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It’s farmers v. developers in fight for Phuket’s land

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■ Damrong ‘The Demolisher’ Pidech visits

Trisara, a luxury resort on Phuket’s west coast ■ Visit is part of his investigation of 10 developments and resorts suspected of encroaching on Sirinart Marine National Park ■ Trisara is a favourite with the world’s rich and famous, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and movie star Tom Cruise FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

“The loss of forest has occurred due to a twisted bureaucratic system,” says Director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Damrong Pidech.

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PHUKET NEWS

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NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

Oops. Senator shoots ex-wife

Senator for Phrae accidentally kills ex-wife at the dinner table – with Uzi submachine gun > 10

Alasdair Forbes, Jody Houton & Claire Connell execeditor@thephuketnews.com

‘Demolition Man’ checks out Trisara T

The buffalo and her calf lie in the road.

Buffalo put down after sick attack

Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

CHERNG TALAY RESIdent Vivienne Reis found a water buffalo with its back leg severed and its young calf in distress while on an early morning cycle along a lake near the Laguna Village on Wednesday (August 15).

Mrs Reis told The Phuket News that she was appalled by what she saw.

“The mother had her left hind leg sliced by a very sharp knife, through the bone at the knee. It was a very clean cut – not the result of a hit-andrun accident. It looked like a deliberate attack.”

Mrs Reis rang a local veterinarian’s practice but was told that they could not help until the buffalo owner had arrived.

It was then that she discovered that the injured buffalo had a calf, which appeared to be only a few days old, and which was attempting to suckle and call out to its mother.

“The mother had been bleeding profusely from the wound and dragging herself with her calf in tow across the vacant land next to the Ban Don-Nai Thon Rd and onto the roadway,” Mrs Reis said.

Mrs Reis bought some milk and fed the calf until representatives from the Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) arrived to transport the animal back to its owner’s farm in the Ban Don area.

A person at the scene, who did not wish to be named, said: “I’ve no idea how or why this happened. Perhaps it was a result of a dispute or something.”

he Director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Damrong Pidech, visited Trisara, a luxury resort and spa on the west coast of Phuket, on Wednesday afternoon (August 15).

The visit was part of his investigation of 10 resorts and property developments suspected of encroaching on the Sirinart Marine National Park in the north of Phuket.

Trisara is a favourite with the world’s rich and famous.

Guests at the hotel and the private villas there have included the King of Sweden, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and movie star Tom Cruise.

An official in the team investigating Trisara, Adul Sukanate, said the Trisara site covers 140 rai of land with seven full title deeds (Chanote) and a NorSor3 Kor paper.

Officials found the analysis of aerial photos of the site by a specialist – an essential document in the granting of Chanote papers – was missing from the official files.

Trisara from the air, with its wooded surroundings and practically exclusive beach.

During Mr Damrong’s visit to Trisara, the human resources director of the resort, Nares Srinark, representing the owner, Three Dolphins Co, said that the deeds had been granted in 1994. The resort opened in 2004.

“The land was bought from another individual legally. We’re ready to be in-

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vestigated,” said Mr Nares.

“But I have no details of the history of the deeds as that is a matter for the owner of the land.”

The owners of the 10 resorts and property developments targeted by Mr Damrong’s investigation were also revealed on Wedneday.

Apart from Three Dolphins they are Peninsula Spa and Resort, Central and City Development (developer of West Sands, a project largely owned by Sir Terence Leahy, CEO of Tesco worldwide), Landstate, Andaman White Beach, Sureesamrit, Pavilion Beach Resort, La Colline Villa Development, Layan Phuket, and an individual, Suchada Sangsuwan.

“It is estimated that about 3,500 rai of land from the total 13,000 rai of Sirinart Marine National Park has been encroached on,” Mr Damrong said. “These 10 resorts and developments cover about 400 to 600 rai of land between them.”

He did not give his estimate of how much of that was within park boundaries.

To make the investigation as transparent as possible, Mr Damrong has formed 10 investigation teams comprising officials from all over Thailand – but not Phuket.

Each team has been assigned one project to examine.

“The loss of forest has

occurred due to a twisted bureaucratic system,” he added.

“We’ve lost forest because of the illegal issuing of land deeds. However, the developers insist on their right in the land, so that’s what we have to prove.”

Each team is currently conducting a survey of the land it is responsible for, and carrying out its own investigation into the legality of the deeds.

The investigations are due to be completed before September 15, before Mr Damrong retires in October.

A crucial aspect of the investigation, said Mr Damrong, is that local people were encouraged to exchange their SorKor1 land occupation papers in 1964 in return for compensation from the authorities before the declaration of Khao Ruak-Khao Pang National Park in Phuket.

This, he said, proved that no one could hold a land deed in the area after the declaration of the park.

The Khao Ruak-Khao Pang national park was later included in the much larger Sirinart Marine National Park, which was declared in 1981.

Construction of new resorts and hotels has proliferated around – and possibly within – the boundaries of the park, particularly in the past three years.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PHUKET NEWS

RURAL RUMBLE

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Developers and farmers struggle for supremacy

T

he peaceful countryside in Tambon Srisoonthorn is deceptive.

Just under the tranquil rural surface, it has become a simmering battleground.

On one side, farmers who have been working in the area for decades producing pork, chicken and eggs for Phuket’s markets; on the other, powerful property developers.

The farmers are losing, and are worried that the old ways, and their livelihood, may be pushed into extinction.

Under pressure from the power of developers, some farmers have sold their land to property people, while others simply quit.

Last year the owner of a chicken farm in Sri Soonthorn reportedly quit her business because of pressure from new residents who complained about the stink from her farm.

The issue f lared up on Tuesday (August 14) when Yuwathida Waewwanajit, who is the marketing director of The Valley 2 housing estate, and also lives there, lodged a complaint with the authorities about the smell from the nearby Thaweepan Farm.

The farm raises pigs and chickens using factory farming techniques to produce as much as 20 per cent of the pork and 20 per cent of the eggs sold in Phuket markets for more than 30 years.

Most of the animal farms, including Thaweepan Farm, are within their rights to be where they are, in green zones, which have been demarcated for agriculture since the first Phuket land use maps were produced, and are still in green zones in the latest versions of the maps.

But land use regulations also allow development of single houses in green zones, which brings conflict between powerful developers and far less powerful animal farm owners because of the smell and unsightliness of many farms, and the waste products

Lache Man, right, in custody after his arrest.

Bungling gold robber caught

Not the developers’ best friends: a pig at the Thaweepan Farm. from them.

The developers complain that messy farms affect their sales, while new home owners are, of course, distressed when their bright new homes are invaded by the overpowering reek of pig or chicken excreta.

Jumpon Rukarangsi, a worker at the Thaweepan farm who escorted the vice-governor around the premises, defends the rights of farmers. “When people think about Phuket, they see only tourism. But they don’t seem to grasp that tourists also need to eat.”

After receiving multiple complaints about the farm, Mr Jumpon said that the farm has altered its management system in an attempt to adapt the old way of life to the demands of booming development.

“But,” he added stoutly, “you can’t kick farmers out of [green zone] farming land.”

T he aut hor it ies have backed the farm so far. In response to Ms Yuwathida’s

complaint, the farm received a visit from Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak, who agreed that the farm niffed a bit, especially the slurry storage facility.

He and his team made several recommendations as to how the smell might be mitigated, and water sources in the area will be checked for contamination, but in general they found nothing profoundly wrong with the place.

Sanya Siripongrungroj,

who has been in Phuket his whole life and works in the Thalang District Office, said he remembers farms being in the Srisoonthorn area since he was a child. “It’s an old way of life for local people.

“I’ve seen development sweeping animal farms off the countryside in Phuket. It seems unfair to me that it’s only the farmers who have to adapt themselves [to development expansion].

– Opinion, page 13.

THE BURMESE WORKER who managed to get shot while robbing a gold shop on then evening of August 8 and then lost almost all the gold he had stolen, was caught the following morning.

Lache Man, 19, was arrested at his rented house on Patak Soi 10 in Karon. He admitted that he had robbed the gold shop to raise some cash to pay his way home to Myanmar.

In a robbery bordering on farce, Lache grabbed 1.5 kilos of gold, worth almost B3 million, but was promptly locked in the shop by the owner.

When Lache pulled out a hammer to threaten him, the owner pulled out a gun, firing one shot that grazed the rob-

ber’s wrist, and another that blew out the window of the shop, allowing Lache to escape.

Lache told police that after running away he hid in a rubber plantation on Soi Suksan in Chalong, before walking to his rented home.

Police confirmed that Lache snatched 1,577 grams of gold from the gold shop.

About 1,350 grams were found dropped along his escape route; when he was arrested all that was found in his pocket was gold necklaces weighing 75 grams, leaving two more necklaces weighing 152 grams unaccounted for.

Police think he may have dropped these, too, during his headlong rush from the gold shop.

New Dimension of Happiness from

Romadom gets ready PHUKET’S FAVOURITE street performer, Romadom ‘the silver statue’, will be battling for a place in the grand finals of Thailand’s Got Talent this Sunday (August 19) – a week earlier than he had originally thought.

Speaking to The Phuket News from his hotel in Bangkok, the Nai Harn-based artist said that despite the change in schedule he was ready to entertain the millions of TV

viewers.

“I’m a little nervous, but I think it will be okay. I’m excited about doing it all over again,” said the quietly-spoken performance artist.

What ‘it’ will be, Romadom could not reveal, but it’s likely to be as emotional, dark and thought-provoking as his first appearance.

Thailand’s Got Talent is on Channel 3 on Sunday, starting at 5.45 pm.

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SIMON OSTHEIMER Managing Editor 083 922 9265 managingeditor@thephuketnews.com From Hong Kong; a decade’s experience as editor of magazines and newspapers in Shanghai (City Weekend, that’s Shanghai), Beijing (tbjhome, Urbane), Hong Kong (Time Out Hong Kong), Kuala Lumpur (Vision KL), Bangkok (Bangkok 101) and Phuket. Journalist for Esquire, Fah Thai, Vacations & Travel, Travel & Leisure, CNNGo, Surface and Dwell.

ALASDAIR FORBES Executive Editor 087 884 9964 execeditor@thephuketnews.com From the UK; 40 years as a journalist and editor on magazines and newspapers in the UK, Middle East, Hong Kong and Thailand: Cheshire Observer, Chester Chronicle, Saudi Gazette, Gulf Mirror, Gulf Construction, Gulf News, Hongkong Standard, Asian Business (Editor) and Phuket Gazette (Managing Editor for seven years).

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

CLAIRE CONNELL Sub Editor editor1@thephuketnews.com From New Zealand; BA (English) from University of Otago; Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury. Five years’ experience at Gisborne Herald and Marlborough Express.

JODY HOUTON Sub Editor editor3@thephuketnews.com From the UK; Masters Degree in Journalism, Kingston University. Five years’ experience at Groove Magazine, Metropolis, The Western Telegraph, The Mirror and Phuket Post.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Owners of Rang Noi Island ‘to be charged’ Paritta Wangkiat reporter3@thephuketnews.com

he Office of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NREC) said on August 9 that they would charge the owners of the Kan Krao Co today with “occupying forest without permission” on Rang Noi Island.

The warnings came after the company failed to produce documents to prove their innocence before the August 8 deadline set by the NREC. At time of going to press, however, no charges had actually been laid.

After receiving a complaint “from an individual”, the NREC made a high-profile inspection of the island on July 31 and then set a seven-day deadline for the owners of the land to prove their ownership of parts of the island.

The NREC found that five years ago the owners had obtained a Chanote title deed covered 15 rai – most, but not all, of the island – though the NREC is checking whether the deed was issued legitimately.

A surveyor and other experts went to the island for the site visit. Their report, which was finalised during a meeting of officials in Bangkok on August 8, concluded that about four rai of forest, not included in the Chanote, had been encroached upon, said the Superintendent of NREC region 5, Pol Col Watcharin Pusit.

T

An official aerial photo (possibly from Google Earth), overlaid with the boundaries of the Chanote paper (in pink) appears to show structures (red) extending beyond the boundaries of the land deed.

He added that the NREC would continue investigating the legitimacy of the land deed, as the Forestry Department had confirmed that the entire island had been declared forest under the Forestry Act of 1941.

In addition, the Marine Office reported to the NREC that the floating pier, the only access to the island, had been installed without permission.

The owners will be charged over this offence as well.

Currently, officials of OrBorTor Koh Keaw are examining the buildings on the island,

which are suspected not to conform with the master plan submitted to the OrBorTor. The NREC says that it will invite the owners of the company to be questioned.

No mention was made of the complex on the island being designed as a casino, a major part of the excitement over the island on the day of the raid.

Repeated attempts by The Phuket News to get comment from the owners or representatives of the lessee of the land, American John Baldwin, have been met with a wall of silence.

However, a local source close to Mr Baldwin, who did not want to be named, told The Phuket News that the Chanote and the NorSor3 title that preceded it do not match.

The NorSor3, he said, includes all the land on the island, so attempts to rectify the errors in the Chanote are underway.

The source also said that the current controversy over the island was sparked by a legal battle between Mr Baldwin and a former manager of the island, Keith Trudgel, who could also not be contacted.

Two held in B12m drug bust

POLICE MADE A MAJOR drug bust on Saturday (August 11), seizing more than 20,000 methamphetamine (ya ba) pills and almost a kilo of crystal meth (ya ice), with a street value of around B12 million.

The drugs were seized from two men at a the office of a delivery company on Viset Rd In Rawai.

The arrest of the two men,

Kittisak Sae-ieaw, 39, from Kathu, and Dusit Chaipan, 30, from Petchaboon, came after a police detective discovered that they had regularly sent parcels contained drug via a delivery company in Bangkok.

The men would buy the drugs, hand the parcel over to the shipping company and then go back to Phuket where they would collect the parcel.

On August 9, the two were reported to have delivered a parcel to Pitakporn delivery company in Bangkok for sending to its office in Phuket.

Phuket police kept an eye on the company’s office in Rawai and spotted the duo going into the office on Saturday to pick up the parcel.

When arrested the two admitted the parcel, which

contained 20,000 ya ba pills and 968 grams of ya ice, was theirs. They agreed to take police to a hotel room they rented on Soi Kathu Waterfall where officers found another 30 ya ba pills, a 9mm pistol and a .22 pistol.

They were charged with possession of drugs for sale and possession of firearms without permits.

Work restarts on troubled Istana CONSTRUCTION OF THE TROUBLED Istana property development, near Nai Thon, is now under way again.

Contractor SSS&P – which worked on the Phuket International Academy and on the JW Marriott refit – is the main contractor.

Istana managing director Michael Brereton told The Phuket News this week that the windows are going into Villa 16 and work has also resumed on Villa 1,

the only two villas sold so far. The two villas are expected to be completed by November and December respectively.

Mr Brereton added that there has been “strong enquiries” about the development, with three of these “potentially” turning into sales. The master plan will be amended, he said, to include some smaller villas.

The development was suspended after becoming mired in serious mismanagement but the ousting of Richard “Dickie”

Shearer as a director and manager of the project allowed the main investors, the Earl of Warwick and Mr Brereton to regain control and begin to resurrect it.

A number of high-end projects around Phuket, such as Puravarna in Rawai and Barama Bay in Ao Por have failed in the past few years, leaving behind unattractive mouldering piles of concrete as monuments to the overreaching ambition of their developers.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PHUKET NEWS

5

Nine hurt in visa run bus crash Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

PACC secertary-general Pol Col Dutsadee Arayawut, right, presents Deputy Governor Chaiwat Thepee with a flag symbolising collaboration in bringing clean governance to Phuket.

LAND WATCH Locals urged to form anti-graft network

Paritta Wangkiat reporter3@thephuketnews.com

T

he Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) organized a “White-Hearted Government Officers Roadshow” at Central Festival Phuket on Saturday (August 11) to encourage Phuket people to create an anti-corruption network to watch over the island.

“This is a perfect time to promote anti-corruption as we’ve noticed that title deeds [based on corrupt practices] tend to be issued in August and September,” said the SecretaryGeneral of the PACC, Pol Col Dutsadee Arayawut.

Corruption related to the issue of title deeds often takes place in August and September, before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, a time when government officers are looking forward to being transferred to new posts elsewhere in the country.

The PACC has received information from its local

network that deeds for more than 200 pieces of land – 40 per cent of all the land parcels being investigated around the country – were issued corruptly.

“We didn’t believe at the beginning that the number would be that high,” said Col Dutsadee.

“But every time our officers come down here, they discover new pieces of land [with possibly corrupt deeds].”

On Tuesday (August 14), the PACC signed a memorandum of understanding with the various other bodies in Thailand that deal with landrelated corruption, such as the Department of Special Investigations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission to “gather more power to fight corruption”.

“We also need people power to stamp out corruption and to encourage upstanding government officers to keep their

[virtue] intact,” Col Dutsadee added.

Over the past 10 months, the deeds for about 25 pieces of lands have been branded as suspect by the PACC, including land on Kathu Hill owned by a former Vice Governor of Phuket, a large parcel of land next to Freedom Beach and land in Nakalay in Kamala.

The PACC has already recommended that the Land Department revoke the deeds in the latter two cases.

Most of the deeds were issued with the collaboration of the same group of officials.

The PACC has found another 57 rai of land on Kathu Hill suspected to have deeds obtained through corruption.

The land, with panoramic views of Patong Bay, reportedly sits in a national forest area, on a 80 per cent slope – which would make it ineligible for any kind of title.

The current “owner” of the land is suspected to be a nominee for the real owner, who, the

PACC has discovered, gave two rai of the 57 to the wife of the surveyor who made a report that the land was completely covered by plantation.

The PACC, on inspecting it, found the land was covered by thick old-growth forest.

NINE PEOPLE WERE injured, t wo seriously enough to require hospitalisation, when a visa run minibus from Phuket heading for Ranong went crashing off the road on August 9.

The accident took place at about 10.30am, around 30 kilometres north of Kurburi.

One of the passengers on the minibus, operated

by Kathu-based TVR Co, told The Phuket News on condition of anonymity: “The driver – he’s only a young guy – was going very fast, about 120 kilometres an hour.

“He was trying to overtake on a bend. There was a vehicle coming the other way, so he swerved to avoid it.

“The minibus went off the road, toppled over onto

its side and then slid into a tree.”

The driver and eight of the nine passengers were injured, he said, some badly.

“I don’t know why they have to drive like this,” he told The Phuket News.

A TVR spokes­man, who also asked not to be named, denied that anyone had been badly hurt, though he admitted one passenger had a broken leg.

He said two passengers had to be hospitalised but have both since been discharged, while another seven needed first aid treatment only.

The driver, he said, is already driving again on visa runs.

“Accidents can happen anywhere,” he added. “You can’t predict them. No one wanted this to happen – everyone understands this.

Our company’s service is safe and we have insurance.”

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012 www.foreca.com

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast FRI AUGUST 17

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Eco-NGO holds first high-level conference

IN BRIEF German retiree found dead A retired former German civil servant, Elke Doris Geissler, 60, was found dead in her home near Wat Kata on Friday morning (August 10).

Police said that the night before she died, she and her husband held a party at their home for friends. The following morning her husband, returning from his usual morning exercise, called her to breakfast. “But she didn’t respond and he found she was dead.”

Police said on Wednesday that Mr Geissler had accepted his wife had died of a heart attack. Her death was reported to the German embassy.

– Source: Siang Tai

Fire damages marina shed

A fire at the Yacht Haven equipment storage shed in Mai Khao on Monday night (August 13) caused B5 million worth of damage to equipment and the structure.

Officials spent 30 minutes putting out the fire, which was believed to have started from a spark from a firecracker, which children were playing with close by, police said.

Futbal for kids Brazilian football coach Cliff Herman Da Silva spent Wednesday (August 15) giving 120 children lessons in Brazilian-style ‘futbal”.

Mr Da Silva played league football in Spain for more than six years. He was in Phuket as part of a promotion for Namman Muay liniment.

Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.

Workers remove power poles from Krabi Rd.

Cables go below T he B39-million Phase 2 of a project to move all cables underground in the old part of Phuket Town is now 90 per cent complete.

Workers have been removing power poles along Krabi Rd, Dibuk Rd, and some portions of Phuket Rd and Thepkrassattri Rds over the past few months.

Phuket Town municipal workers are also working on the project, which aims at “restoring the beauty of Phuket’s old town” as has been done already,

in Phase 1, along Thalang Rd and Soi Romanee.

Of the budget for Phase 2, B26 million was provided by the Regional Electricity Authority, and the remaining B13 million by the city. Krabi and Dibuk roads are already finished. Work along PhuketThepkrassattri continues.

On Saturday (August 11), a section of Thepkrassattri Rd was closed so that cranes could remove power poles.

Phuket mayor Somjai Suwanasuppana said that some

Crowd demand justice after evening of terror ABOUT 20 LOCAL PEOPLE gathered at Thalang police headquarters Saturday morning (August 11), demanding justice for a young man from Baan Bang Jo who was injured in an argument. Police said they would track down his assailant.

The crowd was led by

Kwanta Chaiyasit, 43, who also brought her son, 26-yearold Ekasit.

Ekasit, she said, had been attacked at 1am that morning at a snooker parlour in Baan Bang Jo, and after being beaten and slashed with a knife, required 15 stitches in three fingers of

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poles were removed, but that not all could be taken out “because they are large and difficult to deal with. Instead of removing them, some must be cut.”

She said that the section of road from Dibuk Rd to Phuket Rd is expected to be finished soon.

“As soon as the Regional Electric Authority completes removal of the poles, the road will be repaved by the city,” she said.

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his right hand and 20 stitches in his head.

Mrs Kwanta said her son’s attacker was a “construction contractor living in the area”.

She told a reporter, “My son was playing snooker with the contractor about 1am this morning at Nam Fon’s shop.

