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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
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NEWS
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Brit drowns amid lifeguard crisis
LIFE
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Take chances to make a difference Police in Phuket are under fire for allegedly taking payments so some people can dodge the law. Photo: The Phuket News / file
PHUKET POLICE, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS UNDER INVESTIGATION, TRANSFERRED FOR CORRUPTION The Phuket News reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
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huket police and immigration officers came under heavy scrutiny this week with 15 police officers under investigation for suspected corruption amid accusations of allegedly pocketing up to B100 million in bribes to not report foreigners illegally staying in the country. Three Phuket Immigration officers were transferred to Bangkok with immediate effect on Tuesday
(Nov 14), while former Patong Police Chief Col Chaiwat Uikam and the Patong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Somsak Thongkleng were transferred out of Phuket until further notice last Friday (Nov 10) following allegations of taking bribes from entertainment venues in Patong. Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Peerayuth Karajadee publicly revealed the extent of the alleged racket of shakedowns and possible extortion to not present illegal immigrants arrested to Phuket Immigration for deportation in a notice
issued to Region 8 Police dated last Sunday, but revealed on Monday. The notice explained that Phuket Provincial Police had learned that 142 illegal immigrants had been arrested but not presented to immigration, thus sparking the fuller probe into all police stations across Phuket. Those 142 were exposed following the arrest of 95 “illegal aliens” – reported as 62 Indians, 11 Pakistanis, six Egyptians and 16 “others” – in raids on Nov 8-10 by a task force of Immigration officers, soldiers from Royal Thai Army 5th Infantry Divi-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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sion, Phuket Provincial Police and Patong Police as part of a nationwide crackdown on an estimated 200,000 foreigners illegally staying in the country. Leading those raids in Phuket were Maj Gen Jessada Saiyun, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau Region 6 based in Songkhla, and his Deputy Commander Col Nattapakin Kwanchaiyapruek. “There are many foreigners working in Phuket. However, we have found that there are some foreigners who have overstayed their visas, and...
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Surin Beach seawall now on hold after locals rally > page 4
Graft probe exposes police
The truck was loaded with cast- iron pipes. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation
One dead as truck’s brakes fail ON E M A N DI ED A N D two men were injured early on Monday (Nov 13) when the brakes on a 10-wheeler truck loaded with cast-iron pipes failed while making the steep descent into Patong. The brake failure caused the truck to collide with a tuk-tuk and two motorbikes. Motorbike driver Kittiporn Tossakarn, 30, was killed in the collision. “The driver of the truck was taken to Patong Police Station for questioning,” one rescue worker confirmed. Eakkapop Thongtub
Continued from page 1 ...there are also some foreigners who have not notified the immigration office of their residence and some have not carried out the required 90-day reporting,” Gen Jessada said. “Even though we have continuously tried to clear the island of illegal aliens, we still receive complaints about there being illegal aliens from India, Pakistan and Nepal, and these people often cause problems for Phuket people,” he added. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen announced last Friday (Nov 10) that a special investigation panel comprising “officers from different police stations across the island” had been formed to investigate 15 officers suspected of involvement in the release of the 142 foreigners. The investigation is to be followed up each week and will take more than one month
Maj Gen Teeraphol said the probe into the 15 officers will likely take about one month. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub to conclude, he added. However, it took an order from the top for Phuket Police to come under scrutiny, with the investigation ordered by deputy national police chief Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul Wednesday last week (Nov 8) via an order to Region 8 Police Commander Maj Gen Teerapol Kuptanon. “However, everything must be proved to be the truth
and we must be able to reveal as much as possible. I think it will all be figured out in at least a month because all of the information and witnesses are here,” Gen Teeraphol said. “These 15 officials are still working as normal,” he added. In his notice issued to Region 8 Police last Sunday, Col Peerayuth noted that Phuket Provincial Police subsequently ordered 11 po-
lice stations on the island to report the number of illegal immigrants arrested over the past year, from “October 2016 to October 2017” so that the arrest statistics could be compared with those of Phuket Immigration. Of note, Patong Police Station reported 862 immigrants arrested, but only 52 being presented to Phuket Immigration – leaving 810 of those arrested unaccounted for. In stark contrast, Phuket City Police Station arrested 174 immigrants during the period, with all 174 presented to Phuket Immigration – a discrepancy of zero. Following that whirlwind of corruption allegations, three Phuket Immigration officers were among six police transferred out of Phuket this week, with immediate effect. The official order, issued by Royal Thai Police Acting Inspector-General Pol Lt Gen Suchart Teerasawat
on Monday (Nov 13), called for the six officers to report to the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre in Bangkok. The officers were to present themselves to the Royal Thai Police Operation Center at 10am Tuesday. The Immigration officers transferred were named as Lt Col Surasak Jaidee, Lt Col Teanchai Chomphu and Sen Sgt Maj Pongphet Jantharat. The other three officers were named as Capt Adul Boonrat of the Patong Police, Sen Sgt Maj Pornprasit Wenthong of the Phuket City Police, and Capt Nimit Sukprasert of Region 8 Police. The order said the transfers were “to manage neat and productive working”. The order required that the officers were to remain in Bangkok until further notice.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub and Tanyaluk Sakoot.
Novelty lighter causes airport scare A SUSPICIOUS ITEM REsembling an “M67” hand grenade caused panic around Phuket International Airport last Thursday night (Nov 9). However, after an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team inspected the item it was found to be a novelty lighter and ashtray. Capt Yutthana Chitchonlathan of the Sakoo Police was informed at 7:50pm that a suspicious item resembling a hand grenade had been found close to a fence on the airport runway road. Capt Yutthana was told by
The item resembling a grenade turned out to be a lighter and ashtray. taxi drivers, who were waiting in the area to pick up customers from the airport, that they had been playing snooker in their rank when they noticed a dog sniffing around outside. They then saw the sus-
picious item laying on the ground just one and a half metres from where they stood so they called the police. It was reported that the location of the item was just 50 metres from the airport’s runway and 500 metres from the Domestic Terminal. An EOD team inspected the item and at first believed it to be an M67 grenade. However, on closer inspection they discovered it to be a novelty lighter with an ashtray inside the main body and made to look like a grenade. Eakkapop Thongtub
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Brit tourist drowns Gov urges swift resolution to lifeguard crisis The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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huket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has urged the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor) to act swiftly on hiring lifeguards so that they are ready for the high season. PPAO Deputy Chief Satien Kaewpraprab responded last Wednesday (Nov 9) by stating that bidding is now underway for a new contract and that the issue will be resolved by the end of the month. Mr Satien said, “The PPAO has a Beach Safety Lifeguard Project which is aimed at helping people should they become involved in water accidents at 12 of Phuket’s beaches. However, Laem Singh Beach is not to be included in those 12 beaches for now as there is no access to the beach. “Lifeguards who were stationed at Laem Singh Beach have now been moved to Patong and that means we now only cover 11 beaches. “The 2017 budget contract for B16,566,000 ended on
Rescue volunteers tried valiantly to revive Mr Dean on the beach. Photo: Tourist Police Volunteers Sept 30 (contract started Jan 20 – Sept 30). So in October the lifeguards stopped working. We have managed to hire beach security for eight beaches and they started work on Nov 1,” Mr Satien said. “There are currently six lifeguards at Nai Harn Beach, two at Yanui Beach, seven at Kamala Beach, 21 at Patong Beach, six at Surin Beach, 11 at Bang Tao Beach, five at Nai Thon Beach and five at Mai Khao Beach. “In total there 63 lifeguard covering 24 stations on eight
beaches… We are now in the process of hiring lifeguards for Kata, Karon an Nai Yang beaches and we expect there to be 32 lifeguards covering these three beaches,” Mr Satien explained. “The PPAO opened bidding for a new company to take on the lifeguard contract via the phuketcity.org website on Nov 6 offering a budget of B16,500,000 for 10 months of service. Bidding will close on Nov 23 and I can assure you that the issue of lifeguards will
be resolved by the end of November. “However, some beaches that do not have lifeguards will have local administrative officers keeping an eye out for tourists,” Mr Satien concluded. However, 60-year-old British tourist Colin Dean, from London, died after he was pulled unconscious from the water at Karon Beach on Tuesday (Nov 14). Eye-witness accounts noted how tourists valiantly tried to revive Mr Dean on the beach.
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E-cigarettes included in beach smoking ban T H E USE OF E- CIGArettes, also known as vaping, on Patong Beach will be considered the same as “smoking” and offenders may incur a fine of up to B100,000 or even a year in jail, a leading local Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) officer has confirmed. Vaping in public is already illegal in Thailand as it is by law already considered the same as smoking, Watcharin Thintalang Director of the Phuket DMCR’s Marine and Coastal Management Division, told The Phuket News. “E-cigarettes, or vaping, create smoke and that is banned under the same DMCR regulation (for banning smoking at the beaches). Vaping is ‘smoking’, and that breaks the law,” he said. “However, as with regular smokers, people can use their e-cigarettes in the dedicated smoking areas,” Mr Watcharin confirmed. Mr Watcharin repeated the warning that DMCR officials will start charging people for breaching Section 17 of the 2015 law on marine and beach resources management – which means that people caught smoking on Patong Beach
People can still use their e-cigarettes in the designated smoking areas. Photo: Premkamon Ketsara after the 90-day amnesty may face a fine of up to B100,000 or even up to one year in jail for a breach of the act. “We will start to issue fines on February 1,” he said. Local DMCR officials in Phuket have launched a publicawareness campaign to warn people of the impending ban, which technically came into effect on Nov 1. DMCR Director-General Jatuporn Buruspat was on Patong Beach in person on Tuesday (Nov 14) to inform tourists of the ban, but assured The Phuket News that fines will be levied after a 90-day “grace period”. Mr Jatuporn also praised Patong Municiaplity for installing 26 smoking areas along the Patong beachfront. Tanyaluk Sakoot
Micro-chipped wristbands for boat passengers in marine safety boost PHUK ET GOVERNOR NORraphat Plodthong has revealed plans to distribute mandatory micro-chipped wristbands for all passengers boarding boats in Phuket. He has also ordered pier safety management be increased as the island prepares to welcome in the new high season. Gov Norraphat’s comments came during his ‘Governor Meet Press’ meeting held last Thursday (Nov 9) at Phuket Provincial Hall. “Phuket City Municipality has joined with other agencies to create a plan to enhance the safety of tourists doing marine-based activities,” Gov Norraphat said.
