH. Continue on 1.2 km then turn LEFT HHH into the quarry. Plenty of parking inside the quarry for all. Beer Truck will be marked.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 14:30 Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 15:00 More info: phuket-hhh. com

in a top team to back it up.

It’s an early enthralling turn in the 2016 season, which begins its European leg in Spain this weekend (May 13-15).

Don’t forget to tune-in to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am to listen to Box of Neutrals talk everything there is to talk F1 and a whole lot more.

Natalie set to seal the season POOL NATALIE BAR PLAYED away to Andaman Sea and extended their lead to 5 points with just 1 game left. Ting Tong bar played away to Sports bar and had a good win of 8-3, but was not enough to gain any ground on Natalie bar.

So unless the Natalie team fall apart for the last game against Sports Bar, it is almost definitely their season.

Dirty Nellies had a good win at Wet Dreams bar of 7-4, but too little to late to have any impact on the top teams.

Scott won the killer. Genius had a good night playing away at Simon & Oils with a win

of 7-4. Also, Ole potted the black off the break to win his game and his brother Tommy won the killer there. Martin Swiss had a good win away at Champs bar of 6-5.

The last game of this league was on Thursday, May 12, with the new league to start on May 26. Any new team wishing to join please contact Scott on 081-7289509

League Table

NATALIE

127

TING TONG

122

GENIUS

107

DIRTY NELLIES

104

CHAMPS

102

WET DREAMS

87

SPORTS

85

MARTINS

85

SIMON & OIL

67

ANDAMAN

49

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Capt Morgan dedicates title to grandmother FOOTBALL

@thephuketnews

MONTHLY SPONSOR

The overall competition winner receives 1 voucher staying 2 nights in a Prestige Suite including breakfast for 2 persons and a 30-minute spa treatment at Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, overall value THB 90,000.

The monthly competition winner for April will receive a B5,000 voucher to spend at any Two Chefs outlet on the island.

EPL PREDICTIONS

T

he King Power Stadium will stage Leicester City's coronation as Premier League champions on Saturday (May 14) when Claudio Ranieri's miracle team receive the trophy after their final home game against Everton.

Tottenham Hotspur's 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Monday (May 9), which confirmed Leicester's extraordinary 5,0001 success, sparked jubilation in the streets of Leicester and a party at the home of star striker Jamie Vardy, where the players had gathered to watch the match.

The festivities have continued across the week, with the squad dining out at a citycentre restaurant on Tuesday, but Saturday's game presents an opportunity for players, staff and supporters to unite in communal celebration of a feat that has captivated fans around the world.

Ranieri has admitted that he is torn between urging his team to power over the line and wanting to enjoy the moment, saying on Thursday: "Inside me there are two people.

"One is very aggressive -- I want to win. I won the Premier League, but now I want to win on Saturday. I want to win next season – and is never satisfied.

"Another says: 'Claudio, how many managers are there in the world? Too many. Not everyone can be Sir Alex Ferguson, (Fabio) Capello, (Carlo) Ancelotti. You are having a very good career.'"

The renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will set the tone with pre-match renditions of 'Nessun Dorma' and 'Time to Say Goodbye', honouring a recent promise to his countryman Ranieri.

After the match, the trophy

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MONTHLY STANDINGS CAFC 7 fazza 7 hairynutbagz 7 YanuiPla 7 celticpride 7

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OVERALL STANDINGS graeme64 174 celticpride 172 phils64 172 chook 171 fazza 169

English Premier League 2015 - 2016 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Leicester City's English defender Wes Morgan (L) poses with Leicester City's Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with the premier league trophy after winning the league and the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Everton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on May 7, 2016. Photo: AFP will be presented to Leicester captain Wes Morgan by lifelong supporter Steve Worthy, who won a competition organised by league sponsors Barclays.

He is dedicating the experience to his 97-year-old grandmother, Gladys Knight, who had to forfeit her season ticket this season due to ill health.

"When I hand the Premier League trophy to Wes Morgan I'll be thinking of my grandmother," Worthy said.

The 25 kilogramme trophy, topped by a golden crown, will be decorated with ribbons of blue, for Leicester, and yellow, representing the royal house of Thailand, which is the country of club owners King Power.

Morgan will become the first Leicester skipper to hoist a major trophy since Matt Elliott lifted the League Cup 16 years ago and the 32-year-old centre-back has already been picturing the moment.

"I am going to try to hold

back the tears," said the Jamaica international, a Leicester player for four years.

"It is going to be very emotional."

On the pitch, Leicester will welcome back 22-goal top scorer Vardy after he was suspended for the 4-0 win over Swansea City and last weekend's 1-1 draw at Manchester United, which took Ranieri's men to the brink of glory.

While there is nothing riding on the game for either side, Vardy has an opportunity to close the three-goal gap separating him from Tottenham's Harry Kane in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater and centre-back Robert Huth are both suspended over offences committed at Old Trafford, the latter having received a three-game ban for elbowing Marouane Fellaini, ending his season.

Andy King and Marcin Wasilewski are expected to

deputise and Ranieri may use the opportunity to give gametime to other players who have played supporting roles in the campaign.

Everton's season was ended by their 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals and their last three matches represent something of a gauntlet for manager Roberto Martinez, who has faced open revolt from his own supporters in recent games.

Last weekend's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth brought an end to a seven-game winless streak and despite the anticipated festive atmosphere, Martinez has urged his players to make their presence felt.

"Clearly they (Leicester) are going to be playing with swagger," said the Spaniard, whose side can finish no higher than ninth in the table.

"We'll congratulate them and from that point on we'll focus on trying to perform against them."

AFP

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Team

MP W

D

L

F

A GD Pts

Leicester Tottenham Arsenal Man City Man Utd West Ham Southampton Liverpool Chelsea Stoke Swansea Everton Watford Crystal Palace West Brom Bournemouth Sunderland Newcastle Norwich Aston Villa

37 37 37 37 37 37 37 36 36 37 37 36 36 37 37 37 36 37 36 37

11 13 11 8 9 14 9 10 12 9 10 14 8 9 12 9 11 10 7 8

3 5 7 10 10 7 11 10 12 15 15 12 16 17 15 17 17 19 21 26

67 68 61 70 46 64 55 61 57 39 41 56 36 38 33 44 43 39 35 27

35 30 36 40 34 49 40 48 51 54 51 52 44 47 47 64 60 64 62 72

23 19 19 19 18 16 17 16 12 13 12 10 12 11 10 11 8 8 8 3

32 38 25 30 12 15 15 13 6 -15 -10 4 -8 -9 -14 -20 -17 -25 -27 -45

80 70 68 65 63 62 60 58 48 48 46 44 44 42 42 42 35 34 31 17

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