“After playing, they quarrelled loudly, and the contractor pulled a knife, slashing and stabbing my boy. Then he smacked Ekasit in the head with a gun, and pointed it at his head in a threatening manner.”

Terrified, Kwanta fell to her knees and begged for Ekasit’s life. “I told him to take mine instead,” she said, “which mollified him, so he didn’t pull the trigger.”

Pole noted the complaint and said they would track down the contractor on a charge of attempted murder.

The contractor’s name was not made public.

– Source: Siang Tai

T H E PH U K ET- BA SE D environmental organisation SEEK will be hosting its first official conference and joint event with Amcham (American Chamber of Commerce Greater Phuket Chapter) next Friday (August 24).

Founding member of SEEK (Society Environment Economy Knowledge), Sean Panton, said he had high hopes for the event, ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,’ partly because of the influential and important people that were attending.

“Representatives from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the UN and the WWF will all be coming to the event along with Governor Tri Augkaradacha and many other local politicians,” Mr Panton said.

There will also be numerous representatives from the private sector.

Sean sees the participation of so many involved parties as a positive first step he hopes shows a willingness to commit to entering discussions on a more environmentally sustainable future for Phuket.

Event topics include ‘Phuket Success Stories’, ‘Phuket Challenges’, ‘Indicator Reviews’ and many more.

The event-packed day begins at 9am at Holiday Inn, Patong, with the conference running all day from 9am.

The Amcham forum will run from 4.30pm to 6pm, with re­gistration at 4pm, and networking drinks after. The session is open to both Amcham members and the public. Entry, which includes drinks, is B100.

The seminar will discuss ecologically sustainable programmes ranging from recycling and energy to water savings and more.

There will also be information about initiatives such as EarthCheck and Green Leaf, LEED certification and basic sustainable programmes.

To register for the event, visit the website at amchamthai land.com or contact Sheree Tanpensuk by email to sheree@ amchamthailand.com or telephone 02-254-1041 ext 212.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PHUKET NEWS

Crowd of 50 demand police action over deadly smash ifty residents of Karon on Monday (August 13) accompanied the father of a 16-year-old boy who died after a motorbike crash on West Chao Fa Rd early on Sunday (August 12) to put pressure on police to reopen their investigation into the boy’s death.

It was the second time in three days that crowds have gone to police stations to push for more action from police.

The first was on Saturday (August 11) when 20 people demanded action to apprehend an unnamed but apparently well connected construction contractor who slashed a young man with a knife and held a gun to his head (see facing page).

Monday’s crowd went to Chalong police station to complain that the 16-year-old did not die because he was “stunting” on his motorbike – as reported by some media – but because he was sideswiped by another vehicle.

In Sunday’s incident, police reported that Wirachach SaeMin was headed homewards to Karon when he lost control of his Honda Click and crashed into the power pole.

The impact, police said, sent him and pillion rider Kreut Nilawadi, 17, flying from the motorbike. Wirachach “died on the spot” and Kreut was taken to hospital unconscious.

But 35-year-old Sompong Sae-Min, Wirachach’s father, disputes this version of events.

He said he talked to both Kreut and an unspecified number of others who witnessed the accident, and had concluded that the police version was wrong.

“I understand that Wirachach was side-swiped by a metallic-silver Toyota Fortuner, licence number Gor Dtor 5363, Phuket, which knocked him to the ground, killing him,” Mr Sompong said.

“But the police refused to prosecute the case against the driver. Instead they freed him, saying he was not the person

F

who side-swiped Wirachach.

“That’s why our relatives and neighbours have assembled here today. We are demanding justice.”

He said that both Kreut and those who saw the accident “made it perfectly clear” that Wirachach had not crashed into a power pole but was hit by the Fortuner.

“They said the driver got out of his car and talked with one of the witnesses, saying he was not to blame and hadn’t hit Wirachach.

“But the witness noticed that the front end of the car was marked as if from a crash, and jotted down the licence number. He gave the number to police when they arrived.

“I understand, however, that although the driver was questioned, no prosecution of the case was undertaken.

“It is in any case obvious that if Wirachach crashed into a power pole as the police say, his motorbike would be more heavily damaged; the front fender and fiberglass parts would be broken, and scattered around. But the wheel only is a little bent. For the rest, it’s the same condition as before.

“As near as I can tell,” Mr Sompong said, “the police have two sets of standards. If [an accident happens and] no one sues, it’s easy for them.

They simply clear the case.

“But not this one. I’ll pursue this to the highest court.”

Chalong station duty officer Pol Lt Col Boonlert Onklang explained that police did indeed call the driver for questioning and inspected his car. “But he insisted the marks did not result from an accident, so he was released. We didn’t have the right to detain him.

“But today people who saw the incident say they are witnesses to the fact that he did side-swipe the deceased, so the case will be prosecuted openly and honestly.”

– Source: Siang Taiw

7

Local visitors to the Chakri Naruebet mug for the camera on the flight deck.

Thai flagship visits Phuket T H A I L A N D’S NAVA L flagship and largest warship, the RTNS Chakri Naruebet, visited Phuket Deep Sea Port last weekend.

The Chakri Naruebet, built

in Spain and launched in 1996, is designed as an aircraft carrier for very-short-take-off-andlanding (VSTOL) aircraft such as the Hawker Harrier, but currently carries only helicopters.

It is also fitted with two half-inch machine guns and three surface-to-air missile launchers.

Apart from projecting Thai naval power, the carrier has

also been used for disaster relief, particularly after the 2004 Asian Tsunami, but also after deadly flash floods in 2010 and the heavy flooding in the deep south last year.

The Phuket Nav y League last week played host to Commander Nicholie Bufkin (centre), skipper of the guided missile destroyer USS Milius and some of her crew, with a let-your-hair down welcome party at the BBQ Hut Steakhouse, south of Patong.

T h e M i l i u s an chored off Phuket to allow the sailors a few days’ R&R. Photo: Dan Miles.

Daily baked Italian Breads and Italian Pastries, from our Executive Pastry Chef Francesco Giordano.

Wide selection of Italian cold cuts and cheeses, delicatessen, fruit and vegetables, pasta, fine extra virgin olive oils, and special gourmet products.

Enjoy our Illy coffee at the coffee bar, or a nice lunch from our carte of Italian traditional specialty.

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A pitiful waste 8

PHUKET FOCUS

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

B23m community centre becomes a rotting carcass Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

T

he disastrous Asian Tsunami of December 26, 2004, that smashed into Phuket, killing at least 800 people and damaging structures all along the west coast of the island, was followed by an outburst of charitable activity from around the world.

One less obvious outcome of the tsunami was the psychological damage caused to those who lost their families, their homes or their livelihoods. In some cases, entire communities were affected.

To address this, the major charity Hilfswerk Austria and the Austrian Government put up B23 million to build a central place that would help a local community come together and recover from the disaster.

The year after the tsunami, work began on the AustriaPhuket Community Centre near the bridge in Koh Sirae.

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The Smiling Children’s Club get together at the Austria-Phuket Community Center, in front of a poster erected for the centre’s opening, six years ago.

A year or so later, on December 15, 2006, just under two years after the disaster,

the centre was opened by Abhisit Vejjajiva, then chairman of the Democrat Party,

and Austrian Ambassador to Thailand Arno Riedel.

Guests of honour included Anchalee Vanich Thephabutra, who at that time was president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor); Dr Heidi Burkhart, Head of Hilfswerk Austria; and Austrian Commercial Counsellor Dr Oskar Andesner.

At a glittering gala dinner later, a crystal and pearl ornament designed and donated by Swarowski was auctioned for B122,500 to add to funds for running the centre.

The Austria-Phuket Community Centre had four sections: a library in the basement; on the first floor was a child care centre and nursery, where children could be looked after while their parents worked; a skills and vocational training centre;

and a health centre.

Fast-forward to 2012, and the centre is a mouldering carcass. The books have all gone, and so has all the other equipment installed. Thieves have ripped out the power cables. Even the doors have been stolen. The basement floods knee-deep, and at night the place is the haunt of drug abusers.

Local people say its decline began almost as soon as it opened.

On April 21 this year the fire brigade were called to the Centre. There they spent an hour putting out a fire on the main floor of the building.

Whoever started it had added a wooden table to the flames, to keep the fire burning brightly.

Days later, security guards found that someone had tried unsuccessfully to start another

fire, but failed.

On May 4 firefighters were once more called to deal with a blaze in the toilets at the centre. Again, they spent an hour putting out the flames.

Police theorised it was the work of drug addicts.

Surveying the damage, a police officer said, “I think they burned and damaged the centre for fun. We found some other related items, including empty cigarette packets, glue and paint thinner cans. We also have reports from local people that there are drug users who visit the centre.

“It is very lucky that no one was hurt.”

Since then, someone has smashed all of the toilets and basins in the building.

The Austria-Phuket Community Centre, built as a beacon of hope for the local

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PHUKET FOCUS

9

Above: An electrical fitting at the centre. All accessible cabling has been stolen. Below: pieces are missing from the shade louvres.

The unusual roof of the centre makes it a local landmark, but one to avoid at nighttime – unless you’re a glue sniffer.

community, is now a rotting little hell, a hangout of drug abusers. One group is trying to make the best of this bad situation: The Smiling Children’s Club, which aims to help keep children away from involvement in the drugs and violence so prevalent in Koh Sirae.

The club meets every Saturday afternoon at the centre.

It’s popular, regularly attracting 30 to 40 children, who come for the art, guitar and English lessons provided by the four volunteer teachers.

Twelve-year-old Song, one of the children who comes to

club sessions, loves it. “When I heard that this group came to the Austria-Phuket Community Center, I went straight away. There are free art and music classes. I come every weekend!”

The club’s founder, who asked not to be named, explains, “I think the centre can be useful if it is fixed. The club has been going for three months and I would regret it very much if we could not use the centre any more. I don’t understand why such a large facility as the Austria-Phuket Community Centre could have been left to decay for so long.”

The current president of the OrBorJor, Paiboon Upatising, who inherited responsibility for the centre after beating Mrs Anchalee in elections four years ago, says, “The Austria-Phuket Community Centre was built in a hurry.”

He explains that the design of the centre is not appropriate, and describes it as “not as useful as it should be”.

“I made repairs to the place before the arson attempts. But now there is no quick way to fix it up.

“I still allow some groups to do activities there. But I would prefer them to use the Rang Tukkae cultural centre because it is more suitable for children’s activities.

“But now that various clubs want to use it, I have some plan for improvements.

Possibly, for a start, it could be used as an annex for the local school, which would give the school more room for students to study in. But first the building would have to be repaired to make it suitable for this.”

“However, any plans for

the centre will require consultation with Hilfswerk and the Austria embassy.”

Hilfswerk’s Dr Burkhart could not be reached for comment for this story, but Gustav Gressel, successor to Dr Oskar Andesner at the Austrian embassy in Bangkok, was surprised to hear about the centre’s deterioration.

He said, “It was never meant to be a permanent responsibility [of the Austrian government]. We just wanted to help quickly [after the tsunami].”

He added, “Thailand is not a developing country where you have to follow through [with additional support lasting years].”

Asked what she thought of the current state of the centre, Mrs Anchalee, toppled from the presidency of the OrBorJor two years after the centre was completed, said, “I think it is the duty of present OrBorJor [to look after it]. If someone can come up with a plan for it, I think the centre can still be useful.”

thephuketnews.com

10 THAILAND NEWS

IN BRIEF Girl receives death threat by phone A 12-year-old daughter of a Pattaya market vendor was threatened with death if her family did not hand over B700,000 in cash this week.

The girl said she has received a phone call from a man, who could ‘not speak Thai clearly’. The mother suspects someone who either works at or attends the market assumes that she has money and somehow obtained her mobile telephone number.

Police are now checking the number of the caller as the family nervously wait for an arrest to take place.

Pattaya Governor aims to stop jet ski scams A meeting was held at Pattaya City Hall to discuss urgent issues relating to jet skis scams on Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches.

The emergency meeting was held as a result of the numerous complaints the Governor had received from various embassies.

He insisted that regulations preventing jet ski scams should be put into place as soon as possible.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Thai teen says Burmese soldiers killed his father Marque Rome editor@thephuketnews.com

A

14-year-old boy from Ranong who claims that Burmese soldiers killed his father during a raid, is asking for the remains to be returned to him.

Wongsakorn Pawo, 44, was shot when two companies of Burmese rounded up 92 Thais accused of encroaching on Burmese territory bordering Kraburi district in Ranong.

The boy said Thais had founded a village in the area more than three years ago, and criticised authorities for failing to make clear to inhabitants the area’s status.

The incident occurred on June 6 at a village called Ban Inthaninkwan. Three men who escaped capture said soldiers surrounded and then began threatening the villagers. They said warning shots were fired for almost an hour. Later reports said people were also shot.

Thai authorities said they could not verify the latter report, as “the Burmese military provide no information”.

About 300 families – mostly rubber planters – were said to live in the area, which was “not properly demar-

A Phuket rubber plantation. cated,” according to a report in the Bangkok Post. The Burmese seized backhoes, tractors, and pick-up trucks in the raid.

Fourteen-year-old Chaiyamorn Pawo is a 9th-grader at Kao Yaowarat Patana school.

“The Burmese soldiers took my father and stepmother,

Ya, in the raid,” he explained.

“I have just been told by relatives, who went to visit my stepmother at Victoria Point (Koh Sawng), where she has been incarcerated, that I needn’t wait anymore for father because he was shot on July 4.”

Many of the 300 Thai families living in the village had built their own wooden homes, had rubber and palm plantings, a temple and various shops.

“My father built his house and planted rubber more than three years ago,” said Chaiyamorn. “The trees were almost ready for harvesting latex in commercial quantities.”

He said all his father’s belongings – including cash, pick-up, and motorcycle – were seized by Burmese troops.

“After my father and stepmother were captured, I tried calling my father many times, but every time the person answering was Burmese and we didn’t understand each other,” Chaiyamorn said.

“I have pleaded with the relevant agencies for help in retrieving my father’s remains so his funeral can be held in Thailand – in the village of his birth.”

Essential at the dinner table: An Uzi submachine gun.

Oops: Senator accidentally shoots ex-wife at dinner Agence France-Presse

A THAI SENATOR ACCIdentally shot his ex-wife as he tried to put away the 9mm sub-machine gun that he had placed on the table during a family meal, police said on Monday (August 13).

Boonsong Kowawisarat fatally injured Chanakarn Detkard, who was also his live-in personal secretary, when he mistakenly fired the Uzi in a private dining area of the Garden Resort, in Phrae province, northern Thailand, last Sunday evening (August 12).

Chanakarn suffered a bullet wound to the stomach and died on the way to hospital, according to local police.

Police said 56-year-old Boonsong, who is a lawyer

Boonsong Kowawisarat. and the Senator for Mae Hong Son province in the north of Thailand, will be charged with causing death by negligence.

He faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a B20,000 fine.

“From our initial inquiry, the secretary’s family will not sue because they were relatives and it was an accident – he didn’t mean to do it,” a local police officer said.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Indian Sikhs push ‘turban pride’ Agence France-Presse

T

he evening turbantying class in the Sikhdominated Indian city of Amritsar is packed with pre-teen boys learning a centuries-old tradition that religious leaders fear is under threat.

Over the next 90 minutes, the instructors unfurl long strips of cloth in vibrant hues from indigo to burgundy, and proceed to knot, pleat and finally tie them carefully around the boys’ heads.

The most visible symbol of Sikh pride and identity, the turban is an eight-metre piece of cloth, used by Sikh men to manage the long hair which their religion forbids them from cutting.

But in India, young Sikh men are increasingly putting fashion before tradition – cutting their hair short and shunning the turban completely.

It has also been abandoned by many members of the sizeable Sikh diaspora in countries like the United States, where Sikhs have been attacked over the mistaken belief that the turban marks them as Muslim extremists.

Such a motive has been suggested for the recent killings at a Sikh temple in the US state of Wisconsin where

The turban: The most visible symbol of Sikh identity. a gunman – with alleged white supremacist links – gunned down six worshippers.

Sikh boys are expected to tie and wear the turban by the time they reach adolescence, and 12-year-old Upneet Singh began attending the “turban clinic”, as the classes in Amritsar are popularly known, about two weeks ago.

“I go to a religious school where the turban is compulsory at my age, so I come here to

learn how to tie it,” he says.

It is so important that religious Sikhs in the Indian military wear turbans instead of helmets, even in frontline combat situations.

For religious leaders such as Avtar Singh, president of the trust that runs Sikhdom’s holiest shrine, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, forsaking the turban is tantamount to a rejection of the Sikh way of life.

“The turban is the Sikh

identity, it is a sign of our self-respect, our pride,” the bearded 71-year-old told AFP at his offices near the temple.

“No Sikh is complete without his turban,” insisted Singh, who blames increasing exposure to western influences for undermining religious traditions among India’s 20 million-plus Sikhs.

“We live in a very Westernised environment. And these days, Sikh parents don’t teach their children enough about our history so they don’t adopt our customs,” he said.

Shop worker Manjinder Singh cut his hair for the first time seven years ago, when he was 15.

“I cut it because it was more fashionable to keep it short. It’s more modern,” he told AFP, as he sat down for a trim at a local barber.

“My pa rents weren’t pleased, but they just gave up trying to change my mind,” he said.

If some Sikhs have willingly cast aside the turban for reasons of style, others have unwillingly done so out of a sense of self-preservation.

The assassination of Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards triggered an anti-Sikh pogrom that left thousands dead, and

saw many Sikhs shave their beards and cut their hair to escape the violence.

Jaswinder Singh, who was 15 at the time of the riots, said the experience was a personal turning point that reinforced his faith.

“So many Sikhs died when I was young, it made me realise that I wanted to grow up and do something for my faith, for my community,” he told AFP. In 1997, when he began to notice young Sikhs frequenting hair salons, he knew he had found his cause, and in 2003 the Amritsar-based advocate established his “turban pride” movement, including regular tying clinics.

According to Singh, fewer than half of all Sikh youths in Punjab state wear turbans today, and he set up the clinic as part of a multi-pronged effort to bring them back into the religious fold.

Singh says his classes, held six days a week, are often full and have been a major success, paving the way for around 50 similar clinics to be set up by other Sikhs in Punjab.

In addition, Singh organises turban-tying competitions, turban-themed poetry readings, and a beauty contest called “Mr Singh International” open only to Sikhs who don the headgear.

ASIA NEWS 11

IN BRIEF Tobacco firms lose plain packet case Australia’s highest court upheld the world’s toughest law on cigarette promotion on Wednesday despite protests from tobacco companies that argued the value of their trademarks will be destroyed under new rules that will strip all logos from cigarette packs.

The decision by the High Court means that starting in December, tobacco companies will no longer be able to display their distinctive colors, brand designs and logos on cigarette packs.

Seoul urges Japan to resolve wartime sex slavery issue South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on Wednesday made a fresh demand that Japan take responsibility for wartime sex slavery amid an escalating territorial dispute between the two countries.

Lee made the remarks in a speech at a ceremony marking the end of World War II. South Korea celebrates the date as Liberation Day, the anniversary of the end of Japan’s harsh colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Philippines storm brings more floods, landslides Agence France-Presse

A T ROPICA L ST OR M slammed into the Philippines on Wednesday (August 15), dumping heavy rains and causing renewed flooding and landslides in a nation hit by weeks of destructive monsoon weather.

Tropical storm Kai-tak made landfall over the northeast of the main island of Luzon before dawn, packing powerful winds and dumping up to 35 millimetres of rain

an hour, the state weather bureau said.

While the capital Manila and surrounding areas were not directly hit, they were inundated with intermittent bursts of heavy rain, just a week after flooding that covered much of the city left 95 people dead.

“We have been experiencing really heavy rains since last night, and our rescuers have evacuated some residents after neck-deep flooding was reported,” said Melchito

Castro, head of civil defence in the northern Ilocos region.

He said flooding hit four towns, although there were no immediate reports of new casualties.

Landslides also hit portions of a major highway, forcing it to be closed to traffic.

Two weeks of relentless monsoon rains peaked early last week with about two days of torrential rain across Luzon that affected more than 3.4 million people, according to the government.

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12 WORLD NEWS

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Nigerian school offers hope for young women Agence France-Presse

T

he clattering sewing machines at this northern Nigeria school offer hope of a better life for a group of young women who fled abusive marriages.

In Nigeria’s deeply impoverished north, which has some of the worst gender disparities in the world, millions of girls who never learned to read or write are pushed into marriage in their early teens, a recent study said.

The Tattalli Free School in the city of Kaduna was set up as a refuge for those who, overcoming fear and the pressures of patriarchal society, left their husbands when the relationships became unbearable.

“I was married and pregnant and my husband was at home doing nothing,” said 17-year-old Bilkisou, the mother of a young girl.

“At times he would beat me or shout at me. When I went to report him to my father, he sent me back,” she added.

She left with her baby strapped to her back and came to Tattalli, where she can learn skills ranging from dressmaking to beadmaking in hopes of earning enough money to care for herself.

The school’s founder, Saratu Aliyu, said she wanted to give vulnerable young women a chance to learn a marketable skill and save them from having to sell themselves for survival.

“You find them going into prostitution, you find them getting into wrong hands,” said Aliyu, who funds the school with her own money.

“So many things could happen to them because they cannot help themselves, and anybody who is in need of money, anything that comes your way, you try your hands at it.”

The roughly 150 students at Tattalli should, in principle, have had access to public primary and secondary education, which is free in Nigeria.

But in reality an education brings extra costs that many

A teacher of the Tattali Free school teaches English to children. families cannot satisfy. Some teachers are even said to demand money to pass students.

The problem is especially acute in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria, where sharia (Islamic law) exerts a powerful influence.

