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An expat tucks his passport into his pocket at Phuket Immigration. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
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huket Immigration has confirmed there is no need for foreigners to carry their passports at all times, despite the ongoing ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ crackdown on illegal foreigners netting 300 foreigners in Phuket last month alone. The news also follows the Russian Embassy last week strongly advising Russian nationals to carry their passports on their persons at all times while in Thailand. Phuket Immigration Chief Col
Kathathorn Kumthieng this week confirmed to The Phuket News that although the archaic law remains unchanged requiring foreigners to have their passports at the ready to show officials at any time of day, enforcement of the law in Phuket will be not so strict. “We are not enforcing this so hard because we know that foreigners and tourists need to relax in our country, so we see no need to annoy them with rules like this,” he said. However, Col Kathathorn did advise that foreigners carry a copy of their passports with them just in case. “This could be a photocopy or
just a photo of their passport on their phone, which will be useful if something happens and they need to show their ID or if the foreigner is worried about losing their passport. “With just a copy, any officer can call in the foreigner’s name and passport number and check their current legal status on our database. But if we do require them to show us their actual passport, they can go back to their hotel or their home and get it,” he explained. Col Kathathorn did point out that any foreigner who is unable to present his or her passport, given reasonable time and opportunity, will be in
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trouble. At worst case scenario, the foreigner may be arrested and even face deportation. Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk explained that 300 foreigners had been processed under the ‘Operation XRay Outlaw Foreigner’ campaign in Phuket in October. “Of those, 211 had overstayed their visas, with 21 actually arrested and the remaining 190 surrendering themselves,” Col Archeep said. Col Archeep declined to identify which nationality was the most common for overstays However, he added, “In October...
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No passport required despite crackdown Continued from page 1 ...we also caught 54 people caught for illegally entering the country and 35 others caught for other crimes, including working illegally.” The ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ campaign, now 12 months old nationwide, will continue until further notice, Col Archeep confirmed. “We will continue working on this as (Immigration Chief) Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn has ordered us to pay serious attention in tourist destinations where foreigners are likely to overstay,” he said. Col Archeep urged foreigners not to be caught out by overstaying their visas. “Our system has been updated to make it quicker and easier to extend visas. It won’t take a long time to have it done,” he said.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Debate rages after child boxer, just 13 years old, dies after fight > page 7
Salvage team confident in raising the ‘Phoenix’ Tavee Adam reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
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An of ficer checks an entry on the database at the Phuket Immigration. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot Col Archeep also urged foreigners to not pay any extra unofficial fees – or bribes. “If any official asks you to pay an extra charge or asks for a tip, I can confirm that we uphold the ‘No Tips’ policy here,” he said. “If you find any officer doing this, please call 1178 or my personal number 086-7886359,” Col Archeep added.
he new operators called in to salvage the sunken tour boat Phoenix are confident that their team will raise the disaster-struck boat to the surface, hopefully by this weekend (Nov 17-18). Revealing the confident prediction to The Phuket News and about 60 other representatives from the media from Bangkok and Phuket at the Phuket Deep Sea Port at Cape Panwa on Wednesday (Nov 14) was Tanapat Hemanggon of Seacrest Marine Co Ltd. “Today, the weather is good and there is no rain… The waves are small, not big, it is fine for working,” he said. “Our experts expect that this is a good sign for the salvage operation. Today we have over 100 staff from Seacrest
The Seacrest barge with 1,200-ton crane fitted and a 34-metre boat on board ready to be deployed at the Phuket Deep Sea Port on Wednesday (Nov 14). Photo: PR Dept Marine installing the tethers underwater and the 1,200-ton, 100-metre-long floating crane accompanied by a 34-metrelong tugboat is being put in place,” Mr Tanapat said. In raising the Phoenix, Mr Tanapat explained, “First, the boat will be lifted about 80 centimetres straight up from
the sea bed, and then we will turn the boat so it is the right way up. “After that, we will raise the boat by just 50cm to test the resistance in the water, and only then will we gradually float it to the surface,” he said. “The whole process of raising the boat will take around
two hours,” Mr Tanapat noted. Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram, also at the Deep Sea Port on Wednesday, said that he expected the project to take five days before investigators can inspect the wreck. “Then we can start the investigation. We will inspect the ship’s structure to see if the construction was conducted properly or not,” he said. “Experts will examine the vessel and this information will be used in court,” he added. Immigration Chief Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, also at the Phoenix media event, defended efforts so far to raise the Phoenix. “All efforts have been made by all sectors to salvage the boat. The Marine Department has tried to have the boat salvaged, even though the last time it was not successful,” he said.
Woman pinned under flipped truck
THE GIRLFRIEND OF A truck driver who was riding shotgun in a 7-Eleven delivery truck suffered serious injuries to her left arm after she was pinned under the cab of the truck when it flipped onto its side on Thepkrasattri Rd early Tuesday morning (Nov 13). Tha Chatchai Police were called to the scene, about 500 metres south of the Phuket Checkpoint, at 1am. Officers arrived with Kusoldharm Foundation and Mai Khao rescue workers to find 23-year-old Trongjit Kongbangpor, from Songkhla,
Trongjit Kongbangpor, 23, was pinned under the cab of the six-wheeled truck, which had flipped onto its side beside the road. pinned under the cab of the six-wheeled truck. Ms Trongjit had suffered a serious injury to her left arm. Rescue workers took
an hour to free her from the wreck and transported her to Thalang Hospital. Ms Trongjit’s boyfriend, 27-year-old Suchinda Yamloi, also from Songkhla, told police that he was delivering goods to 7-Eleven stores in Patong. He told police that he moved the truck into the left lane so that a pickup could pass, but the front-left wheel went off the road. The truck hit a sign and onto its side. Police have yet to confirm whether Mr Suchinda will face any charges for the accident. Eakkapop Thongtub
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Man arrested for rape of female British tourist Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
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Thai man accused of raping a British tourist in Phuket was tracked down and arrested last Friday (Nov 9). Chalong Police were notified of an alleged rape of a 24-year-old British woman at 9:06am that same morning. Officers were called to the Banana Coffee House on the road to Nai Harn Beach after a foreign woman ran into the shop crying and overwhelmed with emotion. The woman said that she had been assaulted and raped. The woman was first taken to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-open Chalong Hospital and then transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. According to the initial report by Chalong Police, the woman was staying at a hotel in Karon. She told police that she went to a bar in Karon the night before and was drinking with a Thai man, who she later asked to take her back to her hotel because she was drunk.
Over 52,000 ya bah pills and 784.82 grams of ya ice were found hidden in a speaker in the house.
52,000 ya bah pills, ice netted in raid
Amnart Atjan, 40, was arrested in Phuket on rape charges last Friday (Nov 9). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The woman did not remember anything else, except for that she woke up next morning at some place in Rawai, found scratches on her body, and ran to ask for help. Having received the report, a joint task force of Phuket Provincial Police, Tourist Police and Immigration Police began gathering evidence, including checking CCTV and questioning wit-
nesses. A DNA test was also conducted at Vachira Hospital. On the same day, armed with a warrant, Phuket Police arrested the suspect, named at the press conference last Saturday (Nov 10) as Amnart Atjan, 40. The man was charged with rape and is now facing up to four to 20 years in jail and/or a fine of B80,000-B400,000. Amnart told the police that
Grenade seized in suburban drug raid POLICE SEIZED A LIVE grenade while making a drug raid on a house in Thalang last week. The grenade was taken into custody and is now safe, police report. Officers discovered the war weapon while raiding a house in Moo 1 Thepkrasattri last Wednesday (Nov 7), reported Thalang Police Chief Lt Col Theerawat Liamsuwan. Acting on a tip-off, police had the house under surveillance, he explained. The suspects of interest were named as Thitikorn Wipawachart, 24, and his
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The grenade was seized and rendered safe. Photo: Thalang Police girlfriend Somrethai Srisawarng, also 24. Inside the house police found 0.08 grams of crystal meth (ya ice) and drug-taking equipment – and the grenade.
Thitikorn and Somrethai were taken to Thalang Police Station and charged for possession of a Category 1 drug and illegal possession of the grenade. The couple told police that they obtained the ya ice from a person that they knew, but said that they did not know who brought the grenade to their house. It was left behind after friends had visited at the house, Col Theerawat said, adding that the police investigation was continuing. Eakkapop Thongtub
he met the woman at Kata Green Beach Bar. The couple spent some time drinking together before he took the foreign woman to his place and had sexual intercourse with her while she was asleep. In the morning the woman woke up and, shocked, ran away form the room, Amnart added. The incident has been reported to the British Embassy.
POLICE LAST WEDNESd ay ( Nov 7) a r rested a Chalong-based drug dealer and seized over 52,000 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) and 784.82 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice). The arrest of Danai Hlankban, 35, was revealed by Col Akanit Danpitaksarn, a Deputy Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, and Maj Kongpop Posane, Chief of Border Patrol Police Company 425, at a press conference held at Phuket Provincial Police Station last Friday (Nov 9). The investigation was launched by Border Patrol Police Company 425 after officers received a tip-off that Danai may be distributing drugs in Phuket. Having checked Danai’s activities and
behaviour, officers found the tip-off trustworthy and cooperated with Phuket police to conduct a joint raid. Last Wednesday (Nov 7) the joint task force arrived to a house on Soi Yodsane 1 in Chalong, arrested the suspect and seized over 52,000 ya bah pills and 784.82g of ya ice hidden in a speaker. Danai told police that he received the drugs from a man named Sompong Niyumwong from Phang Nga as he did six to seven times before. The drugs were delivered to Phuket by a private transportation company. Danai’s task was to distribute them among locals. According to Danai, he was paid some B20,000 for distribution of each shipment. Eakkapop Thongtub
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PHUKET NEWS
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST
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Headless turtle found behind town dump site
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EX PERTS AT THE ENdangered Species Unit of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) are hoping to learn more about a turtle that was found headless behind the Phuket Solid Waste Incineration Plant at Saphan Hin last Sunday night (Nov 11). Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the site at 7pm by a security guard at the facility after local residents told him that they had found the turtle. The turtle remains were among rocks by the banks of an estuary in the mangrove forest behind at the facility. The remains were identified as that of a Green turtle weighing around 80-90 kilograms and estimated to have been more than 20 years old. The turtle had no head, and rescue workers at the scene estimated by the state
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Historical sites hit flyover reset Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
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Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation recovered the decapitated turtle’s remains. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub of decomposition that the turtle had died some four to five days earlier. The turtle was taken to the PMBC, based at Cape Panwa, for further examination to determine the initial cause of death. Eakkapop Thongtub
ll progress on the two flyovers planned to be built over Thepkrasattri Rd is on hold for at least another year after a formal protest pointed out that one of the proposed flyover sites is within one kilometre of sites of historical value in the area. The two flyers, together costing about B200 million, are both to be ‘mid-air Uturns’, allowing traffic heading northbound to return southbound unimpeded, and without causing delays to other motorists. One is planned to be built near the ‘Yee Teng mansion’ in Koh Kaew, the other planned to be built in Mu Dok Kaeo,
The flyover planned to be built at Koh Kaew is now to be revised. Image Highways Dept north of Thalang Town. At last report, in January, construction of both flyovers had stalled because 20 landowners had refused to sell their land beside the road that is needed for the project. A Royal Decree for the government to legally expropriate the land – with compensation – was expected before the end of this year. However, Phuket Highways Office Chief Somwang Lohanut has now confirmed that all plans are now on hold as local residents have pointed out that sites of historical value are within one kilometre of the flyover planned to be built in Koh Kaew – a fact that was
never included in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project. “Only after starting this project have we learned that the two sites are within one kilometre of the flyover. We didn’t realise this until local people filed their complaint. So we are compiling a fresh EIA, as required by law,” Mr Somwang said. One of the two sites of historical value is Ban Phraya Wichit Songkram, some 800 metres south of the Heroines Monument and already a registered National Heritage Site. The other site is the Thalang National Museum, operated by the Ministry of Fine Arts.
