The Phuket News 18 January 2019

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

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CREAM OF THE CORALS

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NEWS

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Smart Driver’s Licences launch hits legal curb

LIFE

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Baz Daniel looks back at the ride of a lifetime Photo: Prarop Plangngarn, Chief of the Phuket Marine National Park Operation Center 2

SUNSCREEN AMONG CONTRIBUTING FACTORS KILLING PHUKET’S CORAL REEFS The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he impact of harmful contaminants in sunscreen as a contributing factor in the deaths of coral reefs around Phuket will be presented to Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and other high-ranking officials at a Cabinet meeting in Bangkok today (Jan 18).

Leading the presentation will be Tanu Nabnien, Director of the conservation group Andaman Organisation for Participatory Restoration of Natural Resource. Mr Tanu is also the Andaman region representative

of a national committee to protect marine and coastal resources.

Joining him will be Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) regional chief Watcharin Na Thalang, responsible for all marine natural resources along the Andaman coast.

Mr Tanu includes the harmful elements found in artificial sunprotection creams among the fallout from human activities that are killing the reefs around Phuket.

“Sunscreen is not a major factor alone, but it is one element that is contributing to the damage being done to corals around Phuket, along with tourism activities such as ‘try dive’

tours, snorkelling and scuba diving, commercial fishing, wastewater, and others,” he told The Phuket News this week.

“Phuket’s coral reefs need more protection. Sunscreen is not a main variable directly causing damage to corals, but it will be good to start raising awareness about it at this meeting,” he added.

Dr Nalinee Thongtham, an expert at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC), explained that while the parts per million of the harmful elements in sunscreens are not enough to directly cause corals to die, they do interfere with corals’ health to the point that the corals become much

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weaker in recovering from other effects, even coral bleaching from warmer water temperatures.

In contained environments, the effect can be much more pronounced.

In announcing the indefinite closure of the world-famous Maya Bay at Phi Phi Island in October last year, Chongkhlai Woraphongsathorn, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), explained to the press that the hordes of tourists applied sunscreeen lotions before swimming in the bay without knowing that such chemicals eventually killed or seriously damaged the corals…

SPORT

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Disabled sailing boat makes European debut

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Loris tout dumps animal with tourist, flees beach to avoid arrest > page 4

A dying concern

Family of Brit CEO in Phuket insist he was murdered The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Malaysian tourist Koo Shen Liang, 35, was taken to hospital after he was revived during a snorkelling trip at Racha Island. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Malaysian tourist revived during snorkelling trip A M A L AYSI A N tourist was resuscitated and brought back to life after he was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive during a snorkelling trip to Racha Island, south of Phuket, last Sunday (Jan 13).

Ariya Noktajan, a tour guide with the group, explained to The Phuket News that the tourist, Koo Shen Liang, 35, was on a trip organised by tour company Blue Corner International Co Ltd. Mr Koo had lost consciousness whilst snorkelling sometime about 11:30am, Ms Ariya explained.

“Tour guides noticed from the boat that he was not moving and did not respond to shouts for him to come back to the boat,” she said.

“The boat captain and crew jumped into the water and managed to pull Mr Koo back to the boat,” Ms Ariya explained.

However, Mr Koo was

unconscious and unresponsive.

“They performed CPR on him for around 30 minutes before he regained consciousness, and was then taken back to Chalong Pier,” Ms Ariya explained.

M r Koo ar r ived at Chalong Pier at about 1pm.

Officers from the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) who were on hand at Chalong Pier when Mr Koo arrived, confirmed, “Mr Koo, who suffers from asthma, was conscious but very weak.”

Mr Koo was sped to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-open Chalong Hospital, then to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, then transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

Mr Koo and four friends he was travelling with arrived in Phuket last Friday (Jan 11) and were to leave the island last Monday (Jan 14), officers at the TAC confirmed.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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he family of a British CEO of an B800-million high-end housing development in Phuket have filed a formal complaint over the police conclusion that his death was an accident. The family insist that the CEO, Steven James Granville, was murdered.

The complaint was filed by the family’s lawyer, Vincent McOwen, at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) in Bangkok, reports Khaosod English.

Of note, the TCSD is overseen by the high-profile Immigration Bureau Chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, who previously served as deputy commander of the national Tourist Police.

Mr McOwen said the family was coming forward now that Mr Granville has died after being brain dead for four years in a UK hospital.

“We are here today to ask for a full and fair investigation,” Mr McOwen said. “It is an ongoing case but we are hearing nothing back. We are getting no feedback.”

Mr Granville was the former CEO of the failed Puravarna project in Rawai, which at the time included in its portfolio Phuket’s first luxury hotel, the Royal Phuket Yacht Club at Nai Harn Beach.

Mr Granville was arrested in April 2010 on charges of deceiving buyers into paying for homes at the project that were never built. Nineteen buyers

Attorney Vincent McOwen holds up a photo of Steven James Granville at the Technology Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok last Friday (Jan 11). Photo: Khaosod English claimed they had paid a total of B217 million – an average of B11.4 million each – but that Phase 1 of the project had stalled and Phase 2 had never begun.

Mr Granville denied the deception charges and the judge in return denied him bail for the period leading up to his trial.

He was acquitted and released after 18 months in custody awaiting trial for deception and his accuser, Anand Kumar Sen, at last report was on bail awaiting his appeal against a conviction for making false accusations.

However, in 2013, the renowned hotel was offered for sale for B1.3 billion by Puravarna Holdings, a partnership between Mr Granville’s company British India PLC and Spanish company Boscasolidos, which had links to Spanish football club Atletico Madrid.

The hotel – which contin-

ued to operate smoothly – was sold to the low-key Corbis Group, a private equity, corporate investment and development group headquartered in Spain, for an undisclosed price.

Corbis sold the hotel to an overseas investor in December 2013. The transaction occurred in the private market and details were not made public.

Mr Granville was later involved in a horrific bike accident and was flown home for permanent care in Britain.

With a fourth of his brain heavily damaged, he was unable to function and spent four years on hospital bed rest before dying at 52 last year.

“He was transferred back to England, where was he was brain dead. This was not an accident. He suffered for four and a half years,” the family’s lawyer Mr McOwen said last Friday.

Mr McOwen, 50, said Mr Granville’s family suspected foul play, despite the conclu-

sion of Karon Police, and has lost B15mn in a losing legal battle to get their property shares back.

The lawyer asked police to investigate two former partners of Mr Granville who were involved in another project in 2012, reported Khaosod.

He alleged the pair asked Mr Granville to transfer 99% of Puravarna Resort’s shares – worth over B1bn – reasoning that his criminal record could affect the project. According to Mr McOwen, the siblings promised to return the shares within six months if a deal wasn’t forthcoming, Less than three months after the shares were allegedly transferred, on June 24, 2013, Mr Granville was seriously injured.

Mr McOwen said the only injury found was blunt force trauma to Mr Granville’s head, with no wounds elsewhere on his body. Police ruled it an accident.

Sunscreens hit agenda for saving corals Continued from page 1 ...“Oxybenzone in sunscreen in particular is a concern in addressing the health of corals in Phuket,” Dr Nalinee told The Phuket News.

“Although we have not yet been able to clearly identify oxybenzone as a major factor in our official reports yet, laboratory tests by researchers have shown it to be harmful,” she added.

“Reducing the volume of sunscreens mixed into the water will not fix all the problems affecting corals, but it will help to prevent the cor-

als from getting sick easier. It is one variable to avoid while trying to nurse coral reefs back to health,” she added.

Dr Nalinee pointed out that coral reefs in Phuket province alone – not including the reefs throughout Phang Nga Bay that are technically in the neighbouring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi – covered some 13,932 rai (about 22.3 square kilometres).

“This includes the reefs near Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Nai Yang Beach, the Racha islands, and of course Koh Hei (“Coral

Island”),” Dr Nalinee said.

“However, harmful activities have affected 80-90% of the corals around all these sites to what we call ‘medium’ to ‘serious’ damage level,” she added.

“Some reefs in Phuket are recovering well, but it would be better if human activities in these areas are well organised and better controlled,” she said.

Dr Nalinee explained that the DMCR openly supports the suggestions given by the marine conservation Green Fins project.

“This supports all people, tourists and tour operators, to realise and take correct action to preserve coral reefs,” she said.

“Green Fins call on people to use less sunscreen by taking simple actions, such as simply wearing long-sleeved clothing, which is the best protection from the sun,” she said.

“They also list all the contaminants to avoid when buying sunscreen,” she added.

In particular, Green Fins calls on people to avoid buying any sun lotions that include: Oxybenzone (Benzophe-

Corals are dying. Photo: Dr Nalinee Thongtham / PMBC none-3, BP-3); Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate); Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC); and Butylparaben.

“Many sunscreen contain chemicals which cause the coral to bleach and die and harm juvenile fishes,” the project notes.

“If you are in the sun for extended periods of time, you have an option. Please choose natural and biodegradable sunscreen with non-nano Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide, all-natural and organic ingredients,” the Green Fins website notes. (See Greenfinsthailand.org) thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Phuket drivers in the lurch in ‘Smart licences’ launch The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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onfusion reigned as the Department of Land Transport (DLT) officially released its electronic driver’s licences on Tuesday (Jan 15), launching a downloadable application that can digitally hold driver authorisations and vehicle details.

DLT Director-General Pirapol Tawornsupacharoen on Tuesday explained that, with electronic licenses made valid on Monday, citizens may now download the DLT’s E-Licence application for either Android or iOS devices.

However, only the newer licenses that feature QR Codes on the reverse side can be scanned into the app, he said.

The DLT claims that the digital licences will be more convenient as they don’t require drivers to carry cards, and they contain more information for use by authorities, reported state news agency NNT. Yet, the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) on Tuesday received a deluge of calls asking about how to

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Only the newer licences with the QR code can be used to register through the app, when it gets up and running.

Photo: The Phuket News register online through the app, which callers said failed to allow them to do so.

An official at the License Division at the PLTO, who asked not to be named, told The Phuket News, “Today I received a lot of calls asking about the app, which is not available for people in Phuket right now.

“We are waiting for officials in Bangkok to fix it first, then people will be able to link their licences through the app,” she added.

PLTO Chief Banyat Kantha declined to comment on whether or not the system works as yet in Phuket.

“I have no comment about it. It may be related to many causes,” he said.

However, he added, “We (the PLTO) are only a user (of the new system). This project belongs to the Department of Land Transport with the app linking to an information centre in Bangkok.”

Chief Banyat also obscurely noted, “This application is active for Thai users with Thai driving licences, and does not include foreign users.”

Mr Banyat declined to elaborate further, despite many expats in Phuket having Thai driving licences with their passport numbers

issued as the driving licence numbers.

Of note, the app itself features a login window plainly labelled “PASSPORT” in English.The rest of the app is labelled in Thai language only.

Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) on Tuesday insisted that a physical driving licence is needed until the law is amended allowing a digital version to replace them, a process expected to take at least six months.

The new digital driving licence roll-out ran into a legal hitch after it was found that the 1979 Land Transport Act requires traffic police to seize physical driving licences when offences are committed.

Pol Maj Ekkarat Limsangkat, Deputy Chief of the Police Education Bureau, said the RTP agrees with the DLT's plan to adopt the new format and the RTP has drafted a law to validate the digital version.

Motorists are advised to carry their paper licences until the law is amended, or else they may face an additional charge for failing to carry with them their physical driving licences, he said.

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Locals scramble for ‘free’ beer as Leo truck drops load SCOR ES OF PEOPLE rushed to collect cans of beer scattered all over the road last Friday morning (Jan 11) after a truck carrying thousands of cans of Leo beer dropped its load in Rassada.

Wichit Police were notified of the incident at around 6am, but due to there being no traffic police on duty at the time were late to arrive at the scene on Soi Kingkaew-Uthit.

Upon arrival, police found scores of people collecting and taking away as many cans as they could carry. Others were helping to gather the cans and clear the road.

Hundreds of cans had perished on the road.

Phuket City Traffic police Capt Chatree Wetrangsri told The Phuket News, “We received notice of this accident early this morning at about 6am. The driver of the truck is not injured and the truck is not damaged.

“The cause of the ac-

Locals ride off with cans of Leo beer that fell off a truck in Rassada this morning (Jan 11). Photo: Nong Suwanpukdee cident is not yet clear but from early investigations it seems that the load dropped off the truck because it was not secured properly.

“The road is now clear,” Capt Wetrangsri added.

Lt Col Pongpop Prasoppichai, Chief of Phuket City Traffic Police, told The Phuket News, “Taking assets that belong to others is an act of theft. It is for the owner to decide if they want to file a claim.

Subsequently the police can work on bringing charges to those involved.”

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PHUKET NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

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Wat Chalong Fair returns for 111th year of festivities

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T H E A N N U A L WA T Chalong Fair, held each year to coincide with Chinese New Year, this year will be held from Feb 4-10.

Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol as chairman of the fair’s organising committee, announced the dates last Thursday (Jan 10).

The fair has been observed for 111 years, Mayor Samran pointed out.