In the north, more than two-thirds of girls aged 15-19 are unable to read a sentence,

compared to less than 10 per cent in the southern part of the country, according to a British Council report published in May. Half of all women in the region are married by the age of 16, the report further said, while the Global Campaign for Education estimates that 50 per cent of northern girls

Photo: AFP

are not even enrolled in school.

Worldwide, Nigeria ranks 118 out of 134 countries on the Gender Equality Index, the British Council study said.

Kaduna is also one of several northern cities hit hard by the radical Islamist group Boko Haram, responsible for scores of attacks across the region in recent months.

A suicide blast at a church last month sparked sectarian mob violence, and analysts say the prevailing security crisis has further damaged the region’s already feeble economy.

“Men who become frustrated by inability to take care of their families turn their wives to punching bags when they complain,” said Aliyu.

At the school she founded five years ago, gathered in a small shaded courtyard, a group of teenagers, including Mansoura Sani, were learning how to make dresses.

She said that not long after her 10th birthday her family promised her to a much older man, who already had two wives. She ran to the home of a cousin in Kaduna and later made her way to Tattalli, and said she hopes the education she is receiving may help her marry again.

“This will make a difference because men appreciate educated women. They accord them more respect,” she said.

Iran struggles with quake toll Pussy Riot: Radical punks OVERCROWDED HOSPItals in northwest Iran are struggling to cope with thousands of earthquake victims and rescuers raced to reach remote villages after two powerful quakes killed nearly 300 people.

Thousands huddled in makeshift camps or slept in

thephuketnews.com

the street after the quakes on Saturday in fear of more aftershocks, 60 of which had already struck. A lack of tents and other supplies left them exposed to the night chill, one witness told Reuters.

Many villages are hard to reach by road, hindering rescue efforts. Hospitals in

Tabriz, Ardabil and other cities nearby took in many of the injured, residents and Iranian media said, and there were long queues of survivors waiting to be treated.

Two people were pulled out alive from the rubble, well after authorities halted rescue operations.

with a message for Putin Agence France-Presse

THEY STUDIED PHILOSOPHY IN college and read poet Osip Mandelstam – a Stalin critic who died of typhoid in a labour camp in 1938 – for inspiration.

Now the three members of all-girl punk band Pussy Riot face the prospect of spending three years in a corrective labour facility for entering a huge Moscow church and denouncing President Vladimir Putin in a raucous song.

Most of the song dealt with the marginalised role of women in Russian society and the dominance Putin has established over

politics since rising to power 12 years ago.

The group also attacked the Church’s backing for Putin and hinted of its ties to the secret police.

A judge will start reading her verdict today (August 17) with both the Kremlin and critical Western governments keeping a close watch. The three punk rockers in their 20s and 30s have apologised for offending the Orthodox faithful but not for their political views.

The band was formed in August 2011 and soon grabbed headlines with impromptu performances of political protest songs played on air guitars in busy places.

THE PHUKET NEWS

LETTERS/VIEWPOINT 13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

OPINION

Editor’s Viewpoint

Norachai’s World

Farming out the future

T

What are those pink smelly things mother?

he continuing battle between local farmers and property developers appears to be going the way of the developers.

Should it be?

Shouldn’t the traditional professions of Phuket be at least to some extent protected?

After all, the farmers were there first. Their claim to use of rural land is legitimate and centuries old, and many of today’s farms go back decades.

Apart from the reek of pig or chicken manure there’s also a whiff of stupidity about the whole situation.

Imagine you’re a developer. You spot a likely piece of land, green and surrounded by mountains, a pleasant enough place for middle class homes.

Wouldn’t you check the surrounding countryside?

Would you somehow fail to notice there’s a pig farm close by? But somehow you do.

Saddled with the problem you do two things: you put pressure on the farmer to

Letters to the editor Parents are responsible [Re: One dead, one hurt in teen bike smash] It’s one thing, that a hit and run possibility needs to be investigated. “Weerachat, the youngest of his three sons, was a student at Phuket Technical School in Phuket City, not far from Vachira Phuket Hospital”.

But according to Thai law, both boys, should not have been on the road, at 1.30am in the first place!

That is the responsibility of the parents, so don’t blame someone for your own fault! Also, some helmets around? And, if I see that right, it was a 125cc Honda Click. Again, who wasn’t taking care? The boys weren’t old enough to drive the motorcycles.

BjarneBetjent1

Keeping an eye out

[Re: Nine hurt in Phuket visa run smash] Not sure if it’s the same company but I used a company twice last year from Kathu.

First I went to Penang on a white knuckle ride. But I have done so many of these runs no matter who you go with they all seem to be the same. I think they run such a tight schedule which puts tremendous pressure on the drivers.

The second time was a month later to Ranong. We had been going for about an hour and the driver pulled over into a service station where we had drinks.

I recognised him. It was the same driver from the Penang trip. He looked terrible like on his last legs. I asked him are you okay? He said “mai sabai”.

He went on to explain

“that he had just driven back from Penang and had two hours sleep and had to take this trip to Ranong because the other driver was off sick”.

He added, “don’t tell anyone”.

Anonymous

I brought you something...

[Re: Oops. Senator accidentally shoots ex-wife at dinner] Waooow! The politicians in Thailand really are “amazing”.

In my European culture, for a family dinner we used to come with a bottle of good wine and flowers, although we are [not] high-ranking politicians or civil servants.

Dennis

Send ‘em back [Re: Three to face court for beating of Aussie] Send the tough guy Australian home. Also whatever the

outcome of the court hearing – if he was so offended by such rude remarks by tuk tuk drivers he should have taken the police with him.

But being a “He Man” he got what he deserved. I saw some disgusting Aussies on Saturday night in Patong and often I’m embarrassed to be one (plenty of other nationalities making trouble around also).

Expat Ozi Phuket Town

Where to begin?

[Re: Christians meet to transform Phuket] Modern day crusaders come bless this island of sin and debauchery: a good starting point, but doubtfully a message they will be preaching... mej313

Hoping for a solid replacement [Re: ‘Demolisher’ team set

move out or at the least to clean up his or her act; and you pray that the wind is in the right direction when the buyers – who also don’t bother to check the neighbourhood – come to look at the homes you’re building.

As a buyer, all you can do is go to the authorities and tell them, “I’m new here, but there’s an old and filthy farm close by and it’s getting right up my nose. Do something.”

Oddly, the authorities actually go through the motions.

They would not need to if farmers – notorious the world over for their resistance to change – would accept that, in this day and age, it’s not okay to foul the air and water for miles around. It’s stupid.

In the end, of course, the farmers will lose. Phuket doesn’t need farms because it can import produce every bit as good from other parts of the country.

Farmers in Thailand will soon be as distant a memory as tin miners.

This week in history to visit suspect sites] Sad to hear that he’s retiring.

I hope someone follows in his footsteps who has the exact same mentality and drive.

Until then, go get ‘em, Khun Damrong!

Dave

A bob each way [Re: Farmers losing battle with developers] I actually live very close to this farm and agree that as the farm was there first, we shouldn’t be pushing them out. I understand that, but the smell is overpowering when the wind is in the right (wrong) direction so much so you have to keep all windows and doors closed.

So I can understand the complaints, not that I would ever complain... However if the farm were to move to another location I would also not be complaining.

2 cents

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Email editor@thephuketnews.com. Please include your full name, phone number, and email address.

■■ August 17, 1980 – Azaria Chamberlain disappears, taken by a dingo, leading to what was then the most publicised trial in Australian history.

■■ Aug ust 18 , 18 6 8 – French astronomer Pierre Jules César Janssen discovers helium.

■■ August 19, 1919 – Afghanistan gains full independence from the United Kingdom.

■■ August 20, 1920 – The National Football League, (NFL), is founded in the United States.

■■ August 21, 1770 – James Cook formally claims eastern Australia for Great Britain, naming it New South Wales.

■■ August 22, 565 – St. Columba reports seeing a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland.

■■ August 23, 1305 – Sir William Wallace is executed for High Treason at Smithfield in London.

thephuketnews.com

14 WEIRD NEWS

THE PHUKET NEWS

DANE’S WORLD

Fitness under fire H

One shot in the groin for every calorie you don't burn.

aving trouble dropping those excess kilos?

Would someone putting a gun to your head help?

If the answer was yes to both of those questions, you’re in luck – British-based UKPaintball.co.uk are offering ‘fitness paintball’ classes as a fun fitness alternative.

Aimed at tackling obesity, participants will take on an assault course challenge while trying to avoid being hit by flying paintballs.

“Often all people need to start an exercise regime is a little encouragement, and what better motivation is there than being shot at?” said a company spokesman.

Participants will be given

little protection from the paintballs with most obstacles on the course being removed to keep the woodland runners on their toes.

“There will be several shooters in place and so it’s unlikely any of those involved will be in a safe area for too long, which, combined with wanting to avoid getting hit, should result in a lot of running around, shedding hundreds of calories in the process,” the spokesman continued.

“Getting hit by a paintball can really sting and so I’m sure anyone who takes a shot will be even keener to avoid the next one, which will hopefully enable them to burn even more calories.”

Bikinis at 40,000 feet Agence France Presse

A VIETNAMESE AIRLINE has been fined for hosting a mid-flight dance by bikini-clad beauty pageant contestants without first gaining permission.

Low-cost carrier VietJet Air was fined the equivalent of around B30,000 by the nation’s aviation authorities for organising the Hawaiianthemed dance to celebrate its maiden flight between Ho Chi Minh City and the tourist hub of Nha Trang, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said.

Five women, all candi-

dates in a local beauty contest, performed the three-minute dance on the August 3 flight while passengers recorded the show on camera phones and later posted clips online, the paper added.

The airline “violated local aviation regulations” by organising “an unapproved show on a flight,” Nguyen Trong Thang, chief inspector of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, was quoted as saying in the report.

Thang added the pictures were taken while mobile phones were in flight-safe mode and Probably the only time anyone has actually paid attention to the in-flight demonstration. did not pose any risk.

OMG 45secs LOL AMZNG!!!

Agence France Presse

A 17-Y E A R- OL D BOY retained his title as America’s fastest texter on Wednesday in a duel of the thumbs held in front of onlookers at New York’s Times Square.

Austin Weirschke took home US$50,000 (around B1.5 million) in prize money for the second time in two years when he bested 10 other texting demons in feats of thumb speed, memory and fluency in texting shorthand.

One round was performed with contestants blindfolded and having 45 seconds to type the verse: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are, up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.”

thephuketnews.com

The event, sponsored by LG Electronics and using the company’s cell phones, took place on a traffic island in Times Square.

About 200 onlookers, including cheering relatives and mostly teenage texting aficionados, gathered around the stage.

Weirschke said he became a prolific texter thanks to practice with his mother, whom he dubbed “my texting coach.”

But when asked to describe his victory, he must have wished he could text his reply. Facing a microphone, the humble winner could only manage: “I don’t really know what to say.”

Neither do we.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

with Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

THE BIG LIST

World’s worst jobs

We’re gonna throw it out there and say being a paintball fitness instructor is the greatest job in the world. Here are some that aren’t so flash hot:

■ Sucked in!: Stopping the spread of malaria sounds like a pretty rewarding job. In Brazil, the only reward is malaria.

That’s because the Anopheles Darlingi mosquito there is a crafty little sucker, and doesn’t fall for the light or wind traps researchers use in Africa and Asia. Instead, human bait has to be used, literally meaning people let malaria-infected mozzies bite feed on them in the name of science. Veteran researcher Helge Zieler used to put himself on the menu twice a week, once catching 500 Anopheles in three hours. Meanwhile, he was rewarded with 3,000 bites, or an average of 17 per minute for 180 minutes on end. Oh, and he also got malaria.

■ Sticky notes: With no disrespect intended, most people realise that if you’re working as a janitor, you haven’t exactly made it in life. But there are levels of job satisfaction even for the humble mop baron, and this is definitely the bottom rung. The main responsibility of the porno theatre janitor is to take his mop and rag and clean up after each show is finished. Unlike a traditional theatre, it’s safe to assume that sticky substance under the chair is something other than Coca-Cola and melted choc top. On the plus side, free porn!

■ Onerous odour: Odour judges are common in the research labs of mouthwash companies. But Michael Levitt took the job to another level – or, rather, to the other end. There’s really no way to dress this up, so we’ll just say it: Levitt paid two people to smell other people’s farts. We don't know how much they got paid, but it’s pretty safe to assume it’s somewhere in the range of not enough. The odour judges then sat down with at least 100 bottled fart samples, opened the caps one at a time, and inhaled robustly. The samples were also chemically analysed, with the results proving the most malodorous component of the human flatus in hydrogen sulfide, which in no way justifies the nature of the experiment.

■ Consumption misconception: Sitting back all day eating chocolate and drinking wine – it’s what most of us dream of, and a lucky few actually make a living from it. But for them, the job isn’t so rosy as our daydreams might have us believe. Modern food tasting is a science first and foremost, and is treated as such.

All tasting takes place, not at a cozy intimate table for two, but in a sterile booth flooded with only red light, where food is shoved through a hole in the wall. And then there are the alternative foods and food projects that aren’t so mainstream, but need testing as well. Companies have employed tasters to sample various types of mushrooms, pet foods, measure escalating levels of “rancidity” in expired foods and even ingest flavoured birth control pills.

■ Rodeo clown: There are some people in the world who have legitimate needs for animal sperm. Those people – usually researchers (we assume) – have three options to go about attaining their payload: They can ram an electric probe up an animal’s rectum; shove an artificial vagina onto the animal’s penis; or go ol’ school by using manual stimulation. Let’s focus on the second one. The artificial vagina (AV) is a large latex tube coated with warm lubricant used primarily to get sperm from dairy bulls. When a bull mounts a steer with his forelegs, a brave ‘technician’, AV in hand, places himself between the two aroused beasts and deftly redirects the bull’s penis into the mock genitalia, which he must then hold tight while the bull 'releases'. It’s like taking candy from a baby, if the candy is sex and the baby is more than 1,000kg of pure enraged muscle.

THE PHUKET NEWS

ECONOMY/TOURISM 15

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

BUSINESS SECRET GAMBLE A good man in a crisis

Richard Hancock has a big smile, but the message he delivers is deadly serious > 16

Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

Hun Sen reveals casinos are ‘essential to defence’ Agence France-Presse

Leslie Thng.

New CEO for SilkAir SILKAIR WILL HAVE A new chief executive from September 3, when Leslie Thng takes over from Marvin Tan, who will be returning to parent company Singapore Airlines.

Mr Thng, 37, joined SilkAir as a board director on April 1 this year and is currently SIA’s Vice President Network Planning. He has been with SIA for more than 13 years, during which time he has held positions in head office as well as overseas.

Before taking up his current post in Network Planning in December last year, Mr Thng was based in Frankfurt as General Manager Germany.

W

hile Phuket rattles with rumour and debate over whether the complex on Koh Rang Noi is, or is not intended to be a casino, Cambodia’s maverick Prime Minister Hun Sen has come up with a novel take on the usefulness of gambling houses.

Allowing the construction of a spate of border casinos is part of a “secret strategy”, he said, to protect the country’s territory from its neighbours.

“I don’t like casinos, but the biggest goal for giving permission to build casinos is to protect the border,” he told the Cambodian parliament during a five-hour speech addressing border demarcation issues with Vietnam.

Family Mart to expand Thai network Coconuts Bangkok

Alfred Spieler.

Dusit hires new F&B director ALFRED SPIELER HAS been appointed as the new director of food and beverage at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

Peter Komposch, General Manager, said, “We are bringing together a dynamic and professional team. Mr Spieler brings more than 25 years of culinary experience gained at Global Hotel Group.”

FA M I LY M A RT H A S affirmed that it remains committed to Thailand, despite rumors that it was reconsidering its business in the kingdom.

According to reports, 713-branch strong Siam Family Mart Co., the local operator of the Japan-based Family Mart Co., has revealed plans to expand its network in Thailand by partnering with local companies to strengthen its position in the convenience store chain segment.

Siam Family Mart Co is the second largest convenience store chain in the country, behind CP All which operates 7-Eleven stores in Thailand.

‘Don’t be stupid,’ Hun Sen told opponents who said casinos are bad for Cambodia.

“One can remove border markers, but one can’t remove five-storey hotels. Don’t be stupid,” Hun Sen said, in response to opposition criticism that the gambling dens were harmful

to the country. Cambodia’s borders with Vietnam and Thailand are dotted with dozens of casinos and accompanying hotels, catering mostly to foreign gamblers – including

thousands of Thais – since Cambodians are not legally allowed to gamble.

“You force me to talk about it. This should be a secret strategy to protect the nation,”

the strongman premier said in typically feisty fashion.

Hun Sen used the marathon address, which was broadcast live on television, to deny long-standing claims from the main opposition party that his government was allowing Vietnam to encroach on Cambodian territory.

Cambodia and Vietnam officially began demarcating their 1,270-kilometre (790-mile) border in September 2006 after decades of territorial disputes stemming from French colonial times. According to Hun Sen some 700 kilometres have been demarcated so far.

Meanwhile, the dispute over land around the Khao Phra Viharn temple complex on the Thai-Cambodian border, also dating from French imperial days.

One more step towards 3G NNT

THREE MAJOR MOBILE PRIVATEsector service providers, AIS, DTAC, and True Move have said they are ready to bid for a 3G service license in a bidding process expected to begin in October.

All three providers attended a seminar on the future of Thai 3G service, and agreed that whoever gets to provide the service should not charge too much for it, as it will become “a burden to consumers in the future”.

The introduction of a 3G service has

been mired in complex political and commercial litigation, with associated police investigations, for the past two years.

The 3G services currently being provided by all the major players are officially “beta” services. Technically, only TOT and CAT may provide 3G services.

thephuketnews.com

16 SECURITY/TOURISM

Thailand is ‘best in Asia for hotel job openings’ e-travel blackboard

THAILAND RANKS HIGHest in Asia and third in world statistics for the best place to find hotel employment, according to results released in TripAdvisor’s Industry Index.

The survey revealed 31 per cent of Thailand hoteliers plan to increase the size of their staff in the coming six months.

Indonesia recorded 30 per cent of hoteliers planning to hire new staff, with Japan (20 per cent), New Zealand (9 per cent) and Australia (8 per cent) following behind.

TripAdvisor’s twice-yearly hotel survey also gave a number of other industry insights.

Almost half the hoteliers surveyed believed Thailand’s economy was improving, while hotelier confidence in the overall Asian economy improving was also around 50 per cent.

The survey also revealed that almost one third of all Thailand hoteliers garnered extremely profitable or very profitable results in the past six months. When it comes to social media, Thailand is active and progressive.

Malaysia (89 per cent) and Indonesia (84 per cent) are Asia’s leaders when it comes to employing social media to attract visitors, with Thailand closing in at 80 per cent, far outpacing Japan (62 per cent), Australia (55 per cent) and New Zealand (46 per cent).

“What’s encouraging is the traction accommodations are making in online, social and mobile marketing,” TripAdvisor for Business president Christine Peterson said.

“While currently only a quarter of respondents offer programs to engage with mobile device users, we expect this number to grow.”

Thailand also ranked #13 in the world for eco-friendly practices.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

THE CRISIS GUY

Richard Hancock is a man for all bad seasons Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

C

ontinuing its string of unusual and fascinating speakers, the International Business Association of Phuket (IBAP) last Friday (August 10) had crisis management expert Richard Hancock on stage at the A2 Access Resort & Villas on the bypass road.

Mr Hancock comes from a security background, having worked for eight years with the Royal Hong Kong Police, much of it in counter-terrorism.

Leaving the police in 1997 he joined security and intelligence company Hill & Associates, supporting mostly US nationals wanting to reduce their risk as they moved into China.

When Hill was bought by G4S – now notorious for its inability to meet its contract for security for the London Olympics – he decided it was time to move on. He is now Country Manager for Singapore with Special Projects & Services Asia Ltd (SPS).

He’s been around. He was heavily involved in Aceh, Sri Lanka and Thailand after the 2004 tsunami, and in Japan after last year’s quake and tsunami, doing everything from organising searches for missing staff of clients to helping multinationals get their operations up and running again.

In 1998 he was helping multinationals weather the upheavals following the fall of President Suharto in Indonesia. He was involved in supporting investment banks involved in Iraq after the USBritish invasion, and the UK’s Department of International Development in Afghanistan.

His specialty is crisis management – an art somewhat

Richard Hancock gives IBAP members insights into preparing for crisis. underrated in Thailand, and most parts of East Asia, except with the benefit of hindsight.

As a result, most of his clients are US multinationals, international schools and hotel chains, almost all Westernowned or managed, and many Fortune 500-listed.

But that’s changing, he told The Phuket News. For example, he says, “South Korean companies are now looking at their risk exposure as they set up operations in Africa and South America.”

Chinese corporations, in contrast, are not concerned – yet. “They will accept higher risk. But this will change as lawyers and litigiousness grow, and as health and safety become factors.”

Mr Hancock splits risks into two main groups – natural (earthquakes, tsunamis and the like) and man-made (terrorism, civil unrest) – and each of these into gradual or sudden crises. “The Arab Spring, for example, is gradual,” he explains. The Kuta bombing in Bali in 2002 would, of course, count as “sudden”.

So how does one go about planning for disasters that may never happen, or for disasters that cannot be foreseen?

There are several strands to crisis planning, he explains.

These include creating a crisis management team; identifying key personnel in the company, without whom it might not be possible to go on; identifying and prioritising risk (by

no means an exact science – tsunamis would not have appeared in most people’s crisis plans in Thailand before 2004); and organising communications networks.

In addition, assets must be listed, along with people, property, proprietary information and reputation.

An example of the last was after the tsunami, he points out. Hotels whose staff stayed on to help saw an enhancement in their reputation; hotels whose staff did not saw the opposite effect.

On a wider scale, the organisation’s resistance to disaster must be assessed, emergency services identified, along with essential infrastructure, and key people

Photo: Dan Miles

in embassies and local government.