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Opinion 6
OPINION
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
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EDITORIAL
Bagging lip service
he more environmentally conscious among you may have noticed the appearance of the Green Lane popping up in super stores and grocery chains. You’d be forgiven for not, as they materialised without fanfare. This is a plastic bag free counter service, invitingly empty for those who’ve brought their own bag in an attempt to reduce single-use plastics on the island. All well and good… if it was actually open. On returning every day across one week at a major Tesco Lotus store, not once was the lane open to serve the budding conservationists with multi-use bag in hand. Not a very committed start to entice the plastic people to change a habit of a lifetime. You either do it and prioritise it… or not at all. One can’t help but feel it’s all a bit of a
publicity stunt, without the essential commitment to change both in-store procedures and customer habits. Of course the obvious route, and the only one that has worked internationally, is to introduce a small fee for each plastic bag. The profits of which go directly back into local conservation causes. But most importantly, this raises the issue across every lane and counter, whether fast or sloth-like. It is brought to the attention of every consumer that you must pay for your footprint in purchasing a plastic bag, or pay a little bit more for a multi-use bag. Better still, bring your own grocery bags with you as a force of habit. How it has worked in other countries is simple. Shame. Shame creates action a lot faster than a call for conscientious behaviour change. But of course this is a step too far in
the boardroom of the Goliath retailer. Who’d take on a nation of waste junkies in the war to get them in store? But there should be a different type of shame on the face of the international companies, such as Tesco, who have introduced exactly these systems and processes in other countries. Tesco is the third largest retailer in the world on its gross revenue, so let’s just assume it might just have the means, if not the inclination. Surely, of them all, THEY should be the ones leading the way and enforcing the knowledge on practical steps to reduce our waste and impose, as well as promote, environmentally friendly practices that would educate and force Thai companies to follow? One fears they are playing dumb to the issue and simply paying lip service to quieten the lobbyists.
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Heavy weather warning issued for Phuket Heavy rain warning for Phuket, South Weather warning for Phuket remains in effect Man arrested for rape of female British tourist in Phuket In the Red: Phuket tourism industry plays down Chinese fall impact Phuket Police investigate rape report by British tourist Blood is thicker than water: Rookie investigator arrests the man who murdered his father Half a ton of underwater garbage collected at Patong Beach Singapore crane to raise Phoenix from Phuket seabed Phuket Opinion: Ride the wave
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HAVE YOUR SAY Trash talk
Re: A letter sent into The Phuket News on the issue of waste recycling I know why people in Phuket have a garbage problem. A lot is being said about this problem, as a lot is said about all the problems we face - road safety, water safety, drugs, garbage etc. But nothing much is ever done. My family diligently save our recyclables, bag them up and trot them down to the recycle centre once a month. But so little is paid for this effort it is hardly worth the time, effort and petrol to run them down there. So that is why people throw everything in the garbage. Even the people who used to come and take the recyclables from the garbage cans don’t come any more. It is just not worth their time. There must be some scheme thought up to end this wasted resource, instead of just tuttutting about it and ignoring it until it’s too late. David Williams
Off the menu
Re: Hanoi ‘must end eating of dogs before Formula 1 arrives’
Everyone that has a dog treats them as part of the family. Dogs actively help the blind, the deaf, the disabled and mentally handicapped, the lonely, the police, military, veterans with PTSD, customs, search and rescue, security, even those with allergies. In Alaska sled dogs deliver medication to remote towns. God bless the Soi Dog Foundation. Ban the F1 in Vietnam. Winfield
It is usually a terrible mistake to use role models to promote progressive agendas. It usually backfires badly. For example, I am quite a good scientist, but the establishment would never wheel me out as a role model because I look as thick as a brick, obviously eccentric and talk too freely. The Role Model fallacy is why the Nobel Peace Prize has sunk into such disrepute. Aj Raymond Ritchie
Slow and steady
Dumping ground
Re: Woman safe after pinned under cab in 7-Eleven delivery truck flip Regardless of excuses this is failure to have control. Always a mysterious dog, truck, car, elephant, yeti... that didn’t stop, cut in front or erratically passed etc. Bottom line, if your speed and vehicle is under control you will not crash and you will be prepared when you experience a slippery surface or whatever problem is encountered. MartinK
Role model
Re: Amnesty strips Aung San Suu Kyi of highest honour
Re: Half a ton of underwater garbage collected at Patong Beach This trash is not millennia old. They have done other “clean ups” over the years, and still can find tons of new discarded fishing nets. The fishing boat crews use the sea as a dump. Timothy The point is Thai boats pollute and overfish their own environment on a massive scale, destroying their own livelihood without thought. There is no law, regulation or oversight making these greedy buggers accountable. I’ve seen them first hand, this
is not speculation.
Pauly44
Vote of confidence
Re: Phuket Opinion: Ride the wave Why start training in March or April 2019? Why not start training now? By March/April 2019 the ‘High season’ is over. What kind of ‘matters’ in the lifeguards’ portfolio is going on in the office of PPAO? Did PPAO not have enough time? (More than 1 year). Do they have to ‘study’ the two budgets a bit more during the coming 4-5 months? No confidence in PPAO at all. Kurt
Cloak of Invisibility
Re: Catching illegal guides is tricky: ‘They disguise themselves like tourists’ Maybe they expect illegal tour guides to wear red jackets with signs stating they are illegal? But then again, even if they did that I doubt the idiots in charge would find them. Just look at the number of helmet-less motorcyclists… it’s extremely difficult to spot them too.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
THAILAND NEWS
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Boxer, 13, dies after fight Teenager suffered brain haemorrhage during nighttime Muay Thai event SAMUT PRAKAN
Boxer Phetmongkol Por Peenapat, aged 13 years, who died after he was knocked out in the ring on Monday night. Photo: มวยไทย ครบวงจร / Facebook
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13-year-old boy has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage during a Muay Thai fight on Monday night (Nov 12). The Muay Thai Krob Wong Jorn Facebook account posted a message on Monday expressing condolences to the family of boxer Phetmongkol Por Peenapat. He suffered bleeding in the brain when knocked out by Famai Sor Phranakhon during a bout in Phra Pradaeng district in Samut Prakan province. “Rest in peace, my little brother,” the announcement said. The account did not give details of the boy, but another account in the name of Jit Bungkan said he was aged 13 years. The boy studied in Mathayom 1 at Wat Samutkit Witthayakhom School in Phra Samut Chedi district of Samut Prakan, the post said. He was knocked out in the third round, one comment said on Muay Thai Krob Wong
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Jorn, adding that the referee should have stopped the bout earlier as the boy showed signs of being unable to defend himself from his opponent’s onslaught. The unconscious boy was taken to hospital, where he
died. His body was later sent for autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital. His family received the boy’s body on Wednesday (Nov 13) for religious rites at Wat Mai Bang Plakod in Phra
Samut Chedi. They were not intending to take legal action against the organisers of the event, because their son died while participating in a sport, Thairath online reported. His death comes amid calls to set an age limit for child
boxers. There is currently no limit. An amendment to the Boxing Act, which would set the minimum age for entering the ring at 12 years, is now in the National Legislative Assembly with backing from child rights advocates and
the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Representatives of boxing attendants on Monday opposed the proposed change on grounds the amendment went to the NLA without seeking comments from them, and that allowing children to box helped keep them out of trouble at school and at home. Chatchai Im-arom, a doctor at the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre of Ramathibodi Hospital, supported an age curb on children fighting in the ring. Children under 15 were more vulnerable to brain injury from hits to the head, he told Thai PBS during a forum to promote safety last Sunday (Nov 11). “Children suffering brain injuries will have problems when they grow up,” Dr Chatchai added. “As adults, we have a duty to protect them.” Children should still be allowed to practice Muay Thai, as it is a part of Thai culture, but there should be a minimum age for those fighting in the ring, he said.
