14-10-2016

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A man looks at a notice warning tourists of the jellyfish found in Phuket. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

WORLD EXPERT WARNS ‘HARMLESS’ SALP BLOOMS CORRELATE WITH IRUKANDJI BOX JELLYFISH • • SIGNS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED Chris Husted editor@classactmedia.co.th

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leading Australian marine biologist and jellyfish expert has raised serious concerns that the recent salp bloom that saw thousands of specimens wash ashore Phuket’s west coast weeks ago could indicate the presence of deadly Irukandji box jellyfish.

Although Phuket has never suffered a box jellyfish fatality on record,

what makes the Irukandji so different is that its victims are often wrongly diagnosed as suffering from food poisoning, a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock, explains Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin, a globally recognised leading researcher who has spent 18 years studying jellyfish, with a focus on Irukandji species.

“The salps are not as harmless as they may seem,” Dr Gershwin told The Phuket News. “The salps themselves are not able to sting, but they

co-occur and indicate the presence of small, transparent jellyfish called Irukandji that are highly dangerous.

“Salps very often co-occur with Irukandjis in tropical waters, and salps are the most visible indicator that Irukandjis are infesting,” she said.

“We know of incidents in the past at Phuket beaches where large numbers of salps are present in the water and on the beaches, and swimmers get an itchy irritation feeling, and large numbers of swimmers and bathers have become

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very sick, requiring hospitalisation – these are highly likely to be Irukandji syndrome, which is often wrongly diagnosed as food poisoning or allergy or anaphylactic shock – these are all common misunderstandings of what Irukandji syndrome is,” she added.

Irukandjis are translucent and tiny. Their size is roughly one cubic centimetre and they measure from 5mm to 25mm across. Also, their tentacles are long. At just 5mm across their tentacles can grow up to one...

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Expert warns of Irukandji Silent stingers leave no mark, no signs for autopsy

Stephen Leonard, from New York, was charged for attacking and damaging several vehicles.

Drunk Yank ends up in drunk tank A DRUNK AMERICAN man was taken into police custody after causing a minor traffic incident in northern Phuket early Wednesday (Oct 12).

Police said the man, 38-year-old American Stephen Leonard from New York, was on foot trying to flag down a vehicle to take him to the airport, before he obstructed traffic on the road and attacked and damaged several vehicles.

Mr Leonard was charged with public intoxication and damaging people’s property. He was fined B200 and ordered to pay for the damage to the vehicles before being released from custody.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Continued from page 1 ...metre in length. Also, Irukandji syndrome leaves no mark on the body, and no chemical or physical signature in the body that can be tested postmortem, Dr Gershwin notes.

Based on data from decades of research, Dr Gershwin and her team created a model for predicting Irukandji blooms, with their findings published in the respected Journal of the Royal Society.

“In Australia where Irukandji syndrome was first described, the most common pattern is that when salps are present and winds are calm is when these stings occur, and the days when the salps are washing up on the beach are the periods of highest risk,” Dr Gershwin explained.

“These patterns are based on decades of data and form the basis for an early warning system currently in development,” she said.

Irukandji were at one time thought to be in the northern waters of Australia only, but according to a National Geographic documentary they have since been found in waters as far north as the British Isles, Japan and the Florida coast of

Lifeguards found Portuguese man o’ war and other jellyfish at Nai Yang Beach this week, but have never found the tiny Irukandji. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub the United States. There have been sightings and recorded injuries in the waters of Malaysia, and in 2012 a small and venomous Irukandji jellyfish found in the Philippines was first described to science and is now known as Malo filipina.

Dr Gershwin is also aware of the deadly effect on tourism that deaths by Irukandji stings can bring. “For example, the costs of cancelled tourism bookings following two fatalities on the Great Barrier Reef (in Queensland, Australia) in

2002 have been estimated to be in excess of US$65 million (B2.32bn), she noted in one published paper.

However, Dr Gershwin is adamant that the awareness allows beach-goers to have fun in the water – but without being stung. The trick is just to cover up when entering the water during “bloom time”.

Regardless, she urges, “The public should not become complacent about the presence of Irukandjis, as they are life threatening. The safest advice

on days when salps are present is to either wear protective clothing or stay out of the water entirely.

“Also, on days when these salps are present, it is very important that anyone stung by these seemingly minor irritations should douse them with vinegar to inhibit further stinging, and they should not under any circumstances apply freshwater or any type of alcohol.”

Phuket Lifeguard Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan told The

Phuket News that he was not aware of Ms Gershwin’s assertion specifically for Phuket, but said that he knew of her work and respected her opinion.

“She is probably right about the possibility of the presence of Irukandji. We will look out for them,” he said.

“We see salps every rainy season. They come and go, but we have never spotted an Irukandji. Here salps come with Portuguese man o’ war, and if we find a lot of these we may have to close the beach.”

Mr Prathaiyuth reiterated that Phuket had yet to suffer a box jellyfish fatality. “I have been working in Phuket a long time and we have never had box jellyfish. We never find them here in Phuket, but in Samui they find them every other week,” he said.

In October last year, 20-year-old German tourist Thies Saskia died after being stung by a box jellyfish at Lamai Beach, Samui. Her death followed that of Chayanan Surin. 30, from Bangkok, who was stung by a box jellyfish while swimming at night during a full moon party on Koh Pha-ngan six weeks earlier.

Police investigate Patong Hill crash INVESTIGATION INTO a three-vehicle collision on Patong Hill on Oct 5 that landed 10 people in hospital is ongoing say police, also confirming that all crash victims were released from hospital.

Lt Col Weerapong Rakkito of the Patong Police told The Phuket News on Oct 7 that all victims with minor injuries, including several Chinese tourists, were discharged from Patong Hospital on the night of the accident.

“There were no serious injuries among them, so they were free to go after a physical examination,” he said.

At least 10 people, including Chinese tourists, were taken to hospital after a tour bus, a pickup truck and a motorbike collided on Patong Hill on Oct 5.

All victims of the threevehicle crash on Patong Hill have been discharged from hospital. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Lt Col Weerapong confirmed that the driver of pickup truck, 27-year-old Supachai Jaiyen, who was taken to hospital on the night of the crash, was released from hospital the next day.

“The pickup driver is already out of the hospital and recovering from his injury. He is being questioned about the incident at this time.”

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Mystery death stumps police French tourist dies in hotel room amid signs of violent poisoning The Phuket News reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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olice are struggling to uncover any leads as to what killed a 27-yearold Frenchman who collapsed and died in his Patong hotel room last Saturday (Oct 8) after doctors at Patong Hospital failed to determine a cause of death for the tourist.

Sylvain Bernard Renia, from Montreuil, France, was found dead in his room at The Nest Resort on Nanai Rd from what seemed to be fatal poisoning.

Mr Renia’s room was found in disarray with two wastepaper bins lined with plastic bags filled with fluid and a blood streak across the floor leading to where Mr Renia collapsed and died in the room’s small hallway to the bathroom.

“Doctors at Patong Hospital have been unable to confirm what caused his death,” investigating officer Lt Sirinath Cheuchutakulthong of the Patong Police told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Oct 11).

“We would like an autopsy

MAIN: Forensic Police inspect Mr Renia’s hotel room. INSET: Sylvain Renia, 27. to be performed, but we have yet to receive the family’s permission,” she added.

“So far our investigation has revealed that the man had been sick for days, but we have no idea what he might have eaten or drunk that may have caused this, and doctors were unable to identify any possible causes.

“We have also yet to question his friends and family (in France) to determine if the man suffered from any

medical condition that may have contributed to his death,” she said.

Staff at the hotel on Nanai Rd notified police at 9:30am after Mr Renia’s body was discovered.

After responding to the call, Lt Sirinath told The Phuket News, “At this stage we suspect the man died from food poisoning or a severe allergic reaction…

“Although his room was in disarray, there seemed to be no

Curse of the drive-by A 23-Y EA R- OLD M A N was arrested this week for shooting another motorist for swearing at him while trying to avoid a head-on collision near Phuket International Airport late last Thursday night (Oct 6).

Sakoo Police arrested Porwarut Thepabuth at his home in Moo 1 Sakoo, near the airport, on Monday (Oct 10) after identifying him as the suspect wanted for the shooting of Nai Yang beach vendor Chayan Srinuan, 23.

Mr Chayan was shot once in his lower left torso and the bullet exited near his genitals.

Porwarut was found to be in possession of a homemade gun containing .38-calibre bullets. Police also seized his motorbike.

Porwarut admitted to the shooting. Whilst in custody, Porwarut told police that he was heading along the new airport road on his way to join the Vegetarian Festival procession from Bang Neow Shrine.

“It was raining so I decided to drive down the road the wrong way and almost collided with Mr Chayan. He cursed me, I got angry and turned around and shot him once before driving away,” he said. @thephuketnews

Porwarut Thepabuth, 23, admitted that he shot Mr Chayan after he cursed him for nearly driving down the wrong side of the road. Photo: Darawan Naknakhon Sakoo Police Chief Col Jirasak Siamsak said, “We were told that Mr Chayan was riding a motorbike on the new airport road with his 10-yearold nephew when a Honda Scoopy came towards him and almost collided.

“Mr Chayan was upset over the incident so he yelled at the driver and his passenger (a woman), they exchanged some abusive words. The Honda driver then made a U-turn and shot Mr Chayan before speeding away,” he said.

“I had my team check CCTV from the suspects escape route and questioned witnesses.

This led to the arrest of Porwarut who was found hiding in a house in Moo 1 in Sakoo with his girlfriend.

“Porwarut has been charged with carrying a firearm and ammunition into public place. We are still gathering information to see whether he will also be charged with attempted murder.

“As far as we understand, his girlfriend had no involvement in the shooting so she faces no charges at present,” he added.

Mr Chayan is currently at Vachira Phuket Hospital recovering from his injuries.

Darawan Naknakhon

signs of a struggle,” she said.

Forensic Police did not inspect the room until Tuesday (Oct 11).

Lt Somboon Yingyong, a forensic officer involved in the investigation, told The Phuket News, “I don’t have permission to reveal any evidence in detail, but it will take about two weeks to get the results from the tests, then our lead investigator will be able to contribute to this case.”

Meanwhile, the Chief of the

Disease Control and Protection Office at Patong Municipality, Kitima Sirirakwarapon, confirmed on Wednesday – four days after Mr Renia’s death – that she still had not even been informed of the incident.

“I haven’t heard anything about it. I have not received anything from the Health Department or the hospital,” she said.

“In cases involving death in Patong, we take action only after the hospital informs us – but I will ask them about this now,” she said.

Lt Sirinath confirmed that the room was sealed off as soon as police arrived last Saturday.

“The man checked in on Sept 22,” she said. “We were told that he had been sick for five to six days before he died. He apparently went to hospital on Oct 2, but returned and stayed in his room,” Lt Sirinath said.

“I have no idea if the air conditioning has been inspected, that’s for health officials and forensic police to carry out.

“We are still checking

CCTV to try to track down where he went before he became ill. At this stage we simply don’t know if he had food poisoning, if his drink had been spiked or if he already had a pre-existing medical condition that contributed towards his death,” she said.

“We are continuing our investigation,” she added.

Management at The Nest Resort declined to comment about the incident.

The death of Mr Renia at this stage resembles those of Canadian sisters Noemi and Audrey Belanger, who died from violent poisoning on Phi Phi Island in 2012.

After much speculation Thai authorities finally deemed that the sisters died from bed-bug pesticide containing DEET. However, Dr René Blais of Quebec’s Poison Control Centre was quoted by Canadian state-owned TV company CBC as saying that the DEET concentration reported by the Thai pathologist was not high enough to be toxic, “let alone a concentration that would be fatal.” (See editorial p8)

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Man blasted with shotgun in suspected jealousy attack Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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olice are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in Kathu early last Saturday morning (Oct 8) who was blasted in the back with a shotgun in an attack that his wife says was most likely motivated over her husband’s romantic affairs with another woman.

Kathu Police first learned of the shooting after staff at Phuket International Hospital called at 1am to report that a Mr Jumnong Kaewphrod, 41, was being treated for shotgun wounds to his back.

Doctors managed to remove two of the six projectiles that had entered his body.

Doctors managed to remove two of the six projectiles that had entered Mr Jumnong’s back.

Police arrived at the hospital to question Mr Jumnong’s wife, who said the attack occurred in front of Golden View Village in Kathu, where the couple live.

Police soon arrived at the scene to find blood and Mr Jumnong’s shoes on the ground

beside a van, but no evidence of a gun or shotgun cartridge, said Lt Col Sawanya Eidthrong of the Kathu Police.

“The attack apparently happened at about 11pm. Neighbours heard gunfire and came out to see what happened, and

saw Jumnong on the ground,” Lt Sawanya said.

“One neighbour said that while he was pulling up to park his car in front of his home, he saw a tall man wearing a full-face helmet shoot at Mr Jumnong. The neighbour said

that the man started fighting with Mr Jumnong, then ran away,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Jumnong was transferred across town to Mission Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

“We are now checking CCTV in the area and checking Jumnong’s phone for any leads as to who attacked him,” Lt Sawanya said.

“However, Mr Jumnong’s wife and his friends told us that Mr Jumnong had many girlfriends. They believe the attack resulted from conflict over a woman. This seems to be the reason why the person shot him,” he said.

“We are continuing our investigation,” Lt Sawanya said.

Dive instructor confesses, charged over road rage P OL IC E H AV E F I L E D three charges against a dive instructor after he angrily confronted another motorist in a road rage incident last Friday (Oct 7).

The dive instructor, who police declined to name, was charged with reckless driving, improper overtaking and dangerous driving and threatening others, Col Nikorn Somsuk of the Wichit Police confirmed to The Phuket News.

Col Nikorn declined to name the man charged.

The man presented himself to Wichit Police Station last Saturday morning (Oct 8), Col Nikorn said, noting that the man had yet to be asked by police to do so.

The man presented himself to the police after a video called “Please help me. Am I wrong?” was posted on YouTube by Jirapong Yanasan.

The video drew many angry comments from viewers.

The video shows the dive instructor in a grey Honda Accord attempting to cut into traffic while turning right from Muang Chaofa Rd onto Chao Fa West Rd from the righthand lane in Wichit.

In the video, the dive in-

The man confessed and apologised for the road rage incident, but was charged with three traffic violations anyway. structor honks at Mr Jirapong and cuts across traffic to stop in front of Mr Jirapong to prevent him from driving away.

The instructor exits his car and approaches Mr Jirapong, who remains seated inside his car. Mr Jirapong rolls down his window and the instructor shouts at Mr Jirapong, “Do you know who I am?”

Mr Jirapong politely explains, “You were in the wrong lane.”

To which the angry instructor replies, “Don’t teach me the law” before returning to his car and driving away.

“The man apologised for his behaviour, which was a good thing to do, but he has been charged with three traffic violations anyway,” Col Nikorn said.

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Snorkelling victim dies after 10 days comatose The Phuket News Yutthawat Lekmak editor@classactmedia.co.th

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fter 10 days comatose in intensive care, the Chinese woman who was pulled unconscious from the water during a snorkelling tour in Phang Nga Bay on Oct 1 has died at Krabi Hospital, local officials have confirmed.

Lai Xiaochang, 22, was rushed to Krabi Hospital after friends found her unconscious in the water while snorkelling at the popular tourist day-trip destination Koh Gai (Chicken Island), near Poda Island. She was with a tour group from Nang-ann tour.

Seemingly saved from drowning, Ms Lai was alive and seemed to be partially aware but remained unresponsive in the intensive-care unit (ICU). Doctors believed she had suffered at least partial brain damage.

“The hospital notified us yesterday (Oct 10) that the victim had died in the ICU at 6pm,” Lt Col Attapong Sankraiwuth of the Krabi Tourist Police told The Phuket

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Srojiddin Bakhadirov (wearing baseball cap) was arrested in Phuket on Tuesday (Oct 11). Photo: Phuket Tourist Police

Erawan bomber translator arrested The Royal Thai Navy emergency rescue team performed CPR while transporting Miss Lai from Poda Island to the pier at Ao Nam Mao on the Krabi mainland. Photo: Royal Thai Navy News on Tuesday (Oct 11).

“She was surrounded by her family and friends,” he added.

Col Attapong said that he did not know what caused Ms Lai to finally succumb to her condition.

“Actually, today (Oct 11) the tour company and the victim’s family were supposed to meet to discuss insurance coverage, but we are still waiting for doctors to issue a death certificate marking the cause of death,” he said.

Ms Lai’s death came just days after reports that tears rolled from her eyes when family and friends spoke to her as she remained unconscious in hospital.