Getting reliable multisource information is a must, he says, pointing out that international media cannot be relied upon, often giving distorted and exaggerated pictures of a crisis.

Does SPS work for Asian governments? That’s a little tricky, he says. Often there is too much face to be lost in bringing in a private company to advise on handling crises.

However, the company does like to test its clients’ crisis plans, and at that point it always invites the local police and local government bodies to be involved.

For more on SPS visit sps-global.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

4

Alasdair Forbes takes the Chevrolet Sonic for a spin

9

Eric Snyder looks back at Phuket life, as it was in 1975

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

POWERED BY

Penang charms How the capital of this Malaysian island is rediscovering its historic riches > Pages 12-13

Photo by Kiri Heald

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

2 ART

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Phuket elephants on parade

Joanna MacLean and Miguel La Salle with a colourful parade of elephants.

T

risara welcomed hundreds of brightly painted and even jewel-encrusted elephants to its five-star resort on Friday (August 10). Thankfully, the elephants were statues, ranging in size from 5 – 75cms and part of an ‘Elephants on Parade’ exhibition.

The Elephants on Parade is an organisation dedicated to raising funds for The Asian Elephant Foundation (AEF), through the selling of miniature elephant statues and the putting on of huge ‘elephant parades’ at major cities around the world.

Joanna MacLean, co-owner of the Colour Factory, a licensed reseller of Elephant Parade products said, “This is the first time we have exhibited the elephants in Phuket. We have quite an established base in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and we want to expand here.”

The fibreglass elephants are made in Chiang Mai, where teams of artists reproduce the numbered replicas for sale at the Elephant Parades and in selected hotel boutiques.

“We are lucky because there are a number of celebrities like Ricky Gervais, Michael Palin and many others who also design elephants that are then sold on.”

These unbelievably cute statues and figurines, at least on

Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

GERRY’S

editor@thephuketnews.com thephuketnews.com/ login-game-view.php

view

THIS WEEK’S HINT:

“This picturesque scene with the magnificent trees overhanging the road is reminiscent of a country lane in England, and actually borders the grounds of a very distinguished institution of higher learning with British in it.

“Now 16 years on since it was constructed as the Dulwich International College, the name of the institution was changed when it was officially opened in 2002. Set on 39 acres of lush land with the hills in the background, the main building stands out in its’ beauty.”

–Gerry Cummings

EMAIL US ENTER ONLINE

www.photohutgroup.com

editor@thephuketnews.com thephuketnews.com/ login-game-view.php

GUESS THE CORRECT LOCATION AND WIN A B500 GIFT VOUCHER FROM PHOTO HUT

Congratulations to Jeremy Bird, who correctly guessed that last week’s photo was of the old Talad Yai Police station on the corner of Phuket and Phangnga Roads in Phuket Town, across from the former Standard Chartered Bank.

thephuketnews.com

a rudimentary and monetary level, help to raise awareness of the problems facing the animals. One of which is of course the rather tricky topic of elephant tourism.

One which, Joanna is well aware of. “I mean the perfect situation is for all the elephants to go back to the jungle... but there is no jungle left in Thailand.”

It is for this reason that the AEF instead focuses on financially supporting and actively monitoring various projects to ensure the survival and welfare of the Asian elephant.

“It would be great to regulate the camps of course and ensure that all mahouts are given training.”

At the end of the day, Joanna is all too aware of the limitations of what can be done with regards to conserving and taking care of the Thai elephant.

“Projects like the Elephant Nature Foundation – a rehabilitation camp in Chiang Mai for former elephants who worked in the tourism industry – are good for the 50 or so elephants there, but what about the thousands of other ones?”

“Some say it’s horrible that elephants have to kick a football for entertainment or paint a picture or whatever, but the way I see it is it’s better than logging, which is what they had to do many years ago.”

KNOW WHERE THIS IS? GUESS RIGHT AND WIN!

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

ENVIRONMENT 3

Clockwise from above: Cleaning up the trash; Mayor Aroon addresses the BPW; the Phuket Russian Community on Nai Harn beach.

Phuket women and Russians clean up Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

Nai Harn was a flurry of ‘green’ activity on August 10. The recently-formed Phuket Russian Community collected over 20 bags of trash and the Business and Professional Women of Phuket released 30,000 shrimp into Nai Harn lake. Local schoolkids helped.

A

bout 50 members of the recently-formed Phuket Russian Community society partook in their first official event – a beach clean up of Nai Harn – on August 10.

Evgeny ‘John’ Parfenov said that although that was officially their first event, it most certainly won’t be their last.

“Actually tomorrow, we’re going to plant trees at our Orthodox temple in Thalang.”

The group, which comprised mainly of young Russians in their 20s and 30s, were from a variety of businesses and industries on the island.

The only thing that bound them, John said, was their love of Nai Harn and their desire to take care of the beautiful island that is now their home.

“There are many Russians in Phuket now, so we wanted to do more social stuff because we want to stay here.”

For John, these events were also a perfect opportunity of showing a positive side to their community, “We want to show people that we are all not just drinking vodka and being badly behaved. The majority of us don’t even drink or smoke. We are normal people.”

Meanwhile, to commemorate Her Majesty’s 80th birthday on August 10, the Business and Professional Women of Phuket group released 30,000 shrimp and 20,000 EM balls into Nai Harn lake.

Rawai mayor, Aroon Solos was also in attendance and expressed the importance of events like these, “We come down and do these clean ups about once a month with help from local communities, this is why these relationships are so important.”

Mayor Aroon said that the decision to release the EM balls was part of an ongoing mission in the Rawai area to improve the quality of the water, not only in the lake, but in households and businesses.

thephuketnews.com

4 MOTORING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

Super Sonic

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Alasdair Forbes test drives the new Chevrolet Sonic

Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

The new Chevrolet Sonic, successor to the less than universally successful Aveo, is a good-tempered small car with a lot going for it, especially the price, which puts it ahead of its main competitors, the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris.

thephuketnews.com

Y

ou may have noticed posters along the bypass road recently, asking “What is so you?” The answer – we’re sure you’ve been dying to know – is the new Chevrolet Sonic, pitched straight at the slot in the market currently occupied by the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris.

There’s a significant difference; while the Jazz and Yaris come only in hatchback versions in Thailand, the Sonic (supposedly the successor to the less-thanuniversally-admired Aveo, though the Aveo is still coming off the line in Rayong) is available in both saloon and hatchback design.

Oddly, from the side, the Sonic saloon looks like a Toyota Corolla, while the hatchback looks more like a Jazz.

The current test car at the local Chevy dealer on the bypass road is the top-of-the-range LTZ automatic, with a six-speed auto box.

The 1,400cc engine, coupled with the 1,236 kilo kerb weight should make the car less powerful yet heavier than its two main rivals. But line them up side-by side and the Sonic would come second in a race up to 80 kmh, behind the Jazz, but ahead of the Yaris, which says something for the under-bonnet technology.

So this is a serious contender. Especially when it comes to price: The top-end Jazz will set you back B747,000 and the equivalent Yaris B734,000. The Sonic LTZ auto costs B679,000, or B687,000 for the hatchback. That’s as much as B68,000 difference for a car that compares very well with the competition.

Another way the Sonic scores in a big way is on the in-car electronics and other technology it’s loaded with.

There’s a radio and a CD player, of course. But there’s also a Bluetooth connection for phones and for music from a smart phone.

Note: the brochures all say “for select phone” – the local dealer’s expert could get her iPhone working with it just fine, but it didn’t seem to like talking to Samsungs. Certainly worth checking if this is likely to be a deal-breaker for you.

For music there’s still a direct jack on the radio console, plus a USB port in the glove box. Just load your thumb drive with your favourite songs.

The ride feels solid and competent on the highway.

And it’s also very quiet, thanks in part to the slip-

pery body design (no Chevrolet Cruze-style whistling from the windshield) and in part to the aluminum cylinder head with “silent” chain, which reduces engine noise significantly.

Off the main road, and pushing it around bends, the handling is really very good for a car of this class.

The six-speed automatic box keeps the revs in the power band under acceleration, and everything gets to be kinda fun, thanks to traction control, stability control and electronic brake distribution. The agility of the car and the lack of roll in bends is impressive.

You’ll be happy to know, too, that if you still manage to really mess things up, there are 10 airbags.

The LTZ has an option to switch to manual gearbox. Well, as near as an automatic comes to manual. Chevrolet refer to this as “thumb-controlled gear selection”, though at the side of the gearshift slot it’s labelled “M”.

This can be engaged or disengaged at any time. The odd thing, though, is that the gear change is a button on the side of the gear stick, so this means you could be heading into a dodgy situation, trying to select the correct gear, with just one hand on the wheel.

There are other controls on the steering wheel, so it’s odd that Chevrolet didn’t opt for gear paddles on the wheel as well. It’s not as if the technology is new.

Regarding space, in the front, the Sonic is very comfortable, with easy adjustments for seat position and rake, and steering wheel height. The back seats are not for basketball players; taller people may find things a bit scrunched. There is, however, plenty of luggage space, with both rear seatbacks folding flat.

The instrumentation is simple, taking its cue, apparently, from the Ducati motorbike cluster, with a conventional tachometer but a digital speedo. Visibility is good all round.

All in all, this is a bright new addition to the Chevrolet range. Expect to see lots of Sonics on the roads of Phuket very soon.

Images from top: Instrumentation and controls are well laid out, though you’ll need to consult the manual to understand them all; The Sonic has twin headlights, unusual to see on modern cars.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

HEALTH 5

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Go with the flow Kim White editor@thephuketnews.com

Kim White is the owner of Sala Suddhavasa, an internal arts centre in Rawai offering private and group sessions in taiji, yoga and meditation: 086276-9174,info@ suddhavasa.com; suddhavasa.com The opinions and advice contained in this column are those of the author only. The Phuket News is not responsible for the outcome or results of following any advice in any situation.

2

C

an you believe that this month is our eighth yoga article?

To celebrate we are going to go with the flow and create a Phuket lucky flow ‘Vinyasa’ with the yoga asana we have discussed up to this date.

A Vinyasa is a series of postures that are linked together with the focus being on flowing through the asanas and pairing the postures with a steady and consistent breath pattern.

The vinyasa can be repeated as many times as you feel appropriate and can be performed as fast or as slow as you desire.

The important thing is that correct structure is maintained and that the breath is paired with the postures.

I always find that breathing in and out through the nostrils is best and to try and take an in-breath when expanding or opening the body in preparation for a posture and take an out-breath when relaxing or softening the body in a posture.

If you hold the postures for an extended period, keep a steady in and out cycle with the breath. The flow of 1 the vinyasa helps the body limber up and open and also helps the mind to focus and relax.

The simplicity of just watching the breath is a lot more undemanding than most of the thought patterns that circle around our heads all day. Sometimes in order to find peace and serenity you have to go with the flow.

My suggestion would be to start practising this vinyasa once on each side (the pidegon posture is the only sidedependent asana), then increase the routine to two cycles and so on.

This Vinyasa is a great routine for lower back and hips stiffness. As we have discussed each posture in length over the past months, I will give a brief list of the postures and some of the amazing benefits that these postures bring to your life.

The vinyasa asanas 1.Forward fold 2.Pidgeon 3.Butterfly 4. Straddle 5. Pandle 6. Plough 7. Boat -

3

4

5 tator muscles (gluteus medius & minimus).

Helps to eliminate toxins, increase blood flow and rejuvenate the internal organs Elongates the neck and spine Develops flexibility in the hamstrings and shoulders.

Strengthens the abdomen, core, hip flexors, lower back and pelvic floor all at the same time A rich supply of oxygenated blood is sent to the organs and glands in the upper part of the body.

Calmer mind and a more in-tune breath.

No-one can argue with those benefits.

This month, make the most of this vinyasa series and go with the flow.

As one well known Yogi B.K.S Iyengar once said, “new life will flow into you and your mind will be at peace and you will feel the joy of life”.

Metta, Kim

6

7

Uttanasana Eka pada rajakapotasana Badda konasana Uphavista konasana Salamba sarvangasana Halasana Navasana

The benefits of the Phuket lucky flow vinyasa: Massages the internal organs Stimulates the circulation in the knees, thighs, hips and back.

Stretches and opens the deep hip flexors (psoas) Strengthens back muscles Improves posture Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck Opens your hip ro-

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

6 SHOPPING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FASHION FILE Man on a mission Krisanai Rakpra,

Sunglasses /Accessorize /Central ► Festival Pattaya /B950

age 28, business owner

Living in the shade Chalida Saitho, age 20,

Shirt ► /Peacock, UK / EU12

tourist from Bangkok

◄ Watch /Fossil, Central Ladprao, Bangkok /B5,900

Bag ► /D&G, UK /EU150

► Jean Pants /Uniqlo, UK /EU30 Belt /Jatujak market /B100 ►

◄ Jean pants /Union Mall,US /B1,590

ACCESSORIES

Watch /Diesel ► /King Powerduty free /B5,400

Red bag /Korean website /B430 ◄

‘Carrot’ earrings B69

Shoes ► /Local market /B399

Watch necklace B280

Blue shell earrings B120

Accessories from FIAT, 50/34 Moo 7, Rawai, 081-565-7313, fiat2gals@hotmail.com

Brass bracelet B150

thephuketnews.com

Silver handmade bracelet B1,380

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

TIME OUT 7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Pixar’s Brave doesn’t hit the bull’s-eye

SFX Coliseum Phuket (Central Festival) The Bourne Legacy (E) [15+]: 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00 The Bourne Legacy (E/F) [15+]: 12:30, 15:15, 18:00, 20:45 Brave (E/3D) [G]: 13:30, 15:40, 17:50, 20:00, 22:10 Echo Planet (T/D3D) [G]: 11:25, 16:20, 18:20, 20:20 Rak 7 Pee Dee 7 Hon (T/E.SUB) [G]: 13:25, 18:30, 22:15 Sat 2 Mon (T/E.SUB) [15+]: 14:25, 17:00, 19:45, 22:20 Step Up Revolution (E) [15+]: 12:00, 14:10, 16:15, 21:25 Total Recall (E) [13+]: 11:30, 14:00, 16:25, 19:00, 21:30

FILM REVIEW Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

A

The Bourne Legacy (E) [15+]: 11:15, 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00 Brave (E) [G]: 11:20, 13:30, 15:40, 17:50, 20:00 The Dark Knight Rises (E) [G]: 11:50, 18:00, 21:15 Rak 7 Pee Dee 7 Hon (T/E.SUB) [G]: 15:00, 22:05 Sat 2 Mon (T/E.SUB) [15+]: 11:55, 14:30, 17:05, 19:40, 22:15 Total Recall (E) [13+]: 11:40, 14:10, 16:40, 19:10, 21:40

Brave Across

Down

1. Damage on one California instrument.

(9) 6. Pickled flower escapade. (5) 9. Turn aside and switch sides about Left. (7) 10. Disturb order of the French gunnery distance. (7) 11. Cardinal slays abilities. (6) 12. Holiday almost calling. (8) 15. Operate New York fluid, somewhat. (5) 17. Change order back to cattle area. (9) 19. Cover-up lime mix. (9) 22. Manages police out east. (5) 24. Far away, Dale is to be fixed. (8) 25. Tough state of box, thanks. (6) 28. Tour allowed one of three. (7) 29. Spotted baked food with no hair. (7) 30. Stiff truck has identity. (5) 31. Probes glance – sin too, almost. (5,4)

1. Had a couple of Cardinals in hell. (5) 2. Thug Ian with big collar. (7) 3. Finished, put down top layer. (7) 4. Very small amount for Jupiter satellite, thanks… (4) 5. …and Latin capital with revolutionary Hector’s missus.

(10) 6. Small cornets vent pirate ship.

(7) 7. After-work money for boarding house. (7) 8. Regret street in Paris. (3) 13. Requires massages, they say.

(5) 14. Decorative Norman let a mess.

(10) 15. Southern town uncooked with a digit. (5) 16. Bolt partner, to Brazil, perhaps.

(3) 18. A party fuss. (3) 20. Flattening club in key. (7) 21. Activated lab; need changes. (7) 22. Company has piles for office equipment. (7) 23. Point radiotelephone, in pain, to be related. (7) 26. German car has zero sound (5) 27. By that fact – first part – share launch has a point. (4) 28. Rat returns to sailor. (3)

opposite – but for older audiences in particular, Brave lacks Pixar’s trademark dynamic and engaging story beats.

That’s not exactly a unique flaw given the genre, and fans will no doubt defend the movie by reminding critics that Brave is a kids movie – and in fairness, as a kids movie, it undoubtedly succeeds.

However, adults looking for a contemplative animated offering may find it a bit too predictable and heavy-handed to provide anything more than fleeting moments of entertainment.

Nonetheless, the movie still offers plenty to enjoy, particularly in the form of eye-candy for animation buffs. The hair effects alone are pretty impressive, but the richly textured Scottish countryside is a sight to behold.

It’s a robust fairytale film – one that is sure to dazzle younger viewers, while probably leaving the adults feeling a little short-changed.

1. Vermicide is a pesticide used to kill what?

2. Which country is directly east of Chile?

3. Name the most recent hit by pop group Maroon 5.

4. The two highest-grossing movies of all time were both directed by whom? Name them.

5. Going clockwise around a dartboard, which number comes after 15?

Answers at the foot of the page.

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1. Worms; 2. Argentina; 3. Payphone; 4. James Cameron (Avatar and Titanic); 5. 2.

SUDOKU

Connolly, Emma Thompson, Craig Ferguson

fter two consecutive franchise sequels (Toy Story 3 and the underwhelming Cars 2), it’s a relief to see Pixar get back to their strengths with an original new story in Brave.

It’s also a series of firsts for the studio; it’s their first historical setting, their first fairytale film, and their first movie with a female lead. Unfortunately, anyone hoping for another of Pixar’s more ‘mature’ films like Up and Wall-E will be sorely disappointed – by comparison, Brave is a much less ambitious film, with the core storyline relying heavily on a lot of familiar fairytale tropes and ‘be yourself’ plot threads .

That’s not to say the story is particularly bad or the characters are not engaging – quite the

SFC Jungceylon Phuket (Patong)

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

93 minutes Rating: G Director: Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Julie Walters, Billy

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

8 PEOPLE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Eric Snyder with a friend on Kamala Beach, 1975.

The last

American boy scout Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

Snyder pictured in his office.

thephuketnews.com

A

merican-born Eric Snyder remembers the day he first arrived in Phuket. It was April 30, 1975: the day the United States lost the Vietnam War. This was merely coincidental though, and in fact the softly spoken American was never a soldier in the war. “I had knowledge of various loopholes,” he says with a wry

smile.

Although Eric is now the CEO and owner of Phuket legal consultancy law firm, Jairak Enterprises, when he first arrived on the island, straight from the hotel live music scene in Hong Kong, he was ‘Eric the bass player’ who had actually come very close to making the Philippines his home.

“I’d had enough of playing in Hong Kong hotels and the band I was playing with invited me to their hometown in the Philippines. But just as I was about to leave, it was declared under martial law, so obviously I changed my mind.”

A chance encounter with somebody recommending Phuket as a ‘dream destination’ changed all that.

“When I first arrived on the island, I was one of only about five farangs.”

As such, Eric found locating beachside accommodation incredibly difficult. This arduousness however enabled him to learn more about the Thai hospitality and culture than would have otherwise been possible.

“One of the first nights I arrived in Phuket, I went to stay in Phuket Town and experienced a black out

and I thought that was enough of that... I didn’t come to a tropical island to live in a town.”

The next morning Eric got on his motorbike and didn’t stop driving until he found Surin Beach, but unfortunately as it was the ‘70s and there weren’t any condos or hotels in the area, his search did not end as easily as that.

“I was driving through the town and people came out to stare at the farang. When I drove back through the village a man came out and waved me down.”

The man’s name was Somsak and he could speak English. Upon hearing that Eric wanted beachfront accommodation, he arranged that he could share – rent free – with his son who had just graduated from the Phuket Teacher’s College and was a teacher at the Kamala Elementary School.

One day a boy who had been helping him cook in exchange for English lessons invited him to his uncle’s house and rubber plantation in the jungle. From that day forth Eric used to go and spend two to three days at a time for a three year period living his life in what he describes as a ‘city boy on a boy scout camp holiday for the first time in his life’.

“Deep in the Kamala jungle I used to spend my time on my bike or planting a vegetable garden or fishing with a Thai-style fishing rod. They didn’t speak English, nor I Thai but that wasn’t a problem.”

Eric recounts that this was how he started learning Thai. “Gin khao were my first words. I learned through hand gestures and it turned out to be the

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PEOPLE 9

One day a boy who had been helping Snyder cook and learn English in exchange invited him to his uncle’s house and rubber plantation in the jungle.

From that day forth Eric used to go and spend two to three days at a time for a three year period living his life in what he describes as a ‘city boy on a boy scout camp holiday for the first time in his life’.

most important.”

Again Eric wasn’t asked to pay rent, but he did make himself useful in other ways.

“Whenever I came, I just used to buy food from the visiting songtaew, which in those days used to be like a travelling market. It used to sell curry paste, salt, vegetables, chicken – everything.”

He also paid for electricity mains to be connected.

“Back then showering was going down to the well and picking up water and pouring it over yourself.

“Going to the toilet was doing your business in the bushes. Every house had its own bush and it was fine... within a day or so the crabs had come along and taken care of most of the disposal.”

Over the years Eric got married, divorced, adopted a Thai boy and worked in a tour agency before attending the Sukhothai college in Bangkok where he gained his law degree – actually getting the highest rank in class – and setting up Jairak Enterprises.

Now his days dispensing legal advice and property advice are vastly different to his early Phuket days as a bare-chested, motorcycle-driving bass player. In that time Phuket, like Eric, has changed in vast amounts, but Phuket is still very much his home and a place that he wouldn’t even consider leaving.