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THAILAND NEWS
Activist gets refugee status in South Korea BANGKOK ANTI-JUNTA ACTIVIST Chanoknan Ruamsap, who fled the country earlier this year after being charged with lese majeste, has received political refugee status from the South Korean government. Ms Chanoknan, a 25-yearold member of the New Democracy Movement, has become the first Thai to receive political refugee status from the South Korean government. The immigration bureau of South Korea granted her request last Friday (Nov 9). A smiling Ms Chanoknan posted a 40-minute Facebook Live video discussing the case after learning asylum had been granted. “I think I won political refugee status because there were many people helping me along the way,” the 25-year-old Ms Chanoknan said in a video posted on her Facebook page last Saturday (Nov 10). “My case garnered attention in South Korea after local journalists interviewed me and published my story on the front page [of Hankyoreh21 magazine] in May. Other exiled political activists from around
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Pot approved Draft amendment to Narcotics Act agreed to BANGKOK
Police charged Chanoknan with lese majeste for clicking ‘share’ on a BBC Thai story. Photo: Moo.Cartoon / Faebook the world also wrote letters to the South Korean government. My plight has been widely reported and political activists in South Korea also pressured their government,” she said. The activist firebrand fled to South Korea in the middle of January after being charged with lese majeste for sharing a BBC Thai profile of His Majesty the King on her Facebook page. Ms Chanoknan – nicknamed ‘Cartoon’ did not just click share; she also wrote, “If you dare write. I dare share”. Of the 2,800 people who shared the article, only two were charged under Section 112. The other, activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, aka ‘Pai Dao Din’ is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence in Khon Kaen for the crime. Bangkok Post
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he Cabinet on Tuesday (Nov 13) approved a draft amendment to the 1979 Narcotics Act to legalise cannabis for medical and research purposes. However, all use of the drug will be kept under strict control. Gover n ment spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta said the amended version of the act will “level up” marijuana to a Category 2 drug from its current Category 5 status. Mr Buddhipongse said this means the draft amendment to the law will allow the use, import and export, as well as possession of marijuana exclusively for medical purposes. The draft amendment deals with the acceptable possession of marijuana for treatments and establishes a new responsibility for the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) to determine areas where marijuana can be used or possessed, as well as areas where it can be grown. Mr Buddhipongse was speaking on Tuesday after the Cabinet approved the draft amendment, submitted by the National Legislative Assembly's (NLA) public health committee. He said patients who wish to use marijuana extracts for
The Royal Agricultural Station Pangda, in Chiang Mai, where cannabis sativa, or hemp, is harvested for medicinal use. Photo: via Bangkok Post medical treatment need to get approval from designated medical practitioners. The amount of the drug possessed may not exceed the appropriate and advised amount for medical purposes. Marijuana can be used in treatment or research in designated areas to be later determined by the Public Health Ministry, which will work closely with the ONCB, he said. Furthermore, the ONCB is the only state agency to designate the areas where
marijuana can be grown. The areas as well as control measures will be made public, Mr Buddhipongse said. "This is not the liberalisation of marijuana. This doesn't mean people are allowed to grow marijuana in their backyards. It will still be under control," he said. The Public Health Ministry is also tasked with monitoring the effects of marijuana's usage and production for five years, once the draft amendment is passed by the NLA.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Spanish giant Meliá to open in Karon in 2021 HOSPITALITY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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eading Spanish hotel company Meliá Hotels International has announced the signing of the Meliá Phuket Karon, the company’s second property in Phuket, following the Meliá Phuket Mai Khao. Meliá Phuket Karon will be the group’s sixth property in Thailand. Scheduled to open in 2021, Meliá Phuket Karon will be located on 40 rai of “untouched tropical woodland, more than half of which has been set aside for an Adventure Eco Park created to simultaneously promote and preserve the natural beauty and ecology of Karon”, noted a release announcing the new resort this week. The resort, with views of the Andaman Sea, will feature a total of 150 guestrooms, while the Meliá Phuket Karon Residence will comprise 15 villas and 59 condominiums to be managed by Meliá Hotels International. The hotel will feature an infinity pool with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea, YHI spa, state-of-the-art fitness centre and the exclusive The Level service. For gourmets, the hotel will include two dining options, serving healthy cuisine with superior quality, said the release. Meliá Phuket Karon will also provide
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Meliá Phuket Karon, scheduled to open in 2021, will be the second property in Phuket from leading Spanish hotel company Meliá Hotels International. Meliá Power Meetings concept, designed to stimulate dynamic and productive meetings that also help participants enjoy their work, it added. “As the most visited country in Southeast Asia, Thailand is an integral and key market to our strategic growth in the Asia Pacific,” said Bernardo Cabot, Senior Vice President of Meliá Hotels International Asia Pacific. “We’re delighted to partner with Mishari Co Ltd, who we share the similar vision and devotion with, and I am confident we will achieve the course of sustainable growth and increasing profitability in this market.” Faheem Ahmed, Chairman of Mishari, said, “I am delighted to partner with
Meliá Hotels and Resorts for our first Thai property. I chose the west coast Phuket site because of its natural beauty, a place which exemplifies the finest in luxury tropical living. “The peaceful and relaxing environment of this land plot with its stunning 360-degree views of sea, beach and wooded hills is exceptional, and the proximity to Phuket’s finest beaches, shops, restaurants, and entertainment make it the best of all worlds. I look forward to a fruitful and long-lasting partnership with Meliá.” The release issued this week also noted that Meliá Hotels International will open six new hotels in Thailand before the end of 2022.
BUSINESS NEWS
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Thai AirAsia sees red as Chinese decline TOURISM THE DROP IN CHINESE visitors to Thailand and higher fuel prices resulted in a loss for Thai AirAsia in the third quarter but it hopes for a better financial performance in the last three months of the year. SET-listed Asia Aviation Plc (AAV), the operator of the budget carrier, last Friday (Nov 9) reported a net loss of B358mn for the three months to Sept 30, compared with a profit of B260mn in the same period last year. For the first nine months of the year, the carrier had a net profit of B339mn, down from B1 billion a year earlier. Chinese visitors have shunned Thailand – once their favourite destination – since the sinking of the tour boat Phoenix that killed 47 people off Phuket in July. The government hopes to revive the confidence of the Chinese and other visitors by waiving visa-on-arrival fees for Chinese and nationals of 20 other countries for two months starting from Dec 1. Chinese travellers topped all foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand with 9.7mn last year
Thai AirAsia ended the third quarter with a loss of B358 million. Photo: MNXANL / Wikimedia Commons and more than 10mn were expected this year. For the first nine months of the year, 8.37mn tourists from China entered the country, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Visitor numbers from China to Thailand have fallen by 8.8% for the year to date, Thai AirAsia said, citing ministry figures. But the Association of Thai Travel Agents maintains the decline has been bigger since the Phuket tragedy. Aviation fuel prices also rose 45% in the third quarter from the same period a year ago, the airline said. However, A AV Chief Executive Officer Santikul Klongchiya noted, “The fourth quarter is crucial for tourism and we believe the situation will improve and allow us to achieve the forecast results,” Bangkok Post
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Freddie Mercury The man, the legend
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Garden aromas The science of smell
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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Dr Chantinee breaking cultural norms for our environmental future
PEOPLE OF PHUKET Jill N. Wells
Changing the prevailing educational paradigm will be essential for sustainable development.
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ustainability, green environmental development – these big words sound so far away from our daily life. Not many of us know what to do to change. Queen Elizabeth II has banned using plastics in her palace a few months ago. But you’re still drinking from a plastic bottle? Did it sting your conscience when you saw 80 plastic bags taken out of the pilot whale that died in Southern Thailand not long ago? You may say that it’s sad but then think that it’s not the plastic bag that you threw away. What if I ask you to sign your name on each and every plastic bag, straw, cup you abandon? How can you guarantee it won’t end up in some animal’s stomach, some turtle’s nose or eyes? Before you use any plastic item, have you asked yourself whether you can change to use something else? The first time I took off my blinders to know Dr Chantinee Boonchai she was the lead investigator for Phuket Beach Survey, an activity she and her students carried out under the Phuket Beach Management Project. She said, “(The survey) facilitates the dialogues between the local government, tourists and the local people who are adversely affected by problem beaches in Phuket. Appropriate actions followed, such as the Save Phuket Beach campaign, beach clean-ups, community and youth forums, lifeguard training, and environment volunteer training. For younger children, they had a beach drawing competition to show how their dream beaches are.” Dr Chantinee was a Thai government scholarship recipient. She obtained a BSc from the National Uni-
versity of Singapore and a master’s and PhD in Environment Management from the University of Queensland. Now a lecturer at the Prince of Songkla University (PSU), she is also a member of Andaman Environment and the Natural Disaster Research and Innovation Centre. As a Phuket resident, she is eager to focus her work toward a better Phuket. Though tourists pouring in stimulates economic growth, Phuket is increasingly stretched by being an international destination. More visitors packed along a small stretch of beach, more cars, vans, buses and motorbikes moving on the same narrow roads, more hotels, resorts, shopping malls, and so on are growing everywhere like bamboo shoots. Inevitably this leads to more rubbish and other environmental problems. However Dr Chantinee sees in this both opportunities and challenges. She says, “Yes, with the expansion of the buildings encroaching inland, sea water getting polluted, foul sewage smell, rubbish everywhere. But in the meanwhile, Phuket grows into a mega international destination. It means more chances of development, more economic growth which will bring in more technology,
more educated human resource, more advanced ideas. It’ll be beneficial for the new generation to be proactive and be creative to solve current and future problems.” According to her survey, many local village leaders would like to know how to change or solve the problems and make Phuket a better place to live. They’re motivated, but lack proper environmental education. Dr Chantinee believes that in the long run, changing the prevailing educational paradigm will be essential for sustainable development. “It’s equally important to enhance communication between the local authorities and the people, to work in teams collaboratively, to inspire everyone’s innovation for change and to push workable solutions into more communities.” With a decade of overseas learning experience, Dr Chantinee knows how important self-initiative is in environmental protection. But in Thai society, there are invisible hierarchical authority rules that lower-status people dare not step forward to break. The psychological stereotype hence remains that the older, the teacher, the higher-status people know better. Continued on page 12
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
With students at the Nakalay Reef Cleaning, Jan 2018. Leonard Cohen said there is a crack in everything, that’s how a light comes in. Slowly and gradually, things are changing in the campus. In her PSU course Global Citizenship, she discusses 75 initiatives that her students can try now to embrace as global citizens. They can practice ways of sustainable development in daily life: knowing how to separate waste and put into recycle banks on campus; pushing into their own communities to separate waste and undertake recycling; adopting reusable containers for food and drinks instead of using plastic product every day; saving energy, and many others. Dr Chantinee says, “I’m not only preaching but doing 75 activities together with my students. Some students organise in smaller teams to work together which is really beyond my expectation and I fully support their energetic passion. These items in the course should turn into lifestyle habits and get passed on to the next generation, passed on to the whole family and community. Integrated education should be from the community, society, and not simply from universities.”
Dr Chantinee (2nd from left) with her students on campus. She is not sure how much one course can change any of her students. She believes, as Carl Sandburg wrote long ago that “Bean by bean, we fill the sack.” The university is working on providing more educational platforms and opportunities for Phuket’s future leaders. Its endeavours will push Phuket toward a sustainable tomorrow. Besides the 75 tasks for global citizens, Dr Chantinee is also practic-
ing her own environmental protection motto daily – no disposable Styrofoam products, reusable containers; no plastic bag/straw/bottle, her own cup or cloth bag. She says, “Though it takes a lot of preparation, it’s part of the fun to change oneself too.” Knowing that one is changing brings delight to one’s mind. Remember the story of a little boy who threw every starfish on the beach back into the sea? A curious old man ques-
Dr Chantinee grass weaving with locals. tioned him, saying that since there were thousands of starfish, he alone couldn’t make any difference. The boy picked up one starfish threw it into the water. He said, “It made a difference for that one.” Faculty of Technology and Environment Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Tel: +66 84 260 5319 Email: chantinee.b@phuket.psu.ac.th
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COMMUNITY 13
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
A DIVINE EVENT AT DREAM BEACH CLUB And for the day of rest? Have no fear, Sunday Brunch Club is back! The all new season Sunday Brunch Club features over 120 delicious Sunday favourites accompanied by a live acoustic brunch set, Dream B-Boys, live musicians, Dream Dancers and international DJs to see you through.