Speaking to The Phuket News last Thursday (Oct 7), Chief Petty Officer First Class Weerawut Padam of the Royal Thai Navy emergency rescue team based at Koh Lanta Noi, which was called to rush Ms Lia to hospital on Oct 1, said, “Doctor and nurses are

monitoring her closely. She is alive and she seems to be partially aware, as she cries when her family members speak to her, but otherwise she remains unresponsive to any attempts to bring her back to consciousness.”

CPO Weerawut noted that Ms Lia might have suffered partial brain damage. “It was more than 10 minutes before her friends discovered that she was unconscious face-down in the water,” he said.

POLICE ON TUESDAY (Oct 11) arrested Uzbekistan national Srojiddin Bakhadirov, who acted as translator for Adem Karadeg, the prime suspect in the Erawan Shrine bombing in Bangkok in August last year.

Bakhadirov, 39, was wanted on arrest warrant No 231/2559 issued by the International Criminal Court of Southern Bangkok on June 17, explained Lt Nuruwat Puttivero of the Phuket Tourist Police, who led the arrest.

The warrant was issued after Bakhadirov jumped bail while facing possession of marijuana charges in Bangkok.

Bakhadirov has consistently denied the charge, claiming that police officers planted the marijuana on him as punishment

for helping Thailand’s Uighur community – an allegation that police have denied.

“Phuket Tourist Police arrested Bakhadirov, 39, at a location along Yaowarat Rd in Phuket Town at about 6pm on Tuesday,” Lt Nuruwat told The Phuket News.

“Police will send him back to Bangkok to face his charges there,” he said.

The August 2015 bombing left 20 dead and at least 125 injured at Ratchawong Intersection in the heart of Bangkok in an unprecedented attack.

Two suspects were arrested by police just days after the bombing and since have been held in military custody. Both deny the charges.

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Drug ring cracked Raids net three suspects, 71k meth pills Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

Police seized more than B130,000 in cash, betting markers and records of bets placed and winning payouts.

Raid nets 20 gamblers, over B130K cash seized POLICE ARRESTED 20 gamblers and seized more than B130,000 in cash last Sunday night (Oct 9) after they were found gambling on the popular board game called “shrimp and fish” at a warehouse in Wichit.

More than 15 officials, including police officers led

by Wichit Police Chief Col Nikorn Somsuk and Deputy Chief for Provincial Defence Administration Jiradet Burarak, raided the warehouse, located on Thepanusorn Rd at 6:30pm.

Police said that the raid followed a resident reporting that a group of people were gambling inside.

Officials surrounded the

area and arrested 16 Thais: 10 men and six women. Four Myanmar nationals were also arrested.

Police seized more than B130,000 cash, 142 betting tokens, two baskets containing players’ mobile phones as well as written records of bets placed and winning payouts.

“They were concentrating on playing the board game when we arrived,” Col Nikorn said.

“They panicked and ran, but we apprehended all of them. Some of the gamblers were still wearing white to mark the Vegetarian Festival,” he said.

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olice have arrested two men and a woman, and seized more than 70,000 methamphetamine pills (ya bah), more than 600 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) as well as a gun, bullets and cars, within two days after breakthrough against a drug network run by an ominous “Mr Chaen”.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen and Provincial Police Chief Investigator Col Akanit Darnpitaksarn announced the arrests at a press conference last Friday (Oct 7).

Anti-narcotic officers led by Col Akanit arrested Sommard Phumi, 39; Muktad Boonprasop, 30; and Ms Chonlada Muser, 37, on Oct 5-6, Maj Gen Teeraphol said.

The suspects were not presented at the press conference, though samples of the evidence seized – totalling 71,890 meth pills, 625.64g of ya ice, a gun and 87 bullets – were displayed.

The arrests came after antinarcotics police arrested Thanu

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen (left) said officers were investigating leads to the ominous “Mr Chaen”. Photo: Phuket Provincial Police Maidee in Phuket Town with ya ice, Maj Gen Teeraphol said.

After questioning Thanu, police raided Sommard’s home in Moo 1 Chalong – at 6pm on Oct 5, he added.

Sommard was found in possession of 890 meth pills, 3.62g of ya ice at the time of his arrest. “Thanu also told officers that he brought drugs from a man named Muktad,” Gen Teeraphol said.

Police arrested Muktad at a rented room in Rassada, where police seized 7,000 meth pills,

345.86g of ya ice, one pistol and 87 bullets, he continued. Police also seized a Chevrolet car the suspect used to transport drugs, he said.

In his statement to police, Muktad confessed that he brought drugs from a “Mr Chaen”.

“He said every time he ordered drugs from Chaen, Chaen would have Ms Chonlada deliver them to clients,” Maj Gen Teeraphol said.

Police had Muktad call Chaen and order 2,000 meth

pills for B130,000, Gen Teeraphol added. “On Oct 6 at 12:30pm Chonlada was arrested near Kathu Wittaya School with drugs she was about to deliver,” he explained.

Police later searched Chonlada’s residence at Plus Condo, where officers discovered 64,000 meth pills, 276.16g of ya ice and other items. Police also seized a Toyota Altis from her, Maj Gen Teeraphol said.

Police are now questioning the three suspects in the hope of tracking down “Mr Chaen”.

Full charges for hit-and-run cop THE POLICE OFFICER who injured six people in a drunk-driving multiple hitand-run in Phang Nga last month will face full charges, Phang Nga Police have confirmed to The Phuket News.

Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit of the Phang Nga Muang District Police was taken into custody on Sept 9 after he left six people injured after his pickup truck crossed Phetkasem Rd and crashed into them – then he fled the scene.

Witnesses said Sub Lt Thanom reeked of alcohol when he exited his vehicle at a local temple. The incident sparked outrage among local residents in Phang Nga Town.

In less than 24 hours, Sub Lt Thanom was then released on bail of B20,000 after he was charged with reckless driving causing injury and fleeing the scene of an accident.

After taking more than two weeks to ascertain the results of the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) tests from Phang Nga Hospital, police finally confirmed that Sub Lt Thanom will be charged with drunk driving.

This week, Lt Dusit Phongphan, an inspector with the Phang Nga Muang District Police, confirmed that police

Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit caused outrage among locals after leaving six people injured when he ploughed his pickup truck into them while drunk at the wheel. had concluded their investigation into the case. “Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit will face charges of reckless driving, fleeing the scene of an accident (hit and run), causing injury to others and driving under the influence of alcohol,” he said on Tuesday (Oct 11).

Lt Dusit reconfirmed that the test results showed that Lt Thanom’s BAC was more than 50mg at the time of the incident. However, Lt Dusit refused to reveal what the BAC test result was. He also did not explain why it took two weeks to receive the results.

Lt Dusit also said, “All three people injured in Phang Nga Hospital are now being taken care of by Sub Lt Thanom and they have left the hospital and gone back home.”

However, those details conflict with earlier confirmed reports that six people were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries, and that two of them were required to stay in hospital for at least 10 days.

Phang Nga Police have yet to release the names of any of the people injured or report the extent of their injuries.

Lt Dusit said that Lt Thanom will face a police disciplinary tribunal, but refused to detail what standard policy mandated be handed down as punishment.

“The Phang Nga Muang District Police will do the best with our duty on standard practice for police officers found guilty of drunk driving,” he said.

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Thousands line streets for Vegetarian Festival Suthicha Sirirat editor@classactmedia.co.th

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housands of locals and tourists lined the streets of Phuket Town last Sunday night (Oct 9) as the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival saw the last day of street processions and the sending off of the Emperor Gods worshipped throughout the nine-day event.

The final day of the festival began early with huge numbers turning out to join a street procession from the Sui Boon Tong Shrine, but the grand finale came later at night when the streets of Phuket Town were filled with smoke from the customary lighting of firecrackers as the various shrines led their processions towards Saphan Hin. Those that had made the journey to Phuket Town early Sunday morning witnessed the final street procession of the festival, which started at Sui Boon Tong Shrine and featured hundreds of Ma Song mortifying their flesh with axes and maces and parading with other metal objects inserted

Not only are the cooks at the Kua Tian Keng Chinese Shrine at Saphan Hin preparing free meals for people taking part in the Vegetarian Festival, they’re also fetching the plates and cups tossed into the water.

Veg Fest cook rails against litterbugs

The street procession from the Sui Boon Tong Shrine passed through Phuket Town. through cuts in their cheeks or hung by hooks from their chests or backs.

A large number of locals had set up tables in front of their home and lit firecrackers to welcome the parade and bid farewell to the gods for another year.

However, the grand finale of the final day’s events came at 11pm when all partaking

shrines held a farewell ritual in front of the lantern poles which had stood since being raised on Sept 30 and marked the start of the 2016 event.

After performing the rituals, the lights were turned off at the shrines and street processions left on their journey to Saphan Hin passing through Phuket Town where Ma Song were greeted with smoke and

the noise of firecrackers being lit by those who lined the streets.

Although seen as the closure of the festival, last Sunday’s celebrations were followed with the lowering of the shrine’s lantern poles at 4pm on Monday (Oct 10) to ceremonially mark the end of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival for this year.

A COOK AT ONE OF THE main Chinese shrines that took part in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival has railed against litterbugs who eat for free at the shrine where she cooks, then dump their dishes into the waterfront.

Sakda Mongkolnoy let loose at the free-eating litterbugs in a post on Facebook last week, calling them “heartless” and saying they “had no understanding of the merit made as part of the festival”.

Sakda served as a cook at the Kua Tian Keng Shrine at Saphan Hin, where fellow cooks had to enter the water along the shorefront to retrieve plates, cups and even spoons that have been tossed into the water.

“This is plain bad,” Ms

Sakda said. “Why would a good person take part in the Vegetarian Festival, but then do this? It is plain heartless “I cook for you, but you do not understand what it means to take part in the Vegetarian Festival,” she said.

The Kua Tian Keng Shrine at Saphan Hin is one of the main shrines in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival and serves as the venue for the final night of festivities, which traditionally closes with a ceremonial bonfire and fireworks at midnight.

Many of the shrines taking part in the festival hold processions to the shrine as their final act of devotion to the Gods.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Jetstar mulls flight ban for Aussie brawlers returning from Phuket holiday JETSTAR IS CONSIDERing imposing a flight ban on Australian tourists who engaged in a mid-air brawl while returning home from a holiday in Phuket, while the Australian National Police (AFP) have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Police were called to escort a 27-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman off the plane when it landed in Sydney on Oct 5 after the fight allegedly broke out between the two passengers midway

@thephuketnews

through the journey from Phuket to Australia.

Finance expert Scott Haywood told Melbourne radio station 3AW he was among a group of passengers who were forced to restrain the pair, reported Australian state news agency ABC News.

Mr Haywood said the fight started after the woman reclined her seat back onto the man’s mother, which prompted the man to thump the woman’s chair, and then the argument became physical.

“In the area there were about 12 of us who saw it all and they were certainly laying into each other,” he said.

Mr Haywood said the incident was “distressing” but there were no serious injuries, with the two families separated in different sections of the plane, reported ABC. “Investigations remain ongoing and as such, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” an AFP spokesman said.

Jetstar said in a statement

that it did not tolerate “disruptive behaviour” on its flights.

“We will conduct a review with a view to banning these passengers travelling with us in the future,” the airline said.

Craig Ferguson, Australian Consul-General for Phuket told The Phuket News, “This comes on the back of the Australian government’s smartraveller campaign encouraging Australians to ‘Stay Classy in the Air’.

“Through our advisories at smartraveller.gov.au we urge

Police were called to escort a man and a woman off the plane when it landed in Sydney last Wednesday afternoon (Oct 5), after they engaged in a mid-flight brawl. Photo: AFP Australians to act responsibly and exercise common sense at all times. Courtesy and respect

for other travellers goes with that,” he said.

The Phuket News

Opinion 8

OPINION

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

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CHRIS HUSTED

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

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

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

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EDITORIAL

Unexplained or unexamined?

T

he case of the French tourist who died alone in his vomit and fluid soaked hotel room in Patong is disturbingly similar to a string of unexplained tourist deaths in recent years. Perhaps the most recent and notable of which was the death of the two Belanger sisters from Canada on Phi Phi Island in 2012. (See story p3) Again in this case initial reports from police have speculated, without evidence, that severe food poisoning or allergic reaction may have been the cause. To be sure, food poisoning is a common enough malady around the world and particularly among tourist visiting unfamiliar countries. In most cases, medical care is sought and is able to prevent its escalation and possibly lethal outcome.

Perhaps the severity or extremely rapid onset of an illness prevented this man

from seeking medical care in time to save his life.

Speculation on the cause of his death is just that, for the sake of reassuring tourists and the locals, it behoves police to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of death and take steps to prevent it happening to someone else.

Given the volume of comments and messages received

by The Phuket News in the past week, it seems clear that both tourists and hospitality workers are paying close attention to the case and sharing it on social media. There have also been unconfirmed reports of booking cancellations at hotels in Patong directly related to this incident.

Police remained tightlipped about the nature and progress of their investigation as this newspaper went to print. It seems that only a perfunctory forensic examina-

tion of the man’s hotel room had been carried out before it was cleaned, perhaps destroying valuable clues as to the cause of the death.

Cases like this in Thailand have gained worldwide notoriety and it is incumbent on police, for the sake of the country’s tourism lifeblood, to examine all possible causes and accurately determine the cause of this man’s death.

It is not good enough for police to say he probably died from “this” or it may have been caused by “that”.

Employed correctly, modern forensic and autopsy procedures, even if they cannot determine the exact cause, can rule out certain possibilities.

Was it caused by bacteria in the air-con? Food poisoning?

Allergic reaction? Poisonous chemicals? Drugs? A preexisting disease? A jellyfish sting? We deserve to know.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

French tourist, 27, found dead in Phuket hotel room Jetstar mulls flight ban for Aus sie braw ler s returning from Phuket holiday Phuket Chinese tourists in hospital after accident Dutch tourist jailed in Myanmar for pulling plug on Buddhist sermo Sea creature invasion on Phuket beaches not jellyfish, says expert Man blasted with shotgun near Phuket housing estate in suspected jealousy attack Sam Kong Underpass: Over and out Dive instructor confesses, charged for road rage incident Phuket beach food vendor shot in drive-by near airport Phuket Vegetarian Festival spectacle draws thousands

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Sad, unnecessary and preventable Re: Chinese tourist dies in ICU after 10 days comatose Very sad, a beautiful 22 year old life tragically ended.

It is no secret that Chinese are not strong swimmers, many having never seen the ocean before, let alone swim in it.

But as long as they pay their few thousand baht to the tour clowns... they are good to go. No training, and no oversight once they hop off the boat.

Inspite of all the deaths, nothing has changed, which just proves once again that Thais seem unable or unwilling to look after the safety and welfare of tourists.

Ed Sanders .....................................................

Police not leaving anything to chance Re: Phuket raid nets 20 gamblers, B130K cash seized Yep, good to see law enforcement have their priorities right. Gosh aren’t there more pressing issues than a few

adults having a bet!! Let adults make their own decisions and live by them as in any developed country, if a spot of gambling takes your fancy as a form of entertainment so be it, it’s your money to lose and your decision to live by, what a joke!

Pauly44 Why are there many casinos owned by Thais in neighbouring countries but no casinos in Thailand? Seeing the flow of Thais who go to neighbouring country’s casinos there is a market for the Thai government to have Thai casinos. The casinos in Singapore are well managed, corruption free, and provide the Singapore Government a lot of state income.

Kurt Gambling causes innumerable problems such as addiction, gambling related crimes, organised crime, money laundering to name a few. If you think Singapore is immune best think again. Who would want to set up a casino in a country where the minimum wage is 300 baht per day?

Joe12

Low hanging fruit left to rot

Putting the cart before the horse

Re: Fall of a master forger: ‘The Doctor’ behind the Thai passport trade Thailand does not check passports against Interpol’s stolen or lost database which registers tens of millions of documents?

It is worth it, according a Thai official, but Thailand does not do it. Why? Access to the database costs only B900,000? Just a miserable 23,000 Euro’s? Is that sensible Thai “national security” thinking?

Thais always a have mouth full about “national security” and bother expats living here with funny papers to fill out for the Immigration office, even now you have to provide a photo with you in front of your house.

It seems as if they completely off the road with their thinking and acting/non acting regarding national security. Last week the arrest of a 20-year-old Hong Kong student, Mr J Wong, by 20 police officers at Suvarnabhumi airport, has shown that already.

Kurt

Re: Action plan aims to cut road carnage No mention of enforcement.

It is a total waste of time implementing changes without substantial law enforcement. Also, no mention of compulsory driver training of which there is none in this country.

Rocky ...................................................