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“They have decided that microchipped wristbands will be given to all people boarding boats at local piers before they travel to nearby islands because for Phuket City Municipality the safety of tourists is a priority. “Visitor’s information such as their names, address, telephone number, accommodation and other details will be embedded into the chip before being given to the passenger to wear. “The chip will also have a GPS system to determine the location of the tourists. However, this is purely for tracking passengers in case of an accident or if a tourist gets lost
All people boarding boats at piers in Phuket will be given microchipped wristbands ‘for their own safety, said the Governor. Photo: Premkamon Ketsara at sea,” he said. “Tourists need to get to the piers early to register their details for the wristband before it is given
to them to wear. It is for the safety of tourists themselves. “It is expected that the wristbands will come at a cost of no more then B20 and we are discussing whether to let tourists keep them as a souvenir from Phuket, or if they will be recycled for further use,” said Gov Norraphat. However, it was not said whether the cost of the wristband will be covered by the tourists themselves or whether they would be provided for free, or whether the wristbands would be given to passengers travelling from other islands to Phuket. Meanwhile, Gov Norraphat also pointed out that pier safety
management around the island be increased ready for the coming high season. There are four major piers in Phuket; Rassada, Chalong, Ao Po and Royal Phuket Marina and also many private ones that the provincial authority are trying to manage. Specifically for Rassada Pier and Chalong Pier, Gov Norraphat noted, “We are improving the safety and the service at these piers for tourists. We are also going to set up more CCTV cameras with software to scan the faces of tourists, officers and boat crew members,” he said. Premkamon Ketsara and Panida Bunditboworn
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The feisty snake initially kept resuce workers at bay. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation GENERAL MANAGER
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Python stuck exiting drain RESCUE WORKERS FREED a python three-and-a-half metres long and weighing about 10 kilograms at Saphan Hin on Tuesday night (Nov 14) after the snake became stuck while exiting a drain manhole cover near an ATM in front the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command Radio Station. Kusoldharm rescue workers took 20 minutes to free the snake from the manhole cover. The snake was to be handed over to local wildlife experts. Eakkapop Thongtub
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Surin Beach seawall on hold after locals revolt Shela Riva reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
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onstruction of the “underground” seawall at Surin Beach was put on hold on Wednesday (Nov 15) after more than 50 residents massed at the construction site on the beach demanding an explanation of what was going on. The delay in the construction came after the crowd met with Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief MaAnn Samran and Thawee Homhuan, Chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, at Surin Beach on Wednesday morning. “Some people don’t under-
After the crowd dispersed a backhoe flattened the huge furrows that were ploughed into Surin Beach. Photo: Supplied stand clearly what is happening, so I showed a map and plans to them,” Mr Thawee explained. “However, they were not protesting,” he stressed. “Mr MaAnn told them to come this morning after I received complaints from villagers
yesterday (Nov 14) about the construction, which had been underway for only one day. “Some of their complaints included that the construction ruins the good view at the beach,” he added. “We will take about one week to set up a meeting to explain it and make sure everyone understands clearly that we are building a seawall and its purpose,” he said. “Then we will construct the seawall, which will be 800 meters long in total. But we will do it 100 meters at a time,” he added. “This way the construction will not bother tourists too much, until the whole pro-
ject is finished. More details about the construction will be explained later,” he said. “The seawall project is to protect the beach from further erosion. I want people to understand the purpose of it, so it is better to make an appointment for a clearer explanation within the next week,” Mr Thawee added. After the crowd had dispersed a backhoe flattened the huge furrows that had been ploughed into the beach. Mr MaAnn on Tuesday defended the seawall construction on Surin Beach following several complaints from local residents sent directly to The Phuket News. “I have been receiving a large number of complaints from locals over the years asking why I have not done something about the beach at Surin eroding and the sand being dragged away. “So I decided it was time to renovate the wave barrier. Due to the monsoon season, waves have dragged sand from the beach, causing several problems,” he said. Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot
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Opinion 6
OPINION
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EDITORIAL
Tell us about it
he mob at Surin Beach this week that caused the construction of a seawall to grind to a halt (see page 4) painted a picture as clear as the bright blue Phuket sky of the state of public awareness of government announcements and projects. The local residents, more than 50 of them angry enough to turn out in person just one day after a backhoe had ploughed huge furrows into the beach, had no idea what was going on. This was despite a public meeting previously being held to discuss and design plans for preventing coastal erosion at the tourist-popular beach. Anyone living in Phuket will fully understand this. How often do you need to be caught out by electricity and water supply shut-offs, just for regular maintenance, before you learn that you must make the effort to follow up on each
and every local authority that may affect you or your business? As already pointed out in this editorial space, it is very difficult to lure serious investors to the island when local authorities fail to inform locals when the electric will be off or the tap water stopped. It is ludicrous to expect everybody to check each and every local government agency, every day, just in case you might be directly affected by whatever outage or interruption warning that may be buried on their many different websites. At least the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has got it right in launching a three-month campaign to inform everyone of the smoking ban on Patong Beach. No less than the national DMCR boss Jatuporn Buruspat himself personally took part in informing tourists of the ban this week, and
although the ban technically began on Nov 1, the campaign gives everyone a three-month headstart to learn about it. So if you still smoke or vape on Patong Beach after Feb 1 next year, then as the Aussies say, “You’re a bloody idiot.” As for local projects and infrastructure upgrades, there is no excuse for local agencies to not directly inform local residents and tourists. The national government requires every District Office in every province in the country to maintain a database of registered residents in their areas. So they know how to contact the Thai residents on the island. As for informing foreigners on the island, they can just ask Phuket Immigration. They keep a database of the addresses and contact details of all foreigners legally living in Phuket – and perhaps know how to contact a few of the illegal ones as well.
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95 ‘illegal aliens’ arrested in Phuket Chinese tourists flock to Thailand for fun, sexual freedom One dead, two injured on Patong Hill crash Phuket Immigration online permit-to-stay check working The Dream hotel and beach club up for sale Australian tourist Stacey Liddle to go home next week Former Patong Police Chief and Deputy transferred to Surat Thani Governor, soldiers step up action against Kamala Beach operators Phuket police ‘paid B100mn monthly in bribes’ New flood drains to bring relief to Patong
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HAVE YOUR SAY Phuket tourist hell My wife and I landed at the [Phuket] domestic terminal for an overnight stay as we were meeting members of my family the next day. I had heard about the taxi mafia that blights Phuket so had printed out a map to assist our driver – a lady. She rudely discarded it and contrived to drive about aimlessly till she had run up a B200 meter charge. The hotel was 500 metres from the airport. Our hotelier took us back the following day – it took 63 seconds! We had an enjoyable holiday in Ao Nang which was full of tourists and no dogs: the two are connected. We moved to Koh Lanta where we were again impressed: no dogs and very clean. Our hearts sank when we returned to our hotel in Phuket. The area looked like a bombsite: pipes were being laid and the sidewalk was hazardous. We returned to the UK bearing a negative view and will doubtless advise our friends. Action is needed now with prosecutions of taxi drivers who refuse to find a hotel 500 metres away. Mike Bell
Your responsibility
Re: Opinion: A tourist’s defence of Vachira Phuket Hospital vs Stacey Liddle Bravo to Mr Gerald Hogg. I am an expatriate living in Phuket for the past 10 years. The Thais are very nice, polite and gentle people. Yes, Miss Liddle’s family have no right to belittle the hospital. If she does not have a international motorcycle licence, she should not be riding one. Being in Thailand for over 30 years, 10 of which in Phuket, I don’t even dare to ride a motorcycle. It always easy to blame everyone else except ourselves. Lee ..................................................
Vital equipment Re: British tourist, 60, drowns at Karon Beach
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has only a limited success rate when compared to a defibrillator. Modern, automatic defibrillators are cheap and no training is required. Many offices and airports now have emergency defibrillators for public use. There should be one on every single beach. Sir Burr
So the man’s life was not worth the cost of a lifeguard? Perhaps potential tourists should be warned in advance of the dangers of Phuket’s beaches. Marcher ..................................................
It beggars belief
Re: Samkong underpass flooding just bad timing How can the drainage system require a complete overhaul already? They only just opened the tunnel for goodness sake. So I guess in other words: “We made such a shambles of building the underpass we are having to rebuild it now”. Discover Thainess ..................................................
Pathetic planning
Re: Phuket’s Surin Beach seawall upheaval rankles residents Striking! We read: “Not even toilets”, no talk about beach showers? Tourists: Welcome to Phuket, no toilets, no showers, and no smoking. Smoking at the beach can leave you ending up in Thai prison for one year. But where you urinate? We don’t want to know. Welcome to Phuket’s beaches – without facilities. Kurt
Use your head
Re: Phuket Opinion: So say the crowd? Here here. Let’s point out yet again that Thailand is officially listed by the WHO as having the second most deadly roads in the world. No travel insurance policy is going to cover you to ride a motorbike anywhere, even without such high odds of disaster. I feel sorry for people who fall victim to these facts but really there is no excuse. People know full well that riding a motorbike in their own country requires stringent training and exams backed up by expensive insurance. To not expect similar risks in another country is, I’m sorry, foolish. That people have been able to use crowdfunding to help them out, is of course, good news. But one fears that such campaigns are sometimes unscrupulous. Even those that are not intentionally fraudulent still tend to embellish the facts and try to mislead potential donors. These campaigns are therefore doing irreparable damage to Thailand’s international reputation. Captain Jack 69
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‘DSI overhaul overdue,’ PM Prayut voices concerns over state of dept, wants improvements BANGKOK Bangkok Post
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rime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called for an overhaul of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) so it can face future challenges and cope with extraordinary or particularly burdensome cases. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the premier has voiced concern about the state of the DSI and asked him and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to take steps to improve its performance. “The prime minister wants the DSI to be more efficient and trustworthy and investigate special cases, not ordinary ones. It should not do what the police are doing,” he said. Over the years the DSI has faced growing criticism regarding its jurisdiction and authority over cases, with critics arguing that several of those it has accepted as “special cases” should be have been left to the police.
Calls have been made to reform the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) to prepare it to handle only special cases in the future. Photo: Screengrab via YouTube Mr Wissanu said that as part of the DSI reforms, outsiders are likely to be allowed to apply for jobs with
the agency, which requires specialists in several areas including forensic and inquiry work.
He also said the DSI overhaul, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Justice Administration Reform Com-
mittee, will proceed hand in hand with efforts to reform the police. In the area of police reform, Mr Wissanu said Gen Prayut has also urged various parties to review a proposal seeking to separate inquiry work from the jobs the police force are tasked with. He said while Gen Prayut agrees inquiry work should be handled independently to ensure transparency, it does not have to be transferred to another body, especially when the DSI is a separate entity under the Justice Ministry. “Currently police work is divided into two groups: prevention of crimes and inquiries. There ought to be a clear line drawn between them, without transferring the inquiry section from the Royal Thai Police [RTP],” said Mr Wissanu. The proposal seeking the separation of work has been central to police reform efforts with advocates suggesting officials who deal with inquiry or investigative work be transferred to an independent body. The inquiry work includes
interrogations of suspects, the collection of evidence and processing cases to be forwarded to public prosecutors. Gen Prayut’s suggestions on the issue come as the Inquiry Official League of Thailand (IOLT) last week emphasised the need for inquiry work to be transferred out of the RTP. Its statement was released in response to a police reform panel proposal that this work remain under the RTP’s jurisdiction, but that measures be introduced to ensure there is no interference from higher echelons in the police force or from politicians who might seek to influence events. The proposal is reportedly based on input from the IOLT. The group says it represents 10,600 inquiry officials. Critics say the inquiry work is vulnerable to interference due to the military-like chain of command. One solution put forward was that the premier have police who handle inquiries report to the Justice Ministry but stay at their offices, stations or bureaus.
Sellers of fake Toon T-shirts warned NATIONWIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF Intellectual Property has warned manufacturers and sellers of fake Toon Bodyslam’s charity run T-shirts they could face legal action. The department said on its Facebook page on Tuesday (Nov 14) that makers of the counterfeit product would be jailed up to four years and/or fined up to B800,000. Sellers would face a jail term of no more than two years and/or maximum fine
Toon talks to a grandmother waiting to show her support for the rocker in Surat Thani. Photo: Nujaree Raekrun of B400,000, it said. “Anybody seeing the fake products of the Kaokonlakao project can inform us. The department will promptly
take action,” it added. The campaigners of the project have made T-shirts and caps to support Toon on his run to buy equipment for 11 state hospitals. Many factories have refused to make them after they were approached by opportunist traders wanting to take advantage of the event. The rocker has run more than 550 kilometres since his start in Yala on Nov 1. Donations reached B226 million and the figure keeps going after his twelve days on the roads. Bangkok Post
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ASIA NEWS
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Prawn row serves up cocktail of orders for S. Korean fisherman SOUTH KOREA
People look through greeting cards and old film cameras that are on display at a oncea-month ex-lover’s market in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
Heartache for sale at Vietnam’s ex-lovers market VIETNAM Jenny Vaughan
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t Vie t n a m’s Old Flames market, curious customers peruse love letters and pick through perfumes, candles and clothes – relics from failed relationships put on sale by forlorn lovers. Entrepreneurial exes meet once a month, bringing their baggage – emotional and literal – to a converted cottage on a leafy Hanoi street to find a new home for items they can no longer bear to look at. It’s also a means of moving on. “(After a breakup) I’m very sad, I can’t drink or eat... but after a while I pick myself up. The past is in the past,” said Phuc Thuy, 29, who was selling clothes, purses and even a tube of toothpaste she acquired during a former romance. The market has steadily grown since it opened in February, especially among Vietnam’s social-media obsessed youth, unabashed about
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sharing intimate details of their everyday lives. “Young people are more open-minded and they want to share deeply and widely to overcome pain, without suffering alone,” said founder Dinh Thang, as a visitor strummed love songs on a guitar nearby. He started the market after a few bitter breakups left him with unwanted paraphernalia from a now extinguished passion. He proudly displays love letters, heart-strewn birthday cards and sentimental scrapbooks from his ex as a reminder that such memorabilia need not be painful forever. He’s also opened the doors to vendors selling new items, and is planning to duplicate the concept in Ho Chi Minh City next year. For those who haven’t quite reached Thang’s stage of emotional post-breakup enlightenment, he’s set up a message board to pen notes to exes. “To all my ex-lovers, I’m sorry because I feel like we
never really knew each other,” read one remorse-tinged message. Another was more succinct: “I’M FINE!!!” Thang hopes the market will make the topic of breakups less taboo in Vietnam, a conservative communist nation of 93 million where just a generation ago arranged marriages were more common. Today, men and women are waiting longer to get married and divorce rates are also ticking up, according to official figures. “We don’t want to give up our freedom too early and get tied to family responsibility when we’re young, we want to enjoy life before getting married,” Tien, 25, added. For some, the Old Flames market is simply a place to make new connections, romantic or otherwise. “I came here to meet people and to see the goods, explore why they used to be a very beautiful memory,” said Tieu Khuy, before picking up a used copy of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. AFP
SOUTH KOREA’S PROvocative serving of prawns from disputed waters at a state dinner for Donald Trump has irritated Japan but cooked up a bonanza for the fisherman who caught them, who has been deluged with orders. The prawns were fished near the Seoul-controlled islets called Dokdo in the South and Takeshima in Japan, that have been at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between the South and its former colonial ruler for decades. The South’s presidential office also invited one woman forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during the World War II to last week’s meal, where she was introduced to Trump, who hugged her. The moves – seen by some as a diplomatic jab at Tokyo – annoyed the Japanese government, whose top spokesman said it was “necessary to avoid” actions that may hurt bilateral ties.
