The Phuket News 17 August 2018

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

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LIFE

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Rainbow Unicorns and other modern marketing tosh The owner of the ‘Phoenix’, 26-year-old Phuket resident Woralak ‘Yui’ Rerkchaikarn (left), and her lawyer, Nipit Intarasombat meet the press in front of Phuket Provincial Police Station on Tuesday (Aug 14). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

‘PHOENIX’ TOUR BOAT OWNER TO FIGHT CHARGES, CALLS ON OFFICIALS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he owner of the stricken tour boat Phoenix, which capsized and sank in a storm off Phuket on July 5, has thrown down the gauntlet to police to force them to answer the question: ‘If the Phoenix was unsafe, why did officials approve it to be put to sea?’

The sinking of the Phoenix, which killed 47 Chinese tourists, remains Thailand’s deadliest single-vessel maritime disaster on record.

The boat owner, 26-year-old Phuket resident Woralak ‘Yui’ Rerkchaikarn, has remained in custody at Phuket Prison since the Phuket Provincial Court denied her bail days after the disaster on the charge of recklessness causing death.

The lawyer representing Ms Woralak made a public statement on Tuesday (Aug 14), vowing to fight the recklessness causing death charge in court and renouncing any testimony already given to police.

Speaking in front of Phuket Provincial Police Station, the lawyer, Nipit

Intarasombat, told the press that Ms Woralak made every effort possible to provide assistance to victims and those affected immediately after the disaster.

“She did much to help victims and relatives, and to support volunteers and support rescue teams,” he said.

Regardless, Ms Woralak has been charged with recklessness causing death, he said, adding that Phuket Provincial Court had denied her to post bail.

“We are working on an appeal to allow her to post bail, but the court

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has declined,” he explained.

“We appreciate that police are working in a clear, straight-forward manner, and that police have disagreed with filing a charge that the company used nominee shareholders,” Mr Nipit added, referring to initial allegations

by Tourist Police that TC Blue Co Ltd, which operated tours on the Phoenix, had used nominee shareholders.

“Investigators from the Tourist Police questioned her and later said that she had confessed… but every conversation has been recorded – and this is important as evidence to...

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‘Phoenix’ boat owner fights reckless charge Continued from page 1 ...present to the court and the NACC (National AntiCorruption Commission), he said.

“A letter has been sent today to Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen to inform him that anything that the owner has done to assist police with their investigations is void.

“From today, the owner of the boat will not give any testimony to investigators anymore. Any testimony from investigation will be considered inadmissible (in court),” Mr Nipit warned.

“Regarding any aspects of the boat that are deemed to not meet standards, you have to check who registered the boat.

You have to clarify who has been ‘reckless’ or caused the accident,” he added.

“We are confident that this boat is legal. On that day, it was a severe storm that was a critical factor in the accident.

“We will fight all charges in court, and please let the court decide who is guilty,” Mr Nipit said.

The announcement on Tuesday came while a con-

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Mortgage blamed as key motivation for armed bank robbery > page 4

Battered to death Stepfather beat 21-month infant with broom Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Ef for t s to rec over the ‘Phoenix’ from the seabed off Coral Island continued this week. Photo: PR Dept tracted salvage team were hopeful of recovering the Phoenix from the seabed some 1.5 nautical miles off Koh Hei (Coral Island), south of Phuket.

Late on Tuesday afternoon came confirmation that efforts to recover the boat that day were again hampered by the weather, but the salvage team would try again on Wednesday.

By Thursday morning (Aug 16), The Phuket News still had yet to confirm any reports that the boat had been recovered.

Once the boat has been refloated, it will be taken to the Rattanachai Shipyard in Rassada, where investigators will have 30 days to inspect it.

he stepfather of a 21-month-old baby who died last Thursday (Aug 9) after being repeatedly beaten with a broom handle has been charged in connection with the death.

Cherng Talay Police Chief Col Serm Kwannimit confirmed last Friday (Aug 10) that following an examination of the baby’s body, doctors found green bruises covering many areas of 21-month-old Thanawat ‘Captain’ Jan-On’s body.

Col Serm said that it is possible that 28-year-old Aphilak Anukarn became angry as he needed to take care of his own child and Captain at the same time.

Aphilak admitted to police that he started hitting Captain last Sunday afternoon (Aug 5) and this continued until last Wednesday evening (Aug 8) when he hit the baby boy even harder.

“Captain was naughty and this caused me to get angry and hit him to death,” Aphilak told police.

During a search of the house where Aphilak resides, officers found a broom handle 70 centimetres long and 1.5cm in diameter.

Officers kept the broom as evidence.

Aphilak explained to officers that he had been living with Captain’s mother, Angkana Jan-On, for about two years at a rented a house in Soi 12 in Cherng Talay.

A Thalang Police officer reacts while investigating the death of 21-month-old baby ‘Captain’.

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub They had an 8-month-old baby together and Miss Angkana was pregnant with another child, he said.

Captain had been living with them for about three months. The baby was previously cared for by his natural father.

Aphilak said that he had hit Captain with a broom because he played with his own poop.

At 3am last Thursday morning (Aug 9), Captain had a spasm and fell unconscious, so he called Miss Angkana, who was working at a convenience store at the time, Aphilak said.

Miss Angkana soon arrived at the home and they took Captain to Thalang Hospital.

Doctors did their best to help the baby, but he later died, Aphilak said.

Staff at the Emergency Room of Thalang Hospital notified Thalang Police that Captain had died at 5:15am.

The body of Captain has been taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Surat Thani for a full body reexamination.

Aphilak has been charged with battery causing death.

Beach surf safety urged amid ‘monsoon surge’ Chinese woman, 31, SW I M M ERS AT A LL PH U K ET beaches were urged to exercise high caution on Monday (Aug 13) as a strong ‘monsoon surge’ pounded the west coast with powerful waves.

The warning comes from the Royal Thai Navy Hydrographic Department and the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA).

The Royal Thai Navy Hydrographic Department has issued a warning of a “Monsoon Surge” as strong waves pound the west coast, causing much damage as the beaches are being eroded by the waves.

The beach erosion over the weekend saw two lifeguard watch stations – one a lifeguard tower – literally fall to the waves (see page 5).

Capt Wanchi Janlaiad of the Navy’s Hydrographic Department explained that the surge is an annual phenomenon caused by the southwest monsoon – and that the powerful waves and strong winds were expected to continue for the next two to three days.

The ISLA on Monday recognised the change in weather, but also urged all swimmers to exercise caution as warnings were still in place for high waves and dangerous rip currents.

“The TMD radar is clear for now, and

Powerful surf has been pounding the west coast, causing heavy coastal erosion, during the ‘monsoon surge’ all this past week. Photo: Supplied onshore winds have decreased. The only ISLA warnings in effect at this time are: HIGH SURF and RIP CURRENTS. “A warning means these conditions are imminent, or are already occurring,” ISLA noted in its report on Monday morning.

However, the warning also noted, “Conditions can change rapidly. If onshore winds increase, dangerous surf conditions can return quickly.”

Wiwat Chitchertwong, who has been appointed Acting Chief of the Phuket Marine Office since the Phoenix tour boat disaster on July 5, warned all small boats to proceed with caution as strong wind and waves are forecast to reach two to four metres high.

The warning by the national weather bureau, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), remained in effect for Aug 12-15, and on Wednesday (Aug 15) issued another warning of strong wind and waves with heavy rain for Phuket and other areas along the Andaman Coast for Thursday and Friday (Aug 16-17).

“The strong southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf leading to isolated heavy rain likely in the South. Flash flood is possible for the South where heavy rain occurs,” TMD DirectorGeneral Wanchai Sakudomchai noted in the warning.

“All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats keep ashore. People along the coast should beware of inshore surges,” he added.

“Specifically, the Andaman Sea and Northern Gulf of Thailand has strong tidal waves. In the Andaman Sea area the waves are two-four metres high and further north has waves are around four metres high.

“Any sea-related activities, especially fishermen please be careful while out in the sea. Small boats are advised to stay at shore,” the TMD warning urged.

The Phuket News

drowns at Nai Harn A CH I N ESE TOU R IST drowned at Nai Harn Beach on Monday night after a week of warnings that the surf has been dangerous to enter.

Rescue workers found the body of Yang Qianyao, 31, from Yunnan, washed up on the beach at about 10:30pm on Monday night (Aug 13).

The alarm was raised at about 7pm after lifeguards had closed the beach at sunset.

Two lifeguards who had remained behind were informed that two people, a man and a woman, both Chinese tourists, were missing after entering the water, prompting a search for the couple.

The man, Jing Tao, 33, was found and brought ashore. He was taken to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the stillunder-construction Chalong Hospital and later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos (centre) with officials at Nai Harn Beach on Monday night.

Photo: Rawai Municipality Mr Jing is now reported to be in a safe condition.

However, the search for Ms Yang continued, with Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos ordering more officials from Rawai Municipality to join.

Her body wa s fou nd washed ashore at the north end of Nai Harn Beach at 10:30pm.

Ms Yang’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital and the Chinese consulate was informed of her death, officials said.

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Tour boat day trip ends with devastating blaze The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The ’BBC Lion 9’ tour boat caught fire after three distinct explosions were heard.

The boat’s mechanic suffered burns to 50% of his body. Photo: Tourist Police The captain of the boat, Wanchart Oonkhao, reported the incident at Khlok Kloy Police Station in Phang Nga later that same day.

He explained that the boat had stopped at the bay to allow the tourists to relax and swim.

All the tourists were in the water except for one child when there were three distinct explosions on the boat, he said.

With all tourists safely off the boat, Mr Wanchart moved it closer to shore, but was forced to abandon the boat as the flames completely destroyed the vessel.

According to a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department, investigators from the Phuket Marine

Office were to question Mr Wanchart on Tuesday (Aug 14).

Efforts to recover the charred remains of the hull – as the fire burnt the boat down to the waterline – were also to begin on Tuesday.

Ramet Wongdom, who was the tour guide on board the boat at the time of the incident, and others are also to be questioned.

The report did not name the owner of the boat or the company that operates tours on it, but did confirm that the Ministry of Tourism & Sports ‘Tourist Assistance Centre’ (TAC) had been ordered to investigate the tourism business registration of the “boat’s company”.

New Phuket Governor announced THAILAND’S COUNCIL of Ministers announced on Tuesday (Aug 14) that a new Phuket Governor will take over from outgoing Governor Norraphat Plodthong on October 1.

The announcement was made by Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paochinda at a Cabinet meeting held at the Royal Thai Government Office at 9am.

The Cabinet has approved the appointment of the new Phuket Governor, Pakkapong Tawipat, who is currently Governor of Phitsanulok, to replace current Phuket Governor Norraphat when he retires at the end of September.

Governor Pakkapong studied at Suankularb Wittayalai School and later went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science at Chulalongkorn University and then mastered in public administration (M.P.A.) at the American International College, Springfield Massachusetts, USA. His previous experience is as a former Governor of Phang Nga and a former Vice Governor of Ayutthaya and Saraburi.

Meanwhile Prime Minis@thephuketnews

The HTMS ‘Narathiwat’ returns to Phuket with 161 tourists.

Photo: Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command

Navy rescues 161 stranded tourists

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fficials have confirmed that an investigation is underway into the fire that destroyed a tour boat during an island day trip off Phuket on Monday (Aug 13).

Meanwhile, the only person injured in the fire, the boat’s mechanic, Soongiblee Haramchai, 32, is recovering from his injuries, officials report.

Mr Soongiblee suffered burns to 50% of his body in the fire. He was taken to Thalang Hospital, where he is receiving treatment for his burns.

His condition is improving after he underwent an operation, but his burns still need close attention, officials noted.

The twin-hulled fibreglass tour boat BBC Lion 9 picked up 19 tourists from Laem Sai Pier in Pa Khlok, Thalang, on Phuket’s northeast coast, to take them on a day trip to Ao Maan, in Baan Yan Saba, in Moo 4, Khlong Khian, Takua Thung, Phang Nga. Initial witness reports placed the incident at Koh Lawa, merely 3.2 kilometres northeast of Laem Khat on Phuket’s northeast coast.

Koh Lawa is within Khlong Khian Subdistrict in Phang Nga. The 19 tourists were confirmed as 12 French, four South African, two Spanish and one American.

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Pakkapong Tawipat, who is currently Governor of Phitsanulok, will start as the Phuket Governor on Oct 1. Photo: PR Dept ter Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Phuket as part of a tour of the Southern Thailand provinces this month.

Although the exact date for PM Prayut’s visit to Phuket has yet to be announced, the mobile Cabinet tour will be held on Monday-Tuesday, August 20-21, the Public Relations Department announced on Monday (Aug 13).

The aim of the tour is to oversee development in the southern provinces both on the Gulf of Thailand and along the Andaman coast.

The tour specifically will include visits to Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun provinces along the Andaman coast.

On the Gulf of Thailand,

the tour will include visits to Chumphon, Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Phatthalung Surat Thani and Songkhla.

The Prime Minister has confirmed to specifically conduct visits to Ranong and Chumphon provinces, the announcement said.

The actual mobile Cabinet meeting will be held in Chumphon province on Tuesday, August 21, led by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya.

“They are assigned to supervise and follow the governmental operations in the southern provinces of the Andaman Coast and the southern Gulf of Thailand,” said the announcement.

The Phuket News

A NAVY VESSEL FROM the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command was sent to Koh Racha on Aug 8 after it was reported that almost 200 tourists were stranded on the island due to poor weather conditions.

Officers from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command were informed by business operators at Koh Racha at midday that there were about 200 tourists stranded on the island because of strong winds and waves.

Vice Admiral Somnuk Preampramot, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, sent the vessel HMTS Narathiwat to pick up the tourists who wanted to go back to the mainland.

The boat arrived at Koh Racha at 5:30pm and returned to the Phuket Seep Sea Port with 161 tourists at 10:30pm.

Adm Naris Pratumsuwan,

Commander of Royal Thai Navy, has ordered agencies to help tourists at all times and added that the “navy will always be beside the people”.

Adm Naris said he would like the public to trust the operations of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command adding that they would always do their best to help tourists.

However, tourists and tour operators who travel to islands must check the weather conditions prior to departing for their tours because at this time of year the area has the southwest monsoon making the winds and waves in the Andaman region strong.

The Operation Centre of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command is available 24/7 for any marine assistance via 076-391598 or hotline 1696.