War of the rows Re: Jetstar mulls flight ban for Aussie brawlers returning from Phuket holiday Seems the woman did nothing wrong, but I will admit if your seat is upright and the person in front reclines their seat fully, it is annoying and pretty much right in your face.

So the answer would be to make the seats so they can only be reclined half way back or cancel all. But banning the “classy Aussies” from flying. Ha ha. Jetstar would go broke. slippery snake

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

THAILAND NEWS

9

Harsh action proposed Justice Ministry to ask for measures to tackle drink driving NATIONWIDE

A

nti-drink driving networks back calls for a court to specifically handle cases relating to trafficlaw violations, and have called for harsher penalties for drink drivers who cause deaths.

Representatives of the Victims of Drunk Driving Network and the Campaign against Dangers of Alcohol Consumption Network on Monday (Oct 10) handed a letter to the Justice Ministry to ask it to step up measures to tackle drink driving.

Deputy permanent secretary for justice Thawatchai Thaikhiew, who accepted the letter, said he agreed with calls for tougher laws against drink drivers.

Relatives of victims killed in drink driving-related accidents, including a four-year-old girl who succumbed to injuries in a road accident in Rayong last month, also went to the ministry.

Jessada Yaemsabai, leader of the networks, said the net-

The Victims of Drunk Driving Network and the Campaign against the Dangers of Alcohol Consumption Network handed a letter to the Justice Ministry yesterday (Oct 10) asking for tighter measures against drink driving. Photo: Apichit Jinakul works support a government policy, adopted at an Oct 4 cabinet meeting, aimed at preventing road accidents, including cases relating to drink driving.

The networks have also called for traffic laws to be amended so drink driving causing death is on par with an act of premeditated murder, rather

than an act of recklessness.

Meanwhile, those in the same vehicle as the offending driver should also be punished, the suggested amendment says.

He added that pubs, bars and other places that sell alcohol to those who cause road accidents should also be held responsible.

The networks have also

Infant’s corpse vanishes SAMUT PRAKAN A PRO BE H A S BE E N launched into the disappearance of the corpse of a newborn baby girl at a public hospital in Samut Prakan.

The mother, 15, said the body of her infant mysteriously disappeared from Samut Prakan Hospital late Tuesday morning (Oct 11) when she and her relatives went to their to pick up the corpse for a funeral rite.

She gave birth to the baby girl at her house on the night of Oct 5 after her six-month pregnancy. Her baby developed unusual health symptoms after her premature birth.

She rushed to take her to Samut Prakan Hospital but the infant died from heart failure on Oct 7.

The young mother said she had asked the hospital to keep the body while her family was in the process of notifying relevant agencies about the death so that they could take the corpse for a religious ceremony. After the death, she went to the hospital every day to see her baby. She last saw her on Monday evening (Oct 10).

After submitting all required documents, she went to the hospital on Tuesday to pick @thephuketnews

Relatives come to Samut Prakan Hospital to pick up the body of a newborn infant. Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan up the body, but did not find it.

Sutthirat Rangklang, 32, on Tuesday accompanied his 15-year-old sister, mother of the dead infant, to file a complaint with at Muang Police Station.

Relatives had asked hospital staff about the missing body, but received unclear explanations, he said. They later went

to meet the hospital director.

Samut Prakan Hospital Director Samphan Khomrit on Tuesday admitted the body of the infant had disappeared from the hospital.

He apologised to the relatives of the infant for the emotionally traumatic incident.

Bangkok Post

supported an idea to set up a traffic court to enforce stricter compliance with traffic laws, Mr Jessada said.

The suggestion is among several proposals in a study on traffic problems conducted by the Thailand Research Fund.

Recent figures show an average of 72 road accidents are caused by drink driving

each month, he said.

More than 26,000 people are killed in road accidents each year – 35 per cent to 40 per cent of whom die at the hands of drink drivers – while more than B200 billion worth of damage is caused by motoring collisions every year.

On Sept 27, 42-year-old Ruengnam Pornpong drove

a pickup truck at high speed and crashed into seven vehicles – two pickups, two cars, and two motorcycles – which were waiting to make a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights in front of a fruit market in Rayong’s Muang district.

Three people were injured, including Phakjira Tabngam, a 4-year-old girl, who was thrown off a motorcycle she was riding with her mother.

The girl suffered serious injuries to her head and was later pronounced dead at a hospital on Sept 28.

Police charged Mr Ruengnam, the pickup driver, with carelessness causing deaths and injuries.

The deputy permanent secretary for justice said he agrees with a proposal to amend the laws to mete out harsher punishment to drink drivers.

He said a drink driving case is equivalent to attempted murder in some European countries.

Mr Thawatchai added the Justice Ministry will work with state agencies to push for the amendments.

Bangkok Post

10 THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

A scuba diver enters the reservoir of Srinakharin dam in Kanchanaburi province to search for a Bangkok tourist who has been missing there since last Saturday (Oct 8). Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen

Diver dies searching for missing tourist in dam lake KHANCHANABURI A RESCUE DIVER PAssed out and later died while helping search for a missing Bangkok man in the reservoir of the Srinakharin dam on Wednesday (Sept 12).

Scuba diver Man Panwan, 46, of Kanchanaburi municipality, ascended too quickly, then complained of severe pain in his neck and

lost consciousness.

Mr Man was given first aid and taken to Tha Kradan Hospital in Si Sawat district, then to Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, and then Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital in Bangkok, where he was declared dead from an air embolism.

Mr Man was among a large group of divers and rescuers who joined the search for Anirut Khunwijaeng, 39,

of Bangkok, who fell from a tourist raft on the reservoir last Saturday (Oct 8) and has not been seen since.

The search of the 12.8 billion cubic metres of water behind the dam entered its fifth day on Wednesday, and was being hampered by the many submerged trees and other obstacles.

Mr Anirut and his wife were on a rafting trip.

Bangkok Post

Herbert Craig La Fon, a US national with at least 16 aliases, is being held on several charges including shooting a policeman, while detectives pursue leads on passport forgery and the dead ‘man in the freezer’. Photo: Tourist Police via Bangkok Post

Police probe will separate forgery and murder cases BANGKOK

A

probe into the dismembered body found in a freezer during a passport forgery raid will be separated from the forgery case to ease pressure on police investigators, said the city police commissioner.

Lt G e n Sa n it Ma h athavorn, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said he has ordered police to separate their work into two cases to spare them the pressure of quickly solving the investigation.

According to Lt Gen Sanit, the law allows suspects in the passport forgery case to be detained for 48 days while suspects in the murder case can be held for up to 84 days.

Police are still gathering evidence to determine whether three foreign suspects held in

the fake passport operation have something to do with the victim’s death.

Identified as Herbert Craig La Fon, James Douglas Eger and Aaron Thomas Gabel, all US nationals, the trio was apprehended on Sept 23 when police raided a five-storey building on Sukhumvit Soi 56 following a tip-off the premises were being used by a passport forgery gang.

As police searched for evidence, they found the dismembered body of a foreign male in a large freezer. The corpse was identified as that of Charles Edward Ditlefsen, a US national. The three men were charged with multiple offences including resisting arrest, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, forging official documents and concealing a corpse.

Lt Gen Sanit conceded while there is significant

progress in the investigation into the dismembered body, it is hard to tell when the probe will be concluded.

He said police have contacted the victim’s family and asked them to travel to Thailand to provide information. The city police chief, however, declined to discuss the result of a toxicology test on the corpse, saying he has yet to receive a report from forensic experts.

Last Saturday (Oct 8), Udomsak Hoonwijit, head of forensic medicine at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, disclosed that sodium thiopental was discovered in the victim’s liver. The drug is normally used to induce unconsciousness by anaesthesiologists.

According to Dr Udomsak, the findings were be handed over to police this week.

Bangkok Post

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

ASIA NEWS 11

Fuelling Tehran’s taxi glut ‘Bad economic situation’ clogs capital’s streets with ‘unofficial’ drivers IRAN

M

ansour Faridfar did well on the black market until the law caught up and left him jobless, forcing him to join the thousands of “shakhsi” unofficial taxi drivers clogging Tehran’s streets.

“I used to be very well off and I thought my fate was in my hands, but I gradually learned that was not true,” said the 60-year-old father of two, driving a route through the north of the Iranian capital.

Faridfar once made good money on Iran’s vast black market, even if smuggling in Western clothes such as ties and women’s coats earned him a few months in jail during the unforgiving period just after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

His luck ran out in the 1990s when a $50,000 (B1.7 million) shipment was seized by customs, bankrupting him.

Later, he narrowly avoided another stint in prison for selling poor-quality rice to the education ministry.

“So four years ago, I

@thephuketnews

An Iranian woman talks to the driver of a private car serving as an unofficial taxi in Tehran’s northwestern Punak neighbourhood. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP bought this Pride and started working as a driver,” he said, gesturing around his battered car, the cheapest model in Iran.

Now, he makes around 800,000 rials (B806) a day working as a shakhsi (which means “personal” in Farsi).

More than half is lost on expenses.

Such fly-by-night careers are common in Iran thanks to decades of economic mismanagement and international isolation. The jobless rate currently stands at 11 per cent.

Tehran’s mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf this week bemoaned the growing number of shakhsi caused, he said, by the “bad economic situation”.

“I’ve personally witnessed them dare to go to taxi ranks and take work away from (official) taxi drivers,” he told a transport conference.

Tehran already has 78,000 official taxis – more than five times the number in New York – and another 35,000 agency cabs.

Travelling one kilometre up Valyasr Street – the main north-south artery – can take more than an hour once rushhour kicks in at around 4pm.

“I’m not really satisfied working like this – none of us are. My expertise is the fashion business,” said Faridfar.

All these taxis mean you only need to stand on a Tehran curb for a few seconds before someone slows down and beeps their horn, offering a lift.

The range of options for vehicles is vast.

There are the yellow taxis of the municipality, the green taxis of the official private network, and neighbourhood agencies.

There are also cabs that ply fixed routes through the city and pick people up along the way, like a bus. Passengers can share with strangers or pay extra for “darbast” (“closed door”) to have the car to themselves.

With all this choice, there hardly seems room for the sort of ride-hailing apps that have transformed the industry in other countries.

Uber founder Travis Kalanick was famously inspired to start the company when he couldn’t find a taxi one night in tightly-regulated Paris – a problem he would never have encountered in Tehran.

Nonetheless, a couple of start-up companies have emerged in the city.

Snapp was first on the scene a couple of years ago, designed by university graduates and offering a service very similar to Uber.

The company’s CEO, Shahram Shahkar, says it is

“helping tens of thousands of customers connect to tens of thousands of drivers” and has ambitious plans to expand the service nationwide.

“Our vision is to provide a reliable and convenient software and service solution for the transportation sector in all cities of Iran,” he said.

Snapp is protected against competition from Uber by continuing US sanctions on Iran, which Washington has maintained despite a nuclear deal with world powers that came into force in January.

But Snapp must still contend with Tehran’s hellish traffic.

On a recent trip to the famed Friday bazaar, two expats stood in the blazing midday heat, waiting for their Snapp car to inch its way through traffic.

Determined to use up their pre-paid credit, they waved on dozens of traditional taxis that stopped to offer a ride while the Snapp car remained stuck in a bottleneck up the road.

“I think I’m going to cry,” said one sweating expat.

AFP

12 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Seeking owners of lost ashes

Worker’s quest to return urns left on Mexico City metro system MEXICO

T

wo items stand out in Donovan Alvarado’s lost and found office at the end of a cavernous corridor of Mexico City’s metro system: Urns containing the ashes of a child and of a young man.

Alvarado, 40, is the guardian of the only missing objects office of a subway system with 195 stations and 5.5 million daily users, some of whom are a forgetful bunch.

The 2,000 items that are lost each year end up in the badly-lit room at the end of Candelaria station, which is filled with identification cards, backpacks, bicycles, cellphones, toys, strollers, clothes and a mountain of shoes.

The phones in Alvarado’s dusty office date from the 1980s, but the old surroundings don’t keep him down. He has worked here for six years and has headed the lost and found department for more than a year.

“The satisfaction that we

Funeral urns found on a Mexico City metro train, are among some of the 2,000 items a year that end up in the lost property department of the subway system. Photo: Pedro Pardo/AFP get from returning an object to its owner is priceless,” Alvarado says. “The thanks people give with tears in their eyes doesn’t have a price.

This is such a noble office.”

Wearing a white shirt, a bright orange tie and a navy blue suit jacket with the metro’s orange logo, the tall metro worker keeps the two most important items of all at the top of a metal shelf.

The two urns were found in metro cars between December and January. While the law requires that lost objects be donated if nobody claims them after six months, Alvarado is holding on to those two until he finds the owners.

The varnished, dark wood urn has a small plaque with the name Rebeca Menes Perez, who was born on Sep-

tember 14, 2010, and died on March 8, 2014.

The child’s urn is decorated with two red heartshaped stickers with white dots flanking a metal angel whose wings are spread wide.

The plaque on the second and bigger wooden urn indicates that the ashes are those of Gustavo Guerra Orduna, who was born in 1973 and died in 2000.

Alvarado has placed an image of Jesus Christ behind the urns “for their souls to rest in peace.”

There are two other urns on the shelf, but they are empty, which leads him to believe “they were never used to store ashes.”

A former reporter and media department employee for the city gover nment, Alvarado and his two coworkers have gone through phone books to look for the urns’ owners.

When Alvarado thought he was close to finding the people who left behind the ashes of Gustavo and Rebeca, he went to the civil registry to get more information, but officials refused due to privacy laws.

The urns are not his only mission. He still hopes to find the owner of a US passport filled with stamps from border agents, or the couple who left a large photo of their wedding in a train.

But he also recalls a few successes, like the day a man forgot a medical report showing that he had a brain

tumour and needed an urgent operation.

“There was a hospitalisation order, so I looked for him. The gentleman lived in Baja California Norte (state in northwestern Mexico) and after several phone calls, I found one of his relatives, who told him that his report was here,” Alvarado recalls.

“The gentleman came and, with tears in his eyes, blessed me 20,000 times,” he says.

As for the urns, his quest continues and he will keep them “as long as necessary.”

“I would like to return them to their families. I won’t give up,” he says.

Based on the dates on the urns, Alvarado thinks the owners were taking the urns from a cemetery niche to a house and they forgot them “because of the pain” of having the remains in their hands again.

During his own 90-minute commute in the metro each day, Alvarado “meticulously” looks to make sure that “nobody forgets anything, because you never know what they can forget.”

AFP

Tutu wants choice of assisted death SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICAN RETIred Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu celebrated his 85th birthday last Friday (Oct 7) saying he would like to be allowed the option of dignified assisted death.

“Today, I myself am even closer to the departures hall than arrivals, so to speak, and my thoughts turn to how I would like to be treated when the time comes,” Tutu wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post.

“I have prepared for my death and have made it clear that I do not wish to be kept alive at all costs,” said Tutu, who was discharged from hospital late last month.

“I hope I am treated with compassion and allowed to pass on to the next phase of life’s journey in the manner of my choice,” he wrote.

Tutu, who is fondly referred to as the Arch, has spent time in hospital on several occasions since last year for a nagging infection.

One reason for his hospitalisation has been an infection resulting from the prostate cancer treatment he has been

South Africa’s retired Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu attends a tea party to mark his 85th birthday last Friday (Oct 7). Photo: AFP receiving for nearly 20 years.

“Now more than ever, I feel compelled to lend my voice to this cause,” he said.

“For those suffering unbearably and coming to the end of their lives, merely knowing that an assisted death is open to them can provide immeasurable comfort.”

Medically-assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia is illegal in South Africa, but in recent years there have been growing calls for it to be legalised.

Early last Friday, Tutu presided over Eucharist at his home church in Cape Town, an AFP photographer witnessed.

He paid a moving tribute to St George’s Cathedral before laying his head on the communion table and briefly wept.

“I have indicated that when the time comes I would like to rest here, permanently, with you,” he told the worshippers.

Tutu, who became the first black Anglican archbishop of Cape Town in 1986, had a cup of tea with worshippers after the Friday morning service.

President Jacob Zuma and the last apartheid leader F.W. de Klerk led tributes to Tutu.

In a statement Zuma said Tutu “has contributed immensely to the freedom and democratic dispensation” of South Africa.

“He continues to inspire the world in the promotion of human rights, justice and the well-being of all especially the poor,” said Zuma.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

BUSINESS NEWS 13

Europe back on the agenda Tourism campaign targets traditional and new continental markets TOURISM Suthicha Sirirat editor@classactmedia.co.th

K

ey tourism figures have launched a drive to reinvigorate tourist interest in Phuket and ramp up tourism arrivals from a much wider base of source markets, including Europe and the Middle East.