The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th
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adies and Gentleman, get ready to change your party plans. Whatever invites you may have received for New Year’s Eve, clear the decks. Raid your tenuous excuse bank… picking up your Nobel Peace prize, alien abduction, whatever. Because on Dec 31 at Dream Beach Club Phuket you’d be mad not to be dancing your rocks off to one of the most important and influential electronica bands of the past 20 years. Faithless are coming to town. Yes. FAITHLESS! Dream Beach Club shall be hosting a world exclusive Faithless DJ set by Sister Bliss. The line-up also includes a performance by Errol Reid, live vocalist from global superstar DJ band the Swedish House Mafia, along with the usual extravagant crowd-pleasers at Dream that will make for a memorable night including aerial and dance performers, live musicians and countdown fireworks. The only problem is what to do with yourself ‘til then? No worries, Dream’s impressive high season schedule has got you covered. Soul Heaven Saturdays gets you straight into your weekend groove as the iconic record label and party people move from their summer home
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in Ibiza for a series of weekly pool parties at the club, featuring an incredible line-up of international guest DJs and Artists such as Sandy Rivera, Barbara Tucker, Sam Divine, Natasha Kitty Kat, Lenny Fontana and Melon Bomb. After your weekend of partying settle down to catch a great movie under the stars at Dream Beach Cinema Club each Monday night. Complete with a giant outdoor movie screen with surround system and cool, breezy weather – it is a great way to spend your start to the week. Snack on popcorn and enjoy food and beverage specials. Along with the beautiful lounge, intricate pool areas and poolside and beachfront bed packages, Dream Beach Club also have a stylish upstairs venue, Level One. This ultra-chic club,
boasting state-of-the-art VOID Acoustics sound system has an additional range of high season events. And there’s an eclectic medley of party nights including live singers and musicians, Dream Dancers, cabaret style and Burlesque performances to thrill and entertain the club goer with weekly avant-garde shows. For those in the sultry mood, sander on down to Level One’s Gin & Jazz Nights. Level One will also be hosting a Christmas Eve Party. Join the Dream Beach club team for Christmas cheer with 2 hours of luxury canapes created by Executive Chef Kiattisak, and dance the night away with resident DJ Vikki Love. The rains are nearly over, it’s time to wake from your slumber. With this events list, you’ll be pleading for insomnia. It’s time to truly welcome in the high season down at Dream Beach Club.
Dream Beach Club Layan Beach, Soi 2, Thalang, Phuket Tel: +66 98 048 3500 Email: reservations@dreambeachclub.com Visit www.dreambeachclub.com for more information on VIP Members details, loyalty cards and sun bed packages. Dream Beach Club offers FREE pickup service (Laguna, Bangtao, Mai Khao and Naithon). Pick up is subject to availability at time of request.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
A Kind of Magic New biopic retells the triumphant and tragic story of Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury - the lone star. Photo: 20th Century Fox David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th
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he word ‘talent’ has become an oxymoron, literally replaced by ‘moron’. In a world where celebrities are ten-a-penny and earn their stardom stripes by such trivia as bearing their empty lives on soul-less and never-ending live TV shows and Twitter streams or eating grubs in a jungle, it’s no wonder we yearn for yesteryear’s true talent. So thank the heavens above for Bohemian Rhapsody. This new biopic release by 20th Century Fox relives the formation and rise of the seminal British rock band Queen, primarily focusing on its frontman, Freddie Mercury. And rightly so. Freddie Mercury was one of the most enigmatic singers in the modern era, combining a unique and powerful four-octave vocal range with a
stage presence that demands the title of Legend. The film faithfully recreates the backstory of the band, of Freddie’s shame of his Zanzibar roots, of breaking through race issues and discrimination via unquestionable talent and a fearless determination. The director, Bryan Singer, shines a bright light on the undeniable brilliance of a band who were hell-bent on never being defined. Their music broke genres, crossed seemingly uncommercial and career-suicide territories, and came out unscathed as both the fans’ and record company’s favourites with a stream of hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions and Somebody To Love. The film most importantly captures the band at its most critical, the sheer power of their sensational live performance, culminating in their celebrated set at Live Aid in 1985. I can’t remember another film in recent
times that has spontaneously induced such as stream of spine-tingling moments. Band members Brian May and Roger Taylor were heavily involved in the production, and you get a strong sense of the need to honour Mercury throughout. Sadly, as a result, it does leave out half the story, an essential part of the man and his infamous decadence, private parties and sexual promiscuity. All without which Freddie would simply not have been Freddie. It maketh the man. It does make efforts to describe the struggle with his homosexual orientation in a less-than-tolerant 1970s, but skirts his ultra-flamboyant behaviour once he had laid his demons to rest and the flood gates were open on the gay party scene, and a controlling personal manager who isolated Freddie from his band and loved ones into a lonely, out-of-control character. This unchartered chapter by the film was
The sheer extravagance of Freddie’s performance recreated in the movie. Photo: 20th Century Fox significant, as it tragically lead to his death in 1991 of AIDS related pneumonia. Ultimately, this film is an unapologetic celebration of the most unique and talented of performers. Freddie Mercury lies in the canon of legendary male musical visionaries of the likes of David Bowie and Prince. Freddie once sang, “Who wants to live forever?” Regardless of want, Freddie Mercury will.
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TRAVEL 15
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Bangkok in a day
An insider’s view of hidden gems
Andrew J Wood www.ajwoodbkk.com
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angkok. It’s always a challenge, when you have out-of-towners come to stay, as to where to go and what to visit? You try to give visitors a unique and authentic view of ‘daily life’ in and around the metropolis, so new ideas are always welcome. I touched base recently with long-time Bangkok resident David Barrett, CEO of Premier Incoming Group Services DMC, and asked him what’s on his list of favourites? Here’s David’s list of top things to do in Bangkok with his own comments: 1. Visit the Grand Palace – this is very touristy but a must. In recent years, with the flood of Chinese group tours descending on tourist sites, at peak times, visitors have to jostle through the palace grounds and it can get pretty hot. No shorts or open shoes.
Ancient meets modern in the Bangkok skyline.
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2. Reclining Buddha – if you’re going to visit a Thai temple, this is THE one to see for that selfie by the giant golden reclining Buddha statue. 3. A canal cruise is a must, as Bangkok was the Venice of the East, and whilst most of the canals are not visible today, on the Thonburi side, the city remains less developed; you step into a time-warp and experience the local Thai way of riverside life. 4. Drinks on a rooftop – Sirocco’s rooftop bar atop Le Bua Hotel is the place to have a drink around sunset (6:30pm). It’s also very pricey. Vertigo at the Banyan Tree is still pricey but not stratospherically expensive like Sirocco. 5. Local temple and local community – there are some wonderful hidden treasures where you can still see the essence of Thai village life and a serene temple at the centre of the community, tucked away down side streets of Bangkok. 6. If you like seafood and you’re up for a culinary caper, the spicy and fragrant Tom Yum shrimp or mixed seafood soup, an iconic Thai dish, is a must to savour. Some of the best are served up by street-side vendors. 7. Market, market and markets! Thais love shopping as do most tourists and there’s countless options for shopping. The brand-new riverside modern Iconsiam mall and nighttime Asiatique are both riverside and offer good retail therapy. My two favourites are still Chatuchak Weekend Market with its endless stalls and sauna-like covered side alleys. Go local and visit the Siam Rot Fai night market. 8. Try a Thai massage on your first day to soothe any jetlag, either by a blind masseuse at Wat Po,
The Reclining Buddha. or in more modern surrounds of Healthland. For a few extra baht, it’s well worth a visit to Oasia Spa on Sukhumvit Rd. For me the ultimate spa in Bangkok is Mandarin Oriental’s spa, which comes with a higher price tag, but a totally luxuriating experience. 9. Few visitors do this, but a visit to the Scala cinema to catch the latest movie makes for an authentic and modern Thai experience. Soak up the seventies vibe, as you climb the sweeping staircase. 10. Jump aboard the train packed with locals for the Wong Wian Yai station to Mahachai market. If you’re up for a pretty busy day, you could pack in the following: canal cruise, Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Po), Golden Mount, a massage, back to the hotel to freshen up and then sunset drinks at Sky Bar, Sirocco, then head to bustling Chinatown for a bowl of Tom Yum soup. You’d certainly capture the best sites in one day, feel like you walked a mini-marathon and burnt some serious calories.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Views from the 9 Floor th
A Meal with Bart Duijkers A MEAL WITH...
Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com
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art Duijkers is one of Phuket’s best-known hoteliers, restaurateurs, developers and entrepreneurs with extensive experience in all these sectors in Phuket dating back from his arrival here in 1989. He recently took over the highly successful 9th Floor Restaurant on the top of the Condotel building off Rat-UThit Rd in the heart of Patong. It was here that we enjoyed a superb supper created by Bart’s widely-experienced Consulting Executive Chef Anthony Reynolds and served by the beautiful 9th Floor ‘angels’… the lovely waitresses who float about this elegant, clubbable space ensuring that every customer feels pampered. Since 2008 Bart has managed his own company, Basic Elements, which is focused on real estate, restaurants and fine wines. Basic Elements manages a wine wholesale and retail business (for importer BB&B), the 9th Group (the 9th Floor; the 9th Glass Wine Bar and Bistro; the 9th Grape on-line wine retailer; and the upcoming 9th Spoon Tapas Bar), plus a property brokerage. Bart is fluent in five languages, including Thai, and his philosophy of building and managing property complexes of high calibre goes back to when he started with Forum Hotels in Amsterdam in 1984 as an assistant office manager.