Wat Chalong, or Chalong Temple, is the largest temple in Phuket and its annual fair matches the temple’s size and prominence, running for seven days and seven nights.

Officially called Wat Chaithararam, Chalong Temple is the spiritual and cultural centre of local people and the annual fair is an opportunity for people in the community to gather and have fun with entertainment and pay their

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Tout dumps slow loris with tourist The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol. Photo: PR Dept respects to the Lord Buddha.

Many Buddhists visit the temple during the fair to make merit and pay their respects to sacred objects and to the highly revered Luang Por Chaem, who was Abbot at Wat Chalong for 81 years, from 1827 to 1908.

The Wat Chalong Fair is organised each year to coincide with Chinese New Year, which this year will be celebrated on Feb 5.

In accordance with the Chinese zodiac, this year, 2019, is the Year of the Pig. The Phuket News

A

tout dumped the slow loris he was carrying with a tourist then ran away to avoid arrest at Kata Beach on Monday (Jan 14).

Piyawat Sukon, Chief of the Khao Phra Thaew NonHunting Area Conservation Centre in Thalang, led a team of officers to Kata Beach on Monday after receiving tipoffs from tourists.

The tip-offs reported that a tout was walking along the beach and charging tourists to have their photos taken with a slow loris.

When Mr Piyawat and his team arrived at the beach, still dressed in their uniforms, as is required when performing

Officers believe the slow loris tout was tipped off by other vendors at the beach. Photo: DNP official duties, they saw the tout on the sand, but much further along the beach.

“We nearly caught him,” Mr Piyawat told The Phuket News.

“We believe that he was tipped off by other vendors on the beach as we were heading up the beach to catch him,” he said.

The tout left the slow loris he had in hand and ran off on foot, Mr Piyawat explained.

Mr Piyawat, on behalf of the DNP, filed formal report of the incident to the Karon Police.

“My officials saw his face.

We believe that we have seen this man before,” Mr Piyawat said. “ We h a v e g i v e n a description to the Karon Police for them to find him, and we have brought the slow loris back with us to Khao Phra Thaew,” he added.

Local police were not available to assist the team on Monday, he said.

“I have been coordinating with local municipalities and police about stopping illegal slow loris touts, but they continue all around Phuket because the benefit is worth it. The fine is so low,” he said.

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Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

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EDITORIAL

‘Reviving’ drowning victims

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

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th From risk analyst to music producer to news editor, Poria has worked in various contrasting fields following his graduation from university. Growing up in central London before moving to Phuket in 2016, he has but one ambition, freedom.

D

espite progress in procedures to ‘bring people back from the dead’ only 45% of victims of sudden cardiac arrest survive until hospital discharge. This statistic applies only to developed countries with a long history of promoting bystander CPR, and only those that receive prompt CPR (within six minutes of cessation of heartbeat). Hypothermiarelated cardiac arrests are the exception, but these are unlikely in Phuket.

Cardiac arrest victims who don’t receive CPR have a nearzero chance of survival. Of those 45% that survive until hospital discharge, many have permanent neurological damage, and fewer still will be alive one year later.

CPR is a skill that can be learned by children as young as 5 years old. A course taught by a certified instructor to

Former freelance writer and editor for a music news and reviews website in the UK. Now turning her hobby into a career with The Phuket News and broadening her scope from music to, well, everything. Likes the weird and wonderful.

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ously unconscious drowning patient requires full CPR with rescue breathing. Unless marine crews are trained in full CPR, reports of revival after having no pulse for extended periods of time are unlikely to be accurate. Properly performed CPR is physically exhausting for a trained rescuer. It is impossible for one or two untrained crew members to perform proper CPR correctly for an extended period of time.

In Phuket it can be difficult to verify with the hospital whether initial reports of revival are accurate. Ambulance EMT’s reports on incidents may be considered confidential patient information and be difficult to obtain. It is likely that many of these reports of revival declared by untrained tour crews are inaccurate at best. Unfortunately, most of these victims are unlikely to survive to hospital discharge.

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Phuket Immigration task force busts wedding photographers from China Celebration of Life service to be held for Phuket expat Gary Moody Chinese tourist drowns on snorkelling tour at Racha Locals scramble for ‘free’ beer as Leo truck drops load Phuket Opinion: Getting safety right Phuket residents vote against U-turn flyover French tourist injured as parasail ride lands on tour boat Family of British CEO in Phuket insist he was murdered Still no charges over deadly collision in Chalong that killed two tourists All safe after Russian tour bus collides with pickup on Phuket coastal road

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

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AMY BRYANT

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non-medical professionals (lay rescuers) takes four to six hours. Courses should be repeated every two years to maintain proficiency.

A common-sense approach to reduce snorkelling deaths in Phuket is a requirement for all marine tour personnel to have current CPR training.

A recent innovation in lay rescuer CPR is the ‘hands -only’ version. Studies show that many people trained in CPR were reluctant to perform it in real life. Many were afraid of rescue breathing (mouth-tomouth), that they would contract a communicable disease.

‘Hands only’ CPR, without rescue breathing, is almost as effective as full CPR, with one important exception: it is not effective in asphyxiation and drowning cases.

Effective CPR which results in return of spontaneous circulation – or revival – in a previ-

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

Wedding crashers

Re: Phuket Immigration task force busts wedding photographers from China It would seem that a Chinese-speaking Thai could do very well in this business.

Foot There are about 8-10 teams working on a daily basis in Kamala on the main street, in front of the school and near the cop shop. They have been a pain in the backside for nearly a year now. About time they were dealt with. Funny how they have been untouched for so long. It’s almost as if the Kamala cops frequent the restaurant that acts as their front!

Fascinated And the reason for them not arresting the hoards of illegal Chinese wedding photographers on Kamala beach, is....?

Geoffrey Morris If these photographers are engaged by a business in China and work in an individual capacity as an employee, are paid by the employer in China, the employer gains from the

employees’ efforts and their business is outside of Thailand, there is nothing preventing them from photographing in Thailand, despite the profits accruing outside of Thailand.

Jor12

“We send her back her family” to “We wish her all the best in Canada”. Great job, UNHCR! Kurt

And Phuket keeps wondering why Chinese tourism is at an all time low, and why this is the worst high season in 10 years #shootingyourselfinthefoot Ruben Bal

Re: Phuket residents vote against U-turn flyover First, I admit not having travelled every country, but why are there so many U-turns, and so many being dangerously placed, on Phuket?

Rorri_2

New beginnings

Re: Saudi teen runaway leaves for Canada A happy ending. Let us hope she isn’t a victim of some more patriarchy in way of “honour”.

Christysweet So decent people do exist.

Good on you, Canada.

Zo Sikander From beginning to end the press was given contradictory information by authorities. It was all the time ‘adjusted’. I guess because it became an international affair and Thai authorities had to tune down and downplay their role from

My way or the highway

Drive from Phuket Town to the airport and back. Experience the danger and inconvenience of ground-level U-turns due to heavy and increasing amount of traffic. Nicely designed flyover U-turns can fit in and contribute to smooth and less polluting traffic. Look at buses making a U-turn now.

They need three or four lanes to do so, blocking/holding up the traffic streams.

Kurt The objection is probably that it is more difficult to cut in line on a flyover U-turn than the existing U-turns. The driving manners at U-turns are

atrocious, to put it politely!

Galong Ah, on reading the story it would appear the local ‘objection’ to the flyovers is less about aesthetics and more about being able to sell more land at inflated prices.

The U-turns clearly won’t be cheaper with more land required but it’s not like people here to want to feather their own nest is it! One supposes ugly elevated U-turns would have a negative impact on property values as well.

Fascinated

Changing tide

Re: Phuket’s fishing industry praises lifting of EU ’yellow card’ I had the opportunity to work with professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat and unions here in Phuket in 1978, 40 years ago. It is no better now for unions.

The labour officer ask the workers about their conditions in the presence of the captain.

Who dares to tell the truth?

A union representative, not the crew onboard, should be asked. bojon

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

THAILAND NEWS

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Bangkok brings the rain BANGKOK

Bangkok Post

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ollution reigned in the capital this week, with Bangkok ranking the ninth worst city on Earth for air quality. The detrimental effects of air pollution caused by the fine dust that has blighted Bangkok and surrounding areas since late last year sparked an official warning from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) on Jan 6 that air quality in Bangkok was set to worsen.

This week, hazardous dust particles covered greater Bangkok as the air force sent planes to spray water onto parts of the capital to alleviate pollution.

Rainmaking has reduced hazardous dust particulate levels in greater Bangkok, with readings significantly lower, government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Wednesday (Jan 16).

Mr Buddhipongse said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry reported that rainmaking operations started at 3pm on Tuesday and resulted in rain in Phaya Thai, Prawet, Bang Kapi and Huai Khwang

A plane of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation seeds clouds to generate rain in greater Bangkok. Photo: AFP / Pornchai Kittiwongsakul districts of Bangkok and parts of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces.

On Wednesday particulate levels dropped to safe levels in some areas of greater Bangkok, with readings of 35-65mcg, compared with last Sunday’s peak of 195mcg.

The safe level is capped at 50mcg.

“Rainmaking to reduce the pollution level would continue,

together with measures on the ground to control dust and smoke,” Mr Buddhipongse said.

The Pollution Control Department expected weather conditions to improve, with rain forecast for 20% of greater Bangkok before the week’s end.

The use of more environmentally friendly B20 biodiesel and temporary school

BRN appoints ‘anti-peace’ chief PATTANI T H E BA R ISA N R EVOlusi Nasional (BRN) has appointed a new leader in a move believed to reflect the group’s unwillingness to be part of peace talks with the Thai government, according to a source with the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4.

The change came after Dulloh Waemanor, the previous leader, was encouraged by Malaysian authorities to attend new rounds of peace talks facilitated by the Malaysian government, said the source.

Mr Dulloh has been replaced by Kho Zari, 60, the secretary-general of the BRN, said the source.

The current flare-up in violence in the deep south happened under the leadership of the BRN’s new president, a former Islamic teacher from Pattani’s Sai Buri district who has moved to live in the northern part of Kelantan.

These fresh attacks were intended to demonstrate the BRN’s leading role in the southern insurgency, added the source.

In related news, the chief of Na Pradu police station in @thephuketnews

A CCTV screengrab shows the moment one of the attackers with an automatic weapon got off the motorcycle pillion to check the death of the police sergeant he had just murdered. Photo: Bangkok Post Pattani’s Khok Pho district and some other senior police officers at the station have been abruptly transferred following last Sunday’s major daytime attack.

In an order signed by the chief of the Provincial Police Region 9, Pol Col Amphai Chumchuay, the chief of the attacked station, was transferred on Monday to Yala’s police operation centre, said Pol Maj Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, chief of Pattani Provincial Police.

The investigation launched into the attack, which left a police sergeant dead, found there were six attackers on three motorcycles, all using AK-47 rifles and concealing their faces.

Gunmen on the first motorcycle attacked the police station’s front security booth, killing Pol Sgt Chaloemphonl Khomkham, while those on the second and third motorcycles sprayed the police station building with bullets.

The attackers on the first motorcycle also snatched an M4 rifle, a pistol and a bulletproof vest from the murdered officer.

Following the incident, local police have been told maintain a constant state of readiness around the clock as this case shows that fresh attacks may happen at any time, not only at night as in the past.

Bangkok Post

closures in critically hazeaffected areas are among various proposals pitched by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Asking people not to panic, Gen Prayut announced plans for a meeting on Wednesday of agencies to discuss joining forces and come up with a suitable solution to the haze.

He said his deputy was told to chair the meeting.

Gen Prayut said the main

cause of the air pollution was exhaust fumes from vehicles.

He said he had ordered City Hall and the Transport Ministry to find ways to have motorists change to more environmentally friendly B20 Biodiesel, adding that the Energy Ministry was also told to accelerate the production of this kind of fuel.

He said stringent law enforcement must be carried out against motorists whose vehicles emit black exhaust smoke.

“If they are found, they must be impounded,” said Gen Prayut. He also instructed relevant agencies to deal with dust that comes from construction sites and crop-burning.

The initial economic loss from the fine dust fouling the air in Bangkok and surrounding areas is estimated at B2.6 billion or more, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).

The loss estimate is based on opportunity cost from the haze’s impact on health and tourism.

In terms of public health, K-Research estimates that dust pollution has aggravated allergic reactions for at least 50% of the roughly 2.4 million

people living in Bangkok who suffer from allergies.

These patients will have to see a health practitioner at least once at an average cost of B1,000 per visit. The initial increase in healthcare cost arising from the dust pollution is estimated at B1.6-3.1bn.

Foreign tourists are already shunning travel to Bangkok and shifting to other destinations in Thailand because of the toxic haze, but they could skip the country entirely if the problem lingers, K-Research said.

It noted that foreign media outlets have begun to report on Bangkok’s status as one of the 10 worst cities for dust that exceeds world safety standards.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advised tourists to monitor Bangkok’s air pollution and take precautions when necessary. The TAT will continue to assess the overall situation and issue timely updates as appropriate, while assuring all that the relevant Thai authorities are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the smog on visitors from abroad as well as residents.