The campaign gained momentum last month with the Sept 21 opening of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Prague to tap the growing potential of the rapidly emerging markets in the Czech Republic and its neighbouring countries.

The opening was officiated in person by TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn and TAT Board Chairman Kalin Sarasin. Headed by Wiyada Srirangkul, the office is responsible for promoting tourism from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

“As part of a new focus on ‘quality’ visitors, we are targeting long-staying, high-

The tourism roadshow to Nice, Lyon and Paris was well received with tour operators expressing keen interest in providing winter-break holidays to French travellers. spending visitors, especially from ‘new markets’. That is what makes the Prague office so important to our new strategy,” Mr Yuthasak said, Between 2012 to 2015, visitors from Central Europe grew from about 203,540 to 342,900, at an annual average growth rate of 12.85 per cent. The Czech Republic rose from 35,909 in 2014 to almost 38,998 in 2015, an increase of 8.6%.

“In 2016, we are project-

ing 379,000 visitors from this region overall. Our key target markets will be first-time visitors,” Mr Yuthasak said.

Less than a week after the opening of the Prague office, leading Phuket tourism figures staged a tourism trade roadshow in France. Leading the France roadshow tour, from Sept 26-30, were key members from the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), which held the trade tour in collaboration with the Phuket

Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO).

Present as part of the roadshow to table tourism trade deals to Phuket were hotel operators, tour companies, airline companies, spa operators and Muay Thai boxing camp operators.

“September is the best time to do a roadshow because it is approaching winter there, when the French will start travelling abroad again,” explained PTA President

Sathirapong Na Takuatoong.

The roadshow was held in three cities: Nice, Lyon and Paris. “We selected these cities because they have the highest number of tourists visiting Thailand each year,” Mr Sathirapong said.

“Our records show that over about the past year around 300,000 tourists to Thailand came from Paris, with another 80,000 coming from Lyon and a further 60,000 from Nice,” he added.

Prakit Saiporn, the marketing specialist from the TAT France office, said his office expected a huge jump in the number of French tourists to Phuket.

“The number of French tourists visiting Phuket is increasing every year, even in times when the country is in distress. This year we expect to see the number rising to 700,000 people, or about an 8% increase from the previous year,” he said.

“In the past, only elderly tourists visited Thailand, usually the northern provinces for cultural insights, but today that has changed. The French tourists who come to Thailand

these days are younger, and they love to go the beach, especially in Phuket,” he added.

Mr Sathirapong remained buoyant about the current state of Phuket’s inbound tourism, but noted, “Phuket is still looking good in every market, except the Chinese market, which is experiencing a downturn from the zero-dollar tour company issue. However, this is having a small effect on our market because Chinese coming to Phuket are mainly Free Independent Travellers (FITs),” he said.

Despite Mr Sathirapong’s positive appraisal of Phuket’s current tourism status, the PTA will drive on with its marketing campaign in Europe and elsewhere beyond Asia.

“The roadshow will go on,” confirmed PPAO Councillor Somkid Suphap.

“The PTA roadshow will join ITB Asia in Singapore on Oct 19-21 and ITB Berlin on March 9-12 next year.

“Also, there will be more roadshows in February targeting FIT groups from China and in April targeting tourists from the UAE, Iran and Qatar,” Mr Somkid said.

Russian arrivals to Thailand spike by 42% in August TOURISM FOR EIGN A R R I VA LS statistics for August, released earlier this month by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), delivered strong evidence of the ongoing revival in the Russian market.

The Department of Tourism, under the MoTS, reported 59,689 travellers from Russia visited Thailand in August, up 41.79% compared with August 2015.

@thephuketnews

Russian arrivals during the first eight months totalled 651,830 visitors (up 19.99% year-on-year), making Russia the largest of Thailand’s tourism source markets among non-Asian countries. The recovery has now been ongoing for several consecutive months.

In total Thailand enjoyed 2.87 million international arrivals in August (up 11% year-on-year) and 22.41mn since the beginning of the year (up 11.75%).

Despite the recent crack-

down on zero-baht tours, China remains the largest contributor in terms of tourist arrival volume. According to MoTS, in August Thailand welcomed 891,382 visitors from China (up 11.34% yearon-year). Chinese arrivals during the first eight months of 2016 totalled 6.66mn (up 19.22% from 2015).

The latest figures from the MoTS also indicated a revival in Australian and New Zealand markets. The decline from those markets stopped and

in August arrivals from these countries grew by 2.26% and 4.02%, respectively.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects about one million Russian arrivals to the Kingdom in 2016, up 13% on last year.

Earlier this year Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) reported that travellers from Russia started returning to the Land of Smiles amid the rainy season attracted by affordable prices.

Phuket Tourist Associa-

Tourists at Patong Beach. Photo: PercyGermany / Flickr tion President Sathirapong Na Takuatoong agreed. “The increase in the number of Russian tourists this year is undeniable, and the number of charter flights to Phuket is increasing… I can’t say

that these Russians will be higher quality than those who came two years ago, but they are spending more – about B5,000 per person and a day,” he added.

Anton Makhrov

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Getting down to business bans for up to three years.

As for individual small-time traders worried about their investments, two words: stop loss – set them. But if you fail to do so, rest assured that the SET sets 30-per-cent ceilings and f loors for all stocks, in which trading will cease as soon as one of these limits is reached during any given trading session, alerting regulators to examine any suspect anomalies, and more importantly, ensure investors have some basic protection.

INVESTMENT

Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

H

aving read the first few instalments of this introductory series on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), you might be feeling confident enough by now to go and open a brokerage account at your preferred Thai bank… or perhaps you’re still a little sceptical or intimidated about investing in Thai public companies. Who could blame you? There are plenty of headlines in the popular dailies alluding to how vulnerable the Thai economy supposedly is, citing a number of concerns, be it sluggish foreign direct investment, rising minimum wages or a strong baht impacting the country’s export potential, for example.

No doubt, competitive labour in neighbouring markets boasting cheaper labour and weaker currencies may threaten the profit margins and impact the bottom line of some players, who in turn may be compelled to consider shifting part or all of their production and manufactur-

At face value, investing in the Stock Exchange of Thailand may seem overwhelming, but it needn’t be. Photo: AFP ing bases to said countries. To some extent, these are valid concerns, but you’d be wise not to take such pessimistic rhetoric at face value. The Thai economy, as reflected in the SET, is very dynamic and its future prosperity will not depend on third-world wages and cheap goods for the world market. In any case, following are some more observations to help put your mind at ease about SET trading.

SETting the bar When I first started trading in the SET, one of my Thai friends asked if I was worried about the risk of putting my money at the mercy of corrupt corporate practices such as insider trading. In short: “No!” No doubt, there will always be shady business deals taking place behind the scenes, be it in the SET or any other stock exchange; the NYSE, LSE, TSE, SEHK,

SGX – none of these reputable financial marketplaces are immune to fraud or unfair trading – but all of them, including the SET, are overseen by a Securities and Exchange Commission tasked with monitoring, auditing, regulating and holding companies accountable to stringent rules and criteria so as to maintain their listing status.

SET company executives can be – and are – held accountable for shady dealings regularly, usually in the form of hefty fines. Also, new rules issued by Thailand’s SEC effective August 2016 subject directors or executives found guilty and fined for unfair trading practices to SET company management

Penny Trading While the real money in the SET is made by fat cats overseeing large funds or working for internationallyoriented institutional investors, that’s not to say that everyday, ordinary folk who can barely claim a six-figureThai-baht annual income – like this author – can’t reap some financial fruit from the lucrative SET tree with minimal starting capital.

Many brokers trade with an initial deposit of as little as B5,000. The share price for listed companies can range from a handful of satang (there are 100 satang per one baht) to many hundreds of baht. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that you can not just buy one share in a SET company, but must buy a minimum of one lot of 100 shares.

Let’s say you had a hunch that fast food was on the up

and wanted to own a stake in Burger King, Pizza Company and Swenson’s restaurants.

The parent company of these franchises in Thailand is Minor Corporation (MINOR) which, at the time of press had stock selling for about B38.75 per share. Thus the minimum stake you could get in this security at said price would be 100 shares for B3,875, not including commission and tax.

Or, let’s say you believed in the future of low-cost-carriers, and wanted a stake in market leader Thai AirAsia, owned

by Asia Aviation Pcl, which was selling at time of press for about B6.45 per share.

Your minimum stake in this company, therefore, would be 100 shares for B645, less commission and tax.

Keep in mind, however, that most brokers charge a minimum daily commission (on days a transaction is made). For my broker it’s B50.

So thus a maximum B500 investment on such a day would mean that that stock would have to appreciate 20% just to break even on the sell (B50 or 10% commission on the buy, and another minimum B50 on the sell). Thus, it’s a good idea to create a spreadsheet factoring in commissions to determine your optimal minimal investment per day, and a realistic target appreciation to make profit.

Stay tuned for my next instalment in which I’ll share more of my SET revelations.

Disclaimer: This article should not substitute qualified “investment advice”. The author does not represent any bank, fiduciary, broker or consultancy of any kind and is merely one individual whose aim is to learn more about investing in the Thai stock market, and share his direct experiences with others, and thus assumes no responsibility or credit for any action or inaction by readers, whether resulting in gain or loss. Serious investors are advised to consult with a qualified financial adviser or fiduciary.

Ichitan mogul caught in condo rules PROPERTY BEVER AGE TYCOON Tan Passakornnatee says his Eastin Tan Hotel in Chiang Mai had no licence because of a change in city planning regulations, and that he wants to remedy the problem.

Mr Tan made the comments in a message posted on his Facebook page early on October 1 after local authorities charged the manager of the 128-room luxury hotel with running an unlicensed operation.

Mr Tan wrote that on June 29, 2012, his Tanboon Co received a licence for the construction of a nine-storey building, and on Dec 9, 2013,

Tan: ‘Ready to cooperate’ with authorities. it requested a hotel licence.

On July 29, 2014, the company obtained approval to change the type of building from a condominium to a hotel. On Aug 19, 2014, construction was completed and a licence to use the building was received.

Around the same time, however, new city planning regulations took effect with some changed requirements,

he wrote.

On Sept 13 this year, the company’s request for a hotel business licence was rejected because of new city planning regulations.

It filed a petition against the rejection on Sept 28.

The problem resulted from the transition between the old and new city planning regulations and the company did not intend to violate any law, he wrote.

The company was ready to cooperate with government agencies, wrote Mr Tan, the 57-year-old chairman and chief executive of Ichitan Group, well-known for its bottled tea and other beverages.

Bangkok Post

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

The tale that launched a blockbuster movie

19

A royal visitor opens Phuket’s newest school

16

LA DOLCE VITA Amari’s La Gritta gives you a taste of the Italian sweet life > P20

The crispy cannoli with ricotta cheese and chocolate chips is the perfect end to a hearty Italian meal. @thephuketnews

16 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

The start of something wonderful

U

nited World Colleges Thailand (UWCT) celebrated its official opening with over 400 guests attending the ceremony on October 1. Alongside students, parents and staff from the UWCT community, over 50 members from United World Colleges and National Committees joined the celebrations. Among them were prominent representatives from the UWC International Board, many of whom travelled from across the world to attend the opening of the 16th United World College in Phuket, Thailand.

The opening ceremony included speeches from Chair of the UWC International Board Sir John Daniel, an address by Vice Minister of Education for Thailand Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin, and Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, current President of UWC. After the speeches, students from Grades 2 through to 12 put on a number of performances that reflected the diversity within the new school. These included a New Zealand Haka performance, an African dance piece, a traditional ceremonial Thai dance, and a lively Bollywood number – the vast majority of which were created and developed by the students. The school’s poetry slam group also performed a powerful self-composed piece on the struggles of a refugee.

Speaking at the ceremony Her

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, President of UWC, receives an orchid from a student during the opening ceremony.

Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan, said, “Standing up to intolerance and injustice are not the only pressing issues our young people must face. They will be the generation that must address environmental issues such as access to food, water and other vital resources and managing a rapidly growing world population.

“Faced with these and other global concerns, we can see clearly that the world needs future leaders who know and understand one another and are inspired to make a positive difference.

“UWC Thailand has a unique role to play in addressing these challenges and demonstrating the power of education to bring people together,” she added.

When reflecting on how UWC Thailand can impact the island of Phuket, Julian Whiteley, Head of School at UWC Thailand, said, “Phuket’s economic health is dependent upon the health of the marine environment, and yet we have all witnessed the degradation that has taken place over the years, as it does in places the world over that become popular destinations.

“With the assistance of Nai Yang Sea Bees Dive School, run by UWC graduate Michael Bannick, our students will be working on a reef conservation project. The other marine conservation project we have embarked upon is mangrove reforestation. The students have already planted over 3,000 trees this year and our aspiration is to establish our own nursery,” he added.

UWC Thailand, formerly Phuket International Academy, offered a weekend program of student-led activities and workshops for guests to take part in.

UWCT currently has 375 students from 59 different countries, aged from 18 months to 18 years, and welcomed its first cohort of UWC National Committee scholars in August 2016. UWC has 154 National Committees worldwide which are in charge of selecting students for entry into one of the 16 UWC schools or colleges.

Selection is based on demonstrated promise and potential only and places are offered independent of financial means. A vast majority of students selected through UWC National Committees therefore receive full or partial scholarships in order to allow as many students as possible to receive a UWC education independent of their socioeconomic background.

The Phuket News

Microsoft GM to talk technology at Trisara

O

n Sunday, October 23, the Trisara Academy will be hosting Patama Chantaruck, General Manager of Worldwide Software Asset Management and Compliance at Microsoft, to speak about digital disruptions and how business owners and managers can learn from startups that innovate at rapid speeds.

While companies such as Airbnb, Uber, Netflix and Alibaba continue to disrupt their respective industries, it is critical for leaders to establish a digital transformation strategy of their own in order to remove the barriers that are keeping them from maximizing the potential impact of new digital technologies. The two-hour session will focus on how new technologies can best help your business gain a competitive advantage and overcome existing business challenges.

With her solid sales, marketing, and management strategies, Ms Chantaruck is known as a global transformation leader who brings strategic vision, passion, and profitable growth to multibillion dollar businesses. After joining Microsoft in 1995, she quickly became known as a leader who could span a breadth of technologies and businesses to transform some of Microsoft’s fastest growing segment customers and partners.

She is using her 25 years of experience in the IT and Telecom industries to help customers worldwide to optimize their IT investment, to build sustainable digital strategies, and to be more productive and successful in a mobilefirst, cloud-first world.

She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (Finance) and a master’s degree in Computer Engineer-

ing from the US. She recently graduated from a one-year Women’s Senior Leadership Program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, IL and Women Board of Directors Development Program, University of Washington.

The lecture series will take place on October 23 between 10am and 2pm at the Trisara Academy. Tickets are B3,000 per person. Call +66 76 310351 or email: info@trisaraacademy.com for inquiries and reservations,

Patama Chantaruck, General Manager of Worldwide Software Asset Management and Compliance at Microsoft will be speaking at Trisara on Oct 23.

Language is for life

A

ltogether, 142 students at British International School, Phuket (BISP) took part in a week-long Vocab Express online vocabulary learning competition entitled “League of Champions”. The competition wound up at 9:30pm on October 4.

BISP Head of Modern Languages Chris Greene said, “This was a fantastic performance against hundreds

BISP students achieved some of the top ranking scores in the world at the recent ‘League of Champions’ language competition.

of schools throughout the world. Well done to all those students who took part and gained points for the school.

Thanks also to the language teachers for their encouragement and assistance in running the competition.

“We now look forward to the FOBISIA Languages Competition in November, and the Vocab Express Global Challenge in March 2017. Congratulations again to all BISP students – an amazing effort,” he added.

A special mention goes to the following students for Spanish: Andrey Surkov – fourth in the world; Leon Carpenter – 15th in the world and Natacha Piquepe – 31st in the world.

And for Mandarin: Max Porter –16th in the world; Tara Bancroft – 17th in the world; Satinee Loh – 22nd in the world; Jun Seo Park – 25th in the world and Marisa Iversen – 27th in the world. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EXPLORE 17

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Cool off at Wat Khao Waterfall JAMIE’S PHUKET Jamie Monk editor@classactmedia.co.th

I

thought we had visited all the waterfalls in the Phuket area (including north of Phuket in Phang Nga province), but I was wrong. After so many years of living here, there have been many changes. Tourist attractions and restaurants come and go, but nature will (hopefully) always be here.