His first Thailand appointment was as Resident Manager of the Amari Coral Beach Hotel in 1989, and he also spent three years as GM of the famous Boathouse Resort on Kata Beach. Bart was also a ‘greenie’ long before it was fashionable and continues to be involved with several Phuket environmental projects. I asked Bart how recent changes in the economy, regulatory environment and arrivals patterns had impacted his businesses. “Frankly it is somewhat negative. We have seen a decline in the type of sophisticated international travellers and also local residents who appreciate the fine dining of a group like the 9th Floor. A few higher-end independent Chinese and Asian visitors appreciate our service and standards and can pay the appropriate prices, but the vast majority of cheaper mass-market Asian arrivals are definitely not our market. Many previous longer-staying regular visitors who were our loyal clients are now avoiding Phuket because of restrictions such as no back-to-back tourist visas; draconian police stand-over tactics in Patong; and the general traffic and environmental decline. These well-heeled international visitors can go wherever they like and so they are voting with their wallets and staying in other tropical destinations like Sri Lanka and Vietnam instead.” I asked Bart about the support that he gets from the public sector as an entrepreneurial businessman trying to boost Phuket’s attractiveness and (taxgenerating) revenues. “It’s rather disappointing. We feel at
Baz Daniel interviews Bart Duijkers. odds with the current restrictive militaristic atmosphere. Laws such as the beach-chair ban, removing restaurants chairs and umbrellas from beaches may be improvements, but surely if you take something away, you have to put something else in place. For example, I am totally in favour of getting drinking drivers off Phuket’s roads, but you have to provide a reasonably-priced public transportation alternative if people want to go out at night. At present, if you elect not to drive to Patong in order to avoid police roadblocks, you are then faced with local taxi fares! So, Patong, the heart of our 9th Floor business, is increasingly becoming a ‘no go’ area.” I mentioned to Bart that in this ongoing series of articles I’d discovered that attitudes towards Phuket’s future varied depending on how ‘invested’ the respondent who I was dining with was in the island. Bart laughed at this and said, “Well, I am deeply invested here. I not only have wide-spread business interests, but I am also raising a young family with children aged 20, nine and seven. So, I’ve been committed to the success of Phuket for almost 30 years
Meeting the angels of the 9th Floor Restaurant. now, but currently I do feel that the world-famous “Thai value and smiling brand” is under threat as locals become more stressed and price gouging grows.” Sitting in a fabulous restaurant like the 9th Floor looking out over the lights of Patong while being waited on by lovely Thai ‘angels’ it was easy to think all is well with Phuket. But when I asked Bart for a succinct answer to the question of where Phuket is heading, he smiled ruefully and said, “Personally, I remain optimistic, but the short answer is that only God, or perhaps Buddha, really knows!”
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GARDENING 17
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Fragrances and Flavours The incredible science behind floral scents and pollination GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell
“A
rose by any other name would smell as sweet” Romeo and Juliet Have you ever paused to think why so many flowers smell so sweet? In bald terms, it is because they produce volatile chemicals, often in the form of essential oils, which evaporate into the air and produce these delicious scents. It is generally assumed that these scents initially developed to deter grazing animals; now, eons later, and as a consequence of the evolutionary process, specific fragrances act positively to attract pollinating insects. The biological purpose of these scents is to proclaim the fact that food in the form of nectar or pollen is available. Come and get it… They do. Insects can make out floral scents at a distance; the hummingbird hawk moth, for instance, can detect them up to a kilometre away. Plants tend to have their perfume output at maximum levels only when the flowers are ready for pollination. Those that up their output during the day are pollinated primarily by bees and butterflies. Those that release their scent at dusk or nightfall are pollinated mainly by bats and moths. For example, nicotiana, tabernaemontana and cestrum nocturnum (which blooms at night), release their perfume at the end of the day. Scents are also more pronounced after rain. If the symbiotic principle has worked, then the nectar-seeking insect will take some pollen on its body when it leaves the flower, and will deposit some of these grains on the female stigma of the next one it visits, normally of the same species. In this way, cross-pollination takes place. Sometimes the insect is duped into raiding a plant for nectar that does not exist. The sphinx moth, one of few insects that can reach down into the plumeria’s long flower throat, goes from blossom to blossom in the fruitless
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Plants maximum their perfume levels only when the flowers are ready for pollination. Photo: Aaron Burden. search. For despite the plumeria’s wondrous scent, it harbours no nectar. So the moth searches in vain, but inadvertently pollinates the flower. Insects, and especially butterflies, are capable of distinguishing between complex scent mixes, though ironically they are not at all aware that they are performing a crucial self or cross-pollinating function. Incidentally, self-pollination requires distribution of pollen only from one flower’s anther to its sticky female parts or stigma. The cross pollination process involves transference to another flower’s stigma of the same species. Specific flower fragrances attract specific pollinators; indeed, the scent cues are almost certainly much more important than the visual ones, a point expanded in the next section. These cues are not always sweetsmelling. A group of plants known as carrion flowers derive their name from their unpleasant odour. Both the huge titan arum lily and rafflesia arnoldii, which boasts the world’s largest bloom (one metre across), attract scavenging beetles and blow-flies that normally feed on, or lay eggs in, rotting flesh. One orchid, the bulbophyllum, is fly pollinated, and produces flowers which smell of bad meat. When in bloom, it is surrounded by clouds of tiny flies. All these scents are mundanely based on identifiable chemicals such as methyl
The Rafflesia Arnoldii, or Corpse Lily. Photo: ma_suska jasmonate (jasmine) or phenylpropanoids (cinnamon and nutmeg). Yet most floral fragrances are sweetsmelling. While the rose tops the list of delicately perfumed temperate flowers, along with the lily, violet and lavender, many tropical species such as jasmine, plumeria, gardenia, calatropis, champaca, ylang ylang and buddleia are wonderfully odiferous. The jasmine flower, perhaps the most widely used for perfume in the tropics,
must be harvested as a bud just before dawn when its fragrance is at its peak. Interestingly, the quest for yet more colourful and more durable cultivars sometimes results in a loss of perfume. The old fashioned variety known as the damask rose – which is mentioned by Shakespeare – is still cultivated in Turkey and Bulgaria for its rose oil (rose otto), and is widely used in the perfume industry because of its intense scent. But in appearance it is relatively ordinary, with small pink blooms. But you can’t have it both ways. My father used to bemoan the fact that some of his newest and most exotic hybrid tea roses, sumptuous in appearance, had lost most of their smell in the hybridist’s quest for longer lasting blooms and, above all, greater visual appeal. Stand corrected, Mr Shakespeare. “A rose by any other name” does not necessarily “smell as sweet”. Patrick has been writing for ten years about gardening in Phuket and allied topics. If you have horticultural or environmental concerns, please contact him at drpaccampbell@gmail.com. Many of his earlier creative and academic publications can be found at Wordpress: Green Galoshes.
18 ISLAND SCENE
Jason Bevan and Michal Zitek.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Ludovic Gallerne and Wanchai Thavornthaveekul.
ANGSANA APPRECIATION EVENT FOR LOCAL AIRLINES AND PARTNERS On Saturday, Nov 10, over 180 invited agents, airlines, partners and media were treated to a wonderful evening of food, drink and entertainment.
The Pegas Touristik team are ready to party.
Just in case other guests forgot, Pegas left some subtle reminders.
XANA BEACH CLUB HOST PRE-SEASON PARTY FOR PEGAS TOURISTIK Pegas Touristik, one of the biggest Russian Tour Operators, hosted their 24th Anniversary together with an appreciation party to chill down before starting the peak season. The Pegas Touristik Party took place in the XANA Beach Club on Friday, Nov 2.
Deb and Kat.
David, Jaspal, Stuart and James.
GRIZZLY’S SPORTS BAR HOSTS PHUKET BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT The monthly event was held this Friday, Nov 9, at Grzzly’s Sports bar Kathu. Plenty of networking opportunities and ideas exchanged with this month’s crowd.
Violinist Aleksey Grigorev teaching with the students.
Conductor Jonathan Mann waving the baton.
FOBISIA ADVANCED ORCHESTRAL FESTIVAL DELIGHTS AUDIENCE AT BISP Last weekend saw the Fobisia Advanced Orchestral Festival coming to an end at British International School, Phuket. Acclaimed Violinist Aleksey Grigorev taught a Master Class and delivered an enthralling performance for the audience, while visiting Conductor Jonathan Mann blew away the audience by directing performances of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Sibelius’ Finlandia – both pieces being performed live in Phuket for the first time. thephuketnews
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ISLAND SCENE 19
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Jaspal (right) with family at the finish.
BRIGHTENING UP THE WORKOUT WITH THE THANYAPURA COLOUR FUN RUN 2018 Another fantastic, sold out, event at this year’s Thanyapura Colour Fun Run on Saturday, Nov 10. Lots of fun and plenty of colour had everyone in high spirits all the way to the finishing line.
Artist Romadon Suriyan at work during the event.
Khun Um’s happy after a colourful workout.
Shaun Going, David Taylor, Romadon Suriyan, Bart Duykers, Stewart Lees.
ARTIST ROMADON SURIYAN AT THE 9TH FLOOR 12-YEAR ANNIVERSARY In grand fashion The 9th Floor 12-year anniversary party was a great success with artist Romadon Suriyan creating an incredible canvas that was auctioned on Friday evening, Nov 9. The band of artists from the event will be going to selected local community centres to have a fun-filled day creating arts.
Khun Ding, Khun Ann, Teacher Nway Nway Oo, Eric Colombo and Richard Hearne.
YES SCHOOL RECEIVE GENEROUS DONATION FROM RAWAI POOL LEAGUE
Mick Neven perusing his prey. Tsitsi Chiumya keeping the crowd young at heart.
Rawai Pool League donated tables, chairs and whiteboards to fit out their new classroom at Yes School. Continuing its long history of support for the Yes School in Rawai, the RPL has provided the equipment to be used in a newly renovated classroom at the school. With the latest donation made, the RPL has now contributed over B45,000 to the Yes School in just over 18 months.
COMEDY TRIO PERFORM AT THE MARRIOTT RESORT, MERLIN BEACH The students of the YES School receiving the donated equipment. @thephuketnews
It was that comedy time-of-the-month again on Sunday, Nov 11. For November’s rib-tickling Stand Up Asia event The Marriott Resort, Merlin Beach hosted Carey Marx (UK), Tsitsi Chiumya (SA) and Mick Neven (Aus). What better for the crowd before the Monday morning blues?
20 EVENTS
FRI
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16 NOV
SAT
17 NOV
@ The Palm Cuisine. 17th, 22nd and 24th November 2018. THB 2,500++ Food only and THB 3,300++ with drink paring. Reservations, The Palm Cuisine at Movenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket, residences.phuket.reservations@movenpick.com, 076 310 400.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
SUN
18 NOV
Mussels night @ Shakers
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet
1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.
Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, 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. www. twochefs.com
An Italian Evening Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.
Alan Wallace Two-Day Complimentary Seminar Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind. UWC Thailand International School (UWCT) and Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort are honoured to be able to host Dr. Wallace for a two-day seminar in Phuket on November 17 & 18. The seminar is free of charge – compliments of UWCT and Thanyapura – but spaces are limited. Dr Wallace’s visit underpins the school’s perspective that mindfulness is integral to a 21st-century education. Kindly RSVP by emailing rsvp@ uwcthailand.ac.th
Sunday Roast All Day, All Night
KIS FUN RUN 2018 CLUB TROPICANA 80’s & 90’s Retro Pool Party! Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550. Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/
Join us for our brand new retro style pool party, every Saturday where we take you back in time with music and fashion of the 80’s, 90’s & beyond. Let us take you back in time as our resident DJs drop iconic tracks and remixes – think Wham, Madonna, Queen, Spice Girls, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston ,Bon Jovi, Kool & The Gang, De La Soul, Run DMC...the list goes on! Have fun in the sun with huge pool inflatables, disco balls, giant rubic cubes and be entertained with our sexy Club Tropicana dancers and live musicians all day. **Selected Dream drinks from THB 80++ **Poolside bites from THB 198++ Get your groove on for some Saturday Pool Party Fun at Dream Beach Club! Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.