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Blacklisted for ‘bad deeds’ Belarusian ‘sex coach’ claiming Trump secrets to be deported BANGKOK AFP

A

Belarusian model who claimed she had proof of Russian efforts to help Donald Trump win office was set to be deported after being convicted on Tuesday (Jan 15), nearly a year after her arrest in Thailand for participating in a “sex training course”.

Anastasia Vashukevich, known by her pen name Nastya Rybka, has been held in custody since a police raid in the seaside resort of Pattaya last February.

Vashukevich had travelled to Thailand after becoming embroiled in a political scandal with Russian aluminium tycoon Oleg Deripaska, a one-time associate of US President Trump’s disgraced former campaign director Paul Manafort.

She set off a scramble for details after promising to reveal “missing puzzle pieces” regarding claims the Kremlin

Belarusian model Anastasia Vashukevich, better known by her pen name Nastya Rybka, prepares to board a prison van after the court trial in Pattaya, following her arrest in a police raid on a sex training course. Photo: AFP / file aided Mr Trump’s 2016 election victory.

But the material never surfaced and critics dismissed it as a publicity stunt.

The Pattaya Provincial Court convicted her and seven co-defendants after they suddenly pleaded guilty to multiple charges including so-

licitation and illegal assembly.

“The court found them all guilty of soliciting sex,” said a judge on the panel, handing them three-year sentences and $6,000 (about B190,000) fines but reducing the sentences to time served.

“The court releases them today,” the judge added.

Immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn said they would be transferred to an immigration detention centre in Bangkok and deported.

“The next step, I will coordinate with the Russian government for their deportation, which will likely take one week for all the processes

to complete,” Gen Surachate told AFP. “They are blacklisted from Thailand permanently for conducting bad deeds.”

The risque seminar was led by self-styled Russian seduction guru Alex Kirillov and some participants wore shirts that said “sex animator” even though one participant at the time described it as more of a romance and relationship course.

Mr Kirillov, who has served as a spokesperson for the mostly Russian group, told reporters he believes they were set up. ”I think somebody ordered [our arrest]… for money,” he said.

Vashukevich and Kirillov had once expressed fear of being deported back to Russia and at one stage called on Washington for help.

But Vashukevich later blamed the US for their imprisonment.

Both Washington and Moscow publicly had shrugged off Vashukevich’s story, which the

US State Department described as “bizarre”.

A friend of theirs who has been involved in the case and was at the court told AFP they were “very happy” with the verdict.

Vashukevich, who has penned a book about seducing oligarchs, also faces legal problems in Russia. Mr Deripaska won an invasion of privacy lawsuit against her and Kirillov in July after a video apparently filmed by the model showed the tycoon vacationing with an influential Russian deputy prime minister.

Kremlin-connected Mr Deripaska and Manafort, Mr Trump’s ex-campaign manager, did business together in the mid-2000s.

Manafort has since been convicted in the US of financial crimes related to political work he did in Ukraine before the 2016 election, as well as witness tampering.

He also admitted to providing polling data to a Russian with intelligence ties during the 2016 presidential race.

Suspected rapist of own mother arrested CHIANG MAI A MAN WAS ARRESTED in a forest in Doi Saket district on Tuesday (Jan 16) for allegedly assaulting and raping his biological mother last month.

Chaiya Tana, 31, a native of Doi Saket, was arrested after police had his friend send him drugged drinks and bananas in the forest not far from his home.

He had hidden there since the alleged assault and rape of his 66-year-old mother at their home in Ban Talad Khilek village in tambon Mae Pong of Doi Saket district on Dec 11.

Media reported Mr Chaiya

Police arrest Chaiya Tana, 31, in Doi Saket on Tuesday. had been convicted of the murder of his stepfather when he was a teenager. After being freed, he had been in and out of prison for other crimes.

Local residents were said to be scared of him because he was allegedly violent when drunk.

Apart from the suspected rape, he reportedly assaulted

his elder sister who had to leave home.

Just before the arrest, his friend told police that Mr Chaiya phoned him and asked for food. Police then gave him the food and drinks and searched the forest from early Tuesday morning. Police found him late in the morning.

Bangkok Post

Pennapha Ornputtha restrains "Olieng", who killed a cat at her house. Photo: Bangkok Post

Woman faces fine, prison, after filming her dog kill cat NAKHON PHANOM THE OWNER OF A ‘PIT bull’ has been charged for animal cruelty by allowing her dog to maul a cat to death.

Pennapha Ornputtha was summoned to Kutakai police station last Sunday (Jan 13) to hear a charge of violating the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act. The accusation against the 36 -year- old ow ner fol lowe d a c om pl a i nt registered by livestock development officials in

Pla Pak district. A key piece of evidence handed over to the police was a video clip showing “Olieng”, the dog, attacking and killing the cat at her house, which is also a restaurant.

Ms Pennapha said she took care of the dog for her husband, who works in Japan. She said she filmed the clip on her mobile phone and sent it to him to show the dog’s aggressive behaviour.

She claimed her husband posted the clip on Facebook. Last Friday, it came to the attention of Watchdog Thailand and the

animal rights group alerted authorities in the district.

The owner promised to cooperate with police and said she did not deliberately release the dog to attack the cat.

The dog is one year old, she said, and she has looked after it since her husband went to work in Japan.

Ms Pennapha said she had told her husband more than once that “I have had enough of your dog”.

The woman could be fined up to B40,000 and/ or imprisoned for up to two years.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Digital asset licences issued Businesses approved as authorised digital asset exchanges CRYPTO Darana Chudasri

T

he Finance Ministry has authorised operating licences for four digital asset businesses and denied licences for three businesses seeking to become authorised exchanges.

The three businesses approved as authorised digital asset exchanges are Bitcoin Co (bx.in.th), Bitkub Online Co Ltd (bitkub.com) and Satang Corporation Co Ltd (satang.pro).

Coins TH Co Ltd (coins. co.th) has been approved as a licensed broker and dealer of cryptocurrencies, according to a statement by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Cash2Coins Co Ltd (cash2coins.com) and Southeast Asia Digital Exchange Co Ltd (seadex.io) were denied licences for digital asset exchanges because their asset maintenance system and the electronic Know Your Customer (KYC) system did not

@thephuketnews

Four digital asset businesses have been issued operating licences from the Finance Ministry. Photo: David McBee / Pezels meet the SEC’s standards, the regulator said.

Both companies failed to demonstrate that their IT security and cybersecurity were adequate, the SEC said.

The royal decree on digital assets has been effective since last May. The SEC is tasked with regulating initial coin offerings (ICOs) and other digital asset businesses, including digital exchanges, brokers and dealers involved with digital

asset transactions.

The Finance Ministry has the authority to issue operating licences for businesses seeking to operate digital asset businesses.

Earlier, SEC SecretaryGeneral Rapee Sucharitakul said a certified ICO portal was likely to emerge in November, with the first authorised ICO possibly occurring in December.

However, Cash2Coins and Southeast Asia Digital

Exchange were ordered to terminate their business operations because they lacked authorised operating licences.

The Finance Ministry allowed the companies to continue business operations until Monday (Jan 14) to notify customers about digital asset transfers or transfer customers’ holdings of digital assets to other digital asset exchanges.

The companies must report to the SEC the transferred or

returned digital assets, but are not barred from applying for an operating licence in the future when their systems are ready, the SEC said.

The Finance Ministry on Wednesday (Jan 15) also denied issuing an operating licence for a digital asset exchange to Coin Asset Co, Ltd (coinasset.co.th), saying the company’s system does not meet SEC standards.

Three of the four directors responsible for major systems resigned, and the company’s main systems, including keeping customer assets and KYC records, do not meet standards accepted by the SEC, said an SEC statement.

Following the rejection, Coin Asset is able to operate a digital asset exchange business until Jan 21, it said.

Jirayut Srupsrisopa, cofounder and chief executive of Bitkub Capital Holdings, said the government’s approval of digital asset exchange licences signifies that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are certified by law, which will unlock institutional investment in cryptocurrencies.

The legal status of the digital asset class will attract capital flows from traditional capital market channels into digital asset exchanges, Mr Jirayut said.

“Investors in cryptocurrencies are mostly retail, but since this business is not illegal I expect institutional investors will own the majority of shares in the future, similar to the traditional capital market,” he said.

Bitkub plans to partner with two securities firms to help investors transition from the traditional capital market to the virtual investment realm.

The company also plans to partner with an e-wallet company to prepare an alternative payment channel for customers.

“The cryptocurrency market can grow by 10 times in the next two to three years from US$100 billion to $1 trillion (B3.21trn to B321trn),” Mr Jirayut said.

“The size is tiny compared with global stock markets, which have a combined value of $70trn.”

Bangkok Post

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Phuket fleet gets ‘all clear’ Fishing industry operators praise removal of EU ’yellow card’ SEAFOOD The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

s the EU last week removed the “yellow card” against the import of seafood produce from Thailand following international concerns for conditions and human trafficking in the industry, local fisheries officials conducted random inspections of trawlers operating out of Phuket.

Paisarn Sukpunwan, the administration chief at the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office, led a team of officers to inspect fishing boats at Rassada Pier for any illegal irregularities of fishery activities and human trafficking last Tuesday (Jan 8).

Joining Mr Paisarn were officials from the Phuket Labour Protection and Welfare Office, the Phuket Social Development and Human Security Office, Phuket Immigration, the Phuket Marine Office, the Phuket Public Health Office, Region 8 Police and the Phuket Provincial

Key figures in Phuket’s fishing industry have praised the EU’s removal of the ‘yellow card’ against Thailand over concerns of unethical practices. Photo: PR Dept Administrative Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor).

“These inspections are carried out randomly each month, as part of the integrated effort to prevent illegal employment and working conditions, and human trafficking,” Mr Paisarn said.

The campaign against illegal fishing practices has seen the introduction of many new

regulations, including that all boats over 30 gross tons must have a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) installed and operating; all boats must use only licensed fishing equipment; and all crew must keep an up-to-date log of their working hours, pay and conditions.

“All of these regulations must be adhered to in order

to reduce irregularities on fishing boats,’’ Mr Paisarn explained.

Inspections were carried out on three boats, with no irregularities found on any of them.

The first boat inspected, the Sor Pornchainavee, captained by Sawat Saela, was found to have 36 workers on board: five Thais and 31 Myanmar nationals.

The second vessel inspected, the Pronprasert 111, captained by Mokrala Sailaiet, was found to have 36 workers on board; three Thais and 33 Cambodians.

The third boat inspected, the Chokkanjana 29, captained by Prayot Buttarat, was found to have 29 workers on board; four Thais and 25 Myanmar nationals.

“Every vessel had all the required licences and accurately kept log books showing every time they departed and arrived back at port,” Mr Paisarn noted.

“Every foreign worker was healthy, had social insurance cards and had correctly updated sea logs,” he said.

“We conducted random questioning of the workers and all of them said that they were not in forced labour and none of them had been brought here by traffickers,” Mr Paisarn added.

WELCOMED MOVE

Somsrit Jaidee, a representative of one of the key local fishery organisations in Phuket, praised the lifting of the “yellow card” by the EU. ‘‘This is an important opportunity for fishermen to work on the sea without any concerns,’’ he said.

“Our fishery organisations are willing to conduct fishing lawfully and follow

fishing regulations in order to develop the fishery industries of Thailand,” he added.

Mr Paisarn of the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office noted, “I am very glad that the ‘yellow card’ has been removed. As government officials, we have been working to eliminate IUU [illegal, unreported and unregulated] fishing issues for three years [since the yellow card was instituted].

“What to do next is ensure that fishermen continue to conduct their fishing lawfully and be able to control fishing at standards that will bring great reform to Thailand’s fishery industry,’’ he added.

Korakot Paereepart, head of Phuket Fishing Pier Office, the main port for fishing boats in and out of Phuket, also praised the removal of the “yellow card”.

“This is very good news.

Today, many of local fishery organizations are very happy. The seafood industry in Phuket is very busy,” he said.

“Every local fisheries organisation is ready to cooperate with the government in order to keep the local fisheries in order.” he assured.

DISSENT AFOOT Mr Korakot’s full espoused acceptance of the new regulations imposed on the Thai fishing industry in order to comply with EU requirements has not been echoed by other fishing operators elsewhere in Thailand Even though the European Union has delisted Thailand from its yellow-card status, much needs to be done to reverse the plight of the fishing sector affected by “overly stringent’” regulations issued to fight illegal fishing, says the president of the Pattani Fishery Association.

Phubet Chantanimi said fishing operators are still affected by about 400 laws and regulations related to the tackling of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), the Bangkok Post reported.

They have had an adverse impact on the livelihood of fishermen and caused damages worth hundreds of billions of baht in the sector, Mr Phubet said.

“In fact, the removal of the yellow-card status does not improve things for fishermen,” he added.

Mr Phubet called on the government to amend or relax some of the more stringent rules that adversely affect

fishermen.