The row proved a hit for the fisherman who provided the prawns for the state dinner. Photo: AFP Seoul’s foreign ministry called it “inappropriate” for Japan to take issue with the menu at another country’s state dinner. But the row proved a hit for the fisherman who provided the prawns, sparking public interest in the once-obscure crustacean. “I used to get 10 to 20 orders” a day, Park JongHyun told a local radio station. “Now I get nearly 100,” he added, meaning customers have to wait 15 days for their orders. Other fishermen are also fielding a barrage of re-
quests, according to reports. Park has fished in the area for 15 years, hauling up the shellfish – which cost around $10 (B330) each, depending on size – up from 300-metre depths. “Dokdo is our territory,” he said, calling Japan’s complaints over the menu “ridiculous”. Seoul and Tokyo have been embroiled in rows over territory and history for decades, and many South Koreans bitterly refer to abuses under Japan’s brutal 1910-45 occupation of the peninsula. AFP
10 WORLD NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Brazil’s digital detox clinic
Tech junkies seek healing for ‘nomophobia’ at Delete Institute BRAZIL Cecilia Sorgine
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ike many young people, 29-year-old student L.L. loves his cell phone. So much so, in fact, that his studies, his work and even his personal relationships have suffered, and his phone eventually became a way to avoid people in the real world. That was when he realised he needed help. L.L., who like other patients interviewed asked that their full names not be used, suffers from a form of digital dependency known as “nomophobia”, a neologism derived from the term “no-mobilephone phobia”. It is a condition with real psychological, social and physical consequences and is on the rise in Brazil, home to the fourth largest number of internet users in the world. In September, the student started on a course of treatment in the Delete Institute, the first in Brazil to offer free digital detox to online addicts. Set up in the psychology
department of Rio de Janeiro’s Federal University in 2013 by psychologist Anna Lucia King, the Delete centre has already treated 800 people suffering various types of dependency on digital technology. The profiles vary, from adolescents who spend hours playing video games on their computers, to adults who have lost a spouse over their addiction, or who were fired from jobs for spending too much time on Facebook or WhatsApp. Newly enrolled patients undergo an evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team and answer questions to establish the source of their dependency. Afterwards, a psychologist evaluates whether there is any sort of clinical disorder present, such as anxiety, panic attacks, social phobias or obsessive compulsion disorder. Afterwards, they are classified into one of three possible categories: conscientious user, abusive user or dependent, and offered treatment sessions tailored to individual needs and the gravity of the case. The aim of the treatment
Student Mariana Alves, 19, a former patient of digital dependence therapeutic group ‘Delete’. Mariana became a patient of Delete after her overwhelmed mother threw two smart phones through the window, to warn her on her disconnection from real life. Photo: Mauro Pimentel / AFP is not to demonise technology but to allow addicts to use it in a healthier manner. In weekly group sessions they discuss their experiences. They also are given exercises – like trying to read a book or watch a movie without looking at a mobile phone – and taught good practices – known as digital
etiquette. The goal is to help a person go from an abusive user to a conscientious one. Some disorders may need to be treated with medication. As well as causing emotional problems, nomophobia can inflict physical suffering on an addict. The centre’s physiotherapist, Mariana King Padua,
explained that prolonged use of mobile phones, and the angle of the users head when staring at a handheld screen, can put so much pressure on the neck that it causes injuries. “The neck muscles are not adapted to this kind of workload,” she said. Heavy usage of technology does not necessarily make a person an addict: that only happens when their use becomes exaggerated. “Abusive behaviour occurs when the virtual world starts to impinge on the real one, that’s when people lose control. It’s a fine line,” said Eduardo Guedes, Delete’s specialised digital media researcher. The ubiquity of online technology and the penetration of the internet into everyday modern life can often blind people to their own addiction. Many times, it is the people around an addict who seek help for them. That was the case for H.B., 24, whose mother brought her to the Delete Institute last August to treat her dependency on computer games.
“I didn’t even notice that I had a problem,” she said. “You get used to it, it’s difficult to stop.” Moderation is hard to come by these days in the largest economy in South America. In 2015, 50% of Brazilians, or 120 million people, were connected to the internet, trailing only behind China with 705mn, India with 333mn and the United States with 242mn, according to a UN report on the information economy that was published in October. Around 85% of online Brazilians use digital media to communicate with each other, while 77% use Facebook and other social media platforms, according to Brazil’s Internet Managing Committee, which oversees internet usage in the country. While nomophobia is still a relatively new concept in Brazil, it is widely acknowledged as a public health problem in countries like South Korea, Japan and China and is treated in rehab centres. AFP
Roman temple restored deep under City of London UNITED KINGDOM A ROMAN TEMPLE HAS BEEN restored to its original site seven metres below the City of London, using sound, lights and misty haze to bring the ruin back to life. Built in the third century, the London Mithraeum was discovered by chance in 1954 on a World War II bomb site. It became an instant public sensation, with up to 30,000 people per day queueing to see it. The temple to the god Mithras was dismantled and reassembled 100 metres away from its original
location so the public could see it when post-war rebuilding on the site was complete. But now the ruins have been moved back and restored, deep beneath Bloomberg’s vast new European headquarters by the Bank of England. “London is a Roman city, yet there are few traces of its distant past that people can experience first-hand,” said Sophie Jackson, the project’s lead archaeological consultant. The reconstruction puts the temple back in place, as it looked at the end of the 1954 excavation. “This really was one of the most
important discoveries in London, if not in Britain, in the 20th century,” said Jackson, from the Museum of London Archaeology team. The site is darkly lit and an audio soundscape reveals some of the noises and Latin chatter that visitors to the temple might have heard as Mithras cult members indulged in feasting, drinking and sacrificing. Sheets of light from above, slicing through the misty haze, complete the temple walls. Mithras was a Roman deity often represented killing a bull, though it is widely believed the figure was derived from a Persian sun god.
His cult was all male, and the Mithraeum was a place for members to bond. The temple was built next to the River Walbrook, a now submerged stream running through the City of London. The seam of damp earth helped preserve a wealth of artefacts. Before the new Bloomberg HQ was built, a six-month dig uncovered the largest assemblage of Roman archaeology ever excavated in London. The dig turned up more than 15,000 objects including jewellery, shoes, animal bones and pottery, and brooches that shed light on where Roman Londoners came from, what
A worker of the London Mithraeum views the reconstructed temple to the Roman deity Mithras at its original site below the City of London. Photo: AFP they ate and how they lived. It also unearthed a wooden tablet from January 8, 57 AD – the earliest dated handwritten document from Britain. AFP
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
BUSINESS NEWS 11
Confidence breeds resilience Thailand ranks high as Asia-Pacific hotel investment dips The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
markets in the region. We expect a solid last quarter of 2017 in terms of investment activity.”
hailand has recorded the third-highest level of hotel investment transactions by volume across the Asia-Pacific region so far this year to September, according to the latest figures released by international consultancy and broker JLL. Hong Kong led Asia Pacific by volume of hotel investment transactions, with 11 deals worth a total of nearly US$1.5 billion, JLL reported in a release issued last Wednesday (Nov 8). Japan also saw the second highest level of activity across the region at US$1.2bn in transaction volumes respectively, the report added. Of the Hong Kong deals, several transactions have potential for conversion into residential or office space. Recently, hotel owners have been considering converting their assets given the strong demand for office space. “For investors, Hong Kong
Regional picture Thailand has experienced another active year recording US$335mn (B11.08bn) in hotel transactions, led by the capital, Bangkok. This is the highest total volume recorded since 2014. JLL acted as sole advisor on several hotel deals this year including the Premier Inn portfolio and Sukhumvit S27, selling for a combined US$111.5mn (B3.69bn). Interest in Thailand is being buoyed along by the continuing stable political environment and relative affordability of hotels compared to a number of other Asian countries,” noted the report. Australia remains a firm favourite for hotel investors globally, particularly for Chinese investors, due to its strong inbound tourism growth. Investment volumes were close to US$110mn as of September 2017, the report added. “Mainland Chinese buyers have purchased around
HOSPITALITY
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Thailand has so far recorded US$335 million (B11.08 billion) in hotel transactions, led by the capital, Bangkok, and including the Premier Inn (pictured) portfolio and Sukhumvit S27, selling for a combined US$111.5mn (B3.69bn). hotels are appealing because of the discounted rate per square foot when compared to other asset classes, something that has been a factor in some recent transactions. Hotels such as J Plus Hotel has already been purchased for conversion, likely into an office,” says Mike Batchelor, Head of Investment Sales Asia, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.
Domestic investors most active in Japan Japan has remained a stellar performer in terms of hotel investment since 2013, with transaction volumes reaching more than US$1.2bn as of Sept 2017. The lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will continue to boost tourism, with the government aiming to double the number of foreign visitors
to 40 million by 2020. “Domestic investors are traditionally the most active buyers in Japan’s hotel market,” explains Mr Batchelor. “However, we are now witnessing international investors becoming increasingly active in Japan, as market fundamentals continue to improve and it remains one of the most attractive debt
US$1.4bn of Australian hotels since 2015 but given the recent curbs on outbound capital by the Chinese government, this strong demand may somewhat slow down in the near term,” says Mr Batchelor. Strong year-end volumes expected Overall hotel investment volumes in Asia-Pacific hit US$5.3bn in the first nine months of the year, down 22% year-on-year. In Q3 alone, sales activity reached US$1.2bn across the region, with around US$1.5 to US$2bn in deals expected to close by year-end. A large component of this volume is expected to come via Japan. “We expect total year-end hotel investment volumes to reach between US$7.5 and US$8bn across Asia-Pacific, slightly down from US$8.6bn recorded last year,” says Mr Batchelor. “There is likely to be a decline of around 10% in 2017 due to the lack of hotels for sale in the market and a pricing gap between buyer and seller expectations.”
12 BUSINESS NEWS
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Untangling Computer Crime Computer-Related Crime Act and protecting your business TECHNOLOGY Panisa Suwanmatajarn editor@classactmedia.co.th
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s you may have heard, the Amendment to the Computer Related Crime Act No. 2 B.E. 2560 (the “Act”) has been enforced since May this year. It is aimed to give more protection to businesses and rights of the people and prevention of any abuse of others’ rights, as in the past the previous Computer Related Crime Act B.E. 2550 had some loopholes which some people were able to take advantage of, to abuse or infringe other people’s rights. Among the key issues covered in the Act that both business operators and computer users should be aware of include that any person who illegally accesses a computer system of others that have a specific access prevention measure shall be subject to imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding B10,000, or both. Further, any person who knows the specific access
prevention measure of the computer system of others and then disclose the said measure to any third party and that may cause damages to such owner of the computer system shall be subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding B20,000, or both. The Act of course includes provisions and penalties of fines, and in some cases up to years in jail, for hacking data for use, destroying data or diminishing a computer system’s performance as is common with denial-of-service attacks. However, bu si nesses should note that any person who sends computer data or electronic email “which characteristics cause trouble or annoyance to the recipient without giving the recipient an opportunity to easily declare the cancellation or denial of such subscription” shall be subject for a fine not exceeding B200,000. Any business operator or person who would like to send an email or SMS, its online marketing, sale or advertisement material to others should
Lawyer Panisa Suwanmatajarn notes the benefits of the Computer-Related Crime Act 2017, not just the pitfalls. be aware of this. Once sent, such business operator shall provide a way for recipient to have an easy method to deny or unsubscribe such online material. Another key provision is Section 14 which stipulates that any person who brings into the computer system any information, (i) such as distort, fake or false information (but not related to the defamation action) which may create damage to the public
or nation or (ii) any information in relation to terrorist or national security offence or (iii) obscene information which the public is able to access and any person who knowingly distributes such information to the public shall be subject to imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding B100,000, or both. Any computer user who loves to upload or forward or share any content on the website, social media or
any online platform should be aware of this. Most importantly, any person who owns a website, internet system or any online platform, if such person helps or cooperates with the person who breaches Section 14 shall be liable to the same as the person who conducts such action, unless the person who owns the website, internet system or any online platform does not have any actual knowledge or be aware that such action or violating material has been uploaded or existed on its website, internet system or any online platform and that the owner of the website, internet system or online platform does not receive any financial benefit from the uploader or violating person. Moreover, such owner is required to do some actions by creating an easy way that the person who may get damaged from the uploader or violating person is able to contact the owner or its agent and notify them in regard to such online material which violates its right. After receiving notifica-
tion, such owner has the duty to delete or block accession to such violating online material. Moreover, the owner is required to record any data which has been uploaded or published on its space within no less than 90 days. Any business operator and computer user should consider the provisions of the Act carefully before uploading, sending or publishing any material online in order to prevent any liability that may be raised against them, or consult legal counsel before conducting any action would be another option. This article is an abridged version of Panisa Suwanmatajarn’s presentation as guest speaker at the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) Multi-Chambers Boardroom Briefing on IP Changes in the Thai Computer Crime Act held in Bangkok on Nov 7. Ms Panisa is a Partner at R.W.T. International Law Office Co., Ltd, in Bangkok. Visit RWTlaw.co.th
The Dream Phuket hotel and beach club up for sale HOSPITALITY On offer are the Board of Investment (BoI) operating properties for both the hotel and the beach club.