“Why do I stay?” he asks. “The local people, they’re great. You know I get so tired of hearing foreigners say that they got cheated by this Thai or that Thai, in fact there was one incident where I chased someone out of my office for bad-talking Thai people.

“The weather is also great, in high season it’s never too hot, there’s always a nice breeze and the rainy season is cool.

“I also stay for the food,” he says. “I eat mainly vegetarian food or seafood and there’s always plenty of that. If I’m hungry at 2am there will always be somewhere nearby where I can get some noodles or something.”

There are some elements though that Eric wishes hadn’t changed since his days as a Thai boy scout in the jungle. “I wish the Phuket authorities had been stricter enforcing the building regulations. If it would have been done 20 years ago, Phuket would have stayed much more beautiful.”

Eric believes that this desire, or perhaps necessity, to house and accommodate the influx of new islanders created a whole fleet of new problems, many of which went much deeper and has created much more lasting damage than just to the landscape.

“The biggest change has been the economy. The problems with mafia goes back to this time really.

Many Patong and Phuket families sold their land in the ‘70s and ‘80s and squandered the cash, leaving their children, who are all grown up now, with nothing and nowhere to live. Most of them had no option but to get into tuk tuks, jet skis and taxis...”

Over the decades, Eric thinks that Phuketians have naturally become more materialistic and that it would be highly unlikely that a family would treat a foreigner now the same way that they treated him when he first arrived.

Despite this, rather refreshingly Eric said, “I wouldn’t want to wake up tomorrow and Phuket be the same way as it was 30 years ago.

“The infrastructure is great in Phuket, with a high standard of living and good atmosphere.”

Above: Intersection of Bangla Rd and the Patong Beach road, 1986.

Left: Rasada Centre, 1983.

Below left: Eric’s first beachfront home in Kamala, 1975.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

10 DINING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Diamond Beach Club set for Surin

D

iamond Beach Club is scheduled to open in November at the northern end of Surin Beach.

The Belgium contingency behind the new project, Diamond Projects, has substantial background in the hospitality and entertainment business abroad, including the Eden restaurant and bar in Gent.

Complimented by a comprehensive beverage and wine list and a good range of Belgium beers, the rustic Mediterranean- and Thai-influenced menu will service the 60-metre beachfront area with bar under a 375 square metre canopy.

The indoor/ outdoor restaurant with capacity for 100 seats will also feature an upstairs balcony and a large frontal terrace with seating for another 60-80.

Having received a good reaction to their Phuket villa and condominium developments, managing consultant for Diamond Beach Club, Jon Hyams, says the attention to detail and quality of the new beach club is a sure-fire recipe for success.

Preserving Phuket’s past Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.comw

Top, Phuket Tea Station on Maeluan Road in Phuket Town. Below, the famous “honey toast”, guaranteed to always hit the spot.

P

huket Tea Station on Maeluan Road in Phuket Town has been revamped and is now serving food all day long – including some of Phuket’s finest traditional fare.

At age 33, owner Irenegee Thongpinyochai is third generation Thai-Chinese, and her family’s restaurant has been open for about eight years, serving traditional Phuket breakfasts in an outdoor setting.

But three weeks ago the restaurant was re-branded as the Phuket Tea Station, expanding the menu to include all day food options inside a plush new airconditioned building.

“It’s modern, but traditional,” Irenegee says.

“We want a new generation to come and visit us and learn about historic Phuket dishes.”

Irenegee’s family also run the Keng Tin bakery, Phuket’s oldest bakery founded in 1942.

The bakery is particularly known for its Phuket snacks, and makes popular red turtle cakes in honour of the Por Tor Festival (also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival).

Phuket Tea Station stocks many of the bakery’s snacks, but also offers an extensive range of 52 different main dishes.

Included on the menu is eww

k Meinds ù

Weekly SET MENU, 2 courses with a glass of wine or soft drink @ 375 Baht After 2-course-dinner, free limoncello A bottle of Chianti, 990 Baht only

*AUTHENTIC ITALIAN, GREAT ATMOSPHERE*

thephuketnews.com

Top, eww peung, a traditional Phuket dish of sticky rice mixed with pork and small shimps; and pung piah, a type of curry puff with an egg inside.

peung, a traditional Phuket dish of sticky rice mixed with pork pieces and small shrimps. Phuket Tea Station’s version is served with chicken legs and a hard boiled egg on the side, for B125.

The restaurant also serves rice with braised pork, served with southern chilli paste (B125); and pung piah, with sweet potato or an egg inside, served with crab meat curry (B135).

Phuket Tea Station also serves Phuket sausage (B115); traditional egg sausage soup (B125) and curry and rice plus pork ball soup (B155).

“My family have been in Phuket for around 70 years, since my grandad, Gaow Chua, moved here from China. Many of these recipes have been in my family since then, with my grandad passing them down to my father, Surat,” Irenegee says.

Both men have sinced passed away, but their legacy lives on in many of the dishes, including Mr Gaow’s home-made salad dressing with cashew nut, one of Irenegee’s favourites.

But not to be overlooked is the impressive dessert menu, thought it is comprised mostly of traditional Western not Phuket dishes such as hot fudge brownie (B169) and apple strudel (B169).

The “honey toast” desserts take the top prize – large baked bread served with ice-cream, cream and other sweet toppings such as Oreo cookies and banoffee (banana and caramel sauce) – priced at B189.

Phuket Tea Station, 30/14 Maeluan Road, Phuket Town, 081 893 5251; facebook.com/PhuketTeaStation.

Open daily 7am to 5.30pm, closed Sundays.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

DINING 11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

From tree to cup COFFEE BREAK Danny Hyams editor@thephuketnews.com

Danny Hyams is an Australian coffee roaster, barista and barista trainer based in Phuket.

He runs the Garage coffee shop in Kamala, and also provides advice and sales of a range of coffee equipment and coffee beans, and imports coffees for sale and roasts his own. He can be contacted at dannyhyams@ gmail.com or 080-534-5512.

C

offee is the second most traded commodity in the world after oil.

It was way back in the 15th century that Arab traders took wild coffee from Ethiopia to Yemen. Ethiopia is the birthplace of the coffee tree, and has hundreds of varieties still growing in the wild.

Later the great colonial powers, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands and Great Britain took coffee trees and planted them in their territories all over the world, particularly in South and Central America, but also in other parts of Africa and Asia.

Coffee appears like a red, green or yellow cherry and is grown on a bush like tree.

In northern hemisphere countries the harvest is in the new year. The coffee cherries are picked by hand and then processed.

There a two main types of processing – wet and dry. Dry processing simply involves placing the harvested cherries on platforms to dry naturally in the sun.

Wet processing involves a washing process where outer layers of material encasing the coffee bean are shed during a washing and fermentation process.

Once the coffee is dry, the farmer or farming collectives supply samples to small and large buyers. The samples, typically 300 grams, can be roasted on a small roasting machine which mimics a commercial roaster. Other processes the beans undergo include de-stoning and de-caffeination.

ORGANIC BLISS Green coffee is very absorbent too, and it is very important to transport in a manner which minimises exposure to heat, humidity, external odours and pests. Green coffee can be stored for one year or even longer if kept in cool and dry conditions.

Most commercially sold coffee is roasted in a drum roasting machine. The drum made of metal rotates above hot burners. The coffee turn around inside and is “baked” by coming into contact with the hot metal drum walls and heated air which is regular and allowed to circulate inside the drum.

The roasting process takes about 15 minutes but differed from bean to bean depending on variety, density, moisture content and roast colour desired.

Coffee is then cooled and placed into bags with a one way seal to allow carbon dioxide to escape but prevent air from coming inside the bag, to ensure freshness is maintained.

Stored correctly, the roasted coffee manta stood freshness for up to three weeks.

T

hanyapura’s DiVine restaurant is hosting an Organic Food Bliss event from August 20-24. The six course dinner, made almost entirely from organic produce from organic farms around Thailand, is priced at B750++, or B1,200++ including organic wine pairing.

Diners have the chance to win a getaway to the Thanyamundra Organic Resort and Thanyapura Farm in Khao Sok, plus vouchers for Pura Organic.

For reservations contact DiVine restaurant on 076 336 000 ext. 5070 or email dining@thanyapura.com

STAY SPOILT At Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, our great selection of daily dinner buffets keeps you SPOILT for choice! Not only is the food great, but the VALUE is unbeatable: FREE FLOW Carlsberg draft beer with our Seabreeze dinner buffets, every night except Friday. KIDS EAT FREE – up to 2 children aged under 12 eat for free when the parents dine from any of our Seabreeze buffet dinners! COMPLIMENTARY soft drinks with our ‘International’ and ‘Family Fun’ buffets and your dining is accompanied by LIVE TRADITIONAL THAI MUSIC every Friday in Charm Thai.

Globetrotter International Monday, ฿625++ Buffet

Wednesday & Sunday, ฿425++

Delicious Seafood Buffet

Surf’n’Turf Buffet

Tuesday & Saturday, ฿899

++

Family Fun Buffet

Thursday, ฿899++

NEW: Thai Seafood Buffet, Fridays in Charm Thai, ฿899++

For reservations / information contact K. Pornthip: 076 370200 or pornthip_hirp@phuket.ksc.co.th 52 Thaweewong Road (Beach Road), Patong, Phuket, Tel: +66 (0) 7637 0200 www.phuket.holiday-inn.com

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

12 TRAVEL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

By George

Simon Ostheimer visits the revitalised city of George Town, Penang

A group of tourists prepare to set off on a trishaw ride of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photos by

Kiri Heald

Penang’s colonial heritage has left the city of George Town with an enviable assemblage of 100-year old shophouses, grandiose neoclassical mansions, stately banking headquarters, and ancient temples, mosques, and even a disused synagogue.

A

lternatively known as ‘the White Man’s Grave’, Prince of Wales Island, and Pearl of the Orient, Malaysia’s fourth largest isle is also its most populated – and historical.

On August 11, 1786, trader Captain Francis Light came ashore to Penang and claimed the land on behalf of the British East India Company, as a base for its business in the region.

One of his first acts was to build Fort Cornwallis – named after an 18th century Governor-General of Bengal, India – as defence against the neighbouring Sultan of Kedah, rampant piracy, and the French, with whom Britain was fighting in the Napoleonic Wars.

Originally a simple stockade made from palm trees, by 1810 it had been rebuilt as a star-shaped brick and stone garrison, with a moat nine metres wide. This was the foundation of the settlement of George Town – the capital of Penang.

Named by Captain Light after King George III, it grew to become one of Britain’s most commercially successful colonies, until Malaysia declared independence on August 31, 1957.

On July 7, 2008, the city, along with Malacca on the southwest coast of the Malaysian Peninsula (along with Singapore, they were once collectively known as the ‘Straits Settlements’) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As the report states: “The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast

Art pieces have been commissioned for the streets, such as these metal sculptures.

thephuketnews.com

Asia… This multi-cultural tangible and intangible heritage is expressed in the great variety of religious buildings of different faiths, ethnic quarters, the many languages, worship and religious festivals, dances, costumes, art and music, food, and daily life.”

While former British colonies such as Singapore and Hong Kong have destroyed much of their heritage architecture in the pursuit of development, Penang, and specifically George Town, has retained most of its.

While this can partly be attributed to the island’s gradual commercial decline – superseded in importance by the likes of the Lion City to the south – it is also greatly due to strict rent controls that were in place until 2000.

Designed to make housing affordable, they also made redevelopment an unattractive proposition for land developers. This has left the city with an enviable assemblage of 100-year old shophouses, grandiose neo-classical mansions, stately banking headquarters, and ancient temples, mosques, and even a (disused) synagogue.

Since its UNESCO listing, the state government has allocated funds for the protection and refurbishment of George Town’s most stately structures, including City Hall, and more recently, Suffolk House – perhaps the greatest example of the determination to restore the past.

The first ‘Great House of Penang’ and Malaysia’s only surviving Georgian mansion, Suffolk House was the home of Captain Light, and later served as the residence for a succession of British governors. By the 1950s it housed a Methodist Boy’s School, but a lack of upkeep meant that in 1975 it was declared unsafe and left abandoned.

In 2000, a substantial restoration effort was launched at the cost of RM5 million (B50 million), which saw the building restored to its early 19th century grandeur. Plans are already afoot to hold parties in the stately ballroom, much as they would have been done in centuries past.

With concerted government efforts, and the support of private and company donations (HSBC alone, which has had an office in George Town since 1884, contributed S$1 million – B25 million – to restore Suffolk House), the future of Penang’s past has never looked so bright.

However, preservation of historic structures is only one part of the puzzle. Just as, if not more important, is preserving the living heritage – the businesses, crafts, art and culture that together make up the wonderful tableaux that is modern day George Town.

The Penang Heritage Trust offers a wealth of resources on the island’s history, as well as informative guided tours.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

TRAVEL 13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012 Penang Eats

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s well as an abundance of heritage architecture, Penang is also rightly famed for its culinary offerings. A reflection of the state’s dynamic multicultural make-up (the only Chinese majority state in Malaysia, roughly 40 per cent of the population are Malay, and 10 per cent Indian), the cuisine is a hotchpotch of flavours and ingredients.

For authentic Chinese street food, head to the outdoor hawker centre at New Lane off Jalan McAllister, close to the landmark Komtar, where you should order the excellent durian apom manis (sweet pancake, RM2/B20 for five pieces), Penang laksa (RM3/B30), chicken satays (RM10/ B100 for eight), and the chee cheong fun (RM3/ B30). Wrap up your meal with a big bowl of ais kacang topped with icecream (RM3.50/B35).

Alternatively, if you’re seeking seafood then catch a taxi or trishaw to Gurney Drive, a coastal road home to a massive shopping mall (gurneyplaza.com.my) and great restaurants. Bali Hai is among the most popular, with huge tanks from where you can select your dinner (90 Persiaran Gurney, +604 2288 272; www.balihaiseafood. com. Prices vary). Try the unique fish head claypot, cooked with preserved salted vegetables.

Alternatively, Little India, with its booming sounds of Bollywood and scent of spices, is the best place in town for banana leaf, the filling assemblage of rice, vegetables, dhal and optional meat. Sri Ananda Bahwan on Lebuh Pendang serves probably the best in town.

Lastly, for a meal befitting a heritage tour of Penang, makes reservations at George Town’s most exclusive and famed restaurant – The 1885 at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (10 Lebuh Farquhar, +604 222 2000; www.e-o-hotel.com).

While one of the more expensive meals in town, the elegant surroundings and seafront location make this the perfect place to raise a toast to George Town’s British founder Captain Francis Light.

Food is just as important as architecture in Penang’s preservation of its heritage. Above, a curry puff seller with his wares.

No one is doing more to celebrate this rich mix than the folks behind the annual George Town Festival (GTF), a month-long celebration of art, music, theatre, dance opera and film that commemorates George Town’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage listing on 7 July, 2008.

Held each year since 2009, the unique appeal of the festival lies in its well-balanced blend of local cultural performance and events with cutting edge international performances.

According to the organisers, “For centuries, Penang was renowned as an international commercial gateway. GTF was created to put George Town and Penang back on the world stage as an international boutique destination for art and culture.”

One of the highlights of the 2012 edition was launch show ‘Silat – Our Heritage for the World’, a spectacular performance held within the walls of Fort Cornwallis itself, which was commissioned especially for the gala opening of GTF 2012, and attended by the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri (governor) Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas as well as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Helmed by award-winning producer and director Saw Teong Hin, production designer Liew Kung-Yu, lighting designer Dorothy P’ng and choreographer Aida Redza, the production was a hybrid of theatrics infused with traditional music and contemporary visuals – and a hugely impressive, and successful launch for the GTF. Highlights throughout the remainder of the festival included contemporary Finnish dance piece Blinded Mind, which told the tale of the unavoidable consequences that ensue when a single individual bravely swims against the prevailing stream; The Manganiyar Seduction, a unique confluence of traditional Rajasthani music and striking contemporary theatre; and Mirrors George Town, a street art project created by international artist Ernest Zacharevic especially for the GTF. The project consists of 6 to 12 large-scale wall paintings strategically placed within the core heritage zone of George Town.

On July 15, the closing of the festival was marked by Tropfest 2012, officiated by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Held in Penang Botanical Gardens, it was part of the world’s largest short film festival, with other locations in New Zealand, Australia, the US, UAE, and India. Next year should see it expand to become Tropfest Southeast Asia.

Seen in tandem with a slew of regeneration projects, and the numerous heritage hotels, art galleries, bars and restaurants, the GTF is representative of Penang’s opening up to the world. Put together with other homegrown events, such as the Little Penang Street Market (littlepenang.com.my), an arts and crafts fair held on the last Sunday of the month, it’s helping to project the island’s multicultural and historic heritage to the world – it’s ensuring George Town’s rich, historic past has a role to play in its future.

Essential Information Getting there

Where to stay

Malaysian airline Firefly flies direct from Phuket to Penang, with return ticket prices costing approximately B5,900. From Penang airport it’s about a 30 minute car journey to George Town, which should cost around RM30 (B300) in a pre-paid airport white taxi. With joint hubs in Penang and Subang, Kuala Lumpur, Firefly also offer direct flights to a host of Malaysian destinations, including Kuantan, Langkawi, Malacca, and Kuala Lumpur, as well as Singapore and Indonesia, For more information on flights, routes and special promotions, visit fireflyz.com.my

For a taste of old George Town, look no further than the historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel (known ubiquitously as the E&O). Founded in 1885 by the Armenian Sarkies brothers, who also built the The Raffles in Singapore and The Strand in Rangoon, for well over a century, this remarkable hotel has stood as a testament to the grand elegance of the British colonial era, its name synonymous with the island of Penang. For a more contemporary and beach-side stay, check into the E&O’s sister property, the Lone Pine, which is tucked in an idyllic spot along the north shore. eohotels.com

Tourist information Before you embark on a walkabout of George Town, stop by the Penang Heritage Trust (26 Lebuh Gereja; +604 264 2631; www. pht.org.my) to pick up maps and brochures, alternatively arrange a guided tour with them ahead of time. The Penang Global Tourism office on Beach Road is a great source of information on the island at large, with free maps, and information on their ‘Last Day of the Month’ happenings, which include fun and free activities such as a guided walk in the Penang Botanic Gardens.

Open Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm. visitpenang.gov.my

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THE PHUKET NEWS

14 ISLAND SCENE Jay Leshark and Tom Saharut Somsanuk.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012 Jason, Mot, Michelle and Tim.

John Underwood of the Underwood Factory and Joanne Baylis.

Riz, Panisa and Kay.

Panatta “Mam” Bunthanom and her mother Sommai.

INSIDE THE SHARK TANK Phuket DJs and local personalities Jay Leshark and Tom Saharut Somsanuk rocked the Underwood Factory on the bypass road with their impressive live radio show “SharkTank” on Saturday night (August 11). The show, dubbed “the greatest radio show never to be on the radio”, included comedy, music and dancing on the tables.

Charles Pulaski rocks the house

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Underwood staff Moo, Pek and Knot.

Jennifer, Vicki, Wendy and Gary.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

ISLAND SCENE 15

Duncan Webb, Yupaporn Kaewsawee, Chawalit Ratanachinakorn, Emily Gerrard, Brian Woulfe and Bobbie SN.

AN ENCHANTED NIGHT Photos by

Ao Fotograph

A magical evening was had by all at the “Woulfe Enchanted Forest” at Cherngtalay (also known during daytime as the Designed by Woulfe Studio). Chawalit “Lek” Ratanachinakorn and Brian Woulfe invited everyone to join in their Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs themed party on Sunday (August 12). Special mention goes to Emily Gerrard and her team from TLI for sponsoring and creating the enchanted forests.

Siobhan McGovern and Pongsapak JJ Upatising.

Guests in the grand palace.

Laurent Ross, Brian Woulfe and Clay David.

Tia Bonow, centre, as Snow White’s maid, with a palace guard and a forest creature.

Thibault Spithakis, Marine Lucchini, Roland Bleszynski, Daojai Tanommuang and Emanuel Skinner.

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16 ISLAND SCENE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

IMPROVING THE ISLAND’S BLOOD BANK Thirty eight generous people donated blood at the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Phuket donation event at Phuket Immigration on August

9. The organisation are always looking for people to donate blood, for more information visit www.blooddonationthai.com/region/phuket

FINE DINING AT THE WESTIN La Chaine de Rotisseurs’s Phuket branch enjoyed a great night out at the Westin Sirey Bay Resort on Friday (August 10). La Chaine de Rotisseurs is an international organisation that brings together people, both professional and amateur, who love food and wine.

Saxophonist Amorn serenades the Niyomadul family. From left are Pakorn Niyomadul, Prakob Niyomadul, Piyawan Niyomadul, Paponphat Niyomadul, Napat Nonnakij, and Pradtakarn Niyomadul, with his wife Pathida and son Pantapat.

GRAND OPENING More than 100 tourism industry representatives and businesspeople attended the grand opening of the Kalima Resort & Spa, on the hillside above Kalim Beach on Friday (August 10). The resort is owned by the Niyomadul family.

Tor, Wat and Pao enjoy themselves at the event.

The Somnam family, owners of the KEE Resort and Spa in Patong. From left, Surasak, Tanapong, Supa and Samornpun Somnam.

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From left, Wara Pakdeevirot, Hans Peter Blumer, Elena Volkova, Joyotee Smith, Thomas Brack, Peter Smith, Gulu Lalvani, David Lamb, Tina Marinis, Dan Fitzgerald and John Frangos.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT 17

THE TICKET

Mongkeying around with Claire Connell

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fter moving to Phuket in 2006, DJ D[r]eadmongey, also known as Jichet “Mong” Lorprasertchai has become a well-known DJ across the island.

He’s involved in business with his brother, but also works every Friday evening at Movenpick Karon’s Sand Bar, as well as many private gigs and other events such as Ghetto Childs in Phuket Town.