To the north of Phuket island, on the way to Khao Lak, there are a couple of very nice waterfalls – Ton Prai and Lampi. And there’s another, much closer to Phuket, only about 10 kilometres past Sarasin Bridge and just north of the town of Khok Kloi. I had seen the sign many times, but for some reason we never went to check out Wat Khao Waterfall until a couple of weeks ago. We were always on the way somewhere else, or on the way home, so Wat Khao remained unvisited. Also, I had never really seen anything about it online, and nobody had ever told me they had been until recently. We bumped into a friend while at Samed Nangshe viewpoint in Phang Nga, and he told me he’d just been to Wat Khao Waterfall. So it was in the back of my mind as we drove home from a long weekend in Chumphon a few weeks ago, and then saw the sign. It was 5pm and we were an hour from our house, but thought “let’s have a look!”

This occasional tendency of ours to randomly detour does lead to some great finds sometimes. There is a lot to see here, but you do need to get out and explore. The side road to Wat Khao Waterfall is only about 1.5km long, passing a temple on the way, followed by a side road heading uphill to a restaurant called Nern Khao View Talay. Passing this, you get to the waterfall, with a fair amount of parking space. Our first visit was a quick one, as the hour was already late. We had a quick look at the waterfall. “Nice”, we thought. Then, since we discovered a restaurant right there near the waterfall, we decided to have a nibble. The food was decent, the drinks cold, so we decided to return the next weekend.

We did visit again the very next week, heading up there in time for lunch on a Sunday, which was a lovely sunny

@thephuketnews

The view from Nern Khao View Talay restaurant.

Kids play and adults cool off in the flowing fresh water at Wat Khao Waterfall. day, and naturally we expected things to be a little busier.

This waterfall seems to have very little promotion online, but nevertheless, the parking area was quite full when we arrived just after midday. Oh, maybe this place is more popular than we thought?

The little restaurant just by the parking area is called Krua Klangdong (ครัวกลางดง). It only has maybe 10 tables and they were all full, but we got lucky as one table was just leaving. The tables are all under grass roofs, not all packed in together. The waitress told us that during the week they are open, but quiet. Then the weekends are crazy!

As we’d managed to snag a table, we told the kids to hold off on the swimming until after lunch. The staff at the restaurant were friendly but a bit hurried. Nevertheless, our food came pretty fast (I mean, they don’t have that many tables). Kids had simple things like fried chicken with garlic, while my wife and I ordered some more interesting dishes.

The menu had some rather odd translations. You could get things like “Mushroom bloody drown”, “Egg salad bully”, or “Hnnoaamgngm fried shrimp”. We ordered a few different dishes: Yam Goong Siap – crispy dried shrimp salad and Nam Prik Goong Siap – shrimp paste with crispy shrimp, served with veggies and fried morning glory.

All good food, I think we’ll visit again. Not a huge drive, about an hour from our house. The waterfall is right

there behind the restaurant. The kids ate faster than us, and then ran off to jump in the water. Even in low season, and we’d had plenty of rain, this waterfall is not too big. There are pools to sit and splash about in. And there were plenty of families and kids there on that Sunday.

A path headed uphill on the left side of the waterfall, and I hiked up quite a long way, but couldn’t see any great views, plus the path turned from good to overgrown. I don't think many people walk up there. My wife and I did not jump in the water, just let the kids

splash around before heading home.

So on the way out from the waterfall, we decided to take the steep road up to the other restaurant – Nern Khao View Talay. I thought it would maybe be rather a fancy place, and indeed it was very well presented, it looks like it’s not been there too long. We had a look at the menu and ordered a drink. Prices a little more than Klangdong by the waterfall, but the view was pleasant, you can just about see the sea from here.

I think we’ll come to eat here sometime, either lunch or maybe a sunset dinner. Always something new to try, either because it’s new, or because we just haven’t found it yet. Wat Khao Waterfall can be fitted in with a tour in the area, maybe visiting several waterfalls, or on the way to Khao Lak or combined with Samed Nangshe Viewpoint or just a quick trip for lunch. Nice to have a couple of restaurants there. Keep on exploring!

Jamie Monk blogs about all things Phuket. Visit his website JamiePhuket. com for more.

18 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

House of horrors

Get ready for Phuket’s most terrifying Halloween party!

A

re you brave enough to venture into the world of the undead? Vampires, witches, cannibals and disfigured freaks from your darkest nightmares await you within the walls of the UnderWorld Haunted House.

UnderWorld is Phuket’s most intense haunted house experience and the largest celebration of Halloween on the island. Entry is completely free for this one night only Halloween Eve event at Phuket Boat Lagoon on Saturday, October 29 from 5:30pm to 10pm.

The event is the brainchild of make-up and costume expert Marisa McRainey, who has worked on Hollywood movies, so like many Americans, she takes her Halloween’s deadly serious. She will be using her incredible talents to create some of the most realistic and scariest monsters and ghouls this side of a horror movie. The quality of the costumes and masks to be worn by actors in the haunted house and roaming around boat lagoon have to be seen to be believed.

There will be something for every-

one on the night with spooky animatronics, a haunted harbour and ghost ship, roaming costumed actors, and cutting-edge lighting and make-up effects. This will be Phuket’s scariest Halloween ever!

It’s the perfect night for families.

The children can do some trick or treating, while the parents enjoy dinner and drinks at one of Boat Lagoon’s fantastic restaurants. But be warned, it might be a bit too scary for the little kids, so the recommended age for children is 10-years and older.

Start your journey by picking up a Halloween Harbour events map while the kids play on the haunted pirate ship on the top floor of the Boat Lagoon Arcade next to the Villa Market.

Chart your course through dangers untold as you make your way to the lighthouse where there will be a giveaway of toys and candy to those who survive (while supplies last).

Celebrate Halloween in your spookiest costume while you trick or treat and explore the haunted boardwalk.

The kids can find games, scares, prizes and fun around every corner with a

This event is proudly sponsored by The variety of food and activities to choose Phuket News, for more information and from along with Boat Lagoon’s shopupdates visit: phuketunderworld.com or ping and entertainment. facebook.com/UnderWorldPhuket There will also be a best costume contest, a ghost ship decorating contest and opportunities to have your photo taken with the terrifying monsters prowling the boardwalk.

If you should you find yourself getting hungry along the way there are numerous great restaurants at Boat Lagoon, from pizza to burgers or a true NY style calzone, it’s all available along the boardwalk!

If you’re hungry for something a bit more upscale, head over to Les Diables where devious cocktails and fine dining dishes will be served up by the Devil himself, Chef Peter Webber, just a few steps away from the UnderWorld Haunted House.

Don’t miss out on Phuket’s biggest and scariest Halloween event, entry is completely free, so bring your friends and family for a night of trick or treating, food and fun at Monsters will be on the prowl at Boat Lagoon this Halloween.

Phuket Boat Lagoon.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 19

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

The tale of Mae Nak Actress Davika Hoorne, from the film ‘Pee Mak Phra Khanong’, visits the shrine of Mae Nak.

SIRINYA’S WORLD Dr Sirinya Pakditawan pakditawan@googlemail.com

Sirinya Pakditawan is a ‘luk kreung’, or halfThai, born and raised in Hamburg, Germany. She enjoys writing about Thailand, with a focus on culture, art, history, tradition and on the people, as well as a mix of topics concerning Thai popular culture, travelogues and articles about Thai food.

Sirinya’s aim is not only to entertain you but to provide you with information and facts about Thailand, its culture and history that may not be generally known, in particular to the Western world. She has a PhD in American Studies from the University of Hamburg.

To read the original story, and many more, be sure to check out Sirinya’s blog: www. sirinyas thailand.de

@thephuketnews

T

he story of Mae Nak is well-known in Thailand, you might remember the latest film adaptation Phi Mak Phra Khanong (2013), which became the highest grossing Thai film of all time, earning over B1 billion worldwide. The gothic tale of Mae Nak has been filmed several times over the past few decades and every movie was a box-office hit, cementing Mae Nak’s place in Thai popular culture. It is unknown whether Mae Nak really existed or if her story is purely myth, as there is no conclusive historical evidence of her existence. There are several versions of her tale, but the main story line runs as follows: Shortly after Nak marries her love Mak, he is conscripted for military service and forced to leave the pregnant Nak behind. Nak waits faithfully for her husband’s return but dies during labour, along with her unborn child. They are buried immediately, but Nak’s spirit refuses to let go of the earthly realm. When Mak returns home from war, Nak disguises herself and her son as humans, but he soon learns the truth and runs away in fear. Nevertheless, Nak’s ghost follows her husband and kills everyone who comes between them.

Fleeing her ghost, Mak finally finds harbour in the Mhabautr Temple and the venerated Somdej Phra Puttajan from Thonburi seizes Nak’s spirit and imprisons it in a ceramic pot, which he then drops into the river. As far as the fate of Mak is concerned, in some versions he becomes a monk whereas in others he starts a new family. In some stories, Mae Nak reappears as an enraged ghost.

Her burial place is fabled to be located where the Mae Nak shrine sits to this day, at the edge of Wat Mhabautr in Sukhumvit Soi 77 in Bangkok. Here, devotees pray to her statue, which faces a television that is kept on day and night. People bring her many offerings including colourful dresses, cosmetic products, sweets, flowers and toys for her child.

Devotees turn to her because she is said to be benevolent and able to give out winning lottery numbers. She is also very popular among young men taking part in the Thai military’s lottery-style conscription draft as Mae Nak is believed to detest the draft since her husband had to leave her to fight.

Pregnant women, however, are advised to stay

Men still pray at the shrine hoping to avoid the draft. away from the shrine because Mae Nak is not a blessing concerning pregnancy for obvious reasons. In addition, there are two old Ta-khian trees (which are often associated with female spirits called Nang Ta-khian) next to her shrine which are considered to be very powerful. Devotees scrub the trees believing that winning lottery numbers will be revealed by the spirit. Mae Nak is considered

to have brought fortune to some people in the local community.

Most versions of this story do not have a happy ending, for example, in Nang Nak (1999), Mak finally becomes a monk to pray for the spirit of his dead wife which cannot let go of him. In contrast, blockbuster Phi Mak Phra Kanong breaks with this convention with a happy ending where humans and ghosts live together.

I think the reason the cult of Mae Nak not only prevails, but grows stronger with each re-telling, is because her story deals with the universal theme of lovers torn apart by forces beyond their control. The fable of Mae Nak has a special place in Thai culture and tradition because the elements of lost love, vengeful ghosts, untimely death, and the capriciousness of fate, resonate so strongly in Thailand’s popular imagination.

20 DINING

Grilled artichokes and tiger prawn.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Risotto with pork sausage and green peas.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Antipasto misto.

Escape and discover La Gritta Retreat from the crowds of Patong to this oasis of Italian fine dining This dish is a showcase for the simple yet satisfying staples of Italian cooking at their best.

A

mari Phuket may be located just a few minutes from the heart of Patong, but it feels a world away from the hectic traffic and bustling bars that line its streets. As you head to the southern end of the Patong beach road and up the hill to Amari, passing over a small inlet with fisherman’s shacks lining its banks, the madness of Phuket’s party town fades into the background.

It must be a relief for guests staying here to have this oasis of tranquillity to retreat to after a long day in town. I’m not here to stay, however, I’m here to try the new discovery menu at Amari’s premier Italian restaurant La Gritta. But before heading to my table, I stop to imbibe a refreshing drink at the Samutr Bar, this fantastic open air space is on a level above La Gritta and has commanding views of Patong Bay

and comfy couch seating, it’s well worth coming here for a drink even if you’re not dining.

After finishing my drink, I head down the stairs to eat and get a great table right at the edge of the balcony, with the waves lapping at the rocky shore just below my feet. Ordering is a simple affair with the discovery menu which highlights some of Chef Patrizia Battolu’s tried-and-true favourites. The only choice is which wine to start with and whether to have the black cod or the free-range chicken.

With that taken care of, the first appetizer of grilled marinated artichokes and sautéed tiger prawn tail soon arrives, and just as quickly disappears – so succulent, and there’s no sense in letting it get cold! I tackle the subsequent antipasto misto at a more leisurely pace, savouring the smoky roasted eggplant and bell peppers between popping bite-sized pieces of buffalo mozzarella in my mouth.

Instead of a pasta dish, as is often the case in Italian dining, next up is a silky risotto with fresh pork sausage, green peas and manchego cheese. The combination works very well, the pork sausage is juicy and full of flavour and the peas provide some needed balance to the rich, creamy rice.

I was starting to fill up now, Italian restaurants don’t skimp on their portion sizes, and La Gritta is no exception.

Luckily, there is a time for the food to settle while I enjoy the sorbet of orange with bitter liqueur and mint leaves.

I choose the baked black cod fish with Kalamata olives, red onions, fresh Roma tomatoes and roasted potatoes for my main course and I think I did so wisely. This dish is a showcase for the simple yet satisfying staples of Italian cooking at their best. The flaky white cod was firm with a crispy skin and melded wonderfully with the ripe tomatoes and sharpness of the olives. As far as comfort food goes, its hard to beat roast potatos and they provided the perfect base to highlight the rest of the dish.

For those who don’t

Choc-chip Cannoli. feel like fish, the slow-cooked chicken thigh with smoked eggplant, tomato mousse and rosemary potatoes is surely on par with the quality and taste of all the food at La Gritta.

Just as I finished my mains, a brief rain-shower started to blow over and I made a hasty retreat with the other diners to the undercover tables to enjoy our desert. The final dish of the sevencourse meal was cannoli with ricotta cheese, chocolate chips and icing sugar.

The light and crispy pastry filled with mellow ricotta was simple and not overly rich, the perfect end to a hearty Italian meal.

So, next time you need a respite from the breakneck pace of Patong, head to Amari to enjoy a tranquil Italian meal and fantastic views.

The seven-course discovery menu dinner is B1590++ for more information visit: lagritta.com/discovery-menu1590-thb/

Black cod with olives and fresh Roma tomatoes. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TECHNOLOGY 21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Video marketing is vital 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!

B

y 2017, video will account for 69 per cent of all consumer internet traffic and is expected to rise to 80% by 2019 according to Cisco. The reason being is that video is the most emotionally charged type of content; by far the best way to communicate to your potential clients, whether you’re spreading brand awareness, announcing a new product or launching a company.

As traditional media is becoming increasingly less effective in communicating and promoting your services and products, producing content/video to showcase your brand makes a lot of sense. Social media will help you to deliver and amplify that message through video or any other type of content. So whether you are a hotel, restaurant or other type of business, video will definitely contribute to your success in a digital strategy.

Facebook and YouTube are the main

@thephuketnews

By 2017 video will account for 69 per cent of all consumer internet traffic. players that distribute video content online and both have very unique and different characteristics.

YouTube is operated by Google and attracts the second-largest number of searches after Google Search, with three billion searches and more than 1.3 billion unique visitors each month.

This platform plays a major role in any digital marketing strategy over the long run. However, unlike Facebook, YouTube videos may not give you the instant gratification with the amount of views, as it is not as bulky. But there

is a reason for that. Facebook counts a view after three seconds after the video starts playing or even auto-playing.

Meanwhile, YouTube waits 30 seconds.

But even if your YouTube video doesn’t have many views after a short period of time, there are several things you can do, such as making sure that you have the right descriptions in place with a good amount of keywords, tags and back links that point to your website. If your video is optimised in this way, over time it will help your clients find your products and services when

they are searching on YouTube.

On the other hand, Facebook, with an estimated 1.51 billion users and 665 million active users each day, offers a great way to distribute content and spread a message.

Facebook has been placing a lot of emphasis on video as a preferred medium with native video content, live steaming and 360 video. The aim is to have users upload the videos directly onto Facebook.

Once posted, your video is competing with all sorts of content, such as photos, links to articles and other posts. Therefore your content needs to be short and to the point. In our experience, the shorter the video the better – we are talking about 15 to 45 seconds. Any longer and the retention of your viewers drops drastically.

The best thing about this platform is that you can deliver the content to a laser-targeted audience. And if you have paid ads, this will help put your content in front of potential buyers.

So which platform is better? I would say neither.

Each channel has different user behaviour, which can be relevant. Facebook will help you push content in a short period of time, where as YouTube will help out in the long run.

However, the most important thing is for your video to be entertaining and to deliver great value to your audience.

22 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR MAI KHAO TURTLE FUN RUN OVER SARASIN BRIDGE

From left: GM of Class Act Media Jason Beavan, youngest runner 7-year-old Liya Chuvaer and GM of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas Giles Selves.

Some of the best-dressed competitors took to the stage to accept their awards.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in collaboration with the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and its foundation partners organised its annual fundraising sports event, the 12th Mai Khao Turtle Fun Run across the Sea and Mini-Marathon 2016, which took place in the early morning last Sunday (Oct 9).

From left: Director of The Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office Ms Anoma Vongyai, Chief of Phuket Governor’s office Mr Saranyou Sema and Co-Chairman and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Marriott Thailand Business Council Sean Panton.