KIS Phuket is holding its second annual KIS FUN RUN 2018 at King Rama 9 Park on Saturday 17 November 2018 from 6.30-11 AM to raise funds for The Good Shepherd Center, Phuket Town. Last year the event was very successful raising more than 200,000THB in aid of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, aiming to make it an even more successful event, KIS has invited all teachers, staff and students from the 11 branches of the Kajonkiet Group, which consists of more than 5,000 students. There will be 3 distances to run; 800M, 2KM and 4KM. If you would like to join the event or become a sponsor, please contact act@kisp.academy or call 076 684 4458. Together we can make a difference !
Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-late performed by our famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - RESERVE your table now online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.
Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht. Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.
Back to the ’90s Party Charcoal Friday Charcoal BBQ at Bodega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal broiler with the unique sear and smokiness only charcoal could deliver. Starting from THB 1,200++. Reservations, Bodega & Grill, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana. com, 076 358 500.
November 17th, 2018. Let’s celebrate Baba Beach Club Phuket’s 1st Anniversary Party with a talented line-up of artists One year ago, the award-winning hotel Sri panwa’s new baby was born in Natai beach, Phuket. As a Music Lovers hotel, we will celebrate the 1st Anniversary with your favorite DJs and our world class sound system: Funktion-One. Get excited for an elevated & vibrant experience. Line-up: 5-7pm Rung 7-9pm Lloyd 9-11pm Sunju Hargun 11pm ONWARDS Tim Roemer B2B Wan Issara.6-7pm Free flow for ladies * Shuttle bus is available from 12pm until late* Facebook: www.facebook. com/BabaBeachClub Instagram: www.instagram.com/bababeachclub Website: www.bababeachclub.com Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/baba-beach-club Reservations, Baba Beach Club, phuket@bababeachclub.com, 076 429 388.
Get Some Hella Cool Night with Two Chefs Bar & Grill’s Back to ’90s Party! Grab your home skillet and enjoy your favorite 90’s music on 17th of November 2018 at Two Chefs Bar & Grill KARON branch. Live music starts at 8pm until late. Sing along, jam along, and just dance the night away! 50% OFF on SPECIAL DRINKS FOR LADIES! Don’t miss the 90’s fever! Book a table NOW or call 076-286-479!
Symphony of Flavours
Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2018
The Pavilions Phuket is proud to kick off its first Symphony of World Flavours with Chef Shinichi Maeda, a multi-award winning 2-star, 1-hat chef from An Dining in Japan. Chef Shin will celebrate his unique style of modern Japanese cuisine utilising the freshest local organic produce for one night only at The Plantation Club. Food only priced at THB 3,500++. Traditional Japanese beverage paring THB 4,800++. Reservations, The Pavilions Phuket, restaurant.phuket@pavilionshotels.com, 076 317 600.
Celebrating 25th anniversary as Asia’s longest-standing triathlon race during 17-18 Nov, Laguna Phuket Triathlon (1.8K Swim, 50K Bike and 12K Run) introduces 25 For 25 Sprint (0.5K Swim, 18.5K Bike and 6K Run) and includes 2nd LPT Charity Fun Run (5K, 10K and 2K Kids Run) with the theme “Run for Fun, Run for Kids” to raise funds for Children First Fund (CFF) in support of underprivileged children in Phuket. Register at www.LagunaphuketTri.com until 11 Nov (or sold out).
Stefan LENZ - Michelin Star Stefan LENZ - Michelin Star | Gault Millau 3 Toques and 17 Points | ANUGA Chef of the year. Exclusive 5-courses Dinner
Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com
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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
SUN
EVENTS 21
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
FRI
18 NOV
23 NOV
The Lounge Rawai - Suckling Pig
Zumba Party in Pink 2018 The pink ribbon has become the symbol for awareness of the breast cancer disease and can be found adorning everything. Our Zumba Community is fully aware of this disease and we are arranging a Zumba Fitness for Charity and Donation event to fight against breast cancer, Money raised from “Party in Pink 2018” will be given to Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. Registration; 17.30 hrs – 18.30 hrs, Zumba Fitness Dance 18.30 hrs – 20.30 hrs. Theme: Pink. For more info please contact Gabry 086 953 6341.
Our new restaurant with fantastic decor is open in Rawai. We open from 8am every morning, through to Midnight. Serving breakfast, lunch and evening meal. You can check out the website for the menu and pictures www.property-lounge.com Lunch from 99bht Pool tables, and live sports Lots of parking Wednesday this week (14th Nov), we have the suckling pig which is extremely popular (also 28th Nov and 12th Dec). One Baguette, lots of salads and all the trimmings 240B. Hope to see you there this week. 184/2 Moo 2 Soi Wat, Rawai, kay@ pare.com, 080 124 1245.
BCCT MULTI-CHAMBER PHUKET BUSINESS DINNER
The Sunday Brunch Club Join us every Sunday from 12pm-4pm for the new season Sunday Brunch Club & Pool Party featuring over 120 items including... Alaskan King Crab, Live Boston Lobster, French Oysters, Seafood On Ice, new features include Live Stations, Imported Meats, Carvery Selection, Japanese Kitchen, Tapas, Brazilian BBQ, Sumptuous Salad Bar, Delicious Desserts, Exotic Fruits, International Cheeses and new weekly selections of featured cuisines from around the world... Dream Member Price THB 1590++ Adult Brunch THB 1890 ++ Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.
MON
19 NOV
All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
WED
BCCT, together with AMCHAM, AustCham, EABC and FTCC, would like to invite you to BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Business Dinner on Wednesday 21st November at Amari Phuket. The talk will be led by Vernon Unsworth, British Caving Expert who played a leading role in the Thai cave rescue operation in which he helped save 12 trapped schoolboys and their coach from Tham Luang Cave. With his survey materials and maps of the cave, Vernon will share his experience on the rescue and open for Q&As. THB 890 including inter-buffet & soft drinks. All drinks at Happy Hour price from 5-9 pm. Food & beverages on guest’s own account. Payment at the door direct to the hotel.
Phuket Sportfishing Tournament 2018 The PST 2018 is the only “Offshore Fishing” tournament in Thailand. Over the years we brought fishermen and women from all over the world to Phuket. The tournament is an “All Billfish Release” event. Junior anglers are free of entry fee and unlimited in numbers. A Lady Angler Trophy will be given to the lady with the most points. The venue for our PST 2018 this year will be “Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar” on the waterfront in Chalong. The “Prize Giving Party” will also be held at “Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar” from 8:00pm onwards.
THU
@thephuketnews
On Friday 23rd (07:30 to 17:00) & Saturday 24th November (07:00 to 17:00), British International School, Phuket will host the 17th Annual International Soccer 7s tournament featuring 1,500 players, 145 teams from 41 International Schools in 10 countries! With two full days of competitive soccer involving girls and boys teams ranging from Under 9s to Over15s, plus vendor and music areas, this is an event not to be missed!
SAT
FRI
7 DEC
Christmas Market 7-8 December 2018 KATA ROCKS CELEBRATES 4TH ANNIVERSARY Kata Rocks is preparing for its latest anniversary celebration on Saturday 24 November starting from 12pm until sunset with yet another memorable ‘Fourth Anniversary Pool Party’. This year’s event is expected to be bigger and better than ever, featuring an enticing combination of excellent entertainment, live music and the island’s best cocktails next to its stunning 35-metre infinity swimming pool. Guests can expect a spectacular feast of a wide selection of international cuisine, the freshest local and imported seafood, Boston lobster, rock lobster, oysters, grilling and carving stations including Australian strip loin and lamb cutlets, delicious desserts and much more. The Kids’ Club next door makes it the perfect family day out. Reservations, Kata Rocks, dining@katarocks.com, 076 370 777.
WED
28 NOV
Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition. All types of construction materials from floors to roof tiles. Hotel supplies and home decoration items. See the latest breakthroughs in construction technology, interior design and building maintenance. Learn how to design a smarthome for multi-million-dollar project IPTV, 4G Internet, IP Phone, Mobile phone, CCTV and other high-tech devices. PIC Phuket, 076 217199.
All are welcome to join our Festive Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet & Party @ Friendship Beach Waterfront Resort. Enjoy Live Music with Colin Hill, Welcome Cocktail, Holiday Buffet Featuring: Imported Roast Turkey, Apple Cranberry Stuffing, Cranberry Port Sauce, Herb Whipped Potatoes, Prawn Cocktail, Stuffed Salmon Lox, Thai Special Entree, Chocolate Mousse, Apple Pie and a large selection of Sides, Salads,and Desserts. Adults 890++ Children under 12 yrs. 350++ Reservations call (66) 089 728 5304 Email chef@friendshipbeach.com Chef Charlie or K.Jaew, 27/1 Soi Mittrapap Rawai Phuket, chef@friendshipbeach.com, (66) 89 728 5304 or (66) 89 670 6418.
The Phuket Academy Awards on Saturday 1st December at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Come as your favorite movie star. Buy tickets online until 31st Oct @ 2,900 baht. Tickets online until 30th Nov @ 3,600 baht. Tickets available on the door @ 3,900 baht. Music from JAMROXXX.
24 NOV
18th Architect & Hotelex
Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet & Party @ Friendship Beach
Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket.com or call 076 338 888.
BISP Soccer 7s - 2018
22 NOV
21 NOV
Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews
SKAL Phuket Annual Charity Dinner
SAT
Music & Food & Fun. 7-8 December 2018 from 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm at Lagoon Quay. Phuket Boat Lagoon.
Christmas Market Date: 7th & 8th December 2018 from 6 pm. - 10 pm. “Booths available” rate 2 days/1,000 THB. Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket Boat Lagoon, events@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext 318.
EVERY DAY Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant Spoil yourself with seafood set from noon – 10 pm every day! Come and crack open some crab legs, grilled mussels, peel some prawns, rock lobsters, sip some spicy tom yam soup and toast to your perfect night at this beachfront restaurant in Patong overlooking the sea (sunset) views. Start from THB 450. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impia Resort Patong, patong@impiana.com, 076 340 138.
1 DEC Futsal League 2018
The 3rd Living in Phuket Exhibition UFE Phuket, Trocadelyo Group and Bangkok Hospital are organising the third “Living in Phuket” exhibition on December 1st, 2018, to help Phuket’s expats connect with the services that will make their lives on the island easier. The event takes place in the King Carl Gustaf conference room of the Bangkok International Hospital in Phuket (1st floor), AND IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE.