His name “Dreadmongey” is a combination of his monkey Chinese zodiac sign, his nickname Mong, his love for metal music (the dead part) and his impressive hair.

Mong is known for his trademark dreads, which he has had for 10 years, including one particularly long one which hangs past his knee.

The 32-year-old was born in Bangkok but moved to Phuket aged six. He returned to Bangkok at age 24 to sit a university exam, and while there he went to visit his cousin who owned a CD

shop. He loved music so he put his studies on hold and began working at the shop.

“Before that I was really into hard core metal music, I wasn’t into anything else.

But now I’m into everything, jazz, boy bands, pop etc. It really opened my mind.”

One day his cousin purchased some electronic deejaying equipment, and Mong began practising every day for several hours. He would arrive early for work and spent time in the shop perfecting the craft.

Customers would frequently see him jamming in the shop and ask if he was a DJ, and from there he would pick up gigs.

When he moved back to Phuket in 2006 he got involved with South Soul Records recording company on the island, and joined the Phuket House Mafia, a group of three main DJs and their friends who perform gigs around the island.

editor1@thephuketnews.com

DJ D[r]eadmongey with his trademark hair, left, and right, getting into the groove.

“I’m not a technical DJ. Some DJs can be working every second and using lots of effects, but I choose the lineup, and look at the crowd to see how they are feeling.

“I’m more focussed on the audience, I try to read

the crowd. [I ask myself ] based on their dress sense and style, what would they like?

It doesn’t work 100 per cent, but I’m pretty experienced at it now.”

Much of his inspiration comes from American DJ and

producer Justin Martin, who Mong says creates a really unusual style by mixing pop and house music.

“I don’t like soul vocals in house music, I like pop singing. I think it’s easier to dance to. The sounds of my

sets are very similar to his.

Not exactly the same, but I really like his style.”

In his spare time, Mong enjoys cycling up and over the infamous Patong Hill on his pushbike.

He regularly cycles around 30km five or so times a week, and has recruited a bunch of mates he cycles with. He’s getting into mountain biking also, and says his next goal is the Big Buddha Hill in Chalong.

In addition to his fitness regime, Mong also teaches younger people how to deejay and says his best advice for them is to create their own style.

“I tell them not to do exactly what I do. Do things your own way, as long as it sounds good. Try to find a signature style, so people can identify with it.”

For more information visit myspace.com/dread m o nge y o r e m a il d e a d mongey@yahoo.co.th

Fifty shades of success Sado-masochistic romance now a worldwide hit Agence France-Presse

IT’S A LITERARY PHEnomenon: with nearly 40 million copies sold, Fifty Shades of Grey, an erotic romance spiced up with sadomasochism is well on its way to breaking all the records.

What sets the book apart is that it is written for women by a woman – British author EL James, a previously unknown TV executive.

“Never before has a book aimed at an adult audience sold so many copies so quickly,” the book’s British publisher Random House says.

Only the seven-volume Harry Potter series can rival that sort of success – although

the subject matter is vastly different, of course.

EL James – a 48-year-old mother of two whose real name is Erika Leonard – has invented a new genre dubbed “mommy porn”, a hybrid of cheesy romance and erotic

fiction.

Her hero Christian Grey is a mysterious millionaire, with “nothing to envy of Michelangelo’s David”, who has a steamy entanglement with Anastasia Steele.

Shortly after their first encounter, there is the first mention of a spanking and there are liberal doses of whips and handcuffs for sado-masochistic routines.

The trilogy runs to 1,500 pages and takes the reader on a discovery of millionaire Grey’s tormented soul – with plenty of sex and dark, bondage-driven scenes thrown in.

James, who says she was inspired by the teenage vampire film Twilight, started by

publishing extracts on a fansite for the American teenagers’ series before releasing an ebook in May 2011.

It was an instant hit, with hundreds of thousands of downloads.

Since its release in paper form it has been a huge hit – 31 million copies have been sold in English, and 20 million copies in the United States where some bookshops initially refused to sell it because of its racy content.

A total of 43 countries have bought up the rights, the author’s agent Valerie Hoskins told AFP. Five million copies have already been translated into languages other than English.

DreamWorks plans $3.2bn China tourist attraction Agence France-Presse

DREAMWORKS ANIMAtion said it plans to build a $3.2 billion “entertainment zone” in Shanghai, as the US film giant seeks to bolster its presence in the booming Chinese market.

The studio’s newly-formed China joint venture, Oriental DreamWorks, is set to open the

tourism attraction in 2016, the creator of megahits like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda said in a statement.

The project – called the Dream Center – will comprise entertainment facilities, animation exhibitions and commercial developments including hotels and shopping areas in Shanghai’s Xuhui

district, it said.

The announcement comes after US entertainment giant Disney last year broke ground on a planned $3.7 billion theme park in Shanghai, scheduled to open in 2015.

Howeve r, one of t he DreamWorks’ Chinese partners denied being in competition with Disney, describing the

project not as a theme park, but as an “entertainment zone”.

“It’s different from any other large cultural project in China, including Disneyland,” Li Ruigang, chairman of China Media Capital said.

DreamWorks in February announced plans for a $330 million joint venture company with three Chinese partners.

WEEKDAYS Breakfast

Sam & Natasha

7am-11am

The Power Hour with Live 89.5 Radenska Natural Water

11am-12pm

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Steve Johnston

12pm-3pm

Drive

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7pm-7am

SATURDAYS Weekend Brunch

Jay Le Shark

10am - 1pm

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1pm - 2pm

Saturday Sport

Sam Clarke

2pm - 5pm

Going Green

Nick Anthony

5pm – 7pm

Saturday Night Fever

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SUNDAYS Weekend Brunch

Jay Le Shark

10am – 1pm

The Spin

Tim Newton

1pm - 4pm

Jason Wilder

4pm - 7pm

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Lazy Sunday Afternoon Phuket News Radio (repeat) Sunday Night Chill

www.phuketliveradio.com Tel: 076-612-895, 090-490-7895

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EVENTS

THE PHUKET NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php Get your wine list into shape and win a trip to Italy...

Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is a first-of-its-kind competition in the Kingdom of Thailand, aiming to recognize the efforts and expertise amongst the hotels, resorts, restaurants cafes and wine bars in the development of wine lists and wine culture in Thailand.

Registrations open July 1st, 2012 and can be done online at

www.winelistoftheyearthailand.com

Get list isinto shape andby:win a trip to Italy...

The Wine List of the Year your Thailandwine 2012 Awards generously sponsored Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is a first-of-its-kind competition in the Kingdom of Thailand, aiming to recognize the efforts and expertise amongst the hotels, resorts, restaurants cafes and wine bars in the development of wine lists and wine culture in Thailand.

Registrations open July 1st, 2012 and can be done online at

www.winelistoftheyearthailand.com

The Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is generously sponsored by:

AUGUST 24-26 Phuket Seafood Fiesta 2012

AUGUST 23

AUG 31 - SEP 6

Laguna Phuket’s Summer Family Festival runs until August 25. Canal Shopping Village is transformed into a carnival playground, with a Beer Tent for parents to socialise and relax while their youngsters enjoy the Kidzsole Flying Trapeze, bouncy castle, trampoline and games in the Kidz Lounge.

Festival attractions during the two months include art classes with an Artistin-Residence, free Zumba fitness sessions twice a week in Canal Village, entertainment by a strolling troupe of international performers from the famous Palazzo dinner theatre, and theme parties.

The Beer Tent offers a feast of televised big screen summer sporting events with coverage London Olympic Games, F1 grand prix races and AFL games, as well as a variety of entertainment, weekly quiz night and happy hour drinks.

And a popular return attraction for the youngsters at this year’s festival will be the Kidz Fun Zone, serving up daily afternoons of sports skills, cooking lessons, adventure and educational activities, golf excursions and outings to local amusement parks, for just B200 per session.

For more information, a schedule of events and details on promotions, please visit http://www.lagunaphuket.com/events/ family-festival.

AUGUST 24

SEEK Inaugural Conference and AMCHAM Forum The event is a joint cooperation between the AMCHAM Greater Phuket Chapter and SEEK. Find out how green sustainable programs ranging from recycling, energy and water savings and more can help the island. Whether you work in a hotel, tourism industry, and property development or run a business here, this practical seminar by leading experts from the hospitality sector is set to help you take the first step towards contributing something back to Phuket.

On Friday August 24 at Holiday Inn Patong. Registration starts at 4pm with the session running from 4.30-6pm. Networking drinks will follow. AMCHAM attendance is open to the public for B100 and includes drinks.

To register for the event, please visit the website www.amchamthailand.com or contact Sheree Tanpensuk by email sheree@amchamthailand.com or call 02 254 1041ext 212.

Proudly organised by the Rawai Beach Fishing Club, (RBFC) Phuket, Thailand.

57 hours of non - Stop fishing!

Huge media coverage!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

UNTIL AUGUST 25

Summer Family Festival

Offshore The Similan Islands

19th - 21st February 2013

OCTOBER 13 Wine List of The Year 2012

California Surfing -Opening reception August 18 at 7pm Original art work by international artist Bueno Gomez. The Spaniard continues his run in Asia. Gomez has been living in Los Angeles since 1988. He has become a well -known and celebrated artist, with a passion for love of the underground, graffiti and protest.

His work has been displayed in galleries in Los Angeles, New York and Spain.

Contact Mom Tri’s VR Gallery in Kata Noi, 076 333 568, www.momtriphuket.com.

Forrest Winery Tasting Dinner

SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

One of the main symbols of Phuket will play an important role as the main selling point to encourage more tourists to visit Phuket during the green season. It is a good chance for all diners to join many activities in a relaxed environment in the exquisite Phuket environment, at the Port Arena Jungceylon Phuket. Activities include bartender competition, cooking competition, towel folding competition, special promotion seafood and seafood selling. For more information contact Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office 076 211 036, 076 212 213. E-mail: tatphuket@tat.or.th.

Phuket: An elegant four course wine dinner will featuring four top wines. Dr. John Forrest, founder and owner of Forrest Winery will be in attendance to describe the wines. The evening commences at 7pm with a tasting of the Sauvignon Blanc “Heart of Stone 2010” along with some delicious canapes. B2,000++ per person.

Contact Boathouse House Wine & Grill, Kata Beach, email : pr@boathousephuket. com.

WAHOO THAILAND 2013

Visit www.eventsthailand.net/en/events/winelistoftheyear2012.php or contact us by email at jorge@eventsthailand.net or by phone at +66 (0)89 725 6994.

Get your wine list into shape and win a trip to Italy. Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is a first of its kind competition in the Kingdom of Thailand, aiming to recognize the efforts and expertise amongst the hotels, resorts, restaurants cafes and wine bars in the development of wine lists and wine culture in Thailand. Registrations open July 1, 2012 and can be done online at www.winelistoftheyearthailand. com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit www.eventsthailand.net/en/ events/winelistoftheyear2012.php or contact us by email at jorge@eventsthailand. net or by phone at 089 725 6994.

AUGUST 18 - OCTOBER 17 New Exhibit - Gomez Bueno

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Visit www.eventsthailand.net/en/events/winelistoftheyear2012.php or contact us by email at jorge@eventsthailand.net or by phone at +66 (0)89 725 6994.

Por Tor Festival Ethnic Chinese in Phuket believe that Por Tor Kong is a God of Devil. The seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar is believed to be the period when spirits are released. The gates are opened and spirits released to wander or revisit homes.

During the festival, people bring food and nicely-decorated fruits to make offerings to Por Tor Kong to pass onto those spirits.

An essential offering for the festival is red turtle- shaped cake, large or small.

They believe that turtles symbolise longevity. The fresh market on Ranong Road under the Office of Phuket City is where residents here hold the Por Tor Hungry Ghost Festival to make merits and offerings to their ancestors. As it is organised in many communities in Phuket city, each location begins at a different date but within the seventh lunar month or around August each year.

CASH AND PRIZES TOTALING OVER APPROX. 3,000,000 BAHT ($100,000) For further details please contact Warren Crowe or Andy Bright info@rawaibeachfishingclub.com Warren tel: +66 (0) 812604291 Andy tel: +66 (0) 862739948 Website: www.rawaibeachfishingclub.com RAWAI BEACH FISHING CLUB IS AN OFFICIAL SPONSOR CLUB OF THE INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING ASSOCIATION. RBFC SUPPORTS IGFA’S STANDARDS OF GOOD SPORTMANSHIP IN RECREATIONAL FISHING

cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as “Ma Song”.

OCTOBER 23 Chulalongkorn Day A public holiday in remembrance of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1910. Thai people lay flower wreaths at his statue in Bangkok and in the provinces. Piya Maharat is the nickname for the King, meaning the beloved great king.

NOVEMBER 28

OCTOBER 15-23

Loi Krathong Festival Phuket Vegetarian Festival The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual

Loi Krathong is one of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand. The event occurs on the full-moon night of the 12th lunar month. The festival originates from Sukhothai Province.

Loy means to float and Krathong is a lotusshaped boat made from banana leaves. The festival is of Brahmin origin to honour Mae Khongkha, the Mother Goddess of the Waters. Before people float their krathong, they make a wish. It is believed that the krathongs carry away sins and bad luck.

www.phuketticketmaster.com

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EVENTS 19

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Buy and sell tickets to your event at phuketticketmaster.com

ONGOING EVENTS

Summer Promotions!

Best mini golf in Phuket! Phuket Adventure Mini Golf – fun for everyone! A challenging 18 holes miniature classic championship golf course surrounded by palm trees, stones, water, bamboo and bushes. Designed and built together with Scandinavian Adventure Golf. Whether living close by or here on a fabulous holiday, this is the place for the whole family, friends and couples to enjoy at all times. Contact 076 314 345, 080 147 2468, www.phuketadventuremi nigolf.com.

FRIDAYS

SUNDAYS

.

MONDAYS

THURSDAYS AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.

EVERY DAY

Pool Competition at Expat Hotel Pool Competition at 9pm. Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com.

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Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Every first and third Friday a month, allyou-can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person. Draught beer B50.

7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.

SATURDAYS

Two Chefs Surf Night Come Hear the Loving Words of Jesus At The Seed Church in Cherngtalay. Enjoy a great fellowship, practical preaching, contemporary music and free snacks in one of the fastest growing churches in Thailand! English services every Sunday at 2pm in Cherngtalay. Visit our website for directions or call for more information. See www.seedchurchthailand.com. Call 098 764 5353, 084 056 7027, 081 891 2503.

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At Two Chefs Kata Beach. Every Monday from 6pm-12am. You can enjoy our big BBQ Buffet with Blackened red snapper, beef burgers, Chicken Fajitas, Tacos, Chimi-Churri marinated chicken, desserts from our bakery and much more. One member from our house band will sing pleasant music during the night. Only B495. See www.twochefs.com, 076 284 155, kata@ twochefs.com.

TUESDAYS

Pool Competition at Expat Guesthouse Two Chefs Saturday Brunch At Two Chefs Kata Centre. Every Saturday 12pm-3pm, you can enjoy a big delicious buffet with a touch of Scandinavia, and listen to our live music. For example: Our home-smoked salmon, smoked prawns, Swedish meatballs, roasted porkloin, home-made bread, delicious desserts and much more.

B395 or B695 include free flow of Chang draught, wine, Sangria. See www. twochefs.com, 076 330 065, katacenter@ twochefs.com.

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Pool Competition Every Tuesday 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong. See map at www.expatguesthouse.com.

L a z y Sund ay Ja z z M or ning at Paresa

Sunday Roast Pork

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

Sunday Roast Pork or Beef Dinner every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. B290 per person. See www. expathotel.com.

Sea Breeze has joined forces with The Burger Bar and Beach Club to bring you not only superb Thai cuisine in a beach front setting but also an excellent range of gourmet 100% Australian beef burgers.

To celebrate we are offering up to two free kids meals with any two full paying adults.

Look for the voucher inside this paper.

Live sport every day including our 100” HD screen. Ask about our new Pool Club, plus kids and adults parties planned and catered for. Contact 076 270 399, info@ seabreezesurin.com, www.thebestbeach club.com.

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WEDNESDAYS

Kick back and enjoy a lazy Sunday breakfast at Paresa with jazz music, free flow sparkling wine and stunning selection of breakfast dishes. Spend the rest of the day at Paresa’s Infinity Pool or Beach Club.

B600++ per person. Every Sunday 9am to noon. Call 076 302 000.

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Surin Beach Just Got Better

Traditional Home Cooked Food

Two Chefs Tex Mex Night At Two Chefs Karon 6pm-1am. Every Wednesday you can enjoy Phuket’s best Mexican food. Chili con carne, Mexican rice, Mexican springrolls, nachos, pork fillet skewers, salmon quesadillas, grilled corn cob, desserts from our bakery and much more. Our house band will be here to play live music. B495 or B795 include free flow Chang draught and Sangria. See www. twochefs.com, call 076 286 479, karon@ twochefs.com.

Traditional home cooked food, also special club membership for expats entitling members to discounts on food and drink. Ask Jamie for details. All NRL and AFL games shown live on big screen. Sugar Reef opposite Tescos Cherngtalay.

daily event updates on

thephuketnews.com

20 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

JOBS

Attention all animal lovers Are you looking to adopt a cute dog? > 23

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

Class Act Media is Phuket's leading media company - publishing The Phuket News , Phuket's leading weekly English Newspaper and broadcasting Live 89.5 – Phuket's premier English radio station. Class Act Media also has other publications and a host of other products in Phuket and Samui.

Due to recent expansions we are seeking the following position

Sales Manager Thai or Foreigner (Located in Phuket) Responsibilities : - Managing the sales team (including responsibility for recruitment of new sales staff when needed) - Weekly & monthly sales budget meetings and reporting - Developing and following up new sales leads - Reaching own personal sales targets and responsibility for reaching team targets We offer: - Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses - Friendly work environment - Social security (10%) paid by the company - Excellent career progress opportunity ***The company may offer accommodation plus local transportation costs to successful candidates.***

Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume in English indicating qualifications, experience, expected salary with recent photo via email to adminmgr@the phuketnews.com

Class Act Media is Phuket's leading media company - publishing The Phuket News, Phuket's leading weekly English Newspaper and broadcasting Live 89.5 – Phuket's premier English radio station. Class Act Media also has other publications and a host of other products in Phuket and Samui.

Due to recent expansions we are seeking the following position

Sales Representatives Qualifications: - Thai or Expat.

- Excellent communication and negotiation skills in Thai and English.

- Highly motivated self-starter with a positive attitude.

- Works well under pressure and has a will to succeed.

We offer:  Competitive

salary, bonuses and travel expenses.  A friendly work environment.  Social security paid by the company.  Excellent career progress opportunities.

Please email full resume in English indicating expected salary with recent photo to

Please email full resume in English indicating expected salary with recent photo to

adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or call 076 612 550-2 for more info.

adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or call 076 612 550-2 for more info.

Chef de Partie Needed: Phuket Adventure Mini Golf is currently looking for a Chef de partie. Salary B12,000-B17,000. Minimum two years experience required. Email: manager@ phuketadventureminigolf. com.

Receptionist wanted Rawai Area: English speaking helpful, outgoing personality. Well groomed, height /weight in proportion. Thai or Indo/Filipina/ Burma. Join our dynamic team, send your CV with recent photo and references. info@katagardens.net.

Construction consultant: Looking for construction consultant overlooking renovation of a large proper ty, weekly visits and reports.

Please send resume and expected salary to info@ phuketlp.com.

Sales Person Wanted: Salesperson work at Aopo Grand Marina must have computer skills. Call 088 765 1832 HR. Urgently.

essential. Take care of the house and family. One new born baby and 1.5 year old boy to help with. Private room, insurance, long term contract - one month trial.

Please contact 087 980 7570.

Sales & Marketing Manager: Condominium Project Sales & Marketing Good command of English.

At least one year’s experience required. Must be an enthusiastic and self-motivated professional. Email: sales.admin2@ap.jll.com.

Office Administrator Wanted: For general office duties, book keeping and some visa application processing. Two positions available for shared duties. Please contact 086 272 3320.

Wanted Admin Assistant Part Time: One or two days plus one evening per week to start.

Must be fluent in English and Thai. For details call Larry on 081 487 4812 or e-mail: lamsden@phuket. ksc.co.th.

Assistant to Car Hire Company: Thai male to help with daily routine work. Driving license and English skills are required.

Fixed salary B15,000 plus social security. Send resume with recent photo to info@phuketdrive.com.

Kindergarten Teacher: Female caucasian native English speaking teacher with experience to teach class of 10-12 children ages 2-6, Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm, Chalong. Please contact 080 624 7060. www.budsphuket.com, email buds. span@yahoo.com.

Sales And Marketing: Executive: Thai, self motivated, fluent in speaking and writing English, driving license, preferably experience in ad sales or property field, competitive salary plus commission. See Exotiq Property. Please call 076 527 568.

male 25- 45 years, good

Wanted Seller: Wanted communication and negoseller. Women, Thai nationality, good English, good looking, friendly, tidy. Six days a week, 3pm to 7pm, B300 per day plus comissons. Contact 083 6 49 6169.

tiation skills in English. Main task to take care of hotel and tour agency agreements. Basic salary, comission and travel expenses.

Email salesex@phuket adventureminigolf.com

O p erator Wanted: Pizza Maker / Cook: Looking for a Thai national with good English communication skills. Experience in operator or reception work is preferred. Send CV to jobs@hoteltravel.com or call 076 282 808.

Pharmacist: position as licensed pharmacist in Rawai, Phuket available valid license required; English language skills a plus competitive salary++; accommodation available, contact us now: 076 344 531.

N a n n y / M a i d L i tel. Looking for Thai nav e in Wanted: Only Thai tionality, self-motivated and nationality, basic English

housekeeping is advantage, please contact Khun Manuela 083 392 8462.