The Phuket News

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PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

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A passenger van undergoes a safety inspection. Photo: Sirapisit Bunchoocheep

Tour vehicles’ safety blitz THE PHUKET LAND TRansport Office (PLTO) has ordered all transportation and tourism business owners who operate vehicles that are registered in other provinces but operate in Phuket to bring their vehicles in for roadworthy inspections.

The deadline for the registered owners of all such vehicles, which includes passenger vans and charter buses, to have the checks completed is Aug 31, the notice warned.

The safety drive aims to reduce the number and severity of accidents from unroadworthy vehicles, PLTO Chief Banyat Kantha explained in the notice.

Unsafe vehicles have resulted in accidents that have caused deaths, and low-cost tour groups use unsafe buses to transport tourists, Chief Banyat said.

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Bank robber blames loss of job, mortgage Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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man who robbed the Government Housing Bank branch in Pa Khlok at gunpoint last Friday (Aug 10) is in custody after surrendering to police, and has blamed financial woes, namely his mortgage, for his motivation for the crime.

The manhunt for the robber, now identified as Sombut Poonprasart, 27, from Phuket, began after he entered the bank at 9:05am last Friday and held a gun point blank at the head of the security guard while ordering the teller to hand over the cash in the teller drawer.

The teller did not delay and Sombut exited the bank some 39 seconds later with B26,900 cash in hand.

Police told The Phuket News last Saturday (Aug 11) that officers had tracked Sombut to his home in a housing estate not far from the bank he robbed.

Officers raided the house, but Sombut was not at home, police confirmed.

Bank robber Sombut Poonprasart, 27, from Phuket, surrendered to police. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub While police continued their investigation to track down Sombut’s whereabouts, Sombut contacted the Thalang Police to arrange his surrender.

Police returned to search his home and Sombut showed officers where he threw the gun used in the robbery into the long grass beside the road

while making his escape.

During questioning Sombut told police that he had been unable to find work since his job in Patong ended two years ago, and that he was six months behind in payments on his mortgage on the house he was living in.

He had secured the mort-

gage with the Government Housing Bank.

Police have yet to confirm whether Sombut is the same man who snatched a gold necklace in a drive-by on a motorbike in front of the Phanason Village housing estate in Thalang last Thursday (Aug 9).

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Mother’s Day raids nets 14k-pill meth haul, law student A SERIES OF RAIDS LAST SATurday night into early Sunday morning (Aug 11-12) netted eight suspects and more than 14,000 methamphetamine (ya bah) pills, more than 104 grams of crystal meth (ya ice).

Also seized was a well-made homemade handgun that fired shotgun cartridges, along with four cartridges and 17 9mm bullets.

Police also reported that among those arrested were a teenage couple found to be selling drugs “as a business” and that one of the female suspects arrested is a fourth-year law student at a “well-known university”.

The raids began when officers arrested Wisit Phumnart, 36, at a location near Wat Chalong at 4pm last Saturday (Aug 11), when he was found in possession of 8.38g of ya ice and 18 pills of ya bah. Wisit was taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

At 8:30pm, officers arrested Nanthawan Srithongkul, 30, with seven ya bah pills in front of a Family Mart on

More than 14,000 meth pills were taken off the streets in the latest raids, with a couple in Rawai found in possession of the bulk of them.

Photo: Phuket Provincial Police Chao Fa West Rd. She was also taken to Chalong Police Station, where she was charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

At 11pm, officers arrested three suspects at an address in Moo 6, Wichit.

Malika Songmeuang, 27, was found in possession of one bag con-

taining 470mg of ya ice. She was taken to Wichit Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

Thachama Naengnoi, 27, was found in possession of 12 bags containing a total of 28.68g of ya ice, 79 pills of ya bah, a weighing device and drugtaking paraphernalia. She, too, was taken to Wichit Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

Thanaphol Naengnoi, 20, was found in possession of two bags containing a total of 1.89g of ya ice, a handgun and 21 rounds of ammunition (four shotgun cartridges and in total 17 9mm bullets). Thanaphol was also taken to Wichit Police Station, where he was charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

At 2am last Sunday (Aug 12), officers arrested Ahsart Duawan, 41, registered as living at an address in Moo 2 Rassada, and found him in possession of 100 orange ya bah pills

stamped ‘WY’ when he was stopped and searched in front of a clinic on Wichit Songkram Rd in Phuket Town.

He was taken to Phuket City Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

At 2:30am, officers arrested Thanapat Naowaprai, 28, and his female companion Sarocha Hatthian, 24, reported as “a Year 4 law student at a well-known university”. The couple, arrested at an address in Moo 4, Rawai, were found in possession of 14,000 pills of ya bah packed into 14 separate plastic packs. Both suspects were taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

To wrap up the busy 24 hours of drug arrests, at 6:30pm last Sunday officers recovered a bag containing 100.6g of ya ice hidden in a cardboard box at the base of a tree beside the road on Soi Racha-Uthit, Moo 6, Wichit.

It was not explained to which arrest, if any, the drugs recovered related to.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

PHUKET NEWS

5

Beach safety falls to waves Collapse of the lifeguards complete as sea destroys watchtowers Nai Yang just two weeks ago.

Supat was among six boys playing in knee-deep water on July 30 when they were overpowered by the strong waves. Two of the five other boys were rescued by a local surfer, Norwegian national Terje Tonnessen, 37. The other three scrambled to shore by themselves.

As locals scrambled to search for Supat, the lifeguards remained on shore. Supat’s body was recovered two days later when the waves pushed it back to Nai Yang Beach.

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he collapse of Phuket’s lifeguards’ ability to protect swimmers came literally this week with two lifeguard watch-points succumbing to the angry sea.

The lifeguard tower at Kata fell to rapid beach erosion while a lifeguard station tent at Nai Yang Beach was also been swallowed by the waves.

The fall of the watchtowers came as lifeguards at Kata last Saturday (Aug 11) carried out yet another rescue, with the result of whether the person in danger lived or died yet to be confirmed.

That rescue came lass than 24 hours after a man was pulled from the deadly surf unconscious and unresponsive at Nai Harn Beach, in the south of the island, last Friday (Aug 10). A foreign woman and a foreign man led the efforts to carry out CPR on the man on the sand as tourists looked on.

Again, the fate of that man, a foreigner, remains to be confirmed.

Both drowning incidents

@thephuketnews

The lifeguard tower at Kata Beach and the lifeguard watch-station tent at Nai Yang Beach have collapsed, destroyed by waves, as any official support for Phuket’s lifeguards continues to be absent. Photos: Supplied highlight how Phuket’s fractured lifeguard coverage has left lethal gaps in the lifeguards’ ability to protect people from the surf during the southwesterly monsoon months of May through October, nevermind prevent them from even entering the dangerous surf.

Only on Monday last week (Aug 6) a 7-year-old boy was pulled from surf at Nai Harn.

Again, the surf rescue was carried out by a foreigner,

a female teacher living in Phuket who asked to remain anonymous.

“I gave him CPR and a Thai woman helped me… and this continued for four minutes as the lifeguards stood and watched over us and then brought an oxygen tank when he wasn’t even taking air yet…

“It’s like they didn’t know what to do,” the woman told The Phuket News.

Again, as with the two

people pulled from the surf last Friday and Saturday, the fate of the child pulled from the surf at Nai Harn last Monday has yet to be confirmed by officials, or by lifeguards.

The foreign woman’s comments about the lifeguards reportedly being unable or untrained to respond appropriately echoes grave doubts raised in the drowning of 11-year-old Phuket student Supat ‘Petch’ Jampathong at

SILENCE OR SHAME? While the The Phuket News strongly supports the honest efforts of the lifeguards at Nai Harn, as with anywhere along Phuket’s west coast, the apprehension in providing details of the drowning incidents this week highlights a disturbing trend.

With no single agency or organisation to confirm the rescues, and possible deaths, of people pulled from surf at the island’s beaches, the only way the public will know how dangerous the waves and rip

currents are in Phuket relies purely on public posts and social media, leaving Phuket’s reigning officials presenting tourists with the grave image of being unable – or worse, unwilling – to even account for the danger tourists are in.

The silence now appears to be a point of policy, with MaAnn Samran, Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) late last month providing no defence for the inaction of lifeguards while a tourist was being overwhelmed by dangerous surf at Surin Beach, leaving the tourist to be rescued by a local surfer and a “hero” French tourist.

No one at Cherng Talay OrBorTor was willing to comment or even give out contact info for the anyone responsible for lifeguards at Surin Beach.

Instead, they insisted that The Phuket News must speak with Chief MaAnn – and him alone.

Mr MaAnn would only confirm that he was aware of the incident, and offered, “We are still investigating what happened, why the lifeguards did not help.”

Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

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

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

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

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Passing the baton

ome October, Phuket will have a new Provincial Governor, the 10th Governor that Phuket will have had in the past years 10 years – a ‘Perfect 10’.

Pakkapong Tawipat, who is currently serving as the Governor of Phitsanulok will take up the top post in Phuket on Oct 1, bringing with him little more than a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration from the American International College, Springfield Massachusetts, USA. He’s going to need them, both.

Phuket and Phitsanulok could not be more different if you tried. Phitsanulok is a landlocked province with little more than 84,000 people, where temperatures soar to an average daily high of more than 37ºC in the hot season before more than 240mm of rain belts down on average

editor1@classactmedia.co.th Twenty years experience in the I n t e r n a t i o n a l m e d i a m a r ke t , creating content for Paramount Pictures, Mar vel and the BBC. Having previously lived on the island, David returned to cover regional lifestyle and cultural stories.

He originates from the UK.

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during the wet season months of August and September.

The northern province, although historically important, today is a farmer’s field, but what Phitsanulok does have is a major Army base. Maybe he should bring that with him, as Governor Pakkapong should be bracing for a baptism of fire, not something any person would welcome at the age of 57 and approaching the twilight of their public career.

The problems he will face have been left unsolved by every single Phuket Governor who has gone before him. The issues he will be affronted with range from tourism, boat safety, lack of lifeguards and tourists drowning, traffic, drugs, issues specifically affecting foreigners such as work visas and so on, wastewater being pumped directly into the water at popular tourist beaches, trash dumped

everywhere to government land stolen with no action by officials despite a Supreme Court order.

We won’t mention the possibility of corruption in Phuket.

We welcome any changing of the guard that brings new hope, but historically that is all that the people of Phuket have been left to hold on to.

The policy of the past 10 years for any Governor not staying in office more than one year has not allowed any incumbent enough time to fix any of the real problems as they are too busy playing ‘whack-a-mole’ and posing for photos to make any real headway.

At least this time, the incoming Governor has been given more than a day’s notice to move to an entirely new province with a buffet of woes to counter that he has never encountered before.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Navy rescues 161 tourists stranded on island off Phuket The collapse of Phuket’s lifeguards One injured as fire destroys Phuket tour boat, amid tour Phuket Opinion: Never look back, never learn Phuket expat rescues boy, 7, as storm surf prompts call to close beaches Phuket-bound foreign divers rescued from canal Thunderstorm warning as Phuket beach surf danger remains Phuket officials ordered to crack down on price fraud After Phuket boat disaster, Thailand sets up National Tourism Safety and Security Committee Weather warning remains in effect for Phuket, small boats banned from leaving shore

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HAVE YOUR SAY

DAVID JACKLIN

Lifestyle Editor

EDITORIAL

Lifeguard Quality

The reader’s response to last week’s letter I would like to say thank you for publishing my concerns. Nai Harn continues to be a worry, firstly, the 7- yearold found floating, and a few days ago we saw another near disaster as we walked down to the beach, two separate groups in trouble, three together, another one close by in hysterics, and their rescues poorly executed.

It would be fantastic if the government would look at employing international lifeguards for the monsoon season, one supervisor at each beach to teach prevention and also post rescue recovery.

A lot of professional Australian Lifeguards are seasonal, and would be available at the time needed here as it is off season in Australia. I am sure many of them would love the opportunity to mentor and at the same time enjoy visiting this beautiful country.

I will write to Surf Lifesaving Australia and make the suggestion, or perhaps there would even be those who would volunteer their time here if affordable accommodation

was an option.

Once again, thank you, and let’s hope some change will occur.

Concerned Surf Swimmer

Baby elephant

Reader raises animal welfare worries A local online group have been been concerned about a baby elephant shackled unceremoniously in Chalong for the benefit of tourists outside the Butterfly and Orchid Gardens in Soi Yot Sane. The coaches stop on the roadside to take photos, possibly for a fee. Are you able to check this out?

It is distressing to see this poor little guy tied up with nowhere to walk etc. Contact has been made to Chiang Mai and Phuket Elephant Sanctuary without much success it seems. There surely must be a Society or Department that can help this little fellow.

Concerned in Chalong

Insufficient boat training

Re: Competency of boat crews in the Andaman In the coastal provinces in the Andaman Sea there are no marine training centres

to train fishermen, sailors on transport boats or sailors and crew on tour boats.

The only government merchant marine training centre is in Samut Prakan near Bangkok and all training is for a period of weeks, months and years depending on the marine training course, without forgetting regular training updates to be up to International Maritime Organization standards.

Therefore, all boat captains and sailors in the coastal provinces in the Andaman Sea do not have a choice but to work at least two years for a boat operator company to be able to apply to get a helmsman boat license by complacency; which leaves all captains and boat crews without proper training to drive transport and tour boats up to 60 tons.

Also the Thai administration should help technical schools and private sector to have training courses at affordable prices open late at night in order to give time for Thai crew to attend the evening training.

Anonymous Professional Regarding the article on Phuket Boat Safety… there is ZERO mention of ascertaining,

substantiating, policing the following: Level of training of boat captains and boat crew, boat and marine safety courses attended, dates of their certification and levels of competency. Regardless of the other elements it is the above more importantly than any other than determines the safety of running a craft at sea!

It has nothing to do with inconveniencing tourists to make sure they are complying with rules. When they buy a ticket... it is a given that they will be cared for and all safety elements are in place.

Accidents are NOT the tourists fault!!!

Anonymous Professional 2

More batons

Re: New Phuket Governor announced I wish the new governor great success in his upcoming difficult position. I would also like him to be stationed somewhere near the Chalong roundabout, so he is inconvenienced. Perhaps that would get this finished, just saying.

There is almost never anyone working there. Is there a labor shortage on Phuket?

Galong

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

7

Poll inspector row heats up Pheu Thai seek ruling on controversial attempt to change organic law BANGKOK Bangkok Post

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heu Thai Party legal adviser Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a formal complaint against a proposed legal amendment on appointing poll inspectors, saying the bid is a blatant attempt to undermine the Election Commission’s (EC) authority.