Come and join us for some fast-paced and enjoyable Brazilian Futsal at British International School Phuket. Boys and girls aged 7 - 14 can join our sixweek league taking place indoors to ensure play even on rainy days. The cost for the league is 3,500 Baht and includes a Brazilian kit, medals and “player of the match” trophies! There are still a few places available. To register, contact cruzeirosoccerschools@gmail. com
22 TIME OUT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Baron Cohen’s Admiral General Aladeen was the dictator of which fictional republic? 2. The three orders of classical architecture are Ionic, Corinthian, and which other order? 3. Which city, located in southern India and the highest of India’s major cities, is nicknamed the ‘Silicon Valley of India’? 4. What was the middle name of Hunter S. Thompson? 5. Which battle against Roman rule in southern Britain ended with the defeat of Queen Boudica? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Medium
Across 1. Seashore soarer 5. Coffee order 10. Anniversary, e.g. 14. The “O” in S.R.O. 15. After 16. Many millennia 17. Larger ___ life 18. Joyfully 19. Very dry, as wine 20. Trumpets of the sea 23. Edmond Fitzgerald cargo 24. Uproarious commotion 25. Casanova, perhaps 26. Tavern 27. Infomercials, e.g. 28. Big galoot 31. Med. student 33. “Groovy!” 36. Clickable image 37. Umbrella’s of the ocean 40. “Dirty” activity 42. Receptacle 43. Furrowed 46. Actors’ union 47. ___ cry 50. His “4” was retired 51. Like some decrees 54. Goosebumpraising 56. Chi follower
57. Type of sea urchins 60. Ponderosa or Scotch 62. Air freshener option 63. Buckshot or napalm 64. Advantage 65. Theatre form 66. Freshwater duck 67. Education station 68. Exploits 69. White-tailed eagle
21. Kosher meat 22. “Get the picture?” 29. Internet letters 30. Gentiles 32. Losing proposition? 33. Experienced 34. Roswell sighting 35. Nervous twitches 37. Notes 38. Calypso offshoot 39. German philosopher 40. Supported Down 41. Like some 1. Ha Ha ___! pitches 2. Remove a disguise 44. Print measures 3. Southwestern 45. Kind of box grassy plain 4. Hang 47. Construction 5. People or Life, for worker short 48. Military branch 6. Lampridae family inductee fish 49. Fix, as a pump 7. Town ____ 52. Marsh bird 8. Phone greeting 9. Refugee’s request 53. Runs in neutral 10. Apply gently 55. Gladden greatly 11. Some exercise 58. Blowgun ammo classes 59. Andes edible 12. Cuckoo-like tubers African bird 13. GI tract 61. “Yikes!”
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Republic of Wadiya; 2) Doric; 3) Bangalore; 4) Stockton; 5) The Battle of Watling Street (in AD 60 or 61)
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
1
in every 10 European children are conceived in a bed from IKEA.
25
percent of the ants in a colony are inactive, they consistently just stand around and do nothing, according to one study.
400
feet long is the record for the longest baguette in the world, which took 60 bakers and seven hours to make.
1,000
US dollars on average is spent by Americans on prescription drugs every year – double the average of other developed countries.
200,000 standard laser pointers all focusing through a lens to an exact point would be needed in order to create a laser powerful enough to kill. Source: Uberfacts
Phang Nga Bay. Photo: Michael Rafael Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
This week in history Nov 16, 1990 Pop group Milli Vanilli are stripped of their Grammy Award because the duo did not sing at all on the Girl You Know It’s True album. Session musicians had provided all the vocals.
Nov 18, 1928 Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronised sound cartoon is released, featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. This day is considered by Disney to be Mickey’s birthday. (See image.)
Nov 17, 1558 Elizabethan era begins: Queen Mary I of England dies and is succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I of England, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Nov 19, 1994 In the United Kingdom, the first National Lottery draw is held. A £1 ticket gave a one-in-14-million chance of correctly guessing the winning six out of 49 numbers.
Nov 21, 164 BC Judas Maccabeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family, restores the Temple in Jerusalem. This event is commemorated each year by the festival of Hanukkah.
Nov 20, 1947 Princess Elizabeth marries Lt Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in London.
Nov 22, 1986 Mike Tyson from Brooklyn, New York defeates Trevor Berbick by TKO in the second round to become the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history at age 20. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
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CLASSIFIEDS 23
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Jobs
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
JOBS Website operator
Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: Siam.serenity.th@gmail.com, 0874178715. @thephuketnews
SALES EXECUTIVE WANTED
CHINESE SALES MANAGER WANTED
Art House Co., Ltd is looking for Art House Development Co., Sales Executive for our real esLtd. Looking for Chinese sales tate company. Thai Nationality manager, good communication with good English and commuskills, native Chinese speaker. nication. Please contact. Email: natcha@arthouse. For more details please contact. Tel: 089 594 6888. asia 086 414 4559. Email: info@arthouse.asia
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Trades & Services
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Trades & Services
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Boat – Rinker 290
Rinker 290 with trailer Continental 2017, engine Volvo Penta, Under warranty, includes all standard equipment, less then 100 hours used. More information at: http://clc.la/07hDmA Price: B3,990,000. Tel: +66-97-175-0096.
Riviera sport fishing boat
Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42” Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel. 9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au UR
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Boat For Sale
72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arranged. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com
@thephuketnews
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320
250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234- FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086-269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH.
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE
BUSINESS FOR SALE RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). ZERO Debts/Leases/Loans etc. Low Overheads, Hi-Margins, Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales). Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: ZERO COMPETITION … ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job Pymt 20-30hpw) + Monthly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Profits Dist. Genuine + Rare business opp – serious enquiries only please. 2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, PHUKET, MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime).
BUSINESS FOR SALE Chalong Boatbuilding Business
Boatbuilding business with 300sqm Office + 300sqm Workshop/Store. Chanote 0.5rai. 30ft Speedboat plus moulds for more production. 16,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130, simonj@cscoms.com, +66878832542.
Hyundai Veloster TURBO
Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000 km, Price from new 1,749,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tires, all options. Now just 850,000THB. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 0843058363 TH
Amazing Deal!
2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket. It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 465,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.
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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab
78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.
HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing
We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu, office@tcm-asia.com, 086-9439834,076-385081.
28 CLASSIFIEDS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Buy & Sell
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 Bed Condo in Laguna
Exquisite Property meets Luxury Area in the Heart of Phuket. Welcome to the Ocean Sands, an upcoming hotel development located close to the Laguna Area, one of Phuket’s most luxury and trending areas. Comprising a total of 213 keys ranging from our signature 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite up to our well-appointed Family Suite, this exquisite property equipped with large swimming pools around central simulated beach and five-star standard facilities will become a new enjoyment for lifestyle living. Invest with us and elevate your lifestyle, be a part of the Ocean Sands. phuket@thairesidential.com, 0872699206.
Hot sale ! pool villa Naiharn
PROPERTY FOR SALE
MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Multistrada 2012
Lovely Pool Villa, Nai Harn
2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com, 081-734-8309
Prime location, 4 bedrooms, large garden and pool, 790sqm, Chanote title, double garage. Great family home or investment property. Motivated seller.Dean, dmuir@exotiq.com, 0857932667.
SERVICES One to one and family therapy
Young Minds Phuket is now fully set up and is offering one to one therapy, family and parenting support and support to schools. www.youngmindsphuket.com 0992382783.
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Inked Machine™ Tattoo
Good morning to all of you. Today I present the “ Machine Tattoo". This tattoo shop is located in Patong. When you are at the roundabout of Patong Beach, take a right and walk the beach. After 300 meters, you will find the Inked Machine Tattoo on your right at the entrance of the self ‘mor watthana’ (Watthana Clinic Soi’). You will be made very welcome and enjoy the cleanliness of the place (everything is new), but above all the quality of the tattoos that are made; traditional bamboo or machine (Demographer) – all your tattoo ideas will be satisfied. A team of several professional tattoo artists are waiting for you, the atmosphere is very nice and you will have a good time getting tattooed while listening to music. On Site you can buy T-shirts and other products in the image of the shop. The prices are very correct so do not hesitate to visit the site to make a beautiful tattoo during your stay on the island of Phuket. For more information and details, I invite you to contact them and they will answer all your questions. I sincerely recommend it. Facebook : @ InkedMachine.PhuketTattooStudio Instagram : Inked_Machine_Tattoo Soi Mor Watthana Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83150.
SERVICES Property Phuket Law
Properties hot deal for sell & buy, legal Advisor & Litigation Nationwide, accounting, visa, work permit, 083 599 4514, 087 014 9736,095 325 5654.
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
Private location in prestige area. Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.
Dream Village Phuket house
2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@gmail. com, 66870608400.
Villa Mission Heights big Pool
3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@gmail.com, 0870608400. UR
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A lovely fully furnished pool villa in a secured estate in Naiharn, 5 minutes drive to Naiharn beach and 10 minutes drive to Kata. Freehold. 455 sqm of land. Sold fully furnished and equipped (solid teak furniture and high quality equipment). phukethomecareservice@gmail.com, 0638394973.
PENTHOUSE
Stunning ocean & sunset views over Patong bay-2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms fully furnished with car park & pool 121sqm+. Email for more details penthousedicw@gmail.com
Unique Investment Opportunity
Unique investment opportunity not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www. thegardenkptphuket.com
COMMUNITY
PROPERTY FOR RENT
House for sale
Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road. 082 377 5555.
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VILLA OPEN HOUSE Oct 19 Nov 2
RE/MAX EP - Luxury Pool Villa - 5BR Spacious Open Design Quiet Secure Large Kitchen Guest Entertainment Land 1.5rai - Call for details! 27,000,000, Suchana or John, 90/24 Moo 6, Wiset Rd, Rawai, 83130 Promthep Residence, johncampos@ remax.co.th, 0956415693 or 0634413481.