THE DR EA M PH U K ET Hotel & Spa and its Dream Beach Club at Layan Beach
on Phuket’s west coast has been put into the transaction market, reports Bill Barnett, founder and Managing Director of hospitality and consultancy C9 Hotelworks. On offer are the Board of Investment (BoI) operating properties for both the hotel and the beach club. “Under the BoI licence 100% foreign ownership is allowed,” noted the C9 Hotelworks report. The Dream Phuket, which opened in 2016, has 174 rooms, suites and villas, including Deluxe rooms of 35sqm, Sky Suites of 82sqm up to fourroom Executive Pool Villas of 185sqm with a 40sqm private pool and 120sqm garden. That’s not including the VU rooftop pool bar, Trilogy restaurant, Indulge bar and Sanctuary spa. “While currently operating under a licence agreement with Dream, vacant possession is available. Brokering the sale is Savills Hotels,” noted the C9 Hotelworks report. At the time of going to print the Singapore-based Castlewood Group which operated The Dream Phuket had yet to respond to requests for more details. The Phuket News thephuketnews
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
All you need to know about ‘Living in Phuket’
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
15
Life is all about seizing opportunity
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THE MAGIC TOUCH The success of Phuket’s Two Chefs restaurant chain has been built on its reputation for fun, friendliness and value
Two Chefs’ classic ‘Surf and Turf’ features NZ Angus rib-eye steak and Canadian lobster served with a citrus salad, sautéed potatoes, grilled asparagus and accompanied by red wine and béarnaise sauces. Baz Daniel
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wo Chefs restaurants and catering services operate all over Phuket and indeed southern Thailand, where they’re famous for unrivalled food, great value, music, laughter and all-round good fun. We investigate the magic ingredients that make their brand so successful and well-loved. In 2000 owners Billy Agren and Henrik Ojelind opened their first Two Chefs Phuket eatery in Kamala, then moved location after just one successful season over to Kata Beach where they established their extremely popular restaurant, which still thrives there today. Outlets in Karon and Kata Hill followed, and their outside catering and events business also keeps on growing and receives outstanding endorsements. They even run a small boutique inn behind their Kata Beach restaurant. Each Two Chefs restaurant seduces its myriad customers into its welcoming @thephuketnews
modern interior with a warm embrace that offers both indoor air-conditioned and outdoor dining areas. Their menus feature the same extensive range of cuisine which has made Two Chefs well-known and loved throughout Phuket, with a large selection of steaks, imported meats, fish, seafood, pastas and salads as well as Tex-Mex cuisine featuring such treats as tacos, nachos and fajitas. Tempting desserts such as blueberry cheese cake, brownie, and apple crumble with homemade vanilla sauce add to the restaurants’ seductive charms, and all the cuisine is served with the famous Two Chefs’ friendliness and Scandinavian flair. Every time you approach a Two Chefs outlet you can feel a bright, happy wave of energy, laughter, lively music, clinking glasses and the unmistakable aroma of good food and downright hedonism. Amazingly, they have a team of ten full-time musicians and their musical theme nights and Battle of the
Bands evenings are famous. It’s little wonder that myriad locals and visitors alike vote with their feet and molars in making Two Chefs one of Phuket’s most successful year-round restaurant brands. Clearly their staff think so too, as they receive great training, incentives and events and consequently staff retention and motivation are sky high. As we all know, happy staff means happy customers and that’s something you can’t just create overnight. The company is also famous for their active role supporting Phuket’s community with their ongoing community events, fund raising pop-up dinners, and support of local charities such as Phuket Has Been Good to Us. The Two Chefs Catering and Events Division does sterling business as a one-stop-shop for all types of catering and events. They supply delicious International, Swedish, Thai, Fusion, Japanese, Italian and French foods, overseen by their internationally-expe-
rienced General Manager and Executive Chef Adam Goodman. Two Chefs are experts at catering for smaller, more intimate events, either in their restaurants, or in the comfort of their clients’ own residences all over the island. They will expertly devise and deliver tailor-made programs for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation dinners, barbecues and dinner parties. They even provide all sorts of back-up services such as flowers, clowns, tents, live music and DJ’s, to cover every type of event, and operate their own fleet of refrigerated trucks all around Phuket and the greater Andaman region. Two Chefs has rightly become a much-lover Phuket icon and the Swedish owners have undoubtedly discovered a magic formula that makes them one of the island’s happiest places for good food and fun times all at most reasonable prices. For more info visit: twochefs.com
14 EDUCATION
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Looking ahead to a bright future Helping your child prepare for transition in their final year in high school EDUCATION CORNER
If you are the parent of a student in their final year of school, this is an important time for you and your family.”
The author of this article: BISP University Counsellor Jacqui Brelsford.
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t the British International School, Phuket (BISP) we realise the importance of helping students in all aspects of their lives. In the role of University Counsellor we not only help students choose the best fit universities, but work with other staff to ensure their transition out of BISP and into university, a gap year, or work is as smooth as possible. No matter which school your child attends, if you are the parent of a student in their final year of school, this is an important time for you and your family. Maybe you have been through it before, or you are experiencing it for the first time. Perhaps you will become ‘empty nesters’ after this child leaves. Whatever the case, there will be some ups and downs along the way. For most students, there are five stages of the “Transition Cycle” and there can be an emotional rollercoaster at each stage. Research has shown that being aware of this cycle, and understanding that certain behaviours are completely normal, can help families through this time. Students in the final year are in the Involvement Stage. They are engaged with school activities and happy to be here. As university offers come and students begin to imagine life at university, they can start to distance themselves. This is stage two – Leaving. Then comes the end of the school year. Reality will start to set in as they have to look ahead to choosing accommodation, picking meal plans and roommates. They may try to avoid this inevitable change, or become overwhelmed and upset. This can also be the time that relationships come under attack. Fights happen between friends or family as students act out the subconscious feelings of fear or panic. Students may also start to be more clingy, staying home and not going out – or the opposite. Be patient with yourself and your child.
University Counsellors help students to find the right university, and work to ensure a smooth transition. Once they graduate, the summer holiday ends, and they arrive at their next destination they will be on a high. They are excited about all the new things and people. You probably won’t hear from them very often at the start. But then around four to six weeks in, when the novelty wears off, things don’t feel so rosy anymore, students get homesick and may be unsure of their decision to be where they are. All these emotions are stage four – Transition. Usually after their first long break, once students return from their holidays, they enter stage five – Entering. They realise that they do feel settled in their dorm room, or new apartment, that they
have friends to come back to and it’s not all bad. There will still be ups and downs, and it is normal for many students not to reach the final stage – Reinvolvement – until their second year. Preparing you and your child with a thorough understanding of these issues increases the chances that future transitions will also be smooth. Before graduation, encourage your student to say “thank you” to those people who have influenced them during their time here. At BISP we ask them to talk to their parents about finances, doing laundry and cooking basic dishes. By working together, we can ensure the transition to university is as smooth as possible.
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EXPAT LIFE 15
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Navigating your surroundings as a new expat can be difficult, get some helpful advice at ‘Living in Phuket’.
Get specific advice from a range of local experts.
Finding your feet in Phuket
Second ‘Living in Phuket’ event aims to make life easier for new expats The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th
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elocating to a new place can be daunting, especially when the culture and lifestyle are so different. There are a million reasons to move to Phuket, whether it be for work, retirement or simply the tropical climate. However, the first few months can be both exciting and perplexing. Working your way through masses of information and meeting with people from lots of different cultures and with a million different opinions and suggestions can sometimes be a little overwhelming. On November 25, to help new expats navigate their lives on the island the “Living in Phuket” event, now in its second year, aims to create an integrated community and forum for all expats. At the event, hosted by Trocadelyo Group and Bangkok Hospital, newlyarrived expats will be welcomed into a vibrant environment where they can immediately feel at home and make friends from all over the world. This event attracts many major organisations and groups from Phuket’s community to one location, making it that much easier to find the right support without having to run around town collecting information. The event focuses on introducing newcomers to
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social and volunteering opportunities, lifestyle, travel and hospitality services, educational establishments, specialised retailers and businesses, and much more. Life abroad can be very difficult when you are left in the dark about where to go to get the services you need. That is why “Living in Phuket” would like to extend a helping hand to make life for new expats in Phuket a little bit easier. A huge range of local businesses will be on hand at “Living in Phuket”. From all across the island schools, restaurants, banking, real estate and telecommunications services, shopping, expat communities and sporting clubs will all be showcasing their services and facilities. The event is a fantastic opportunity to find out about fun social events and connect with new people, all in one place on one day. In addition to local service providers, there will be stage performances, discussions and exchanges with knowledgeable local professionals. You will be able to ask questions of experts such as doctors on various topics and there will also be plenty of delicious food and drinks available throughout the day. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet new people from Phuket’s various communities and make contact for social and business opportunities all over the island.
So come down and join in the fun at the “Living in Phuket” event on November 25 from 9am to 6pm in the King Carl Gustaf Conference Room of the Bangkok Hospital Phuket (first floor). Entrance is free and everybody is welcome to enjoy what will be a fun and informative day. Enhance your standard of living, broaden your opportunities and become part of Phuket’s vibrant and diverse
multicultural community. It will be a wonderful family day with conferences, performances, food and drinks, gifts and surprises. This event is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket. For more information and inquiries see the website at: livinginphuket.org or contact info@livinginphuket.org We hope to see you there!
16 EVENTS
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Marriages made in heaven Phuket Marriott, Nai Yang Beach hosts winners of ‘Dream Wedding’ SPONSORED The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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huket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach recently hosted “Dream Wedding” ceremonies for the three lucky couples who won the resort’s Facebook contest. This was a hugely successful event for the resort, as it arranged two wedding ceremonies and one engagement ceremony on the same evening, on September 24, 2017. This followed the Dream Wedding Campaign on Facebook, which was launched by the resort to celebrate its first anniversary earlier this year. Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach hosted the wedding ceremonies for Suwimon and Eam, Been and Newz and an engagement ceremony for Waew and Sven. All three couples were able to celebrate in the luxurious surroundings of the resort, overlooking the stunning sandy beach and azure Andaman Sea. This event confirms the resort’s position as the perfect destination for dream weddings. Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach was recently named as “Thailand’s Best Wedding Venue” and “Asia’s Best Wedding Venue” at the Asia Property
The three lucky couples who won their dream weddings at Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach. Awards 2017-2018. These awards are testament to the quality of weddings offered by the resort, as well as the property’s exquisite design and the consistently high standards achieved since the resort opened last year. “We would like to congratulate all three couples and thank everyone who entered our ‘Dream Wedding’ social media campaign. We are delighted with the positive response the contest received, and thank you the winners for spending their wedding and en-
gagement ceremonies with us, as they embark on a lifetime of happiness,” said David Ippersiel, General Manager of Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach. “We wish them all the best for their exciting new lives together and look forward to welcoming them back for their vow renewal ceremonies in future,” he added. Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach has an extensive array of options for all types of dream
weddings, from traditional Thai ceremonies to Western white weddings, classical Chinese occasions and indulgent Indian celebrations, all overlooking the spectacular seafront of Nai Yang Beach. Located on the secluded beach of Nai Yang, the resort provides an ideal getaway for couples and families likewise. Offering magnificent views of the Andaman Sea, the resort features a lively pool concept, diverse dining options, extensive kid’s facilities, and an exclusive Quan Spa. Enjoy a blend of traditional and modern guest room designs and a loop swimming pool meandering throughout the resort. The Big Fish Restaurant, Bar and Lounge venue is located directly at the beach for the ultimate chill out. Multi-purpose function rooms with natural daylight provide ideal venues for inspiring meetings whilst vast outdoor space offers the perfect setting for memorable weddings and events. Private Beachfront Plunge Pool or Beachfront Two Bedroom Pool Villas are available for the ultimate and exclusive holiday experience. For more information visit: facebook.com/ PhuketMarriottNaiYang or Phuketmarriottnaiyang.com
Seizing opportunity vs being an opportunist
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eizing a great opportunity can be a tipping point for many people; rapidly propelling them to success in business, increasing their wealth, winning in a game, a war or even making a positive change in the world. There are many of sayings about opportunity, such as “seize the opportunity”, “the early bird gets the worm” or “from crisis comes opportunity”. These phrases highlight the importance of seeking out and pouncing on opportunities whenever you can. By seizing these positive opportunities you can bolster your work, friends, children and yourself and learn to always look ahead and no longer fear uncertainty or failure, but embrace it – dare to take a risk and you might reap a big reward. However, the word “opportunist” has many negative connotations. It’s often used disparagingly to describe people who take advantage of circumstances for their own selfish benefit without a thought for ethics or whether they might hurt other people. A common mistake people make is thinking that “seizing opportunity” with “being opportunistic” are the same thing, but the difference is extremely important. Get out of your comfort zone Thailand’s southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, have been plagued by insurgencies for almost 20 years. Hundreds of soldiers,
go to Pattani and visit the holy Lim Kor Niew Shrine or Wat Chang Hai, stay overnight at the Imperial Hotel in Narathiwat province, or drive from Phuket to Yala via a local route instead of bypassing the area for fear of an attack from insurgents. Then you will find that you are gaining acceptance, respect and loyalty by taking positive action in the real world.