Sales Agent: Male/fe-

Staff for Housekeeping: Housekeeper for ho-

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

organised, familiar with

Pizza Maker/Cook - Full time. Only Thai applicants! w w w. p h u ke t a d v e n t u r e minigolf.com

Office Staff Wanted: Female, English-speaking staff to work in nice environment with outgoing personality and basic book keeping skills. Please call K. Nam 076 272 702. Island Curtains.

Restaurant Manager Wanted: Restaurant manager wanted for new Patong bakery, must have computer knowledge, stock ordering and hiring plus training of staff. Excellent conditions plus pay forward. Send CV to: bazens ir@gmail.com.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS 21

List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

JOBS IN PHUKET

Senior Teacher of English: Phuket Has Been G ood To Us re quires a Senior Teacher for the English Education programme. Leading a small, dynamic team of ESL teachers in two Thai schools in Phuket.

You will be an experienced educator with strong leadership and ESL skills. Experience in the Thai educational system and the ability to communicate in Thai is advantageous. Salary B65,000 - B70,000 per month. Full position description at www.phukethasbeengoodtous. org. Please submit a one page letter of application, CV and a recent photograph by August 31 to info@ phukethasbeengoodtous.org.

B12,000-B17,000. Minimum two years experience required. Email: manager@ phuketadventureminigolf. com.

member with the ability to manage multiple tasks.

English essential rogerg@ seamarineservices.com.

Sales Person Wanted:

Sales Staff Wanted: Khun Nam: 076 272 702.

English-speaking female.

Thai with previous selling experience with own car, outgoing personality with ability to sell to farangs, flexible hours. Retainer, fuel, phone and commission. Call

Salesperson work at Electrical Marine (Ao Po Grand Marina Branch). Must have computer skills and English conversation. Call 088 765 1832 HR. Urgent.

Island Curtains.

Office/Admin Manager: Boat service com-

Chef de Partie Need- pany in Yacht Haven Marina ed: Phuket Adventure Mini for secretarial, accounting Golf is currently looking for a Chef de partie. Salary

and administration. Accurate and organised team

Real- Estate Staf f Wanted: Looking for

full time Thai staff, fluent spoken/written English and real estate business ex p e r i e n c e r e q u i r e d.

Please send an e-mail with a photo to info@ molokophuket.com.

Office/Administration for Irish pub @ Jugnceylon: Female /Thai , fluent in speaking and writing English, good computer skills. Accounting and administration skills required. Preferably experience at least two years. Email: tommakornc@gmail.com or call 076 366 085.

K. Nam 076 272 702. Island Curtains.

Re st aur ant St af f Va c a n c i e s: H o g ’s Breath Cafe requires experienced waitresses, bartenders, kitchen staff.

Spoken English needed.

Good salar y and work place. Internal book keeper also needed. Call Khun Yong 084 625 8259.

Office Staff Wanted: Female, English-speaking staff to work in nice environment with outgoing personality and basic book keeping skills. Please call

Customer Ser vice Wanted: Customer service for frozen yoghur t shops/Patong, good English, shop experience, good salary, bonus and career prospects. CVs gkonstan tinidismail@facebook.com, call 088 225 4742.

Free Security Training Course: Free security training course open to all Thai nationals over the age of 24. You must have a basic command of English and be physically fit. Please email info@securitysafe stop.com for details. 076 620 010.

thephuketnews.com

22 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

BUY&SELL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Half-price Jacuzzi shower

Safeway, Thalang > 23

CHILDCARE Buds Nursery: Phuket’s

CRV ‘07 2.4 Auto Excellent Condition: Fe-

BOATS & YACHTS

BUSINESSES FOR SALE G u e st hou se Bac kpacker Hostel: Strong

Custom build Speedboat: 49 foot fiberglass Speedboat. build 2011,3 Honda Engines a 225 Hp, custom build for diving and day trips, international survey, excellent condition, side entry and exit, seats for 35 people, sundeck, bathroom, big cooler, two outside showers, places for 50 scuba tanks, VHF Radio, storeroom, lighting for night diving, good for business best design on the island. Call 084 188 4544, email: michahildner@hot mail.com.

bookings and online ratings, 41 beds in 18 guest rooms (Five with jacuzzis) three retail shops paying 50 percent building rent, two staff rooms, office, in-house laundry, tour counter, #19 tripadvisor. 087 173 1773.

Charter Fishing Business: Owner is changing busin e s s di sc ip line s an d wants to exit the charter fishing business. For sale ‘02 Bertram 510 Flybridge and ‘91 Tairia sport fishing yacht. Plus website and all past customers. www.phuketfishboat.com, email martin@phuketfishboat. com.

Cement Production Plant: Ready mixed conFi shi n g Ya c h t f o r S a l e: F o r s a l e 19 9 1 Tairia sport fishing yacht USD275,000. Please email mar tin@phuket fishboat. com.

L u x u r y Ya c h t f o r Sale: For sale 2002 Ber-

thephuketnews.com

bles, 38 seats, Thai food and Champ noodle soup restaurant, low rental, already with farang and Thai customers.

Call 086 940 4801.

Business For Sale in Phuket: Building at good

leisure club. Swimming/golf/ playcentre/gaming arcade.

Call 076 203 185, 087 882 5544. See funstar tphuket. com.

food and drinks in Phuket. Visit our shop at the Billion Plaza, opposite Tesco Lotus. Contact: 076 612 733, 076 248 900. www.phuketfood.com.

CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS

CARS FOR RENT

location in Phuket City commercial building 3 floors, Virat Hongyok Road (Night Market Road), located in the heart of Phuket city. 088 768 4782.

Car for rent: Car in good condition, short and long-term rental with first-class insurance and delivery service. Please contact 086 690 6007, email: k.niwatt@hotmail.com.

BUSINESS SERVICES

CARS FOR SALE

Suzuki/Carr y PickUp 1.6M/T: Suzuki/Carry

Pick-up 1.6 M/T 2009, FOR SALE. B300,000. 1.5 metre cover, roof carrier, side ladder and comprehensive Insurance. Contact Daragh 084 443 9863.

Blue Canyon Golf Membership for Sale: Family lifetime membership, including golf privileges B800,000.

Buyer pays transfer fee. 081 487 4812, e-mail lamsden@ phuket.ksc.co.th.

Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park

on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@tile-asia.com.

Indo Construction: 40 years’ experience and more than 20 years at your service in Thailand. Main contractor: study project, architecture design and construction and management. 076 381 895.

Toyota Pick Up for Sale: Date of register : 28 October 2008 Plate No: Korkor869 Phuket Year: 2008 Color: black Engine: 3,000 CC Diesel Mileage : 124,455km Price: B690,000 (negotiable) Contact Mr. Lee 081 803 7189.

Natural Mountain Stone: Original from ancient time. Shaped by expert craftsman. Unique with its texture and colors. Harmony with traditional and contemporary. Commit to best and always available to our valued customers. Call +66 (08) 1719 6930. Email: info@maxxnova.com.

Restaurant Thai and Noodles: Located on Kata’s main road, busy restaurant, fully furnished kitchen, 10 ta-

CHILDREN’S CLUB Funstart: Family sports and

crete company’s factor y.

446.92 horse power. Output of workers in the production of 22 people per day at an average yield of about 100 Q/ Day (B1,800 per Q). Average revenue per day for about B180,000.

Manufacture of readymixed concrete. Can continue immediately. Just bought a cement truck delivery only.

Ready water source to be used for production. Address: Moo. 4, T. Maikhao, Thalang Dist. Phuket 83110.

Land Size: 20 rai 2 Ngan and 56 talang wah. Price: B130 Million. Contact: Mr. Lee, mobile: 081 803 7189.

tram 510 Flybridge luxury yacht. USD825,000. Email mar tin@phuket fishboat. com.

male owner, no accident, done 61,xxx km electric adjusting, leather seat, reverse/parking sensors. Honda Garage serviced on time, cruise control multifunction steer ing wheel, c entral locks. Price B839,000. Call 089 695 0088.

oldest bilingual international childcare facility. High-quality, time-proven schedule and curriculum. Now in brand new purpose -built school.

Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/28. Mon-Fri 8am -5pm. Bus service available from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong. Website: www. buds-phuket.com.

Farang Food Paradise: Your specialist of imported

ONLY 170,000 BAHT CASH!: October 2011, 8,000km. Proton Exora 7/8seat family car. Many options, including GPS, DVD. Price new: B940,000. Now B740,000, or on finance: B570,000 + B170,000 cash.

Call 081 788 8280. Email: maurice.phuket@gmail.com.

Club Asia Fitness:

Royal Phuket City Hotel.

Of fers Zumba /LesMills classes/ weight training/ s a u n a /s te a m /s w i m m i n g pool, all inclusive. For a free trial workout, come along and join the action. Tel 076 35 4 027, 087 275 3614. www.clubasiaphuket.com.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS 23

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php COOKING CLASS

MOBILE PHONES FOR SALE

Ghost Writer: For life story of successful business man.Gambler, playboy, world traveler now living Patong Beach. Email: pent house2102@gmail.com.

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET guaranteed results and over 10 years of experience in men and women’s health and fitness. Pre- and post-natal exercise. Nutrition and weight management. For a free consultation. Contact Sarah on 084 985 8161, email: sarah@ one2one-fitness.net.

Bon Café Phuket: A producer of premium coffee blends and powdered mixes as well as selling, maintaining, servicing and repairing all major brands. Contact 076 355 600-1.

Jacuzzi Shower Half Price Sale

Phuket Cooking Academy: Offers many cooking and baking classes in our top-class professional facilities. Come to learn how to cook with our professional chefs and discover the art of bakery, and Thai and European cuisines.

Open to all from the age of 12 years old and without any prior cooking experience. For more info visit us at: www.phuket-cookingacademy.com or call 081 821 40 64.

Include: • Blue/black temp. glass • Touch screen panel • FM radio • Telephone receiver • Back massage jets • Foot massage machine • Rain shower • Soap dispensers • Mirror 3 models B46,000-B69,000 Safeway-main Highway, Thalang (Next to Shell gas station) 081 125 1873 - 081 892 4804

Health Food : Online health food in Thailand. Good Karma, all natural healthy, natural and organic products.

Contact 082 276 1675, www. goodkarmathailand.com.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE

Buon A p p et i to: D e li market and bistro. Number one supplier of Italian Deli in Phuket. Call 076 384 273, info @buonappetito group. c o m , w w w. b u o n a p p e t i t o group.com.

Samsung SII / Galaxy Note: Samsung SII, four normal batteries, two double batteries with special back covers, two charging docks, plug in wall charger B15,000. And Samsung Galaxy Note, white B15,000.

Call 084 443 9863.

MOTORBIKE SERVICES Dynamic Tyre Balancing: Dynamically balance your motorcycle tyres for a smoother ride with DYNA BEADS! Available at West Coast Service Center Phuket, your big bike specialist on the bypass road. 085 785 4440.

We’re specialising in custom design and installation of the highest quality home automation, audio visual, home cinema, and lighting systems that complement your home and lifestyle.

Professional service certified by CEDIA. Call +66 (08) 1719 6930. Email: info@ maxxnova.com.

Personal Trainer: Ful-

MOVING & STORAGE

TV Large Screen/ Samsung II for Sale: TV large screen 70 cm old model B12,000. Samsung II mobile new, still in unopened box from Europe will unblock B15,200. Call 089 972 3861.

Backgammon: Players Wanted. Tel: 081 577 8443, email: phuketconnection@ yahoo.com

ly-qualified female personal trainer from the UK. With

ATTENTION : All Animal Lovers: Are you

CCM Complex. Please contact 076 510 111, email info@ hhlegaladvisors.com, www. hhlegaladvisors.com.

looking to adopt a cute dog?

Many homeless dogs and puppies dying to get out of the dtray dog pound in Thalang. If you'd like to adopt one or see photos, contact: gone2thedoggies@gmail.com

PET ADOPTION

POOL TABLES

Why buy a pet?: Soi Dog Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption. Fully vaccinated and sterilised.

Please contact 085 574 4258 or email cindy@soidog.org.

Phuket Pool Tables: www. phuketpooltables.com. Your number one billiard and snooker supplier in Phuket. Sales, rent and profit-sharing. All accessories and services. Call 081 823 4627.

Haris & Hawryluck - Attorneys at Law: Unit 6D

Second Hand Goods for Sale: Executive Tables and More. Contact 081 978 2725 for details. Prices are negotiable.

We Sell Boxes & Moving Supplies: At MY STORAGE Self Storage you can buy quality moving and packing supplies like individual boxes, bubble wrap, packing tapes & knives plus secure padlocks. We also help you to move and store.

Call 076 292 909.

Baby and Maternity Items for Sale: Gently used Maternity clothes and baby items including a Graco Playard, bottle sterilizers, Avent bottles, pop-up tent, Met Tai carrier. Located in Chalong. Email for photos and prices at kiriheald@ gmail.com.

PERSONAL SERVICES

Clearance Sale: Techworx clearance sale: amplifiers, speakers, network kit, printers, media players and servers. Please email daragh@techworx.asia for detail list.

Bouncy Castle for sale: Great and healthy fun for the kids. Made in Europe. Contact 081 891 8689 or email villathani@ hotmail.com.

Waterpump with Auto Sensor: Waterpump with sensor and gauge used 2 month. B4,000. Very good condition. 084 377 2526, Patong.

thephuketnews.com

24 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

PROPERTY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Apartments for sale in Surin Start price B2.5M > 25 with large pool in quiet area.

Price: B5.5 million or minimum three-month rental. Call 081 496 9070 (Eng/Swedish) or 081 719 1175 (Thai).

Discount Rentals Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Lease LUXURY VILLAS NEAR LAGUNA

Info: 089 594 4067

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Allamanda (Laguna) Residences/Phuket:

Kata Beach For Rent:

5 star apartment, stunning seaviews with all Mod Cons, pool, gym, restaurant. A must see, call James 090 864 4519. Well worth a viewing.

Furnished House for Sale/Rent in Kathu: Land size 153.85 sq metre. Fur nished, garden, swimming pool. For sale B17,000,000 or rent plus Honda civic B65,000 per month. Contact ket.phuket@ hotmail.com.

Three Bedroom Furnished for Rent: B11,000

Private Pool Villa For Rent: Three bedrooms,

per month, one bathroom, lock up garage and carport on 800 sq metre lot. Close to PIA school, golf, beach and airport. For more info email gordon_asia@hotmail.com.

three bathrooms,full furnished. Five minutes to Chalong centre, 10 minutes to Rawai Beach. Please contact Khun Poy for more detail: 089 472 9870 or 086 471 522.

Fully Furnished Homes for Rent: Fully furnished House for Rent-Kathu: Two bedrooms/two bathrooms.

Calm and clean area. Built in early 2012, first occupant. Aircon in all rooms. Floor area 120m2 + back and front yard, furnished. Call 091 034 0035.

1-3 air-con bedroom rental homes.Quiet area near Ao Yon beach,Cape Panwa.1bdr start from 9,000/m,2-3 bdr from 20,000 free wifi, Tel. 081 892 4311, http://panwagreen. weebly.com.

Big Luxury Villa: Pool,

Laguna, designed for comfort.

Has everything+spa, B32,000 lease. Call 089 594 4067.

Friday 21st (Room For Rent) Good cond i t i o n: H i g h S e as o n

B800.- per day, B18,000.per month. Low Season B500.- per day, B13,000.per month.

One condo unit, half of a deluxe twin house, fully furnished and equipped, set direct on the picturesque lagoon with balcony right over it. 3 bedrooms each with shower/ bathroom, roof terrace. Longterm rent or sale. Contact 081 737 0365, email utaipan@ yahoo.com.

Mission Heights Residence

Please contact 076 344 133, TUM 081 171 7993, BAS 080 523 5371, e-mail: friday_21st@hotmail.com.

Facebook: Friday Twenty one.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Luxury Pool Villa: La-

guna, quality furnishings spa, bar, security, BBQ. B22,000 lease. Call 089 594 4067.

Designed specially for families, the Mission Heights Residence offer very spacious 540 sqm houses, all with 12 metre long swimming pool, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, guest bungalow, maid quarter and a nice garden in a very secure, children friendly environment only couple of minutes from Phuket International Academy.

Villa for Sale at Kathu:

WRITE YOUR CLASSIFIED FREE ONLINE: 189 CHARACTERS + 1 PICTURE Headline:

Overlooking golf course.

Fully furnished. Land size 800sq metre. Living area 487sq metre. Large pool. four beds, four baths. Fully-fitted Western kitchen.

Lifetime membership. B20 million. Call 087 222 4770.

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189 CHARACTERS

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Located only 10 minutes from airport, Grand Ao Por Marina, new Tesco Shopping center, 2 golf courses, Naiyang Beach, Thanyapura Sport & Leisure Center and international school, the Mission Heights Residence is a perfect place to live for families without traffic in a very peaceful, secure and natural surrounding.

Land for sale: 6 rai beautiful hilltop land near Mission Hills golf club, was 4.2million baht per rai now drastically reduced to *B3.2 million per rai* for very quick sale. Full chanote, water/electric, office, sea/mountain views.

Call 087 978 5804(Eng), stanjsmith25@yahoo.com

THE SUNRISE OCEAN VILLAS

After a great success of the first phase, the Sunrise Ocean Villas is now starting to build the 8 other villas of "Phase2". The price of 17.9 million baht makes the project one of the most competitive on the island for being only 60m from the beach.

Each villa has a living area of over 300 sqm, has 3 spacious bedrooms, all sea views, 5 bathrooms, a 10x4m infinity pool, maid's quar ter and a covered 2-car parking. The houses are specially designed to guarantee complete privacy, with an open panoramic view of the sea.

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Online upgrades:

Website link B199

Urgent banner B199

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM

FOR JUST B1,099 GET AN ADDITIONAL 9 PICTURES

PLUS 1 ISSUE IN THE PRINT COPY OF THE PHUKET NEWS Print upgrades:

Box B199

Colour Background B199

Colour Headline B199

DEADLINE: MONDAY 11.59PM (MIDNIGHT) FOR THAT FRIDAY’S ISSUE Hand this in at agent shops, our office or fax: 076 612 553

thephuketnews.com

Luxury Private Pool Villas: Brand new Bali style three and four bed villas, one km to Nai Harn Beach. High rental guaranteed investment. Prices from B12.9 million (include full furniture pkg). Enquiries sakt27@gmail.com, call +66 (0)87 897 4421.

Kamala Two Brand New Villas: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, Western kitchen, 130 sq metre. Nice garden

The Villas currently under construction being built to highest western standard and are launched at only 13.9 million Baht for the first 3 houses. For appointment or more details contact project director, Khun Montha at 088 751 1750 or email mission_ heights@yahoo.com.

Come visit the villas and you will be wonder fully surprised by the quality of the project as well as the quality of life you can find here.

For appointment or more details, contact the project director Khun Montha at 081 343 0777 (Thai, English & German) Email: thesunrisevillas@yahoo. com.

www.thesunrisevillas.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS 25

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

Phuket Cottages

Near British International School, luxury pool-villas starting from THB 8,800,000. www.phuket-cottages.com

Call: 089-724-7211

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

Two Bed Villa 1/2 Rai B7.2m: Gated community,

Land for Sale at Loch Palm Kathu: 20 Rai overlooking golf course with concrete access road and electric. Ready for building project. Call 087 888 4770.

Pa Klok, land 832 sq metre, house 212 sq metre. Unfurnished, full aircon. two bed, two bath, big garden for pool/ extentions. 10 minutes from Heroines Monument. Priced to sell, offers. Call 081 737 0722.

6.1 Rai Land for Sale: 6.1 rai (10,000sq metre).

B2,500,000 per rai. Total price: B15,600,000. - 5 minutes to Naithon Beach. -10 minutes to Naiyang Beach.

-10 minutes to Airport. -7 minutes to New Tesco Lotus.

- Roadside land and Chanote title. Call 085 793 2718.

Beach Front Plots: Located opposite Yacht Haven Marina in a very peaceful, natural environment. Ready to build, electricity and water on site, road and boat access. 2 Rai plots each with 60 metre of ocean frontage, perfect for living as well as investment. For sale direct from owner, price only B12 million. Call 081 343 0777.

Villa Resort Style: Villa resort style six bedroom, Located in peaceful area South of Phuket, Rawai. This villa has

Land for sale near Golf Course: Near British International School, 18 Rai with public road access. Suitable for resort or housing project. Can be divided. Price B80,000,000.

Contact owner at 089 724 7211. been designed and furnished to the highest standards. Email mintra99@gmail.com.

same soi. Call 089 973 1180.

400sq metre Beautiful Land for Sale: In Soi

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28 PHUKET SPORT

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Islanders climb table after away win FOOTBALL Kazira Hans editor@thephuketnews.com

PHUKET FC ARE NOW comfortably clear of the Yamaha League 1 relegation zone after a grinding win over Chantaburi FC on Sunday (August 12).

The Mother’s Day clash saw The Islanders of Phuket travel close to the Cambodian border to take on the bottom placed Hares.

When the two sides last

met in June this year, The Islanders recorded their largest ever win, trouncing the hapless Hares 8-1. With Chantaburi having secured just two competition points all season, Phuket had every reason to feel confident.

For this game though, the home team fielded a new-look side of predominately local footballers recruited to help carry them avlong until the end of the season.

The Islanders meanwhile were in 14th place on the competition table with 23 points – just one spot clear of the relegation

zone – and were hoping to extend their run of good form under new management.

They were without several key players though, including Kornprom Charoonpongse (suspension), Marcio Santos and Thawin Butrasombat (both injured). They did, however, get to play new Korean midfielder Chun Boas for the first time.

The home side dominated early proceedings, and Phuket goalkeeper Kampol Pathomattakul being kept busy by a relentless Hares attack.

The Islanders meanwhile

struggled to find their feet in the midfield, though sniffed out an opportunity late in the half when Watcharakorn Klaithin attempted a shot from the left corner of the penalty area, sending the ball past the far post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead at the half.