The controversial attempt to have the organic law on the EC altered by 36 National Legislative Assembly members was met by a formal petition opposing it Tuesday (Aug 14) from Mr Ruangkrai.

Mr Ruangkrai called on the EC to forward his complaint to the Constitutional Court for a ruling on whether the proposed amendment is constitutional or not.

He argued the proposed amendment – which seeks to overturn the appointment of 616 poll inspectors in 77 provinces by the outgoing EC members – may be rooted in the vested interests of certain lawmakers. He did not elaborate.

If the 36 NLA members have their way, the amendment issue may also be tantamount to interfering with the EC which should be free to pick poll inspectors. This is a violation of Section 185 of the charter, according to Mr Ruangkrai.

The proposed amendment will focus on the selection of poll inspectors. Critics are reportedly concerned that some election inspectors lack

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, senior adviser of Pheu Thai, has petitioned the Constitutional Court for a definitive ruling on an attempt to amend the organic law on selection of election monitors. Photo: Bangkok Post / File experience and may have political affiliations.

Mr Ruangkrai insisted the amendment effort has already materialised.

Even if the lawmakers withdrew a draft amendment, they must still be held to account for initiating the proposed change to the organic law as the wrongdoing was a fait accompli.

However, NLA vice president Peerasak Porjit said the amendment

was only a proposal. “It’s just an idea. No [draft amendment] has been submitted to the NLA whip or the NLA,” he said.

Mr Peerasak said there is a long way to go as an amendment would have to be debated at a public hearing, which may stall or even shoot down the legislative change being sought.

The lawmakers are pushing for

the amendment to have the criteria for poll inspector selection reflected in the relevant organic law. They maintained this criteria should not be drawn up at the election commissioners’ discretion, according to Mr Peerasak.

Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan said Tuesday that the lawmakers had the right to pursue a legislative amend-

ment if they felt there were problems executing the law in question.

“But they [the lawmakers] must ask themselves if they have thought the matter through carefully,” Mr Meechai said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha, meanwhile, said it was essential to wait for the new election commissioners to start work so they can discuss the inspector appointees with the outgoing commissioners.

He felt the new commissioners should have a say over the appointees and be free to replace some of them if necessary.

Gen Prayut insisted the lawmakers were not acting on the government’s behalf in order to delay the general election expected early next year.

Critics fear changing the organic law on the EC could be a bid to disrupt, if not delay, the election roadmap.

Poll inspectors will play an important role in the elections and are tasked with investigating poll complaints and forwarding them to the EC for consideration. Their role can result in the suspension of an election or even change the outcome in a constituency. They will take over a role previously held by provincial election chiefs.

Surachai Liangboonlertchai, another NLA vice president, said the roadmap would remain intact as there is enough time to rewrite the organic law on the EC before next year’s poll.

Four stateless footballers rescued from Thai cave granted citizenship CHIANG RAI THAILAND LAST THURSday (Aug 8) granted citizenship to stateless members of the football team rescued from a cave last month in a saga which gripped the world.

The story of the ‘Wild Boars’ club dominated headlines since the 12 boys and their 25-year-old coach went exploring in Tham Luang cave on June 23 and were trapped deep inside by rising floodwaters, setting off an international search dubbed ‘Mission Impossible’.

They spent nine days inside subsisting on rainwater from rocks before being located. Days later they were extracted in a complex operation in which they were sedated, carried and stretchered out of the waterlogged passages.

T haila nd is home to around 480,000 stateless people, according to the UN @thephuketnews

refugee agency. The longignored issue came into focus during the rescue mission when it was revealed that four of those trapped inside lacked citizenship, prompting calls for the government to fast-track applications.

“Today all of you get Thai citizenship,” Mae Sai district chief Somsak Khanakham said in a ceremony yesterday at a local office, as they were handed national ID cards.

Somsak said that the Wild Boars incident had nothing to do with the development and said they had merely qualified.

But the event was advertised proudly on the local government’s Facebook page with the words: Wild Boars revel! Got Thai citizenship.

Many of Thailand’s stateless people are from nomadic hill tribes and other ethnic groups who have for centuries lived around the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China.

The family of one of the four footballers granted papers, Adul Som-on, is from Myanmar’s Wa State, a selfgoverning region.

Weeks after the rescue, interest in their ordeal is still strong and Hollywood-style production houses are racing to take the story to the big screen.

But authorities have asked media to keep their distance while the teammates readjust to normal life, and avoid touching off lingering trauma.

The dangerous rescue brought all 13 members of the team to safety. But a former Thai Navy Seal diver died while installing oxygen tanks in preparation for the extraction.

Eleven of the boys and their coach recently entered a monastery for several days to ordain and make merit according to Buddhist ritual for Saman Kunan.

AFP

Some of the rescued ‘Wild Boars’ boys together with their coach pray at the Phra That Doi Wao Buddhist temple in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province during their religious ordination ceremony on July 24. Photo: AFP

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

School burqa row riles PM

Pattani school refuses to budge over ban on Islamic dress BANGKOK Bangkok Post

P

rime Minister Prayut Chano-cha on Tuesday (Aug 14) ordered the Education Ministry to settle a dispute over a ban on students wearing Islamic dress at a school in Pattani in the insurgencyplagued deep South.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, he said a deputy education minister was told to hold a meeting to determine whether the clothing was considered appropriate to wear in class.

He said this issue should not be presented to the government to resolve.

“The issue is about rules and if the rules are not followed, the problem will never end,” said Gen Prayut.

The dispute erupted at Anuban Pattani School in Muang district in May after some Muslim parents asked the school to allow their daughters to wear headscarves to school and let boys wear long trousers.

The request to wear Islamic dress goes against a school regulation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Education Ministry to settle the dispute at a large Pattani school over Islamic dress. Photo: Bangkok Post / File that has been in place for over four decades. The school is located on the property of a Buddhist temple.

Some parents ignored this however and pressed on with their demands.

Their persistence led to the Education Ministry revising its rules in June by allowing students who attend schools situated on the grounds of a Buddhist temple to

wear religious clothing as long as the school in question agrees.

The ministry clarified later that month that in the event of a dispute, the school would have the final say.

Anuban Pattani decided to stick to its guns and keep the prohibition on Islamic clothing during school hours in place, after which the situation escalated as some of the parents retaliated by sending their

kids to class in banned headscarves.

Buddhist parents were inflamed.

A group issued a statement saying their children would dress however they pleased and flout the school uniform rules until all students complied.

Since then about 70 Buddhist students have been attending classes in regular clothes rather than the designated uniform.

As the situation intensified, school director Prachak Chusri held a meeting on Aug 1 with Pirom Jinda, chief of the Pattani Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, as well as some of the parents.

They concluded that Buddhist students who wear ordinary clothes and Islamic students who don Islamic dress to class were both violating the school’s rules.

Mr Pirom was assigned to talk with the Muslim parents and urge them to dress their children properly in line with the rules. If they complied, Buddhist students must do likewise, a source at the meeting said.

Until the problem is fully resolved, teachers were told not to admonish students for wearing ordinary clothes at school.

Any teachers found doing so will be reported to the local educational office for disciplinary action, according to the source.

Critics of the de facto burqa ban say it is unreasonable to allow monastic landlords to govern what children wear at school when students follow different religions and come from very different backgrounds.

‘Jet-setting monk’ gets 114 years BANGKOK A T H A I C OU RT SE Ntenced a disgraced former monk to 114 years in prison last Thursday (Aug 9), a court official said, more than a year after he was extradited from the United States.

Wiraphon Sukphon made headlines in 2013 when footage emerged of him wearing designer aviator sunglasses with a Louis Vuitton bag on a private jet.

The 39-year-old fled to the US but was sent back after he was accused of raping a minor and deceiving donors who gave him money to build the world’s

Disgraced ex-Buddhist monk Wiraphon Sukphon speaks to officials in Bangkok, on July 20, 2017. Photo: AFP largest emerald Buddha image.

A further probe revealed he owned luxury cars and multiple bank accounts valued at about $700,000 (B23.22 million).

Wiraphon was convicted of money laundering, fraud and violating the Computer Crime

Act for raising funds online, a Bangkok court official said.

“Judges convicted him and sentenced him altogether to 114 years,” the official said, adding that under Thai law Wiraphon would not serve more than 20 years for the convictions.

Wiraphon was also required to return B28.6mn to 29 donors who filed complaints.

The ruling on the rape charge is expected in October, a public prosecutor said.

The monk is accused of having sex with an under-age girl around a decade ago and fathering a child with her. He faces an additional 20 years behind bars if convicted.

Bangkok Post

The gridlock conditions on Lat Phrao Rd are forcing authorities to look at their traffic control plans. Photo: Bangkok Post

VIPs must hurry through road closures, says General Prayut BANGKOK M E M BE R S OF T H E NAT IONA L Council for Peace and Order have been told

by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to take “less than 30 seconds” to drive along roads or through intersections that authorities have closed off for them.

Government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, who was speaking on the premier’s behalf, said on Tuesday (Aug 14) that officers operating guiding vehicles which transport prominent officials must ensure their operations take “as little a toll on the public as possible”.

According to him, Gen Prayut prioritised instructing authorities to speed up

operations where main intersections must be closed off to minimise traffic.

Closing off roads for ministers and other important people is a common occurrence in this country. Traffic police typically turn on sirens to guide the vehicle while traffic is temporarily stopped until it has passed by.

According to recent Royal Thai Police reports, there has been a surge in complaints from the public regarding congestion on the capital’s roads, due in part to this practice.

National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said there will be “harsh penalties” for officers who mismanage traffic, adding that police do not want to portray the idea that cabinet members are more important than the public.

Bangkok Post

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

ASIA NEWS

9

In the hands of the gods

Vietnam’s Golden Bridge gets more attention than expected VIETNAM AFP

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estled in the forested hills of central Vietnam two giant concrete hands emerge from the trees, holding up a glimmering golden bridge crowded with gleeful visitors who take selfies at the country’s latest eccentric tourist draw.

Designed to make visitors feel like they’re taking a stroll on a shimmering thread stretching across the hands of gods, the ‘Golden Bridge’ has attracted hordes of guests since it opened in the Ba Na Hills near Danang in June.

Images of the bridge have gone viral on social media, much to the surprise of the architect who had no idea it would attract so much attention.

“We are proud that our product has been shared by people all over the world,” principal designer and founder of TA Landscape Architecture, Vu Viet Anh, said in a recent interview.

At 150 metres long, the

Images of the bridge have gone viral on social media, much to the surprise of the architect principal designer and founder of TA Landscape Architecture, Vu Viet Anh. Photo: Linh Pham / AFP bridge snakes through the forest high up in mountains first developed by French colonists as a hill station in 1919.

Today the area is a major tourist attraction, boasting a cable car, replica French medieval village – including faux castle and cathedral – manicured gardens

and a waxworks museum which features statues of stars including Lady Gaga and Michael Jordan.

The only remnants of the original French occupants are the crumbling remains of their holiday homes that can still be spotted from the cable car.

But visitors are mostly in-

Oldest fishing net sinkers found SOUTH KOREA ARCHAEOLOGISTS EXcavating a cave in South Korea have found evidence that suggests human beings were using sophisticated techniques to catch fish as far back as 29,000 years ago, much earlier than experts previously thought.

Carbon dating procedures on the 14 limestone sinkers, unearthed in the eastern county of Jeongseon in June, have pushed back “the history of fishing by nets by some 19,000 years”, Yonsei University Museum director Han Chang-gyun said.

Previously, researchers had excavated sinkers – stones used to weigh down nets for catching fish – in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture and South Korea’s Cheongju city, but those discoveries were all dated back to the Neolithic Era and believed to be around 10,000 years old, Han said.

“This discovery suggests humans in the Upper Paleolithic era were actively catching fish for their @thephuketnews

The limestone sinkers, each weighing between 14 to 52 grams, would have been tied to the bottom of nets and used to catch small fish such as minnows in shallow streams. Photo: AFP diet,” he added.

The limestone sinkers, each weighing between 14 to 52 grams and with a diameter of 37 to 56 millimetres, had grooves carved into them so they could be tied to the bottom of nets and used to catch small fish such as minnows in shallow streams, he said.

Researchers also found fossilised bones belonging

to fish and other animals, as well as stone tools and flakes, inside the Maedun cave, he said.

Prior to the South Korean find, the oldest fishing implements were believed to be fishing hooks, made from the shells of sea snails, that were found on a southern Japanese island and said to date back some 23,000 years.

AFP

terested in the newly built Cau Vang, which means ‘Golden Bridge’ in Vietnamese.

“The bridge is beautiful with an amazing architectural style, from here we can see Danang City, it’s so nice,” visitor Nguyen Trung Phuc said.

Another visitor, Nguyen Hien Trang, said: “I have

travelled quite a lot but I’ve never seen any bridges as beautiful as this one.”

The Ba Na Hills project was built by Sun Group, which has divided opinion with audacious projects elsewhere in Vietnam.

In 2016 it opened a cable car on Vietnam’s tallest

mountain Fansipan in the tourist hotpot Sapa, prompting complaints from locals who felt it spoiled the landscape and took business away from trekking guides.

Vietnam is no stranger to off-the-wall attractions.

A ‘crystal cloud’ installation of 58,000 shimmering Swarovski beads in the rice-terraced hills of northern Vietnam opened earlier this year, while the surreal ‘Crazy House’ hotel in central Da Lat, designed to look like a trippy treehouse, has long attracted legions of curious visitors.

The communist country has long sought to boost visitor numbers and position itself as a must-see destination in Southeast Asia.

It clocked 13 million foreign visitors last year, mostly from China – a far cry from the 35mn international visitors to Thailand in 2017.

Golden Bridge designer Anh said he already has another project in the works: a silver bridge made to look like a god’s strand of hair that will connect to his existing structure in the Ba Na Hills.

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Thrust into the front line

Caught between drug traffickers, heavy-handed law enforcement BRAZIL Carola Sole

A

ntonio’s story began one sunny afternoon in a favela near Copacabana Beach when he picked up a 9mm pistol.

It ended with his 10-year-old friend dead on the ground.

Antonio, 17, calmly told a Rio de Janeiro judge that the death of his friend Marlon was an accident.

They had found the pistol under a water tank and were playing, he said, when “it went off”. Marlon was shot in the head.

“Had you used a pistol before?” the judge asked.

“Never,” Antonio replied, while his mother cried in the audience.

Antonio, who lives with seven brothers in the Cantagalo favela, has not attended school for two years.

He’s been detained briefly for drug dealing, spent two weeks locked up for robbery, and now could face a more serious prison term.

“Life in the favelas is like that.