Dr Sanguan is a renowned plastic surgeon. police and civilians have died in shootings and bombings. If you asked people in Bangkok to visit these areas, almost all of them would refuse. At first this seems to be a reasonable response – the statistics show the danger of being a victim of violence in those areas is not just 100 times or even 1,000 times riskier, but infinitely riskier. Looking at things in this fearful way causes stagnation and a reluctance to do anything risky at all. But if you are leader of an organisation, or have good old friends there, or need to see what really happens on the ground – you must get out of your comfort zone. Instead of asking your subordinates or friends to leave Yala and meet you in near-by city, you should actually
No risk, no reward Toon from Body Slam, a Thai Rock star, having no fear of insurgents, choose Yala and Betong as the start of his foundation’s two-month/2,000km south to north marathon – aimed at raising B700 million for 11 hospitals. This is one of the most unprecedented and inspirational examples of seizing positive opportunities in Thailand. It will also undoubtedly change the perspective of many people, young and old alike. It is similar in spirit to what members of organisations like Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and Rotary International do when they selflessly dedicate their time help people – expecting nothing in return. Seize the opportunity that’s in front of you We often to see our children, friends or partners neglecting an opportunity to enter some competition, change jobs, or some other potentially positive oppor-
tunity – and it often causes them regret when they look back. But for some people, who rarely have an opportunity, their only option is to create one! Thailand’s medical tourism boom started in parallel in Bangkok and Phuket. At Phuket International Hospital in 1998, we were challenged by the hospital director to “Go out and catch more fish in the Ocean instead of wasting time in the pond”. If we had kept thinking negatively about whether the foreigners would come to Thailand to have major surgery, Thailand might not be the world-leading destination for life-transforming gender confirmation surgery and aesthetic plastic surgery that it is as today. But there is one rule No matter how good you are at seizing or creating opportunity there is one rule you should always follow. If the opportunity would hurt or damage anyone, you must abandon it. In other words, seize opportunity whenever you can, but in the process, don’t become an opportunist. Dr Sanguan Kunaporn will be speaking on the theme of “Opportunity” at Inspired Phuketians on Sunday, Nov 26 at 6:30pm. Inspired Phuketians is a monthly series of talks hosted by Skye Lake Club. This event is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Live 89.5
thephuketnews
18 ISLAND SCENE
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan (left) gets ready to enjoy the show with friends.
Some of Phuket’s many live-comedy fans that came to see famous comic Tom Rhodes.
Swiss Honorary Consul in Phuket Andrea Tammathin (left) with some friends.
It was smiles all ’round at Underwood Art Factory for thier latest comedy evening.
LEGENDARY COMEDIAN TOM RHODES KILLS AT UNDERWOOD PERFORMANCE Scores of live-comedy fans gathered at Underwood Art Factory on November 9 to see legendary stand-up comic Tom Rhodes during the Phuket stop of his Thailand tour. Tom’s 30-year career includes stand-up specials, a sitcom, a travel show, a late-night talk show and his critically acclaimed podcast Tom Rhodes Radio. This performance was a part of a series of comedy events organised in collaboration with Underwood Art Factory and The Comedy Club Bangkok.
Masterclass and recital for music students led by Maxim Rubtsov – Principal Flautist of the Russian National Orchestra.
British Conductor Jonathan Mann led BISP’s FOBISIA Advanced Orchestral Festival.
BISP LEADING THE WAY WITH EXPERT ART AND MUSIC MASTERCLASSES As part of the FOBISIA Advanced Orchestral Festival last weekend (Nov 11-12), BISP was delighted to welcome schools from around Asia to work with British Conductor Jonathan Mann. Musicians were also treated to a masterclass and recital by world-renowned flautist Maxim Rubtsov, and a student Aerial Arts show by BISP’s resident team MACA.
Soi Dog Co-founder John Daley presents certificates to participants who completed in the program.
From left: Kiranee Narabal, Somjai Suwansupana and John Daley.
SOI DOG’S EDUCATION PROGRAM TO TEACH KIDS EMPATHY FOR ANIMALS Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation arranged its first education workshop, at Banbangneaw Municipal School over November 10-11 and chaired by Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana. The workshop seeks to share knowledge and understanding about dogs and cats to teachers, representatives and executives so they can create activities for their students in order to nurture love, empathy and understanding for all animals. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
ISLAND SCENE 19
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
A group of guests from Khun Goy’s table number 12.
Guests arriving on Melbourne Cup Day dressed to the nines.
GLAMOUR AND GLITZ APLENTY AT OUTRIGGER FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP Scores of immaculately-dressed ladies and gentlemen turned out last week (Nov 7) to watch the horse race that stops a nation – The Melbourne Cup. Held at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort’s Similan Ballroom the event featured “Fashions on the Field” awards and lots of other entertainment. Money raised during the event will be donated to The Good Shepherd and Phuket Has Been Good To Us charities. This event was proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Live 89.5. Photos by Max Tiverne
Back row, from left: Anu Lalvani, Paul Lalvani, Wayne Milgate, Katie Hudson, Sumi Soorian. Front row, from left: Toni-Maree Milgate, Emma McCormack, Caryll Mullings-McDonald.
From left: Mr Nawat Kulrattanarak; Ms Anchana Choolaxsanadecha – CEO of Utopia; Mr Hachi Lina Yin – CEO of IPA; Mr Paranyoo Banchuen – CEO of Utopia; and Ms Treechada Petcharat.
Tanya Ferguson judged the ‘Best Hat’, which was won by Sandy Porter.
The team from IPA celebrate the launch of Utopia at My Beach Resort.
LAUNCH PARTY FOR UTOPIA HELD AT MY BEACH RESORT IN CAPE PANWA Black and gold was the theme for the evening at the launch party for Utopia at My Beach Resort held on Saturday, November 11 and hosted by International Property Advisory (IPA). The fun-filled evening saw celebrity guests including Mr Nawat “Pong” Kulrattanarak, Ms Treechada “Poyd” Petcharat and many more.
L AG U N A M A R AT H O N SWEEPS UP AWARDS AT T H I R D A N N UA L S PI A ASIAN SPORTS INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA EVENT
Laguna Phuket’s Ms Prapa Hemmin (centre) and Ms Saratwadee ‘Nate’ Phetriang (right) collect the Silver award for the Laguna Phuket Triathlon. @thephuketnews
Thanyapura’s Director of Business Development Ms Alexandra Lochmatter (left) collects Bronze for ‘Best Sport Event Arena Venue and/or Training Centre in Thailand’.
The Laguna Phuket Marathon took home gold as the “Best Amateur Sport Event in Thailand” at the third annual SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards and Conference on Nov 7. Collecting the award on behalf of Laguna Phuket Marathon was Mr Raimund Wellenhofer of Laguna Phuket Marathon event owner Go Adventure Asia. In addition to Laguna Phuket Marathon scooping their award, Laguna Phuket Triathlon scooped silver also in the “Best Amateur Sport Event in Thailand” category and Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort walked away with bronze in the category of “Best Sport Event Arena Venue and/or Training Centre in Thailand”.
20 EVENTS
FRI
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
17 NOV
Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar Competition starts at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com
Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
Free Ocean Lifeguard Training – International Certificate The Golden Flute at Royal Phuket Marina Classical and Modern Music Concert (flute, bassoon, piano, in two sessions). Headliner: The Golden Flute performance by Maxim Rubtsov, the titled flautist, soloist of the Russian National Orchestra. Charity auction to support Phuket Has Been Good to Us foundation. Auction of the children’s drawings and the guests are invited to bid on their favorites. Arrive: 18:30, event starts at 19:00 (duration three hours over two sessions). Dress Code: Cocktail Attire & After5. Ticket price is THB 3900 NET, includes concert, drinks and snacks during the event. Bookings 081 979 2082.
KIS FUN RUN 2017 – Running against breast cancer! Kajonkiet International School (KIS) is holding its first KIS Fun Run 2017 on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the King Rama 9 Park (Suan-Luang-Ror-Kao) at 7am. The funds raised will be donated to Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. Visit: facebook.com/events/100314884064012/
ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 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-www.twochefs.com
SushiBellavista @ Hansha Indulge your taste buds with a variety of signature sushi and sashimi dishes at Phuket’s only rooftop sushi bar ‘Hansha’ at The Nai Harn in Rawai. Dishes will be paired with Bellavista from the Franciacorta region in northern Italy. This special SushiBellavista promotion is available between November 10-14 and 17-21. From 5.30pm until 9.30pm. Live saxophone between 6-7pm. For reservations call: 076 380 200.
SAT
18 NOV
Live Sports at Expat Hotel NRL, AFL, Soccer, Rugby Union. Any live sport, we will show it. Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com
Laguna Phuket Triathlon Carnival of multisport fun and tri-related activities at Laguna Phuket. Join us for 24th Laguna Phuket Triathlon on 19 Nov, featuring 1.8K swim, 50K bike and 12K run through spectacular tropical scenery and “LPT Charity Fun Run” (5K & 10K) on 18 Nov to celebrate Laguna Phuket’s 30th anniversary! Take in the excitement of the experience and rub shoulders with the pros at the race and social event. info@lagunaphukettri.com, 076362300 ext. 1404.
Sunset Matinee Sunset matinee at Xana Beach Club. Exclusive sound by Dj Wayu and Dj Dassana. Start from 5pm onwards. Free entry. Reservations – XANA Beach Club: info@xanabeachclub.com, 076 358 500.
SUN
19 NOV
FREE three-day course in open water lifesaving (Ocean Lifeguarding) conducted by the International Surf Lifesaving Association. Classes at Surin and Bangtao Beach. Successful students will receive certification as an ISLA International Lifeguard – recognized in 24 countries. Sign up by clicking “Going” on FB. Register early and arrive early – spaces are filling fast. More info at: https://www.islasurf.org/certification/ freeoceanlifeguardtraining@gmail.com
WED
22 NOV
Beef, Pork & Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservation recommended 350 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail. com 081 891 4381.
selection of sides, salads and desserts. Adults: 950THB++. Children under 12: 400THB++. For bookings call +66 (0) 89 728 5304 or email: chef@ friendshipbeach.com 27/1 Soi Mittrapap Rawai.
FRI
24 NOV
16th BISP Soccer 7s
6pm – 11pm: All you can eat BBQ ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.
On Friday 24th and Saturday 25th November, The British International School will host the 16th annual International Soccer 7s tournament involving 1650 players, 200 coaches and 165 teams from 10 countries. With two full days of competitive soccer involving girls and boys teams ranging from Under 9s to U19’s, plus vendor and music areas, this is an event not to be missed. For more information , please contact sportsadmin@bisphuket.ac.th
SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS
Guest Chef Macro Medaglia and Exec. Chef Francesco Greco
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night
ALL YOU CAN EAT! GRILLED AUSTRALIAN RIB EYE STEAK, TERIYAKI MARINATED CHICKEN AND GRILLED TIGER PRAWNS WITH BBQ SAUCE, RED WINE SAUCE AND BEARNAISE SAUCE CEASAR SALAD AND HERB SAUTEED POTATOES. ONLY 495 BAHT. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. WWW.twochefs.com Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Kata Center 076-330-065. Reservations, TWO CHEFS KARON – PATONG – KATA CENTER
To celebrate the love and passion for Italian Cuisine across the world world. Two Chefs are joining hands to deliver an outstanding 7-course dinner with selected beverage pairings at Plum Prime Steakhouse. B3,890 net/person. Limited seating available, so please book in advance. Reservations, Plum Prime Steakhouse, Cape Sienna: plum@capesienna.com, 076 337 300.
Meeting - Rotary Club Patong Sportfishing Tournament
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Phuket Sportfishing Tournament at Chalong bay Phuket. Start date 22-25 November 2017. Walter, Chalong Bay Phuket, walter.d@chsmokehouse.com, 087-270-0812.
THU
The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites guests and prospective members to attend its regular meetings. The cost for non-members is THB 500 and includes lunch. The meeting begins at 12 p.m. at the Days Inn in Patong. Please visit: www. rotarypatong.org for additional information.
23 NOV Sovereign Ball Invitational 2017
Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otools-phuket.com
MON
Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show Free Entry! Come and join the fun at the annual Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show 2017 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club. Discover top brand yachts, water sports products, properties, hotels, international schools, marine products & services, food & drink, and much more. Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya. 038-237-427 Mobile. 095-041-7789. fuangfa@oceanproperty.co.th
20 NOV
All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
The biggest value prize in Thai Pool History! Total prize over 200,000 THB! Come cheer your team players. Hosted at Pumpui Bar, Patong Walking Street, Phuket on Nov 24. (Below Hollywood Nightclub).