The Islanders came back with more confidence in the second half and took control of the game. The home side seemed to have slowed down and gave Korean Chun Boas enough space to fire a 30-yard shot that Chantaburi’s goal-

keeper only just managed to save.

Late in the second half, it was another Korean, Byeon Seung-Won, who almost sealed Phuket’s victory when he managed a 10-yard shot, only to be stopped again by a fingertip save.

In the end though, The Islanders had done enough to scrape through. Full time: Phuket 1 – 0 Chantaburi.

The Islanders now travel to the nation’s capital tomorrow (August 18) to take on Bangkok FC. Kickoff 5pm.

Super six kicks off third season FOOTBALL

T

he third season of the Super Six football competition kicked off last week, with plenty of fast-paced action taking place on Headstart International School’s synthetic pitch.

The first match in Division 1 saw Sweet Lemon, winners of last season’s 2nd Division, pitted against Ryan Meinhart’s Shakers FC. Shakers, with their fast and physical game, gave the predominately Thai Sweet Lemon

side a tough introduction to the top flight. And despite Sweet Lemon showing off their own speed, agility and accurate short passing game, they couldn’t get past their physically larger opponents, going down 5-2 in a scoreline that probably deserved to be closer.

Next up was the local ‘el classico’ as the two top-placed teams from last season – Ristorante Rugantino and Joy Dive – went head to head.

Compared to the first match, the game was much slower as both teams looked a little sluggish and lacked cohesion.

The mainly Italian Ristorante team looked visibly frustrated as a poor passing game and off-target shooting cost last season’s champions the game, eventually going down to their Russian-led opponents 2-6.

Next, Nanai Boys went up against Division 1 newcomers PSU Alumni. After going three goals up, it looked as though Nanai Boys were going to walk all over the Division 1 freshmen. However, PSU picked up the pace in the second half and recorded a shock but deserved 6-5 comeback win.

Robin Barnes, left, goes on the attack for Shakers FC. The final game saw Morning Star came out full-throttle against The Hulk, finding themselves 2-0 up at the break.

In the second half, the skilled Hulk team piled on the pressure, but only managed to pick one goal back, making it a great win for Morning Star.

In Division 2, Puensil FC defeated Thai Nee FC 11-6 in a goal-scoring frenzy, Phuket Serenity Villas edged past Vanilla FC 4-3, Pita Bar Phuketeers beat Aladdin Fans 7-6, Babynoname played out a 4-all draw with Atmanjai, and TEFL rolled Seduction 6-1.

With the Super Six league now in its third season, organiser Karl Ward said the competition is still one of the few organised football leagues on the island, and is only getting stronger.

“I’ve been playing football

with a lot of these guys for a long time now. Getting something organised just makes it more fun,” he said.

The Super Six competition began with eight teams, and has since grown to a massive 18 teams across two leagues, with more already expressing interest in playing next season.

The growing number of teams also means there’s something for everyone across the two divisions.

“It’s definitely different. The 1st Division is quite competitive.

The 2nd Division is a little bit competitive... At the end of the day, it’s just fun.”

Matches are six-a-side with 20 minute halves. For more information or to get involved, contact karl@phuketfootball. com or visit phuketfootball.com.

The Phuket News is a sponsor of the Super Six competition.

Series 2 gets wind in the sails SAILING THE FIRST RACE OF AO Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) FCI Watermakers Racing Series 2 was held in light, testing conditions on Sunday (August 12).

The course was set from the port outer marker, around the Ao Makham safe water marker, then a long run around Coral Island before heading back to the start/ finish line.

And after a slow start in still conditions, a breeze build slowly around the back of Coral Island, with the last mile of racing allowed a spinnaker run for most yachts.

In the multihulls, Bruce Issell’s Da Vinci took line honours on her first ever ACYC Sunday race, followed

by Bob Mott’s Nina. However, Nina took handicap honours on corrected time.

Bill Sacks’ Astraeus took out the cruising monohulls, followed by Mark Horwood’s Uravai, while third place went to Kirill Stashevskiy on Agata – the first Russian to compete on his own yacht at ACYC. In the racing monohulls, Rob Assapardi’s Dreamtime had some stiff competition against herself, and comfortably came first.

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THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

WORLD SPORT

Absent Pietersen casts shadow over Test finale CRICKET

Agence France-Presse

R

arely has all the talk in the build-up to a Test been dominated by a man who will not be playing in the match.

Yet England’s dramatic decision to drop Kevin Pietersen from the third Test at Lord’s, which started yesterday (August 16), allegedly over text messages he sent to South African players during the drawn second Test at Headingley, has inevitably put the focus on their absent star batsman.

The South Africa-born shotmaker averages nearly 50 in Tests and made a superb 149 at Headingley, where he drove South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn back over his head for six.

By contrast Jonathan Bairstow, the man who has replaced Pietersen, was dropped after playing his first three Tests against the West Indies earlier this season and has an average of under 13 with a top score of 18.

Yet England have decided there are bigger issues than

the possible loss of their world number one Test ranking, which they will surrender to South Africa unless they win at Lord’s.

Bairstow struggled with the short ball against the West Indies, a fact sure to have been noted by Steyn and fellow fast bowler Morne Morkel, even if the Yorkshireman arrives at Lord’s on the back of 139 for the England Lions against Australia A. Fast-medium bowler Tim Bresnan did his best to stick up for county colleague Bairstow by suggesting England could be an improved side without Pietersen.

“It may be an even better side, it’s one of those things where a talented player is being replaced by another talented player,” Bresnan said. “So why should we miss a certain individual because he’s unavailable for selection?”

But even those closest to Bairstow might struggle to believe that – at least for the time being.

There were reports late Tuesday that Pietersen and the England hierarchy were close to resolving their differences ahead of Saturday’s squad

Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss in better times. announcement for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka next month but any ‘peace deal’ came too late for the third Test.

“I’ve always got on with Kevin,” said England captain Andrew Strauss. “That’s why this has all been a bit of a surprise to me.

“It’s about mutual respect and trust, and that is a core issue that is central to resolv-

ing this.”

Meanwhile South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis said England would be a weaker side without Pietersen.

“He’s a world-class player ... England losing him is a big loss for them.

“Any time he’s not in your side it does make a big difference.”

However, Kallis added:

“Cricket’s not a one-man sport. There are 11 guys who can take a Test match away from us.”

The match sees Strauss make his 100th Test appearance and lead his country in Tests for the 50th time.

Strauss, who eight years ago marked his debut with a century against New Zealand at Lord’s, his Middlesex home ground, would dearly love to match the achievement of Proteas skipper Graeme Smith, who marked his 100th Test with a century at the Oval to help put the tourists 1-0 up.

This match also sees Smith, like Strauss a lefthanded opener, break Australia great Allan Border’s record of 93 Tests as a captain.

The 31-year-old Smith has been captain in all but eight of his Tests and likes Lord’s almost as much as Strauss, having made a superb 259 at ‘the home of cricket’ in 2003.

Smith’s two previous tours of England have featured the resignation of the then England captain (Nasser Hussain in 2003 and Michael Vaughan in 2008) and Strauss could go the same way if England lose at Lord’s.

Djokovic in travel spin at Masters TENNIS Agence France-Presse

AT P CI NCI N NAT I Masters second seed Novak Djokovic says he has to remind himself which continent he is on as his fast-paced schedule spins swiftly with the Olympics done and the US Open near.

“If you don’t keep track of time and places where you are, it happens – sometimes you wake up and say, ‘OK, which time zone am I in right now?,’” Djokovic said.

Djokovic made the quickchange from Wimbledon

Djokovic suffers net-lag.

Olympic grass to Toronto hardcourts last week to win Canada’s Masters event.

“It’s the way it is for everybody, mostly for top players,” he said. “We are aware of the fact that Olympic Games are going to make our schedule more difficult and busier than previous years.

“That’s what happens always in the tennis schedule when you have an Olympic year coming up. We all tried to work our schedule around that.

For now, I’m feeling good.”

Djokovic was due to play his opening match on Wednesday, after The Phuket News went to print, against Italian

Andreas Seppi, with top seed Roger Federer and Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray also due to play then.

In Tuesday’s first round matches, American 10th seed Mardy Fish ousted Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 6-2, 6-3 while longtime friend and two-time tournament champion Andy Roddick lost to Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

German Tommy Haas continued his fighting return to top form by outlasting Argentine David Nalbandian 6-7 (0/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in a match lasting almost 3 ½ hours.

In women’s play, unseeded

Olympic doubles champion Venus Williams found herself in a struggle with Russian Maria Kirilenko, the 12th seed, before pulling out a 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 first-round win in nearly 2 ½ hours.

The 32-year-old American was helped by 11 aces but did not do herself any favors as she failed to serve out a straight-sets win.

US Open winner Samantha Stosur also made heavy weather of a win over Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 while Swede Johanna Larsson upset French eighth seed Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-2.

29

IN BRIEF Ribery, Benzema face trial over underage escort French international footballers Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema are to face trial for allegedly soliciting an underage prostitute, judicial sources said on Tuesday (August 14).

T he footballer s a re among eight people that investigating magistrate Andre Dando has sent for trial as well as the Zaman Cafe on Paris’ Champs Elysees where the meetings with Zahia Dehar took place.

Some of the defendants will be prosecuted for “aggravated pimping”, according to judicial papers.

Vaughters admits to doping during cycling career Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club’s triathlete Jaray Jearanai, age 31, won first place at the Boat Lagoon Mini Marathon with a time of 42.30 minutes for the 11.5 km run on July 15.

Jaray has been training with TSLC’s triathlon coach and five time European Ironman Champion Juergen Zack for the past two years, and has attended triathlon competitions around the world.

The event, organised by Phuket Andaman Pearl, saw a total of 491 runners.

McIlroy and Woods to face off in China World number one Rory McIlroy will take on 14-time Major winner Tiger Woods in the one-day Duel at Jinsha Lake matchplay contest in China in October, organisers said on Wednesday.

The duo, two of the world’s most famous golfers, will be the only competitors in the 18-hole event, which will be held at Jinsha Lake Golf Club, in Zhengzhou, capital of the central province of Henan, on October 29.

“It’s an exciting concept and it will be a lot of fun going head to head with Tiger,” McIlroy, 23, said.

thephuketnews.com

30 WORLD SPORT

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Who will be king of England?

FOOTBALL

T

h e L o n d o n 2 01 2 Olympics may have been dominating the headlines of late, but with the Premier League kicking off tomorrow, England’s top clubs have been quietly preparing for the new season.

With The Phuket News also offering up some fantastic prizes for the return of our annual tipping competition (see page 27), we take a look at some of the top contenders for this year’s premiership.

Manchester City 2011/12 Season: 1st City have a difficult task ahead – after all, how do you top a dream season? And with their eyes now firmly set on conquering Europe, defending their Premier League crown could prove a real test.

They’ve forked out a hefty chunk of cash on Jack Rodwell over the summer, but that won’t necessarily bring immediate results, with Roberto Mancini saying the former Everton midfielder still has a lot of room for

improvement.

The real firepower though is in their strikers – Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero. And Edin Dzeko isn’t exactly a bad reserve.

Manchester United 2011/12 Season: 2nd United played well last season but in the end finished without a major trophy for the first time since 2006 – made to pay for defeats home and away to their neighbours and rivals Manchester City, plus some other crucial dropped points in the run-in.

New signing Shinji Kagawa – signed from Borussia Dortmund for £17m – will certainly inject some extra creativity in an attacking midfield role, and if they can sign Robin van Persie as current speculation suggests, their front-line will only be rivaled by City’s.

Antonio Valencia, Luis Nani and Ashley You ng remain on the wings and are more than capable of chipping in with numerous goals themselves. United will always be an offensive

purchases of Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

Jack Wilshere is also expected to return after being injured all last season, giving hope that last season’s thirdplace finish in the league can be bettered – and that a seven-year trophy drought can be ended.

threat, particularly if Wayne Rooney can fire again this season.

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Arsenal 2011/12 Season: 3rd With or without captain Robin van Persie, there are many question marks hanging over Arsene Wenger’s young Gunners, who would have failed to make the top four were it not for the Dutchman’s record goal haul.

If Van Persie does go, the progress of Alex OxladeChamberlain is still reason for optimism. So are Wenger’s

Tottenham Hotspur 2011/12 Season: 4th Harry Redknapp lost his job for failing to deliver Champions League football, but there will be great interest to see what Andre Villas-Boas has learned from his traumatic tenure at Chelsea and whether he can improve on Redknapp’s two fourth-placed finishes in three seasons.

The retirement of skipper Ledley King is a blow but, in reality, he was past his prime and fans will not hope the imposing Belgian Jan Vertonghen forms a strong defensive partnership with fit-again Michael Dawson.

Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson may prove another shrewd acquisition, however the January transfer window was less than inspiring for Spurs fans this year (thirtysomethings Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen were not the additions they wanted).

Fans will no doubt be hoping chairman Daniel Levy could yet unveil a big name before the August 31 transfer deadline.

Newcastle 2011/12 Season: 5th Alan Pardew was named Manager of the Year for last season’s result. A Eu-

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ropean adventure awaits as a reward, and if Cisse fires again, expect more big things from the Magpies.

All of Newcastle’s key players remain fit and unsold for the start of the season, and Pardew will also be able to call upon defender Steven Taylor and French winger Sylvain Marveaux, both of whom missed the majority of last season through injury.

They have not spent much on getting in any new players though, while the teams above them have improved. It certainly won’t be easy to replicate last year’s efforts.

Chelsea 2011/12 Season: 6th He m ay h ave delivered the FA Cup and a coveted Champions League trophy, but new boss Roberto Di Matteo will be expected to get things moving quickly, or else risk testing owner Roman Abramovich’s patience.

He will be helped by some heavy summer spending, including £32 million on Eden Hazard, £20m on Oscar and £7m on Marko Marin.

Still, pre-season results have been anything by inspiring, and refining Chelsea’s triedand-trusted Drogba model will likely take a bit of time.

Everton 2011/12 Season: 7th David Moyes continues to get his well-drilled outfit punching above their weight and, on the back of Nikica Jelavic’s scoring prowess, expect the Toffees to again be knocking on the door of the top six.

The re-acquisition of Steven Piennar will also be helpful, and if Jelavic and Steven Naismith can gel together, the Toffees will be even more of an attacking threat than last season.

Liverpool 2011/12 Season: 8th New boss Brendan Rodgers will be aiming to get Liverpool back into the top four this season, but he could have his work cut out for him.

His purchase of Fabio Borini – who he managed at Swansea – could prove shrewd.

And if he can keep Steven Gerrard fit and get the best from Joe Cole, as well as keeping Luis Suarez out of trouble, a sleeping giant could start to come back to life. But those are some pretty big ifs.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

WORLD SPORT 31

Argentina join top table as new Championship begins RUGBY Agence France-Presse

A

new era for southern hemisphere rugby union dawns tomorrow (August 18) when Australia meet New Zealand in Sydney and South Africa face Argentina in Cape Town as The Rugby Championship kicks off.

After 16 seasons of TriNations fare dominated by the All Blacks with 10 titles, long-time outcasts Argentina are joining for a six-round mini-league competition that carries lots of prestige if no prize money.

From Dunedin in the deep south of New Zealand to Mendoza in the far west of Argentina, teams ranked one, two, three and eight in the world will slug it out between August 18 and October 6 for a 56-centimetre, five-kilogram trophy.

It is a mix of gold and stainless steel, and whoever holds it can rightfully claim to be the best national rugby union team in the world with

competition expected to be even tougher annually than at the quadrennial World Cup. While World Cup fixtures vary between easy and difficult for giants of the game, there are unlikely to be many soft Championship outings, especially once Argentina get used to the demands of six Tests within eight weeks.

Shunned for many years as they craved top-class competition, the Cape Town Test represents a coming of age for the Pumas, whose finest achievement was third place behind South Africa and England at the 2007 World Cup. “ We h a v e d o n e t h e groundwork, we have chosen the best squad, we are ready,” stressed coach Santiago Phelan, whose build-up was boosted by the presence of 2011 World Cup-winning New Zealand coach Graham Henry.

Steve Hansen succeeded Henry after the All Blacks joined Australia and South Africa as two-time world champions, and he has no doubts about the ability of

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EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

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Bulldogs v. Wests Tigers

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Test Match Day England v. South Africa, No. 2 Lords

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Essendon v. Carlton

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North Melbourne

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Adelaide

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West Bromwich v.

Liverpool

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Cricket

rugby league in Australia.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans opted for Ber rick Barnes at fly-half over not fully fit Quade Cooper while full-back Kurtley Beale could pose a serious attacking threat in a team captained by flank David Pocock.

Former All Blacks prop Richard Loe says Australia will win only one game out of six because of forward weaknesses, but he should prepare to eat humble pie with home wins over Argentina and South Africa likely at least.

South Africa, who began life under new coach Heyneke Meyer by overcoming combative England 2-0 last June with another Test drawn, are a work in progress with shortcomings at halfback and in the front row.

Fly-half Morne Steyn had a poor place-kicking series against England by his stratospheric standards, scrum-half Francois Hougaard struggled and prop Tendai Mtawarira often lacked the fire expected of someone called “The Beast”.

record is particularly impressive – few sides go there and win,” noted the All Blacks handler.

“Playing Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is only going to enhance their ability and raise their level.

It will be good for the game and they are certainly going to challenge the rest of us.”

Star fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez returns after a series of injuries kept him out of the national team since 2009 and No 8 and skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is a class act.

Richie McCaw-skippered New Zealand boast a perennial match-winner in fly-half Dan Carter and will be the team to beat as usual with many of those who edged France 8-7 in Auckland last October to conquer the world on call.

Eye surgery rules centre Conrad Smith out of the Wallaby Tests on successive Will Argentina be up to the challenge of the All Blacks?

Photo: AFP weekends, giving off-load master Sonny Bill Williams the South Americans to make that they have beaten France a chance to wear the black an impression. more times than France have jersey before heading to “People might not know beaten them. Their home rugby union in Japan and

AFL

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P W D

L

1

Sydney Swans

19

15

0

4

1950 1330

F

A

147

% Pts 60

2

Adelaide Crows

19

15

0

4

2040 1595

128

60

3

Collingwood

19

15

0

4

1900 1553

122

60

4

Hawthorn

19

14

0

5

2353 1503

157

56

5

West Coast Eagles

19

13

0

6

1969 1604

123

52

6

North Melbourne

19

12

0

7

2084 1827

114

7

Geelong Cats

19

12

0

7

1867 1654

113

8

Essendon

19

11

0

8

1902 1728

9

Fremantle

19

11

0

8

10

St Kilda

19

10

0

11

Carlton

19

10

12

Richmond

19

13

Brisbane Lions

19

Team

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W

L

D

1

Bulldogs

21

16

5

0

2

Storm

21

14

7

0

3

Rabbitohs

21

14

7

0

4

Sea Eagles

21

13

8

0

48

5

Cowboys

21

12

9

0

48

6

Sharks

21

11

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1

110

44

7

Broncos

21

11

10

1629 1500

109

44

8

Tigers

21

11

10

9

1997 1654

121

40

0

9

1746 1661

105

40

9

0

10 1889 1686

112

36

7

0

12 1577 1853

85

28

B

F

A

Pts

2

497

303

36

2

514

319

32

2

496

406

32

2

415

361

30

2

507

387

28

2

385

378

27

0

2

438

400

26

0

2

458

458

26

9

Knights

21

10

11

0

2

408

406

24

10

Raiders

21

10

11

0

2

445

488

24

11

Titans

21

9

12

0

2

387

401

22

20

12

Dragons

21

9

12

0

2

316

392

22

14

Port Adelaide

19

5

0

14 1442 1836

79

15

Western Bulldogs

19

5

0

14 1323 1899

70

20

13

Warriors

21

8

13

0

2

453

511

20

16

Melbourne

19

3

0

16 1375 2031

68

12

14

Roosters

21

7

13

1

2

388

540

19

17

Gold Coast Suns

19

2

0

17 1284 2113

61

8

15

Panthers

21

6

15

0

2

343

518

16

18

GWS Giants

19

2

0

17 1099 2399

46

8

16

Eels

21

6

15

0

2

401

583

16

RESULTS West Coast St Kilda Adelaide Gold Coast

16.6 (102) – 15.7 (97) 16.11 (107) – 12.10 (82) 17.17 (119) – 14.7 (91) 16.13 (109) – 12.7 (79)

Geelong Melbourne Fremantle GWS Giants

Sydney Carlton Hawthorn Richmond Essendon

9.16 (70) – 12.6 (78) 17.11 (113) – 10.17 (77) 24.15 (159) – 13.9 (87) 22.18 (150) – 12.8 (80) 11.10 (76) – 15.10 (100)

Collingwood Brisbane Port Adelaide W Bulldogs N Melbourne

RESULTS Knights Bulldogs Panthers Tigers

26 – 4 22 – 14 10 – 20 22 – 12

Sharks Broncos Raiders Dragons

Cowboys Eels Storm Rabbitohs

52 – 12 36 – 22 24 – 16 6 – 23

Warriors Roosters Titans Sea Eagles

Test Match Day England v. South Africa, No. 3 Lords

Sunday, August 19 521

10:00

13:00

Aussie Rules

AFL

Port Adelaide v.

West Coast Eagles

816, 107

12:00

13:50

Rugby League

NRL

Sea Eagles v. Knights

812, 101

19:30

21:30

Soccer

EPL

Wigan v. Chelsea

817, 101

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Man City v.

Southampton

29

17:00

23:00

Cricket

Test Match Day England v. South Africa, No. 4 Lords

thephuketnews.com

SPORT Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

A new era

Will Argentina be able cut it with the big boys of southern hemisphere rugby? > 31

GAME ON Can Man City retain their crown?

PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW ON PAGE 30

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