From Left: Tim, Tero and Andy also got dressed for the occasion.

DIVE SUPPLY ASIA GETS HIGH SEASON ROLLING OKTOBERFEST STYLE Dive Supply Asia held their annual “pre-high season” Oktoberfest themed party on Friday, Oct 7. Staff donned their lederhosen and dirndl dresses and treated their dive industry guests to a German-style Ocktoberfest feast prepared by Fatty’s Restaurant in Chalong.

From left: Khun Knot, David Ottaway, Khun Kasit and Khun Peau.

From left: Khun Pannaphat, Jason Beavan, Khun Nok, Khun Nat, Khun Niyompong and Khun Piyarat.

BANGKOK HOSPITAL PHUKET VISITS THE PHUKET NEWS TO FOR THE VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL Representatives from Bangkok Hospital Phuket dropped by The Phuket News office last Monday, Oct 10 to drop off some new lunch boxes to mark the end of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, 2016.

The Dive Supply Asia staff went all out with their Oktoberfest costumes.

From lef t: Amari Phuket Vice President and Area General Manager for South Thailand Pierre-Andre Pelletier and Poonsak Tantavech from the Kathu Shrine Committee.

AMARI PHUKET SUPPORTS VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL WITH DONATIONS TO SHRINE Amari Phuket’s Pierre-Andre Pelletier – Vice President and Area General Manager for South Thailand, recently visited the Kathu Shrine, Phuket’s oldest Chinese shrine, to make a donation of foodstuffs including water, jasmine rice, vegetable oil and sugar, to Poonsak Tantavech of the Kathu Shrine Committee. The items were used for cooking meals for the people participating in the 2016 Vegetarian Festival. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Phuket’s yachting community came out in droves to celebrate the release.

From left: Andy Dowden, Bill O’Leary and Grenville Fordham

From left: Gulu Lalvani and Alan Cooke MBE

Family and friends of the book’s editors came to wish them well.

‘SOUTHEAST ASIA PILOT’ 5TH EDITION LAUNCH AT ROYAL PHUKET MARINA Andy Dowden, Bill O’Leary and Grenville Fordham launched the 5th Edition of the renowned ‘Southeast Asia Pilot’ at Royal Phuket Marina last Friday night (Oct 7). The launch brought the creme de la creme of Phuket’s yachting industry out to mark the occasion. For more than 20 years the respected sailing guide has shown sailors the best cruising grounds throughout the region and how to navigate them. The new edition features more than 300 pages detailing new sites to discover and hundreds of safe anchorages and marinas throughout SE Asia.

PHUKET CITY MAYOR ATTENDS FINAL PROCESSION OF VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL 2016

Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana (centre) with city and religious officials on the final day of the Vegetarian festival

From left: GM of The Nai Harn Frank Grassman with Executive Chef Makr Jones

THE NAI HARN HOSTS THE PHUKET NEWS AT ROCK SALT RESTAURANT General Manager of The Nai Harn Frank Grassman and the resort’s Executive Chef Mark Jones welcomed The Phuket News to Rock Salt Restaurant last Friday, Oct 7. Stay tuned for a review of Rock Salt’s sizzling signature dishes created and brought to diners by Mark Jones. @thephuketnews

Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana and other city officials attended the final day of Vegetarian Festival events in Phuket Town last Sunday, Oct 9. Mayor Somjai paid her respects at offering tables and was blessed by Ma Song during the final street procession that marked the end of the festival.

The Gotha’s Girls headed to Maximun Fitness in Patong for a workout and some training tips.

FIGHTING FIT GOTHA’S GIRLS HIT MAXIMUM FITNESS GYM FOR TRAINING Last Saturday (Oct 8) Maximum Fitness Combat Centre in Patong organised an “Open Girls Fitness Day” supported by the Gotha’s Girls. Next month Maximum will move to their new premises and an opening party is soon to be announced. Photo: Panya Pozeidon

24 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

14 OCT

SUN

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

16 OCT Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY

WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY

Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong from 12pm-Late! Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavour-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band!

Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN at Two Chefs!!! RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents.

Cricket league every Sunday @ Alan Cooke Ground, Thalang

Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) hosts the T20 Cricket League every Sunday at the Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang. Two games per day, starting at 11am and 2pm. Everyone welcome to come and enjoy cricket at a fantastic venue. Food and beverages available all day at the Boundary Bar. Anyone interested in cricket in Phuket please email phuketcricketgroup@gmail.com. Visit www.phuketcricket. com and www.acgphuket.com for further info and directions. This event is sponsored by Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, The Phuket News and Live 89.5.

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favourites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the FUN! RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit. ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents.

RUN TO GIVE 2016

All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam

Aussie bacon & egg rolls NOW at Cafe Siam.

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

Sunday Brunch

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

Venue: Bangwad Dam, Kathu, Phuket. Time: 5.00-9.00am. Categories: 3km - THB 250 / 10 km - THB 350. Beneficiaries: Maha Jakri Sirinthorn’s Children’s Project and Pun Fun Pun Yim. Project Registration and distribution points: 13-15 Oct. at Central Festival Phuket from 11am - 8.30pm and 15 Oct. at Bangwad Dam from 9am - 8pm. Contact number 076370100, 076-371410, 076-335770-4. Proudly sponsored by Live89.5

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

Mussels night @ Shakers

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

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach

Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otools-phuket.com.

Sunday Fun Brunch

FIESTA FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC

You feel this fire burning inside you? You like good atmosphere, excellent food and seductive drinks? Join us for our FIESTA FRIDAY in Phuket Town at CARIOCAS Bistro & Lounge 8PM – LATE. Latin American live music, privileges for all ladies on the most famous Brazilian drink. Reservations recommended: info@cariocaslounge.com.

MON

17 OCT

SAT

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 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

WED

15 OCT

19 OCT

Sunday Tapas

Live Sports at Expat Hotel

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

This is what Sunday lunches are meant to be - fabulous, fresh unlimited and Western and Asian tapas with friends and family crafted by the talented team of chefs at Banyan Tree Phuket. Starting at THB 2,000 net per person.Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, 076 372 400 # 5463.

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

Dine 4 Pay 3 Oriental Buffet Dinner Extravaganza Embark on a journey to the four corners of Asia and enjoy a lavish array of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and other Oriental recipes. Develop your taste buds and experience new flavours; ranging from spicy curries to barbecued meats and local noodle plates, while watching our Chefs work their magic in the lively kitchen every Wednesday from 18:00 – 22:00 for THB 999 per person at Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas. Reservations, Bubbles Restaurant, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas, h8109@accor. com, 076 231 999.

THU

20 OCT

Phuket’s most popular brunch experience.

Seafood, live station, entertainment, kid’s corner and massage corner. From 1,650++ THB. 12.00 - 15.30. Reservation: info@xanabeachclub.com 076 358 500.

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

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

Every Wednesday! All-you-caneat Pasta and Pizza

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

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

PIWC Luncheon October

The next PIWC luncheon will be held at Divino Tapas. The restaurant is located in Boat Avenue.

Your RSVP is requested no later than Tuesday 18 October. Contact info@piwc-phuket.com attention Maggy Wigman if you have questions.

The monthly lunch price is 600 baht for members and guests are charged 750 baht per person. Registration begins at 11:30am with the lunch service starting at noon.

FRI

21 OCT

The 3rd Bhut Jolokia ‘Ghost Chili’ Challenge

Navrang Mahal Indian Restaurant, Karon invites you to compete in their 3rd Bhut Jolokia “Ghost Chili” Challenge. Take up the challenge to finish a bowl of Ghost Chili Curry. Bhut Jolokia chili is rated as one of the world’s hottest chilies, 401 times hotter than Tabasco sauce. Fantastic Prizes to be won! Contestants are required to pay the buffet dinner charge of 499 baht. Limited contestants. Contact, info@navrangmahal. com or 076 286 464. Proudly supported by The Phuket News.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRI

EVENTS 25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

21 OCT

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.

SAT

29 OCT

CARIOCAS - OFFICAL GRAND OPENING

Grand opening party on the 21st of October.

Live entertainment, special drinks, special prices and many, many more. Reservations recommended info@cariocaslounge.com CARIOCAS Bistro & Lounge, Phuket Town, near BKK Hospital, 076 218 403-4.

Indian Curry Night on Fridays

Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast First Week Friday and the Third Week Friday, 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, Gulah Jamun, Fruits.

And extra dishes on the menu: ONIONBHAJI, BOMBAY ALOO, DAL MAKHINI, VANILLA ICE-CREAM. For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks. 076-286464 Ext 4.

SAT

22 OCT

Underworld Haunted Harbor & Trick or Treat

For one night only, enter the gates of the Haunted Harbor for Phuket’s only Trick R’ Treat & Halloween festival! Celebrate Halloween in costume while you Trick R’ Treat & explore the Haunted Boardwalk. Find games, scares, prizes and fun around every corner with a variety of food and activities to choose from along with Boat Lagoon’s shopping and entertainment. For more info, pls visit www.phuketunderworld.com.

Sponsored by Phuket News.

tion and reservations details, please contact donna_scot@toon.co.nz. Proudly sponsored by Live89.5. Dress code: At the Races. Venue is air conditioned. Contact: Donna Toon at Hyatt Regency Phuket: donna_scot@toon.co.nz

SAT

5 NOV

12 HANDS DINNER

Join us for this exclusive gastronomic evening featuring 6 top International and Local chefs from world-class establishments for a 6 Course Dinner & Drinks Pairing while Thailand’s first and only pop-opera band FIVERA performs their classical pieces. 100% of all funds raised will be donated to the Barnhem Muang Mai Phuket home for children in need. www.barnhem.org. Don’t miss this iconic event, seats are limited so book early at pagm@paresaresort. com tel 076 302 000. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

WED

23 NOV

The Devilish Halloween Party

9pm. - 1am. Free entrance Halloween theme costume and THB 300 non-costume. Prize for best costume. Xana Beach Club.

MON

31 OCT

One Love - Tribute to U2

The Entrepreneur Now Awards 2016

SUN

DIWALI at Bollywood Phuket

Celebrate India’s most extravagant Festival of Lights, DIWALI. From 5:30pm till late. Welcoming one and all for a phenomenal buffet, extreme fun, live entertainment, Henna painting and stalls selling Indian goodies. And for a good cause, fundraising for animal welfare. All for just B699. For more find us on Facebook Bollywood Phuket restaurant and bar.

TUE

25 OCT

Black Tie Muay Thai III

Halloween Party

Do you love Halloween like we do? Celebrate with us this Halloween on Monday October 31st from 6pm-Late at All Two Chefs Locations!

Enjoy our Special Lucifer’s Set Menu Including: Pumpkin Soup, Gambas Al Ajilo-Garlic Prawns, Pork Tenderloin Flambé With Sauce Diable with Roast Vegetables and Sweet Potatoes, Chocolate, Marshmallows and Fizzy Fruits ALL FOR ONLY 695 Baht! Our Famous Two Chefs House Band will be performing all your favourite hits from 8pm-Late! Enjoy the live music, quizzes, games, food and fun this Halloween at Two Chefs! Don’t Miss Out! BOOK Your Table NOW At bit.ly/ReserveTwoChefs More Info At bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents.

TUE

1 NOV

Looking to develop your public speaking and

@thephuketnews

Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament (PIST) 2016

Registration is on the 23rd November 2016 from 4pm onwards. Location: Tamarind Bar & Grill in Chalong. The weigh station will be at the Tamarind Bar & Grill in Chalong on all 3 fishing days, 24th, 25th & 26th November. The final evening and prize giving party will also be held in the Tamarind Bar & Grill, Chalong. For more info visit www.phuket-international-sportfishingtournament.com The event is proudly supported

by Live 89.5 and The Phuket News.

THU

The race that stops a nation! Starts at 9am ends at 2pm. Ticket costs THB 3,000/person (food and beverage are inclusive). For more informa-

Gloves and Gowns: Muay Thai Chic! Celebrities and experienced Muay Thai fighters from Phuket step into the ring for a good cause.

Guests will enjoy a drink reception, a delicious four course dinner and free flow beverages.

Booking is essential; please contact #076-278146 or email info@phukethasbeengoodtous. org. When: 3rd December 2016. Where: Outrigger Laguna Phuket. Tickets: B3,500 Donation. Proudly sponsored by Live89.5.

EVERY DAY

24 NOV 7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay

Ocean Marina

Melbourne Cup 2016

Public Speaking made easier

FRI

3 DEC

The Entrepreneur Now Awards 2016, back in its second year, is receiving nominations from entrepreneurs of all nationalities who have a registered business in Thailand (no subsidiary or branch office) from now until October 31st 2016.

Over 10 million baht in prizes will awarded to winners during the Awards Night, which will be held on November 23rd 2016 in Bangkok. For details, visit http://entrepreneurnow.asia/, email awesome@bnow.org or call 02-105 4217.

“Concert” for a cause. Two Chefs Kata Center, parking available. Only B995 per person, 50% of sales go to Phuket Has Been Good To Us. Starts 8pm till late. Reservations 076 330 065.

23 OCT

ing, boat sales, boat charter, boat parts and accessories, boat services, water sports and marina based property sales. Tel: 02 661 6800 and ask for Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show, info@oceanmarinapattayaboatshow.com

OCEAN MARINA PATTAYA BOATSHOW 2016 24 to 27 November. At the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya. Demonstrating Pattaya’s image as one of Asia’s leading seaside resort hubs with outstanding facilities and the capability to host large scale international events. The show will stimulate tourism, as well as marine industry and related businesses such as boat build-

Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. Curry Night @790 THB++, Thai International @750 THB++, Seafood BBQ @940 THB++, Thai Gala Dinner @690 THB++, Butcher Shop @market price, Ribs and Wings @620 THB++, Surf and Turf @950 THB++ Only in October, show the promo code: PMRTPN2016/1 to receive a 10% discount! For reservations, email rimtalay@amari. com or call 076 340106-14.

26 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across 1) Which British actress plays Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO epic Game of Thrones?

2) In Scotland ‘The Stone of Destiny’ is what type of rock?

3) Whose book The Minpins was published in 1991, a few months after the author’s death in 1990?

4) What was American writer Mark Twain’s real name?

5) Katarina Johnson-Thompson broke which British record at the 2016 Olympic games?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

59. December 24 and 31 60. Stressful 1. Massage target situations 6. Worrywort’s word 63. ___ fruit 10. On the peak of 64. Jackson 5 14. States of deep member sleep 65. Brink 15. Crazy 66. “ER” doctor 16. Go (over) 17. They have a black 67. Handwriting on the wall card 68. Good thing 20. Tape, say 21. First act Down 22. Besides 23. Compartment 1. Seafood entree 24. Cozy retreat 2. Lure 25. Mock 3. Makes right astonishment 4. Fat 27. Dig 30. English cathedral 5. Letter after chi 6. Visibly astonished city 7. Narrow country 33. Free weight roads 37. First-rate 8. G-man 38. News agency 9. Area in Germany 42. Minute amount 10. Natl. Humor 43. Logging sled Month 44. Periwinkle 11. In direct 46. “___ Madness” opposition 50. Cable network 12. Around 51. Country singer 13. Cancún coin Evans 18. Hangdog 54. Low-fat Aussie 19. In the next meat source month 55. Melancholy 57. Like some cows 26. Final transport

28. Depth charge targets 29. Resinous deposit 30. “The lost city of gold” 31. Nav. rank 32. Thing in court 34. Obstacle 35. Z___- Jones 36. “My Name Is Asher ___” (Chaim Potok novel) 38. Goal 39. ___ sauce 40. Pastries 41. Upper crust’s home 45. Bonny one 47. Temperatures 48. Arise 49. Brown shade 51. Curtain fabric 52. Sharp ridge 53. Scout’s mission 55. Cowboy boot attachment 56. Medea rode on it 58. Camera setting 59. Manages, with “out” 61. Family nickname 62. Some germ cells

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Emilia Clarke; 2) Sandstone (Red); 3) Roald Dahl; 4) Samuel Clemens; 5) High jump (1.98m)

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

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

1

in five Millennials have ever had a Big Mac.

■■ Oct 15, 1888 The “From Hell” letter allegedly sent by Jack the Ripper is received by investigators.

43

per cent of sunscreen products rated SPF 30 or higher actually offer less protection than advertised.

■■ Oct 16, 1998 Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet is arrested in London on a warrant from Spain requesting his extradition on murder charges.

115

■■ Oct 17, 1814 Eight people die in the London Beer Flood.

years is the expected top lifespan of humans, according to a new study.

■■ Oct 18, 2004 Myanmar prime minister Khin Nyunt is ousted and placed under house arrest by the State Peace and Development Council on charges of corruption.