You have to pray a lot that your son doesn’t get involved in crime,” said his mother Vladereiz, 45, as she left the youth court in Rio, where AFP had rare access. She did not want her family name to be used.

In the waiting room outside the courtroom, there were a dozen other stories of young, mostly black boys who’d fallen through the cracks in favelas, the names for Brazil’s barely-regulated poor neighbourhoods, which range from shanty towns to long-established working class communities.

Often too dangerous for police to enter except in military-style operations, favelas are places where

Minors remain in custody as they await to be called for their trial at the Court of Children and Youth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Mauro Pimentel / AFP children and teens are thrust into the front line between ruthless drug traffickers and the heavy-handed law enforcement.

Lining up before the judge were youngsters accused of everything from possessing marijuana to mugging in the rich tourist zones and armed car theft. Eight adolescents were accused in the murders of two other kids in a detention centre, hanging them with bed sheets.

Among the public was the grandmother of one of the accused, a woman in her eighties who appeared confused by the proceedings and then almost fainted as she left.

Street crime has been on the increase in Brazil’s second largest city since the end of the 2016 Olympic

Games and the perpetrators are often disturbingly young – a phenomenon most famously explored in the 2002 movie City of God. Favela kids grow up surrounded by drugs and firearms, meaning an early death for some and trouble with the law for many others. Official figures from 2012 recorded that 1.9 of every 1,000 adolescents in Rio had been detained at some point.

Sixty percent of young detainees are black, 66% are very poor, and more than half do not go to school and come from broken families, according to a study by the Instituto de Investigacion Economica Aplicada (IPEA).

Of those detained in 2017, 41% were accused of drug dealing, 37%

of robbery and mugging, 19% of causing bodily harm, and just under 4% of murder, said Degase, the correctional department for minors.

Many have fallen prey to the drug traffickers’ promise of quick money. Dealers like to use children because even if they are convicted, the maximum prison sentence applied to 12-18 year olds is three years.

One of those locked up, asking not to be identified, said he had left home at 14 and begun to “shoot” for the dreaded Comando Vermelho, or Red Command, which is Rio’s biggest drug gang.

Now just turned 18, he was at the juvenile court on charges of having stolen a car in the violent

Rio suburb of Duque de Caxias.

“We have few opportunities.

We are from the favela and people treat us like animals,” said the young man.

The head judge, Vanessa Cavalieri, said that poor youths have been let down by government policies.

Still, they have a choice of path, she said, and her job is to make them realise that.

“I think early intervention by law enforcement is much more effective. Once they’re older it’s a lot harder to turn them back,” she said.

“When a youth is detained he loses the illusion that crime is good for bringing adrenalin or money and that he can do what he wants and get away with it. Many have got used to having no limits and here we show them that choices have consequences,” she said.

However, about half of the kids brought before her are reoffenders. And when they pass through the often overcrowded, unhealthy detention centres they often have nobody to shield them from a return to their old life.

There are initiatives that seek to break the cycle, like ‘Young Apprentice’, which offers businesses tax breaks for hiring adolescents.

However, there is considerable reluctance to hire young offenders.

There are 300 adolescents ready to enter the program but the justice department and its subcontractors currently only hire 20.

One participant, 16-year-old Emilio, who was arrested for robbery, said the opportunity would make him “a new person”. Some, he said, turn down such a chance, “discrediting all of us”.

AFP

Broken treasures revived in little shop of horrors ITALY T U C K E D AWAY I N O N E O F Rome’s most fashionable shopping districts, antique doll parts pile up in the tiny shopfront of the Squatriti family boutique, offering a window into another age.

Neapolitan theatre actors forced to diversify in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Squatritis opened the little shop of doll horrors in 1953, initially with the idea of restoring valuables belonging to wealthy families that were damaged during the conflict.

But they quickly began to specialise in antique dolls, some dating back to the 19th century.

“With the economic boom, our business expanded: the first collectors appeared, the small collections… people started to want to repair old objects,” said Federico Squatriti.

“The store grew like that.”

Federico, 56, runs the shop that has been a true family affair ever since it

Federico Squatriti sits working in his 15-square-metre workshop along Via di Ripetta in Rome, which is packed with parts of antique dolls, toy soldiers, puppets and ceramics figurines. Photo: AFP first opened. His grandmother, parents, uncle and cousins have all worked there at one time or another, restoring treasured objects of princesses, intellectuals and actors to their former glory.

The workshop overflows with objects long forgotten by customers. Puppets, toy soldiers and 100-year-old earthenware pile up to the ceiling.

“The thing they (the dolls) all have are eyes pushed inside (the head), because children always stick their fingers in there,” he adds.

Despite their expertise, there are some dolls that just can’t be repaired, usually because spare parts can’t be found.

These half-formed relics have come to populate the shopfront window, the store’s shelves and in particular its macabre cellar, which is populated with doll body parts and has been nicknamed ‘limbo’ by the staff.

The Squatriti family say that there are only a handful of restorers like them left in Italy, and that customers come not just from all over the country, but as far away as London or Africa.

However, the family know that the writing is on the wall for the shop.

“Things change, transform, evolve and come to an end,” says Federico.

“It is normal that eras end. We have tried to extend ours to the maximum but the end will eventually arrive.”

AFP thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Tourism safety goes national

Thailand sets up National Tourism Safety and Security Committee TOURISM Bangkok Post

T

hailand has set up the National Tourism Safety and Security Committee to oversee safety measures related to tourism, the latest attempt to restore tourist confidence after the Phoenix boat disaster off Phuket last month.

According to Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat, the new body was formed with the main objective of improving the country’s safety and security standards.

The safety issue has been front and centre among foreign tourists after the Phoenix tour boat capsized off Phuket on July 5, killing 47 Chinese tourists and resulting in mass trip cancellations by Chinese travellers who had planned to visit Phuket and other Andaman destinations during July and August.

Mr Weerasak, who supervises the new body, said he instructed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to prepare further preventive safety manuals and guidance for

Tourist Police Deputy Chief Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn conducts an inspection in Phuket earlier this month. Photo: Tourist Police tourists while travelling in Thailand.

He said the guidance will not only focus on marine tourism, but also ensure tourist safety standards and awareness of crime issues at all attractions across the country.

Despite the mass cancellations, the TAT is still confident that China will remain the largest source of foreign arrivals to Thailand this year.

During the first five months, Chinese visitors generated about

B100 billion in tourism revenue.

The TAT is set to work with travel operators in mainland China to help strengthen and restore travel between Thailand and China.

Special promotional packages will be launched soon to reclaim Chinese tourists, especially targeting the Golden Week period at the beginning of October.

Earlier this year, Kasikorn Research Center forecast that 10.6 million Chinese would travel to

Thailand, up 8.4% from 2017, and generate B584bn in tourism income, up 11.4% year-on-year.

Overall foreign arrivals are predicted at 37.8mn, generating B2.02 trillion in tourism income, K-Research said.

To restore tourist confidence and enhance Thailand’s tourism competitiveness, tourism authorities have outlined a 19-year master plan for 2018-37, with regulations to be tightly enforced.

Mr Weerasak said the enforcement will help transform the country into a preferred destination for international tourists.

He said the TAT will be the main agency to prepare crisis management practices, as well as relief plans to help affected tourists, and propose them to the National Tourism Policy Committee.

Meanwhile, Markland Blaiklock, Deputy Chief Executive of Centara Hotels and Resorts, said the tourism industry in the southern region should rebound within a few months of the Phoenix disaster.

While the Chinese inbound sector was affected by the tragedy,

his group believes it will have a short-term impact if Thailand proves that it will enact stronger measures for tourist safety.

“We regard it as a wake-up call for synergy across the tourism industry to ensure that tourist safety and welfare remain paramount,” Mr Blaiklock said.

“More robust enforcement of basic safety measures and regulations should be put in place by the government in order to continue to grow the appeal of the destination and Thailand as a whole.”

Centara has received some cancellations, mostly in Krabi and Phuket, plus some in Bangkok that are probably linked to other ones in the South, while other regions have seen minimal or no impact.

“Thus far the impact has been minimal and we expect it to remain so, providing that the government continues to quickly and effectively respond to the situation,” Mr Blaiklock said.

“Chinese tourists account for one-third of foreign visitors to Thailand, and almost a third of them visit Phuket,” he added.

Crackdown on price fraud ordered Kata Rocks welcomes new GM RETAIL

HOSPITALITY

LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN ORdered to strictly check price tags and products in stores across the island to protect consumers from price fraud and being taken advantage of.

The order came from Phuket Provincial Office Chief (Palad) Sakchai Kunanawatchaidej at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday (Aug 10) at the second meeting in two days of the Phuket Provincial Office Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

Present in person to receive the order were representatives from many other government offices, including law enforcement, on the island.

At the meeting it was reported that since Oct 1 last year the Consumer Protection Subcommittee had received 96 complaints – 80 of which were still under review; with the remaining 16 resolved, resulting in consumers receiving compensation totalling B892,558.

To protect consumers from price gouging and other unethical business practices, Palad Sakchai ordered relevant organisations to strictly check price tags and products of stores to protect consumers from being taken advantage of.

“In accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, consumers who have been taken advantage of must receive help and a form of recourse, and from this they will be encouraged to have a better understanding of their rights being protected from abuse,” he said.

The committee also noted that it had received eight complaints about condominium projects whereby consumers had bought units through signed contracts.

Some of them had already paid deposits and instalments, but construction of the projects had been delayed to the point that the buyers had requested to cancel their contracts and

INFINITE LUXURY HAS appointed Somjai Tungkoo as General Manager of Kata Rocks, its award-winning resort in Phuket.

Ms Somjai has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. She began her career in Phuket as a Human Resources Coordinator at the Cape Panwa Hotel.

After working at a number of boutique and luxury resorts, including a stint at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Ms Somjai moved to Twinpalms Phuket where she started as Sales and Marketing Manager in 2004. She was

@thephuketnews

Phuket Provincial Office Chief (Palad) Sakchai Kunanawatchaidej ordered the crackdown at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday (Aug 10). Photo: PR Dept receive their money back.

The committee noted that attempts to reconcile the complaints through the developers and consumers had failed, and that the committee had agreed to pass these cases on to the Phuket branch of the Consumer Protection Board for further action.

Exactly which condo projects were involved was not disclosed, though only in May this year Emerald Group CEO Sawit Ketroj was taken into custody for defrauding investors of a total of more than B127.5 million.

The precise charge is breach of Section 22 of the Consumer Protection Act by providing false statements through advertisements published via the internet and other media, explained Tourist Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, who travelled to Phuket expressly to announce Mr Sawit’s arrest.

The projects affected by the claims were named as: The Emerald City Life Condo Patong; The Emerald Ao Nang Condo (Krabi); The Emerald Terrace Patong; and The Emerald – Central.

All four projects are developed under separate subsidiaries of the Emerald Development Group Co Ltd. The Phuket News

Infinite Luxury has appointed Somjai Tungkoo as General Manager of Kata Rocks. promoted to Group Executive Manager in 2009, overseeing the resort, Catch Beach Club, Bake, HQ Beach Club, and Palm Seaside.

Ms Somjai joins Kata Rocks from her most recent position as Managing Director overseeing three hotels under the La Flora brand in Khao

Lak. In her new role, Ms Somjai will manage the Kata Rocks resort’s day-to-day operations, the Infinite Luxury Spa, the award-winning Clubhouse restaurant, and the residences.

She will also focus on training and talent development.

“I’ve watched the Kata Rocks resort and brand strongly establish itself over the past few years and I’m delighted to now join this innovative team. My mission is simple: I want to inspire my team to push the boundaries of innovative luxury hospitality and bring it to new heights,” Ms Somjai said.

Ms Somjai is also a judge on the Labour Court in Phuket.

The Phuket News

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

TAT backs parks’ plastics policy

TAT welcomes national parks’ policy against single-use plastics TOURISM

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its support for the latest initiative by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to fight against plastic pollution.

Starting last Sunday (Aug 12), the DNP will encourage visitors to reduce consumption of single-use plastics at all 154 national parks in Thailand. Under the ban, all styrofoam containers will also be banned from being brought into national parks.

Last Sunday also marked the 86th birthday of the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.

The auspicious day was also celebrated as Mother’s Day throughout the Kingdom.

Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “Thailand is blessed with a landscape abundant in natural beauty, and the importance of

The ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam at national parks throughout the country (above) includes Sirinath National Park in Phuket (above, right). Images: DNP / The Phuket News file protecting this environment cannot be understated. As such, the TAT calls on all tourists local and international to say no to plastic bags and other single-use items.

Opt instead for bags, utensils and drink bottles that can be used again and again.”

Nature is one of the key areas in the TAT’s ‘Amazing Thailand:

Open to the New Shades’ communication concept, through which it is encouraging tourists to see the kingdom from new and existing perspectives.

The DNP’s initiative covers plastic and foam bags, food containers, capped water bottles and utensils – essentially any item that is typically used one time and then

thrown away.

The convenience of plastic bags and other such items is obvious, but these are harmful to the environment and much of what is discarded ends up in Thailand’s seas where it pollutes the water and kills marine life that either mistakes it for food or becomes tangled in it. Some plastics also pose danger to human

health as they partially disintegrate.

The DNP in its fight against single-use plastics, with the support of organisations like the TAT, represents a move in the right direction to protect Thailand’s natural and scenic beauty now and in the future.

A series of banners, in Thai in the initial stage, has been produced to help spread awareness of the new initiative at the country’s national parks. These encourage people to think of the harm the plastic they throw away will do to the environment, and to instead act in an environment-friendly way.

The DNP estimates that its initiative will help reduce about three million items of plastic waste, and that at least 10 million people including the visitors, officials, shop owners, youths and the general public, will join its effort this year.

moves on brisk sales Labour initiative targets skills MontAzure PROPERTY MARINE

THE MINISTRY OF LAbour has set its sights on developing the skill sets of workers in Phuket’s burgeoning marine-services industry.

To keep pace with the rapid growth in the marine services market, a vocational training program for four marine maintenance-related fields was launched in Phuket last month, said Sutthi Sukosol, Director-General of the Department of Skill Development.

The program, which wraps up at the end of August, comprises four courses for aspiring mechanics, painters, carpenters and those aiming to specialise in fibreglass repairs of boats.

Besides yacht maintenance, the department has also provided vocational courses for other hospitality services such as bartenders and holistic health therapists to fill gaps in the labour market at local hotels and restaurants.