Loch Palm Golf Villa
2 bedrooms - full furniture - hole no 17 - Includes 2 golf bags, 2 bicycles, an exercise machine and golf membership until 21/02/2040. 11.2 Million Baht, philippe andre, Loch Palm Golf Club, philippediavel@gmail.com, 098 682 9069
ENDLESS POTENTIAL
12.5 rai walled w/ auto gate, water pound & transformer. 4200m2 slab, 9 Bed, 11 Bath, swim pool, ideal for school, detox, sport center 300,000 baht per month. lionel01@hotmail.com (66) 081 821 4064.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
SPORT 29
Island’s happiest run hits the max
CRUZEIRO FUTSAL LEAGUE
FUN RUN MORE THAN 1,000 RUNNERS OF ALL ages and abilities came out last Saturday evening (Nov 10) to enjoy the annual Colour Fun Run at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort. The event, as always, was popular with tourists and families residing in Phuket. The Colour Fun Run is the only race of its kind in Phuket, and is different to many other sporting events that take place on the island. It promotes fitness for fun rather than competition, and welcomes everyone, from very young children to those that are young-at-heart, regardless of athletic prowess. Participants had two distances to choose from this year: a 1.5km or 4km course. The run took place at Thanyapura. Each participant was equipped with a pair of protective sunglasses and a bag of colourful powder before setting off for their run. Throughout the course, volunteers at colour stations showered the runners with multicoloured powders, and the runners threw their own coloured powder back at volunteers, other runners, and spectators. By the end, everyone was covered head-to-toe like a rainbow. After the run, guests enjoyed refreshments that had been set out. Each participant was also given a T-shirt and a medal of completion. The coloured powder that is used is certifiably safe, washes off with water, and does no damage to the surrounding environment. Thibault Gonnet, Director of Operations (Sports & Wellness) at Thanyapura, said, “Thanyapura’s Colour Fun Run is the happiest run on this island celebrating a happy, healthy and active lifestyle that everyone enjoys. There are no winners in the Colour Fun Run because
@thephuketnews
In last week’s Cruzeiro Futsal League, players seemed more confident showing improved futsal skills and team work. The U13/15 team played two matches. This Saturday (Nov 17) sees the semi-finals and finals for the U13/15 teams. The U9/11 team will play one match and the semi-finals on Saturday with the finals on Dec 1.
U9/11
U13/15 SCORES
SCORES
More than 1,000 runners of all ages and abilities came out last Saturday evening (Nov 10) to enjoy the annual Colour Fun Run at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort. Photo: Supplied the goal is not to win but to have as much fun as possible! “We certainly hope to see more people lacing up their shoes and going for a fun run with friends, family and loved ones. Have a fun and colourful evening!” The 2018 Colour Fun Run also included a costume contest for the first time. Lots of runners came dressed in outfits that reflected their creativity, individualism, and their interests. This year’s winning costume was worn by Watsachon Thedpun, Nattakant Chomphookawin, Kamilla Medyarova and Daniel Kozlov. Thanyapura would like to thank the sponsors that helped to make this event so successful, including Phukethon, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach, Khao Phuket - ข่าว ภ เู ก ต็ , VATEMON’S IN U, 89.75 MHz Radio Trip, Born Free to Run, NPV Media Group, 9 Dee Car Audio Thailand, Splash Beach Resort, Catch Beach Club, Twinpalms Phuket Resort and Boost. The Phuket News
Cruzeiro
3–5
Flamengo
Corinthians
5–1
Palmeiras
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2
2
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1
1
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4
6
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3
Cruzeiro
2
0
2
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4
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GD Pts
Cruzeiro
3–4
Flamengo
Corinthians
2–1
Palmeiras
Palmeiras
5–1
Flamengo
Cruzeiro
2–7
Corinthians
Team
P
W
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F
A
Corinthians
3
3
0
0
15
8
7
9
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3
2
1
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3
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6
Flamengo
3
1
2
0
10
14
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3
Cruzeiro
3
0
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5
16 -11
0
FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY NOV 17 U9/11
U9/11
1 game: Cruzeiro VS Corinthians
1 game: Semi-finals
2 game: Semi-finals
2nd game: Finals
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PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
U9/11 Zachary Lamantia (left) Oscar Fashina
U13/15 First game Celine Chuang (left) William Sornin
U13/15 Second game Joshua Barnhurst (left) Lou Mouille
GD Pts
30 SPORT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Tom takes his shot for Freedom, as Otis and Wayne form Future Bar look on. Photo: Rainier Vigneau
Islander B host Black Bull Owner Mark joins his B team for the very first time this season POOL Barry Craig
T
his week’s report into Monday night’s (12 Nov) coverage of the
Rawai Pool League starts with Division B where Islander B hosted Black Bull. Isla nder B’s fa mous, young and handsome trio of Andy, Peter and Terry were joined by joined by owner Mark for the first time this
season for the next-door derby match. Black Bull’s Andre and Andy put them ahead, but Mark, in the battle of the landlords, beat Franck to put the hosts back in the game. Islander B’s Peter’s jokes and
play weren’t good enough and he gave Markus an easy win to put the visitors 1-3 ahead. Black Bull didn’t drop a frame in the doubles and finished off the game in style when Franck potted the black straight from the break in
the beer leg making it 1-6 to remain third. The top two teams, Roses Bar and Stor Bar, also recorded 1-6 wins away to Moonlight Bar and White Hart BBQ respectively. Kilt’n Haggis beat Baroque Bar 4-3 to leapfrog them in the table. O’s Bar continued their superb form with a fourth win on the trot away to Stoned Crab despite Uncle John’s brief hiatus, who is enjoying a visit to his native Wakefield for a couple of weeks. Islander A are now joint fourth after an exciting match away to Pink Sheep. JJ beat Noi in a 2-5 victory, but his 83-year-old mother needn’t worry because, unlike last week, he was home safe in bed straight after the match. In Division A, Black Sheep maintained top spot with their 6-1 win against visitors Tropical Sands. Meanwhile, Pita Bar welcomed second-placed Shot Bar in a match dominated by mistakes, luck and missed opportunities. Leading 1-3 after the singles, Shot claimed victory with a win in the first doubles game. The final score at Pita, 2-5. Shot stay second, while Pita moves back down to 6th. White Hart maintain thirdplace in the table with their victory away to Spot Bar.
Spot’s Dao finished well, after mistakes by Phil, to put the hosts in front. A dazzling display by Dum brought the visitors level, before Neil, who travelled the wrong way back from India, navigated the table better than his opponent Ian to give White Hart the lead. Unsteady Eddy potted the black out-of-turn to give Jigstar the advantage, leaving White Hart with a dominant 1-3 lead. Spot Bar were unable to mount any serious response, giving White Hart a welldeserved 1-6 win. Mango Bar raced into a 5-0 lead at home to Masaya Bar to stay fourth in the table, with the visitors getting a couple of late consolation games for a somewhat respectable 5-2 defeat. Freedom Bar also won 5-2 at home to Future Bar. With shouts of “Freedom,” Popeye might be elected town crier as well as putting in a manof-the-match performance against Wayne. Orange Bar remain winless in Season 14 after a visit from Black Pearl. There was one bright spot: Grega’s loss at the hands of Jonathan has deflated some of the recent hype around his good form. This despite video of Grega potting the black going viral this week. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
SPORT 31
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Mercedes claim fifth double-title in Brazil BOX OF NEUTRALS
The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for November 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to be used on food, beverage and/or fishing at the Chalong Fishing Park.
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EPL PREDICTIONS
Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com
ewis Hamilton wasn’t able to celebrate his driver championship on the podium in Mexico, but in Brazil the stars aligned to ensure the Briton could lead his Mercedes team to a fifth constructors’ title with an unlikely victory in Sao Paulo. The newly minted world champion had qualified on pole, but he wasn’t favourite to win the race after the team’s uncompetitive previous two races. Making matters worse was that Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was starting alongside him on the grid with a more favourable set of tyres that would give him a strategic advantage – and the Scuderia had a shot at taking the constructors’ title battle down to the wire if it could outscore the Silver Arrows by 13 points. In no-one’s model of the race was Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen a victory threat, yet when Vettel got off the line slowly and struggled with his tyres, the Dutchman marked himself out as a wet blanket for Mercedes’s victory celebrations, scything from fifth to second in just 10 laps to pressure Hamilton for the lead. Red Bull Racing used its car’s superior tyre wear to run a substantially longer first stint than Hamilton was capable of to give Verstappen a faster set of tyres for the second half of the race. It worked a treat, and within five laps of his first pit stop he swept past Hamilton and into the lead at the first turn. The race was his – or it
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Friday 16th Nov
Mercedes’ team members celebrate their constructors’ title with their British driver Lewis Hamilton (right) after the Brazil Grand Prix. Photo: AFP should have been, had it not been for an unusual crash with Force India’s Esteban Ocon, who was aggressively attempting to unlap himself, that sent him spinning off the track. Hamilton sprinted back into the lead with a five-second buffer, and Verstappen was unable to close. The Dutchman was furious, and though Ocon was handed a penalty in the race, Verstappen was reprimanded by the FIA for shoving the Frenchman three times in the garage at the end of the grand prix, requiring him to conduct two days of community service as penance. But Verstappen and Ocon’s scuffle was a sideshow to Mercedes’s historic fifth consecutive world championship. The feat puts the Silver Arrows outright second in the record books behind Ferrari’s six straight titles between 1999 and 2004 and equals the Scuderia’s benchmark for five straight driver-constructor title doubles won with Michael Schumacher in 2000–04. “Winning the fifth double
Cricket
11:30
19:00
Test Match 2 - Kandy
Sri Lanka v. England, Day 3
Tennis
21:00
23:00
ATP Masters
Queens Club, Round Robin
21:00
23:00
Autumn Internationals
Italy v. Australia
21:30
23:30
Autumn Internationals
Wales v. Tonga
22:00
00:00
Autumn Internationals
England v. Japan
00:20
01:20
Autumn Internationals
Scotland v. South Africa
02:00
04:00
Autumn Internationals
Ireland v. New Zealand
Saturday 17 Nov th
Rugby Union
world championship feels so surreal,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said. “It’s a great honour to represent Mercedes on the track and I can’t thank everyone enough for their great work, both here at the track and in [team headquarters] Brackley and [engine factory] Brixworth.” Remarkable also was that Hamilton’s win was his 10th of the season and his 50th of the 99 races run in the turbo-hybrid era beginning in 2014, underlining the Briton’s crushing form at the height of his career. “We’ve still remained fierce and competitive and I think our relationship is better than it’s ever been,” Hamilton said of his team. “Winning the [drivers] world championship, I didn’t really feel the celebration there because I knew that we still had another championship to win. “I really needed to remain focused for the team and I really came here just really focused on making sure that I could deliver for them. “I’m so proud to be part of this team – I’m actually kind of nervous to go back to the
factories and hear the roar; I think the atmosphere is going to be incredible!” The 2018 Formula One season ends with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Nov 25. Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of Neutrals radio show.
Tennis
21:00
23:00
ATP Masters
Queens Club, Semi Final
Motor Bikes
18:00
22:30
MotoGP
Qualifying, Valencia
Cricket
11:30
18:00
Test Match 2 - Kandy
Sri Lanka v. England, Day 4
20:00
Autumn Internationals
France v. Argentina (rpt)
Sunday 18th Nov Rugby Union 18:00 Cricket
11:30
18:00
Test Match 2 - Kandy
Sri Lanka v. England, Day 5
Motor Bikes
18:00
21:30
MotoGP
Main Races, Valencia