1,472

kilograms of yak hair was used in Cats in its 18 years on Broadway. A full-grown bull yak weighs no more than 580kg.

280 billion

dollars is how much the annual bottled water market is estimated to be worth by 2020.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

■■ Oct 19, 1469 Ferdinand II of Aragon marries Isabella I of Castile, a marriage that paves the way to the unification of Aragon and Castile into a single country, Spain.

Sunset at Karon Beach. Photo by Rick Nuffer Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

■■ Oct 20, 1720 Caribbean pirate Calico Jack is captured by the Royal Navy.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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 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 JOBS Full Time Maid

Full time maid required for villa in Kata. Only 2 adult inhabitants. Salary negotiable. More if can speak English and drive Car/Motorbike. Nice bedroom with ensuite. 12000, Nicholas, nicksamson2301@gmail.com,062 772 1212.

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.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Boating deal of the year : 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat. New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area.

Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced.

All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com, 080 695 3933.

Steel boat for sale

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Beauty Salon with Equipment

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

REST-BAR-LOUNGE -RAWAI BEACH

com, 092 526 0222.

Beautiful decoration-Private terrace-seaview-Sound system Led light-air conditioned-full equiped-400Sqm 2levelsParkings-Ready for work superstaronthebeach@hotmail.

Looking for investor / partner

Looking for investor / partnership for Patong beach front location to start with Japanese and Indian restaurant. Narin, narinpga@gmail.com, 081 826 9390.

Price reduced for quick sale

No, not a bar or guesthouse, but a manufacturing business for wooden window blinds. All the machinery and inventory of parts to be up and running in a matter of days. A very successful business in Phuket for over eight years. Price reduced to 2 mil Baht. Owner will partially finance. lamsden@phuketemail.com, 081 487 4812.

Restaurant set up for sale

A fully equipped restaurant in the highly sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna. Stainless steel kitchen, Wi-Fi, bar counter, service area. Ready to go in days. Email: jukeboxphuket@gmail.com, 081 090 1608. @thephuketnews

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant for sale in Rawai

All new equipment, air conditioned, private terrace, unlimited parking. All offers considered. optispa@gmail.com, 088 386 9132, 063 067 4498.

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

CAR FOR SALE Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G VVTI

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

t sa n e rg

U

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc Auto

57,000kms. One owner since new. Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and Insurance until the end of June and available now at right offer.

Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIPS Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. ฿485,000, the Loch Palm transfer fee of ฿72,000 will be shared equally between the buyer and seller.

Contact J. Trenton Early, jtrenton.early@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE New loft trailer

Fully welded steel construction. Proper fenders springs, hitch, lights, toungue jack, alu deck. Fits M/C, ATY, const, landscape. 1700 lb. cap. 65,000 THB, 081 693 8214.

MOVING SERVICES Looking for Moving Company?

WEBSITES, IT For Sale: hoteldealsphuket.com

PHD has 125,000 pages indexed in Google and an average of 22,000 page views per month! See stats image. Also see the selling points on the link below.

Quick sale: 33.000B!, Mark, mr.m.hopkins@gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Beautiful Land in Rawai For Sale

Beautiful mountain view with option of sea view land of 742m2 for sale in Rawai with chanote title.

For more information contact 085 790 2021.

Kay McDonnell

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE House for Sale

3 bed, 2 bath, living/dining, Farang & Thai kitchens. Back/ both sides under cover. Water fall/relax area. BBQ area under cover/car port. 4 aircons/7 fans. Very private, close to all services, 500 meters from Heroines Monument. 4.9 mil. o.n.o. Contact Randy. Email randyalltime@gmail.com

Land For Sale

Land for sale. Anuphas Golf Ville, Kathu. 81 sq wah. Golf course view of Phuket CC. Quiet village, convenient location.

E-mail for details Contact David, d1jarvis@hotmail.com

Waterfront Condominium

The Cleat Condo, residence project in Krabi Boat Lagoon Marina.

Price 3-9MB, size 37-119 Sq.M., 1 or 2 bedroom, marina view. For rent/sale. marketing@phuketpropertytrip.com

COMMUNITY

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

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Phuket real estate tour

Real estate investment tours are specially designed to help you to achieve your investment goals with the right property in the right location. You will get advice on the multitude of lucrative investment opportunities in Phuket. THB1,990. md@tourasian.com, 080 826 4665. thephuketnews

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PROPERTY FOR RENT ROOM FOR RENT

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Prime Land near Natai Beach

13 Rai. Prime flat land, Full Chanote. 5 mins to beautiful Natai Beach, 5 mins to Khok Kloi, 20 mins from Phuket Airport.

Close to temples, beach & mountain views, perfect for large property or subdivide for development. B13,500,000, Antoine (Thai & English), 081 979 9307, dannyred@hotmail.com

Outstanding Beach Front Pool Villa

A rare opportunity to purchase a 4 bedroom beachfront villa in a 5* resort at The Village Coconut Island. A “snip” at 22m THB. Contact email aadmo@btinternet.com, Somjit, aadmo@btinternet.com, 081 9791945.

Sale by owner Apartment ‘The Pearl of Naithon’ Leasehold

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

MP + 66 (0) 89 814 1458.

LAND NEAR WATERFALL FOR SALE

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

Modern home office for sale

Modern home office for sale located 400 m fr Central Intersection. 1 Unit has 1 commercial, 1 living space, 4 bedrooms & built-in bathrooms.

Owner, thip_june19@yahoo.com, 087 543 4716.

House for Sale

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

MAI KHAO LAND

Beachfront land in Mai Khao.

East coast. 3 rai 2 ngan 24sqw. For sale: 45 million baht. 45 million. @thephuketnews

New Sea View Villa

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...

More than 600 Sqm usable building area, 3 bedrooms, guest apartment, maid quarters, games room, 10 meter infinity swimming pool, roof terrace and breathtaking 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.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Apartment for rent

Quality 1 Bedroom serviced apartment 65sqm for rent. Central Patong. Short or long term. For details email ianscondo21@gmail.com

Kata Western Apartment

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

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT Vassana Residence.

Rawai

Fully furnished 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom. WiFi and cable TV included in price. 160M.S. in size.

Jacuzzi in each Apartments. BBQ area on the roof.

Contact vassana.residence@gmail.com Art, Rawai / NaiHarn, Eng.087 882 9604.

2 BDR Bungalow, Nai Harn Beach

Kamala Villa for rent

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.

Kathu Condo for Sale/Rent

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

– THB 15000-20000 per month + electricity&water, Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.

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

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

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

Office/Shop for Rent

Ground Floor space with excellent positioning on Chalong Pier Road.

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

Two condos for sale/rent

Villas & Apts Rent-Chalong

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

34 PROPERTY

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

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SEAVIEW 6-BEDROOM POOL VILLA, Layan 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 1003 sqm

A unique 6-bedroom with an ideal location with Layan Beach right across the quiet road. Successful rental property and maintained to a very high standard

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2400 sqm

Set on a sizeable land plot of 1300 SQM, this standalone property is situated in peaceful surroundings in Paklok.

8,900,000 THB

to Cl B ose ea ch

45,000,000 THB

4-BEDROOM VILLA WITH LARGE GARDEN, Paklok

NEW LAUNCH – AFFORDABLE CONDOS, Nai Yang Starting at

1.9M THB

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 36 SQM

On offer is a spacious 2-bedroom apartment. Just a few minutes from the sandy Karon Beach, this property is ideal both for residential use and a as holiday home. Excellent location at 68,000 THB per SQM

BRAND-NEW STUDIO, Surin

SIZEABLE 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT, Layan

Offering an 8 % guaranteed return for 3 years this apartment was completed beginning of the year and situated near both Surin and Bang Tao Beach. Spectacular common area rooftop area.

POOL VILLA WITH ROOFTOP TERRACE, Bang Tao 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 284 sqm

9,700,000 THB

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 156 sqm

Located near the green surroundings of Sirinat National Park and in walking distance to Nai Yang Beach, this affordable condo is ideal as a lock and leave holiday home. Set for completion in 2019.

Studio, 1 bathroom, 27 sqm

3,780,000 THB

FREEHOLD 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT, Karon

Conveniently located between main shopping area and Bang Tao beach, this pool villa was completed in 2006 and situated within a quiet gated community.

10,700,000 THB

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom. 76 sqm

Overlooking a lake this bright leasehold apartment features open plan living, separate bedroom and a sizeable terrace. The colonial style development is very-well maintained with lots of greenery, swimming pool, kid’s pool and outdoor seating area. Must-see development.

3,100,000 THB

DUPLEX CONDO WITH JACUZZI, Patong

1 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. 87 sqm

Location does not get better. This freehold duplex is just steps from Patong Beach and walking distance all main amenities. Luxury development with excellent common area facilities.

9,800,000 THB

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

e ic ed Pr uc d re

AFFORDABLE FREEHOLD 1-BED CONDO, Surin 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 49 sqm

2,000,000 THB

Top floor unit in an older building between Surin and Bang Tao. Terrace with pool view, open plan living room with small kitchen.

Sold fully furnished.

4-BED FAMILY HOME, Cherng Talay 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 327 sqm

Good location in a family friendly community. Low running costs and a communal right across the street. Upgraded kitchen with marble finishing and large fridge. Sold unfurnished.

5,570,000 THB

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FREEHOLD PENTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE POOL, Kamala

7,990,000 THB

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 200 sqm

In walking distance to Kamala Beach this well-priced penthouse offers 100 sqm internally and 100 sqm rooftop with pool and sauna. Proven track record of generating 600-800k net annual returns.

OUTRIGGER TOWNHOUSE, Laguna

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 202 sqm

Just a few steps from the large communal pool this charming town home has been reduced from 11.5M to facilitate a quick sale. Sold with a golf membership and several Laguna benefits.

9,900,000 THB

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1-BEDROOM IN EXCELLENT LOCATION, Kamala

IMPRESSIVE SEA VIEW APARTMENT, Ao Po

In a unique location on millionaire’s mile this peaceful development has been immaculately maintained. Open plan living just 20 meters from the estate small private beach.

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

Well-managed estate.

1 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, 70 sqm

8,500,000 THB

Sh to or B tW ea a ch lk

3,900,000 THB

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 160 sqm

STUNNING SEA VIEW VILLA, Kalim 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 582 sqm

85,000,000 THB

@thephuketnews @thephuketnews

A truly unique luxury villa with sweeping sea views of Patong Bay. Built with high quality materials and valuable furniture and artwork included in the price. Must-see property.

HIGH QUALITY POOL VILLA, Bang Tao 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 700 sqm

Situated within a peaceful 8 villa development in great location close to Bang Tao Beach. 3 well-appointed bedrooms with an open plan living room. Strong holiday rental demand.

17,400,000 THB

36 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PCC lose unbeaten run Patong suffer first defeat ahead of Outrigger T20 semi-finals CRICKET D Thomas & M Whetton editor3@thephuketnews.com

O

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1602: Saturday October 15 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Singha, No Hope Location: Cherng Talay, Soi 1 Directions: From Heroines Monument go West approx 6.3 kilometres towards Cherng Talay. Turn left at the temple just after Lady Pie (HHH sign) and follow the track for approximately 300 metres. Laager is on the left (HHH sign). From Cherng Talay Police Station head East towards Heroines Monument for approximately 1.6km and turn right at the Temple (HHH Sign) follow the track as above. HHH truck will be marked.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 2.45pm Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 3:15pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

n a damp morning at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) last Sunday (Oct 10), Laguna Cricket Club (LCC) took on Patong Cricket Club (PCC) in the first game of the day in the Outrigger T20 and were hoping to put an end to PCC’s unbeaten run.

PCC won the toss and Captain S Raju opted to bat first keen to post another large total.

A van Blerk and Raju opened for PCC and attacked at every opportunity.

Van Blerk (9) opened with a single before launching a huge six. Raju (1) attempted to follow Van Blerks lead but was well caught after miss-timing a good delivery. A few balls later, Van Blerk followed him with a carbon copy dismissal.

S Hamilton (1) then took to the crease, but he was quickly sent back to the clubhouse. D Thomas (14) was next up and played the supporting role to partner H Jordaan (77). Their 50 run partnership came in the 7th over and Jordaan’s 50 came just before the drinks break.

After the break, Thomas

Boundary bound: S Kandolkar (ICC) off the bowling of Thai lad ‘Pao’. Photo: Michael Way decided to attack but was caught on the long on boundary.

H McDonald (17) continued attacking but was brilliantly caught in the outfield. Jordaan was eventually caught for 77 off just 50 deliveries. D Watson (9) and P Morton (13) took the Patong innings to a close, setting Laguna 167 to win.

Laguna started positively with openers P Jha (63) and A Khan (44) getting off to a blistering start. Their 50 run partnership came in just the 5th over and the hundred run partnership in the 8th over.

With the score at 102, Khan was eventually dismissed just

six runs shy of his 50. Two balls later, M Kohler (2) followed Khan being clean bowled.

The drinks break couldn’t come fast enough for PCC. But after drinks Jha continued to go about his ruthless batting, but R Sadarangani (5) couldn’t stay with him, Jordaan clipping the top of his stumps with a full toss. Jordaan had got another breakthrough and at this point the rain started to fall and the players left the field. The rain delay meant the number of overs and total for LCC to chase was modified resulting them needing just 11 runs from three overs.

Opener Jha and S Khan (7) went about reaching the total as quickly as possible, but once again the rain started to pour down and LCC’s innings was called off after the 15th over with the score on 141.

Laguna won the match by means of superior run rate and also brought PCC’S unbeaten run to an end.

The second match saw Island Cricket Club (ICC) take on the Thalang Cricket Team (TCT). ICC won the toss and elected to bat, but despite losing A Kalakar for just one run they still managed to put some decent partnerships together

to get to 127 runs from their 20 overs.

S Khan was top scorer for ICC with 51 runs. A Khan & D Mydeen chipped in with scores of 28 & 24 respectively.

Following the break, TCT took to the field to chase down a very reachable target of 128 runs. However it was not to be their day with both openers back in the pavilion within four overs with the score at just 19 runs.

Things went from bad to worse as TCT’s batting line-up was systematically taken apart with only Lane managing to make double figures (14). Ultimately TCT were routed in the 14th over for just 55 runs.

So an easy win for ICC saw them take 3rd place in the table.

This week’s matches (Oct 16) see the semi-finals taking place with TCT having to take on tournament favourites PCC, while ICC will do battle against LCC. The first match takes place at 10am while the second match kicks-off at 2pm at the ACG. For further information about cricket on Phuket, visit the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) web-site at www.phuketcricket. com or e-mail the PCG committee at phuketcricketgroup@ gmail.com

Classic Cycling Race returns CYCLING

40 kids from Koh Payam, Khao Lak, Klok Kloi and Phuket were on Bang Tao beach last Saturday (Oct 8) to compete in the Junior Surf Contest.

Ready for the next generation SURFING

Tim Campbell info@skylaphuket.com

LAST SATURDAY (OCT 8) marked an epic day as many witnessed the next generation of Thai surfers take to the waves.

Christian Surfers Thailand hosted their Junior Surf Contest event where 40 kids from Koh Payam, Khao Lak,

Klok Kloi and Phuket came together to battle it out.

The future of Thai surfing looks very good as some of these little grommets did extremely well. The rain held off and there were perfect, consistent waves all day.

The contest was for ages 14 and under with four being the youngest age entered.

The whole Thai surfing community got behind this event and big shouts go out to the sponsors, Surin/Bangtao Lifeguards, Freedom Boardsports, Quicksilver, Andaman Sea Surf and Saltwater Dreaming

Surf Shop.

Not only was this the very first surf contest on Bang Tao beach, but it’s the first time so many different surf communities have been represented in the grom division.

Organisers said the idea behind this event was to help develop young Thai surfer’s skills and excitement, as well as develop those interested in running and judging surf contests.

You can check out all the photos on the Facebook page ‘Christian Surfers Thailand’.

See you in the water!

FOR THE THIRD CONsecutive year, Thanyapura is proud to announce its 2016 Thanyapura Phuket Classic Cycling Race, which will take place on November 13 at 7am with an estimated 300-500 participants.

This exciting event offers two distances; the Mini Classic – a 45 kilometre cycle to the north of the island and back – while the Classic, which requires much more endurance at 106 kilometres long with a total elevation of 861 metres. It follows the same route as the Mini Classic but then extends all the way to Khlong Thom, nearby Phang Nga National Park and back to Thanaypura.

Several categories are now accepting registrations: for the Mini Classic, those are Open, 13-17, 18-29, 3039, 40-49 Men, 40+ Women and 50+ Men, while the Classic has Open, 18-29, 3039, 40-49 Men, 40+ Women and 50+ Men. Prizes will be awarded to the top three

An estimated 300-500 cyclists will take part in the third Classic Cycling Race. Photo: Thanyapura winners in each category.