The ministry is playing an increasing role in terms of tourism-related job training, pundits say. Last week it held a seminar on human resources development for tourism and service indus-

Workers tend to details of repair and maintenance of a yacht in a program to expand the number of technicians needed to work on around 1,500 yachts a year that come to Phuket. Photo: Dept of Skill Development tries in the Andaman coastal provinces, at the Phuket Boat Lagoon Hotel. The seminar, chaired by Labour Minister Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, was attended by more than 200 officials and business operators.

Gen Adul said Phuket provides repair and maintenance services for around 1,500 yachts a year.

“They come here because they [vessel owners] have confidence in Thai craftsmanship. Yet, the province and the sector still cannot supply enough workers to meet demand,” he explained.

According to the minister, tourists now generate B364 billion in revenue for Phuket’s economy each year.

Of the 13.2 million visitors it received last year, 9.5 million were foreigners.

Gen Adul said the gov-

ernment plans to develop five new hubs on the island.

They include a marine hub for yachts; medical tourism; MICE conventions; a resources and manpower development centre; and a so-called “smart tourism” cluster.

The island, which also ranks as a province, has 43 piers, five of which can accommodate tour boats.

Adisak Chatchawate, director of Phuket Technical College, said marine repairs and maintenance were incorporated into its curriculum several years ago.

The college already offered a vocational course in yacht mechanics, he said.

Mr Adisak said the class gained positive feedback because of the high salaries such jobs can command.

Bangkok Post

THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR SAW MontAzure reach a number of important milestones, including the structural completion of Twinpalms Residences MontAzure, the opening of three impressive new on-site show suites within the same development, and the official launch of Café Del Mar beach club just a few hundred metres further down north Kamala Beach.

MontAzure is a unique 455-rai (180-acre, or 73-hectare) master-planned luxury resort and residential lifestyle community that extends from Phuket’s forested mountainside down to the pristine beachfront at Kamala Bay. The development occupies one of Phuket’s last remaining prime waterfront locations.

“The second half of the year promises to be equally significant as Phuket’s most expansive new mixed-use development continues to expand and offer investors and guests an ever more dynamic residential resort destination,” noted a release issued to The Phuket News.

With several construction and engineering teams working in tandem on the architectural and interior work at Twinpalms Residences MontAzure, excellent progress has been made in the first half of 2018 with 50% of the units now finished, 70% of the façade work completed, and 60% of the project’s infrastructure components now operational.

The overall project remains on schedule with a target handover date to owners of Q4, 2018.

Sales have been brisk, with 52 of the 75 units at Twinpalms Residences MontAzure sold.

“Investors from Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Ukraine and USA have all seized the opportunity to combine hotel-based rental income and personal usage time with strong capital gains thanks to the development’s prime beachfront location,”

MontAzure is a unique 455-rai masterplanned luxury resort and residential lifestyle community in Kamala. Photo: Supplied noted the release.

Eight of the units sold since March, were as follows: • One-bedroom sea view unit – Chinese buyer • One-bedroom sea view unit – Ukrainian buyer • One-bedroom garden view unit – American buyer • One-bedroom garden view unit – Russian buyer • One-bedroom garden view unit – Thai buyer • One-bedroom garden view unit – Hong Kong buyer • One bedroom garden view unit – Hong Kong buyer • Two-bedroom sea view unit – Indonesian buyer The developer aims to have 26 units ready for owner inspection in November and is then prioritising an ongoing schedule of owner inspections through December and January based on international buyers’ availability to visit Phuket.

“MontAzure will also be announcing an exciting new phase when the above-mentioned owner inspections take place in November,” noted the release.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Malaysian street food at Le Meridien

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

15

Expat misbehaviour and misadventure

16

How to make out marketers and not be influenced by them David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

“S

ure you can sell vulnerable people some total **** and make a killing. You can also shove old ladies to the ground and snatch their purses. Same thing, scumbag.”

– Buster Guru (Ethical Marketing Blogger) Doesn’t modern marketing practices and spiel really get you on your high horse… or should I say ‘Unicorn’?

When marketers start talking about mythical beasts to best describe their consumer strategies, it’s time to head for the hills. See you shortly at Big Buddha.

Marketing is now an integral part of our lives, and indeed actions, whether we like it or not. Over the past decade there have been dramatic advancements to ever-more intrusive approaches to engage consumers and how marketers now view user actions as an essential pawn on their chess board. So much available content, especially in the digital realm, appears to be free.

But believe me… ‘If we’re not paying for the product, we are the product’.

It’s about personal data, eyeballs, shares and consumer advocacy. Trend@thephuketnews

ing software and AI algorithms have taken over the marketing world, and, as a result, ours. From personal experience working for major US movie studios, I was introduced to an ex-MIT data analysis team who had built their own highly sophisticated user profiling platform. Using a range of external paid data sources and their in-house online behaviour tracking software, they can literally pick a random individual in the US market and instantly know intricate details on their lifestyle choices.

What they spent where and when, whether the family have pets and so on all to create a marketing ‘target’ profile of each individual and push bespoke, (ir-) relevant content at every possible opportunity.

I spent far too much of my time in marketing boardrooms of many of the big players in this space, usually with a mix of disbelief and amusement by the terms concocted as a thin veil to qualify their activity. Apparently, if it sounds ever-so-slightly academic, the practice now has integrity. Such silly buzzwords have explored myth, metaphor and the methodical to find a message that sticks, and have gone from the high-brow scientific to the downright ridiculous.

Let’s take a look at a few. How the ‘experts’ would describe it, and then let’s consider what it actually means.

Unicorn – What they Say: Pertaining to feelings of perpetual bliss, Unicorn marketing is about identifying the best performing content or messaging and utilising this success by promoting it across all media channels, as well as re-purposing it in different forms including videos, infographics, presentation decks and any other platform they can think of. A ‘Rainbow Unicorn’ describes a really, really, really popular content piece. Okay.

What they mean: The creative team are on holiday, and we can’t think of anything else remotely as good. Let’s just run it again, besides our audience are too stupid to notice.

Low-hanging fruit – What they Say: Low-hanging fruit refers to those consumers who are easiest to engage with new initiatives or products. As example, repeat buyers or local customers.

Focusing efforts on this group maximis­ es the effectiveness of new marketing campaigns. Marketers certainly didn’t coin the phrase, but they can take full credit for now turning the sane into gibbering wrecks upon hearing it.

What they mean: Let’s just target the really gullible ones that will go for anything.

ToFu, MoFu and BoFu – What they Say: Apparently marketers like to abbre-

viate, so they have more time to use as many other abbreviations as they can in any excruciatingly drawn out meeting agenda. These terms refer to the ‘funnels’ used in marketing channels. Top of Funnel, Middle of Funnel,... you’re getting it.

The upper part of the funnel serves to spread awareness and develop prospects. Once they’re aware, the Midfunnel content marketing uses targeted blogs, case studies and more to nurture the audience’s further interest. And finally the bottom is where you’re left with highly interested customers who marketers or sales teams are looking to close by explaining why that product is better than anything else on the market.

What they mean: Absolutely no comment needed. Let’s just imagine a middle-aged man in a wide pin stripe suit saying, “Could we analyse the Tofu figures against the MoFu, and then compare it to the BoFu?” So there we have it. I rest my case, your honour. Armed with the understanding of such ridiculous terminology and whence it came, the power is back in your hands. Let’s all pray that the actual influence on any of us to buy into these hocus strategies is equally mythical. If you could all now just CLICK HERE and answer a short questionnaire, that would be just dandy.

14 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

The Good Shepherd

Profile on Vivienne Reis and her inspiring support to local communities PEOPLE OF PHUKET Jill N. Wells

T

he first time I met Vivienne Reis, her pleasant smile radiated and gleaming kindness sparkled in her eyes. An old Chinese saying states that one’s eyes are the windows to one’s soul. Right at that moment, I knew Vivienne Reis as the most kind-hearted person I have ever known.

Vivienne and her husband Peter arrived in Phuket from Perth, Australia, in 2009. Vivienne’s son Julian was in the process of building a villa at Laem Singh. So Peter came to help. Since then they have retired and have been living on the island.

However, retirement doesn’t mean an end to helping out. Vivienne didn’t need any reason to start volunteering. As a member of St Vincent de Paul society in Perth and Sydney, Vivienne was working with local volunteers to deliver food to the homeless. In Singapore she volunteered at the Catholic organisation Family Life, and assisted on the helpline for young pregnant girls and families. The girls were given accommodation in The Home of The Good Shepherd Sisters during their pregnancies.

Wherever she goes, Vivienne always helps the local communities. The Good Shepherd Sisters (GSS) have a vocational training centre in Patong. It was the first place she visited, where she assisted the Thai Sister Euphrasia as a volunteer in English and beauty classes, along with other volunteers. The goal was to give the bar girls who attended some new life skills. GSS ran a related program helping them find more solid employment outside of the Patong bar area.

The group also worked in the Rassada Pier area in Phuket Town helping the people in poverty. The first school was founded in that area where many children from the fishing families were educated for the first time. A Diocesan priest of Phuket gave GSS the old seafarers’ building, quite a run-down place harbouring rats and pigeons. Vivienne reached out to

get the local World Construction and Engineering Company to help out, and with 50 workers and all the construction materials, it was renovated and rebuilt. It is now known as “The Blue House”, with 22 beds, housing women in need and it is currently being used by The Seeds of Change craft group teaching pregnant women skills.

The Blue House also assists those in need who require urgent accommodation.

In addition to The Blue House, The Home of Hope, Topland, is another home where Vivienne and her volunteer team assist the Sisters’ projects. Donated by a generous Italian in Bangkok, it has housed many pregnant girls for their prenatal and postnatal care. Money was raised by the volunteers to send an AIDS victim home to Myanmar, providing him enough money so he could travel home at the end of his life.

The GSS received many donations: clothes, shoes, books, toys, electrical appliances… all secondhand. Vivienne never took no for an answer. Against all odds, Vivienne found a very kind landlord who offered his shop free for five years.

With her persistence and other volunteers’ hard work, the Thrift and Craft Shop in Baan Wana Park is also contributing to help the poor children and their families. While the shop helps to clothe the needy, it gives volunteers a sense of directly aiding the community.

For Vivienne, volunteering gives her a purpose: to help the marginalised and the poor to have a better life. She also strongly believes in children’s education to get them and their families out of poverty.

Constant fundraising, assisting Sister Euphrasia in acquiring an old chapel in Patong, negotiating the sale of the building, visiting different camps, dropping off rice or food parcels, arranging crafts selling at stalls, church, hotels, and gift shops, organising market-day fairs, Christmas fairs, organising donations at church… Vivienne did it all to create awareness of the Christian efforts of the Good Shepherd Sisters.

Life is like a painting, with cool-colour brush strokes here and there. But as long as there are people like Vivienne Reis, the base colour of life will always be full of warm and glittering hopes.

There is and always will be someone like Vivienne. If you find yourself in a most lonely or desperate situation, he or she will give you a loving hug, will warm up your world with a simple word and lighten up your life. Vivienne deeply believes that there is always a way to help.

Be gentle to the people around you. You should keep your belief

Vivienne (centre) at the St. Euphrasia BanYa Literacy Centre.

Vivienne (back left) with students at the Literacy Centre opening in Sept 2016.

The ‘Ride for Kids’ donation event in 2017. in kindness, and act with a good heart. Your heart reflects the world in front of you. Whatever you are showing to others, the world mirrors it right back to you.

The Good Shepherd Sisters website: www.goodshepherdphuket.com Address: 66/13 Soi Kepsub, Thavewong Rd, Phuket.

Contact: Sister Dr. Euphrasia Mes-

omklin, euphrasia@hotmail.com St. Euphrasia Banya Literacy Centre website: www.wearebanya.com The Thrift & Crafts Shop is located at: Wana Park – 177 Moo 4, Srisoonthorn Rd, Thalang. The shop’s hours of operation are: 10am to 2pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. thephuketnews

Jalan, Jalan THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 15

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Here’s to the Chefs, E. Kalaivanan Elumalai (left) and Afzainizam Bin Basri.

Malaysian Street Food Festival at Le Meridien, Karon The festival food was served as a buffet, presenting diners with a wide range of Malaysian street food delicahe exploration of food in Macies to savour the rich and exciting laysia lies in their people’s convergence of Asian flavours. Most favourite pastime, which they favourably the chefs insured the dishes fondly call ‘Jalan Jalan’. In were left rustic, delivering hawker style the most simplest of terms, tastes and presentation for an authenthis means to have a stroll tic street food experience. with friends and have a good I spoke with Chef E. Kalaivanan time. Invariably the ‘good Elumalai about the essence of street time’ bit translates to navigating the food. hawker-lined streets and sampling the “Our people like to look around and rich cultural food heritage with each taste the variety of food on offer across stall visit. Malaysian street food is a the hawker stalls. One stall can serve varied affair, with influences drawn very light food like Roti Canai, the next from its trade heritage and mixed-race one something heavier such as Nasi culture of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Lemak”, he explained.

Indonesian people.

“As a youngster I was inspired to be Having experienced the cultura chef by watching the food cooked on ally chilled concept of Jalan, the very the streets, seeing the stall owner at work behind the flamed woks at night. thought induces a spontaneous urge to My goal was to cook the best Char pack my bags and head straight to the Kway Teow, and it’s still my signature streets of Kuala Lumpur. Luckily for me I was saved the effort courtesy of Le dish.”

Meridien, Karon, who last week hosted For those who haven’t had the pleasa Malaysian Street Food Festival. This ure, Char Kway Teow literally means authentic event starred two of the finest “stir-fried ricecake strips”, usually chefs from their Kuala Lumpur resort, served with prawns and blood cockles.

E. Kalaivanan Elumalai and AfzainiPretty much everyone in Malaysia zam Bin Basri. has a favoured vendor and technique for this dish, and insist upon a visit to experience the wok wonder for yourself.

The spread at the buffet was impressive. Like the festival’s namesake there was a range of different stations to stroll around, watch the chefs in action and sample a captivating mix of colour and character.

Street food delights The rendang is always a including roti, sambal popular Malay choice, which is and rendang dishes. a spicy beef dish which originated from Indonesia. Here it was served as Braised Buffalo Tenderloin, a meat that is firm and rich to the dark, almost chocolate flavours of the chililaden sauce.

Along the lengthy buffet line there were treats in store with contrasting, but complimentary spices. The Red Snapper Fillet was paired with a warming red tamarind sauce.

The Indian Fish Curry showed Save some room for again such variety of flavour the dessert delicacies. and depth in the array of the David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

@thephuketnews

Malaysian curry repertoire. And the dry, sweet crunch of the Sambal Tiger Prawns opened an entirely new perspective to the plate.