For example, trawlers in some provinces are required by law not to put to sea until 9am. Any that have opted to leave just 10 minutes early have been fined B100,000 per trawler, he said.

“This was too heavyhanded as they didn’t cause any damage.”

Mr Phubet said that operators and fishermen should get a say in amending the rules and regulations, particularly two royal decrees issued in 2015 and 2017 to stamp out IUU activities and improve regulation of the Thai fisheries industry.

Lae Dilokvidhyarat, an economics lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said the country has much work to do before it can win back the confidence of consumers abroad, particularly in the EU. After the yellow card was issued three years ago, Thai seafood exports were cast in a bad light and exporters suffered huge losses, Mr Lae said.

Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said the de-listing would also be a boon for spin-off industries like seafood processing.

WHAT’S AT STAKE The EU de-listed Thailand from yellow-card status on Tuesday in recognition of its progress in tackling IUU activities.

Thailand is the world’s third-largest expor ter of fish products – a status that rights groups say is achieved through illegal overfishing and reliance on low-paid trafficked workers from neighbouring countries.

The EU imposed the yellow card in April 2015 as a warning that Thailand at the time was not sufficiently tackling IUU fishing.

The decision on Tuesday reversed the first step of a process that could have led to a complete import ban of marine fisheries products into the EU. Failure to resolve the IUU problem, and an ensuing trade ban, could have led to losses of US$300 million a year, the Bangkok Post reported.

Since the warning was issued, the EU and Thailand have engaged in a constructive process of cooperation and dialogue.

The Thai government has amended 138 of its fisheries regulations to align with international laws and standards, the Bangkok Post noted. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Brunch with an edge at The Nai Harn

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

CYCLING TO 70

12

Top tips for safe snorkelling

15

Reflections on the ride of life Polar coming along for the ride

I

BLAZING SADDLES

Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com

have in my hand a slightly dogeared, black and white photo of a smiling three-year-old me looking optimistically into the camera.

I am sitting among blooming flowers in the back garden of the house in which I grew up in the English Midlands. Just out of frame is my first bicycle, red and yellow with a bashed mudguard. It seems that even at this tender age I’d already mastered the noble art of riding into things.

Turning 70 – as I did earlier this month, against my better judgement – one is primed to look back at threescore years and ten, perhaps seeking out the pillars of existence that have endured and sustained one amidst the passing tumult and chaos we call life.

Strangely enough, for me, one such pillar has been the simple act of sitting on a narrow saddle, applying leg power to a couple of pedals linked by gears and chain to a couple of wheels and thereby slowly moving about the surface of the planet upon which I found myself.

Butter wouldn’t melt... @thephuketnews

I write “strangely enough” because my first encounters with this arcane mode of travel were far from promising.

Like most boys of my post-war English generation, my first bike was a threewheeler upon which I used to enjoy careening around our country garden terrorizing our dogs and veering into fences, garden sheds, compost pits and rose trellises.

It was an idyll to which I would have happily been loyal had my father not had grander ideas. He, of course, wanted his son to graduate onto more sophisticated “proper” bicycles and I did so on the occasion of my fourth birthday in January 1953.

This “real” bike fortuitously arrived with trainer wheels attached and so my false sense of non-gravitational security was allowed to endure for a few more weeks. But with spring the fateful day arrived when papa decreed that the trainer wheels were to be removed and little Barry was to come face-to-face with Sir Isaac Newton’s annoying discovery.

So it was that I set forth up the garden path on two unsupported wheels for the first time, and almost immediately the true gravity of the situation became horribly apparent. Young boy’s knees met uncompromising concrete in the first of many such painful encounters and the manufacturers of band-aids, Dettol and antiseptic gauze were the outright winners of the bruising encounter. Big Pharma were preying upon me even at this young age.

Despite my early two-wheeled misfortunes I persevered and eventually came to, if not a mutual understanding with gravity, then at least a grudging degree of respect.

At the age of 11, I was sent to quite a famous secondary educational institution – King Edward’s School for Boys in Birmingham, founded by Henry VIII’s sickly son Edward VI.

To reach King Edward’s I had to cycle about eight kilometres each way, leaving home at about seven each morning come rain, snow or (very rarely) shine. I used to tootle along beside a huge reservoir and across its dam wall on my bike, arriving at the school gates usually freezing.

My school days seemed to pass in a maelstrom of Latin verbs, regular beatings by mortarboard-wearing masters and rugger games played on frozen, rock-hard pitches from which grazing sheep had first to be evacuated prior to kick-off.

Later, I cycled around the huge, lush green campus of Nottingham University, from lectures, to parties, to rugby games and even to late night assignations in a female hall of residence where it was rumoured that the lady warden kept a shotgun under her bed in order to deter late night visitors such as myself from gaining access to her gaggle of delectable female charges.

On Sundays I regularly cycled about 30 hilly kilometres to meet my father and grandfather at a small stream running into the River Severn near Stourport in a lovely little Worcestershire valley, where we then spent blissful days fishing for, and quite often netting, wild brown trout and the occasional salmon. After an early evening in the local pub, they would drive off and I would cycle all the way home again.

When I think back on such cycling adventures from my present vantage point, the question of where I got the energy for these exploits is a total mystery to my 70-year-old self.

Suffice to say that the bicycle remained a staunch and dependable friend to me throughout life and my peripatetic career working in media and marketing communications in London, Toronto, Hong Kong, Sydney and Bangkok. There was always a bike or two waiting for me in my garage offer-

Travels with Cutie ing me escape, relaxation and diversion from the pressures of career, family and the congested and increasingly polluted cities in which I, like most of us, had to work.

Retiring to Phuket in 2006 I was extremely fortunate to be able to pursue another dream: to work as an editor and writer. I initially worked as the editor of Art Asia’s Phuket Magazine with John Everingham and was able to cycle around many fabulous parts of Phuket, the Andaman and Thailand during these years.

In 2012 I launched this ‘Blazing Saddles’ column for the Phuket Gazette, transferring it to The Phuket News two years ago. Being able to explore the beguiling alchemy between pen and bicycle has been one of the great pleasures of my increasingly long life.

Having referenced one visionary physicist early in this piece, I can but end with the sage words of a successor in that most exclusive of clubs, Albert Einstein, who said that “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

I’ll do my best Albert, I promise.

12 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 The view from the afternoon

Sunday Best

The Nai Harn’s Cosmo restaurant enters the brunch game Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

B

runch. Sunday’s social staple; a final foodie farewell to the weekend. But how to take your pick in Phuket’s saturated brunch market?

Well, if high-end, highquality, hillside brunch with a view is your niche, look no further than ‘The Great Nai Harn Sunday brunch’ at the five-star resort’s Cosmo restaurant.

Although service starts at 12:30, you’ll be forgiven if it’s some time before napkin reaches lap and the eating actually begins, as the unbeatable panoramic view from the restaurant, sweeping from – you guessed it – Nai Harn Beach, across Windmill viewpoint, past Koh Man and out into the big blue, demands your attention and camera lens first.

It’s difficult to envisage a better backdrop to brunch than this. Whether it’s

Sumptuous pan-seared red snapper

Sushi station your first rodeo or you’re something of a regular here, you’ll want to take the time to breathe the sea air and capture the view from the restaurant’s vantage point.

When it’s time to eat, guests head first to the buffet to fill their plates high with seafood, sushi, cured meats, salad, cheeses and seasonal fruit. Think oysters on ice, beetroot-cured sea bass, dry-aged Australian rib eye. Think Roquefort, roasted baby artichoke and dragon fruit.

All ingredients are fresh and local, from the seafood sourced from the nearby fisherman’s village, down to the herbs grown in the resort’s own garden.

After the buffet comes the main course which guests order, when they’re ready, from the à la carte menu. Four options are on offer, including: slow-roasted lamb rump with baba ganoush, sundried tomato, salsa verde and black olive jus; and pan-seared red snapper, potato gnocchi, chorizo and sugar snap peas.

Vegetarian and vegan options are also

available on request.

Once ordered, guests can expect the generous portion in front of them in 20 minutes or less. That’s what’s wonderful about this brunch: you set the pace. Got somewhere else to be? No problem. Order your main course pre-buffet. Want to eat and drink until service ends at three?

Great. Take your time.

It’s back to the buffet for dessert with macaroons dusted with the resort’s name, delicate chocolate bites, ice cream and churros, to name a few.

This interesting mix of both buffet and à la carte gives The Nai Harn brunch a certain edge and was a creative decision by Executive Chef Mark Jones.

“We’re aiming to do something different,” he says. “We want to be a flagship in Phuket for Sunday brunch and food in general.”

Mark’s experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as his devotion to what he does, is evident in every dish that leaves his kitchen. The brunch is the culmination of three hard days’ preparation; that’s alongside the restaurant’s everyday output of hundreds of breakfasts, pool-side snacks and more.

If you make it here this weekend, take the time between courses to befriend the equally devoted and totally charming bartender, Salim Khoury, who supplies free-flow beverages throughout the afternoon. Former head barman at the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London, Salim might, if you’re lucky, regale

Leave room for indulgent desserts you with tales of catering to movie stars and curating beverages for royalty.

The Nai Harn’s Sunday offering is proof that brunch is so much more than the Instagram feeds of aerial-shot smashed avocado, oozing eggs and overpriced granola we’ve become accustomed to. It’s also an impressive showcase of what they offer the other six days of the week.

‘The Great Nai Harn Sunday brunch’ is B5,500 per adult for food and free-flow beverages, B3,850 per adult for food only and B2,200 per child aged 6 to 18 for food and free-flow soft drinks.

The Nai Harn is located at 23/3 Moo 1, Wiset Rd, Rawai.

Website – www.thenaiharn.com/dining/ dining-offers Telephone number – +66 (0)7638 0200-10 Email – fbreservation@thenaiharn.com

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT 13

Asia Pop 40 counts down the top 140 songs in Asia of 2018

Tune in to Phuket Live 89.5 on Fridays from 9pm and Sundays from 1pm The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

hroughout January, the region’s first and only syndicated radio chart countdown programme, Asia Pop 40, will once again count down the most popular 140 songs from 2018 over four weekly episodes.

This year marks the fifth annual countdown of the top 140 songs on the Asia Pop 40 chart, based purely on their ranking in the chart and the number of weeks they appeared.

While the weekly AP40 countdown is hosted by Dom Lau, this year’s ‘countdown of the year’ will be presented over the four weeks by guest hosts from AP40’s affiliate stations as well as Asia Pop 40 China’s host Max Lim. Creator and Executive Producer of Asia Pop 40, Rob Graham, stated: “We’re very excited to present our year-end highlight package of Asia Pop 40 again this year. What better way to showcase 52 episodes, or 156 hours, of programming? Our annual countdown was a first for Asian radio and we’re very proud of that.”

Graham added “As per previous years, we will be honouring the Asia Pop 40 No. 1 Song of 2018, the Asia Pop 40 Artist of 2018 and the Asia Pop

Phuket Live 89.5’s drive host Jason with Asia Pop 40 host Dom Lau

@thephuketnews

40 Group/Duo of 2018.”

The Asia Pop 140 countdown programmes will air throughout January, culminating with the announcement of the No. 1 Song of 2018 on Saturday 26.

The Asia Pop 140 chart of 2018 consists of: • 62 collaborations; • 27 tracks from solo female artists; • 58 tracks from solo male artists; • 28 tracks from groups; • 15 songs from movie soundtracks; • 85 tracks from the Americas; • 7 tracks from Australia/New Zealand; • 15 tracks from Europe; • 33 tracks from the UK; and • 10 tracks from Asia.

About Asia Pop 40 Asia Pop 40 is the first regional weekly chart countdown radio show produced in Asia specifically for Asian radio, now heard in over 100 markets across AsiaPacific and the Middle-East in English and Mandarin.

Each week Asia Pop 40 counts down the most popular streams on Apple Music across Asia to produce a panregional radio programme.

Asia Pop 40 is supported by a multifaceted, multi-lingual website – www. asiapop40.com – featuring the chart, artist interviews, celebrity gossip, social media plug-ins and links to the iTunes store, making it an essential platform for any advertiser wanting to reach a young, affluent Asian audience.

Asia Pop 40 is produced and syndicated by EON Syndicated Media, based in Singapore.

Asian Relevance EON’s Executive Producer, Rob Graham, stated “The Asia Pop 40 chart is the main reference source for what’s hot in Asian music for the world’s music media. And because AP40 is made in Asia for Asia, this makes the Asia Pop 40 chart truly relevant for Asian audiences by being Asia’s first-ever official regional chart.”

Asia Pop 40 is three hours in length

Seeing red with Dom and, apart from showcasing the latest music, features latest movie reviews, albums reviews, artist interviews and massive competitions.

Asia Pop 40 airs weekly on Phuket Live 89.5 on Fridays from 9pm and Sundays from 1pm.

For more information go to www. eonmusicmedia.com or contact Rob Graham at rob@eonmusicmedia.com. www.eonmusicmedia.com www.asiapop40.com @eonmusicmedia / @asiapop40

14 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Habits: the way forward Setting children up for success in 2019 and beyond EDUCATION CORNER

W Dale Ford

hat can you do to help keep your child passionate about learning and increase the likelihood of school success followed by university success?