Registration can be done online on Thanaypura’s website (www.thanyapura.com/ event/thanyapura-phuketclassic-cycling-race) or at their front desk by November 5.

Participants are invited to collect their race bags including a free cycling jersey and their BIB & timing chips on Nov 12, the day prior to the event. All finishers will also receive a Commemorative Finisher Certificate.

Thanyapura Phuket is a sport, fitness, health and educational haven on the island of Phuket, Thailand.

The resort features the best sports facilities and coaching expertise in Asia. On site, is a high-quality sports hotel, an award-winning organic restaurant, a unique mind training centre, a specialised and holistic medical centre, and an international school. For more information about the race, please contact: events@thanyapura.com. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

SPORT 37

Phuket shines Kenyan takes home 12th at SPIA 2016 Turtle Mini-Marathon title AWARDS

CHARITY

THREE OF PHUKET’S best know sporting events/ facilities walked away with awards at SPIA Asia – Sports Industry Awards & Conference 2016 – recently held in Bangkok.

Following a rigorous judging process, Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club, BISP Swimming Academy and the Laguna Phuket Triathlon each took home awards in their respective categories.

Organised by Sport360 and MMC Sportz, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand, the 2016 Asian Sports Industry Awards followed “The Business of Sports – Asia’s Sports Industry in the Fastlane II” conference which took place over two days and brought together more than 200 sports industry professionals.

Speaking at the Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony, Mr Didier Brun, Deputy CEO of Sport360 said, “The Asian

Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

C

Thanyapura’s Director of Business Development and Sports, Alexandra Lochmatter.

Sports Industry Awards has grown this year – a clear sign of the industry’s health.”

The full list of Phuket winners are as follows: Best Hospitality, recreation or Leisure Offering in Sports Bronze – Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club Phuket Best Sports Youth Academy of the Year - Thailand Silver – BISP Swimming Academy Best Amateur Sports Event of the Year in Thailand Bronze – Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Wet Dreams win big, keep top spot in PPL POOL WITH ONLY FOUR GAmes remaining in this edition of the Patong Pool League (PPL), Wet Dreams are still hanging in there at the top of the league table.

The table-toppers last Thursday (Oct 6) extended their lead to three points over their nearest rivals 1Bar following a big 1-10 win away from home to Ting Tong Bar. The result also meant that Ting Tong dropped further behind the leagues top two teams after clawing their way back in recent weeks.

But 1Bar are still in contention to take the title of champions of the PPL folPatong Pool League Table Wet Dream 1Bar Ting Tong Genius Sports Natalie Champs Dirty Nellies Martin Swiss M&M Simon & Oils Amigo

@thephuketnews

134 131 120 118 113 111 107 98 88 88 80 0

Aoi from 1Bar in action against Ting Tong Bar. Photo: Scott Griffin lowing an 8-3 win against Dirty Nellies last Thursday, they are also set to pick up the automatic 11 points this week as they were set to play Amigo who dropped out of the league some weeks ago.

With that in mind, Wet Dreams will certainly be looking to score big again this week when they play Sports Bar and hope to maintain their place at the top of the league.

Elsewhere, Champs Bar managed a narrow 6-5 win against Martin Swiss, Genius won 7-4 at home against Simon and Oils, while Sports Bar picked up a 6-5 win over Natalie Bar. M&M picked up the automatic 11 points as they were this week’s team set to play Amigo.

Matt Pond

osm a s C he r u iyot Marindich from Kenya took the men’s title at the 12th annual Mai Khao Turtle Mini-Marathon which took place early last Sunday morning (Oct 9). But Thai runners won the women’s race and also took 1st places in the men’s and women’s 5.3 kilometre Fun Run. Over 2,700 runners took part in the two distance races which both started from the Phuket Gateway at the northernmost point of the island.

For the first time in the race’s 12-year history, the minimarathon runners crossed the iconic Sarasin Bridge into Phang Nga and made their way back to the island.

Cosmo was the first to cross the line in the men’s mini-marathon, while in the women’s race Vilaiwan Kampitak took 1st place. In the 5.3km fun run, Sitthiporn Sangthong took the men’s title and Ratthakarn Lankmanee the women’s.

The start of this year’s race was officiated by Mr Saranyou Sema, chief of the Phuket Governor’s office and Ms Anoma Vongyai, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office. Despite the rain, the atmosphere at Phuket Gate-

Cosmas Cheruiyot Marindich from Kenya took the men’s title at the 12th Mai Khao Turtle Mini-Marathon 2016. Photo: Canon Marketing Team way was incredible, with so many runners turning out to run together for fun, fitness and a good cause.

Speaking before the start of the race, Mr Oriol Montal, General Manager of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa said, “I am thrilled to be part of this amazing event once again, huge thanks goes to the Minor Group who established

the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation – the main benefactor of the event – and also the event sponsors, partners and hard-working volunteers.

Without all their support this event would not be possible.”

The annual Turtle Fun Run and Mini-Marathon – which also aims to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle – is a collaborative effort by the

Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa to raise funds and awareness of the conservation work of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre. The centre’s “The Injured Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program” was set up to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured turtles, dolphins, whales and dugongs.

38 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Happiness and heartbreak

Hamilton’s smartphone distraction causes a stir with ‘disrespectful’ media FORMULA ONE BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

M

ercedes has won its third consecutive constructors championship, but this latest significant chapter in the team’s history comes against a backdrop of its star driver unravelling under the pressure of his personal title fight.

Lewis Hamilton is at the centre of a media curiosity. Just one week after his power unit gave up the ghost in Malaysia, a malfunction that deprived the team of a chance to claim the team title at the home race of its biggest sponsor, now too has the man himself lacked his usual soul in his quest to claim back his 25 lost points.

In last Thursday’s (Oct 6) curtain-raising drivers press conference the Briton distracted himself on his smartphone with social media app Snapchat, neglecting the assembled

Even before last Thursday’s smartphone incident Lewis Hamilton was snapped taking a selfie picture with his mobile phone with McLaren driver Fernando Alonso during a press conference ahead of the Grand Prix of Belgium in August. Photo: AFP press and television viewers worldwide.

In a response to a question regarding his relationship with his team, he replied simply that the journalist ought to “go on my Instagram” for answers.

Subsequent reportage of his behaviour enraged the driver to such a degree that he walked out of his usual Saturday evening post-qualifying press confer-

ence, citing ‘disrespectful’ media as his reason for boycotting his press commitments.

“I am not actually here to answer your questions, I have decided,” he said. “I don’t really plan on sitting here many more times for these kind of things.”

Hamilton never specified exactly what protest he was making nor what precisely he took objection to, but a com-

bination of his poor reaction to the previous week’s retirement, the sport’s response to his Thursday antics, and his defeat at the hands of his teammate in qualifying all likely played a part in his decision to abandon the paddock last Saturday (Oct 8).

Critics of Lewis Hamilton’s jet-setting, hedonistic lifestyle have frequently been forced to

eat their words by the Briton’s ongoing on-track success, but for the first time in years, the 31-year-old’s emotional fragility appears to be leaking into his performance both in and out of the cockpit.

His getaway from the line was so poor he dropped to eighth on the first lap, and only a combination of strategy and some well-timed fast laps allowed him to recover to third.

But by the first turn the damage had already been done: Nico Rosberg left Suzuka with a 33-point lead over Hamilton – a lead sufficient to allow him to finish second in all remaining races and still take the crown.

A weekend of psychological defiance turned into one of embarrassing defeat. Around a circuit famed for being a ‘driver’s track’ – a course that separated the good pilots from the great – Hamilton had been shown up trying to wage his own brand of psychological warfare.

Worse for Mercedes is that it’s highly-paid star’s highprofile walk-out underlined a power struggle in the team between Hamilton and the

squad’s hierarchy, which is increasingly finding it has little power to control its reigning champion without making a litany of rumoured private disputes public.

The final twist came late last Sunday evening (Oct 9), when Mercedes lodged a protest against one of Max Verstappen’s robust defensive manoeuvres against Hamilton in their duel for second, but Hamilton, apparently uninformed, took to Twitter to deride the “idiot” who propagated a story he believed to be false.

He later rescinded the tweet and rewrote it to read that he had told the team to drop its appeal on his orders – though the team denied this – further muddying the driver-manager boundaries.

The constructors championship may be won, but Mercedes could be only just beginning its most significant fight of the year.

Don’t forget to tune in to Live89.5 each and every Saturday from 9am to hear Box of Neutrals talk everything F1 and a whole lot more.

2016 DRIVER STANDINGS 1

NICO ROSBERG

GER

MERCEDES

313

2

LEWIS HAMILTON

GBR

MERCEDES

280

3

DANIEL RICCIARDO

AUS

RED BULL RACING

212

4

KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN

FIN

FERRARI

170

5

MAX VERSTAPPEN

NED

RED BULL RACING

165

6

SEBASTIAN VETTEL

GER

FERRARI

165

7

VALTTERI BOTTAS

FIN

WILLIAMS

81

8

SERGIO PEREZ

MEX

FORCE INDIA

80

9

NICO HULKENBERG

GER

FORCE INDIA

54

10

FELIPE MASSA

BRA

WILLIAMS

43

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

SPORT 39

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Hammers’ relocation sparks fans turf war FOOTBALL

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A West Ham fan (top) gestures towards Watford fans during their match at the London Stadium on September 11. Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP £289 (B12,574) for adults, in comparison to Upton Park’s lowest range of £600 (B26,106), and business was booming at the box office ahead of the new Premier League season.

West Ham’s number of season-ticket holders doubled to over 50,000, close to stadium capacity, but while co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold

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Sidwell Guduka 27 1. Sidwell Guduka 46 chook 26 2. carst 43 AuPaddy 25 3. chook 43 carst 25 4. scottkip 42 SirBR 25 5. SirBR 42

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The overall competition winner receives a two day/one night private fishing charter to Racha Island on board Wahoo Yacht Charters Phuket’s Reel Blue. Total prize value: B180,000 The monthly competition winner for October 2016 will receive a THB3,000 voucher to spend at Walkabout Sports Bar Karon.

EPL PREDICTIONS

hile historic Upton Park is being reduced to rubble by demolition workers, just across east London the price of progress seems painfully high to the West Ham fans engaged in a struggle for their club’s soul.

Just five months ago West Ham waved farewell to Upton Park, their home for 112 years, and headed into a bright and lucrative future in their new and bigger London Stadium.

Becoming the main tenants at the former Olympic Stadium had been a gruelling process, but West Ham’s hierarchy felt the politicking and legal wrangles would be worthwhile if the increased revenue helped transform their underachieving club into a major force.

Determined to fill the stadium, season-ticket prices were slashed to a cheapest mark of

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counted the cash, the streets around their new home have become paved with blood rather than gold.

Traditionally drawing their support from the workingclasses who grew up in the tough districts around Upton Park, West Ham’s change of address was expected to repeat the trend of crowd gentrification seen at Arsenal and Chelsea.

Once feared in the 1980s for their large number of hooligans, Chelsea’s fanbase underwent a remarkable change when higher ticket prices saw many old-school supporters usurped by the middle classes, who saw the modern game as a fashionable addition to their lifestyle.

West Ham had serious problems with their “Inter-City Firm” of hooligans for many years as well, but rather than keep out the undesirable elements, the cheap tickets and larger stadium have allowed a way back in for some of the club’s more volatile followers and a new breed keen to follow in their violent footsteps.

Adding to the explosive mix, fans who stood throughout matches at Upton Park have quickly become frustrated by the club and local council’s desire to ensure they stay sitting in their new abode.

Continuing to flout the rule, those supporters have turned violent when confronted by stewards or other fans, often those with children whose view of the match is impeded by the standing.

Compounding the problem is a security debacle which means police are only on duty outside because there isn’t a radio system in the stadium which would allow officers to communicate.

West Ham have pushed for a police presence inside the ground but it is the responsibility of stadium owners E20 to meet the cost.

As yet more f ighting marred West Ham’s most recent home game, against Middlesbrough, including reports of a visiting fan being stabbed and another hit with a bottle, the Hammers faithful responded with chants of “We should have stayed at the Boleyn (Upton Park)” and “Stratford’s a s***hole, we want to go home.”

Fans say the atmosphere is also flat at the stadium, in contrast to Upton Park, which could be one of the more raucous in the Premier League.

Added to the poisonous mix is the team’s woeful start to the season and they have won just

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once in seven games this term.

Despite the mounting problems West Ham’s owners remain adamant their relocation has been justified.

“There are some great stadiums in this country but there is only one Olympic stadium and it’s ours and it has really had a dynamic impact on the things that we can do,” West Ham chief executive Karren Brady said.

“We have very limited outside debt and in terms of brand values are ranked 15th, we were 115th when I joined.

We are now 20th in the Deloitte money league.

“Our trajectory is admired across the world, we have the largest amount of season tickets of any London club and a capacity that will grow

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to 65,000.”

Brady’s comments served only to antagonise West Ham diehards further – “as a normal working man’s football club West Ham are finished” and “Karren Brady sold the soul of West Ham” were among the complaints on social media.

But Brady and company remain so bullish they are planning to make a film documenting the move.

“We’re making a movie called Iron Men. It’s about the transition of the values and the history of West Ham supporters from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium,” Brady said.

On current evidence, even Hollywood’s finest script writers might struggle to produce an uplifting end to that tale.

AFP

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

Laguna first to defeat Patong in T20 > page 36

PUNCH TO WALK Irish boxer John Hutchinson to hold gruelling Punch-A-Thon for little Rory’s ‘Wish to Walk’ CHARITY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

rofessional Irish boxer John “Johnny Boy” Hutchinson, training in Phuket, will this Sunday (Oct 16) step up for a gruelling two-and-a-half-hour “PunchA-Thon” to raise much-needed funds for 4-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Rory Gallagher of Sligo, Ireland, whose “Wish to Walk” campaign has captured the hearts of people around the world.

“With the help of good friends and social media, I am hoping to raise $10,000 for little Rory Gallagher’s Wish to Walk,” said Hutchinson.

“His family are trying to raise the funds to take him over to the USA in December for surgeries which will allow him progress with his wish to

walk. Any family with kids, brothers or sisters will understand and would do anything to help. So I am doing what I can – I will PUNCH for Rory to WALK...,” he said.

The Punch-A-Thon will start at midday and will be held at Fighters Gym Rawai, where Hutchinson is in training for his next title fight.

“This little kid has only one wish and it’s to WALK. So let’s help make it come true! I’m going to help his family by raising as much as I can to help Rory get on his feet,” Hutchinson said.

“My good friends at Mad Mohally’s Irish Bar and Farzad Rangrazian at Fighters Gym Rawai are going to set up a day with sponsorship cards for the public to donate and help raise as much as we can for little Rory.

“So anyone around can pop in and watch as I continue

my non-stop punching in the gruelling heat,” he explained.

The 30-year-old boxer from Buncrana, Donegal has two wins this year since signing with Europe-renowned promoter MGM Marbella, and is touted as in “154 pound domestic pole position” to contest the Irish light middleweight title from holder Pauly Upton, also fighting under MGM. “I’m still fighting. I’m signed with one of the biggest boxing promoters in Europe, MGM Marbella. I just had two fights this year and been in Marbella training and have two wins and I came out here for a little training camp,” Hutchinson told The Phuket News.

“I’m sponsored by Fighters Gym and Mad Mohally’s in Rawai, so I train here when I come over. I’ve just started a camp for my next fight, so

Professional Irish boxer John ‘Johnny Boy’ Hutchinson this Sunday (Oct 16) will endure a gruelling ‘Punch-A-Thon’ in Phuket to raise funds for 4-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Rory Gallagher. Photo: @Deantaylorlifethroughalens I’ll try to give as much time for Rory to get on his feet before I go into full-on training,” he said.

Hutchinson is already lining up his next fights on his way to contesting the title.

“At the minute I’m in talks to fight in Perth on Nov 19 with offers also in for Sydney in December to break into the Asia scene, but I’ll leave that up to my management team MGM because I’m next in line to fight for the Irish Title,” he explained to The Phuket News.

“I’m ranked 6th in Ireland at the moment and I’m just waiting on (confirmation of the) show and date before I head into full camp and get ready, but I will have more news soon,” he said.

Donations to suppor t Hutchinson’s gruelling PunchA-Thon in Phuket can be pledged through the YouCaring.com webpage.

Young cerebral palsy sufferer Rory Gallagher has just one wish – to walk. Photo: Courtesy of Rory’ Gallagher’s Wish to WALK thephuketnews