SAT
25 NOV
Living in Phuket 2017 Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet & Party Friendship Beach Friendship Beach Waterfront Resort 14th annual Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet and Party. Featuring: Live Music, Welcome Cocktail, Imported Roast Turkey, Apple Sausage Stuffing, Veggie Stuffing, Herb Gravy, Cranberry Port Sauce, Mashed Potato, Fresh Veggies, Prawn Cocktail, Smoked Salmon, Charcuterie, Apple Pie, Thai special entree and a large
Now in its 2nd year (19th for its Bangkok sister), “Living in Phuket” is an annual event set up to help Phuket’s many expats and their families connect with the services that will make their life on the island easier. The event focuses on introducing new comers to social and volunteer opportunities, lifestyle, travel and hospitality services, education, establishments, specialised relations and more. The event will take place in the King Carl Gustaf conference room of the the Bangkok Hospital Phuket (1st floor) from 9am-6pm. And it’s absolutely FREE! Register now at: livinginphuket.org
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
SAT
25 NOV
SKAL Phuket presents - FLOWER POWER SKAL International Phuket & South Thailand invite all to attend their yearly charity dinner, to be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa in Karon, from 7pm till late. Tickets pre-paid at THB 2,750 or at the door THB 3,500 include welcome drink, dinner and free flow drinks. Book your tickets now at phuketticketmaster.com
SUN
EVENTS 21
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
26 NOV
SAT
2 DEC
One Night in Phuket - Fund Raiser Keemala Screening JIMMY FAME & FRIENDS “ONE NIGHT IN PHUKET” FILM SCREENING & LIVE MUSIC BUFFET & COCKTAILS – KEEMALA RESORT. A benefit for the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. Emmy-Nominated filmmaker Jim Newport presents the first screening of the concert film “ONE NIGHT IN PHUKET” - featuring performances by many of the island’s best musicians as well as appearances by prominent members of the community, their families and fellow Rotarians. Live music from Colin Hill and Jimmy Fame. Buffet & No Host Bar. The film will screen promptly at 8:00 PM. Tickets are just 650 THB with all profits going to the Rotary Club of Patong Beach’s HELMETS FOR KIDS CHARITY. www.rotarypatong.org
Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand 2017 - Distances: 1.9km Swim, 90km Bike, 21km Run (8½ hours cut off time). Categories: Professional, Asian Elites, Age Group (male/ female), Relay (male/ female/ mixed). ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman-70.3/ thailand.aspx NEW for 2017: Sunrise Sprint 2017 – Distances: 750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run. Categories: Age Group (male/ female), Relay (male/ female/ mixed). ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ ironman-70.3/thailand/sunrise-sprint.aspx.
Phuket Days Book Launch at The Green Man
Kata Rocks 3rd ANNIVERSARY BRUNCH POOL PARTY This year’s event is centred around an enticing combination of excellent entertainment, delicious food and an exclusive fashion show next to Kata Rocks’ gorgeous 35-metre infinity swimming pool. Priced from THB 2,900++ per person. Running 12:30-3:30 pm, enquire about the complimentary van offer for groups of 10, for more information and reservations contact: dining@katarocks.com or visit katarocks.com
THU
7 DEC
Join Patrick Campbell and friends for the launch of his new book at The Green Man. Knowledgeable, affectionate and funny, part story and part memoir, “Phuket Days” offers lively insights into one of the worlds’ top tourist attractions. Relax at the bar, enjoy readings from the book and get your personal copy signed by the author. On Sunday, November 26 starting at 7pm.
PHUKET BUSINESS DINNER Grenfell. What Went Wrong? CHILL OUT SUNDAY!! Two Chefs UNFORGETTABLE Backyard Sessions, Sunday November 26. Only at Two Chefs Karon with all-girl performers for a one of a kind acoustic experience, From 8pm until late. And all you can eat, Sunday Roast Dinner only 395 baht!!! All day and night from 1pm. Lots of food & fun, games & prices. Make your reservation: www.facebook.com/TwoChefsThailand/ www.twochefs.com Karon 076-286-479 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!!
INSPIRED PHUKETIAN Dr Sanguan Kunaporn Speech title – Opportunity. Held monthly, and open to the public, this event gives an opportunity for well-lived people to share their life experiences. Inspired by the famous TED Talks, it’s a great way for people to really connect with authentic ideas that will benefit their well-being and happiness in general. All of the speakers are chosen because of their ability to share an idea that connects with and inspires people. Limited to 55 seats only and priced at B350/pax/net including one drink and pass around canapé. Register now by email to: sales@skyelakeclub.com. Skye Lake Club, Cherng Talay.
@thephuketnews
BCCT, in collaboration with AustCham, Beluthai, German, French and The Netherlands-Thai Chambers of Commerce, invites you to attend a Phuket Business Dinner at Amari Phuket. We will review the key principles of detection, protection, containment and egress of fires in high rise buildings then consider what went wrong in this event. Briefing led by Geoffrey Fordham, a Certified Fire Protection Specialist with the NFPA and currently employed by ONYX Hospitality Group as Senior VP of Engineering, Safety & Security. Time: 6.30-9.00pm. Cost and Payment: THB890 including inter-buffet and soft drinks. Food and beverages on guest’s own account. Payment at the door. Booking: Urosesri@bccthai.com or 02-651-5350-3.
FRI
8 DEC
December 08-10, 2017. See you at Phukethon 2017! Register NOW! Phukethon, Saphan Hin, Phuket, 080 214 6950 or 080 287 6515.
Boat Lagoon Weekend Beats & Bites Music & Food & Fun. December 8-9, 2017 from 6pm till 10pm at Lagoon Quay. Phuket Boat Lagoon. For more information contact Phuket Boat Lagoonon: 095 012 2442 or 076 239 888 ext. 618.
SAT
9 DEC
Thanyapura’s Colour Fun Run Thanyapura’s Colour Fun Run returns to Phuket! Gather your friends or gear up solo for the race through the jungle. We’ll see you “Colour Runners” all coloured up at the finish line! The race is open to all age groups and limited to 1,000 participants. Medals and complimentary meals are awarded to all finishers. For more details facebook.com/Thanyapura.
The Language of Art
The BOAT that ROCKED The Boat That Rocked is a live music extravaganza delivered by some of the best musicians and entertainers in Phuket. The show delivers almost 40 songs featured in over 70 movies. The show runs on the 9th of December at the White House in Phuket Boat Lagoon. Starts 7pm. Tickets B750pp including “movie food”. Book now at www.phuketticketmaster.com or info@ legendmusic.net.
THU
4 JAN
The Pavilions Art & Culture Foundation is introducing a collective of Phuket Artists – Map Abdy, Peter Child, Marlene Jacopin, Isara Thaothong, Adriano Trapani, John & Zachary Underwood and Mr Zen. Open daily from 11am till 11pm at Firefly till November 30, 2017. For more information call: 076 317 603.
CHEF PABLO’S DEGUSTATION MENU 950.Celebrating our Thailand Tatler’s BEST Restaurants Award: Come and indulge in a succulent 5 course tasting menu including Foie Gras, pumpkin soup, Alaska Scallop, slow cooked Duck breast & Baba au Rhum. Offer valid until end of November. “Grape juice” pairing available! Reservations and full menu: dedosrestaurant.com 076 325 182 - 8 Lagoon Rd., Laguna, Cherng Talay.
THE PHUKET RENDEZVOUS For four days, Royal Phuket Marina will be transformed into a bustling hub for all things luxury – highlighting Phuket as one of Asia’s premier destinations and guaranteeing maritime heaven for leisure boating enthusiasts. As well as showcasing premium yachts in the marina, the PHUKET RENDEZVOUS will also feature properties, exotic cars and luxury brands with live music, events and parties for everyone to enjoy! For more infomation visit: thephuketrendezvous.com
EVERY DAY
La Gritta’s Discovery Menu Take your taste buds on a culinary tour through some of the finest Italian flavours. Chef Patrizia has created a six-course discovery menu consisting of the appetiser, main course and dessert, priced at 1,590 THB++ per person. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, lagritta@amari.com 076 292 697.
7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay Phukethon 2017 Mark your calendar for the Phukethon 2017 weekend. Asia’s major international marathon festival for the first time ever in Phuket, the running paradise island and pearl of the Andaman. Registration is now open. Go to phukethon.com. Get running with the Super Early Bird rate! Limited spaces. Experience the 3-day festival
Mana Smokehouse Traditional American BBQ/smoked and slow roasted, along with TEX MEX tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas etc etc. Open 7 days a week, all day dining. Best ribs in town. At the front of BEST WESTERN Patong Beach. Promotion everyday i.e 399B all you can eat A La Carte, Mondays come 4 pay 3, Live music. Heart of Patong. Free parking. Reservation, 076-360-220.
Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. Phuket Night Market @690 THB++, Thai & International buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++, Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++ The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, rimtalay@amari.com, 076 340106-14 #8027.
22 TIME OUT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What code word in the phonetic alphabet is also the name of a capital city? 2. Who married Slovenian model Melania Knauss in 2005? 3. In the 2001 film Shrek, which actress is the voice of Princess Fiona? 4. What six letter winemaking term means the airspace between the wine and the top of bottle it is in? 5. What is the official language of the Flemish Community? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Hard
Across 1. Play the part 4. Olfactory sensation 8. Cave dweller 11. Big laugh 13. Make ready 14. Old TV clown 15. Sky phenomenon 18. Oak fruit 19. Main picture 20. Possessive form 22. Freeway division 23. Old Nick 27. Drive to action 31. Bone related 32. Edible part 33. Cloak-and-dagger org. 36. They may indicate rain ahead 40. Paycheck abbr. 41. Not to mention 42. Lowest deck on a ship 43. Forward 44. Rural water sources 45. “Looky here!” 48. Hearty brew 50. Beady pudding 53. One of the Bowls 57. Indicator of a happy crowd 61. Broadcasts 62. Incurred a bar tab
63. Castigate 25. Small songbirds 64. Unnamed litigant 26. Exclaim in great 65. Faucet fault joy 66. Gorilla 28. Smart group 29. Buddhist building Down 30. Catchall 1. “What ___ the abbreviation odds?” 33. Select a prize bull 2. Narcotic shrub 34. Admired person 3. Soft mineral 4. Metallica’s first hit 35. Hooded killers 37. Bowl sound 5. The Smothers 38. Merrimack River Brothers, e.g. city 6. German 39. Rough stuff composer, Carl 43. Quark’s place __ 7. Network of veins, 45. Place to lounge etc 46. Germ 8. A ship’s officer 47. “Dear” ones 9. Sky-blue 49. Caribou 10. Strengthen, with herdsman “up” 50. Pre-1917 ruler 12. The girl from 51. Electrical cable Ipanema came 52. Over the hill, from here maybe 13. Ain’t right? 54. Blockhead 14. Second in a 55. Maui dance series 56. Right now 16. ____ Edward 58. “Verses” poet Island DiFranco 17. Campus building 59. Baby beagle 21. Comparison 60. “Beauty is in 23. Breathe out the ___ of the 24. Resembling wings beholder”
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Lima; 2) Donald Trump; 3) Cameron Diaz; 4) Ullage; 5) Dutch
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
3.4
This week in history Nov 17, 1558 Elizabethan era begins: Queen Mary I of England dies and is succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I of England.
times is how much more likely Americans are to die by lightning strike than become a member of the US Congress.
75
per cent of the edible calories in an avocado are pure fat.
Nov 18, 1928 Release of the animated short Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronised sound cartoon, featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. This is considered by the Disney corporation to be Mickey’s birthday. (Image: Copyright (1929) Disney – for information purpose only.)
934
square feet (86.77sqm) is determined to be the average size of a new apartment in the US in 2016, 8% smaller than 10 years earlier.
Nov 19, 1969 Association football player Pelé scores his 1,000th goal.
1190
Nov 20, 1985 Microsoft Windows 1.0 is released.
was the year when The Louvre was originally built as a fortress to protect citizens from the Vikings. It became a museum in 1793.
Nov 21, 1905 Albert Einstein’s paper that leads to the mass–energy equivalence formula, E = mc², is published in the journal Annalen der Physik.
10,000
people comprising roughly 27% of respondents to a BuzzFeed poll have sent nude photos to a person they have never met. Source: Uberfacts
Nov 22, 1990 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher withdraws from the Conservative Party leadership election, confirming the end of her PrimeMinistership.
Through the looking grass, at Cape Panwa, Phuket. Photo by Kurt Heck Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
Nov 23, 534 BC Thespis of Icaria becomes the first recorded actor to portray a character onstage. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Jobs
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Buy & Sell
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
BUSINESSES FOR SALE n r ge
t sa
le
Business for Sale
RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN CHALONG U For rent/sale. Fully equipped & operational, 50 seats Chaofa East road, 400m from Haiyek Traffic Circle. Contact: shchalong@gmail.com
New Salon for SALE
Stylish brand new salon with all equipment and stock for sale at Bang Tao Tinlay Market with all furniture and fixtures. Contact through email at: naveenmarapana@gmail.com or call 080 370 6131 – Kunal, 081 899 0919 –Chin.
SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE
Totally renovated, Italian design & furniture, all-new imported kitchen & bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden, 40 rooftop. 080 143 5541 Pablo.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Tenancy of Clubhouse for sale
Tenant required for already established Bar and Clubhouse in the Thalang area of Phuket. The prospective tenant should have previous chef/catering experience and want to establish their own style of management and expertise in building up their business. The owner of the venue is extending and refurbishing the current building to include a new kitchen space and secondary bar with an extra seating area. The tenancy is for sale for 3-million Thai Baht and includes newly fitted commercial kitchen plus new and existing furniture. Flexible lease terms based on a 3+3 year agreement are available. Existing catering needs of the venue will have to be considered when reviewing the business options. Expressions of interest along with current resume and contact details should be sent to: info@jandgroup.com
BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE 6.2m Hypalon Stingray RIB
"Ready to go" w 175hp 4str Suzuki w 130hrs, 8hp aux, dble axle trailer, Garmin 521S, 160L fuel and full set of gear. Top condition. Call Harry: 081 273 1740.
Long Tail Boat For Sale
Ready to go “Long Tail Boat” with or Without Captain (Thai) Get special price, please call 085 781 9167 (English) Bangtao Beach, Phuket, B275,000, giorgionaef@aol.com 085 781 9167.
Boating deal of the year: 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)
Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat. New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com 080 695 3933.
CAR FOR SALE 2014 Nissan Juke For Sale
2014 Nissan Juke, one owner, full history, leather interior, rear sensors, climate control. Perfect Phuket runabout, only 82000km. 530,000, soiana56030@gmail.com, 0950 924 729
Rawai Custom Tailor store
We do flat roof waterproofing with 20-year warranty by installing quality three layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Email: office@tcm-asia.com. Call: 086-9439834 or 076-385081.
Rawai Tailor – Ladies and Gents custom Tailor Store. Serving local and international clients for the past 10 years, get a free shirt for each suit ordered, fully air conditioned, clean environment, friendly staff, parking space, quality materials, good workmanship and money back guarantee. Located within walking distance from major hotels in Rawai, opposite Sea Shell Museum on Viset road in Rawai. Visit us for free consultation, no obligation to buy. www.RawaiTailor.com Thomas Ghimiray, 158/2, Moo 2, Viset Road, Rawai, Phuket. info@RawaiTailor. com, +6681-415-4883.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
PETS, BOARDING
HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing
TechWorX Projects
TechWorX Projects now offer a full Electrical Contractor service. This complements our existing offerings of AV, IT, Home Automation, Home Cinema and Security systems. If you are planning a new build or renovation please contact us for a free consultation. Daragh, 393/8 moo 1 Srisoonthorn road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, daragh@techworx.asia, 084 443 9863.
MEMBERSHIPS
Loch Palm Golf Membership
Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. 400,000 baht, the Loch Palm transfer fee of 72,000 baht will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. sales@joydive.asia
Phuket Country Club Golf Membership
Phuket Country Club Family Golf Lifetime membership for Sale. 2 courses, 9 & 18 hole course, Seller will pay 60,000 baht transfer fee, the buyer pays 380,000 Thai baht. Contact Chris - 087-884-8972
MOVING SERVICES
Looking for a Moving Company?
With over 15 years of experience Bigmove Phuket is the number 1 provider of moving and shipping in and out of Phuket Thailand. We provide storage in a state of the art clean, secure, storage facility located centrally in Phuket. www.bigmovephuket.com. Mr Joe: bigmovephuket@ gmail.com 081-797-5377. @thephuketnews
PERSONAL SERVICES
Dear Pet Seekers
I have two great dogs looking for a home. According to a Vet, 7.5 years old. I’ll update their shots. Please see pictures, both are great dogs. I’m leaving the country. Contact Chris 087-884-8972.
REAL ESTATE SERVICES Property in Phuket!
Looking to buy property in Phuket? International Property Advisory (IPA) can help! Give us a call today on 076 604 260/ 098 064 4408/ 080 886 9660 Email : info@ipa. black , utopia@ipa.black Website : www.ipaphuket.com.
REAL ESTATE SERVICES Chatta Real Estate
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Chattha Real Estate and Professional Rental Management in Phuket. SELL-BUY-RENT-MANAGEMENT-MAINTENACE-GAURANTEED RENTAL. Inquire NOW! www.chattha.asia, 076-636-244, 090-179-6635. Chanapa, Chattha Real Estate Co., Ltd., info@chattha.asia
28 CLASSIFIEDS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Buy & Sell
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
PROPERTY FOR SALE Karon condo For Sale
Luxury 5 star 156 sq. metre Foreign Freehold Condo. 2-bedroom 2-bathroom. Partial sea view and great pool views. Completed in 2008, 3 buildings, 24 condos. This condo is second floor of the highest building 'Royal Lotus'. 5-minute walk to Karon Beach and 10 minutes to Karon Central. All furnishings, new 65" smart TV, Netflix, Karon Cable and 3BB Internet. 062 448 8838 Ray. 9.5 million, Ray Dixon, Patak Rd Soi 24 4/5 Royal Lotus building Karon Muang. drray@netspace.net.au
4 bedroom house
House for sale (Acacia) @ 88 Land & House Koh Kaew. 185sqm, land 280sqm. Corner location. 4 bdr/3 bth. 7.9M only. Partially furnished. Contact : ar.alex. riva@gmail.com or 084 456 5279.
Sankamphaeng – Chiangmai
7 rai (more than 1 ha.) for sale. Have a look! This is chanote land and ready to transfer immediately. From the highway nearby. It is 15 min to the airport. All facilities available. Promenada Shopping Center nearby with the international restaurants. Absolutely quiet. Beautiful nature with many trees. Perfect to build a hotel or 20 family size homes or 120 condos. Phone Kay: 0869180458 (Thai/Eng).
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, Mrs Simpson, thaivillaonline@ gmail.com, 0844477248. thaivillaonline.com
Royal Place Condo For Sell
Royal Place Condo is located at the center of Phuket Town, opposite the Tesco Lotus, close to international school, 3 minutes to Big C and Phuket International Hospital, 4 Minutes to Central Festival. 45SQM, 5th floor, Corner Room, 2 balconies, 1 bedroom, 1 living room. Before price 2,800,000 Now Available for 2,250,000. Harry: h.jabary@gmail.com, 084 249 0526.
Apartment for sale or rent
60 Sqm. 1 bedroom + 1 bathroom and kitchen/living room. Rooftop pool and restaurant. See website Absolute Bangla Suite for photos. Absolutely quiet. Terje Hoff, Absolute Bangla Suite, sfrkata37@gmail.com
PROPERTY FOR RENT Property for rent YAMU
Very big house. 400sqm, Land 4400sqm. Available 1st May. 4-bedrooms and 4-bathrooms, swimming pool. Close to BIS, Property for Sale Ocean View Kata.Fully furnished 1 bedroom UWCT. Must see. Long-term lease 130,000 baht/ condo 44.2.s.q.m."sea and sunset views month including pool and garden service. Khun DIover kata bay". For details e-mail ianscondo21@gmail.com DIER: aouichedidier@hotmail.com or 093 717 9343.
Land: 3 Rai close to Monument
Land for sale in Phuket. 3 Rai close to Monument Thepkrasattri Thalang. Perfect for apartments. Contact Thai/ English 093 619 2323. 12,000,000, supaku1013@hotmail.com
House for Sale in Karon
House for sale the price is negotiable. 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Karon with a salt water pool. Great opportunity to buy in a good location where houses rarely come up for sale. Good as an investment or a place to call home. 16,000,000 Baht, ณริศรา โคทส์, g-a-coatesy@ outlook.com, 063-541-5642.
1 BRM UNITS FOR SALE
Spacious, modern 90sqm luxury European style apartments in a Golf Resort for sale. For further information please contact 062-019-1421. 4.9 Million THB, Bruno, Golf Resort, brunohaag@yahoo.com
COMMUNITY
PROPERTY FOR RENT Phuket Dream Home
“The Dream” 5 mins to Laguna Phuket Ocean. Very big house, 300 square meters, land 500 square meters. Rent or buy, or both. Available from November 3, 2017 to January 15, 2018. Paul, Cherng Talay, Phuket: 085 795 5159.
PROPERTY FOR RENT Apartments for rent
Apartments 1, 2, 3 Bedroom, swimming pool, Free WiFi, Cable TV. Near Loch Palm Golf Club Terrace. Email: Golflandview@gmx.de. Handy location near Loch Palm Golf Club Terrace. 081-891-6632.
Kata Beach Apartment for rent
For rent long term (min 1 year). Kata beach nice-clean Apartment 68sqm. One bedroom close to the indoor pool. B20.000 per month (exclusive electric). For visit tel/sms: 064 532 3637 or email villaonroof@gmail.com
Rawai Naiharn with spa pool
Unique Thai style home, open plan, close to beach and shops, AC, 3-bedroom 2-bathroom with spa pool, must see! Eng: 090 867 4849 Thai: 081 081 9875.
House for Sale/Rent
Locate Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu. Fully furniture with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms. Large entertainment area. Very convenient location. Close to BIS, Headstart School, shopping centre, Central, Tesco Lotus, 10 min to Patong beach. Easy access to the Airport. Long term lease 65,000/month including pool + garden service. Sale 13.5 millions baht (negotiable). Khun Bea, Loch Palm Kathu, I.thumwong@gmail.com 098 194 9351. thephuketnews
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
SPORT 29
PCG on the rebound Local side bounces back with emphatic win over touring ANZA also seen by Manish 50* (58 balls), Mudasir 50* (28 balls) and Prakash Jha 47* in just 19 balls. In response, the touring side ANZA began well with opening batsman Ashwin notching up an excellent 50* (37 balls). Ashwin was ably supported by his opening partner Haroon, who accumulating 39 (34 balls) before Hico McDonald took his wicket, brilliantly caught by the sure hands of Jason Robertson in the covers. Kohler, never out of the action for long, took a sublime catch in the very next over as he made a 40 to 50 yard run around the boundary ropes to take a diving catch off the bowling of the ever-impressive Robertson. That wicket and the retirement of Ashwin started a collapse for ANZA, as they lost regular wickets as the required run rate continued to climb. Eventually falling 110 runs short of the PCG’s gigantic total. ANZA makes an annual visit to our shores and the cricket is just a small part
CRICKET Jason Robertson
L
ast Saturday (Nov 11) saw a local combined Phuket XI and PCG side take on Singaporean touring side ANZA in a rainshortened 25-over match at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG). For this game, tour rules were implemented that enforced a batsman to retire once he reached his 50 in order to share the opportunities and enjoyment in the touring game. The PCG had stacked their side with heavy hitters this week in an effort to rebound from the previous week’s loss to the touring British Club of Bangkok. And rebound is exactly what they did. I n a subli me display of power hitting, the PCG amassed 286 for three in 25 overs with Matt “The Iceman” Kohler again shining with the bat, notching up his 51 runs in a mere 17 balls before ‘tour rules’ enforced his retirement. Excellent innings were
ANZA seen here at the crease for their 25-over innings. Photo: Alex Runhaar of their touring experience. The relationships they have built with the island’s cricket fraternity and the service providers in the south of the island ensures that this rivalry is far from over. This Saturday (Nov 18) sees the last of this year’s touring games with the prestigious Singapore Cricket Club. Play will start at 11am at the ACG with the game taking
Under 9
Under 7 Chelsea
7-9
Dragon Jr
Liverpool
3–5
Arsenal
Man Utd
3–7
Chelsea
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A
GD Pts
Chelsea
2
2
0
0
12
7
+5
6
Arsenal
2
1
0
1
7
6
-1
3
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD Pts
Man Utd
2
1
0
1
6
9
-3
3
Chelsea
2
0
0
2
13
16
-3
Liverpool
2
0
0
2
7
10
-3
0
0
Under 11
Under 13-16
Liverpool
8–6
Arsenal
Man Utd
1–3
Arsenal
Man Utd
4–5
Chelsea
Liverpool
5–4
Chelsea
Team
P
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A
GD Pts
Team
P
W
D
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F
A
GD Pts
Liverpool
2
2
0
0
15
8
+7
6
Arsenal
2
2
0
0
10
5
+5
6
Chelsea
2
1
0
1
7
11
-4
3
Man Utd
2
1
0
1
8
9
-1
3
Arsenal
2
0
1
1
11
13
-2
1
Liverpool
1
1
0
1
11
11
0
3
Man Utd
2
0
1
1
9
10
-1
1
Chelsea
1
0
0
1
8
12
-4
0
MAN / GIRL OF THE MATCH
U9: Ella Stephens & Oscar Fashina @thephuketnews
U11: Lee Mouillé & Chris Simpson
U16: Dom Judge & Vincent Edouard
on a 30 over format. Cricket on the island is still growing and is always looking for new players, teams and sponsors. If you would like to get involved or know more, please contact the Phuket Cricket Group through Facebook or by email at phuketcricketgroup@gmail. com, or check out the website at www.phuketcricket.com
Members of the Phuket XI and ANZA teams. Photo: Alex Runhaar
30 SPORT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
What could have been Vettel comes good at Brazilian GP after months of poor form BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com
A
crash for Lewis Hamilton in qualifying forced him into a stunning fight from the back of the grid while Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel battled with the Briton’s Mercedes teammate for the victory. The 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix had all the ingredients for the thrilling penultimate chapter of a closely contested season, but with the championship already decided in Hamilton’s favour, it proved little more than a curious dead rubber round. It was Ferrari’s first complete weekend in months. With Hamilton out of the picture Vettel put his scarlet car on the front row alongside Valtteri Bottas, and the German effortlessly snatched the lead from the Finn at the first turn. But Mercedes wasn’t about to give up on Bottas’s victory
Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel displays his trophy on the podium after winning the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday (Nov 12). Photo: Carl de Souza / AFP hopes now the Finn was finally rebounding after months of poor form. The team rolled the dice and brought him in for fresh tyres on lap 27. Ferrari was unfazed, however, recalling Vettel to his pit box one lap later, switching his tyres 0.6 seconds faster and sending him back out with enough time to keep the lead and assure his victory. “I was really trying to give
everything to pull a little bit of a gap to control the race from there,” Vettel said. “I’m really happy, especially for all the guys in the team back home in Maranello – they’ve been working so hard. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks for us, but it’s nice to get it today.” It was a smooth, classy win, but it was difficult not to wonder what significance
this race might have held had Vettel and Ferrari not already butchered their title chances. Vettel’s first-lap crash in Singapore deprived him of 25 points on a weekend Hamilton scored an unlikely victory. Power unit problems deprived Vettel of the chance to qualify in Malaysia, forcing him into a mighty fightback from the back of the grid. Finally, a spark plug failure
retired the German’s car at the end of lap four in Japan. Ferrari had the fastest car at all three weekends, and had Vettel won each race, his title credentials would have been 63 points stronger. Today he trails Hamilton by just 56 points. But Hamilton and Mercedes deserve the lion’s share of the credit. Formula One is a unique blend of driver skill, mechanical reliability and mental fortitude, and on all counts Mercedes has come up trumps. Mercedes’s car has stood up when Ferrari’s has crumbled, Hamilton’s psychological approach has refused to yield when Vettel’s has cracked under pressure, and Hamilton has kicked his performances up a gear as he honed in on the prize. Despite his clumsy qualifying crash, the Brazilian Grand Prix was a Hamilton masterclass. “If I was to sit back now and just relax and let someone else take the glory, sure it would be nice for other
people,” he said ahead of the weekend. “But that is not what I am about.” Starting from pit lane, Hamilton propelled himself into fifth place behind Max Verstappen by lap 21 to put himself in contention for the most unlikely of victories. Indeed, a podium seemed guaranteed until his supersoft tyres, punished to their limits by their relentless taskmaster, cried enough. Fourth place was scant reward for the champion’s drive. “I was quicker than everyone today by a long way,” Hamilton said happily after the race. “That’s the real positive to take from it.” Even with another double championship under their belts, Hamilton and Mercedes’s voracious appetite for victory remains undiminished – a salient warning for Ferrari as it prepares for another tilt in 2018. Don’t forget to tune in to Live89.5 each and every Saturday from 9am for the Box of Neutrals radio show.