The following are some everyday suggestions for home and school.

Give your child regular work responsibilities. Preschoolers can pick up toys and put dirty clothes in the hamper; primary age youngsters can set the table and empty the garbage; and teenagers can wash the dishes and start the laundry. What the chore is really doesn’t matter. Regular household responsibilities lead to a work ethic that is compatible with study habits and school routine.

Don’t give your child so many ‘freebies’. A third pair of basketball shoes is not a birthright. Giving youngsters so many ‘things’ is incompatible with developing an expectation that some ‘things’, including acquiring knowledge

Over 100 university admission officers visited British International School, Phuket (BISP) last year. Photo: BISP. and learning, are difficult and require hard work.

Insist on seeing things through as a personal value. When children begin new projects (football, an instrument, a club) they should be made to complete them. If they join a team, they stay until the season is over. Many children develop habits of quitting when things become uninteresting or difficult. They need to learn that hard work is an inevitable part of almost any activity – including school.

Promote personal values over peer conformity. Not every person is going to the movies; not all 14-year-olds have an 11pm curfew; and not every 16-yearold is allowed to go to a club. There is nothing that squelches personal initiative more than an obsessive desire to be like everybody else. Saying ‘no’ will not harm your children and will reinforce parental values. Independent children are better able to focus on their school subjects rather than their hairstyles.

Make your child personally account-

able for his or her behaviour. When things do not work out, we can blame the neighbourhood children, the teachers, the immigration officials, and we can blame the coaches. But it is obvious what children learn when blame is always placed on others. A personal sense of accountability impacts upon children’s learning in school; it enables them to have pride in their successes while also enabling them to acknowledge, and learn, from their failures.

Teach your child to care about others. Getting along and showing consideration for other people’s feelings is an important life skill. Problems can be solved better when everyone works together and agrees on a solution. Few people work in isolation. Success, in and out of school, often depends on co-operation.

What will help your child to become a successful university student? It all starts with the habits learned in primary and secondary school. Now is the time to make those new year resolutions that will aid in your children’s school success.

Dale Ford is one of two University Counsellors at British International School, Phuket. For more information, visit them at www.bisphuket.ac.th

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TRAVEL 15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Breathe Easy

Buddy up for safe snorkeling.

Photo: US National Park Service

Snorkelling: safe or dangerous? It’s up to you Daren Jenner

O

cean snorkelling is a staple activity amongst tourists visiting Phuket, and for good reason. The surrounding waters contain dozens of beautiful islands and reefs, perfect for a beautiful day with the fishes.

So, fully-stocked beach bag in hand, you climb aboard the van that will whisk you away to your next Phuket fantasy trip. Beautiful and exotic sea life awaits.

As you head towards your next adventure, you take one last glance at the trip brochure. “Everything included: snorkel, mask, fins and training,” it says. After all, snorkelling is easy, right? There isn’t much to do to prepare, correct? Well, that depends.

Read on to see if you are truly prepared for your open water snorkeling trip.

What is a snorkel?

In its most basic form, a snorkel is a simple curved tube that allows swimmers to keep their face in the water and breathe for extended periods of time, while checking out the marine life below. However, as simple as it may seem, safely breathing through a tube while swimming in open water is a skill that needs to be learned.

Traditional snorkelling uses a tube and separate face mask that seals around the nose and eyes, allowing visibility of objects underwater. Recently, a new type of snorkel has been developed that incorporates the breathing tube and face mask into one unit. This type of mask is intended to seal around the mouth, nose and eyes.

Am I fit for open water snorkeling?

In general, if you are physically able to swim and tread water without a snorkel or flotation device, and dive to a depth of two metres while holding your breath, all in conditions similar @thephuketnews

to your planned snorkel trip, then you are ready to begin practicing with your snorkel in the shallow end of a swimming pool.

People with the following conditions should use extra caution when deciding if they are fit for snorkelling: • Over 65 years of age with little or no recent open water swimming; • Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke, high blood pressure); • Obstructive airway disease (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema); • Seizure disorder (history of seizures or convulsions); and/or • Other history of sudden loss of consciousness.

The following people are not fit for snorkeling: • Non-swimmers; • Those who have been advised by their doctor not to swim; and/or • Those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Phuket snorkel boot camp Step 1: Purchase your own snorkel Safe snorkelling requires a tube and mask that fit your unique facial geometry, and everyone is different. Do not rely on tour operators to provide a snorkel that fits. Buy your own high-quality brand-name snorkel before you go. Test as many as you can before choosing, concentrating on comfort, fit and, most importantly, the seal. Test the seal by donning the mask, and then inhaling slightly through your nose. The seal should remain firm and air should not leak in. If it doesn’t fit, choose another mask and snorkel.

Most snorkellers also wear swim fins.

Consider purchasing your own swim fins and make sure they fit comfortably before taking them out in the water.

Step 2: Test your snorkel In the shallow end of a pool where you can easily touch the bottom, don the mask and snorkel and practice

Shop around for comfortable, fitted equipment. Photo: Pixabay floating face down while breathing.

Then practice breathing with your face in the water while slowly swimming.

Gradually move to the deeper part of the pool as you gain confidence, breathing face-down in the water with your snorkel and mask.

Step 3: Practice diving and purging When the top of your snorkel tube sinks below the water’s surface, water can get inside.

In the deep end of the pool, practice holding your breath, diving under the surface, and then returning to the surface while forcefully exhaling through your mouth and out of the tube. This will blow any water remaining inside out of the tube and enable safe snorkel breathing once again.

Practice diving, surfacing, and purging your snorkel in the pool until you feel completely comfortable with the process.

Step 4: Use reputable tour services Select a tour operator based on safety and reputation, not just low price. If you have any questions about safety, ask to speak to the operator and/or vessel captain.

Step 5: Use the buddy system Always snorkel in open water in pairs. No open water snorkeller

should enter the water without a buddy. Stay close to your buddy at all times while in the water.

Now that you have finished your preparation checklist, get out there and enjoy a safe and fantastic snorkeling adventure.

Special note on full-face snorkel equipment Recent evidence suggests that fullface, one-piece snorkel masks are linked to higher drowning rates while snorkeling. This design seals eyes, mouth and face in one large mask.

If water enters the system while submerged, it can be more difficult to purge than a traditional tube due to the increased air volume of the design. It is theorised that this leads to an increased incidence of water aspiration past the larynx, which in turn causes involuntary laryngospasm that blocks the flow of air to the lungs.

Extreme caution is advised while snorkeling with full-face systems.

Daren Jenner is a bodysurfer and Ocean Lifeguard in Southeast Asia.

He is also a Marine Safety Officer for the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA).

Visit www.islasurf.org

16 EVENTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Instruments for Orphans concert

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Making some noise for a worthy cause The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

O

n Jan 26, the Phuket Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA) will host a youth musical festival at the Underwood Art Factory on the bypass road (next to Ikea). The event – dubbed ‘Instruments for Orphans Live’ – starts at 7pm and features a host of young, local talent. PAPA’s best students will open the show, which will also feature the Young Musicians Collective, the JamStart Band from the Yaowawit Orphanage, local rock revivalists Fake Smiles and special guest AndreaH, who recently opened for Sam Smith in Southeast Asia.

The event has been organised in order to raise much needed funds to buy musical instruments for the Yaowawit orphanage’s music department. The school and orphanage has a dedicated group of students ranging in age from seven to 17 years of age.

Young Musicians Collective During 2018 their JamStart band worked with PAPA teachers and staff to help them improve their playing.

The band has also recorded six original songs with Legend Music, and plans on releasing an album this year to further aid their fundraising efforts.

“In the years that we have been teaching music, I have never seen a more focused and passionate group of

students that are so hungry to learn how to play and perform music,” said Gary Crause from PAPA and Legend Music.

“It is pure joy for all of us every time we get together and either teach or record with them,” he continued.

Having seen their determination, and discovered what they accomplished with very little resources at the orphan-

AndreaH age, Gary started the Instruments for Orphans campaign to collect money and second hand instruments for the Yaowawit music department.

“We have had limited success, but some very generous parents and students have donated much needed instruments,” said Gary .

The Instruments for Orphans concert is open to all in Phuket and is free to attend. Patrons attending the show are asked to make donations of any amount on the day, or to bring along an unused musical instrument for donation. All instruments will be welcomed, from shakers to keyboards, guitars and even drum kits.

If you are interested in donating to the Instruments for Orphans campaign, please email admin@legendmusic.net for information about where to drop off instruments or money.

Those involved thank UWC Thailand and Class Act Media for sponsoring resources in support of this cause.

SALA Phuket Resort and Spa brings you Music in the Park The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

S

ee in the festival season with style at SALA’s first “Chillin’ & Grillin’” of 2019, taking place this Sunday, Jan 20.

The ever-popular event brings together live music from Phuket bands, a buffet, free-f low beverage promotions and market stalls.

Kick back at one of the Chillin’ spots and have your fill of Chef Tony’s Grillin’ market buffet. Let the easy listening sound of Joker Band take you through the afternoon as they play modern day popular hits as well as all-time favourites from 3-5:30pm.

Dance your way into the evening with Black ’n’ Blue, who grace the stage from 6-9pm to entertain you with upbeat renditions of classic blues, rock and soul hits.

In addition to live music, expect magicians, balloon artists, face painters, local artists and market stalls.

Complimentary shuttle bus transfers will be available from Thalang.

For more information please visit www.salaphuket.com.

For bookings, please contact events@salaphuket.com.

THB 1,650* includes the Chillin’ & Grillin’ Market Buffet.

THB 600* for children aged 6 – 14 years. Below 6 complimentary.

THB 650* includes certain freeflow beverages. *Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 7% value added tax. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Extraordinary Italian dining with JW Marriott

Join chef Massimiliano Celeste this month for an exclusive culinary experience The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

J

W Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is giving you the opportunity to unveil a world of gastronomic delights with an exclusive dining experience.

Italian Michelin star chef Massimiliano Celeste and his sous chef Roberto Ognibene are generously taking time out from the oneMichelin-starred I Portale restaurant, Verbania, Italy to cook for diners at the resort.

Ravioli del plin

@thephuketnews

Chef Celeste will make an exclusive two-day appearance at Cucina Italian Kitchen, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, before delighting diners at D.O.C.G Restaurant, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach from Feb 1-2.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that diners should not miss. Chef Celeste proudly presents a delectable five-course set menu inspired by seasonal cooking that reflects his philosophy and passion for precision and beauty.

Taking influences from different parts of Italy and the world, Chef Celeste creates distinctive signature dishes that surprise the palate.

The programmes for these cooking and dining experiences are as follows:

Jan 28-29, from 6:30pm A lavish five-course gala dinner at Cucina Italian Kitchen. The divine menu includes: caramelized red onion macaroon served with smoked fish; Chef Celeste’s signature vitello tonnato; his interpretation of Carnoroli rice, octopus and garden vegetables; guinea fowl stuffed with mantis prawns, green peas, green apple and pomegranate; and a rich dessert of moscato-flavoured sabayon served with cedar gelato, exotic fruits and Asian sprouts.

Price is B2,990++ per person for food only and B5,790++ with selected beverage pairings.

Jan 29 from, 11am-2pm Chef Celeste will hold a live cooking demonstration at Ginja Cook followed by a three-course signature Italian set menu.

Highlights include: vitello

Chef Massimiliano Celeste

Cucina Italian Kitchen tonnato; traditional plin ravioli; and mascarpone parfait with mango and meringue.

This is a great opportunity to learn Chef Celeste’s secret recipes and to have an intimate dining experience. The cooking demonstration is limited to just 10 seats.

Price is B2,600++ per person for food only.

For more information or for reservations, contact the Food & Beverage dining experience team.

Telephone: +66 (0)76 338 000 Email: fbdiningexperience@ marriotthotels.com Website: jwmarriottphuketresort.com

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Ae, Michael and Mira.

Jay Le Shark and kids.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Paul and Ying.

Thomas, Lars and Um.

MAKING WAVES AT THE THAILAND YACHT SHOW & RENDEZVOUS The four day extravaganza, held Jan 10–13 at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina, saw nautical lifestyle seekers and major players in pleasure yachting meet with local brokers, property developers and bespoke travel operators. The luxurious event also hosted car parades, yacht parties, live music, cooking classes, fashion shows, photography workshops and a display of the world-renowned Elephant Parade.

Smiles with Cassia's Hotel Manager Logan Daley.

Brains and beauty at Laguna Phuket Kindergarten's mobile learning centre.

Girls just wanna have fun. Celebrating New Year’s Eve at XANA Beach Club.

Story time. Nicolene read in English while Praewwanit translated.