But I must profess my love for the Assam Laksa, a sour, tangy, fish-based noodle soup. My penchant here is for the Penang variety, which has in its almost contradictory list of ingredients – mint, cucumber, pineapple, raw onion, chili, sardines, tamarind soup and rice noodles. It’s like nothing you’ve had before, but I’m certain you’ll come

back again.

Chef Afzainizam Bin Basri confessed that the secret to a fine laksa is to use both sardines and mackerel to embellish the dish.

All in all, Le Meridien put on a fine display of both taste and cultural reference.

Other than the obvious luxurious surroundings of a five-star resort, the food took me back on a nostalgic stroll along the ‘good time’ hawker stalls lining our neighbour’s streets.

Only Silk 16 ARTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Excerpt from Alan Platt’s new novel, ‘Foreign Fool’

I

know a bit about silk. Literally. A bit. As in not much. Wandering around Asia, I’ve picked up a veneer of expertise. At my age, it’s more like a patina. OK, make that a crust.

That lake in Myanmar where they row with one leg? There’s a silk factory on stilts in the middle of it. Been there. Russian Market silk sellers in Cambodia? Done that. Chewed the fat with silk farmers in Thailand. Even chewed actual silk worms, deep-fried, with the late-night, off-duty bar girls in Bangkok. Oh, the places you’ll go! (and the company you’ll keep). But I’m no expert, just a fan. Suffice it to say that when I was in India and showed up at the postcard city of Udaipur, ‘Jewel of Rajasthan’, I was keeping an eye open for a nice bit of cheap Indian silk.

I was never one for the patterns, the tartans and the other fancifuls. One chunk of raw color looks better to me, and doesn’t cost much, either, which is maybe why I always like the plain colors so much. I couldn’t afford anything else. I’d buy them as presents. Then keep them.

So I’m wandering through the back alleys of old Udaipur, eyeing the usual merch, and in a dark doorway there’s a sudden flash of deep purple, a really dark shade between navy blue and a very painful bruise. I stop. I go in and bring the little piece of silk out into the light, followed by the merchant. It’s just a scarf, but deep and rich and shiny. Midnight at sea, sort of thing. These very dark colors are a bit unusual in the silk biz, not particularly valuable, just, you know, a bit off the menu.

- You have a good eye, sir.

- Oh, not really.

- But yes indeed. A very, very good eye, sir.

- I’m no expert.

- I disagree. Good taste is its own expertise.

- Now you’re just buttering me up.

- On the contrary. I understate. A hundred people have passed this silk today and not one has understood its uniqueness.

- I do like it, I must say.

‘Foreign Fool’ – A travel memoir like no other.

How much is it?

Alan Patt plattdujour@gmail.com

- In fact, I was thinking of keeping it for myself.

- Oh? - Oh yes. We silk merchants can also be seduced by a piece such as this. Quite rare, you know.

- How much?

- Not much, sir. The weave is nothing special. It’s all in the color, you see. But you know that, of course.

The balance of the rough warp and the more delicate weft is what creates that sort of liquid effect.

- It is a bit like liquid, isn’t it?

- Mysterious. Profound. Only silk creates such emotions. Only silk.

Wouldn’t you say so, sir?

- Me? No. - We silk merchants can still be moved by our own stuff, you know.

- So how much?

- How much do you suppose?

- Too much.

- Ah. The desire to possess. The fear that you cannot.

He wrapped it around his wrist and fluttered it about in the light. It shimmered like deep, dark mercury.

Wow. Now I really wanted it. The thought of having stumbled onto such a piece, in this nowhere of a back alley, was like that dream of finding that old Ferrari in a barn. How high would I go? Fifty bucks? Jeez, I hope he doesn’t ask fifty dollars, the bastard, now that he knows I want it. I won’t pay that. I mean, it’s not even very big.

- Actually, I have just decided to give it away, sir. To you. Yes. I’m giving it to you. You deserve it. An eye such as yours, sir. The eye of an artist. Only silk has poetry such as this.

Only silk. So it’s yours. For free. It’s a gift. One silk lover to another. Here.

Take it.

He draped it over my arm. I was speechless. I started to yammer and stammer at him to the effect that I could not possibly accept such fine silk as a gift. We waltzed back and forth, I insisting on paying, he slowly being persuaded to accept a token sum. We settled on $25, although I was sure it was worth more, even though it really

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Alan Platt (left) with Dr Patrick Campbell at the recent Writers & Actors night at The Boathouse. was really just a scarf, I had to admit.

A smallish one in fact. But what quality. I damn near strutted down the street after handing over the equivalent in rupees. Wow. “Only silk creates such emotions. Only silk.” I kept repeating his words on the flight home.

What a score. And what a story to tell.

Back home, I took a long look at it in the bright sunlight of my yard and yes, it really was as deep and rich as I remembered. No doubt about it. A rare piece, he’d said. Along the edge there was a small bump peeping out almost invisibly from the seam. Closer up I could see that there had been a little tag, but that it had been purposely sewn into the seam, probably done by the weaver herself, not wanting to disturb the simplicity of the little scarf she’d just made. In Myanmar, or Cambodia, for instance, there is almost never any indication as to who made even the most amazingly complex pieces. It’s a sort of artistic modesty, a desire not to interfere with the purity and symmetry of the thing. Ah, yes.

Only silk creates such emotions. Only silk. My god, how beautiful everything to do with silk really is. But I was curious.

So, very carefully, I ran a razor blade over the few small stitches that were hiding the little tab. Slowly I teased it out. Gently I unfurled it.

There were words embroidered into it. I put my glasses onto the end of my nose and read them. They said ‘100% Polyester’.

After many travels and adventures, Alan Platt is now based in Bangkok.

He recently performed at The Boathouse Writers & Artists night. From an illustrious career in NYC as a rock critic, club owner and advertising industry Creative Director, he is now having a second childhood ageing disgracefully.

‘Foreign Fool’ is a travel memoir chronicling as much about misbehaviour as misadventure, and can be purchased on Amazon. www.foreignfool.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Small Waves?

Big Trouble!

Enjoying our waters, and when not to go out Observe the conditions before heading out.

Daren Jenner Marine Safety Officer, ISLA

“T

he waves don’t look that big.”

“I will only go out up to my knees.”

“I’m a strong swimmer. I’ll be fine.”

As a veteran ocean lifeguard, I have heard the above statements time and time again from beach-goers wanting to swim in dangerous conditions.

Now that Phuket’s waves have temporarily become smaller, it is tempting to take a jump into the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Is it safe to do so?

That depends on your swimming ability and experience with the ocean.

Read on to learn more.

Long or Short Period – What’s the difference?

Over the last two weeks, two-tothree-meter waves have pounded Phuket’s west coast beaches. As big as that sounds, the real danger lies not only in the size of the waves, but their frequency, or how often they break.

“Long period” swells hit Phuket’s west coast shores only occasionally.

This type of wave is created by far-away storms and the winds they spin up over the distant ocean. The waves created by these winds arrive at Phuket’s beaches 14 or more seconds apart. As they approach the shore and ‘feel’ the shallower water, the top of the wave eventually overtakes the bottom, and the wave breaks. For surfers, these are dream waves. For swimmers, these waves can be powerful, and should be approached

Rip currents are a hidden danger. @thephuketnews

with caution.

However, the longer period inbetween waves provides time to take a few breaths, and get ready to dive under the next wave. These waves also come in groups, with long, calm lulls in between. While these lulls can provide tired swimmers time to recover before the next group of waves arrive, they can also be deceptive. Inexperienced ocean swimmers may only watch the ocean for a minute or so, before deciding the waves look very small, and then enter the water. In reality, they have observed the ocean during a lull when no long-period waves are arriving. Then, once they are out in the water, another group of large ‘set’ waves arrives, which can overwhelm them.

Wind Swell Unfortunately, Phuket’s prevailing and dominant source of waves are ‘short period’ wind swell. These waves are whipped up by the local winds of the southwest monsoon. They blow towards the northeast right across Phuket’s beaches. The result? These waves are spaced only six to eight seconds apart.

When local wind waves reach over two metres, they are extremely dangerous, because swimmers in distress have very little time to surface and breathe before the next wave hits them.

Plus, short-period wind waves have few lulls in-between sets of larger waves. Once tired, inexperienced ocean swimmers, and even strong pool swimmers can become quickly overwhelmed by the frequency of the turbulent whitewater waves. Plus, there is almost always a background long-period swell ‘hiding’ in the near constant shortperiod wave train. When these hidden long-period waves combine with the already strong wind swell, the power of the surf becomes very intense, and wave heights increase suddenly and unpredictably.

Flash Rip Currents This combination of waves also creates Phuket’s infamous flash rip currents. These pulsing, outward-going currents can reach incredible strength and speed. They can form suddenly in one area of the beach, where anyone in the water above their knees could suddenly be in danger. As soon as these waves begin to break, the water can suddenly rise. Those who were previously wading suddenly find the water over their waist and pulling strongly outward. Then, these currents suddenly

dissipate, only to reappear in a few minutes in another area of the beach. Even the fastest and strongest swimmers can not make forward progress swimming against these currents. Unaccompanied children are especially vulnerable to this type of sudden, outgoing current.

Anyone entering the sea on Phuket’s west coast beaches, where consistent, breaking waves are present, should only do so in swimming areas marked by red-and-yellow flags. If these flags are not present, or if red flags are flying, swimmers should stay out of the water completely.

Always respect the power of Mother Ocean. If in doubt, don’t go out.

Too often ‘Red Flag’ warnings are ignored.

Daren Jenner is the Thailand Section Chief at the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA). www.islasurf.org Phone: +66817477733 +17144654200

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

PLUKPANYA GRAND ARENA CUP PLAYS HOST TO INTERNATIONAL TEAMS On August 11-12 the Mden football academy and Plukpanya School held their annual local and international football tournament at the Grand Arena located at the Boat Plaza complex in Phuket Town. The winners for U8 were Mden/Plukpanya, U10 winners were TX Academy and U12 was won by Mden/Plukpanya. The event attracted teams from Malaysia and China, had a huge turnout and proved a great success. The event was proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

The event organisers with the trophy display.

A line up of future football stars.

The winners from each age group claim their prize.

Looking exceptionally keen to get on the field.

Larry, Mike and Steven enjoying the social.

PHUKET BUSINESS SUNDOWNERS NETWORKING AND SOCIAL EVENING David, Pandi, Amy and James.

Even Batgirl made a late appearance.

The island’s networking club, Phuket Business Sundowners met up last Friday (Aug 10) to catch up and shoot the breeze at Grizzly’s Sports Bar, Kathu. Another great turn out for this monthly event.

Special guest D'Julz provided the tunes.

BABA BEACH CLUB BRING IN FRENCH HOUSE LEGEND FOR POOL PARTY French legend DJ D'Julz brought his signature house sound by performing at Baba Beach Club Phuket last Saturday (Aug 11) for their ‘Casual Saturdays – Day time pool party’. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

The ceremony included the giving of alms to monks.

Also in attendance was Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong’s wife, Mrs Sudawan.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong led the ceremony to honour the Queen Mother’s 86th birthday.

Joining the occasion were Phuket’s high-ranking officials.

MOTHER’S DAY, QUEEN SIRIKIT’S BIRTHDAY HONOURED IN PHUKET The island’s top-ranking officials joined a merit-making ceremony at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town on Sunday morning (Aug 12) to honour the 86th birthday of the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Leading the ceremony, which included the giving of alms to monks was Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and his wife Mrs Sudawan, who is also the head of the Phuket chapter of the Red Cross.

The Phuket Hotels Association providing educational scholarships.

The talented students who won scholarships.

THE PHUKET HOTELS ASSOCIATION AWARDS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS Last Thursday (Aug 9) the Phuket Hotels Association held an award ceremony to present scholarships to students who had good academic results but lacked finances. The Education Committee of the association had carefully screened students from Phuket Rajabhat University. Eight promising students passed the interview and received the awards.

From Left Almario Mungcal, Chefs E. Kalaivanan Elumalai and Afzainizam Bin Basri, and Kumar Lyander.

Traditional Malaysian dancers entertained the diners.

LE MERIDIEN HOSTS A MALAYSIAN STREET FOOD FESTIVAL CELEBRATION Through last week (Aug 9-12) Le Meridien, Karon, held a Malaysian Street Food Festival, featuring two of their finest chefs from Kuala Lumpur. The popular event gave diners a wide range of Malaysian street food delicacies accompanied with musical entertainment and traditional dancing from the region. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.

17 AUG

Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com

Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Five-course gourmet dinner with premium beverages Chef Jacopo Dimichele presents a sterling five-course menu including foie gras, seafood tartare, and sous vide cooked veal in this gastronomic event featuring some of the finest labels of Veneto, Italy’s Tedeschi vineyard. THB 1,900* Almario.Mungcal@lemeridienhotels.com 076 370 100 ext 5307.

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS

SAT

18 AUG

PIWC Annual couple dinner The annual PIWC couples’ evening will be held at Mom Tri’s Wok Gallery on the 18 August 6.30pm for 7.00pm.

Cost is 800 baht per person, guests are welcome. info@piwc-phuket.com

SUN

19 AUG

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch - Only July and August

Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550. Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/

day 12.00 - 15.30, Prices start from THB 2,800 net per person. **Come 4 pay 2 so 50% off or come 2 and get 25% off. Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

An Italian Evening Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables,

The Banyan Tree Brunch experience offers a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exceptional Lobsters dishes, Japaneses starters, mouth-watering meats, Asian wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree Brunch has something for everyone! Every Sun-

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites!

Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.

Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band!

Come for the FOOD - RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

SUN

19 AUG

WED

22 AUG

FRI

31 AUG

THU

20 SEP

13th PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2018 Returning for its landmark 13th annual gala dinner, the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, persented by Kohler, is the longest-running and biggest event of the regional PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards programme, which was first launched in Thailand in 2015. With a professionally run awards system supervised by BDO, the world’s fifth largest auditing and accountancy firm, the Thailand Property Awards is the premier and most credible industry awards in the country, with the top and emerging names in real estate celebrating the best developers, projects and designs.

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamp or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers.

Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht.

Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.

MON

20 AUG

Sala Wednesday nights ribs, beats, brews.

Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJQ will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket. com or call 076 338 888.

THU

23 AUG

Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, great variety, vibrant flavours. Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

@thephuketnews

RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70S & 80S Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Flambé 300g Australian grass-fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY B495.

Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY B95. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at www.