Onwards and upwards:
Congratulations to Phuket FC’s previous No 7 shirt wearer Nattapoom Maya, who on Tuesday (Nov 14) signed a contract to play for Prachuap FC. At the end of the 2017 season, Prachuap FC gained promotion from Thai League 2 to Thai League 1. Nattapoom is certainly a name to look out for in the future. Good luck for your future, you will surely be missed by all the team and fans at Phuket FC. Photo: Prachuap FC / Facebook
thephuketnews
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
SPORT 31
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
B1bn sports complex coming to Mai Khao DEVELOPMENT
Shela Riva reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
T
he Director of the Sp o r t s Au t h o r it y Thailand’s Phu ket office Virat Patee has confirmed that Phuket is to gain a multi-purpose sports complex, which will be built in Mai Khao using an estimated budget of over B1 billion – but the final budget for the complex has yet to be confirmed. The news was revealed last Thursday (Nov 9), when Phuket Gover nor Nor raphat Plodthong, Kasempoom Wirasamai of the Treasury Department Phuket office, Thalang District Chief Adul Chutong, PR Department Phuket Office Chief Butsaya Jaipiem, Mr Virat, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Kanokrittika Kritwoottigon and Phuket Public Works and Town and Country Planning
Governor Norraphat inspects the land where the new sports complex is planned to be built. Photo: PR Dept representatives visited a 150rai plot of land in Mai Khao, Thalang, which will be used for the sports complex. “The complex will not only be a sports complex, it will also incorporate an inter national convention and exhibition centre,” said Governor Norraphat. The governor has already ordered relevant government agencies to install a fence around the land to prevent encroachment and rubbish dumping. “Mai Khao Municipality
will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the area as there are a number of people polluting the land, so we must fence off of the site quickly,” he said. The Phuket Strategies Office and Phuket office of Sports Authority Thailand (SAT) were delegated responsibility to submit a construction and maintenence budget request for the project as soon as possible. According to Mr Virat, the project budget has not yet been finalised, however,
he said that it will surpass B1bn, totalling “more than the previous budget for this project from eight years ago” which never came to fruition. “The budget will be very high because it will feature additional facilities for many sports. It will have rental rooms, a conference room, exhibition center, tennis courts, and a practice golf course,” he said. The original designs from eight years ago will still be used for the new project, but there will be additions, Mr Virat explained. “Currently all we have is figures from the budget from eight years ago. I will have to have a meeting next week to recalculate the project, but it will be more,” he said. “It will most likely be over B1bn. That is all I know.” Asked about the issue of constructing on mangrove forests that are on the land, Mr Wirat said, “I am not sure about this. You will have to ask the Governor.”
Witthawat wins Thanypura Classic Cycling Race CYCLING THE FOURTH ANNUAL THANYapura Classic Cycling Race was held last Sunday (Nov 12), with top athletes and cycling enthusiasts travelling to Phuket from around the world in order to take part. 2017’s Classic Cycling Race saw Mr Witthawat Wari victorious, as he took first place in 106km open category. In second place was Mr Jurgen Zack, and Mr Rune Hovland took third. Paolo Randone, Vice President of
Podium finishers in the 106km rage category; 1st Witthawat Wari, 2nd Jurgen Zack, and 3rd Rune Hovland. Thanyapura Sports and F&B, said, “As the number one sports resort in Asia, we are very proud to once again organise
the Thanyapura Classic Bike race, and enjoy seeing more and more people take part year after year. “Cycling is a big part of Thailand’s sport culture, and is linked to many health benefits. It is great to see a steady increase in the sport’s popularity. We believe that being a part of the race provides a lot of motivation to the young – and the young at heart. It is our mission to continue to support and organise events like this to motivate all generations to live a healthier life.” The Phuket News
MAIN SPONSOR
MONTHLY SPONSOR
The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a Sri Panwa one bedroom luxury private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 120 minute spa treatment for two persons. Total prize value: B123,000 The monthly competition winner for November 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Walkabout Sports Bar in Karon.
EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
OVERALL STANDINGS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
jaysinky 8 chook 7 malcmanning 7 AAY 6 aquamarine 6
TC 63 adamrosindale 61 lufc 61 celticpride 59 chook 59
English Premier League 2017 - 2018 Team
MP
W
D
L
F
A
1
Manchester City
11
10
1
0
38
7
+31
31
2
Manchester United
11
7
2
2
23
5
+18
23
3
Tottenham Hotspur
11
7
2
2
20
7
+13
23
4
Chelsea
11
7
1
3
19
10
+9
22
5
Liverpool
11
5
4
2
21
17
+4
19
6
Arsenal
11
6
1
4
20
16
+4
19
7
Burnley
11
5
4
2
10
9
+1
19
8
Brighton and Hove
11
4
3
4
11
11
0
15
9
Watford
11
4
3
4
17
21
-4
15
10
Huddersfield Town
11
4
3
4
8
13
-5
15
11
Newcastle United
11
4
2
5
10
10
0
14
12
Leicester City
11
3
4
4
16
16
0
13
13
Southampton
11
3
4
4
9
11
-2
13
*Times may be subject to change
SPORT
START STOP
EVENT
TEAMS / INFO
Friday November 18 Cricket
10:00
19:00 Test Match D2, Kolkata
India v, Sri Lanka
Saturday November 19 Rugby Union 22:00
Soccer
23:00
Autumn Internationals
Italy v. Argentina
00:15
23:15
Autumn Internationals
Ireland v. Fiji
22:00
23:55
Autumn Internationals
England v. Australia
22:00
02:15
Autumn Internationals
Wales v. Georgia
00:15
02:30
Autumn Internationals
Scotland v. New Zealand
19:30
21:30
EPL
Arsenal v. Tottenham
22:00
00:00
EPL
Liverpool v. Southampton
00:30
02:30
EPL
Man United v. Newcastle
22:00
00:00
EPL
West Bromwich v. Chelsea
22:00
00:00
EPL
Leicester v. Man City
14:10
16:00
World Cup - Cairns
Samoa v. Scotland
Sunday November 20 Rugby Union 23:00
01:30
French Top 14
Toulon v. Racing 92
Rugby Union
16:30
18:20
Autumn Internationals
France v. South Africa (Rpt)
Cricket
10:00
19:00 Test Match D4, Kolkata
Soccer
23:00
01:00
@thephuketnews
EPL
India v, Sri Lanka Watford v. West Ham
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1659: Saturday Nov 18 Run Start Time: 3:30pm Hares: Prince Charles FT, Any C***’ll Do Location: Chalong - Klong Krata Reservoir 3 Directions: Coming from Central Festival, go about 500 metres past the TOT traffic lights and turn right on the soi between the new 7-Eleven and Family Mart (HHH). Coming from Chalong Circle, go 1.3 kilometres past the PTT petrol station and turn left as noted above, then go on for 800m and turn left to go around the new dam (HHH). After 700m turn right at the back of the dam (HHH), go strait up the road and the laager will be just before the gate. As before, parking on both sides of the road, and please leave room for buses to pass between. Be careful of holes along the road’s edge. Easy walk, and bring your cameras as there are multiple waterfalls. New power poles to go up soon on laager site road be prepared to follow HHH signs to alternate laager site if needed. Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 2:30pm More info: phuket-hhh.com
Pts
14
Stoke City
11
3
3
5
13
22
-9
12
15
Everton
11
3
2
6
10
22
-12
11
16
West Brom
11
2
4
5
9
14
-5
10
17
Bournemouth
11
3
1
7
7
14
-7
10
18
West Ham United
11
2
3
6
11
23
-12
9
19
Swansea City
11
2
2
7
7
13
-6
8
20
Crystal Palace
11
1
1
9
4
22
-18
4
Premier League fixtures Saturday November 18 Match
Time in Thailand
Arsenal
vs
Spurs
Bournemouth
vs
Huddersfield
9pm
Burnley
vs
Swansea
9pm
Crystal Palace
vs
Everton
9pm
Leicester
vs
Man City
9pm
Liverpool
vs
Southampton
9pm
West Brom
vs
Chelsea
6:30pm
11:30pm
Sunday November 19 Match
Live Sports TV Schedule
GD
Time in Thailand
Man Utd
vs
Newcastle
12:30am
Watford
vs
West Ham
11pm
Tuesday November 21 Match Brighton
vs
Time in Thailand Stoke
3am
Sport
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
editor3@classactmedia.co.th
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Phuket XI return to winning ways against ANZA > p29
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Laguna Phuket Marathon takes Gold at 3rd SPIA Asia, Triathlon gets Silver AWARDS
The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th
L
aguna Phuket Marathon was voted as the “Best Amateur Sport Event in Thailand” at the 3rd SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference which came to a close on Nov 7 with a black-tie Awards Gala Dinner. Collecting the award on behalf of Laguna Phuket Marathon was Mr Raimund Wellenhofer of Laguna Phuket Marathon event owner Go Adventure Asia. However, in addition to Laguna Phuket Marathon scooping their award, Laguna Phuket Triathlon also picked up Silver in the “Best Amateur Sport Event in Thailand” category, and Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort took home Silver for the “Best Sport Youth Development Program in Thailand” and Bronze in the category of “Best Sport Event Arena Venue and / or
Mr Raimund Wellenhofer of Laguna Phuket Marathon event owner Go Adventure Asia collects the Gold award from Mr Nattavuth Ruengves, Deputy Governor for Elite Sports and Sports Science of the Sports Authority of Thailand. Training Centre in Thailand”. Guests in attendance at the gala dinner, held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, included
Mr Nattavuth Ruengves, Deputy Governor for Elite Sports and Sports Science of the Sports Authority of Thailand; Mr Somyot Poompunmoung, President of the Football
Association of Thailand; and 400 VIP guests. The 3rd edition of the SPA Asia saw almost 400 award submissions from 47 countries in 23 categories (17 Asian categories and six Thailand categories), the Awards Committee members and an independent judging panel consisting of 27 high-profile industry experts diligently scored Bronze, Silver and Gold winners in each category. Speaking at the Award Gala Dinner, CEO of MMC Sportz Marketing LLC, organiser of SPIA Asia – Sports Industry Awards & Conference 2017, Mr Eric M Gottschalk, said, “The standard of award submissions and competition has been exceptionally high this year. Having started with almost 400 entries, all were subject to a fair and transparent judging process that culminated with thorough appraisals by a panel of more than 20 experts. In many categories the scoring was extremely close and the Bronze, Silver and Gold winners announced at the SPIA Asia Awards Gala should be very proud of their achievement.”
thephuketnews