MISS WORLD 2018 AND MISS THAILAND WORLD 2018 RUNNERS-UP PROMOTE PHUKET From Dec 31, 2018–Jan 4, 2019, Laguna Phuket welcomed Miss World 2018 first runner-up and Miss Thailand 2018 Nicolene Pichapa Boonchoo and Miss Thailand World 2018 first runner-up Praewwanit Ruangthong to the renowned integrated beach resort. The recently-crowned beauties stayed at Laguna's newest resort, Cassia, and took part in activities around Phuket province and its scenic islands to help promote Phuket’s culture and tourism. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

All fun and games.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Hero’s welcome. Opening ceremony with Thalang District Chief (centre).

THOUSANDS JOIN 2019 CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATION AT LAGUNA PHUKET More than 3,000 children and parents spent Children’s Day at Laguna Phuket’s outdoor event venue Laguna Grove on Jan 12, 2019. Aiming at encouraging and inspiring children to become active, informed and concerned citizens via fun ‘edutainment’, the event offered a series of game booths, a merry-go-round, stage performances from local schools and TV’s comedy group Jam-urd Na Jor as well as balloons and goodies for kids.

And the winner is...

Remember this face.

BOAT LAGOON THROWS ‘A CELEBRATION FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION’ The theme of this year’s Children’s Day, Jan 12, at Phuket Boat Lagoon was ‘Dream Job’ with prizes awarded to the best dressed. Everyone certainly aimed high and dressed to impress. The resort offered activities for our future superstars, including ‘tram’ tours of the lagoon, visits to the lighthouse, booth games and lucky draws.

Thank you Avista Hotels.

Impiana Resort Patong tick all the boxes.

KIND HOSPITALITY

You’ll be green with envy at our treats from Laguna Phuket. @thephuketnews

Each week, Class Act Media is fortunate enough to receive vistors, and gifts, from all corners of Phuket.

This week, it was our friends and colleagues from the island’s hotel and resort groups who made the journey to our offices to say hello and treat us to baskets full of food and beverages. Thank you all.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

18 JAN

SAT

19 JAN

Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/ TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

culinary maestro, Executive Chef Mark Jones, While enjoying spectacular views over Nai Harn Bay and listening to the sounds of Resident DJ Sun. THB 5,500 net per adult (With free- flow premium beverage handpicked by James Suckling). THB 3,850 net per adult (food only). THB 2,200 net per child aged from 3 to 18 (with freeflow juices and soft drinks). Reservation please call 076 380 200 www.thenaiharn.com

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

21 JAN

Circoloco arrives in Thailand for a one-off event at the award-winning Baba Beach Club in Phuket January 19th 2019, Circoloco arrives in Thailand for a one-off event at the award-winning Baba Beach Club in Phuket. Tickets are available.

For more information & bookings, contact us: +66 76 429 388, phuket@bababeachclub.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/BabaBeachClub Instagram: www.instagram.com/bababeachclub Website: www.bababeachclub.com Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/baba-beach-club

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

Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, Great variety, Vibrant flavours.

Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550.

Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/

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

SUN

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

20 JAN Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht. Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.

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 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the

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

WED

23 JAN

Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews

The Great Nai Harn Phuket Sunday Brunch Every Sunday from 12:30 15:00 hrs. Guests can savor delectable creations prepared by

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

THU

24 JAN

SAT

Art Factory to raise funds for the Instruments for Orphans drive. It start at 7pm and will feature the best and cutest students from PAPA, The Young Musicians Collective, JamStart and special guest AndreaH. For information email papa@legendmusic.net

MON

28 JAN Blue Horizon WCGC Thailand 2019

RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70s & 80s Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Flambé 300g Australian grass fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY 595 THB. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY 95 THB. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations.

Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at WWW.TWOCHEFS.COM or find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/ TWOCHEFSTHAILAND/ COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN! Reservations, Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076-330-065, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914

SAT

26 JAN

Boat Lagoon Weekend 1-2 February 2019 Beats & Bites. Music & Food & Fun. From 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm at Lagoon Quay. พบกับงานแสดง

Michelin-Starred Chef Massimiliano Celeste This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that diners should not miss. Chef Celeste proudly presents a delectable 5-course set menu inspired by seasonal cooking that reflects his philosophy with a passion for precision and beauty. His signature dishes are very distinctive as he takes influences from different parts of Italy and the world to come up with creations that surprise the palate. January 28th - 29th, from 6.30: A lavish 5-course gala dinner. Price is THB 2,990++ per person food only and THB 5,790++with selected beverages pairing. And January 29th, from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm: Chef Celeste will hold a live cooking demonstration at Ginja Cook followed by a 3-course signature Italian set menu.

THB 2,600++ per person food only. Reservations, Cucina Italian Kitchen, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, fbdiningexperience@marriotthotels.com, 076 338 000.

FRI

1 FEB

PAPA Event 2019 On the 26th of January 2019 the PAPA will host Instruments for Orphans Live at the Underwood

@thephuketnews

่ ดนตรี อาหาร และความสนุกหลากหลายรูปแบบ ทีงานโบ๊ ทลากูน วีคเอนด์ Phuket Boat Lagoon

WED

13 FEB

The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge continues in 2019 with the top 10% of teams (2 people per team) from each qualifier gaining entry to the Thailand Final on the 27th of April 2019 at Laguna Golf Club Phuket. Prominent sponsors provide an all-expenses paid trip to the World Final at Oitavoss Dunes in Cascais, Portugal. For more details and to sign up contact events@foremanagement.com

EVERY DAY

The 22nd Bay Regatta 2019 The 22nd Bay Regatta is expected to be the biggest yet and will firmly stand out as one of South East Asia’s finest yachting events. Taking place in some of the most beautiful scenery the region has to offer, the four days racing and daily prizegiving dinners will bring a buzz of excitement to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. More info at: facebook.com/bayregatta

SAT

Australia Day Beach BBQ Celebrate Australia Day with a traditional Beach BBQ, a few drinks and great friends. Australians in Phuket (AIP) is hosting a very informal get together on the beach in front of the Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket. The BBQ will be fired up along with chilled drinks in the esky, a few beach sports and activities for kids. Enjoy 60THB drinks & sausage sizzle or BYO food & drinks. FREE for all to attend. AIP members shall enjoy a complimentary welcome drink. 3.00pm till sunset. facebook.com/aussiesinphuket

27 APR

16 FEB

ZUMA returns to Anantara Layan Award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant, ZUMA, returns for a third season to the beachfront at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort between 15 December 2018 and 15 February 2019. For more information and bookings, please call + 66 (0) 7631 7200 or email zuma@ anantara.com

Grow Boating Phuket Networking Evening The Grow Boating Networking Evening for February 2019 will be held at The D’Deck Bar, at The Ao Po Grand Marina on Friday the 1st of February from 5pm. We are delighted to announce that Asia Pacific Superyachts have generously agreed to be our drinks sponsors. There will be a light buffet sponsored by The D’Deck Bar and special prices on your favourite local beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along. A special thanks to our Media Partners for 2019 The Phuket News, Live 89.5 Radio and Phuket News TV. growboatingphuket@ gmail.com, ian@derani-yachts.com

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON PIWC - Annual Fundraiser 2019 Phuket International Women’s Club Annual Fundraiser 2019. At Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort on February 16, 2019. Start from 18.30. Dresscode: Rock or Pop. Tickets 2,500 baht; Buffer, welcome drink and Live Band. All proceeds go to PIWC scholarship fund. Ticketing & info: info@piwc-phuket.com

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Who is the lead singer of the pop band Maroon 5?

2. In which year did New York City Police get its first-ever African American police commissioner, Benjamin Ward?

3. What is the peak power production of a horse, in terms of horsepower?

4. A mule is a cross between which two equines?

5. The Taj Mahal is in the city of Agra, in which Indian state?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 49. Style 1. “Check this out!”

50. Bodybuilder’s 5. Cousin of calypso regime 8. Sunday’s finest 58. Hall of fame? clothes for 59. N.Y. neighbor everyone 60. Zero, on a court 13. Sally Bowles role in 61. Past its prime “Cabaret” 62. Many times 14. Lentil sauce 63. Spouted vessel 15. Waikiki welcome 64. Makes a 16. Plane, e.g. mournful sound 17. Is worthwhile 65. Value 18. Disinfectant 66. Mend trademark 19. Place for organic Down shoppers 1. Walkway 22. Bearing 2. Blackish fruit 23. Crew member 3. Ancient colonnade 24. Ultimate object 4. Road collection 27. Chinese river area 29. Basilica part 5. Isaac Hayes 33. Way album 34. Answer 6. Boxing blow 36. A VP, for short 7. Moreover 37. Good dietary 8. Model material choices 9. Wing covers 40. His “4” was retired 10. Fair 41. Basic belief 11. Day name giver 42. Swedish coin 12. Ad headline 43. Biblical pronoun 14. A British 45. Internet response doctorate, abbr. to a comic 20. Retention target 46. Spirited 21. Coffee 47. One of 37 across companion

24. Cereal killer 25. Needle point?

26. Because of 27. German philosopher 28. Help in crime 30. Some shirts 31. Drained 32. Bacon piece 34. Gambling mecca 35. Earn 38. With the back of the tongue 39. Grey or tawny with darker streaks 44. Arduous 46. False move 48. Swords used to fence with 49. Spite 50. Chop finely 51. Wild about 52. Chew on 53. S. American tubers 54. Medicinal tree 55. “Field of Dreams” setting 56. At any time 57. Relative of a gull

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Adam Levine; 2) 1983; 3) 14.9hp; 4) A donkey and a horse; 5) Uttar Pradesh

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

3.1

percent of the world’s population was killed during World War II.

11

years old was Pocahontas’ age when she met John Smith, who was 28 years old at the time.

100

times more potent at destroying cancer cells is the illegal drug ecstasy than the original form of MDMA.

10,000 beaches Australia has along its coast. Visiting a new one each day would take 27 years.

8.4 million US dollars is how much a Philadelphia man in 1989 sold one of the first copies of the original US Declaration of Independence from 1776. He had found it hidden under the canvas of an old painting he bought at a flea market for $4.

Source: Uberfacts

Saphan Hin. Photo: Jeffrey Ephreim Villanueva Villegas Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history Jan 18, 1591 King Naresuan of Siam kills Crown Prince Mingyi Swa of Burma in single combat, for which this date is now observed as Royal Thai Armed Forces day.

Jan 19, 1986 The first IBM PC computer virus is released. A boot sector virus dubbed (c)Brain, it was created by the Farooq Alvi Brothers in Lahore, Pakistan, reportedly to deter copying of software they had written.

Jan 20, 1265 The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly called the “Houses of Parliament”.

Jan 21, 1911 The first Monte Carlo Rally takes place. The historic race, held annualy since, was won by Henri Rougier and the victorious 25Hp Turcat-Méry.

Waterbury, Connecticut and charged with planting more than 30 bombs.

Henri Rougier (right), winner of the very first Monte Carlo Rally.

Jan 22, 1957 The New York City “Mad Bomber”, George P. Metesky, is arrested in

Jan 23, 1556 The deadliest earthquake in history, the Shaanxi earthquake in China.

The death toll may have been as high as 830,000.

Jan 24, 1972 Japanese Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi is found hiding in a Guam jungle, where he had been since the end of World War II. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Jobs

International Sales Support

APR is an international company dealing with customers in Asia and Australia, as well as decorative surface suppliers from Europe. Asia Pacific Representatives Ltd. are looking for: Support staff for our sales team Age: 20-35 years Thai National Excellent English language skills required Knowledge of Microsoft office Comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Excel Office location: Phuket – Chalong Tasks will include: - Project tracking and follow up - Communication with international suppliers and customers - Understanding of our products and services Please submit your resume and recent photo jobs@apr-pfleiderer.com @thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

Website operator

Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: S i a m . s e r e n i t y. t h @ g m a i l . c o m , 0874178715.

Thai Yoga Instructor

Position available now - Full Time Position - 24 Yoga Classes per month.

Wellness Skills - Certificated to teach various Yoga Styles. Additional Health Skills i.e. Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, etc. - Assist with Yoga Class inquires and Retreat health consultations.

English Speaking - Thai National only 25,000 to 30,000. Kenneth Miller 0866041333. www.ccshideaway.com/ wellness.htm

Need a governess/ nanny

A family needs a nanny for a special needs child. The ideal candidate will have a background in teaching and varied methods of promoting learning in a fun way. Working 6 days per week. English speaker essential. Celina teacherphuket@gmail. com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

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MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

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26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Buy & Sell GE UR

Toyota GT 2013 - FT86

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

GT Brembo brake system. Adjustable suspension, remote auto adjust w/ te controls. Performance exhaust. 2Din Pioneer AVH-X8850BT sound system. Audison speakers. Wheels ADV7.1SL. 1 Piece forged. 2 mil. Or best offer..., Dan Miles, danmilesmedia@gmail.com, 065 621 5541, Thai 091 165 9332

250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYachtAgency.com, 081-894 -3234 (French/English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/ English).

2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket. It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong.

Only 465,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

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Golden Business Opportunity

Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. 1.2 Million THB ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_lek55@ hotmail.com, 099 362 7979.