TwoChefs.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook/ TwoChefsThailand. Come for the food, stay for the fun! Reservations: Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076 330 065, Kata Beach 076 333 370, Karon 076 286 479 or Patong 076 344 914.

EVERY DAY

2018 King of the Mountain Phuket Trail Run The King of the Mountain Trial Run is hugely popular amongst both locals and visitors to the island. The route takes its runners along steep hilly terrain and past beautiful waterfalls within the Khao Phra National Park that surrounds Thanyapura. With a choice of 3 distances (4km fun run, 8km trail and 15km trail), there is something for everyone at this event. Please contact for more details. events@thanyapura.com, 076 336 000.

All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

SUN

2 SEP

PIWC - September luncheon September lunch will be held at Little Paris in Boat Avenue. 11.30am for 12.00noon. 700 baht members and 850 baht for guests. info@piwc-phuket.com

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

All you can eat Thai Tapas menu An array of unlimited tapas-size table serving of travelers’ and locals’ favorite Thai dishes, Kantok is the perfect place to devour the best of the best Thai cuisine at once, from mouth-watering appetizers and savor soup of Phuket specialties and soul satisfying desserts. Only THB 750-net per person. Serving daily from 11am-11pm. Reservations, Kantok Restaurant, Burasari Phuket, 076 292 929.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What does the acronym USB stand for?

2. Which 1993 multi-Academy Award winning movie featured Vin Diesel and Bryan Cranston?

3. Belgrade is the capital of which country?

4. Which legendary comedian owned the major US baseball team Cleveland Indians?

5. Who sang the 1965 classic protest song ‘Eve Of Destruction’?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

Across 62. “Sesame Street” 1. ___ bag regular 5. Like Siberian winters 63. ___ reflection 10. Fictional Looney 64. Eukaryotic Tunes company organism 14. Rattle 65. Hotel posting 15. Expo ‘70 site 66. Spinning ___ 16. Saturn satellite 67. United group 17. Passage 68. Young salmon 18. Red Square figure 69. Gallows reprieve 19. Smack 20. Idea disputed by Down Socrates 1. Metric unit of 23. Clergyman’s home weight 24. Jerry Rubin title 2. Marvel Comics 25. Some dashes mutant 26. Sketch 3. Coordinates 30. Down in the dumps 4. Hebrew letters 34. Bakery buy 5. River islet 36. Quite a stretch 6. Dazed and 37. Fantastic confused 42. With a bow, to 7. Malodorous Stern 8. Went downhill 43. Fur source 9. Cab type 44. Juicer 10. Intercede 47. Ad- and co11. Engine noise followers 12. Dovetail 48. ___ seul (dance 13. Down ___ solo) (Maine) 51. French cordial 21. Public utility flavoring 22. Girl from 53. Bad loan Ipanema city 55. Admits to mistake 27. 1969 Peace 61. Geometric solids Prize grp.

28. Like some beds 29. Hot rod propellant 31. Across, in verse 32. College in Ashland 33. U-turn from WSW 34. Swellhead 35. Walkaway 37. Road crew supply 38. Valuable rock 39. New Zealand yam 40. Took the bait 41. Flow from 45. Doom 46. Platforms 48. Motorboat engine 49. Pupil surrounder 50. 2000 Olympics city 52. Take a powder 54. Surface impurities 55. Lance 56. Kind of call 57. Medea rode on it 58. Not had by 59. Cambodian money 60. Balance

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Universal Serial Bus; 2) Saving Private Ryan; 3) Serbia; 4) Bob Hope; 5) Barry McGuire

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

3

percent of people change their bed sheets more frequently than once a week, according to a YouGov survey.

9

percent of Americans believe it’s acceptable to use your phone while watching a movie in a theatre, according to a recent poll.

12

percent of Americans think that ‘USB’ is the acronym for a European country, a study has found.

3,860

Darasamuth Underpass at night. Photo: Michael Rafael Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

kamikaze pilots died during World War II, but only 19% of kamikaze attacks managed to hit a ship.

50 million

crabs are estimated to be living on Christmas Island – so many that special road crossing have been set up for the species.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history Aug 17, 2015 A bomb explodes near the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 19 people and injuring 123 others. (See photo.)

Aug 18, 1783 A huge fireball meteor is seen across Great Britain as it passes over the east coast.

Aug 19, 1692 In Salem, Province of Massachusetts Bay, five people, one woman

and four men, including a clergyman, are executed after being convicted of witchcraft.

Aug 20, 2002 A group of Iraqis opposed to the regime of Saddam Hussein take over the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin, Germany for five hours before releasing their hostages and surrendering.

Aug 21, 1959 United States President Dwight

by Hawaii Admission Day.

Erawan Shrine. Photo: J Aaron Farr D. Eisenhower signs an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state of the union. Hawaii’s admission is currently commemorated

Aug 22, 1910 Korea is annexed by Japan with the signing of the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, beginning a period of Japanese rule of Korea that lasted until the end of World War II. Aug 23, 79 AD Mount Vesuvius begins stirring, on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

OTHER

ADVERTISE HERE

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS BUSINESS FOR SALE

Teacher wanted for child

Native English qualified teacher needed for child 5yo with autism. Speech, ABA, occupational therapists will have priority. High salary, flexible working hours. European nations only. ksenia, dcondosale@ gmail.com

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NT Live-in housekeeper wanted GE R ULive-in housekeep wanted for house in Kata. Must understand English and love dogs. Excellent conditions. 31/3 Soi Plukjae Kata Phuket. Contact: Lillian Dinic: lil@ladolcevitare. com.au or call 080 690 5248.

G UR

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SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

Totally renovated, Italian design and furniture, all-new imported kitchen and bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden and 40 rooftop. Pablo: 080 143 5541. info@dedos-restaurant.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Bar staff wanted

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Astounding Health Opportunity

Blondie Bar 2 at Otop Market Patong URGASEA Launching Phuket! U.S Revolutionary Health product requires Bar Staff. Thai nationals only. and opportunity. Monday August 27th 6.30pm Chanalai Good salary and room provided. Phone Hillside Resort, Soi 24 Patak Rd, Karon Beach. International Mick: 081 087 6114. speakers along with Dr Ray Dixon Australia. Please register for free presentation (Thai translated). Drraydixon@hotmail.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE com, 0624488838.

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234- FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH. G UR

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Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arrange. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

Hyundai Veloster TURBO

Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000km, Price from new 1,749,000 THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tyres with only 6,000km, all options. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 084-3058363 TH. U

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

Flat roof waterproofing

We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair!Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu, office@tcm-asia.com, 086-9439834,076-385081.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE For Sale

New set of Kasco G7 golf clubs RH R FLEX. Driver 10.5°, 3 Wood 15°, U4 Hybrid 19°, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P, S irons. Milled head putter. 11 clubs, 4 head covers, graphite shafts except putter. B25,000. Bob Mather, Kathu. Contact: bobmather_4@ hotmail.com, 095 549 2748.

OTHER Commercial Laundry Services

Exceptional commercial laundry services in Patong. Increased capabilities are allowing us to expand to support 500 additional rooms. Competitive, Chonticha, Patong, candkservicespatong@gmail.com, 0991658538.

Accountancy,Bookkeeping,Tax

Accountancy, Bookkeeping, Australian Taxation, GST, VAT, Business Advisory Anabel Da Silva, PO Box 161, Palmyra, Western Australia, 6957, anabel@dasilva-accounting.com, +61 40 400 6236.

POOL TABLES AMAZING DEAL NOT TO BE MISSED!

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission.

Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.

Like new English Riley Pool Table for sale.

Measures 320cm long by 170cm, comes with six pool cues and cue rack as well as game counter. Pick up in Chalong no delivery. Only 50,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

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CARS FOR RENT

We offer car rental at affordable prices.

Monthly from B10,000. Daily from B400.

Call us and find out what we offer. B10,000 monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2, T Paklok, A Thalang, 83110 Phuket. Contact: stigisaan@gmail.com, 084 847 4377.

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@thephuketnews

HOME IMPROVEMENT

CHATTHA Property and Rental Management Service in Phuket

Our services: Housekeeping, Garden, Swimming Pool, Maintenance and Repair. www.chatthamanagement. com office: 076 636 244 or mobile: 090 179 6635.

Chattha Management.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

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Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE PROPERTY FOR SALE 5 bedrooms family home

BEAUTIFUL 5 BEDROOMS HOME CENTRALLY LOCATED | 2 MINS FROM BIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL | 10 MINS TO PHUKET TOWN | 15 MINS TO CENTRAL FESTIVAL | 15 MINS TO SURIN BEACH | SECURE GATED CHILD FRIENDLY COMMUNTIY | ALL GROUNDS IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED 19.8M, Abby, Woodlands estate, Koh Kaew , Phuket, abby.barnhurst@icloud.com, +66 840896521.

4 Pool villas - 1 Rai for sale

Reduced price from 32.9 MB to 24MB (only 6 MB for 1 villa). Bali-Thai Style pool villa 3 bed, 3 bath. Located Pasak, Bangtao beach, Phuket. More info: (+66) 96-8956392,(+66) 94-282-2893 or Umaphorn.fg@gmail.com

Land & House for sale

Villa 225sqm. incl. 75sqm terraces on Freehold Chanote Land: 1 to 6 rai on SUKORN ISLAND, Trang province. Price THB 7,150,000 - THB 15,250,000. Owner, Koh Sukorn, Trang province, ddsukorn@gmail.com, 081 537 1957.

New Modern Villa – 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina

200 sqm, land 500 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, swimming pool, close to UWCT school. Including: pool/garden/wifi/TV.SAT/services. Google map: tiny.cc/ deltaho. Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. 65,000/ month, Alain, 57/3 Moo 3 Soi Ban Bang Pae, T. Pa Khlok, T. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Email: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.

RPM owner direct

Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm.

Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel. New Jacuzzi. Views to lake, mountain, marina, pool, etc. Completely furnished to a high standard, toothbrush only required. Owner leaving Thailand. Priced at 16MB for quick sale. Contact Brian (Owner): 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com RoyalPhuketMarina Condos.com

80m2 freehold condo in Patong

Freehold 80m2, 2-bedroom apartment in quiet condo with swimming pool in Patong. Ideal investment in most active tourist area in Phuket. B5.9 million. Contact Michel GUILLIEN, Andaman Beach Suites, Unit 1604, Patong, Phuket. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.

5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai

3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. THB19,750,000. Contact Mrs Simpson by email: thaivillaonline@gmail.com or call 084 447 7248. More info at: thaivillaonline.com

Unique Investment Opportunity

Unique investment opportunity Not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www. thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE Luxury Villa

With private boat morning and jacuzzi.

Email paradise11@mac.com for pictures, plans and price.

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Kamala Condo

Modern fully furnished 2B/R, 2 bathroom condo , 90 SM, min 3 months. Quite & secure. Wifi&cable TV included. 4 condos in this building. Small garden.12,000, bkeenan2010@hotmail.com, 084 716 0502.

Ready 01/07/2018

Penthouse for Sale

432.44 SQM Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city.

Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at the Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand.

Condo Facilities: Two tennis courts, 10 x 24-metre swimming pool, fitness & game room, restaurant, parking. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

Rent. The Heritages Suites, nice 2 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, Jacuzzi, 160sqm. Modern furnished. Lease long term (minimum 1 year). Parking, pool, fitness. Close KIS, Lotus. 39,000 per month, Owner, Kathu, Thai 089 552 9303 / Eng 093 717 9343.

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4-Bed Pool villa nearby Natai beach. Surrounded by nature. North of Phuket, 25 mins from airport. Idea for retired/long term stay family. Yupadee: miakcg@yahoo.com, 081 926 3286.

PROPERTY WANTED Looking for property in Laguna

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SPORT 29

Saved from liquidation

Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll rescues F1’s Force India BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

T

he Force India Formula One team will keep its doors open after administrators accepted a bid led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll to buy the factory and repay creditors.

The midfield squad was placed into administration by the High Court of England and Wales on July 27 following an action spearheaded by driver Sergio Perez, who was owed more than US$4 million (B133.45mn) in unpaid salaries.

The Mexican driver’s action, supported by Mercedes and major sponsor BWT, prevented a winding-up petition lodged by a fourth creditor from shuttering the team.

It took just 10 days for the appointed administrators to conclude on a preferred bid, with Lawrence Stroll, father of Williams driver Lance Stroll, emerging as the leader

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Sergio Perez spearheaded the action to move Force India into administration as he was owed more than US$4 million (B133.45mn) in unpaid salaries. Photo: Ferenc Isza / AFP of the successful consortium of investors.

“It is rare that a company can be rescued and returned to a position of solvency,” said joint administrator Geoff Rowley.

“Funding to support the team will be made available from today (Aug 7), and significantly more will be available once the company emerges from administration which we expect within the next two to

three weeks.”

All creditors will be paid in full and all 405 team employees will keep their jobs. A funding injection will allow Force India to resume developing its car in its battle for fourth in the constructors standings, in which it trails Renault by 23 points.

The sale of the team marks the end of Indian former liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s involvement in the sport.

Mallya had been instrumental in building up Force India from last place in the constructors championship in 2008, the year he took control of the former Spyker squad, to back-to-back fourth-place finishes in 2016 and 2017.

But Mallya became embroiled in financial scandals in recent years that have prevented him from sufficiently funding the team. He is currently fight-

ing extradition from England to India, where he faces charges of fraud and where the banks are chasing him for approximately US$1.3 billion (B43.405bn) in loans. He denies all accusations.

Several questions remain unanswered for the team going forward. The first is whether it will be entitled to its lucrative share of prize money under new ownership.

Only the company that entered into a contract with Formula One is entitled to prize funds, meaning a change of holding company may invalidate the team’s claim to its fair share.

Unanimous agreement from the other nine teams would allow prize payments to continue, but the German media has reported that Renault, McLaren and Williams are withholding their permission in a political protest against the growing power of manufacturers Ferrari and Mercedes over the sport, with the latter-named company being a close partner of Force India.

There are also questions about the effect the owner-

ship change will have on the driver market, with Lance Stroll expected to follow his father from Williams to Force India, perhaps as soon as the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of the month.

Stroll’s inclusion would displace one of either Sergio Perez, whose legal action ultimately saved the team, or Esteban Ocon, whose contract is part of an engine deal with Mercedes.

If Ocon were to lose his seat, Mercedes could pressure engine customer Williams to take him, but the English team has long fiercely guarded its independence from manufacturer influence.

However, with the loss of Stroll’s substantial financial backing and with the departure of title sponsor Martini at the end of the year, Williams may have little choice but to cut a deal with Mercedes to keep itself afloat.

Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of neutrals radio show.

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

Shot Bar on shot in RPL

14th season of Rawai Pool League underway, six newcomers welcomed POOL Richard Hearne

T

he Rawai Pool League (RPL) is up and running for its 14th season, with a newly introduced dual-division format where the six newcomer bars participate in Division B along with the lowerranked teams, while Division A includes last season’s top 12 teams.

After three weeks of play, Shot Bar currently stand top of Division A on nine points, leading Mango Bar only by difference in frames won.

Both teams have won three matches, with last season’s league favourites Black Sheep suffering a shock 5-2 home defeat on Monday (Aug 13) to a strong Black Pearl team.

Division A looks to be gearing up for a tight battle this year – expect plenty of upsets.

Aside from the play, Mango Bar’s impressive start to the season sees them presenting their opponents with mangos before each match, as they did this past week against Tropical Sands who are yet to get any points on the board along with Orange Bar, who probably had the toughest early fixtures of any team.

Expect Orange Bar to move up the table in the coming weeks.

Luke (Shot Bar) and Thong (Man-

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Future Bar’s ‘Chaiya’ seen here playing against his old team Pita Bar in the opening match of the season. Photo: Richard Hearne go Bar) currently top the individual rankings, with Dum (White Hart) sitting out Monday’s game against Pita Bar in another 4-3 epic between these two long-standing rivals.

Division B has provided excitement, with strong openings to the season for newcomers Roses and Stor bars, who currently sit atop the new division. Both new teams feature strong players who also feature highly in the individual rankings. Although early in the new season, both these teams look like strong contenders for promotion to Division A next year.

Catching up with Week 1 action, in Division A White Hart Bar

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played host to Orange Bar. After an unconvincing start by the visitors, they managed to pull the match back to 3-2 when a self-called foul by Noi allowed the home team to seal the match with the second Double’s win.

There were also opening night wins for Pita Bar in their home match against Future Bar (4-3), Black Pearl at home to Freedom Bar (4-3), Spot Bar who hosted Tropical Sands (52), Shot Bar with a convincing 7-0 win against Masaya Bar, and Black Sheep who won 5-2 at Freedom Bar. Meanwhile, Division B saw strong starts for the league’s new entrants. Standing out was Roses

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Bar with a 7-0 away victory against Kilt’n Haggis. Meanwhile, White Hart B and Stor Bar both registered 2-5 victories in their away matches to Black Bull and The Stoned Crab respectively. All-female team Pink Sheep registered a good opening night 3-4 away victory against Moonlight Bar. Laguna-based Baroque Bar saw their season off to a great start with a convincing home 5-2 win against newcomers O’s Bar. Finally, the Islander derby saw Islander A beat their B rivals with a 3-4 victory decided by the final frame of the beer leg.

In week 2, an off-par White Hart Team lost to Shot Bar despite a strong opening in the singles. Shot Bar’s Luke got their first points on the board, but the match was evenly balanced at 2-2 after the singles. Expectations were high for last year’s league winners, but Shot Bar took both doubles and the beerleg to card a 2-5 away win.

League favourites Black Sheep produced a 7-0 whitewash against guests Orange Bar, despite three of the four singles games going to a deciding frame. Meanwhile, Spot Bar’s Eddy prevented the same fate for his team, who lost 6-1 in their away game at Future Bar. Masaya Bar upset their local rivals Pita Bar with a deserved 4-3 home win. Tropical Sands continued

their difficult start to the season, with Mango Bar taking home a 2-5 away-win. The final Division A game saw a good 4-3 home win for Black Pearl against a strong Freedom team.

In Division B, Black Bull produced a 7-0 drubbing of their French compatriots Baroque Bar. Similarly, Roses Bar continued their run of whitewash victories against Islander B, despite both doubles matches going to the wire. The Islander’s A team lost at home to Stoned Crab in a fun game. Maybe Mark brought the sandwiches out too early!

Only Otis from O’s Bar was able to get on the board in their home defeat to Kilt’n Haggis. Mark and Phil brought White Hart B back into contention after Fern and Pattie of the Pink Sheep had taken an early advantage. But a tight doubles games against Friedhelm and Eric saw the match get away from the girls, despite Pink Sheep winning the consolation beerleg. The last match of the night saw newcomers Stor Bar host Moonlight Bar, with only Gianni’s singles win against Mikah halting a whitewash run by the home side.

For information on the Rawai Pool League please visit the official league website at http://rawai.pl.

‘Heartbreak Hill’ mini-marathon set to return for fourth edition FUN RUN IT WAS ANNOUNCED earlier this week that the AccorHotels ‘Heartbreak Hill’ mini-marathon will return for its fourth edition in September.

Details of the event were announced at a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall last Tuesday (Aug 7) held by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and Assistant Marketing Manager of Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas Metharak Decharak.

Also in attendance were heads of local government agencies and local media.

Mr Metharak said that after three very successful Heartbreak Hill mini-marathon events, AccorHotels are once again inviting everyone to join the upcoming event.

This mini-marathon event will be held on September 16 at Ban Ao Nam Bor School in Khao Khad with a 6am start.

Details of the fourth annual ‘Heartbreak Hill’ event were announced at a press conference held at Phuket Provincial Hall last Tuesday (Aug 7). Photo: PR Dept The purpose of the event is to raise funds to support the education of underprivileged children and AccorHotels’ Yim Kids and Planet 21 projects.

It is also held to encourage everyone to strengthen their bodies with exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle as well as to encourage cooperation between runners, hotel guests, associates, school children, university students, govern-

ment officers and the local communities of Phuket and nearby provinces.

Registration fees are as follow; B400 for the 6km race, B500 for 13km r a c e , a n d B1, 0 0 0 fo r 6km or 13km for VIPs. All those who take part in the 4the Accor Hotels Heartbreal Hill mini-marathon win a T-shirt while VIP participants will receive both a T-shirt and a medal.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Liverpool lay down the gauntlet to Man City FOOTBALL

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Kieran Canning

EPL PREDICTIONS

L

iverpool lived up to their billing as the biggest threat to Manchester City retaining the Premier League title as both sides shone on the opening weekend of the season.

So often outgunned by the oil wealth of Abu Dhabi backed City or commercial giants Manchester United in recent years, Liverpool were the biggest spenders from the world’s richest league this summer with a reported £170 million (B7.245 billion) splurge in the transfer market.

The first return on that investment came in last Sunday’s (Aug 12) 4-0 thrashing of a limited West Ham that even Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted “are not the Uniteds or Citys”.

City showed just what a task overturning a 25-point deficit last season will be for Liverpool in outclassing Arsenal in a 2-0 win at the Emirates despite a far more disrupted preparation for the campaign due to the World Cup commitments of most of their squad.

On the contrary, Liverpool have benefited from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s early exits in Russia with Egypt and Senegal as they returned in time to join the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Salah started where he left off from an incredible 44-goal debut campaign at Anfield by opening the scoring before Mane struck twice and Daniel Sturridge added a late fourth.

Klopp conceded it had been impossible to ignore the excitement and expectation

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Liverpool players celebrate after scoring their third goal against West Ham United last Sunday (Aug 12). Photo: AFP among the club’s fans that a near three-decade wait to win the league could come to an end in May. That hype is because Liverpool have built from a position of strength. After reaching the Champions League final last season, key areas of the team have been bolstered.

Midfielder Naby Keita was a bundle of energy and the star performer of the new boys that showed why Liverpool were willing to shell out £52.75mn (B2.23bn) and wait a year for the Guinean after agreeing a deal with Leipzig last summer.

“You can only imagine how good he’s going to be with more time,” said Liverpool midfielder James Milner.

Finding the net is nothing new for Klopp on opening day.

His side scored four at Arsenal in 2016 and three at Watford last season, but also conceded

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1698: Saturday Aug 18 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Lesser Dips**t, Copper San (VH) Location: Kathu - In front of J.C. house Directions: If coming from Patong, turn right (HHH) into the soi beside the Family Mart at the bottom of the hill on the Kathu side, just before the divided roadway begins. Wind in about 500 metres and when reaching the T-junction turn right (HHH).

Continue for 300m and then turn left (HHH) at the abandoned elephant camp on your right. If coming from Chalong head toward Patong, go beyond the Kathu Go-Kart track and make a left turn (HHH) at the end of the divided roadway onto the soi beside the Family Mart and continue as above.

Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

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three on both occasions.

As he was quick to point out, the clean sheet was just as pleasing as his side’s attacking play.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, signed for £65mn (B2.75bn) from Roma, was rarely troubled, but looked assured in starting attacks from the back, while Virgil van Dijk was imperious in sniffing out any sense of danger.

Liverpool beat City in three of their four meetings last season, but the key to a title challenge will be a consistency Klopp has so far failed to nail in nearly three years in charge.

The German, though, now has a wealth of options never previously afforded to him as evidenced by the sight of new signings Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri plus England internationals Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana on the bench

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last Sunday.

“I am not blind. I can see them and I can read the lineup and see then who is on the bench,” said Klopp when quizzed if he will have a difficult balancing act to keep all of his squad engaged over the campaign.

“The plan is they are all happy because they played an important part in our season, so from my point of view all good.”

Despite the positivity and investment, Klopp has insisted Liverpool remain just the challenger to champions City.

“We are still Rocky Balboa, not Ivan Drago,” he said on the eve of the season, invoking the underdog spirit of the fictional American boxer.

No knockout blows have yet been landed, but Liverpool have come out swinging.

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F1’s Force India saved from brink of liquidation > p29

KASHMIRI SINK PATONG

League leaders suffer first defeat as teams do battle for finals places

Kashmiri CC’s Arif Mushtaq edges a shot past Patong wicket keeper Anthony Van Blerk. Photo: Suthida Huadkham

CRICKET Neil Quail

C

&C Marine sponsored league fixtures were in full flow at the ACG last Sunday (Aug 12) with a double-header including a tantalising matchup between third place Kashmiri CC and top of the table Patong White, and Goan Panthers taking on Easy Living CC in the afternoon slot.

Sitting on 20 points, and five wins from five games going into last Sunday’s fixture, Patong White have all but secured their final’s berth, while Kashmiri CC in third place on 10 points knew a victory was essential for a Grand Final place beckoning on October 5.

Boundaries galore featured in this scintillating encounter as Kashmiri CC took the early advantage by winning the toss and electing to bat first, sending their skipper Imtiyaz Mushtaq and Arif Mushtaq out to open the innings.

Both batsmen hit the ground running, with Arif crashing his first of 14 boundaries off Shivam Bhattacharya’s

opening delivery, and continued an assured performance with eight 4s and six 6s on his way to an almost flawless century, reaching his ton off the inning’s very last ball.

Treating Patong’s bowlers with utter malice, the batting exhibition from Kashmiri’s openers powered their team’s score to 190 off 17 overs, with Imtiyaz also knocking on the century door before a solid catch by Jason Robertson at deep mid-on off Prakash Jha’s bowling, ended the captain’s efforts on 71.

Eventually, with support from Waseem Ahmad (15 not out), Arif reached his 100 with a single off the last delivery, boosting the total to an intimidating 211 for 1 off their 20 overs.

Targeting a little more than 10 per over for victory, Patong’s opening pair of Michael Flowers and Stuart Hamilton (13) were tracking well until Hamilton’s dismissal in the third over off a Malik Iqbal delivery, bringing the dynamic Jha to join Flowers at the crease.

Needing to raise the tempo and score, Jha’s first two strikes found boundaries, with four

more, including three sixes encouraging a hopeful outcome for Patong.

Denting that hope with some excitement in the seventh over, Arif held on to a catch off Prashant’s bowling to send Jha (35) back to the clubhouse, inviting Anthony Van Blerk to the middle.

Keeping in touch with the required run rate, Flowers and Van Blerk reached the 10-over break on a score of 94, and after resuming play, both stretched the score to 149 in the 16th over when a wilting Flowers succumbed to the pace of Ahmad, unfortunately missing out on his maiden half-century by a single run, but a fine innings nonetheless in keeping his side optimistic of challenging the Kashmiri’s score.

Requiring 63 runs off four overs for the win, a tiring Van Blerk and captain Seemant Raju were unable to achieve the necessary run rate, adding just 24 more runs before concluding their 20 overs.

Man-of-the Match was undoubtedly Arif Mushtaq for his exciting century, while Ahmad returned his team’s

best bowling figures with one for 31 off his four over spell.

A fairly emphatic 38 run victory for Kashmiri CC now lifts them into second place on 14 points above Patong Blue (12 points) with two games remaining.

The day’s second fixture was played between the Goan Panthers (4th) and Easy Living Phuket (5th).

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the Panthers regular openers Ravi Naik (31) and Balesh Dessai (37) made a solid start putting on an opening stand of 82.

Young debutante bowler Eddie Chattaway made the first break-through just before the drinks break and the Panthers then began to lose regular wickets. Arun Virdiker (19) and particularly Vejay Salikineni (42 not out), who made his last 20 runs as last-man-standing, did well to lift the Panthers to a commendable final total of 204 for seven from 20 overs.

The young Chattaway was notably the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 39, while Tony Donovan also picked up two wickets from his three overs.

C&C MARINE CRICKET LEAGUE 2018 Team Patong White

Played 6

Won 5

Lost 1

Draw 0

Points 20

Kashmiri C.C.

6

3

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14

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5

3

2

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12

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4

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8

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*As of August 13, 2018 Grand Final: October 4, 2018 Win: 4 Points Draw/Abandon: 2 Points Loss: 0 Points

In reply, Paul Judge and his opening partner Alastair Lawson began well against the skillful new-ball bowlers, Virdiker and Premkumar Salikineni before Virdiker bowled Lawson for eight, with Easy Living’s score on 20. Judge fought on well despite losing partners frequently and was given some assistance from Donovan (16) in a partnership of 29 for the fifth Wicket.

Unfortunately, Judge (21) was involved in a huge mix up resulting in a simple run out for the Panthers. Donovan also fell to the same fate after a good piece of work at long-on from Salikineni.

That left Easy Living’s other young debutante Don Judge

(5) as the last-man-standing, the young lad batting well in a 14-ball innings before falling to Mayur Deuskar. In the end, Easy Living were bowled out for 90, with class spin bowling Salikineni backing up his batting performance, returning excellent figures of two for 17 to pick up Man-of-the-Match honours.

Additional reporting by Michael Flowers.

Phuket cricket is always looking for new players, sponsors and teams. Please contact us via the Phuket Cricket Group or ACG Facebook pages, or e-mail Jason@acgphket.com for more information. thephuketnews