@thephuketnews

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NEW, LUXURY 2-UNIT LEATHER SOFA

BOUGHT IN SB DESIGN SQUARE PHUKET. LUXURY KELVIN GIORMANI SOFA. PERFECT, NEVER USED. PAID PRICE B67,500/UNIT TOTAL B135,000 NOW B50,000/UNIT TOTAL B100,000. W2.30m D1.65m H65-90cm.

0930914502.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 Bed Condo in Kamala

Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach. Comes with pool and onsite restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment.

B5,417,000. Call Andy. 083 800 1888

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.

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Amazing Deal!

Riviera sport fishing boat

Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42� Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel.

9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au

Boat Rinker 290

Ducati Multistrada 2012

2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail. com, 081-734-8309.

Year 2000, under 200,000km, recently changed battery, checked engine - all works. Has dents and scratches but starts every time and goes from A to B. 0836012526.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

Rinker 290 with trailer Continental 2017, engine Volvo Penta, Under warranty includes all standard equipment, less then 100 hours used. More information in link: clc.la/07hDmA 3,990,000, +66-97-175-00-96.

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE

Toyota Soluna - cheap!

Personal Assistant

For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort. Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354.

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@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

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Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

Karon Butterfly hillside condo for sale just 800m from beach. Amenities close by. Fully furnished and condo facilities. Great investment in great area of Phuket. Shuttle Bus to Beach and Rental Program. A must see!!!! B4,300,000, Dmitry, 082 030 7199.

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Mueang Phuket 1 Bed Condo

Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!! Fully furnished and conveniently located. Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities. B2,500,000, Christine, 094 841 1918.

Villa for sale

Important VILLA with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Garden 1300 square meters, 16x4 pool. Fully furnished Mediterranean style. Private negotiation. Owner, Loch Palm Golf Kathu, Phuket, 080 603 4079 English and Thai

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Lovely Pool Villa, Nai Harn

Prime location, 4 bedrooms, large garden and pool, 764 sqm, Chanote title, double garage. Great family home or investment property. Motivated seller. 12,500,000, Dean, dmuir@exotiq.com, 0857932667.

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@gmail.com, 66870608400.

Single story home for sale

5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 1 living room, 2 cars parking space. Fully furnished, Jacuzzi, walk-in wardrobes, garden and swimming pool with Sala. Can do more buildin. Sunny, sunny@transinco.eu, 0823775555.

House for Sale/Rent

Fully furnished with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms, Large entertainment area. Convenient location close to major shopping center and international schools. Easy access to airport.

Long term lease 65,000 includes pool +garden services. Negotiable Price, Bea, Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu, l.thumwong@gmail.com, 098 194 9351 and 097 352 4114.

Unique Investment Opportunity

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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House for Sale or Rent, Rawai

Cape Lam Promthep, Rawai - Nature area, beside sea. Swimming. Very quiet, just live and enjoy your life. If you want to make money perfect for building Rental Homes or Healing or Mediation center - Chanote land is not the way to go. We can’t own anything here with Thai wife unless stay together a long time and can take everything so best to Rent Land and have contract with a Thai. - All houses this area some WORTH MILLIONS OF EUROS ARE ON, “ LAND RENTED FROM GOVERNMENT,” FOR APPROXIMATELY 1000 BAHT A YEAR FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT. “You can Sell your Right to Occupy to others,” – this is LEGAL - Same as Crown Land in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and America, but still hasn’t stopped people from building expensive homes and title can be up graded with time - 12 million baht sale or 30,000 baht rent (one year rent in advance) - Almost 3 rai BESIDE THE SEA ( Zoned Yellow) CAN BUILD MULTIPLE HOMES, Healing or Meditation Center - TWO HOUSES, One large house 2 bedrooms and 2 bath, 2 decks, One Small House 1 bedroom and 1 bath 1 deck 12million or 30,000 month Andy, capt_canada42@yahoo.com, 091 823 2271.

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RPM by owner

A Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white.

Jacuzzi. All round beautiful views.

Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand. Available to agents.

Priced at 16MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com

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House for sale

Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road. 082 377 5555.

Penthouse for sale

432.44 sqm Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool.

22nd floor (top floor) at Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities. See beachsuites.com/gallery.

No brokers please. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

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HOT PRICE - SURIN BEACH

5-Bed Pool Villa 1.2 Rai Rawai

Villa with 4 beds, open-plan living area, western kitchen. Separate 1-bed guest suite. Separate workshop and laundry. Pool 11mx5m, large private garden, residential area. www. thaivillaonline.com Price - B15,750,000.

0844477247.

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PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m.

Chanote

Villa in Boat Lagoon Marina

5 bedroom, pre-school place in walking distance, 10mins to BISP, 30mins to UWC and HeadStart. Must Sell, Pls contact for price. Pen, pen@mindproperties.net, +66 (0) 874658883.

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote

Private location in prestige area. Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Beach Front Land

* 128 meter of white sand beach frontage * amazing views * 9 Rai , Secure Nor Sor 3 Kor tittle * located on Koh Yao Yai * 20 minutes boat drive from Phuket * public road with water and electricity * ideal for high-end development * ready to build * sale direct by owner *ONLY 11.9 Mill. Baht / Rai Email : montha_phuket@yahoo.com Tel: 095 014 7888.

1 Bed Condo in Laguna

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3 B/R, Duplex, 170 sq/m. Shared pool, three decks, fully furnished. 400 meters from Surin Beach. Great Condition. Must sell jgstryker@gmail.com 5,699,000, 0836450097

The Water Mark: Luxurious living by the majestic river “Chaophya”, the river of the King.

Located on Charoen Nakhon Road. Beautiful, spacious condo 283.6 Sqm. / 4 bedrooms / high floor (52nd floor) /panoramic view of the city & river / fully fitted to highest standard Facility: swimming pool by the river, gym, sauna 40,500,000-, Jitsarn, jitsarn@yahoo. com, 0859776301.

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BKK condo

by Chaophya River

Exquisite Property meets Luxury Area in the Heart of Phuket. Welcome to the Ocean Sands, an upcoming hotel development located close to the Laguna Area, one of Phuket’s most luxury and trending areas. Comprising a total of 213 keys ranging from our signature 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite up to our well-appointed Family Suite, this exquisite property equipped with large swimming pools around central simulated beach and five-star standard facilities will become a new enjoyment for lifestyle living.

Invest with us and elevate your lifestyle, be a part of the Ocean Sands. phuket@ thairesidential.com, 0872699206.

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

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jitsarn@yahoo.com, 0859776301.

Bkk urban living near BTS

NEW 2 bedrooms for sale: Noble Ploenchit Condominium Next to BTS Ploenchit Station, Walk to Central Embassy & Central Chidlom Dept Store. 2 bedrooms, 85 Sqm, corner unit, high fl, unblock View, fully fitted wardrobe & kitchen, aircon, bathrooms Facility: beautiful swimming pool & common area, gym, sauna 23,500,000-, Jitsarn,

Villa in Patong prime location

One of the last Villas available in Patong. in top condition. 24 hour security. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Fully furnished, garden. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411.

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/german 12.9MB, picharly@gmail.com

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3 B/R Surin Duplex

400m from Surin Beach, fully furnished.

Shared pool, 3 bathroom, and two decks/salas. 38k per/month jgstryker@ gmail.com 0836450097.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

SPORT 29

Bay Regatta aims bigger SAILING

The regatta’s spectacular racing backdrop of Phang Nga Bay.

The Phuket News editor3@thephuketnews.com

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he 22nd Bay Regatta is expected to be the biggest yet and will firmly stand out as one of Southeast Asia’s finest yachting events.

Taking place in some of the most beautiful scenery the region has to offer, the four days of racing and daily prizegiving dinners will bring a buzz of excitement to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Taking place just two months after Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, The Bay Regatta 2019 will be the scene for the region’s yachting community in February. The action is spread over four days of exhilarating competition in the surrounding bays of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. This year’s competition will be split into six classes: Racing Class, Cruising A, Cruising B, Bareboat Charter, Racing Multihulls and Cruising Multihulls Kae Wattana, Managing Director of organisers Regattas Asia, comments “The Bay Regatta is now in its 22nd year

@thephuketnews

The regatta brings different worlds together. and is more popular than ever with competitors joining from all around the world. This year will see the return of the 110 year old ‘S/Y Seraph’ as our committee boat and we will hold our daily presentation at a fantastic new venue in Krabi, The Phra Nang Inn. We are all looking forward to another great event.”

The four days of racing are a mixture of ‘coastal passages’ and ‘around the islands’, encompassing the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, and includes some of

Thailand’s most beautiful islands.

Racing starts at 8:30am each day from the beach at each of the overnight stops.

There are a number of different courses used during the regatta. Courses are designed to offer competitive sailing to all types of yachts and are selected on a daily basis by local sailing personalities Andy Dowden and Simon James.

Traditionally, yachts will start off at Ao Po, through Phang Nga Bay to Ko Yao Noi, heading east for two nights

in Krabi and returning to Ao Chalong Bay in Phuket.

The action can be viewed from the look-out points at the regatta venues: Thursday Feb 14: Ao Po; Friday Feb 15: Long Beach, Ko Yao Noi; Saturday Feb 16: Ao Nang/Koh Dam Group; Sunday Feb 17: Cape Panwa, Phuket.

The Regatta is organised

by Regattas Asia under the auspices of the Phuket Yacht Club.

The event is supported by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand and the Tourism

Authority of Thailand.

Co-Sponsors: Chang, The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pra Nang Inn, Vacation Village Yacht Charter, Budget Car and Truck Rental, Castle Creek, Mekhong and Raymarine.

Regatta Partners: Chandara Resort and Spa, Haadthip, Jungceylon, Koh Yao Chukit

Resort.

Local Supporters: Electrical Marine, B&G, Octopus Marine, The Mangosteen Resort, Epic Charters.

Media Partners: Class Act Media, The Phuket News, SEA Yachting, Check In Surat Magazine, One Coast, Marine Directory Asia, aBoat.

For further information contact:

Kae Wattana Regatta Director, Regattas Asia Email: kae@regattas.asia Tel: 081 538 8848 www.facebook.com/BayRegatta www.bayregatta.com

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Champions in final night fright

Upsets and scares set tone for Rawai Pool League season finale POOL Gregg Bremner and Richard Hearne

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n the final night of play in the Rawai Pool League, Division A champions Black Sheep went to Mango Bar to cap off what’s been a fantastic season. However, their plans to end a great run with a final victory were swiftly put to rest by the home side.

Mango’s Mike beat Riky, while Black Sheep’s Taka was found napping in his chair and lost to Ian. Kevin showed some great skill to pull back a point for the visitors, but the final singles match between Thai compatriots Thong and Goh gave Mango another point heading into the doubles.

An unlikely comeback in the doubles was swiftly extinguished by Thong and Gregg who twice ran seven balls after having ball in hand to seal the win. Black Sheep clawed back the Beer Leg, but lost the match 4-3.

Future Bar faced secondplaced Shot Bar in a match that could determine whether White Hart or Shot Bar would finish the season in second position. A loss here for Shot, and a victory for third-placed White Hart might swap their positions in the final league table.

With some key players unavailable for Future, a nearimpossible task looked suddenly quite possible when both Harry and Pan shockingly lost their singles, handing Future Bar a comfortable 3-1 score going into the doubles.

However, Shot Bar played some amazing pool in the doubles games to draw the match level at 3-3.

Alas, the near-impossible task was self-fulfilled with Shot Bar winning the Beer Leg and securing their second-place

Season 14 champions Black Sheep: Nanni, Goh, Riky, Taka and Kevin. Credit: Shot Bar. position for Season 14 and losing to to overall winners Black Sheep only by leg difference.

White Hart hosted a recently resurgent Masaya Bar, but it was the home side that turned on the skill to take all four singles games. Last year’s champions White Hart lost only a single frame in the singles and remained conscious of needing the biggest score line possible in case Shot Bar lost to Future.

Masaya weren’t rolling over, however, and fought back with two 0-2 wins in the doubles. The Beer Leg went to the hosts, and the final score was 5-2 on the night. White Hart end a very respectable third place in Season 14.

Pita Bar were also looking to improve their final standing for Season 14 by overtaking Mango Bar. Their opponents were bottom-placed Tropical Sands, who are well liked for the great entertainment and sportsmanship they bring to their matches. The visitors started out well, with captain Fuzz taking points from Pita’s Stefan. It seemed like Stefan’s

slick new haircut failed to give him the cutting edge.

The remaining singles went to Pita, with Richard, Flob and Grant all winning their games 2-0 to put Tropical Sands 3-1 down going into the doubles.

With bar owner ‘Dangerous Ding’ sitting out this week, Pita still managed to win both doubles and the Beer Leg with ease to give them a 6-1 victory in their final game of the season.

Black Pearl travelled to Spot Bar to face an all-male side. Even with superstar Eddy back on the team sheet, Spot just couldn’t stop Bang who was banging the balls in all night.

Dave wasn’t at the races at all this week after his appearance in the final of a big tournament the previous week, and the scores were left finely balanced at 2-2 after the singles.

Despite their foregone relegation, Spot Bar refused to go down without a fight, and it needed the final frame of the night to decide the victors.

With the Beer Leg ending 1-2, the final points went to visitors

Black Pearl who end Season 14 in sixth position.

Division A’s final game of the season found Freedom Bar playing host to Orange Bar. The visitors had one last chance to break their 100% losing run, but alas the French team maintained the same consistency they’ve shown all season.

The only small piece of joy the French team could muster was Pierre beating Big Dave in the singles. With Popeye getting his voice back, and many shouts of “Freedom!” coming from the bar, the homeside took an easy 6-1 victory. Orange Bar are left cemented to the floor of Division A, and will see new opponents next season in Division B. Division B Already announced as this year’s Division B champions, Roses Bar headed into their last game of the season on the cusp of a scintillating unbeaten season. Standing in their way?

The all-lady team of Baroque Bar, which included the topranked female player Pang.

The sides were not sepa-

rated in the singles, with Pang pulling out a great victory against Mike, while Philipp managed to draw the score even at 2-2 against Pickpook.

The girls then changed gears in the doubles, and without conceding a single frame in the doubles, ended their season with a fine victory over the newly-crowned champions.

Roses are denied an amazing 22-match unbeaten run in their first season, but will play in Division A next time around.

Win or lose Stor Bar would stay in second place and be promoted to Division A. They travelled to face bottom-ranked Islander B. Stor Bar provided a very classy show to give them a fine 2-5 victory.

Next door, Black Bull hosted O’s Bar for a match between two Season 14 newcomers. It was third place versus third from bottom, but the sides were a lot more even than the ranking table would suggest.

Every game bar one required a final frame – only Black Bull owner Franck managed to win 2-0.

The score was level at 3-3 going into the final Beer Leg. With a superb atmosphere at Black Bull, O’s Bar managed

to secure the 3-4 upset over newly-promoted Black Bull by winning a hard fought final frame of the match.

With league positions shuffling throughout the final night of the season, Stoned Crab hosted Pink Sheep, with the Pink Sheep girls managing to save themselves from the crab’s claws, winning the match 3-4. On the Rawai beachfront, White Hart BBQ outshone Moonlight Bar to win 3-4, while the final game of the season saw Islander A outclass Kilt’n Haggis. Islander A’s win jumped them above The Stoned Crab in the final standings.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in Season 14 for the great play and especially for the charity money raised by all bars.

A very special thanks to Pi Ding, Eric Colombo, Richard Hearne and Barry Craig for their efforts to make the RPL happen.

Thank you also to league sponsors Thailand Pool Tables.

We look forward to the upcoming Season 15 of the Rawai Pool League, which will commence on Monday, Feb 11.

Visit Rawai-Pool-League.com for information on how to join.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM MAIN SPONSOR

MONTHLY SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for January 2019 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

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AAY adamrosindale fazza scottkip Fitz

OVERALL STANDINGS

14 12 11 11 10

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fazza giggs Griffsbar Smiley Bar Fitz

132 130 128 128 127

English Premier League 2018 - 2019

Harry Kane will be out until March with ankle ligament damage.

Photo: AFP / Ian Kington

Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury FOOTBALL AFP

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ot ten ham st r i ker Harry Kane will be sidelined until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in last Sunday’s defeat against Manchester United.

Kane sustained the injury to his left ankle in the closing moments of the 1-0 loss at Wembley and scans have now confirmed the extent of the problem.

It is the third successive season the England captain has missed games due to an ankle injury.

“Following preliminary assessments, we can confirm that Harry Kane has damaged ligaments in his left ankle, sustained during Sunday’s match against Manchester United,” a statement on Tottenham’s website said on Tuesday.

“The striker will continue to be monitored by ou r medical staff as he commences rehabilitation and is expected to return to training in early March.”

Kane was injured after being caught between United defenders Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof while trying to set up a last-minute chance for Tottenham.

He received treatment after the full-time whistle before walking off the pitch clearly in severe discomfort.

Kane’s absence is a major blow for Tottenham as they chase the first trophy of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s five-year reign.

T h e 2 5 - y e a r- o l d i s Tottenham's top scorer this season with 20 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.

He had scored seven times in his last seven matches to keep third-placed Tottenham in with an outside chance in the

Premier League title hunt, the north Londoners sitting nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

Kane, who won the Golden Boot as the World Cup’s leading marksman last year, also scored the penalty winner against Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final first leg.

Now he will miss the second leg at Chelsea next week, as well as the FA Cup fourth-round trip to Crystal Palace and at least six crucial league games.

The first leg of Tottenham’s Champions League last-16 tie at home to Borussia Dortmund will also come too soon for Kane.

He faces a race to be fit for the north London derby against Arsenal on March 2 and the second leg at Dortmund three days later.

England boss Gareth Southgate will hope Kane is back in contention for England’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czech Republic

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1720: Saturday Jan 19 Run Start Time: 3:30pm Hares: Dr F***g Jekyll, Bluey, Not Clever Location: East of Heroines Monument Directions: Heroines Monument - East 2.7 km. At the Heroines Monument circle turn East [4027] toward Paklok.

Drive approximately 2.7 km and turn LEFT (HHH). Follow HHH signs to Laager.

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

@thephuketnews

on March 22.

WHO WILL SCORE FOR SPURS NOW?

With South Korea forward Son Heung-min away on international duty and Brazil winger Lucas Moura also injured, Pochettino is left with Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen as his only fit senior forwards.

Speaking before tests confirmed Kane's ligament damage, Pochettino had already admitted he was “worried” about the situation.

Midfielder Moussa Sissoko was also injured against United to further deplete Pochettino’s options.

Janssen has endured a wretched time with Tottenham, while Llorente has hardly played either, although he did score a hat-trick in the recent FA Cup third-round win at fourth-tier Tranmere.

AFP

Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Liverpool

22

18

3

1

50

10

+40

57

2

Manchester City

22

17

2

3

59

17

+42

53

3

Tottenham Hotspur

22

16

0

6

46

22

+24

48

4

Chelsea

22

14

5

3

40

17

+23

47

5

Arsenal

22

12

5

5

46

32

+14

41

6

Manchester United

22

12

5

5

44

32

+12

41

7

Watford

22

9

5

8

32

32

0

32

8

Leicester City

22

9

4

9

26

25

+1

31

9

West Ham United

22

9

4

9

30

32

-2

31

10

Everton

22

8

6

8

33

31

+2

30

11

Wolverhampton

22

8

5

9

23

28

-5

29

12

Bournemouth

22

8

3

11

31

42

-11

27

13

Brighton

22

7

5

10

24

30

-6

26

14

Crystal Palace

22

6

4

12

20

28

-8

22

15

Burnley

22

6

3

13

23

43

-20

21

16

Southampton

22

4

7

11

23

39

-16

19

17

Cardiff City

22

5

4

13

19

41

-22

19

18

Newcastle United

22

4

6

12

16

31

-15

18

19

Fulham

22

3

5

14

20

49

-29

14

20

Huddersfield Town

22

2

5

15

13

37

-24

11

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech to retire at end of season “THIS IS MY 20th SEAson as a professional player and it is 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of this

season,” the former player of the year announced.

Cech won four Premier Leagues, five FA Cups, the Champions league and the Europa League among his vast array of trophies.

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Spurs title race suffers setback as Kane hurt > p31

ONE FOR ALL Designed for people with disabilities, the first S\V14 off the production line is set to exhibit this week at boot Dusseldorf The S\V14 being put through its paces.

Photo: Disabled Sailing Thailand

SAILING The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

T

he S\V14 dinghy developed

by Disabled Sailing Thailand will make its European debut in Germany this weekend, when the first S\V14 dinghy off the production line goes on display at the Düsseldorf International Boat Show.

The S\V14 on display at ‘boot Dusseldorf’, being held from Jan 19-27, is set to turn heads. Designed

by Simonis-Voogd Design in Cape Town and built by Fareast Yachts in Shanghai, the S\V14 two-person dinghy is designed for people with disabilities and other physical impairments.

With a pricing point of just US$3,000 (about B95,800) exfactory, it is poised to open up the sport to less-abled people under the approach of offering “affordable, available sailing.”

Phuket-based Marine Surveyor Peter Jacops, who began the S\V14 project just over three years ago, explained, “Our aim was to develop a boat that could be sailed by people with disabilities, and at a reasonable price. The S\V14 is exactly that.

“Up until now boats for Para Sailors have been surprisingly expensive, in some cases 10 times more than the S\V14, so cost was important, as was design, safety and performance,” he said.

Peter is the instigator of the S\V14 project and the founder of Disabled Sailing Thailand, a notfor-profit organisation that supports and promotes sailing in Thailand for people with disabilities.

“Unfortunately I won’t be there in Dusseldorf for the launch, but my wife, Nicole Vandewall, will be, along with the designers Alex Simonis and Maarten Voogd,” Peter told The Phuket News.

“I have been told that the head of World Sailing (the world governing body for the sport of sailing, formerly called the ISAF) will be there to make a speech to commemorate the occasion,” he added.

The project was born after the International Paralympic Committee in 2015 dropped sailing from the 2020 Paralympics. Frustrated, Peter decided to take action. Realising there were no disabled sailing programmes in Thailand, and boats were prohibitively expensive, Peter turned to Facebook.

“I posted on my Facebook page asking if any of my yachting friends could help me design a new, sexylooking, competitive and most importantly cheap and accessible boat for disabled people, and with a few minutes I received a reply from Alex Simonis and Maarten Voogd of Simonis-Voogd Design saying that they were willing to take up the challenge.

“Russel Vollmer, a paraplegic sailor friend, joined our efforts and soon we were sitting at the bar of the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town making our first concept on a tissue.

“It took about one year of design and engineering to come up with the S\V14 with the first build starting in Pattaya, immediately followed

by Cape Town, Hawkes Bay New Zealand and later Sausalito, USA. The Netherlands and Belgium soon followed,” Peter explained.

While the original idea was for the S\V14 to be a self-build concept, akin to the successful Mirror Dinghy, which as one of the biggest and most successful class of dinghies in the world now numbers more than 70,000 worldwide, things changed when Alex Simonis had a conversation with Fareast Yachts.

Known for their quality, and with a similar desire to give back to the community, Fareast Yachts

Fareast Yachts in Shanghai are building the base boats at subsibised prices. agreed to produce the S\V14 at their production base in China and, in a remarkable offer, will supply the first 1,000 S\V14s at a subsidised price of US$3,000 for the base boat ex-works Shanghai.

The first one off the production line has arrived in Germany as this paper goes to print, and will be on display at ‘boot Dusseldorf’.

Since Fareast Yachts confirmed their production, sailors and clubs worldwide have been enquiring about the S\V14 and multiple orders have been placed.

The first fleet expected off the production line is heading to Thailand. Bought by Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya, there will be eight S\V14s arriving in Q1 this year and will be raced for the first time in a one-design class for Para Sailors at the Top of the Gulf Regatta (April 30-May 5, 2019).

Simpson Marine has also paid for one, whilst the very first S\V 14, the fully tested and operational prototype dubbed “No. 1”, was paid for by Gulu Lalvani of Royal Phuket Marina.

“This first one was so important as it was the one that we tested and made adjustments on. Without this one, the others would not have followed,” Peter explained.

A second S\V14 was built in

Thailand by Austhai Marine and donated to Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Disabled Sailing Thailand have been working with Thai Para Sailors in Pattaya and have, in collaboration with the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, been teaching them to sail.

The first sailors represented Thailand at the 2018 Para World Sailing Championships in the US in September last year, and followed this with by attending a World Sailing Paralympic Development Program in Japan.

On the back of this, and strong support from Thailand’s yachting community, the Thai Paralympic Committee are showing interest and Para Sailing in the country looks set to grow.

“Things have moved quickly in the last 12 months. It’s exciting to see the first S\V14 off the production line and the first fleet arriving in Thailand later this year. Our goals are not competition sailing only; we want to support recreational sailing for all,” said Peter.

“Empowering adaptive sailing is what we are about and we are working with businesses and the yachting community throughout Thailand to make sailing a possibility for all. I would like to thank everyone who has helped us so far, and I encourage

any businesses or volunteers who wish to support this great cause to contact me through the Disabled Sailing Thailand website.”

While Fareast Yachts are doing the base builds for the boats, Simonis and Voogd explain on the sv14.org website that the plans are open source.

“What we did was to design a 14ft modern yacht which can be completely built out of 11 sheets of 4′ x 8′ plywood, 1 sheet of 3′ x 6′ 12 mm steel and 22′ x 10′ strips of hardwood. We prepared a CNC cutting package using these raw materials, which can be put together like a jigsaw puzzle to create the boat in an estimated time of less than 200 man-hours,” the website explains.

“It should require no more skills than that of your average DIY guy and no expensive tools. The beauty of this concept is that the materials are available everywhere, the plans and cutting patterns can be downloaded at no cost via the internet and 2D CNC cutting is so widely used that this can also be done all around the world in a place near you,” it adds.

For more information about Disabled Sailing Thailand, visit www. disabledsailingthailand.org, and for more information on the S\V14, visit www.sv14.org. thephuketnews